A Stroke Of Originality

There I was laying on the ground in a pool of my own blood clinging on to my last breath. In and out of consciousness I could hear the bandit leader Nakai asking everyone was I the best they had. He walked in circles around me kicking me on occasion and gloating more. I could see my son’s face as I began to lose consciousness. His face was full of tears as I laid on the ground disappointing him. The memory cut me like a blade as I see myself promising him I would win and get these bandits from our village. Yet, here I was covered in blood laying flat on my face letting him and the village down.

As I slowly closed my eyes once more, I could hear my son faintly in the distance. I tried to yell go back, but it would only come out as a soft whimper. Nakai noticed someone yelling and turned his attention away from me and towards my son. 

“Is this your father?” I could hear Nakai ask my son.

“Leave him alone!” Faduti yelled at Nakai.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Nakai replied.

I could see the smug look on Nakai’s face as he stared at my son, balancing his sword on his shoulder.

“Throw this boy a sword, and let’s see if he’s half as good as his father.” Nakai looked over to one of his bandits

I watched as one of them tossed my son a blade, and my temperature began to rise I had to get up before he killed my son I couldn’t let it happen like this. I watched as he kicked Faduti around, and cutting him. Come on! Get up! Were hollow shouts in my head. Get up! I yelled again as I tried to pick myself up. I gritted my teeth when I heard Faduti crying out in pain while Nakai kicked him around. My blood began to boil, and I picked myself up inch by inch while no one was watching me. As Nakai lifted his sword ready to deliver a killing blow to Faduti, I forced my body to move as fast as I could standing in front of my son, and catching Nakai’s sword through my hand. 

“I’m impressed you were able to get back up after that.” Nakai laughed as I gave a piercing glare. “Now this should be interesting.” He continued.

I looked over my shoulder at Faduti. He was balled up unconscious and shaking. “Don’t worry son, this will be over with soon. I will keep my promise.” I mumbled as I turned my attention back to Nakai. He got to it quickly as he tried to force my hand towards my face with his sword. I quickly dodged and thrust my sword at him forcing him to withdraw his sword from my hand. One I got my distance I ripped a piece of my shirt to wrap around my hand to stop the bleeding then gripped the hilt of my sword with both hands taking a defensive stance.

“That pose again?” Nakai laughed as he charged at me.

As he got closer, I switched up my stance tricking him and learning from my mistakes. Catching him off guard with my stance change I shadow stepped his advancement moving in closer to him before he could react striking a blow to his side.

“What was that?” Nakai asked his voice sterner as he held his side.

I said nothing as he started to get hot headed and charged at me once again. I took up the same stance waiting for him to get closer. Instead of switching it up this time I kept it the same as I could see the look of expectancy on his face. When Nakai got closer, I deflected his attack towards the side of my body letting my shoulder take the brunt of the damage while I had an opening to strike his arm. Soon after I struck his arm drawing blood, he followed with a switch kick to my abdomen knocking me back and following up with a relentless attacking forcing me to defend. There was no opening in his relentless attack, I took all the minor cuts just waiting for my opening. 

Finally, my moment came, and I could see Nakai panting, and becoming winded. I instantly took advantage and went on the offensive catching him off guard. Instead of defending he jumped away keeping his distance from me. This was it, the final moment. I had one last trick up my sleeve as I watched him stand there catching his breath. I went into my diving dragon stance lining my sword up with my back leg and pointing my index and middle finger directly at Nakai before charging forward. He waited as I got closer so he could deflect my attack, but in one swift motion I threw my sword forward and reached for my hidden dagger. At that very moment he deflected my sword I pierced his heart with my dagger twisting it as I watched his life leave his body. I fell to my knees as the village erupted in cheers and the bandits picked up their dead leaders body and walked away and left our village.

Practicing this different point of view thing….. Only with practice can I improve! Hope you guys enjoy! Have a great Weekend!