Nathan flew through the woods, his wings cutting through the air with precision as he followed the trajectory of Jero's crash landing.
Upon finding him, he landed softly on the ground, his katana gleaming in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.
Jero was already on his feet, his sword in hand, his expression calm but his eyes burning with intensity.
He seemed to have wiped off the blood, but the burn mark clearly couldn't just be wiped away.
"You guys really made a grave mistake coming here," Nathan said, his voice calm but his body language suggested he was still cautious.
And most of all wary. "It was a foolhardy move coming here. You're aware of that right?"
"Yeah. But what can we do? The Terran military has proven to be a huge pain in the ass on the frontlines. We're hoping the deaths of their children will cause some faltering." Jero said as he scratched his bald head.
"I see. Too bad..."
Whoosh!
Nathan reached Jero with almost blinding speed, his sword swinging at his neck.
Jero raised his sword to block, the clash of metal ringing out as the two fighters locked horns.
Jero pushed Nathan backwards, then utilizing the momentum slashed at him multiple times, each strike carrying enough force to shatter trees.
Nathan, however, was fast. Much faster than Jero had anticipated as Nathan dodged or parry most of his attacks.
Then he went around Jero as he aimed at his spinal cord but Jero was able to counter with a wind-based attack as wind lashed at Nathan with force sending him aerial.
Nathan quickly stabilized himself in the air but Jero was not relenting as he formed blades of wind launching them at him.
The blades sliced through the air, aiming to slice Nathan to pieces but he was able to dodge as he propelled himself out of harm's way.
Then in retaliation, he flapped his wings as a few feathers floated out, then sharpening themselves, launched at Jero with incredible speed.
He immediately formed a wind type barrier around himself deflecting most of them but one flew past the barrier grazing his cheek drawing blood.
The bald man growled, his calm demeanor was beginning to crack as he launched upward at Nathan who easily moved out of the way.
But surprisingly, Jero changed movements mid air as he spun and kicked Nathan to the ground.
Boom!
The fall caused a small crater to form. "Ow." Nathan commented as he stood up.
He looked at his hands only to notice his sword no longer in it and on the ground away from him.
As he aimed to pick it, he immediately pulled his hand back as another sword pierced through where it just was.
He raised his head and saw Jero's kick aimed at his face. He ducked underneath it and threw his own punch at his ribs, the impact sending the bald man stumbling back.
"Not bad kid." Jero commented as he spat the small blood that had pooled in his mouth.
He then responded with another kick aimed at Nathan's chest, but Nathan blocked it with his forearm.
But he had other plans in mind as he swung his sword down at Nathan's head.
Nathan reading his intentions, moved out of the way and in a fluid motion kicked the sword out of Jero's hands as the sword flew straight into a tree piercing it through.
Nathan then smirked. It was the most inexplicable feeling. He was... enjoying the fight.
Right now he wasn't even bothered why they were here. Why they were going off-script. He was just enjoying the fight.
Jero's eyes narrowed as a blade made of wind formed in his hands. "Why the smirk Terran? You finally losing it?" He asked.l as he rushed at Nathan who flew past him as he grabbed his sword.
Using this chance, Jero followed suit grabbing his own sword as well as they turned to face each other.
Only...
Again, Nathan was directly in front of him swinging at his left, causing Jero to swing his in that direction to block it.
Only.... It was a feint.
Slash!
Almost instantly, Nathan made use of the opening that was created as he sliced off Jero's arm.
The arm fell to the ground, blood spraying from the wound as Jero let out a sound of pain.
"Arrggh!"
He staggered back, clutching the stump where his arm used to be as the blood gushed out.
Nathan however, was in no mood to give him a recovery chance.
He dashed forward, his katana flashing as he slashed off Jero's other arm.
"Arggh!"
The bald man screamed again as he fell to his knees, his voice filled with pain and desperation.
Nathan grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into a tree, as he used his wings to pin him down.
He then put his katana against his throat.
"And now, now you talk," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "How did you get here? What happened to the security? Are the instructors dead?"
Jero, still writhing in pain, stammered, "W-why should I tell you anything?"
Nathan's eyes widened for a moment. Then suddenly, his expression changed. Almost as if he was possessed, he immediately sliced off Jero's left leg.
"Aaaarrrrrgggghhhh!"
Jero's screams even louder this time echoed through the forest, his body trembling as blood pooled beneath him.
Nathan then punched him in the ribs, the force of the blow cracking bones and causing Jero to vomit blood.
With a cruel smirk on his face, Nathan leaned in closer, his voice low and menacing. "So you can die painlessly."
Jero's eyes widened in fear, his body trembling as he realized the gravity of his situation.
This boy that he'd been fighting mere moments ago, suddenly seemed much different than before.
"Talk," Nathan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Or I'll make sure your death is anything but painless."
And for some reason Jero was sure he meant it.