I blocked the attack with my dagger, grunting as I was pushed back by the sheer power behind my opponent's blow. I panted, trying to catch my breath while also keeping my guard up. A lot of people thought fighting was cool or easy, but when it's life or death, there isn't a shred of delight.
I leapt back to avoid getting skewered by my opponent's sword, then I jumped over him and did a mid-air twist, landing on my feet behind him. I spun around, and dug my dagger deep into the back of my foe, then I withdrew it and leapt back. Before anyone else could do anything, the was a ring, and I relaxed.
"The fight is over. Zeke is the winner."
There was a small cheer from my rag-tag group of friends while I sheathed my dagger and set it on the weapons rack.
"You fucking cheated!"
My opponent had turned back to face me, eye red with anger. I stopped, still facing the weapons rack, my heart quickening. I actually didn't cheat, but my opponent was none other than Decken, whose trait was being able to convince anyone of anything. We aren't allowed to use our traits on other Ziopons, but that wasn't going to stop the sore loser Decken was.
"Silence!"
I gasped, turning to the voice. It took me a second to recognize the speaker, but I was still the first person to drop to a knee.
"Master Ludicri."
Everyone else took knee, in respect to our village elder and leader. Decken stared daggers at my back, then he too kneeled. Thank Ziacus he wasn't Naomi, or he really would be able to kill me with his look.
"Decken, using traits on fellow Ziopons is forbidden, especially for selfish reasons such as trying to claim a false victory. Zeke won fair and square and you know it."
I nodded slightly a the recognition, slightly surprised.
"Obviously, he has been taking Master Rahool's fighting lessons to heart."
"Which is a surprise to me."
Master Rahool's voice came from the same location as Master Ludicri, causing me to look up.
Master Rahool nodded to me, then gestured for me to rise.
"Congratulations, Zeke." he praised, which was also a first. "That was well fought."
"Thank you, master."
I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, so I leapt up once again, changing my form into a small mouse to avoid any other attacks. I landed on Decken and crawled into his shirt, then I began running around and biting him. After a minute, I dashed out of his shirt and reverted to my normal form, watching as he continued to scramble around.
"Get him out, get him out, get him out!"
Everyone was laughing, even Master Ludicri and Master Rahool. I looked over to an unfamiliar voice to see some of the Ziocons, female Ziopons, also laughing. One of them was looking directly at me, smiling seductively. She spread her legs just a tad to expose her entrance, right before her and the other three females walked off.
Had they been there the whole time? I hadn't noticed. I was too busy trying not to get skewered by Deckens blade.
"And speaking of cheating, Decken. Why is your blade laced with silver?"