The Water Spirit (III)

The ground around me was riddled with enormous cracks, each one holding a shallow pool of water. It was the result of dodging the water spirit Coletto’s relentless attacks.

"Haaaa!"

Once again, her spear came flying straight at me with such force that I honestly doubted her intention was really to incapacitate me. But just like in the previous exchanges, I not only dodged the thrust, I redirected it with my sword.

My movements were quick and precise. I had no doubt that somewhere in my tangled memories was the knowledge of how to use a sword. Thanks to that, I had gotten used to it fairly quickly. Of course, most of it still came down to instinct and reflexes.

Crack!

To my side, I heard the sound of the deflected spear splitting the stone in two, carving a fresh fracture into the floor. Water still clung to the weapon, and a memory surfaced: a video showing a hose slicing through a brick using only pressurized water.

After the strike, Coletto leapt back and maintained the distance between us.

At first, I thought she was impulsive (mainly because of how abruptly she had challenged me to a duel). But all her attacks had been measured. She hadn’t committed to a single one. She was still gauging my responses.

Given that her friend wasn’t there, Coletto was probably waiting for reinforcements while keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn’t try anything suspicious.

Still, she had the courage to risk herself for the sake of others. We could have kept talking, but she chose to fight. She didn’t just want to test my strength. If I turned out to be too much for her, then the result alone would be enough to tell the others everything they needed to know.

And not just about my strength. Whether I chose to kill her or not would be information too.

Are all spirits this drastic in their methods? Or is it just the way this world works?

"Can’t we just stop here? Your skills with the spear are impressive, especially the water magic you coat it with, but it’s not enough to actually hurt me."

I tried to sound as unoffensive as possible, but it was also important that she understood how futile her efforts were if I wanted her to seriously consider stopping.

"I still haven’t seen the strength that defeated a Kuranos. So far, all you’ve done is dodge and deflect my attacks," Coletto said, tightening her grip on her spear.

Kuranos?

"Is that sword in your hands just for show? Or is it that you don’t even know how to use it?" The spirit pointed her finger at me and declared, "In that case, once I defeat you, I’ll take it and put it to proper use."

Apparently, Coletto was determined to make me show all my cards. But she’d have to try a bit harder than that to really provoke me… Though I had to admit, going along with her game didn’t sound like a bad idea.

"Alright then, if you defeat me, the Moonblade is yours, along with every other artifact I have. But it should be under fair conditions, don’t you think?"

"Of course," Coletto nodded without hesitation.

"Your spear looks like a true work of art, but to be honest, I’m not all that interested in it as a weapon. Besides, it seems like it’s designed to work only with your water magic."

"I’m surprised you could tell that just by looking… So, what do you propose?"

It surprised me too, to be honest. I could only credit my past self for that kind of insight...

"It’s simple. If I win, I want you."

"Me?!"

"Exactly. There’s probably a lot I won’t understand about this world, and it wouldn’t hurt to have someone around to explain things to me (to be honest, making a pact with a spirit feels straight out of a fantasy story. It’s one of my dreams!)"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about… but I’m sorry. My only chance of surviving this duel lies in victory," Coletto replied, closing her eyes for a moment before fixing me with a serious look. "So if you want to live, you’d better be ready to step over my dead body."

"What happened to incapacitating me and asking questions?"

"I’ve realized I don’t have the skill for that. You’re much stronger than I expected, so I’ll have to give it everything I’ve got to bring you down."

"To be honest, I was starting to get that feeling from your last few attacks. I’ll take it as a compliment," I said with a smile. "And don’t worry. Whatever your intentions may be, I don’t plan on taking your life. You’re going to belong to me, after all."

"Will you still be able to say that after this?!"

Coletto raised her spear, and the water swirling around her began to concentrate at its tip.

"Skill… Serpent Tide!"

In a matter of seconds, a massive serpent-shaped creature made entirely of water burst from the spear and shot toward me at full speed.

I jumped to the side to avoid the first strike. The force of the water took a large chunk out of the rock that had just been under my feet.

But the serpent didn’t stop. It turned behind me and, as if it had a will of its own, resumed the chase.

"I don’t know if the gravity of the moon works the same way in this world… but there’s something I want to try."

"You still have energy to talk? And why are you saying 'the moon' when there are three? Alteria, Festas, and Tildir."

"That’s exactly why I need someone by my side! The duel isn’t even over yet and you’re already helping. I like your initiative."

"Don’t spout nonsense. This is the end!"

The moment Coletto said that, the serpent split in two and began circling around me, leaving no way to escape. It could have been a stunning sight if not for the fact that the stone beneath the serpents was ground into sand in an instant, which was honestly pretty terrifying.

But I didn’t have much time to worry. The two water serpents trapped me in the center of a whirlpool formed by their bodies, and both heads came crashing down with their jaws wide open.

"This is why I said it was convenient that you were a water spirit!" I exclaimed, raising my artifact as it began to glow with its own light. "Just how much influence do the moons have over the tides in this world?"

To Coletto’s astonished gaze, the massive serpents were instantly reduced and absorbed into the blade, beginning to spin around it.

"I was thinking about the possibility, but I didn’t fully believe it… the Moonblade of the King of the Sapphire Throne… it is said it could split oceans in two…" Coletto was struggling to speak, which was understandable. From what her friend had said, having a skill was something to be proud of. But now hers was completely at my mercy. "How is it possible that you not only possess an artifact but a legendary one… Who are you, really?!"

"Don’t worry, this sword doesn’t just strengthen the tides."

After saying that, I swung my blade through the air in Coletto’s direction, and the water that had been gathered inside it burst forth with tremendous force. The spirit had no time to shield herself and took the full brunt of the attack head-on.

"I mean, it doesn’t just enhance strength. It can also take it away," I said calmly as I walked toward the fallen girl.

It’s true. While it had been a powerful strike, I made sure to drain much of the force behind it before it connected. That, combined with the fact that Coletto was a water spirit, made me confident the counterattack hadn’t been fatal.

And indeed, she was still conscious, lying among the shattered rock and the pool of water that had formed around her.

I hope I didn’t hurt her too much… The truth is, I didn’t even use a fraction of the sword’s real power. I only tapped into its ability to manipulate water. I don’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened if I’d used the Lunar Slash, or any of the other spells (skills?) embedded in it…

"Kill me. I will not serve a demon…" Coletto said as she heard me approaching, her expression hard.

"You’re really stubborn, you know that? I’m not a demon. And I’m certainly not some spawn of the abyss. But don’t worry, I won’t force you into a pact against your will."

"Whatever you are, you won the duel. It’s disgraceful for me to go on living. I fought to kill you."

"If that’s what bothers you so much, then accept the pact. If not, don’t waste my time. I have no intention of erasing something this beautiful. It would be a shame for this world."

Lying in the crack, Coletto had been staring blankly at the ceiling of the cavern. But now, I could’ve sworn there was a faint blush on her cheeks.