Stand Your Ground

Yusato’s lifted his axe. Light as a feather, the giant weapon swept through the, crossing with the minotaur’s axe.

The steel glided across each other, radiant sparks flying off them. Taking his sword back for just a moment, Yusato swung it again.

The two sharp blades slammed against each other as more sparks flew through the air. The metallic clang echoed through the mountains as the weapons clashed over and over again.

The minotaur’s arms flew up above its head as it nearly lost grip of its weapon. It tightened its fist before sending the axe downward again.

Yusato’s axe hit the hilt of the minotaur’s diverting the attack. The beast snarled.

A fast punch came right for Yusato’s stomach. He prepared to move out of the way, but it was too late. Knuckles collided with his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

The first twisted and turned, sending Yusato falling to the floor. His stomach screamed in pain as he forced himself up.

He didn’t have time to worry about the pain. He had to protect Mira, Azalea, and Saria. At any cost.

Clamping his mouth shut, Yusato glared at the minotaur. It came charging for him, kicking up the dirt and rocks from the ground as it did so.

Readying his sword, Yusato dashed off his feet as well. But the minotaur was too quick.

It slammed its fist into his gut, blowing Yusato back several feet. Digging his feet into the ground, Yusato braked himself. His heels burned as he looked down at his torn up shoes. Faint red spots could be seen from outside of them.

Yusato looked up and the minotaur was right in front of his face, its axe ready.

“What?!”

The axe came down and all Yusato could do was hastily block it with his own. “Did this thing get even faster?”

It was always quick, but now its movements seemed even faster. He could barely keep up with it anymore.

“It’s because you lost your speed,” the voice said. “For the Spirit of War, he wanted your speed.”

Yusato clenched his jaw. “My speed? You’re saying I became slow in order to use this power? And now I have to fight the minotaur like this?”

The minotaur overpowered Yusato as his butt landed on the floor.

“That’s the gist of it. Good luck.” The voice faded away again.

The monster looked over him, smoke flaring from its nostrils. Its glowing red eyes leered down at Yusato.

Sweat poured down his back as he panted heavily. He was losing his breath by the minute. His throat burned and his stomach was rife with pain.

Was even this power not enough?

His fingers loosened on his axe. Seeing his blood taint the weapon made him realize just how much he had lost.

A light cough in the distance.

He steadily turned his head, afraid of hurting his neck, and saw Azalea coughing up blood.

She was awake. Her hands on the ground, she started to push herself up. Her arms dangled at her sides while she hunched over. Her magical daggers flickered in between her fingers.

“Azalea…no. Please, stay down.”

“Are you crazy?” Azalea coughed some more, clutching her waist. “I can see you need help.”

The axe came down for his head and Yusato rolled out of the way. He winced in pain as the edge of the axe sliced his shoulder.

Grabbing his shoulder, Yusato grimaced and stood up. “Right now, there’s nothing you can do! You’re way too injured and out of magic. Just say put!”

“But Yusato!”

“I said stay put! I got this!”

The minotaur stood over Yusato, teeming with rage. With its veins pulsating, it brought the axe down overhead.

He couldn’t run away. This creature was way too fast and would catch up to him in no time. Dodging was also out of the question. The minute he took his eyes off the creature, he would be struck down in an instant.

There was only one choice. He had to stand still and fight.

Firmly planting his feet into the ground, Yusato’s eyes became fierce and alert. He squeezed the hilt of his axe tightly and screamed out as he swung it forward,.

The minotaur swung its axe as well. Screeching sounds filled the mountain as they glided across each other.

Yusato glared at the beast through the flickering blue sparks. He screamed again, poring every ounce of his strength into his attacks.

He kept swinging and swinging, not letting up for even a single second. His muscles burned and ached with each blow. Even with the power of the Spirit of War, he could tell he was pushing its body past its limits.

Still, this was the only way.

His veins pulsed. His heart rose in his chest. The minotaur slammed its axe against Yusato’s.

The feedback from the blow caused Yusato to recoil and nearly lose his footing, but he stopped himself. He grimaced as he remained firm.

He wasn’t moving from this spot.

Tightening his muscles even more, Yusato swung the axe upward. Right at the hilt of the minotaur’s axe.

It rapidly spun through the air before falling right into Yusato’s other hand.

Yusato gripped both axes, the wind blowing through his hair. Keeping his feet planted in the ground, he smirked.

Then, he slashed away at the beast with all the little speed he had left. Filling the minotaur with cuts, Yusato refused to let up. He had to make every second count.

He shouted as loud as he could while slicing up the minotaur’s body.

The beast roared out in pain, taking each one of Yusato’s powerful blows. It took in a deep breath and released another blast of its energy beam.

The beam fired through the sky as Yusato deflected with the axe in his left hand. The axe in his right slashed the monster across the chest.

Falling to its knees, the minotaur’s fist shot forward. Yusato stood still and sliced its arm. The arm fell onto the ground behind Yusato.

The minotaur bared its teeth at Yusato and and threw its remaining arm forward. A sharp knee to the chin knocked the creature’s head back.

Yusato kept up his relentless assault on the minotaur, slashing it apart with both axes. Smoke flared up from its nostrils again and within an instant, that same smoke filled Yusato’s vision.

That didn’t matter.

He couldn’t see. And he couldn’t move. None of that matter. He was standing here in this same spot no matter what.

The ground trembled and shook beneath his feet. Through the smoke, he smelt the scent of the minotaur.

A quick gust of wind blew up from under his chin.

There.

He swung his axe right at that spot. Another roar was heard as the minotaur’s last arm went flying through the sky.

Yusato swung both his axes, clearing away the smoke. The armless minotaur stood before him, scowling and growling.

Yusato pierced through the monster’s chest with both axes. And it fell forward onto the ground with a thunderous sound that shook the mountain.

Yusato let one axe fall from his hand while the other one vanished. Sweat poured down his face and neck. He took deep ragged breaths while his blood dripped from his chin, arms hands, and legs.

“Is it…over?” Yusato said, through a choked voice. His legs shook and wobbled before his vision started to blur. He fell forward and then was met with a soft, comforting warmth.

Azalea caught him in her arms. “Yeah, it’s over. Idiot.”