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His gauntlet breaks his fall slightly as he stumbles to the ground following his failed attack. He winces more out of humiliation than out of pain. Sweat pools on the ground around his head as Ryang lays there for a few moments, trying to gain the energy to get back on his feet. He is helpless, waiting for the fatal strike to arrive, but it never does. His opponent must have great honor to not capitalize on Ryang's weakened condition. In most cases Ryang would consider that a foolhardy move. After all, Ryang himself has killed a few men in a most dishonorable fashion. That was another time, in another place. Here and now, he is shown mercy by a man he has known for less than a few minutes.
Ryang slowly gets up onto his knees, the exertion causing him to break out in a deeper sweat. Although it is early morning, the sun still beats down with tremendous intensity. His breaths are laborious as he gets to his feet. He turns slowly to face his opponent, not anxious to allow the battle to continue. He knows he should withdraw. But Ryang has never been one for quitting. The six-fingered man will soon find that out. Ryang only has to survive long enough to learn that man's name. Then this will all be over. Revenge can finally be his!
"You're hardly in any condition to fight. And there is no honor for me to defeat you while you're in this condition."
The man removes his bow from his shoulder and tosses it aside, followed by a small quiver of five arrows. This man is sympathetic. He shows kindness when most other men would simply stand across the courtyard and make Ryang a pincushion with arrows. Who is this man? Why is he here? What does he hope to gain by winning this tournament? Ryang would do anything, exploit any advantage given, in order to gain the name he seeks. Does that mean this opponent desires victory any less?
No.
Ryang's opponent draws his wakizashi from its sheath, opting to use a smaller sword than usual. Why does this man insist on balancing the battle? He should defeat Ryang with ease and move on to perparing for his next battle. Underestimating an opponent is the biggest mistake any warrior can make. Even a child can kill a seasoned warrior, if luck is on their side. His opponent assumes that this illness is not a ruse. In his place, Ryang would take no chances. Mercy is a weakness; however, Ryang is grateful. He now has a chance, no matter how slim that may be.
"I will do my best to even the odds for our bout. But, I'm not about to poison myself."
Kurayami nods before beginning his attack. Ryang watches the wakizashi slash through the air, heading toward his good shoulder. Ryang instinctively brings his tachi up to deflect the blow, which succeeds brilliantly. The attack has been rendered ineffective. Or so Ryang thought.
Kurayami's elbow smashes into his face, sending Ryang back a step. His jaw throbs as the taste of blood fills his mouth. The blow not only makes him bleed, but also manages to knock loose a tooth. Ryang spits the tooth to the side, his crimson saliva covering the white enamel of the incisor. The moment of opportunity to retaliate passes by without capitalization. Ryang failed to notice the advantage in time. Curse this poison! Perhaps it is going to cost him this tournament, after all. He needs to find an antidote!
Ryang lifts his tachi up to begin a counter attack, but exhaustion overwhelms him suddenly, causing the sword to fall from his hand. He bends over to retch again, but this time nothing comes out. Not forgetting where he is, or why he is here, Ryang decides to take advantage of his apparently weakened condition. He grips his left arm, swinging it up in an arc at Kurayami's face as he snaps back up to an upright position.
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