More Spars

"Hey guys." I say while walking up to Irene and Marlo. Irene jumps when she hears me.

"Jesus, do you sneak up on people often?" Irene asks causing me to apologise while holding back a laugh.

"So what's going on here? Why are they sparring against Verona?" I ask them.

"She came by about fifteen minutes ago. We have been practicing since Asami, Luna, and Innu are setting up for tomorrow. They don't want us seeing since it'll spoil the surprise. They were kicked out too and saw us sparring. She asked to join, and honestly, she's kinda terrifying." Marlo says causing me to think back to the first time I meet her. I let out a laugh this time as Verona finishes the fight. She lifts Nick up with her wind. Abigal and Mavis tried for a while, but they give up after a few minutes. Neither of them could break through her wind wall. I was surprised to see she ignored Mavises shadow clones. They did attack her, but the moment they touched Verona, they turned to smoke. The four of them walk over to us.

"Eric, come over here!" Verona shouts upon seeing me.

"Why?" I ask while walking over to her.

"The others got me warmed up, so now I want to let loose." She says while drawing her sword.

"Alright, I did get something I want to test out. So if you don't mind, I'll be using you to do so." I say causing Verona to look at me excitedly. Her eye dimly lights up. We walk to the center of the arena as the others all go to the stands. I notice Gaia's sitting up top already. Good, if she's here then I can use it. I'm still a little worried about the liquid though. I don't know what side effects it'll have. I think before taking the Corrupted Forest Kings Scythe out. I make it grow into a Scythe causing Verona's eye to brighten. She quickly makes it disappear before pointing her sword at me.

"If I win, I get to spend the night researching that!" She says excitedly causing me to smile.

"Then what if I win?" I ask causing her to get ready to attack.

"That won't happen." She says before using her wind to toss a rock. "Now get ready!" She shouts. I take out my Boots, Claws, Horns, and cast Ancient Beast Strength. The rock hits the ground as she lunges for me. She uses her wind to move faster. I pull the Scythe back before swinging it. I swing way too early, trying to send a slash of liquid at her. I fail to do so and make a Tsk sound before jumping up as she attacks me. I swing below me again, trying and failing to attack from a distance. I take my wings out to dodge her jumping up. "Do you not know how to use that?" Verona asks me before dashing through the air. She goes straight toward me. She trusts her sword for my chest. I use the Scythes handle to block her. The impact knocks me to the ground. I pull my Scythe back and focus on the liquid. I imagine the liquid leaving a trail behind before sending it forward. This time, as I swing it creates the trail. I smile as I see it fly straight for Verona. She looks at it shocked before cutting it with her sword. She cuts it in half, causing the liquid to splatter all over herself. The liquid that misses her falls back down, so I step back not to get rained on.

-924 Dmg

She shrieks from pain as she falls. A gust of wind stops her and she lands on her feet. Before I can ask if she's fine, she lunges for me. I swing wide, as she slides along the ground. She goes to stab my foot with her blade. I cast Dark Energy making four arms appear from my shadow. They grab Verona and hold her down. I place the back of the Scythes blade against her throat. The dark green liquid leaks down the blade and toward Verona.

"Do you give?" I ask while pressing a bit more against her. She struggles against the hands, using her wind to try and break them. She succeeds in tearing them, but I use more Energy to replace what breaks. After a few moments, she sighs.

"I give." She says bitterly. I smile before swinging the Scythe back and helping her up. "So, what do you want?" She asks while standing.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" I ask confused.

"You won the duel, and I had set a reward for me winning. It's only fair to give you something." She replies.

"In that case, let's talk about it later. It'll take a while to explain what I want." I say confusing her, but she still nods. "Also, could you take a look at this for me? I'd really like to know what this liquid is." I say while holding the Scythe up. She nods while her eye glows. She takes the Scythe only to drop it and fall to her knees due to pain.

"Are you okay?" Gaia asks worriedly while kneeling down. I notice the others are behind us, having come down after the fight.

"What's wrong with her?" Irene asks while running over.

"It was just pain. That weapon is corrupted right?" Verona asks me.

"Yeah." I reply. I'm not sure if I can speak about the Corruptd Forest Core, since the Dryads are keeping the Forests Core a secret. Fortunately, Verona notices my hesitation.

"Eric, we can talk about this later. For now, we should continue sparring with your new Guild members." She says causing me to smile. I make the Scythe return to its ball form before turning to them.

"You heard her, who'd like to go first?" I ask causing them all to raise their hands.