She moved impossibly fast. Faster than my mind could register at that moment. My death was certain. The blades of her daggers were trained at my throat. I couldn't evade her attack, so I only had one option.

Fight for my life.

Our blades met a hairs width from my face. The hilt of my saber smash against my forehead from the impact of her knives. Quickly, I swatted her knives to the side with my sword and swung horizontally in a wide arc. For a second I thought the attack connected, but in the fraction of a second that it took me to blink, the elf had elegantly slipped away from the deadly swing. She stood on the tips of her toes, her entire body primed for a second onslaught. But unfortunately for me, I over swung and as she lunged at me again, giving me virtually no time to reestablish my defense. I desperately swung my sword in the opposite direction in an attempt to block her attack. I managed to just barely avoid the blade piercing my throat, but not without a price.

Two things happened at that moment. There was the sharp clang of metal against metal followed by a sharp, searing pain in my knuckles. Then my worst fears came to fruition.

My blade went flipping, end over end through the air. Before it even landed, a sharp impact to my right knee caused my legs to buckle and I fell over backwards. Almost on instinct, I scrambled to retrieve the weapon I lost, but it proved pointless. My attacker kicked my sword away, and stomped hard on my diaphragm. All the air was pushed out of my lungs and I struggled to suck the precious oxygen back in. Without hesitating, she plunged the dagger downwards towards my face. I tilted my head out of the way, but not without receiving a nasty cut down the side of my face. She tried stabbing the blade sideways into my face, but I grabbed her hand to stop it. I didn't matter though, because she still had a second dagger in her free hand, rising upwards to plunge down into my chest. There was nothing I could do to stop her. My only weapon was now lost and I was pinned. I couldn't beat her. What could I do against such a skilled warrior?

Her blade began to fall.

Hestia's dagger.

I reached under my shirt and met the hilt of Hestia's dagger.

As her knife raced towards me, I slashed upwards as fast as I could, closing my eyes and screaming in desperation. I felt contact, then the pressure from my chest ceased altogether. On opening my eyes, two things registered. The first was the dark liquid portraying the blade and the second was the deep wound along the elves forearm. She winced and tearing her mask away from her face, she pressed it hard against the gash to staunch the bleeding. I immediately felt sick at what I had done. It was different with the Ghoul. Killing a demonic monstrosity felt totally different than wounding another person. Albeit they were trying to take my life.

Throw away your doubts. This is life or death. There is no good or bad, not in this world.

That was right. I remembered when Mikoto had told me that this world, New Game Plus as she had called it, was more primitive and to survive you had to be strong and smart. Allowing my feelings to get in the way could and would get me killed. It was survival and I had to fight for my life.

"I was going to make it clean and quick, but now I'll do whatever it takes to lay you low." She tied off the cloth to create a makeshift tourniquet. It was already saturated with blood, but it would have to work. I guessed she planned on ending the fight quickly.

She balanced herself on the balls of her feet once more, her entire body poised for a rapid assault. I was terrified. I didn't think I'd be able to defend against her with a knife. As she kicked off and sprinted towards me, both her blades held low and ready to disembowel me, I held my own dagger outwards, ready for her attack. But the attack never came.

She failed to see the throwing knife spinning end over end towards her from out of the shadows to her left.

The blade sank deep into the muscle of her shoulder with deadly accuracy. She cried out, dropping both her knives and gripping the hilt of the dagger embedded inside her. I stood shocked, my eyes glued to the spot where the attack had been launch. From that spot, a humanoid form materialized from the shadows. A hood was pulled over their head and a dark cloak adorned their shoulders. Straps crossed their body, each scabbard on them held a small knife. This person looked more lethal than my attacker. Were they saving me or. . .

Tariya kept her eyes on the figure as she bent low to retrieve her weapons, not bothering to remove the knife from her arm.

Then they both rushed in. Tariya's blades held outwards ready to plunge into the mystery attackers body, while the other ran with their head low, their left hand resting on a concealed weapon beneath their cloak. Then the two warriors met. The mystery attacker drew a short dagger from its scabbard and clashed with Tariya's knives. Sparks danced in the air, and in the heat of the moment , the mystery person hood flow back to reveal their face.

You already know who it was.

With her left hand still resting underneath her cloak, she know drew her concealed weapon; a long blade, and brandished it frighteningly. Tariya broke away, distancing herself from the reach of the sword, and in one fluid motion, yanked the knife that was stuck in her shoulder out, and flicked it at Ruineth. She tossed it perfect accuracy. End over end it spun, the blood soaked blade glittering in the sunlight like a ruby. If it were me in Ruineth's place, I'd be long dead, a knife sticking up out of my chest, but when it was just a hairs width from her body, she plucked it out the air without the slightest bit of effort, dropping her earlier knife in the process. Using this moment, Tariya sprang forth like a cat pouncing on it's prey, and lashed out with both knives.

From where I stood, it looked as if her attack hand landed home, but I could see the frustration sketched onto her face. Ruineth had easily canceled the attack; deflecting the blow with the very knife that was meant to kill her. With her left hand free she slashed diagonally in a deadly silver arc. Tariya's reflexes served her well and she was able to avoid the strike, I couldn't say the same for her cloak.

Now out reach of the sword once again, Tariya quickly tended to her knife wound, using the strip of fabric that had been cut away to tie the wound off. Once that was done, she flicked a quick glance to me; probably to make sure I didn't run off; then turned her attention towards the more current threat. Ruineth.

"Is it accustom for you Orrenbelle mongrels to resort to cowardly tactics? Attacking from the shadows like a lawless skulker." Tariya demanded.

Ruineth gave the slightest of smirks. "Just as you'd do whatever it takes to dispatch my friend, I'd do the same to protect him." I felt a bubble of pride in my chest at her words.

"Admirable," Tariya said sincerely, "you seem resolved to your cause, as am I, Ruineth Orrenbelle."

"The only difference between you and I is that my cause is my own, and not commanded of me by my master." Ruineth retorted mockingly. Tariya didn't show any sign of being offended, but stared unwavering at Ruineth.

"You're to have me believe you are not fighting for your own elder? That you don't intend on fighting for her ideals?"

"My reasons are my own. Although winning the battle against your number would be most preferred, it is not one of my current priorities."

Tariya pressed the fabric down on her knife wound and winced. "Tell me then, what is it that you are trying to accomplish by taking part in this campaign?"

"As of now it is of no concern to you, but do know that the boy you were appointed to kill is very much involved in my goals and as of now his life is my top priority."

"Are you asking me to spare it's life?" Tariya asked blandly.

Ruineth's smirk gradually broadened into a grin edged with ferocity. It sent chill running up my arms.

"I'm not asking you to do anything. Just know that if what your master demands of you puts my partners life in danger, you can expect me to take necessary actions to ensure the threat is dispatched." Ruineth used her foot and lifted the knife that rested on the ground, flipping it upwards so that she could pluck it out of the air. She held the two throwing knives in between her fingers, and rested her weight on the long silver sword at her side. I looked to Ruineth, then to Tariya and back. I was approximately twenty or some meters from them both, yet I could swear. . . I could feel a sort of energy radiating from them. It was an unpleasant feeling that filled me with dread and I found myself glued to the spot I know stood, forced to spectate the duel.

Tariya dropped her gaze from Ruineth and stared hard at me.

"And you, you speak our tongue, yet have been silent this entire time." I wanted to speak, to tell them both how stupid this was and that we should all just walk away from this, but when I opened my mouth, no words came out. My entire body felt tingly and light for a few moments, then the tingling ceased.

My limbs and muscles stiffened.

I was paralyzed as the earth raced towards me.

Then darkness. And as I descended deeper and deeper into the darkness, I felt the slight trip up of my heartbeat that then evolved into a dull pain.

Then everything went to hell.

Every inch of my being was embraced in absolute agony. It was like being burnt alive in the fires of hell. But it was at its climax in the core of my body.

My heart, like someone was twisting a red hot dagger into my chest. A dagger that, while red hot, was also steeped in venom that circulated all throughout my body. It was nonstop and seemed to continue on for hours, but all things come to an end at some point, and luckily my life wasn't one of them. The darkness dispersed and I found myself lying on the floor, staring befuddled at the exchange before me. About the same time it took me to faint and come to, the two elves had been able to reignite the duel.

Their blows were quick and precise. Ruineth opted out the long blade and matched each and every one of Tariya's strikes with her knives. The latter seemed to have fully recovered from the initial shock of the knife wound on her shoulder and was going one hundred percent, putting pressure on her opponent. Tariya managed to slip past Ruineth's guard with one of her daggers and grazed her along the jawline. She paid no mind to this and instead went on the offensive. She struck low and high, dancing on her toes and being sure to conceal any openings. Tariya was a skilled warrior and was able to effectively deflect all of Ruineth's strikes.

All but one.

The moment Ruineth became aware of the pattern of attacking that her opponent favored, she was easily able to predict where the next opening would appear. And she had been correct. The elf had stepped in for the third time during the fight; attempting to catch Ruineth with a lightning quick thrust, but predicting this, she twisted out of the way, striking like a snake at the girls shin. The knife hit bone and was out just as quick as it had entered. Due to the sudden attack, Tariya staggered and instinctively stabbed downwards, but Ruineth had also foreseen this, and stepped to the side so the she was symmetrical with Tariya's wounded shoulder. Then the Ceodwig warrior made a huge mistake. One that lead to her demise. In fear of her fresh wound, she dropped one of her blades and quickly clasped her hand on her shoulder. This is what Ruineth was hoping for, and now she herself stepped in. She brought her knife horizontally.

Directly towards Tariya's unprotected throat.

Tariya was dead, that much was certain. Yet, she still stood, and Ruineth's knife hadn't moved once it reached her throat. Time seemed to have stopped for everything except for the two elves. Then to my surprise, Tariya was still alive, and spoke.

"Why did you halt your blade? You were a feathers width from ending my life."

"My teacher made it clear that she would prefer if we restrain ourselves. Drop the dagger and kick it over there." She did as told and kicked the knives in my direction. By now I had recovered from the seizure, and crouched on my knees. Ruineth stared hard into Tariya's eyes. She seemed resolved and totally fearless even when her life had almost been snuffed out. Ruineth shoved her in the opposite direction of us.

"You're weaponless. You should head back to your village. Unless you plan on following through with your orders."

The elf shook her head grimly. "If I allow that thing to live, my punishment will be severe."

"If you harm him, you'll die." She said matter-of-factly. "Again, unlike yourself, I follow my teacher's orders to an extent. She'd favor it if there were no casualties, but if necessary, to keep this one safe, I'll kill you." The words "I'll kill you" coming out of Ruineth's mouth disturbed me.

"Ruineth, chill out for a sec." She glanced at me and ran to my side.

"You had another seizure, didn't you?"

I nodded.

"Rest for now. I can't tell you how glad I am that you survived. I apologize for my absence at the beginning. Orndir had been caught in the march and I didn't want to lose sight of him. In the process I had forgotten about you."

"It's all good. Where is he now?"

"A little ways back, come, I'll take you." She helped me up onto my feet and supported me until feeling returned to my legs.

"Stay were you are, beast. My Lady has declared that you are to be slain, and I to be her instrument in carrying the deed out." The beaten elf limped towards us, blood spilling from the vicious wound on her shin.

"What hope do you have of victory while lacking your blades. Your current state is also to be taken into consideration."

Tariya screwed up her face with strain. "This is nothing. If I die in the process of carrying out my masters wishes, then so be it. At least I'll die knowing I stayed loyal to my Lady."

The girl should have been careful what she wished for.

She took a difficult step forward, her legs trembling as she struggled to keep balance. Although Ruineth had done considerable damage with the two hits she landed, they didn't look serious enough to have such an effect on the warrior. A film of sweat formed on her brow and her breaths became labored as she tried to reach us. As her eyes met Ruineth's, I could see the confusion she was feeling. I had been right, she shouldn't have been this debilitated. Not moments later, she pitched over on her face and lay still on the grass.

On my face was an expression of horror and disbelief. Had Ruineth killed her? The blood from her leg wound started pooling around her; the sight of it causing my breath to catch in my throat.

"She's. . .she's freaking dead." I muttered, horrified.

"It would seem that way, but no, she still draws breath." Ruineth stuck her throwing knives back into their scabbards, respectively, after wiping the thin smears of blood from the edges. "These razors are doused with a neurotoxin called Mortimium, found only in algae that grows in ponds occupied by Nereid's. When introduced into the bloodstream, the muscles are stiffened and the heart rate and breathing become slowed until  ultimately putting the body into a coma like state." She wiped her hands in her long stockings, probably to remove any residue of the poison.

"How long does it last?"

"Depends. Some are able to resist the effects altogether while others remain in this state for days. But it mostly depends on a form of measurement called doses. The higher the dose, the more potent the effects of the toxin. A high enough dose can actually stop the heart altogether, but I used only a minor amount."

Knowing that she was not dead, I managed to smile. "So that was your plan all along, huh? I knew you weren't going to kill her. You're not about that life, are you?"

A painful expression flickered in her eyes for a fraction of a second, wiping the smile from my face. "Don't get me wrong, Eron. My fall back plan in the event that she resisted the toxin was to take her life. I meant my words. I hope you don't think ill of me because of them."

"Of course not!" I exclaimed, "don't get me wrong, I wouldn't hate you or anything if you rubbed her out. It's just that, you know, I'd like it if nobody died. I've seen enough death in the few days than one person should. But do what you have to do girl, I won't judge."

Ruineth's expression visually softened. "You and my teacher think the same. No wonder she's so fond of you." She turned her attention to Tariya. "Give me a moment to tend to that wound. I cut her deeper than I meant and need to make sure I didn't inflict a mortal wound, but first things first." She traced the cut along the side of my face with her thumb. I winced and pulled away.

"Ow, the heck was that for?"

"Although mortimium paralyzes those affected, it also has a healing factor when used in small doses."

"Well, now that you mention it, it doesn't hurt anymore. Erm, thanks."

"Your welcome. I'll tend to her over there and then we'll head out."

After tending to her wound, she propped the unconscious elf against one of the large stones circling what had been their dueling grounds. She confiscated both her daggers, strapping on the shoulder scabbards and testing out the functionality. Once finished, she turned back to me, a puzzled expression on her face.

"I hadn't noticed it earlier, but just now when I was redressing her wounds, I noticed a third one that I hadn't caused. Was that your doing?"

"Yeah, I cut her with this knife when she had me pinned. I almost died." I showed Ruineth the dagger Hestia had lent me. She immediately recognized it and took it from my hand. She ran her index finger along the curved spine of the blade and checked its balance by swing it around a few times.

"This is Lady Orrenbelle's dagger. One of which she is quite fond of. The mere fact that she would lend it to you shows how much faith she has in the goddesses prophecy. You should be honored." She handed the knife back to me but I shook my head.

"You should keep it. She's your teacher, isn't she?"

"She entrusted you with her weapon, not me. She made a deal with you before lending it to you, did she not? If I were to take it, I'd be infringing upon your oath. And besides, I've no need to rely upon my teachers weapons, not when I have my own." She put the knife into my hands and I accepted it. Hestia did tell me that she'd want it back and that'd mean that I would have to return alive, so I guess in a way that was a deal. But thinking about deals dampened my mood. Due to the deal I had yet to square, I had suffered yet another seizure, this one just as bad as the first. Now that I think about it, the pain I felt while it had occurred felt exactly the same as when Xias and I had met thumbs and exchanged blood. The cause of the seizures could very well be the contaminated blood that was now inside of me. It made me sick. I hoped I hadn't picked up some kind of blood borne illness, but my gut told me it was much more deeper and darker than that. Whatever the case, I couldn't keep my condition a secret for much longer. I kept thinking about the Ghoul's words. It had lied about the part where I died in twenty four hours, but how far from the truth could it have been?

Ruineth put a hand on my shoulder, snapping me out of my deep thought. "Come. That one's wounds aren't too serious. She'll be fine. Now, I'll take you to Orndir, and we can go about launching the experiment we spoke of." She flipped her hood back over her head and jogged a few paces ahead of me. I followed close, and soon the Crowned Rock was out of sight. Even as we left the danger in our tracks, something still nagged at my heart, and I knew exactly what it was. Even though I was helping Ruineth in her quest to end the threat of the Orcneas, I'd never forget my original purpose: to locate the BloodBlade and recover our memories. Now that mission seemed redundant, since Mikoto had declared me a traitor. Although we had an argument and nearly came to blows, I still considered her a friend and was looking forward to being trained by here. Now I wouldn't, and I didn't understand anything.

At that moment I made a decision that I may or may not come to regret in the near future.

I would meet Mikoto again and regain my memories.

And relieve this empty feeling that lingered in my heart.