Twenty... nineteen... eighteen...

The ticker above my head seems to count down at the speed of light. How am I going to beat this guy? He's huge, obviously stronger than I am, and he probably knows more about swordsmanship than I do. Think, Haruko... he's big, you're not. He's slower than you. Be quick. He's a show-off. Be smart. He's rash. Think through this.

Three...

I take my stance and stare down Ryoko. He smirks and points his sword at me.

Two...

Am I really ready for this? Can I still back out?

One...

Too late.

Fight!

Ryoko charges at me with everything he's got. I stand my ground, waiting until he's almost on top of me to roll out of the way. I narrowly miss him, and he stares back at me with rage and charges again. This time, I spin him around with the flat of my sword. He runs headfirst into the crowd, which parts before he can hit them. In a last-ditch effort to get out of here, I step back into the crowd and pretend to cheer with them. It works for a few seconds; Ryoko is confused. Then he spots me and charges. As he meets the audience, I stay behind him, his back against mine. He whips around a few times, looking for me. My head moves with his, and the audience laughs at him. Eventually, though, he finds me. He takes a wild slash at me as I back up. His sword comes around a second time, and I block it. The sound of metal on metal rings loud and clear through the square at Grandzam. He's too strong for me, though, and I'm knocked to the ground. Ryoko cuts my cheek and the duel is over.

Winner! The notification comes up over his head. But he stares at me. He doesn't back off.

He raises his sword.

Shouts come up from the crowd. "Haruko!" "Ryoko, stop!" Swords are drawn. I notice none of them. All I can see is the huge sword coming straight down at me. Goodbye, life. I hope I lived you well.

"Enough!"

And an unfamiliar sword blocks his strike.

What just happened?