Don't be Sorry. Be Better.

She sees him move; his body creaking as if an ancient tool finally being used after many years of disuse. She sees him unlatch the axe; his grey muscles bulging in her eyes. A battle this is surely going to be. Though, he speaks about temperament. She could only scoff as he speaks of one’s mind and control of themselves. As if she could relate to.

“I suppose I la-”

Her onyx eyes flick downwards seeing his arm moving quickly, the axe within it one moment, and the next, it is before her very eyes nearing her face with clear intent. She did not even know she could move at such speeds, but somehow, the thrown axe is caught by the edge of her blade as she pulls her arm back swinging the sword outward to parry the oncoming axe, but the suddenness and act of fending off an attack so ferocious causes her feet to step back; the lack of a stance making her extremely unbalanced.

Her eyes are wide with shock, but there is no time to process anything at all. Arkin leaves her none.

“Oof!”

Have you ever been hugged by a bear? Stepped on by a giant? Tackled by a sumo wrestler? Well, none of those analogies matter, for Elyss have never experienced any of them. Yet, as Arkin collides with her small frame, Elyss could swear this impact was beyond all of them. Instantly, the air within her body evaporates; squeezed out by the massive arms around her. She could barely mutter a strangled gasp as her ears start whistling; the air around them making way for them as Arkin carried her with impressive speed and strength right into a tree.

Into a tree isn’t it though. That’s not mighty enough for Arkin. Elyss feels the bark crack and snap before the trunk gives way like paper; splinters scratching her skin as the impact is sure to leave bothersome bruising. If only that was it though. She feels their bodies collide more and more with hardened trees that gave way far too easily for her liking; each time creating more and more numbing pain throughout her body. Yet, she felt… excited.

However, all things come to an end, and suddenly, their pace is stopped before one final spin sent her sprawling through the air. Somehow, through all of that, she catches a glimpse of steel glinting in the sun. Her zanpakuto did not fly from her grip through that whole charade of maddened charging. She’s not done in that easily.

She yanks her body is midair ignoring the pain from her back twisting so violently; her sword digging into the ground underneath her stopping her momentum just enough for her to fall over and roll into a tree but not through it. Before her is the ragged line that her blade made into the Earth. Somehow, she managed to get onto her ass and looks through the mess of her jumbled hair at the giant man who manhandled her so. And, she smiles.

“Now, this is going to be grand.”

She mutters to herself remembering her experience with that giant beast that she was saved from. If she could battle it now, would she be afraid? Would she win? Those are her thoughts, but they are quickly diminished as she gets more excited for the battle she is in at this very moment.

With a grunt, she rises and rolls her shoulders hearing them crack and folds her back with strained grunting knowing she’ll be suffering from that for days later, but she’s excited.

“Alright, big man. That hurt like hell, so get ready to feel it twice as hard.”

She lifts her arm up just like before pointing her blade at him once more; the sun glinting off her steel. Yes, this is it. She doesn’t feel sad, mad, or distressed. Her mind is set on only one thing as of now, and that’s to win this fight. Even if it seems a bit hopeless for her, someone who doesn’t know anything about swordplay, to challenge this man, she’s not going to back down.

“Come on and show me a bit more.”