The way of the blade is just within my grip. Looking upon my enemy, I can see his frustration and feel his tension. My eyes witness how tight his grip is on the handle of his blade wrapped in black cloth. He throws a vicious smile into my direction as he drops the point of his Katana to the sun beaten tar ground of the rooftop we stood upon. His black robe drapes over him, consuming his essence. His life is within my grip as mine is with his.
The honor of my clan will prevail once he falls by the blade that was given to me by my father and many generations before him. This lowly dog charges at me raised towards the heavens…our eyes locked on to each other. I lie in wait with my blade resting on my right shoulder. Snow begins to fall from the midnight skies and the wind was kicking up quickly. I held my position waiting for him to strike. Our blades connect with each other in blistering fury. Sparks fly threw the air melting the falling snow before it has a chance to hit the ground. With blocking his barrage of attacks, his skill fails to amuse me. The way he handles his blade is sluggish and his accuracy is very unforgiving. More sparks begin to sail through the midnight air, our blades dance…the scraping sound piercing both our ear drums with acute precision.
Pushing me back, my feet straddle the edge of the rooftop, trying to keep my balance. My eyes shoot down towards my feet seeing that they are beginning to raise up, feeling my body being pulled down towards my demise. My blade slips out of my grip with my hopes of victory. My enemy grabbed a hold of my thick white robe. Pulling me back towards him. He saved my life, but why? Putting his sword down, he bows before me. To win by default was not in his plans as he stood up staring back at me.
Picking up his katana, he walks to the exit door with a gentle stride. “Next time old friend your life will be mine…” falling to my knees all I could do is watch him leave. My heart raced, then slowed down and raced back up anticipated something, but couldn’t put my finger on what he might do, or what he might be thinking. His long black hair wavered in the breeze, snow specks glinting in the florescent light of the exit sign. His hand rested on the on the door handle. “Oh, one more thing. A going away present I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”
His left hand began to dig around in his robe pocket. “I’d run if I were you old friend.” His chuckle was menacing as he threw out what seemed like millions of shooting stars. I picked myself up of the ground with all my strength. Turning around, I hear explosion after explosion. My speed picks up as I leap off the edge of the four story rooftop. Is this the way it ends? Sailing downward towards my demise, my mind struggles to find peace. I feel a sharp pain beginning with my feet, traveling up my legs. My palm encased in granite. I survived the fall, eyes shut tight. Opening them, I began to let my eyes wander around my surroundings. No vehicles in sight. No people walking or conducting their business either to be found. My blade lays in rest right beside me urging me to pick it up once more. I do so and know this battle is not over yet.
