Extract From Sky Flyers Kingdom Chapter Seven: Elxie’s Dream
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Michelle Marcic, Grade 12, Marymount College
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Short Story
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2011
Excellence Award in the 'Step Write Up 2011' competition
Time; the one thing that is always against you, the one element that is always moving forward and backwards at the same moment, well I was out of time. Everything I had trained for, everything I have loved and lost came down to this moment in time and now time was up there would be no backing down, no retreat. I stared at my opponent-from where I hid- my enemy’s eyes there was no mercy, no love and no compassion in his eyes they were only filled with hate and rage. I felt a tear roll down my face, turning to ice as it reached my chin felling away into the open air shaped as a perfect sparkling water droplet. I wondered how this could have happened but yet again I didn’t have the time to sit and ponder about it I already knew the answer.
My breath came out in rapid gasps I couldn’t believe I was doing this, so many questions were going through my head so many emotions boiling over in my heart, how did I get to this moment; this moment in time where anything could happen if I turned around I know I would be seen but if I didn’t turn or even move in the next three seconds I was going to be seen anyway so it was a catch twenty-two. My eyes peered around for a new hiding spot but all I saw was flat ground and the drop off from the cliffs edge. I tightened my hands around the hilt of my sword until my knuckles turned white, I concentrated on calming my breathing otherwise it was going to be my un-doing everything I had worked for lead to this moment, I could not fail when the punishment for failing was death.
A shadow fell across my hiding spot and I knew it was too late, my time was up. My instincts told me to wheel around and raise my sword, I obeyed and blocked a down would strike that would have dealt me a swift death, the truth was I didn’t want to fight, I didn’t want to hurt the figure hidden in shadow that was now wielding his sword in a deadly combo of attacks, each of the thrusts I parried or batted away each side slice I deflexed, sparks flying from our blades as he backed me up towards the cliff. I had to think now and make a plan or I was finished the blade was getting closer and closer to landing on its mark I was too tired already and had no strength left. Only one idea came to mind but did I have the strength to summon it, my answer was made for me when my sword was flipped from my hands the blade flying over the edge. I backed up expecting something to ram my back a wall anything instead I fell to his startled surprise and I knew I could retreat no more…