Sloped Fight

The world erupted with a great crack. The two held on for dear life, clutching their swords in one hand and whatever they could grasp of the flat terrain in the other. They continued moving, both contemplating whether or not they had the agility to walk over and slash at each other. The world rested at a 45 degree angle, and ceased moving.

They looked at each other and laughed. “Your move,” Left said.

“I think it’s more yours,” Right retorted.

Right sighed after a moment’s pause and carefully pushed himself off. A little wobble like a newborn baby walking for the first time and he was upright…In a manner of speaking. Left followed, figuring that if they were wrong about the land not tilting anymore, at least they were both going flying.

They stared at each other, locking eyes and ready to pounce. Right launched, kicking up loose bits of concrete that had flown off the terrain after the move. Left readied himself and stood ready to strike. Right launched with a flurry of slashes, almost as if he was trying to get it done quickly before the land moved again. Left stayed controlled and deftly blocked all hits. Then he swung low, forcing Right to stop and jump to avoid it.

A few showboating somersaults and Right landed behind Left, slashing out wildly behind himself. Left, without looking, anticipated and launched his sword behind him, blocking with just the tip of his sword and spinning himself around with the force. Both mens’ swords landed just before each others’ necks. They puffed, and puffed, and stared intently.

“You’re dead,” Right said, smiling.

“So are you,” Left agreed. There was a moment where nothing happened. The landscape watched them in anticipation. They wobbled as the author remembered that the land was supposed to be sloped.

“Look,” Left began, “The way I see it, neither of us are going to win. It’s either we kill each other or our bosses kill us. I think I could take my boss more than I could take you, and I’m going to imagine it’s the same for you.

Right didn’t reply, but ever so slightly nodded.

“Great, I’m going to lower my sword and I expect you to do the same in equal measure.”

Left hesitated, glancing at the matching sword at his throat. He backed off the smallest measure from his opponent’s jugular. His opponent, dutifully, followed suit. Left backed off a little more, Right backed off a little more. Their movements became less stop-start and smoother as both completely removed their swords.

Right suddenly launched his in the air and Left readied himself. However, Right cleaned the sword off on his sleeve and placed it with practised carefulness into his scabbard. Left followed suit.