Two of a kind

''Job description'':

(Using lineage for a 100% jewel increase)

It was there, atop of the hill bathed in sunlight without a shadow in sight where the old man sat. He wore armor of an old and eastern design, decorated with scratches and busts. It was a man sitting, waiting for someone to deliver his end, but not without a fight. It was a rare sight, but sometimes it'd happen. Those who put their lives in the hands of faith on daily basis surviving it all. He was one of those people. and apparently according to his beliefs he might have missed the chance to arrive at his version of heaven. At least, he would have if Casus hadn't taken up the job. Casus felt a certain sense of sympathy for the man. The old warrior was only 10 years older than he was, and Casus also felt the frightening grip of death. In the case of the warrior it was the fright of a 'cowardly' death, in his own case it was one without having set a legacy.

Casus made the climb, feeling the dirt underneath his feat making a crisp crunching sound as he made his way up the hill. The old warrior looked at him approach, and stood up. In the way he did so it was clear the man had grown rusty or maybe just a bit stiff from waiting all day. Either way, he smiled. It was a wicked smile, one Casus was all to familiar with. The fact that this man stood in front of him at his age was a sign he deserved utter respect. His eyes still emanated the reckless aura he must have had in his younger years. ''So you're the one they send me.. two of a kind huh.. You'll do. Let's get started.'' . The old man's voice died away quickly as the wind started picking up. The gusts of winds were represented in the higher grass down the hill, and the sound of it was only broken by the gear of the old warrior creaking as he picked up his shield and took a combat position.

Casus couldn't help but nod. He felt words were wasted on the warrior. He only wanted one thing from life at this point, and that was death by combat. Casus wasn't about to sully that wish by small talk or a show of empathy. 'an honorable death' was the request. Casus sighed as he used one of his spells to cast only one dagger from his arm, and took it in his hand. His hand-to-hand skills were rusty and his muscles lacking in strength, but hey, so would his. Casus took a stance that best suited a single handed knife fight and braced himself for any movement as the two began circling each other. What followed was an eruption of action and flashing lights as the sparks flew off the two blades colliding every couple of seconds. It reminded Casus of how weak he had grown, and the warrior grunted to himself seemingly dissatisfied with his performance as well. But at that moment, within the sun slowly setting and the shadows becoming longer they were equals. None the less they fought their heart out, and moment by moment more cuts and bruises started appearing on the both of them. Age was a cruel mistress, even more so then the mercy death could offer, and they both knew and felt it, but only one had already given up one for the other. That was the only thing Casus felt gave him the edge as he slowly began to advance upon the old warrior. His strikes became less quick, his strength less decisive and his movements less fluent. He was running out of steam, and Casus couldnt' decide whether it was because of the 10 years difference between the two of them or the different mindsets and motivations, but either way Casus was winning.

This slow descent into defeat continued on for the old warrior until the sun had almost set. There it was, Casus's chance, and he mercilessly took it. He struck the old man's wrist with the grip on his knife and made him drop his sword. But Casus was quickly reminded that assumption was the mother of all fuck-ups as he was quickly countered by a bash in the face by the old man's shield. Casus was pushed back onto the ground, and the old man collapsed onto one knee gripping his wrist tightly. It must have broken. Casus slowly stood up as he felt his joints screaming of pain and his muscles feeling like they became filled with acid. The old warrior looked up at him, as he slowly stood up as well. The two gave each other one more smile, one of wickedness before Casus went in for the finishing move. The old warrior didn't have the strength or speed to react in time, and his effort to bash Casus once more was in vain as the dagger quickly dug it's way into the man's left lung cavity. The old warrior spit out blood as he hung over Casus's shoulder, and gave a final 'thank you' before collapsing to the ground. This time for good. Casus made sure to turn the old warrior on his back, laying on the hill with his face looking at the sun that was just about to go under, closing his eyes as a last sign of respect. Whoever would find him here was uncertain, but at least they'd know by the cuts and bruises he fought like a lion till the very end.

Casus looked down upon the man as he dropped his iron knife and mumbled something to himself before turning his back and walking away. This day the old warrior had met his death, not by the embrace of age but by the cold iron of his dagger, and somewhere it felt more suiting than anything. It also gave Casus more motivation, he wasn't about to die on a hill like this man. Before his death he became determined to make his mark. To become unforgettable. Through good, or bad means.

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