Twotall
In death, I’m somehow more alive.
“Not bad.”
Olivia uncrossed her legs as the fight concluded. This buff lady, going by Iris, was nothing short of impressive. Having the strength to break through the Boarbatusk’s frontal armor, yet have confidence under pressure. Most amateurs would struggle a lot with the latter. Iris definitely wasn’t an amateur. Olivia grew curious, wondering what previous experience she had gone through to be here.
Her mind had to be wrangled back in as her Scroll buzzed to life. A message from Professor Kirigan.
“You’re up.”
Olivia stood immediately, stowing away her Scroll and holstering her rifle. As she began to walk, she passed Iris. The bulky woman looked triumphant and victorious at her outcome, both in success and acceptance into the Academy. That was a feeling that any person would and should be proud of. The Duchess stopped her as they crossed paths.
“Your fight was a little blunt… but sometimes you need power to secure victory.” While Olivia wanted to stay frank and professional in their conversation, she couldn’t help but smile. “You did good.”
“Try not to blink. Or you’ll end up missing me out there.” Olivia winked at her, a smirk sliding across her face.
In a smooth motion, Olivia slid her rifle out from its holster, coming to rest on top of her arm. Reaching into one of her satchels, she pulled out five silver bullets. Pressing a button on the lower side of her weapon, the breach opened to her rifle. She proceeded to load 4 out of the 5 rounds. Gripping the final round, she flipped it into the air like a coin before it fell into the still-opened breach of rifle. With a satisfying CLICK, the breach closed shut, her rifle now fully loaded.
5 Rounds Remaining.
Olivia holstered her weapon once more, readying herself into a defensive stance and at a respectable distance from the Boarbatusk’s enclosure. Seeing that Olivia was ready, the official overseeing this trial positioned himself, before slashing open the cage, the door swinging wide open. The beast rushed forward at a blinding speed, quicker than what most people could track. Olivia focused her vision, the Boarbatusk’s features becoming even more detailed and hauntingly grotesque. Olivia took out her rifle in a flash, managing to get a shot off before repositioning, rolling out of the way of the speeding Grimm. The gunshot rang out, like a roar of lion. Deafening and powerful. To Olivia’s expectation, the bullet pinged off of the beast’s faceplate armor with no trouble whatsoever.
4 Rounds Remaining.
Olivia came to a stop in a crouching position, her rifle raised to aim at the beast. The Boarbatusk, having missed its target, grunted and huffed annoyed now coming around to begin encircling the Huntress. Olivia didn’t fire immediately, watching the Grimm closely, her shimmering eyes anticipating its possible moves. It’s being cautious. Watched its buddy get slaughtered and is looking for an opening. Looks like I’ll need to be the aggressive one. Olivia rushed into a sprint, the beast immediately charging head on to meet her. The Duchess fired off two rapid shot, both hitting its faceplate again head on. While not enough to penetrate its armor, the kinetic force of the rounds was enough to make the beast flinch. The shots had slowed its charge, achieving what Olivia had hoped for.
2 Rounds Remaining.
Olivia pressed another button on her rifle, spinning it around as the weapon quickly transformed into a sleek, metallic blade. She spun herself around, her momentum carrying her weapon before conducting a sickening slash. The Duchess slid past the Grimm, the breast now flailing violently, its left eye now sliced through along with its left tusk, cleanly cut and sliding across the stage floor. Olivia turned on a dime, crouched, now pointing her swords point level with the Boarbatusk’s head. Her dulled grey eyes seemed to shimmer. Time had slowed down to her mind. The sound of everything muffled as her actions coalesced into a single point. She watched as the angered beast turned, now with an invigorated rage to kill her. It faced her, an even slice running across its head. Thanks for staying still.
Click! A trigger appeared below her sword hilt. The end of her blade split into two, the barrel of a gun sticking out between the pieces of metal. Another threatening roar of her weapon filled the silence.
The bullet had gone right through the previously damaged eye, now empty and hollow. The Boarbutusk fell over in a heap, it’s body laying there before beginning to dissolve and fade into black smoke. All thanks to a well-placed shot.
“Results of this demonstration: Victory, for Olivia Caldwell.”
Olivia stood, blinking to return her eyes to their normal vibrant blue. Her weapon morphed back into its rifle form, now resting it on her shoulder. She pressed the release, the beach to gun opening, her final unspent bullet flying out. Olivia caught it with her other hand, stashing it in her satchel for future use. Holstering her rifle, she brushed herself off before turning to her unknown audience. The lights of the stage illuminated her, leavening the stands dark, unable to make out individuals. Olivia released the breath she had been holding over the course of the fight. No matter how spoiled it sounded, she deserved to be here. Sometimes even the Duchess had to remind herself of that.
Olivia stood tall, straight backed. She held her head high, looking straight ahead like a soldier, before bowing to her shadowed audience.
Without sparing a look, she exited the stage. The next chapter begins.
Olivia uncrossed her legs as the fight concluded. This buff lady, going by Iris, was nothing short of impressive. Having the strength to break through the Boarbatusk’s frontal armor, yet have confidence under pressure. Most amateurs would struggle a lot with the latter. Iris definitely wasn’t an amateur. Olivia grew curious, wondering what previous experience she had gone through to be here.
Her mind had to be wrangled back in as her Scroll buzzed to life. A message from Professor Kirigan.
“You’re up.”
Olivia stood immediately, stowing away her Scroll and holstering her rifle. As she began to walk, she passed Iris. The bulky woman looked triumphant and victorious at her outcome, both in success and acceptance into the Academy. That was a feeling that any person would and should be proud of. The Duchess stopped her as they crossed paths.
“Your fight was a little blunt… but sometimes you need power to secure victory.” While Olivia wanted to stay frank and professional in their conversation, she couldn’t help but smile. “You did good.”
“Try not to blink. Or you’ll end up missing me out there.” Olivia winked at her, a smirk sliding across her face.
——————————————————————
Olivia made her way onto the stage, her boots clicking along. Another container had been prepared, the Grimm within trashing violently as it fought to be released from its prison. Olivia watched the cage carefully. She pulled on her vision, now seeing more of the creature’s features from within. Its stark white bone armor against black matted hide, its curved tusks, and its faint red eyes. The Duchess looked upon it for a while, her eyes never blinking as she studied it.
In a smooth motion, Olivia slid her rifle out from its holster, coming to rest on top of her arm. Reaching into one of her satchels, she pulled out five silver bullets. Pressing a button on the lower side of her weapon, the breach opened to her rifle. She proceeded to load 4 out of the 5 rounds. Gripping the final round, she flipped it into the air like a coin before it fell into the still-opened breach of rifle. With a satisfying CLICK, the breach closed shut, her rifle now fully loaded.
5 Rounds Remaining.
Olivia holstered her weapon once more, readying herself into a defensive stance and at a respectable distance from the Boarbatusk’s enclosure. Seeing that Olivia was ready, the official overseeing this trial positioned himself, before slashing open the cage, the door swinging wide open. The beast rushed forward at a blinding speed, quicker than what most people could track. Olivia focused her vision, the Boarbatusk’s features becoming even more detailed and hauntingly grotesque. Olivia took out her rifle in a flash, managing to get a shot off before repositioning, rolling out of the way of the speeding Grimm. The gunshot rang out, like a roar of lion. Deafening and powerful. To Olivia’s expectation, the bullet pinged off of the beast’s faceplate armor with no trouble whatsoever.
4 Rounds Remaining.
Olivia came to a stop in a crouching position, her rifle raised to aim at the beast. The Boarbatusk, having missed its target, grunted and huffed annoyed now coming around to begin encircling the Huntress. Olivia didn’t fire immediately, watching the Grimm closely, her shimmering eyes anticipating its possible moves. It’s being cautious. Watched its buddy get slaughtered and is looking for an opening. Looks like I’ll need to be the aggressive one. Olivia rushed into a sprint, the beast immediately charging head on to meet her. The Duchess fired off two rapid shot, both hitting its faceplate again head on. While not enough to penetrate its armor, the kinetic force of the rounds was enough to make the beast flinch. The shots had slowed its charge, achieving what Olivia had hoped for.
2 Rounds Remaining.
Olivia pressed another button on her rifle, spinning it around as the weapon quickly transformed into a sleek, metallic blade. She spun herself around, her momentum carrying her weapon before conducting a sickening slash. The Duchess slid past the Grimm, the breast now flailing violently, its left eye now sliced through along with its left tusk, cleanly cut and sliding across the stage floor. Olivia turned on a dime, crouched, now pointing her swords point level with the Boarbatusk’s head. Her dulled grey eyes seemed to shimmer. Time had slowed down to her mind. The sound of everything muffled as her actions coalesced into a single point. She watched as the angered beast turned, now with an invigorated rage to kill her. It faced her, an even slice running across its head. Thanks for staying still.
Click! A trigger appeared below her sword hilt. The end of her blade split into two, the barrel of a gun sticking out between the pieces of metal. Another threatening roar of her weapon filled the silence.
The bullet had gone right through the previously damaged eye, now empty and hollow. The Boarbutusk fell over in a heap, it’s body laying there before beginning to dissolve and fade into black smoke. All thanks to a well-placed shot.
“Results of this demonstration: Victory, for Olivia Caldwell.”
Olivia stood, blinking to return her eyes to their normal vibrant blue. Her weapon morphed back into its rifle form, now resting it on her shoulder. She pressed the release, the beach to gun opening, her final unspent bullet flying out. Olivia caught it with her other hand, stashing it in her satchel for future use. Holstering her rifle, she brushed herself off before turning to her unknown audience. The lights of the stage illuminated her, leavening the stands dark, unable to make out individuals. Olivia released the breath she had been holding over the course of the fight. No matter how spoiled it sounded, she deserved to be here. Sometimes even the Duchess had to remind herself of that.
Olivia stood tall, straight backed. She held her head high, looking straight ahead like a soldier, before bowing to her shadowed audience.
Without sparing a look, she exited the stage. The next chapter begins.
