Forged Destiny [Book 3: Ch. 14]

"Jaune, behind you!" Blake warned.

I moved on instinct. I didn't hear anything, nor perceive of any threat, but if Blake wanted to shout a warning, I wasn't going to ignore it. That trust likely saved my life. A huge, two-handed sword slammed down into the ground where I'd stood, chipping marble and also digging a hole into it. I landed hard, rolling over one shoulder and coming back onto my feet closer to Blake and the rest of my Guild.

[...]

I surged forwards, the pommel of Crocea Mors against my shoulder and the tip lancing for the small of his back.

The blade sparked against his armour. It grated and slid to the side, propelled around him as he turned to lessen the force. My body slammed into his back a moment later, the attack having done not a lick of damage. I was too close for him to bring his weapon to bear, however. He struck down with the pommel, almost catching my temple with it, but I managed to bring my own hilt into play, blocking it.

[...]

Crocea Mors clashed against his sword once more. He pulled back and chambered a counter-attack, but this time, I was ready. Any rational person would have dodged, but I wasn't that. I thrust towards his face, throwing aside all my own defences and using his own sword to line up the blow. His eyes widened, his face twisting aside at the last second. Despite that, Crocea Mors traced a thin line under his eye, drawing but the tiniest amount of blood.

It was enough to make mine sing. Screaming my triumph, I stepped into his guard and pushed him back a step, then brought my sword around and towards his neck. His came, too – crashing into mine in a shower of sparks.

[...]

Still, I rushed in and swung for his head – only for his sword to come up gripped with one hand halfway up the blade. He parried and pushed me back, then drew the huge weapon back and slammed the pommel into my stomach.

I crashed against the wall, and barely had time to get the remains of Crocea Mors back up before his sword pressed against me.

—Forged Destiny [Book 3: Ch. 14]