Relic of the Future: Chapter 15

"Tyrian," he wheezed, and surged forward, leaving the girls behind.

"There you are!" Tyrian Callows howled happily. "I've finally found you~!"

Jaune roared and swung Crocea Mors forward. It was a vicious strike that could have cut a tree in two. Tyrian was only able to deflect it with both hands but even that staggered him. Jaune stepped forward and returned it, another parried blow, a shower of sparks. He spun, sword-tip almost touching the floor as he came up and under, breaking through Tyrian's guard and forcing the monster back.

[...]

His sword whistled through the air as it sought Tyrian's neck. The first strike was dodged, the second parried. Tyrian swept in to bring his shorter weapons to use but Jaune hopped back, keeping him at range. Wide swings, reckless swings, the better to put him on the back foot and force him back with every parry. Jaune's arms rattled each and every time. He pushed Tyrian down a row, and the faunus disengaged and fled several rows lower, Jaune in pursuit.

Each time Tyrian paused in his flight, their weapons crashed against one another. Each time Jaune fought to keep the high ground, Tyrian gave ground, drawing him down to the flat of the central arena where such advantages would be lost. It was a fair strategy as neither wanted to give them other an advantage. He was fine to allow it, content because it would mean their fight was further away from the civilians, Ruby and Emerald.

"Oh, Her Grace was very interested to learn about you," Tyrian chuckled, swinging for Jaune's face. The blade of the knife skimmed his nose, almost drawing blood. He ducked even though it missed, and avoided the quick burst of gunfire as a result. Tyrian didn't even pause in his monologue. "No one has worn her mark for millennia, she said. No one. That you do isn't possible, but it's oh so interesting. Finding you was easy, so very easy. You were right where I'd last seen you! It was almost like you wanted me to find you."

Jaune locked blades with Tyrian, twisted the knives down and smashed his forehead into the man's jaw. Blood and spittle flew as Tyrian fell back, recovered mid-fall and leapt away. He landed on some seats a little further down and wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. He laughed, amused at the anger that radiated from Jaune.

[...]

"I'll kill you, Tyrian! I'll kill you!"

"You know me. How do you know me? Oh, it's all so interesting – such a mystery! My Goddess wants to know more. I want to know more!"

Jaune's furious assault saw them clash once more. Jaune used the high ground to push down, adding more weight in an effort to make Tyrian's knees buckle. Something shifted under the man's coat but he was aware of it, prepared for it, waiting for it. When the tail shot out under Tyrian's right arm, Jaune shifted and left himself open.

Two knives dug into his body, one in each shoulder. He took them with a grunt, forcing Crocea Mors down two handed into the join just below the stinger of Tyrian's tail, which had passed by close enough to skim his uniform. There was a snap and a hiss as the limb was cut in two.

"Argh, you son of a bitch!" Tyrian roared. He fell back, suddenly limping and waving one dagger before him.

Jaune followed, eyes wild, breath coming out sharply. "It's over, Tyrian. You're over. I'll kill you now, so that you never have the chance to do more." His hand tightened on Crocea Mors, sweeping it up before him. "I'm not the same man I was. I won't make the same mistake again."

"See, that's what makes you so intriguing," Tyrian cackled, face twisted in pain. "You act like you've met me before this, before the last time, and this is only the second time I've ever seen you."

"It's also the last time you'll see me."

Tyrian grinned. "I don't think it is."

A shadow appeared for an instant on the ground between them. Instincts drilled into him by constant combat had him dodging back, even before the masked figure slammed down. Tall and muscled, wide in a way few men were. Jaune tutted, irritated. This had just gone from bad to worse thanks to the new arrival.

Hazel Rainart.

—Relic of the Future: Chapter 15