The enormous sword came down. Fanilly lept back, her heart hammering in her chest, and watched as the hard ground was torn where she just stood. But without missing a beat, Jeremiah brought his sword back up and pushed forward, aiming to skewer her before she could recover. The blonde girl managed to throw herself out of the way, but barely, rolling to the side and holding her sword at the ready. But the huge man was already facing her, ready to attack once more.

"Do you know why I'm here, little girl?!" he said, his voice a gleeful snarl as he spoke. In an instant he was already swinging his enormous sword. Fanilly, eyes wide with fear, attempted to sidestep, and in a last desperate bid raised her sword to defend herself. She felt the impact slam into her body even from a glancing blow and was sent reeling, pain reverberating up her arm as she did. She barely managed to catch herself. The flames were so hot from the burning tree, she could feel them from here. Perhaps if someone was moving fast enough they could get through it relatively unscathed, but...

For now she was on her own.

"... N-no, I don't," Fanilly, straightening and trying to quell the quavering in her voice, "But regardless, you are an enemy of Thaln's people and must be defeated!"

"Heh, what a fool," he commented, simply, "I have killed hundreds of knights, spilled the blood of men across the battlefield for years. I'm here to do the very same with your order!"

He was moving again. This time, Fanilly felt herself move before his sword came down. His swings were practiced, he wasn't attacking like a wild berserker! But at the same time, Fanilly herself was learning that if she kept moving she could still outpace him! Perhaps if she could get around him, perhaps...!

Suddenly the girl saw Jeremiah alter the course of his sword, swinging it outwards and towards her. She barely had time to get her sword between her body and his before it hit. The impact slammed into her, and she felt the breath leave her body and paint reverberate up her arm. Fanilly was lifted from the ground and sent careening through the air, her sword tumbling away and skittering across the ground. She rolled once and came to a stop on her stomach, panting as she tried to right herself.

This man was a monster! Even unarmored he fought with such confidence!

The girl's arms trembled as she tried to get up. She didn't think she was seriously injured, she had to calm down! She had to get her sword and-

Fingers wrapped around her helmet and pulled it off, tossing it aside. A hand wrapped around her throat and lifted her into the air, immediately digging in.

"My joy in life," growled Jeremiah, "What brings me happpiness, is death. So I joined this trash, to make them into a threat that you Iron Roses would notice. To draw you here. To kill you. And what better way to kill you then to begin by beheading your order?"

The man chuckled to himself as his grip tightened on Fanilly's through. Her heart was bounding, her eyes wide as she struggled to breath. No... she couldn't breath, her legs kicking as one hand clasped at his arm.

"But maybe... maybe I'll keep you, girl," the man continued, grinning, "Let the death of your order break your will, turn you into nothing more then a trophy! The trophy that marks the death of the Iron Roses!"

Fanilly gasped. She could feel herself slipping. She'd fall unconscious soon. Was he right? Would he kill the Iron Roses? Her own grip slackened as she felt her dagger begin to-

... Her dagger...

"Besides, it would be a waste to-"

Fire lit in Fanilly's eyes, she swung her arm up and then downwards. A Parrying Dagger was not made for attacking, and yet it served well against Jeremiah's bare arm. The tip bit into his flesh and plunged into him, drawing blood. He let out a cry of pain and shock, his grip loosening!

Fanilly fell to the ground, clutching her throat with her free hand and coughing. Her neck hurt, his grip had been squeezing the air from her body... but she was alive! Managing to steady herself before the massive man could recover, she sprinted for her sword, grasping it in her right hand and raising it.

"All your words have done is tell me you're nothing more then a monster, Three Hundred Man-slayer!" she called, raising her sword, "And it is the Iron Roses' duty to slay monsters, even if they're men!"

His arm was streaming red. She'd managed to force her dagger in deep. Fanilly was still scared. But now... if she could keep on her toes...! 

At just that moment, one of the other knights sprang over the burning tree! His kick was deflected, but he managed to land safely, close by. Fanilly was no longer isolated! It would only be a matter of time until the other knights were able to provide assistance, then...!

"I'm fine!" she asserted, though her throat was rather hoarse. Glaring, the hulking figure of Jeremiah raised his enormous blade once more...!

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