When Dame Serenity altered her stance, realization dawned on Fanilly.

The dream that they had shared that night, and the ancient figure who had risen within the depths of the Cazt Mausoleum...

It was the Demonbreaker, that the knight sought to emulate. It made far more sense now, the choice of shield and training blade.

Immediately Fanilly's mental stock of the fight changed track. If Dame Serenity was confident enough to attempt to emulate the Demonbreaker, that meant it was possible her initially intended approach was not the ideal one.

This was a training match, but if they were going to spar to better one another... not only was it her duty as a knight, but it was her duty as Knight-Captain to do all she could.

And thus she had to try and analyze the battle as if it was a real one.

Fanilly's mind reached back to the words of her instructor.

[i]'Against an opponent of greater strength and defensive capabilities, you must find any opening that you can. Their strikes are your opportunity.'[/i]

She had never trained against Dame Serenity.

Fanilly leaned forward, her training sword held low as she angled her body towards her opponent.

Planting one foot forward, she propelled herself towards her.

It was a straightforward advance without any presumptions, the girl's grip on the training blade seeming set for an equally straightforward strike.

Perhaps Dame Serenity would immediately see through it, but the opening of a duel was often a move intended to test one another more than anything else.

One step into her opponent's range.

Another.

Before she sprang backwards just as swiftly as she advanced. If Dame Serenity struck, it was her opportunity to circle to her flank. If she did not, then it was a test of what she would do instead.

Either way, it would shed at least a little light on the progress of the sparring match if nothing else.

[@ERode]