Hidden Pathways (BOOK 1)

Tactical Triumph - Chapter 23

"Leeani, provide cover! Wait for my signal!" Zach commanded, his boots pounding against the ground as he sprinted toward Sanaage, the metallic ring echoing through the air as he unsheathed his claymore sword from its scabbard, a glint of determination flashing behind him.

"Well, well, looks like we've reached a major milestone in the evolution of your combat skills! I mean, unsheathing a sword? That's practically the pinnacle of your achievements, isn't it?" Sanaage shouted, his tone dripping with sarcastic applause.

With determined swiftness, Zach charges forward, his claymore sword clenched firmly in his right hand. In a seamless motion, he unleashes a rapid yet powerful swing, directing the blade towards Sanaage's hand with precision, only to have the attack deftly parried.

"Reckon you haven't met someone skilled enough to thwart your speedy strikes before," Sanaage taunted, a smirk playing on his lips as he effortlessly halted Zach's claymore with the precision of his machete.

Zach, undeterred, launches into a relentless onslaught of claymore swings, each strike infused with a combination of speed and agility. However, despite the ferocity of these sword maneuvers, Sanaage proves to be an unparalleled master of defense, effortlessly parrying every single swing with a seamless fluidity, his movements flowing effortlessly with the rhythm of Zach's claymore.

"Is that the best you can muster, Captain of the band?" Sanaage sneered, his voice cutting through the clash of steel as he effortlessly parried Zach's relentless barrage of sword swings.

n a swift maneuver, Zach executes a backward flip, creating a considerable distance between him and Sanaage. Standing with unwavering poise, his gaze remains fixated on Sanaage, an unspoken challenge lingering in the air.

"Feeling the fatigue, Captain? Well, don't tire out just yet; we're only scratching the surface, aren't we? I'll take my time toying with you before I seal the deal. Once you're out of the picture, I'll make sure your friends meet their demise. It's almost poetic, like a predator savoring its prey," Sanaage declared, a chilling grin stretching across his face, painting a sinister portrait of his twisted intentions.

In a tense standoff, Zach stood statuesque, his senses keenly attuned to the subtlest of movements, a silent observer of Sanaage who mirrored his stillness. The air between them hung heavy with anticipation, a silent dialogue of warriors locked in an unspoken understanding, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Come at me!" Sanaage's furious shout echoed through the charged atmosphere, demanding a response from the motionless Zach.

Remaining eerily still and silent, Zach's stoic demeanor seemed unshaken, prompting Sanaage to lose his composure after an agonizing stretch of waiting for a preemptive strike. "Okay, then!" Sanaage bellowed, his fury intensifying as he swiftly closed the distance toward Zach.

Yet, just as Sanaage reached striking proximity, Zach's calm facade shattered his opponent's expectations with a single utterance that injected caution into the unfolding confrontation.

 "Checkmate," Zach muttered, his eyes piercing into Sanaage's, the subtle declaration hanging in the charged air between them.

"Huh?" Sanaage responded, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty clouding his features.

With a fluidity that mirrored the dance of a seasoned swordsman, Zach unleashed another relentless barrage of claymore swings, each motion met with the deft parrying of Sanaage.

"Is this your idea of checkmate? Still getting parried?" Sanaage taunted amidst the rhythmic clash of their blades.

Seizing a strategic moment, Zach propelled his claymore into the air, diverting Sanaage's attention skyward. In a lightning-fast sequence, a right hook connected with Sanaage's jaw, and a front kick disarmed him, sending his machete soaring into the air above their tumultuous duel. A swift uppercut further unsettled Sanaage, leaving him momentarily off balance.

"Checkmate," Zach muttered once again, a declaration punctuating the intensity of their skirmish.

"Leeani, now!" Zach urgently commanded, directing his attention to Leeani, who had been vigilantly observing the clash.

"Affirmative, captain!" Leeani responded with unwavering determination, leaping into the air with impressive height to intercept both the descending claymore and the airborne machete.

"You cunning bastard! You planned this!" Sanaage exclaimed furiously, gradually retreating.

"Indeed, I did. Your focus was fixated on my sword, and your proficiency in parrying made you appear invincible. But, you're not untouchable because of your defense; it's your mastery beyond the machete that makes you formidable. Now that I've separated you from your weapon, shall we continue?" Zach stated, sharpness in his eyes and determination resonating in his voice.

Sanaage, halting his backward steps, donned a psychotic grin.

"You cunning bastard! Your demise is on the horizon, mark my words! Crafty shit!" Sanaage's furious shout echoed through the battlefield, an eruption of anger and determination painting the intensity of the moment.

"Now, let's revisit your earlier claim. You mentioned being a predator, right? Wrong. I'm the predator, toying with my prey all along," Zach asserted with a confident demeanor, his words carrying the weight of a seasoned warrior.