The sky had turned dark as Villain and Hero had been fighting, and light, pearly snow now coated the grass. Hero was limping slightly. Their nemesis, however, showed no signs of injury nor tiredness.
"Should we end the fight already, darling?" Villain grinned, their sword glinting in the moonlight. "You're looking a bit spent."
Hero grit their teeth, slowly shifting their weight back, and tightened the grip on their own sword. Since walking was difficult, they would have to wait for Villain's attack and stay on defensive.
It was a near impossible way to win.
"I'm fine, thank you," they said tightly.
Villain's lips curled into a mocking smile. "And you're so tense, too! Here I was thinking you'd be my greatest adversary."
They lunged forward, and Hero stumbled back with a cry. Villain's sword had sliced the air inches from their nose. Hero raised their sword to the level of their eyes, but Villain was already on them. All they had needed was that moment of weakness to slide their sword through Hero's ribs.
Instead, the dull edge of their sword slammed into Hero's chest, and they were sent tumbling on the ground, gasping for breath.
"How sad," Villain cooed.
"Stop acting like I'm afraid!" Hero muttered between their labored breaths, trying to reach for their weapon. Meanwhile Villain pressed the dull edge of their sword right against their neck.
"I never said you were," they replied. "And that is the entire problem, isn't it? Your self preservation instinct is nonexistent."
Hero glared at them, then winced as Villain reached out a hand and hauled them up. Hero's muscles were frozen and aching, and the shallow cut in their foot was bleeding. Maybe it was deeper than they'd earlier thought. The blood froze even as it seeped out of the wound.
Villain noticed it and quickly pulled them into a bridal carry. The struggling Hero was furious.
"If you don't put me down right n—"
"Shut up. You're not even worth threatening."
Hero had definitely bitten off more than they could chew, challenging Villain like this. They'd thought Villain was weaker. The other definitely looked unassuming, almost carefree. But they were powerful. And Hero had underestimated that power.
"Fine," Hero said, flinching with every bump in the way. "I'm sure we can come to some—uh, some fair and mutual agreement that does not involve kidnapping me."
"If I left you here you would die of blood loss."
"That would be preferable."
"Dear," Villain said almost apologetically. "It was you who challenged me in the first place. And now you will face the consequences."
Hero craned their neck to see Villain's face, but all they could make out were the shadows that fell over their eyes like a pool of black water. Then there was a sharp flash of white; Villain was grinning.
"I'm going to teach you your place."
And they did not elaborate.
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