Metal_Sabre nods to Cecil, a very serious expression upon his face as he begins the duel. With a dull thump, Metal_Sabre plants his left leg in front of him, assuming his fighting position. He pulls back his right hand a bit, his sword ready to lash out at any moment, as his feet slide him closer and closer to Cecil. He keeps his sight transfixed upon Cecil's blue eyes, watching for any indication of movement. Upon reaching about three yards distance from Cecil, Metal_Sabre hops forward with exceptional agility, twisting his torso and jabbing his sword out, aiming for the left side of Cecil's neck, just above the Dark Knight's breastplate.
Cecil keeps eye contact with the Azure Knight as he moves forward, and sees his sword flying for his neck. He ducks beneath the swing, sweeping an armoured leg at Metal_Sabre's base.
Metal_Sabre gracefully leaves his feet, the leg cutting the air beneath him. The Azure Knight flys over top of Cecil's crouched body, then hits the ground on his upper back, with his legs curling and swinging back a bit, flowing with the momentum. He then follows through as his legs swing back forward, pushing off the ground with his arms as best he can, while still maintaining a strong grip on his sword. His legs extend, and hurdle towards Cecil's face.
Cecil rolls away to the left as the Azure Knight flies past him. Cecil gets to his feet and sets them in a fighting position, his eyes looking slightly darker than they had moments before. He moves towards the Azure Knight, twisting his body as he moves into the air, aiming a diagonal slash at Metal_Sabre's right shoulder.
Metal_Sabre makes his way to his feet and watches Cecil intently as the warrior takes to the air. Cecil's sword nears Metal_Sabre, but the Azure Knight ducks slightly and strafes to his right, and his opponent's blade whizzes by his left shoulder. Metal_Sabre raises his left arm and quickly jerks his elbow back, towards the back of Cecil's skull.
Cecil ducks down again as Metal_Sabre's elbow cuts through the space Cecil's head was seconds ago. He quickly spins, squaring up to the Azure Knight as he aims a swordthrust at his stomach.
Metal_Sabre begins spinning his sword around in his right hand until he grips it upside down. His right arm crosses over his stomach, as he turns his wrist inward, all with lightning fast reflexes. The Azure Knight's sword deflects the blow, as the blades collide with a resounding clang. Metal_Sabre then jerks his left knee upward towards Cecil's jaw as he pushes against Cecil's sword.
Cecil rolls backwards, feeling his own sword thud against his armor from the momentum of the Azure Knight's parry. He looks Metal_Sabre in the eye, his eyes glowing an eerie black. He raises his sword at the Azure Knight, holding it with both hands as dark energy seems to flow from his body to the sword. Cecil spreads his feet as dark energy continues to run the course of the blade. He leans back slightly, as if gathering himself, and then thrusts the blade in the direction of Metal_Sabre, discharging several dark waves of energy in his direction.
Metal_Sabre acts quickly, raising his sword up and drawing his left leg back down and pushing off the ground with it. As he moves forward to begin his counterattack, Metal_Sabre quickly notes the trajectory of each of the waves of energy heading his way, and positions his body accordingly. He deflects a pair of the bolts of energy off of his sword easily, a few soaring past him from above, and one narrowly missing him, shooting by underneath his arm pit. Upon his right foot hitting the ground, Metal_Sabre puts his weight down on it and swings his left foot up, attempting to kick Cecil in the hip, hard.
Cecil notes that Metal_Sabre's foot is homing in on him, and quickly shifts his sword to his left hand. He mentally braces himself for the blow from the kick while horizontally slashing at Metal_Sabre, hoping to catch him off balance.
Metal_Sabre still holds his sword in a downward position, and he quickly raises it up. Providing an excellent defense in its upside down position, Metal_Sabre and Cecil's swords meet once again. Cecil's strength is much more than Metal_Sabre is used to, and with the lack of balance from not having both legs planted, Metal_Sabre is knocked backward from blocking the attack. Though at the same time Metal_Sabre's kick hits Cecil's ribs hard, and the Azure Knight is able to rebound the leg off of his opponent's ribs and draw it back in time so that he lands down on his left knee. He whirls his sword around again so that it's back in an upright position, and then jabs it forward, attempting to stab it up into Cecil's chest, from under his breastplate.
Cecil winces slightly from the blow to the ribs, and a popping sound is heard. He brings his blade down on the one directed for his chest, the sound of steel on steel echoing through the valley. He pushes down on Metal_Sabre's sword with as much force as he can, gritting his teeth to try and lessen the pain in his ribs.
Metal_Sabre is uncertain if he does indeed have the power needed to overpower Cecil in his lowered position, even if Cecil's ribs are injured. Deciding to play things safe, Metal_Sabre pushes off his right leg, raising to his feet and to Cecil's right. The swords scrape against one another before disengaging from each other. Metal_Sabre's feet intertwine and pivot around as he spins his body around a full 360 degrees, gaining momentum as he spins around further behind Cecil. He ends his spin with his back facing Cecil's, though to the left a bit, and swings his right arm backward, attempting to ram the large butt of his blade into the small of Cecil's back.
Cecil quickly spins around to see what's coming at him and notices the butt-end of Metal_Sabre's sword coming at his stomach. He pivots around and leans back slightly to avoid the attack, taking a quick horizontal slice at the Knight of Karchan's back.
Metal_Sabre quickly ducks down into a three point stance, taking care to make sure his right arm is lowered enough to not get caught in the sword's path. With a surge of strength, Metal_Sabre performs a quick back flip, trying to stay to Cecil's side so that he may eventually catch the Dark Knight off guard. The Azure Knight flings his right arm outward, a quick jab from his sword threatening to penetrate Cecil's stomach.
Cecil hops backwards, Metal_Sabre's blade coming inches from his stomach. Cecil takes a few more steps backwards, his breathing labored, finding that even taking in air sends a shooting pain through his body. He slides his blade into the sheath hanging on his back, grinning at the Azure Knight through his pain.