Jonny had been in many fights, but he had only been unfortunate enough to fight someone with a weapon twice. Well, three times, if you counted the one where he died. In both of those first two fights, though, Jonny had a distinct size and skill advantage, and he was able to overpower his opponent without suffering anything more than superficial cuts. This time, he was outsized, and while he didn’t doubt his skill, from the other man’s demeanor and the way he held the knife, he knew what he was doing.Jonny was both excited and apprehensive. Excited because he was finally getting a chance at a real fight again, and apprehensive because he knew this would be unlike anything he had done before. This was a life or death battle, and he was at a disadvantage, and unlike when he fought the primaboar, he had no clue how big that disadvantage was. I’m not in the octagon, he told himself. There are no rules.The man casually deflected another bolt of mana from Marianne, and stepped closer, holding his knife at the ready. Marianne continued trying to shield Jonny, but Jonny took a silent step to the left behind her, giving him a clear path to the assassin. Whether the assassin saw him or not, Jonny didn’t know. The mask completely covered his eyes. It didn’t matter. Jonny didn’t need to see his eyes to predict his movements.Marianne fired another futile spell, and this time, instead of deflecting, the assassin ducked underneath and darted forward with his blade drawn. Marianne flinched and cringed backward, but the blade was not aimed at her. It was aimed at Jonny. Jonny was ready. The attack (...)