Albert and Commander Rose clashed with their blades as sparks flew from the edges. Rose was smiling ear to ear, as this was a dream come true, but Albert didn't share the feeling. He hated having to fight someone, each and every time, but this was different. He could almost taste the bloodlust flowing from Rose.
Rose: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Commander Rose of the Floral Knights! I'm the man who is gonna kill you and get that Excalibur from your hands!!
Albert: I don't care who you are! Just stop fighting me! And I ain't handing my blade to anyone!!
Albert trying to dodge all his opponents' blade strikes, kept on thinking on how to change their situation. Max and Sachika had run away from Sarzar. Albert had hope in his heart that somehow Max would win and return back. All he had to do was focus on the three intruders. He had sensed the locations of all his allies and enemies. Currently Rose, who appeared to be the leader of their enemies, was fighting him directly. The bigger guy Bjorn had started chasing Melissa and Chuck had gone behind them. Lin was knocked out somewhere under all the books and wood. And the thinner guy with sideburns, named Olaf was fighting against Max's older brother, David.
Albert knew he had to protect all of them as they weren't really combatants. He knew that Melissa had a Blessing, but he didn't know if she could fight. David on the other hand was very good at hand to hand combat and was keeping his own against Olaf. It wasn't surprising as David had won against Lin earlier that day. But seeing that Lin was knocked out, showed that these knights were superior. Just one wrong move, and David could die, especially since he didn't have any Blessing or special powers or physical enhancements.
Albert: Damn it!
Albert hated being in groups due to this exact reason. He was bad at protecting people and would often feel guilty if someone he knew died. He would feel weak. And that's why he carried the duties of the Samurai all by his lonesome.
Rose: What was that, Samurai? You don't wanna hand over that blade? And what were you hoping to achieve with that anyway?? Be a "hero"? As if!!!. You Samurais have always been losers!!
That statement triggered Albert the most. He remembered his great master, the previous incarnation of Max, the ninth Avatar of the God of Perseverance. His Master was a dwarf, and was called a "coward" by many, but Albert personally knew how powerful his Master was. No man was able to match him in his swordplay, despite usually being over two feet taller than him. And all his master said was simple. "Live as much as you can, feeling happy. Winning is just a means to an end. Besting someone in combat is not everything in life"
Despite a very pathetic saying and living for non violence, his Master never lost until the end. The only way he could die was when he was deceived. And Albert still had traumatic nightmares of that day. It was the day he had stopped "seeing".
Albert: You don't know anything about the legacy that this blade carries.
Rose: Legacy? Don't make me laugh!! All I know is that one of your predecessors was an extreme coward and had to run away with his tail tucked in between his legs from war.
Albert: Don't talk that way about my MASTER!!!!
Albert filled with rage over his late Master being disrespected lunged forward to strike him , but Rose evaded it with seemingly controlling another blade down on the floor. That blade stopped Excalibur as if being wielded by an invisible hand, confusing Albert as he couldn't sense anyone there.
Rose: So that coward was YOUR master? Damn! He must've been a terrible guy, am I right?
Rose didn't care what he said. Despite him believing everything he said, Rose knew that the best way to win against someone physically was to win against someone mentally. A person in rage would never win against his opponent. Rose was egging him on with insults on a person he didn't even know about.
Albert, despite being a calm individual lunged forward trying to kill his opponent. But just like how it had happened a thousand times before, Rose dodged. Then Rose attacked as Albert parried. This was a never ending dance.
But Rose stopped. He lowered his sword and stretched his palm towards the library to his right. Albert waited for a sudden attack, but that didn't happen. Instead both the Kukri blades from Lin started flying towards Rose and stopped midair when it reached him. Albert was visibly confused by this.
Rose: Don't you get it? I have the Blessing of the Blades. Every blade known in existence obeys me. Well....every Blade except those that possess other strong Blessings...like your famed Excalibur...the strongest sword in the world!
Albert didn't utter a word. Suddenly all of his opponents' moves made sense. Him possessing a Blessing was kind of a given, but this made him question whether his companions had different kinds of abilities too.
Albert: Don't you think it's dishonorable to use the blade of someone else's?
Rose snickered in absolute disgust.
Rose: Blade of someone else's? As a man with the Blessing of the blades, I am worthy of every blade. Much more than that loathsome weakling of a warrior that these blades "belonged" to.
Albert sighed.
Albert: Weakling? Him? Do not under estimate Lin...I've fought him...and I know when I see someone strong..
Rose: Standing up to a pathetic insect? I guess you do like your friends...but I'm aware that even you are unworthy of the blade that you possess. Let me "save" that Sword from you by being it's owner after killing you...
Albert: Bring it on!
Albert stanced himself with his blade's red gem glowing bright as his power increased. Albert had almost lost his mind when his Master was brought up, but soon regained composure when Rose started insulting Lin. This was who Rose was. Just a person trying to get under everyone's skin to affect them mentally. And Albert knew deep in his heart. Lin was way stronger than he appeared to be. And he was definetly stronger than Rose.