Death Guns In Another World

Chapter 1689 - 1506: Training 2

Using the momentum of Lunaʼs attack, Maria twisted with the agility of a cat. Her right hand, the one that had just deflected the blow to her stomach, shot up in a swift uppercut aimed for Lunaʼs jaw. The movement was a blur, fueled by years of honed reflexes and strategic thinking.

But Luna, a seasoned warrior herself, was no stranger to quick counters. She saw the uppercut coming at the last possible moment, thanks to her years of sparring with Maria. With a sharp twist of her own torso, Luna dipped beneath the rising fist. The wind from Mariaʼs missed blow ruffled Lunaʼs golden hair as she used the momentum to launch into a spinning back kick.

The kick, aimed for Mariaʼs midsection, was a powerful one, capable of knocking the wind out of even the most seasoned fighter. However, Maria, ever the strategist, anticipated this movement as well. She brought her left knee up in a block just as Lunaʼs foot connected, absorbing the impact with a satisfying thud.

The force of the blow sent a tremor through Mariaʼs leg, but she held firm. Gripping the fabric of Lunaʼs training shirt with her free hand, Maria used the leverage to pull Luna close, effectively breaking the momentum of the spinning kick. Now in close quarters, the fight took on a new dimension.

Luna, a master of close combat, grinned with a hint of exhilaration. She unleashed a flurry of punches and elbows, aiming for Mariaʼs pressure points. Maria, on the other hand, used her superior reach and strength to keep Luna at bay with well-placed jabs and kicks.

The echoing sounds of punches meeting flesh and grunts of exertion filled the training ground as the two warriors danced a deadly ballet.

Despite Mariaʼs initial advantage, Lunaʼs relentless assault began to wear her down. The flurry of blows, though not all landing true, chipped away at Mariaʼs defenses. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her breath grew ragged. A flicker of doubt, a rare occurrence for the Ice Queen, appeared in her eyes.

Sensing her opponentʼs hesitation, Luna seized the opportunity. With a feigned punch to the face, she drew Mariaʼs attention upwards.

Swoosh!

Then, in a flash, Luna dropped low and swept Mariaʼs legs out from under her with a powerful leg sweep. The Ice Queen hit the ground with a surprised grunt, the wind momentarily knocked out of her.

Luna stood over her fallen opponent, a triumphant smile on her face.

”Looks like the student has surpassed the master today, Ice Empress,” she declared, offering a hand to help Maria up. Her voice, however, held a hint of playful respect, acknowledging the challenge Maria had presented.

A wry smile played on Mariaʼs lips as Lunaʼs triumphant declaration echoed in the vast training ground. Defeat, even a playful one, wasnʼt something the Ice Queen took lightly. But Lunaʼs gloating offered an opportunity, a chance to remind her fiery friend that underestimating your opponent was a recipe for disaster.

With a lightning-fast movement that belied her momentary surprise, Maria capitalized on Lunaʼs open stance. Instead of accepting the offered hand, she twisted her body mid-air, utilizing the momentum of Lunaʼs pull to launch a counter-attack. Her legs shot out in a powerful scissor sweep, aiming to topple Luna onto the cool obsidian floor.

The maneuver caught Luna by surprise. A surprised grunt escaped her lips as she felt the force of Mariaʼs attack. The impact sent her tumbling backwards, landing with a surprised thump.

”Tch!” she exclaimed, a playful irritation tinging her voice.

”What a sore loser, dear master!”

But Lunaʼs mock annoyance quickly faded. Years of sparring with Maria had instilled in her a healthy respect for her friendʼs fighting instincts. She knew the Ice Queen wouldnʼt pull such a move unless she had a reason.

The reason, it turned out, was a shimmering film of water that coated Lunaʼs body. The flimsy water shield, a product of her light and water magic, had taken the brunt of Mariaʼs surprise attack, absorbing the impact and minimizing any potential damage. Luna, ever the quick thinker, had anticipated a potential counter and taken the necessary precautions.

As Maria rose to her feet, brushing dust off her training gear, a grudging respect shone in her ice-blue eyes.

”Clever use of your magic, Luna,” she admitted.

”Seems even a master can learn a new trick or two from their student.”

Luna grinned, a mischievous glint back in her golden eyes.

”Perhaps, Ice Empress,” she conceded playfully.

”But donʼt get too comfortable in your old age. Next time, I wonʼt be so easily caught off guard.”

A flicker of something akin to annoyance crossed Mariaʼs face at Lunaʼs playful jab about her age.

”Old?” she countered, her voice colder than the magic she wielded. She was few months older than Luna so this joke even joke irked the Ice Empress.

”Perhaps the years have dulled your sense of time, dear Luna. Or perhaps youʼve simply grown complacent.”

The icy edge in Mariaʼs voice sent shivers down Lunaʼs spine. It was the tone reserved for adversaries, not sisters. But a thrill of excitement coursed through her too. Luna had awoken the sleeping dragon, and the prospect of a true test of skill was exhilarating.

”Touché, Alexia,” Luna replied, a grin splitting her face.

”Seems I underestimated your competitive spirit. Very well then, letʼs raise the stakes. Next round, you wield your trusty ice sword, and Iʼll take up my staff.”

The playful taunt returned, laced with a hint of respect. This was the Maria Luna knew and admired, the fierce leader who wouldnʼt back down from a challenge.

A predatory glint entered Mariaʼs ice-blue eyes.

”Excellent choice,” she said, the edge returning to her voice. The playful sparring was over; now it was time for a true test of skill.

”Letʼs see if your staff can melt the Ice Empressʼs blade.”

The air crackled with anticipation, the playful banter replaced by a focused silence. Luna hefted her staff, its polished wood gleaming in the blue light. Maria unsheathed her ice sword, the blade radiating a frosty aura. The two women stood poised, a storm brewing in the vast training ground. They werenʼt just sisters or friends anymore; they were opponents, locked in a dance of skill and strategy.

The playful sparring had ignited a fire within them, and the true training session was about to begin.