Your love is a symphony,
A harmony of joy and peace;
A song that lifts my soul to infinity.

My head started to throb as I quickly thought of ways to escape this.

There were none!

I was not strong enough yet to fight Khulaid or any other sword-wielders with years and years of practice.

I can only do what little I learned from watching my brothers and even that is not enough since there are many other factors that effects one's art of sword.

I, Hoorain, someone who has never slashed with a sword ever in the whole eighteen years of my life, how can I defeat someone like Khulaid, Aza, or even my brothers?

A smirk begin to form on Khulaid's lips when he saw I made no move to come to the ring.

That's it! This man is going down!

I was about to move, honestly! But what can I do when someone else wants to challenge Khulaid?

"Allow me! Usman bin Khalid! I would like to test my skills against a warrior such as yourself." Without even knowing, Usman was helping me.

"You are most welcome son of Khalid," Khulaid smirked even more after hearing the praise from Usman.

Was Khulaid really an exceptional fighter that even my brother was aware of his skills?

Usman moved into the ring, his wooden sword tightly clutched in his hand. He seemed nervous and to be honest, I would be surprised if he wasn't.

It is not that I do not believe in the skills harnessed by Usman yet I can not bring myself to think he will be able to win. Since Abu Bakr being the better fighter lost.

Whatever the case might be, I hope Usman shows what the sons of Khalid are made of.

"Begin!"

Usman and Khulaid, both did not move from their spots for a while and the anticipation started clawing at me.

Sometimes it annoyed me how I could not voice my thoughts.

It started like a flash! Both one second stood at the opposite ends and the next moment their swords were clashing.

Unlike the first match, this was far more fast-paced and other warriors had their spirits raised immediately.

The first match was pure brutal. This was far more fun to watch I believe.

Their swords continued to find each other again and again, Usman was quick on his feet with excellent balance unlike Abu Bakr but Khulaid had more strength. He was fighting with pure force.

If this man starts to throw in some statistical tactics, he might be a better warrior than he was now.

Soon enough, it seemed like the duel was becoming one-sided as Usman had lower stamina.

Khulaid's strike never seemed to falter and I shuddered. I would have been shattered if I were there instead of Usman. I have to step up my game as soon as possible.

Khulaid aimed at Usman's legs but Usman was faster and jumped, allowing the sword to pass under his legs and when he landed on the ground, he slammed the hai sword against Khulaid's arm.

Warriors cheered.

I almost screamed in happiness as well!

Remember Hoor, you cannot speak!

It was the first hit in the whole duel and it made me happy that Usman was the one who achieved that.

Khulaid crinkled his eyebrows, glancing at his arm and slowly shaking his head.

"That was good, I must admit." So he is capable of complimenting as well I see.

Khulaid's next strikes seemed harder, so hard that Usman's wooden sword broke in half and the very next second, Khulaid had his sword pinned to Usman's neck.

Wow, both my brothers managed to lose. Now what, Saif will lose as well?!

Instead of walking out of the ring, Khulaid made his way towards me and one of my eyes twitched.

"Next time, do not run from a duel, son of Amir." His voice was low so only I could hear it. Slightly bowing his head, in a taunting manner, Khulaid left.

The more I want to lose attention, the more Aza and Khulaid manage to point it toward me! What do I do!?

Releasing the breath that I did not realize I was holding, I rubbed my eye which continued to throb and twitch.

Two more matches went by, and I was tired of standing. Lowering myself to the ground, I crossed my legs. If Ammi saw me sitting like this, she would definitely whooped me with one of her deadly slippers.

"Next, Hamza Amir and Saif." My eyes widened when I heard my name being called.

Do they have to mention the title, Amir? I hope I do not drown this name along with myself because of my actions.

Standing up, I dusted my clothes. The audience that looked bored not only a minute earlier seemed to get their energy back.

If possible, men from Spear and Bow also came to watch.

Aren't I famous already?

Saif walked in the circle as did I, his eyes trained on me like a hawk.

I also knew Saif's routine by heart, just like Abu Bakr's and Usman's. If Saif decides to follow that routine, I can outplay him by simply thinking for counters faster than he moved.

The tactic Saif used was created around him targeting weak spots such as joints.

He would start very strong at first, playing me into thinking he is targeting my upper body, only to attack me behind my knees, taking away my balance, and ending everything at once.

I cannot think of a counter for his full-blown strikes targeted at my upper body except dodging. I am shorter than him so maybe it will play out according to my plan.

As for him targeting my knees, I can either jump like I used to when I skipped rope, only higher, or take a step back.

But what can I do to defeat it, keeping my current strength and weaknesses in mind?

"Begin."

Hmm, I can- wait what!?

Before I could comprehend, Saif was breathing down my neck already, starting with his blows already. Just like I had thought.

"What is this My Amir, you seem lost. You do know that on the battlefield no one gives you time to think." I can't believe my own brother was mocking me.

You just started a family war, dear brother!

Saif's strikes never faltered, every time he strikes and I tried to pin my sword to it, blocking his attack. Each time, a little of my energy left my arms.

My breathing started to come out in weird intervals. How was I like this already? We had just begun!

The moment I had been waiting for finally arrived when he targeted my knees and I immediately jumped back.

A moment of shock crossed Saif's face and on instinct, I throw my wooden sword at him. Saif's eyes widen and the sword smacks into his forehead when he could not get out of its range in time.

That's a deadly spot, right? I win, right?

"As expected, Hamza Amir wins!" The crowd that had grown silent throughout the match had suddenly started cheering once again.

My hands and legs are shaking.

I could only imagine Aza's and Khulaid's faces at this.

I still cannot believe I did that!

My legs dared to buck underneath me as I came down from adrenaline. The stress was real!

The crowd parted for me as I made my way to my tent, eager to hide away from the piercing gazes of people.

Would you look at that! Hoorain is growing!!