Two warriors came at Adam this time, one from the right, one from the left. They were dressed in full body armor. They brandished swords. Adam recognized their species. They were Branisi, fierce warriors from the Quartos sector of the Known Universe. As tall and thick as Brahma Bulls, Adam would have no easy time with them. Not only that, but he'd only had the use of his arms and legs for a very short time. He wasn't quite used to them, yet.
As a result, when the warrior to his left swung his sword to cut off Adam's hand, Adam managed to avoid the blade but didn't make a retaliatory offensive move as he normally would have. Instead, he dove back to roll away from the swing, only to have the other warrior whack at him with his sword. Adam continued to roll even as the sword clattered an inch from his neck on the stone hard ground.
Adam rolled back to his feet, then continued to rise until he twisted in the air.
He kicked one of the Branisi full in the face.
He twisted when he came back to the ground to avoid a second swipe from the other warrior.
The warrior he'd kicked in the face recovered quickly.
After that, for several eternally long seconds there, Adam had to go into pure defensive mode, avoiding the blade thrusts from both of his opponents.
One blade sliced Adam's back open, superficially breaking the skin but still enough of a wound to send blood spurting everywhere.
"Aaaaggghhh!"
Adam made his movements between their flailing swords erratic and unpredictable. He spun and dropped and weaved into the air only to spin again.
The warriors tired. Adam observed the sword arm of one of them droop just the slightest bit from fatigue. Adam punched the Branisi in the neck hard enough to make him stagger back. Adam karate chopped the warrior's wrist in such a way that the warrior made the worst mistake he could possibly make in battle.
He dropped his weapon.
He let go of his sword.
Adam snatched it before it hit the ground, then twisted and rolled to keep from getting halved by the second warrior swinging the other sword.
Adam rolled back to his feet, sword in hand, to face the second warrior.
Clang! Clang!
Their swords met in mid-air, as if it was they who battled rather than those who held them.
The second warrior was quite skilled. Unfortunately for him, Adam grew stronger and more confident with each passing moment in his new body. Adam's swordplay grew faster, faster, and he never made a mistake, never let his defenses down for even a fraction of a second.
Adam turned as if making ready to run, and the warrior turned with him. Adam reached around behind himself to slash the guy's elbow with his sword. Blood sprayed all over him and Adam.
And where was that other warrior? Even with his peripheral vision, Adam couldn't see him anywhere. That meant that the warrior had to be...yep. Adam ducked and twisted just in time to keep from getting grabbed around the neck by the guy. Adam slid the sword he slid under his arm to stab the warrior in the abdomen. Adam withdrew the blade in time to defend himself against the still attacking second warrior.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The warrior's heart was no longer in the fight, however. In his soul, he'd already been beaten.
The warrior faltered, and Adam applied a cut to the warrior's cheek.
Another falter, and Adam's sword sliced away the skin from the top of the warrior's forehead.
The warrior cursed and swung blindly.
Adam warded off two clumsy thrusts, then found the opportunity to sink his sword into the warrior's neck.
The warrior dropped to his knees, then fell forward onto his face.
Adam tore his attackers armor off of him and donned it himself. It was a little big for him at first. Within moments, it fit him perfectly. He played with both swords for several seconds, then sheathed one sword while carrying the other one in his fist.
Adam saw a cactus plant.
He saw a grass hut.
A tumbleweed rolled by his feet.
He continued towards whatever it was he saw on the horizon.
END OF CHAPTER FIVE
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