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Sounds of clashing filled the atmosphere. Harsh. Rough. Birds nested within the crevices of the stone walls were alarmed, shedding their feathers in surprise.
It was early morning, and the break of dawn had not even arrived yet.
The colours of twilight remained in the sky: a beautiful gradient where deep indigo fades into orange. The sun had not awoken yet, still asleep underneath the blankets of the night. Whilst the moon was still on patrol, exhausted and on the brink of dozing off from looking at the dreamers.
Only two people weren't sleeping at the moment.
Dust spewed up into the air as the blades swung. Grunts and yells echo across the stadium walls. Bannisters that decorated the walls wave slowly amongst the fast movements of the battle.
Her flaming hair burnt with ambition to win had lit up the darkness. His coat was thrown to the sidelines, observing the grounds.
A successful hit from the claymore against the sword, pushing him backwards.
“Is that all you got?” Mavuika taunts the harbinger, wiping off the sweat that drips down her forehead. “I expect more from you, Captain.”
A small grin tugs her lips as she eases through her breathlessness.
She is currently winning.
But he cannot lose just yet.
The soles of his boots may suffer from the friction, but he recovers from the backlash. Gripping onto the hilt more harshly, Capitano steadies himself before launching at her again. Letting his blade meet hers once more.
Energy between clashes surged.
The sounds of steel rang throughout the stadium. The two opponents continued to fight, from countless dodges to reckless charges.
Their rapid footsteps imprint onto the ground, fast and energetic, as if it were choreographed like a traditional Natlanese dance.
Two steps forward, one step back.
The battle advances through falters or perseverance with their weapons containing a will to win.
He analyses her moves with precision. Every uppercut and kick.
When there was room for opportunity, Capitano made haste and swung his leg to hit her hips, causing her to falter just slightly. It was enough to make use of the time to quickly get behind her and blow a hit.
It was a move he did not expect to make, but her confident look on her face — He has to wipe it off.
With quick reflexes, Mavuika twists her back to meet his gaze and tries to block the attack behind her.
“Dirty move, Captain.” Mavuika retorts at him between heavy pants.
Her back becomes strained under the force exerted by him but she cannot let herself tire out just yet, especially in front of her opponent.
However, at the same time a grin grows on her lips — Mavuika does love a challenge after all.
And luckily enough, the harbinger was the perfect opponent for her. Her equal. No one was able to challenge her like he was able to do.
“Perhaps you shouldn't underestimate me,” Capitano gruffs, further pressing more force onto his sword.
But similarly, the desire to win also burns beneath his cold exterior. He smiles quietly behind the mask, impressed by the results.
The rapid breaths against her neck grow. Straightening her back, Mavuika tries to repel his weapon away.
The taste of victory was so close yet so far.
However, she won't let this slide easily. The first of the eleven Fatui Harbingers winning? Not under her watch.
She analyses their current position, wondering if there's a way to solve this difficult situation.
Thinking quickly, she reaches a solution: return a dirty move back at him.
Turning her body slightly, Mavuika manages to swing a kick at him and let her heel hit the calf of his leg, causing him to stumble.
A grunt of pain was heard, and the grin on her face had returned.
She was able to spin herself around to attack him once more; that was accompanied by a yell.
They finally meet face to face once again. “Ha, you actually thought I wasn't able to get out of that?”
Her voice becomes more bold. Mavuika raises her head to give him a satisfied look after her comeback. They both retract their weapons to blow another hit.
She clicks her tongue. “Maybe you should rethink your strategy before giving me a dirty move, Captain.”
Staring down at him between the joining of their blades, there was a glint of competition in her eyes. Burning and bright.
A taunt that further challenges him. To show all what he is made of. And by the looks of it, she is enjoying this a little too much: the fighting and the quick remarks…
Her claymore swings back before it moves to hit his sword again, and their grunts join in sync with their attacks, harmonised as it echoes throughout the arena.
More harsh, harder, louder.
“Are you sure you're giving everything that you've got?”
Despite all that, Capitano only huffs at her response as if he had anything to say. For him, only silence was the key to victory. The exact opposite of the baits Mavuika uses to lure him in.
Their weapons continued to dance in the heat of the battle, with the atmosphere suffocated by the fire and ice.
Blades that stole kisses from each other.
The scent of sweat evaporates into the air.
Resonances of the frosted and combusted blades vibrating throughout the hilts.
Their pace quickens. Mavuika grabs the opportunity to take the upper hand and raises her claymore high above to thrust it downwards for a powerful blow.
Except that powerful blow did not happen, as she watches Capitano act fast enough to parry the move.
Her attack was blocked. Her chance for success was ruined.
Mavuika grumbles to herself. Of course the harbinger would make a countermove; he would never let her get close to victory. Whether their competition gave out a trophy or not.
She tries to push down his sword only for him to push back.
Nonetheless, their weapons were locked against each other.
They were in a ruthless stalemate. An inescapable fate. If one of them backs down, it will grant victory to the other — and it looks like neither of them wants to lose.
Yet this cannot last forever, as all the energy placed onto this starts to deplete. They feel each other gradually falling into exhaustion despite the determined urge to repress it.
He feels her force fading, although his stance begins to flounder.
“Hmph, giving up so easily?” Capitano breathes heavily.
Mavuika grits her teeth, trying to not gasp for more air when her palms start to lose grip. “Never.”
It became an ongoing sequence. A tug of war. Where weapons scratched against each other till sparks flew.
Now their wrists touch just above their heads. Leaving enough space for the two competitors to directly stare each other down.
They were in close proximity.
Breaths mingle and intertwine between them. The beating of hearts starts to slow down. The flames on her hair gradually cool down, and his icy glare begins to melt.
Their wrists were too close for comfort and rubbed against each other.
They stay like this, in this frozen stance.
The tension in the air has eased. The weight opposed between blades has lightened. The competitive stares turn into a gaze. Soft. Gentle. Maybe admiration.
Their heavy gasp for air was gone as well — only steady inhales and exhales remained.
They could not help but look at each other. Her scarlet irises gaze at his navy irises with passion. Irresistible. The setting sun that admires the stars of the night.
As if something in the atmosphere must have changed for this to happen.
Then Mavuika breaks into slow movement, taking a step closer to him. It seemed so sudden yet so necessary for her to make this move.
She makes her nose almost touch his. Adoring the feeling of the roughness of his cursed skin. Listening to his breathing and the mechanical pulses that fail to stay silent. The faint glow of the blue veins she could see made her sigh with delight.
Leaning forward, Mavuika closes her eyes and presses her lips onto his, ignoring the boundaries of the mask.
His pupils widen, and his cheeks flush in response; Capitano feels her kiss. Effortless yet so heated, melting his frozen composure.
Why is she kissing him? Why now?
After all this effort put into sparring. But for sure, he is beginning to love it as the grip on the hilt of his sword finally relaxes.
Capitano lets himself loose, closing his eyes and returning the gesture back when Mavuika tilts her head, further deepening the kiss.
The clank sound is made, and a smirk grows on her lips. Her breath returns as she pulls away.
They let each other breathe until she pushes Capitano onto the ground and sits on his waist before returning to his lips, yet he does not feel any pain upon impact. Let alone care about it.
Her palms found themselves on his chest, further pressing him down. The curls of her hair dangle above his helmet.
The kiss was broken. Mavuika exhaled with a look of satisfaction before straightening her posture.
"Checkmate. Look who's taken the upper hand now." She grins and flicks her hair back. More confident than before.
Her legs trapped his waist. Preventing any act of escape from him.
Yet only the confused expression was returned, with his eyes darting around, unknowing of what just happened. His dominant hand clenched into a fist, but Capitano was unable to feel anything against his palm.
The first sign of bad news.
His gaze met hers; she was above him, asserting dominance.
Capitano then glances at his sword, laid flat on the ground. Out of his grasp. The claymore was still within the grips of her hand, with the tip of it dug into the ground, and he had soon realised Mavuika had taken victory.
It was all a distraction. A deception.
Of course the Pyro Archon had a plan to achieve this victory.
Who would have guessed that kissing your very own opponent was a huge advantage. Almost like it was a power move sourced from the gnosis? A checkmate strategised by yours truly. Then again, she is the very same goddess who plotted her revenge against the abyss for five centuries.
Yet was this battle really over?
Grumble was released, and his eyebrows furrowed.
“You really think you ‘won’ this?” Capitano questions her in a low voice. A question that challenges her assurance. He was pretty sure he was about to admit defeat, but he had an extra surprise in mind.
A trick up his sleeve.
Something Mavuika would not expect.
"Hm… It seems like I did." She responds with confidence, straddling him and getting too comfortable on his midriff.
He blinks at her reply. Capitano knew very well what he was about to do next.
"Are you sure about that?" He gives a light chuckle before continuing, “My love.”
He takes her hand, intertwining it with his, and guides it to his lips. A light press onto her skin. A kiss of such reverence.
She avoided his glance. “You–”
Her heart fluttered, and blood rushed beneath her skin, where a light shade of rose appeared on her cheeks. Mavuika was stunned by the endearment he used on her. Sweet and so romantic. She had never expected him to say it so openly and out of the blue.
Not only that, but the dark mist gradually fades to reveal his face. Black rot that eats his once-living flesh decorates his face as if it were a night sky. Blue veins associated with the monsters of the abyss glowed like asterisms.
What looks dangerous is what Mavuika believes is beauty to her. Beautiful enough that a smile, not a teasing smirk, lit up her expression and then broke into a giggle.
“Thrain. What a flatterer you are.” Mavuika chuckles, a sound of affection to him. Of love. She lets her hand caress his face. Ignoring what the curse has done to his face — she doesn't care.
He slowly sits up, allowing her to settle on his lap, and returns his affection by stroking her lips with his thumb.
Capitano brushes a strand of red hair away from her face and tucks it behind her ear before letting his lips meet hers again. His hand cradles the side of her face as he further deepens the kiss.
In a matter of seconds, Mavuika also tries to outcompete him by pressing her lips with more passion, like she had not fully won their competition.
She cards her fingers through his hair only to be interrupted by the helmet Capitano wears with such loyalty — but not as much compared to his commitment to her — that is then removed and placed onto the side.
At the same time, he smiles when there is a heavy thud against the floor. While she is distracted, he tries to fling the object as far away from Mavuika as possible.
Feeling her arms already wrap around him as her only chance of victory was thrown away.
Afterwards, Capitano flips her over whilst wearing a smug grin, tugging his smile lines despite how much he tried to repress them.
His mouth moved away from hers before Capitano lifted himself with his elbows so his face hovered just above Mavuika. Enough space for the both of them to breathe but also still low enough for them just in case they desire more.
A red smear that stained the corner of his mouth that was visible.
Evidence of their passion.
Mavuika notices a smirk on his face, a rare sight from him despite how much he hides it.
But it pleases her as she returns a smile as well.
Perhaps her competitive personality has rubbed off on him — probably a benefit to their weekly sparring sessions. There has to be some sort of cunningness from him. After all, he did outsmart the ruler of death.
He looks down on her. An icy gaze piercing at her. What used to be flames sprawled as extinguished wavy hair, painting the ground with red. His hands landed beside her face. Pinning her to the earth. But he knows she doesn't mind this when a grin of hers tugs on her lips.
Capitano lightly hums, "It appears the archon has also fallen for my trap."
“Huh, how sly of you, Thrain.” She chuckles.
Her hand reaches to twirl a single hair strand that was separated from the rest.
Though the use of his real name surprises him — but it also endears him. Thrain always loved how she spoke his true name in her voice. Whether it be commanding, playful or soft — he doesn't let that tactic distract him so easily.
A quiet scoff was let out. “Using my real name… that doesn't fool me, Mav.”
Capitano runs a hand down his hair, free from the clutches of his helmet, to move those black locks away from his face — an action Mavuika finds attractive when she fails to hide the growing smile and loving gaze at him.
“Hm, same goes for trying to nickname me.” She gives a sarcastic sigh just to tease him. “Oh how unfortunate~, I already know your strategy.”
“Besides, I have already…” Mavuika knew what she was about to say but instantly paused all of a sudden. Her expression of confidence was soon replaced with irritation.
Capitano watches Mavuika try to clutch onto something on her palm: now empty.
Then Mavuika spots her claymore. On the floor near his sword. Far away.
She slams a fist onto the ground.
“Damn it…” Mavuika mutters to herself and knits her eyebrows together in frustration when her stretched arms fail to reach for her weapon.
Her victory was now out of reach.
Mavuika sighs deeply whilst listening to the sound of light amusement from him before a smile appears on her face.
“Well played, Captain, well played.” She applauds.
In return, his look of appreciation was given. “So does that make us even?”
She laughs against his lips, “Yes.”
Her hand tugs on the gold chains of his attire, pulling him into another kiss. A softer and less intense one, unlike the last.
They soon got lost in each other, indulging in this very moment. Mavuika glides her hand slowly from his chest to his shoulders before wrapping her arms around his neck, deepening this kiss. She also doesn't hesitate to hook a leg behind his waist. The urgency for closeness.
Meanwhile, Capitano presses his forehead against hers and lets their noses rub against each other. He guides his lips down to her neck, blessing the tanned skin with his affection. Where his breaths were felt against her neck.
“You fought well, Mavuika,” Capitano murmurs. She can almost feel his smile too.
“What? The fighting or the kissing?” Mavuika jokingly questions him with a sly look whilst having one hand playing with his hair dampened by sweat from the intense exercise.
A low chuckle was returned. “Both.”
He leaned closer to give a peck on one of her cheeks, which was rewarded with a giggle from her.
“You were also amazing, Thrain. Who would have thought that a great fighter would be an equally great kisser?”
Then Mavuika proceeds to raise herself slightly so she can press a kiss onto the tip of his nose, rotted yet still intact, before relaxing onto the floor again.
Abruptly, there was laughter between them; they would never have expected their harsh training would turn into a making-out session.
The two stay like this for a while, loving each other’s company.
Where heartbeats pulsate together and stares linger between them. Their weapons lay on the side, huddled together just like their respective owners. A lovely moment as the brink of sunlight cracks through the horizons.
Her hand reaches for his face.
“You know, you look so handsome without your helmet.” Mavuika compliments him, tracing his jawline, and the genuineness of it makes him blush as she feels Capitano leaning towards her touch.
“Hm, really?” He smiles softly with admiration for her in his eyes. “I was about to say that you do look gorgeous today—”
“Ugh, can you two quit it already!”
A yell bellows out across the stadium that appears to be coming from the seating area. The voice was young and high-pitched, with an annoyed undertone, but it was also recognisable. Very recognisable.
The couple quickly exchanged confused and almost embarrassed looks. Surely the stadium was supposed to be empty. It was far too early, and everyone would still be asleep. Not unless they had forgotten something or someone.
Mavuika and Capitano raised their heads to look behind them, where the voice continued, "We woke up super early for this training session only to watch you guys canoodling!"
A floating small body and an annoyance expressed through those dark indigo eyes. Stomping her legs in the air.
It was none other than Paimon with her arms crossed with a grimaced expression on her face, probably grossed out after what she witnessed.
She was one of the two visitors they brought along specifically today after they had accepted a day of training only to be unfortunately disregarded… by accident.
Of course, her reaction was plausible. How long had she been watching them “canoodling”?
Mavuika lightly taps on his shoulder.
“Save this for later, Thrain.” She winks at him and lets Capitano crawl away so that they can both stand up.
He brushes off any remaining dust on his pants and lends Mavuika a hand to help her stand before retrieving his thick coat lying on the sidelines after throwing it carelessly earlier.
Straightening her posture and tidying her wavy hair to the best it can be, Mavuika regains her composure and faces Paimon.
"My apologies, Paimon. It seems like we both got too caught up in our training,” Mavuika replies whilst trying to hide a nervous laugh as she scratches the back of her head.
“The fighting and the kissing. Yeah, right…” Paimon mumbles and rolls her eyes in the moment of displeasure.
Mavuika clears her throat. “But it seems like the traveller hasn't been paying attention either.”
She directs her gaze at their blonde-haired companion.
“Huh?” Paimon turns her head.
Only to find Lumine asleep with her body slouched against the seat and a prototype rancour held loosely in her palm, about to slip off. She was well equipped and ready for this training except for waking up extremely early; that was definitely not her expertise.
“Mm, daily commissions… Mora… Primogems.” She murmurs in her sleep, followed by a snore. There was blonde hair covering her face, and a slight drool slipped out from her mouth.
“Hey! Wake up!” Paimon holds her by the shoulders and shakes her furiously.
Alarmed, Lumine rose up almost instantly.
“AH! What did I miss? What daily commissions do I still need to do?” She says whilst aimlessly moving her head around.
"That's not what you're here for. You just missed Mavuika and Capitano’s duel,” Paimon responds. Lumine then gets a chance to rub her tired eyes and looks at the arena below where they were standing. After comprehending the situation, she lets out an “Oh”.
“Don't worry. The duel is nothing more than an example.” Mavuika reassures them. “The training, however, can begin once you are ready.”
Lumine stretches and grips onto her sword more tightly before giving a nod accompanied with a look of determination sparkling in her golden eyes.
"Alright. The traveller can first spar with the Captain, and then she can spar with me afterwards.”
An expression that once showed confidence disappears, with the very same face dropping into horror the moment Lumine hears the Archon’s instructions. This was followed with a disturbed look from Paimon as they both exchanged glances.
"What?! That's her training?! To fight against you and the Captain?” Paimon spits out after seeing Mavuika give a simple nod before spiralling into a stutter.
“B-But Paimon thought you would make this easier on her!”
The response was replied with a laugh, “Calm down, Paimon.” Mavuika gives a teasing smile. “I was only kidding. Of course I won't go harsh on her.”
The tension on Lumine's face relaxes, and Paimon gives a big sigh of relief. "Oh my Archons! You scared Paimon for a second!”
“Don't swear to the Archons,” Capitano sternly corrects Paimon, shooting a glare at her in the least intimidating way possible whilst slipping into his coat.
“Hehe, sorry…” Paimon apologised in a low voice.
Eventually his expression gradually softens when Mavuika returns a smile at him.
“Woah, look at that over there!” Paimon turned around to see the sunrise in the far distance had caught her attention, pointing at it as if she were a child, and soon everyone else joined her.
The sun had finally awakened, rising above the landscapes that once blanketed them and filling the area with warm light. Soon birds will begin to chirp. It will not be long until merchants will arrive, followed by the locals, young and old, with their saurians roaming around the stadium.
Another day in Natlan once again.
Mavuika breaks the silence, “Say, how about we all grab breakfast at the Weary Inn? My treat.”
She continues, “Afterwards the traveller can start off practising with those specialised dummies made by Xilonen before advancing into the more difficult courses.”
Lumine starts to smirk the moment Paimon starts to beam with excitement, already knowing her answer.
“Well, if it involves digging into food, then Paimon's in!” Exclaimed Paimon before pulling Lumine by her arm.
“Oh, Paimon…” Lumine sighs.
“Come on! We have to get there before it gets busy!”
Paimon starts dragging her, almost rambunctiously. Their conversation between them is pursued when Lumine begins to tease Paimon about her desire for food, and shortly they leave the seating area in an instant as their voices fade into the distance.
Mavuika sighs with relief once the quietness has returned.
It was now only her and the Captain. Or what she would like to call him, her husband.
She takes a glance at Capitano, watching him slip into his coat, just before the glimpse of his helmet on the ground catches the corner of her eye, prompting her to pick it up. With the helmet in her hands, Mavuika walks towards Capitano, who was heading to retrieve their weapons stranded together.
“Aren't you forgetting something?” She offers him his helmet after he crouches down to grab both of their weapons.
He stands up and smiles, “Thank you.” He also hands back her claymore. “Here, you can't forget this either.”
They traded each other's belongings, and their weapons were eventually summoned away. Before Capitano is able to lower his helmet, a hand stops him.
“Wait.” Her eyes focus on the red smear on his mouth just as Mavuika gives a satisfied expression, “You can't walk around in public having that on your face, can you?”
He gives a nervous laugh after realising the lipstick was still on him. It probably would not look very professional for him to have traces of their love still on his face, although he would have it covered anyways.
Mavuika pulls the edge of her sleeve and uses it to rub the stain off. Caring and gentle.
“There, done.”
The lipstick was removed, and Capitano placed his helmet onto his head. Now secured and in place. He then catches her admiring him as if she is unable to look away.
“Why do you always need to wear that?” Mavuika sighs, crossing her arms, expressing her slight disappointment.
“Maybe you should consider going out without it.”
She watches him adjust the helmet.
“You sound like you're complaining as if you haven't seen enough of it in private.” He smiles, knowing the mist has not covered his face yet.
“Really? You think I’ll ever be satisfied just seeing you only in bed?” She tilts her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. Capitano was about to open his mouth with a clever comeback in mind until…
“Oh come on! How are you guys still here?!”
Unfortunately, their alone time had come to an end when they saw Paimon and Lumine standing in the distance at the entrance of the stadium, still on their way to the restaurant.
Either they were too swept up in their romance, or Paimon and Lumine were incredibly quick on their feet.
“Alright, alright. We’ll meet you there shortly,” Mavuika answers. “We should head out. Let's not keep them waiting.”
However, before she could walk to get ahead of them, Mavuika felt her hands intertwine with something. She glances at him just when he pulls her in. Brushing his lips onto her forehead where her locks curl the way fire flickers.
Gifting her another kiss.
“Now we're tied,” Capitano whispers. His fingers trail down her face while looking at her expression. Slightly stunned before it softens.
“Still keeping count, huh?” Mavuika says, playfully rolling her eyes, “You really are full of surprises, Thrain.”
She lets her hand glide to his, reciprocating the gesture and letting herself melt into his touch. With a playful smile and red irises filled with devotion.
“Paimon can still hear and see YOU! All your PDA is grossing Paimon out!”
Mavuika and Capitano laughed upon the response. Too much romance for Paimon. Probably it's best for them to tone it down a bit.
The couple unwinds from intimacy and starts walking, increasing their pace. Finally, they all entered the stadium where they would have a well-earned breakfast. Particularly after that "workout" session.
It was quite an unexpected way for their morning to start — for Paimon and Lumine, of course. This type of routine was very normal for the archon and harbinger.
Nearly on a frequent basis.
The sparring: yes
The kisses and the romance: maybe…
…Almost a million times more.