Heaven is a Dungeon

The mist heaves about them, bending and twisting the scenery. They stand against each other,under the shadow of a huge building, their swords crossed. the man pulls down his hood

How did you know?

Well, you running on all fours gave a hint. It's been a while since I've seen a dogman around here, do you want a treat or something?

The man jumps back and into the light .

It's a wolfman, I won't have you disrespect my race, knight. He stretches out his broken sword, with all that left of it being only the hilt and little piece of the fuller

I'll teach you a lesson, thief!

Putting that aside, if you're calling me a thief… the wolf man pulls back his sword…. and I'm here for the thi…..

Watch out!, the doll shouts

The broken shards fly at him from all sides, cutting through his armor and skin, blood splatter from his joints. He drops to his knees. The shards slow down as they reach the Wolfman.

Damn I thought he was just gearing up for a frontal attack. If I haven't made that turn, one could have gone through my heart. Who warmed me though?

I really don't like it when people call me a dog. I walk on two feet just as you, I shower, I pee standing up and I've never once raised my leg to do so. I never understand it, I just never understood the hate.

His sword reforms into a long, jagger blade with many spiky teeth on its edges.

But either way, I'll bludgeon you to death. His eyes swell with blood lost for a moment and then they are gone the next.

The doll presses itself against Asher's bleeding wound, to stop the bleeding, he's distracted by all the pain in his body, he doesn't feel it.

I've got to heal him. No one I'm letting this wolfman hurt him again.

Just a minute, I think we're having a misunderstanding. You called me a thief. I'm a knight who's after a thief, you know at the bank, that's you right?

You've insulted me again!

No, why would I do that, look at me?

The wolf man growls in a deep primal rage. Asher could sense he wasn't in the mood for reason.

He breathes heavily as the blood drips out of his body, some drops on the doll.

He's bleeding too fast, I've got to help him out here, okay Dolly concentrate. The doll say.

No seriously. I'm too damaged to fight,let's see If i can talk my way out of this one, get his guard down, and strike when he least expects. I don't like being at his mercy and despite.

If you really want to reason it out then, I suggest you let go of your sword. Asher instantly grips the sword tightly, it was an almost instinctual reaction.

This kid may be injured but he's a fighter, full of surprises.

Listen kid, if you say we're having a misunderstanding, if you really think so then we must clear the air right? And since you're the one who believes so, you must prove yourself and throw down your sword. Throw it over here, throw your sword to me.

Asher chuckles, he props himself up with his sword. I can't do that, I'm sorry as you can see I'll fall if I do.

Enough games, the wolf man barks, it's canines grinding against each other. It seems you don't understand your situation. The only way you survive this, is by my mercy.

Oh this is bad, he's not going to let up. The doll says panicking

Asher looks at him, his eyes scowled by darkness within his helmet, they give off a faint yellow glow.

Asher raises his sword over his head

What is he doing, don't throw it, don't trust him. The doll says. Come on concentrate dolly.

Alright!

The Wolfman grins, the instant he throws the blade I'll take off his head.

Damn, I can't even use my powers, I'm exhausted. I can't let go of my sword either, those eyes, I don't trust those eyes.

I could deliver a last strike, but that could knock me out, then I'd just be serving myself up on a platter. What do I do

A yellow aura slowly covers his body.

What's this! How did he…. He looks up to the wolf and sees him still waiting.. No it's not him.

He looks around at his body as the aura covers him completely. He sees the doll,

It winks at him

What! It quickly gestures for him to keep silent, pointing at the Wolfman and them at his ear. Tell him without a word.. He can hear you.

Asher feels his pain subsiding and the shards stuck in his body fall out his wounds. He slowly feels warmth and his heart felt eased down and senses acute

I got to keep my aura light, so it doesn't alarm the wolf.

The wolf can't see faint aura, but he can hear Asher's heart beat.

What's going on, his rhythm has changed, why is he so at ease? He grips his sword tighter, his claws digging into his palm.

What is up to

I've arrived at a conclusion! Asher says. You're not the thief. You're too brutish. The wolf man growls. Asher grabs the doll of his belt

Woah.

Just what are you? He says carefully maintaining his attention on both of them

I'm, I'm an ally

You sure you're an ally , I'm very scarce Allies, why did you latch onto me? The doll can't say a thing

Come say something. He drops his sword and with his other hand he, twist the doll around

Who's sent you to watch me come on talk

What are you doing, let me go, you're messing up my hair.

Hey, what are you doing over there! He's even dropped his sword.

I only wanna help, the says

What are you really, tell me before I cut you in half?

I'm a doll okay, a lifeless hunk of nothing brought to life by the will of others. Are you happy!?

No. What's your name?

It's dolly.

Well dolly thanks, but I still don't trust you, I can't let you go so now, I'll keep you close for bow

What? He takes dolly and schuff he in his belt he tightens it, trapping her in place.

And now to you. Asher get off his knees

I knew it! The Wolfman says. Just how did he heal himself without me seeing it.

I know you, know I'm no thief

Why do you think so

Because you're fighting me for fun aren't you, you're enjoying this. You sick, sick dog.

What idiots, dolly says

The Wolfman chuckles with a grin. He figured me out. At first I was simply escaping but after witnessing your few attacks I couldn't help but stay and fight you see. But being honest, I knew from your reactions to me calling you a thief, that we were in fact in chase of the same prey as me, but if we coporated we wouldn't get to fight you and I don't like to share money anyways

Asher lets out a deep sigh.

Okay how about this one strike

One?

Yes, whoever gets a cut wins.

I don't want to waste my time here because we know the bank could be getting robbed as we speak and I need that money.

I never considered that, my lust for battle, has gotten the best of me again.

You're right, we should finish this knOne strike then.

Alright. Asher and the Wolfman turn around walking off a few steps them

Hey what if he cuts me, dolly says

Don't worry, I'll be fine, Asher says

What! I meant me

They stop and turn around slowly. Asher raises by side, grasping it with both hands. The wolf man reforms his blade into a long broad sword and holds it out in front of him. They lean forwards slowly putting all their weight on their front foot.

The moon comes out from behind the clouds, beaming its light on the two combatants as they hold their stance,trying to read each other's movements.

An owl with crystal on its forehead watches them from a top a roof

The evening breeze blows part them, shimmering the wolfman shaggy fur, he can heart Asher heart and it's sounded slower than usual

He grins. When he's ready to attack, his heart will race again, that's how I'll win.

Asher, I wonder if he'll let me pet him, when I win.

They're so silent, they've barely moved an inch this entire time at this rate there's no telling when they'll…. Ahhh

The sudden rush of wind floods her senses, the speed is too great for her to bear, her threads begin to rip. She sees bright red, the red eyes of the wolf man, his broad sword slicing through the air . Asher swings at him from the other side

I miscalculated!