Duels

He examined the bow with a profound respect. This was no ordinary weapon, but one I could conjure and modify with a simple thought. Intrigued, he asked if he might try it, a request we had not foreseen. We obliged, bringing forth a target at a fair distance. Without hesitation, he took aim, and the arrow formed from thin air. He didn't flinch at the sight, maintaining his focus until he loosed his shot. The arrow flew straight and true, piercing the target's center and leaving a trail of white fire and dust in its wake. For a novice, especially one wielding an enchanted bow, such a feat was extraordinary. From my distant vantage point, I could sense a hidden power within him. His talents were undeniable and we acknowledged it once more.

Michael commended him, "Remarkable, young Raphael," to which he responded with a humble, "Thank you," before returning my bow. A blend of awe and trepidation flooded over me, a feeling I had not experienced before. Then, Michael threw us a curveball. He proposed a challenge between us, but we declined outright. We had no intention of battling each other. Undeterred, Michael extended the invitation to Raphael for a friendly duel. Raphael looked unsure, and despite my discouraging glance, he accepted.

A friendly duel between 'the second Raphael' and Michael was imminent. I was confident about the outcome - Michael would triumph swiftly. Raphael's lack of combat experience was apparent, but Michael offered a fair chance by allowing him to choose his weapon. He selected the same bow, accompanied by an ancient Greek shield and a medieval holy sword. Despite knowing that Raphael's only experience was with modern firearms, the earlier display with the bow suggested that anything was possible. From my elevated position in the arena, I watched the impending duel, accompanied by the guards.

One of them inquired, “Great Saint Raphael, did you enjoy your return?” I responded, “It was as satisfying as always, so yes, thank you. Was there anything of significance during my absence?” The second guard answered, “Nothing much, aside from Perx's brief disappearance and uneventful return. Other than that, all was quiet.” I was about to probe further when the duel captured my attention. Raphael made the first move.

He aimed the bow swiftly at Michael and released an arrow that fell short. Michael easily soared above the billowing white fire and dust before landing back into position, awaiting Raphael's next move. Raphael attempted to use his wings, but to no avail. He struggled to lift himself, obviously unaware of how to utilize the levitation power. We didn't need wings to fly - they were more of a visual spectacle, our grand wings distinguishing us from angels. They also served as a backup, a safeguard against any holy weapons that might impede our powers.

Raphael hit the ground, reminiscent of a child's first unsuccessful bike ride. Michael remained unmoved, offering, “I’ll make this fairer for you. I won’t use my wings either.”. Raphael seemed lost, so he adopted a defensive stance. Michael began a slow circle around him, trying to close the distance. Raphael held his ground, keeping a vigilant eye on Michael, ensuring he was never outmaneuvered. In a flash, Michael closed the distance, targeting Raphael's sword and bypassing the shield. Raphael attempted to block, but Michael's agility allowed him to alter his attack and disarm Raphael. Raphael retreated hastily, reaching for his bow. Michael allowed him to regroup, even though he could have ended the duel then and there. Raphael had lost his primary weapon but remained undeterred. He took aim again, but the arrow hit the ground, creating a plume of dust and fire. Michael stood his ground, hidden behind the veil of dust. Raphael fired blindly into the dust, narrowly missing Michael. Having had enough, Michael summoned his own bow and loosed an arrow of light, blinding Raphael just long enough to disarm him of his bow and knock him to the ground.

The duel was over, lasting longer than a minute, which was an achievement in itself for Raphael.

Michael congratulated his opponent, seizing the opportunity to offer him some advice for future improvement.

With the entertainment behind us, it was time to leave the arena and turn our attention to more pressing matters.