On the morning of the duel, Charles arrived at the clinic with Calix and Felix in tow. The twins were looking far too energetic for the early hour.

"Benjamin, this is Calix and Felix," Charles said, gesturing toward them with a look of mild annoyance. "They're part of my inner guard and my closest friends. For the record, I didn't invite them. They invited themselves."

"Pleasure to meet you again, Doctor," Calix said with a wide, mischievous grin. "I'm Calix, and this is my brother, Felix. He has a mole under his chin. I don't."

"Why must you always introduce me like this?" Felix sighed, though he offered Benjamin a respectful nod.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Benjamin replied warmly.

"They go by first names now," Calix whispered loudly to Felix.

"I can hear you," Charles snapped, though a faint tint of pink colored his cheeks.

Benjamin was holding a long, steel sword. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, a double-edged blade with a cross-guard that looked balanced for both speed and power.

"That's a magnificent sword you have there," Felix noted. "It's honestly hard to imagine a doctor wielding a sword. That's why I tagged along. I had to see it for myself. Please don't mind us. And, for what it's worth, I'm rooting for you."

"Yes, please beat him up for us!" Calix said excitedly. "That's why I'm here too!"

Benjamin laughed. "I appreciate the support," Benjamin said, testing the weight of the blade with a practiced flick of his wrist. The movement was fluid and precise. "Shall we head to the clearing?"

"So how are we going to do this?" Charles asked. "Best of three?"

"Sure."

When Charles saw that Benjamin was unwilling to make the first move, Charles struck first. 

There was a haunting stillness to Charles's approach. There were no heavy footsteps, just the soft rustle of grass and the hiss of his blade cutting through the air. However, when he saw how Benjamin only chose to neutralize and never to counter, Charles forced his hand.

Charles engaged in a flurry of calculated strikes, each one faster and more demanding than the last. Charles secured the first round, bringing the point of his sword to rest against the lower left of Benjamin's abdomen.

Benjamin's movements shifted in the second round. It was clear now that he hadn't just been countering in the first round. He had been studying. Not only did he block, but anticipated and slid around Charles's maneuvers with precision. With precise footwork, the round ended with Charles frozen in place and Benjamin's blade pointed at his neck.

The third round had gone on far longer than anyone had anticipated. When Benjamin shifted his left leg a split second too slowly, Charles moved instinctively, his blade finding Benjamin's chest, ending the third round.

After the third round ended, Benjamin sat back and laid down on the grass with Charles following suit. Calix and Felix brought over water for the two men who were slick with sweat, their skin flushed and radiating a palpable warmth. Remaining flat on the ground, they chugged the water and let water dribble from their chins.

"I'm truly glad I came today," Felix said. "Where did you learn, Doctor?"

"I still lost," Benjamin said, tired.

"I'd like to duel with you next, Doctor," Calix said, his eyes wide with curiosity. "I haven't seen anyone hold Charles at sword point like that in years. If I practice with you, I might actually learn something."

"Leave the doctor alone, Calix. If you're so eager to duel, do it with me," Charles interrupted. "After all, I'm the one who won today."

Charles said that because he had seen how sometimes Benjamin leaned on his right leg too long. Even when they were at the hot springs and walking up and down the slopes, he saw how Benjamin sometimes had to adjust his steps to make up for the slight lag from his left leg. And just now, during the last round, he had only got his opening because of that lag from the left leg. If it weren't for that, he wasn't sure who would've won that third round. 

"Next time then, next time, Doctor!" Calix said, still excited.

"The duel is over, so why are you two still here?" Charles said.

"We'll be taking our leave now. Once again, thank you for letting us watch, Doctor," Felix said, dragging Calix by his arm.

When the two guards left, Charles turned over to look at Benjamin. Sweat glistened from his face. With his eyes closed, shadows from danced on his long eyelashes. His cheeks were flushed pink. His hands were stretched out above his shoulders.

"You're really good with the sword." Charles said. "I honestly thought all you did was study and work. Where did you have time to learn this? It seems you're experienced."

Benjamin just lay breathing steadily. "You're really good too."

"I've practiced since I could hold a sword. But, my pride is a bit hurt. I was held at sword point by a doctor." 

Benjamin laughed. "If I was in my prime, I'd have beaten you for sure."

"You always talk like you're an old man. You're only two years older than I am."

"I'm an old soul." Benjamin replied.

"But really, where did you learn?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

"But, since you won, you can ask me for a favor right? Is your favor for me to tell you?"

"Fine… Don't tell me." Charles said. 

"Okay," Benjamin said, with his eyes still closed.

They lay in silence as the grass and leaves on the trees rustled in the wind.

"Benjamin. You… This is… betrayal!" Charles said, as he lunged forward trying to place Benjamin in a chokehold, before Benjamin slipped out and jumped on his back.

They rolled around in the grass before they both let go of exhaustion and found themselves lying flat on the ground as they were before.

"You really have a way with me." Benjamin said, looking over at Charles. You make me do things I never expected to. 

After the two men laid exhausted on the ground after their roughhousing, Benjamin finally gave into Charles's relentless questions about his swordsmanship. 

"I told you my father was from Zephyr," Benjamin said.

"Did you learn from your father?"

"No. Sometimes I wish I had learned from him when I had the chance. I am reminded of him whenever I see this sword. When we moved here to Aster, he kept his sword stored away and never took it out."

"It's a well-made sword crafted from high-grade steel. I suspected it was Zephyrian." 

"My parents had planned to settle in Obsidia since my father had good chances of getting promoted in the military. But, they moved to Aster because of me. 

"You probably know how everyone says Zephyrians are all about discipline, strength, and combat. It's true. Especially in Obsidia, after all it's the capital city. Children are sent to military school at a very young age. Even four-year olds are expected to know how to use daggers. It's as if violence flows through our Zephyrian blood.

"On the contrary, I couldn't stomach violence. If my parents hadn't left Zephyr, I would've probably had to go to military school and would've suffered. I only found out that they left Zephyr for me when I was about nine or ten. I heard some folks my parents knew talking about it. They said if it weren't for me, my parents would have remained in Obsidia. 

"I asked my parents about this. They told me that it was true. I was quite upset that they had left because of me. I was ashamed of myself for being so... weak… But, my father consoled me. He told me that strength came in different forms, and fighting was only one of them. He said I would find my own kind of strength. He said he loved me regardless of whether I knew how to swing a sword or not.

"After my parents passed away, I remembered that moment... And what my father had said to me. So, I swore to myself I would learn swordsmanship and combat... Because... it's my father's legacy. And... It's also my Zephyrian heritage.

"When I studied in Xenos, there were a few schools around that taught swordsmanship. Every summer I would learn and practice at the school. During the school year, I'd practice whenever I got the chance. After I graduated, by chance, I got to train with some experts. Since then, I've always practiced the footwork, stances, and swings. But, I usually use a heavy wooden sword when I practice," Benjamin said, surprised that he had told Charles more than he had intended.

"The more I learn about you, the more amazed I am." Charles said.

"I appreciate you telling me this... It must not be easy for you to talk about your parents. Or your past... It means a lot to me," Charles paused and gazed into Benjamin's eyes. "I hope you believe me."

"Should I?" Benjamin teased.

"You're truly one of a kind," Charles said.

"Is that a good thing?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Don't you think it could also be terrible? To be so different from everyone around you..."

"I didn't mean it in that way... But, I can see how isolating it can be… Lonesome... Is that what you mean?"

"I guess…"

"You don't have to worry about that anymore. You have me."

Benjamin closed his eyes. I'm sure you're just saying that. If you knew everything, you would take that all back. You would look at me with disdainful eyes... I... don't know if I would be able to bear it...

Benjamin didn't respond, his eyes still closed. The two men just lay in the grass in silence.

Charles gazed at Benjamin. Rolling around in the grass and hearing about your childhood… I feel a happiness I've not experienced before... I hope you feel the same way I do. At least I think you do. I really hope you do.