"By a duel..." Said the black beast I just now met.

How nice, I, the luckiest guy on earth, literally have not just woken up in the most hellish environment possible, wandered around for who knows how long, and just lied out of the deadliest situation I've ever been in.

NOOOOO it just has to get better. I mean, sure, you have to have some kind of proof, but a flippin' duel? What happened to the whole I share my backstory with you, and we Instantly become best friends? I guess we'll skip that today to make my current hell of a situation even worse.
Being the collected and calm being that I am, I'm sure I can get myself out of this situation.

"I beg your pardon?" was my actual response, in a somewhat shaky and stuttering voice, though not so much that you could actually tell I was pissing myself just now.

"You heard me, let's duel, just me an' you right here right now." He started to grin, and his eyes became even more fierce.

"Look, you even have my sword since you're such a big one. I'll just use Terry's." He wiggled his eyebrows; I bet he thinks I'll just pussy out on his challenge. Fucking asshole, I bet he thinks I'm a pussy. You know what? FUCK IT. If I end up dying anyway, I will go out with a bang; maybe I'll win. Ha, not likely, not likely at all.

"Alright, let's do it, you and me right now. No lethal cuts or stings though, I actually like being alive." I said, trying to sound as though as possible.

It probably won't have the same effect on someone like me as on someone who is actually tough. He nodded and then threw his sword to my feet like it was a stick. He then walked over to 'Terry' and yanked his Falchion out of its sheath with his powerful arms. God, even his veins have veins.

I proceeded to take the great sword out of the scorching sand and grasp it firmly. You might not believe it but I actually have experience with sword fighting, not such big ones usually, but as long as we don't fight to the death it will be fine, I hope. I started to stretch a bit and looked around, nothing but desert for miles and miles to come. The other two minotaurs looked at me as if it was already the day of the funeral. Anyways, I can't get distracted now, War looked at me like I look at a nicely done steak, which is probably not a good sign. Do these guys eat meat, I hope not.

So after a minute or two, we were facing each other, I raised my mighty greatsword and went into a sideways stance, to have full power, at little energy cost, cause fuck me that thing was heavy. Whilst my opponent had no problems of the sort, none at all, he looked like he did this at least every Tuesday. The anxiety coming over me right now, oh lord help me.

He was wearing light leather armor, a loincloth, and sandals, nice combination if you ask me, gotta get some armor myself when I'm done with this shit. Gotta survive somehow, might as well make sure you stay unharmed.

"Are ya ready?" He yelled, taking a stance of his own, seemingly getting ready to charge. Oh, what have I gotten myself into? Why

"As I'll ever be." Was my reply. I was scared, like legitimately afraid to face off against this beast. Well, if I strike first maybe I'll actually be able to hit him and win.
He was getting ready to take a big swing at me. He then proceeded to jump forward towards my still standing figure.
Oh boy.

I had an idea that could counter this attack, he was open wide and his arm was too far drawn back.
So my first step was sidestepping in to close the distance between me and him.
I swear if this works...I'm buying this guy a drink later. He seemed taken aback by my course of action, and his eyes focused on mine, a little unease in them.

So I jabbed the knob of my sword with all the power I could muster, and I hit directly in the nose, giving off a crunch and a little drizzle of blood, while the power of my attack and the fact that he was jumping me like a buffoon, caused him to drop to the ground a few feet away from me.

Damn, guess I'm buying him a drink if I have the money for it. But that must've hurt, I'm a little shocked it had this much impact, I mean he dropped like a sack of potatoes.
He got up, wiped his nose, and threw the blood on the ground.

Ok, ok so he got up, worrying but only slightly. I held my stance and glared at him, now feeling a bit confident, I mean that was awesome wasn't it? Ok, don't get cocky now.

"That all you've got?!" Dammit can't I keep my mouth shut for once. Well, It does feel good.

Then I saw the sight that chilled me to my chubby core, that motherfucker was wearing a huge, shit-eating grin on his face. Fuck me he's enjoying it so far isn't he?

He said nothing, instead decided to charge me again, this time much faster though, I swung my blade in hope to catch him off guard while running, I missed though, or rather the guy dodged my blow with a swift movement towards the ground. I had no time to react after that, he swung his massive arm towards my abdomen.

Did you ever get punched so hard it made you wanna throw up? I definitely didn't, I instantly hurled as his fist shoved itself into the lower regions of my belly like a hammer into foam. There wasn't any vomit though, probably because I haven't eaten in forever, so I guess that could've been worse? I was just gasping for air right now.

No time to think about that though, I can't get distracted now.
After a second of doing nothing, I decided to fucking knee him in the chin since he was bent low.
The blow connected with a solid thud and my opponent went staggering back a few inches, falling on his hairy ass. Finally taking a deep breath.

God my belly is on fire, the pain is almost enough to make me throw this right here and now.
But mama raised no coward, so instead, I gave my best war cry and charged him this time. I ran towards the sitting Minotaur who was just getting up, seemingly surprised to see me, since he did not dodge my strike towards him.

I raised my massive sword over my head and slashed down, with the broad side of course.
It connected with his thick skull and let out a metallic ringing sound. That has to be it, I mean that HAS to be it.

I was once again proven wrong by the universe.
He was of course stunned after that, but then after some, time he stood up again like it was nothing. Except for the fact that there was blood coming out of his mouth now too.

"Good one," He said, huffing and puffing "actually gave me a headache there." He now swung his sword at me, using his full body weight for support.

I swiftly brought my blade against his, the loud impact of the clash was ringing through my head.
Both of the blades swung back, I took the initiative and went for a low swing towards his right side, he swung also, deflecting the blade just before his torso. That left him open, so I decided to try something and side kicked his rib cage.

Somehow that worked too, it did help that he was so short though.
He once again staggered back, can't he just drop already?
The raging bull however did not intend on doing so.

I slashed downwards with the great sword, trying to end it for good.
Then he did something unexpected, he bashed it away with his blade, using his momentum to shoulder tackle me backward. Then he brought his sword up diagonally across my chest, slicing through my cloth and skin. I actually couldn't believe it. He cut me open, not so much that I could suffer serious effects, but I was bleeding and everything.

I was mad, literally livid right now, not only did it hurt like a bitch but he also broke my terms.
He is going down. I don't care about proving myself anymore, no I'm winning this.

That black piece of shit was again wearing this shit-eating grin. He let his guard down, he was getting cocky.
I just sprang in front of him, faster than I could've hoped and punched him in the throat, as hard as my flabby arms could muster. Which was surprisingly much?
He coughed and wheezed madly, understandable of course, but I'm not showing mercy now.

I smashed the handle of my sword against the side of his skull. He fell, still wheezing.
The pain in my chest, the mad rage I'm in right now and I currently had the upper hand, gave me another rush of energy.

This is awesome, I don't know why, but this is somehow fun, I've always wanted to fight someone with swords. The thrill, the pain, the satisfaction of beating the shit out of somebody. Yep, absolutely going Insane.

My opponent managed to get to one knee and started to laugh

"HAHA! Now you're fighting for real boy!" He said between laughs and coughs. Then, the massive mountain of hairy meat rose again, showing his bulging muscles and bleeding face.

"Come on! Bring it then!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. Getting ready to charge again, and most importantly abandoning all reason and sanity.

"Aye Sergeant!" We both began to run at each other with as much that was left in us. The sweat that had build up on my forehead, now streaming over my whole face.

He charged again like a train on steroids, but silly me who was into it now did the same.
I spun around and let momentum carry my blade, it flew with speed and ferocity towards the charging beast.

He reacted just a split second before catching the blow with his sword. And thus our swords clashed. We stared each other down like two predators fighting over territory.

I released the hold, hopped back, and swung downwards with the Claymore.
He again caught it just before it could impact him.

He attacked from below, but I somehow managed to dodge his sword and land a kick in his stomach, though he seemed almost unfazed by it. Then the burning in my chest became more and more intense.
Now the hard part started, defending.
He started to pour down a barrage of attacks on me, left, parried, right parried, down, dodged that one, his swing from downwards came close to cutting me again, just gracing the remains of my shirt.

It was when he wanted to attack left again, that an idea hit me. Just as he was about to strike, I rammed my sword handle against his hand, disarming him. I reacted quickly, I kicked him in the gut again, so he was stunned.

Then I took my great sword and plunged the tip into his right shoulder, piercing his armor and flesh, earning me a yell of pain from him.
I then proceeded to throw myself, including the blade at him, so we both fell over.
He was still yelling, when I was on top of him and held my Claymore against his throat, putting just enough pressure against it to prove a point.

I then said. "Stay. Down." Nice, I always wanted to say that.

Fucking hell my whole body was aching. If I ever manage to get home somehow, I will tell the tale of how I, the dorky, short fatso have bested a beefed-up steak in battle.

Then I stood up and reached out my hand to the beaten warrior. He grasped it and I pulled him up.

Then, looking me in the eye again, he let out a hearty laugh. He then proceeded to hug me.

"Terry I like him, got a real fighter's spirit." He continued to crush my bones with his packs.

Oh happy day, just what I need after a beat down a sweaty, hairy man hug.

"Welcome to the squad, mate!" He finally let me down. Thank god almighty, I live another day.
"Aye," Said the now quite shocked looking fellow Minotaurs

"Well then, shall we make our way to the next town?" I asked out of breath.

"We most definitely shall! And now that you're joining us, we can take you to our camp Melkor! I bet the boss will have great use for you. " Said Terry and an optimistic tone in his voice.

Ah, nice. It seems all you need to do here to get people to like you is to beat them to a pulp.

"Wait, join?-"

And that's how I somehow became a mercenary warrior.

Author's Note

Chapter two, hope you like it.

And everyone who likes my story, thank you all so much, I was afraid it would not be well liked but I was proven wrong