Here on recommendation

Hello steemians,

I'm a 24 y/o novice writer who has been working on a book since my days in high school. I'm here via the recommendation of a friend and fellow writer who uses this platform to share their wonderful content with you all.

I'm aiming to release my book on this platform first eventually, but for the moment I am going to take some time to build connections, make friends and learn the Steemit platform. Before you go, have a sample of my work from the prologue of my book. Enjoy!

~ Mako

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Prologue

With a dull thud, he landed hard on the edge of the snow-covered ledge. Lifting his head, he was momentarily blinded by the sun as it sank lower on the horizon. The piercing rays fell over the rugged mountain terrain that scarred the earth below them. The snow blowing through the valleys moved and flowed as if with a life of its own.

The two warriors were perched high above the world; the evening lights of a massive city nestled between the peaks were visible far below. The sunlight caught each falling snowflake, making the world appear as though it were set alight by a cold fire. The breaths he heaved danced in the wind as they were whisked away from his mouth on the swift currents of the biting winter blizzard. But he wasn't concerned with the beauty.

She had to die.

Grunting, he stood with leaden legs and faced his adversary. Again they clashed, their weapons moving with practiced ease. It was a deadly song as old as time itself, threatening and beautiful to the ears of a seasoned warrior. Their silver-white swords clashed, each time emitting a metallic hiss. His hands stung from the reverberation, even through his padded gloves. Sparks jumped through the thin air and were swept away into the forming blizzard. Another icy gust of wind threatened to knock him off-balance. He reassured his footing and met her blade again with passion and anger.

Both of them knew the penalty for failure. It had been drilled into them in the Academy on occasions too numerous to count. But now, hidden from the protective gaze of their Instructors, the stakes were much higher. Their blades met again and again; each time the energized metal would rebound with the same odd sound. They matched each other move-for-move, striking with determination, attacking with fervor. Their weapons locked and they drew close, their faces mere inches from each other. Frost began to ice his blade in the momentary standstill.

"Why?!"

She had to scream to be heard above the wailing of the growing storm, her voice hoarse.

"Tell me why!"

He disengaged and struck again with renewed fervor, ignoring her demand.

She had to die.

Neither of them was capable of ripping the upper hand from the other. He lunged and she parried the blow. She slashed, leaving him barely enough time to counter with his shield. The wind was picking up, the cold tearing deeper into his core. His gloves were stiff with ice, and the hilt of his blade began to freeze to his palm, but he paid the pain no heed. He had one purpose: to kill her. He had to. She stood against everything he had hoped to accomplish.

Another gust caught him off-guard and he struggled for firm footing on the ice. She took advantage of his unsteadiness and lunged, her blade leveled at his breastplate.

His heart stopped cold.

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