[At some point, Gladio starts imagining he's trying to fight himself (though in a way he already kind of is) and really lets out his anger. He can't match Ravus' speed, but his strength more than makes up for it as he lands several brutal blows bound to bruise.
That's not to say he hasn't taken hits. He's actually taken more than he should have, but the self-hatred inside him right now is too strong and Gladio has "accidentally" moved into the rapier's path more than once. And some of those movements resulted in the blade biting into his skin, lines of red mixing with the angry bruises and marks from the flat of Ravus' blade.
Gladio doesn't know how long they've gone at it, hasn't been keeping track of time, but his movements are significantly slower now. Slow enough that he can't (won't? doesn't?) bring his blade up in time to parry the incoming thrust. Unless Ravus turns his Rapier or stops his motion, the disgraced Shield will have a brand new hole in his shoulder.]
Thanks for agreeing to keep it vague <3 <3 <3
That's not to say he hasn't taken hits. He's actually taken more than he should have, but the self-hatred inside him right now is too strong and Gladio has "accidentally" moved into the rapier's path more than once. And some of those movements resulted in the blade biting into his skin, lines of red mixing with the angry bruises and marks from the flat of Ravus' blade.
Gladio doesn't know how long they've gone at it, hasn't been keeping track of time, but his movements are significantly slower now. Slow enough that he can't (won't? doesn't?) bring his blade up in time to parry the incoming thrust. Unless Ravus turns his Rapier or stops his motion, the disgraced Shield will have a brand new hole in his shoulder.]