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Guard Stations Training Field – Shay vs Zane

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Zane stepped forward first onto the dirty, sand like training grounds, kicking up small patches of dust as he took a few steps into the white rectangle which encased the battle area. He turned and looked at me smiling calmly and I smiled back as I walked into the battlefield.

“Alright.” Said Diablo. “Each of you take one side and I’ll say when you can begin.”

We both looked at each other and Zane stuck out his hand to shake mine, I grabbed it firmly and shook his hand as he wished me good luck.

We each took a side, I was on the right and Zane stood facing me on the left, we stared at each other, as we anticipated Diablo’s signal to begin.

Seconds felt like minutes as I felt myself begin to feel nervous as Zane’s cool and calm deminer begun to feel intimidating. I tried to pull myself together best I could. After yesterday’s fight against that ice user, Rejet, I don’t know if I actually feel up to fighting anyone, practice or not.

I looked over to Diablo to reassure myself, but I hadn’t realised that he had been counting down.

“Begin!” Yelled Diablo as adrenaline flew through me as I ignored my queries and, in the moment, decided to give it my best.

We ran towards one another at full speed, I jumped to kick Zane but he blocked it with his left arm as he side stepped quickly to his left, my leg grazing across his arm. I hit the floor and quickly turned to punch the right side of his head with my left arm and was blocked again by Zane who lifted his right arm to exactly where I went to attack. Zane went in for a quick knee jab to my chin, but I blocked it with the palms of my hands. Zane quickly retaliated to my block by throwing a left jab towards my head. I swiftly dodged it by ducking under his arm as he swung past. I spun the right side of my body around and went in for a quick heavy attack with my right arm towards Zane’s face but was blocked again. However, the force was enough to momentarily knock him off balance, as I noticed this, I spun myself back around again and went for a low kick to his ankle. I slide my left foot under his, knocking him over onto the ground. I took this chance to go for the finishing blow. I wound back my right arm and made a fist, ready to punch Zane in the stomach as he fell to the floor, I thrusted my fist forward towards Zane who seemed taken off guard by the attack.

As my fist quickly imposed upon Zane, I noticed a small grin appear on his face just before he vanished from thin air. In that moment of confusion, I was kicked in the back and sent flying across the dusty training field, I scraped across the ground for a few seconds before stopping myself.

“Heh I knew you had something up your sleeve. But what the hell was that!” I said under my breath quietly while smiling at Zane’s impressive ability.

So, he can teleport? I’ll have to keep that in mind. I thought as I ran towards Zane a second time, keen to continue the fight. I bolted towards him and went for a forward snap kick, Zane swiftly blocked it with his forearm, I went in for a second kick only to be blocked again the same way. I jumped back onto my feet, hitting the ground and springing forward quickly once again to throw a right jab at Zane’s upper chest only to be quickly blocked and countered by Zane who threw a lightning quick punch at my left shoulder with his right fist, knocking me off balance for a second. Without wasting anytime he swiftly teleported behind me and slid under me, kicking at the back of my ankle which knocked me to the ground. Zane quickly got up from his slide and turned around to jump and punch at me. I flung myself back onto my feet, essentially doing a backflip from the ground to dodge Zane’s attack.

“Man, Zane’s really pushing Shay.” Said Paul to Liam as Zane pushed me back with his flurry of punches. Paul and Liam watched on along with everyone else as Zane continued firing punch after punch at me, as I blocked and dodged each attack, but I kept getting pushed further and further by Zane. As we got closer and closer to the edge of the battlefield I lunged to my left as to evade his ruthless attacks, I rolled on the floor to soften my landing and stood up as quick as I could to face Zane once again. Zane spent no time dawdling and turned to face me as fast as I did to him.

Again, we ran towards one another and as I got closer to him, I threw myself into the air and spun myself around at full speed, setting myself up for a spinning roundhouse kick to the side of his head. Zane blocked it with both of his forearms last second, but it was still enough to send him flying across the training field. Zane stood up groggily as if that blow done more damage than I had expected.

“Hah” Zane laughed. “I knew you were good Shay. I’m surprised you are so skilled at martial arts.” He said looking at me ambitiously with flaring eyes.

“Yeah, I spend my free time practicing and was taught when I was younger.” I replied giving Zane a competitive grin.

Zane smiled back and ran towards me a tad faster than last time. I ran towards him too preparing myself for his attack. As we got closer to each other Zane suddenly teleported to my right and bolted me in my side with his left leg. I was sent flying but quickly got myself together and faced where Zane had attacked me from, only to be met with a punch to the face by Zane who had now teleported again to what was now my left. I was knocked down onto my hands and knees by the force of his punch and noticed Zane who was now flying at me with great speed from above, he extended his leg to kick me in the face, but I managed to block it with my forearms but was still pushed back a bit by the force. Once again, he teleported to his previous position behind me and went to strike me in my back with his leg, I swiftly spun around to my right and just managed block his attack before he made contact, but just as I did Zane teleported once again, this time to what was now my right and pelted my right shoulder with a fast snapping style side kick which pushed me back a little bit.

If I can predict where he is coming from, I can block ahead of time. That’s my key to winning here.

I focused on Zane’s movement and watched his eyes closely, his eyes looked like they were following something behind me. So I quickly turned only to be surprised with Zane already in the midst’s of throwing a punch at me, I jumped back just in time to dodge it and snapped my right leg up and struck Zane’s chin with my foot. I smiled as I landed on the dusty ground.

“Heh, how’d you know.” Chuckled Zane as he rubbed the bottom of his face.

I tapped my nose twice with my finger and ran towards him again, Zane let out another small chuckle before lunging forward too.

We traded blows over and over, blocking and dodging one another’s attacks, Zane went in for a left hook, I sharply managed to clutch his hand before he made contact with my body and strike him in the stomach with my knee, I winded Zane and he stumbled back a bit in shock. I took no time to let him catch his breath and pulled up my left leg and went to side kick him in the face, as I did, I caught Zane’s eyes following something behind me, just as I threw my leg forward he disappeared.

“Tsk. Almost had him.” I said as I turned to block Zane’s attack from behind, only for my hand to slash through the air.

Zane wasn’t behind me?

“I thought that was how you noticed.” Zane said as he suddenly appeared to my right, striking me in my chest sharply as I turned to face him. He sent be crashing into the dirt below, stealing the air from my lungs.

“Alright! That’s enough. Shay was winded heavily by that attack. Any further and one of you won’t be able to come on the mission. Zane wins. ” Announced Diablo as I sat on the dirty ground with one knee up resting my right arm on it, panting excessively.

“Come on, that was one hell of a good fight. You were insane.” Said Zane as he reached out his hand to help me up.

“Yeah, you too. You were insanely fast; I could hardly keep up. Oh, and you’ll have to tell me how you were teleporting like that.” I said laughing as I took his hand and stood up.

“Sure thing.” Replied Zane as the two of us walked over to spectate the other fights.

Man, I’m almost out of Magicka. Had the fight continued any longer I would have lost. I should only use that disappearing technique in dire situations because of how much Magicka it consumes. ‘Thought Zane as they sat on the ground watching the other matches.’

The two of us watched a few matches until it was Pauls turn. Paul was up against someone called Anthony. He was tall with long black hair that went down to his shoulders. The two took their positions on the training field and raced towards one another on Diablos countdown. It was obvious that Anthony was faster as he zoomed up to Paul and sharply struck him in the stomach with a devastating snap kick.

Paul fell back onto the ground, but Anthony swung his left leg round and kicked Paul in the side of the head, sending him scraping across the dusty floor towards us.

“Hey, you had won!” I yelled as I ran forward to help Paul.

“Psh, what do you mean? Diablo hadn’t called it off, so I kept going. I guess Paul over here just showed more resilience to being struck down. Compared to you…” He said as he scoffed at me.

“You had obviously won! There was no need for another kick, especially to his head like that. Diablo said not to take it too seriously. You could have injured him. What is your problem?” I spouted I helped pull Paul to his feet.

“Like I said, Diablo hadn’t called it off, and you know what? He still hasn’t.” He said as he pulled his fist back quickly and hurdled it towards Paul’s face. I was so shocked that I didn’t have time to react.

But, just as soon as It was about to hit Paul, Zane teleported in front and caught it.

“That’s enough. You won. Leave it.” Declared Zane as he let go of Anthony’s hand.

Anthony made a “hmph” noise as he turned away to walk back over to the other side of the spectator area.

“What an asshole.” I said as I helped walk Paul over to one of the benches. We watched as the rest of the guards had their matches. By the time everyone was done Paul seemed to be better, so he was allowed to come along with us.

Everyone apart from Liam had fought which made me even more curious about him coming along with us but I’m sure I’d figure that out later.

“Alright, everyone has had a warmup match so it’s best we head off now. The base we are going to is located in Senti Forest on the outskirts of a nearby town. If we leave now, we should get there in an hour or so.” Announced Diablo as we set exited the guard station and set off on our journey.

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30 Minutes into the journey – Rien Village

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We finally made it to the village which sat right on the outskirts of Senti Forest. We were given rooms in a local hotel. Diablo had purchased all the rooms that had 4 beds in them to save money.

We spent 10 minutes resting in our rooms. I was roomed with Paul, Zane and Liam. We were able to rest on the beds after walking all the way here from the city. The room was lit up by a few candles that were situated on desks next to each bed.

While we waited, I sat on my bed and tried to think of ways to counter Zane’s teleportation ability. Maybe if I could control my Magicka as well as Rejet I would be able to momentarily paralyze him as soon as he teleported to me. I’ll have to work on that, I thought.

-Knock – Knock –

I heard Diablo’s voice from behind the door. “We’re leaving in a minute. Meet me out front.” He said as we began to get up and make our way downstairs.

We all met up downstairs and began our march out of town and through the fields towards the forest.

I made my way to the front to where Diablo was leading us.

“Hey, Diablo.” I said to him.

Diablo looked down in my direction.

“In my fight with Zane this morning… I- um, wanted to know if you knew what I could improve upon to get stronger.”

Diablo looked forward again and put his hand on his chin.

“Hmm, well, I suppose you could improve on controlling the Magicka in your body. If you focus your Magicka on a specific part of your body, you can enhance it. Move faster, punch harder.”

I looked on with wide eyes listening intently.

“If you can improve that, I’d say you would be able to beat Zane. There were moments where you could have blocked an attack from his if you were just a second faster.”

“Thanks Diablo!” I said as we came up upon the entrance to Senti Forest.

Diablo stopped us at the entrance.

“Okay everyone, from now on consider this enemy territory. Be on your guard and if you notice anything make sure you speak up immediately.”

We entered the Forest, each of us on high alert, scanning through our surroundings carefully as we stepped on the gravelly path that was large enough for 3 people to walk on side by side.

We came towards a fork in the road and Diablo stopped us.

“Which way Diablo? Left, or Right?” Asked Gaze.

Diablo stood for a second before turning around to face the rest of the group.

“Okay, Liam. You’re up.” Said Diablo as Liam began walking forward out in front of everyone

He stopped and stood for a second, closing his eyes and lowering his head. All was silent, the only noise was the wind and the sweet chirping of the birds.

Everyone watched him intently as he stood. I took a second to look at Diablo who was standing with his arms crossed with a confident look in his eye. Just then, Liam pulled his head up and opened his eyes.

“That way.” He said as he pointed towards the left path.

“Alright.” Said Diablo as he started walking towards the left path.

“Hold on.” Echoed a voice from the back.

Anthony, the dick from earlier, walked forward through the middle of the group.

“How come you just trust what this kid says? What if he’s wrong and we get lost? He didn’t even take part in the training earlier. He is weak and useless, why is he even here.”

Diablo walked forward towards Anthony intensely, staring him down as he strutted over and towered over him.

“If you think he’s wrong, then why don’t you follow that right path and let me know how it turns out for you.”

“If you can find your way back that is.”

Anthony stood there looking angrily at Diablo without saying a word.

“Alright everyone. This way.” Announced Diablo as we begun our trek into enemy territory.