Lucian was slowly losing his sight.
His enemy was near, he was sure of that, but earlier attacks left him somewhat immobilized. He always thought going for the eyes or the groin was a coward's way to go, but apparently his opponent did not abstain from such methods.
He tried to adjust his degrading vision, but as soon as he would see a clear picture another attack would come from his blind spots and the process would start anew.
*I'm fucked.* He thought.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth he waited for the finishing move. Lucian always thought being prepared was secondary, but apparently not, he was rushing into the hands of a skilled artist that knew how to prolong his agony.
Lucian tried to hear things, but his breathing was too labored to perceive anything else. Cursing his own stupidity for avoiding training time in the gym whenever he was called by his friends. He tried to feel the vibrations on his bare feet, but again, the enemy was far too skilled to be detected by such methods. As the attacker came closer it was like breath of wind. Too late to be perceived by his methods. It was as if Lucian was an open book and he was an appropriate target for this hunter.
It was funny, but as inexperienced as he was, Lucian adapted to the assault very quickly. He heard snickers behind him, whenever he would feel an attack on his skin or swish of air near his body he would adopt a defensive posture, but as he stood on the ground with his arms raised and poised to deflect any incoming frontal attack people would snicker. He was ALMOST sure that the enemy was somewhere in front of him. Prepared like a boxer waiting for the attack to begin. Protecting his head and face. He was almost sure nothing could get through.
*SLAM*
He felt something hard breaking through his defenses and hitting his right side. Almost yelling out of pain and mostly surprise, the force of the impact sent him to the floor immediately.
It was strange. There was no flying through air contemplating his past. He just slumped, all the air came out. Lucian could not get air inside his lungs even as he gasped. He was stunned, sure of the area the attacker was, the attack from front never came, instead of him trying to protect something now he was starting to feel fear.
Everything went haywire, his senses could not be controlled and he lost whatever control he had over his emotions. He started breathing, every breath feeling painful. He was eventually resorted to take quick shallow breaths. Unaccustomed to the new style of breathing the panic attacks came in waves. He tried to breathe. But could not.
He tried to flee but was promptly stopped by a body that was suddenly behind him. Scared, hurt and tired he slumped over and started to feel dizzy, a sudden crash of energy, he could not hear, he could not see: this was the end. A veil of black started to seep into his eyes. It was no longer blurry, but in the corner of his eyes a dark circle started to appear and he started to drift. The slow building wave of unconsciousness was hugging his body.
"Relax. Practice is over." The voice said.
"You lot start practicing. A newcomer showed you how it's done, stop snickering and start fighting." A very familiar voice said.
The arm caressed his head. He was slumped over two mounds that he fondly remembered. A gentle voice came in his ear, "Now you see why I did not want to fight against you."
There was heavy pain behind those words. He still had to struggle for every breath, "Why did you have to ask me to fight you?"
Still he could not form words, all Lucian could do was grip his sides as every breath jarred his sides to excruciating pain, "I...Think...You...Did...Good." He said as he grabbed air with every word.
Finally his eyes focused enough to see the person that was cradling his head on her buxom. Ericha slowly appeared in front of his face, her face a mess, as she just cried watching her beloved in pain that she inevitably had caused.
The fight had a clear winner. Ericha, an expert in every martial art, veteran in combat, against someone that never had a fight in his life. It was a hard lesson that he knew he had to take sometime in the future, so he thought why not sooner than later.
Lucian was tired, so tired that he almost went to sleep in Erichas arms, she had to kneel down with him just to set his exhausted body. Adrenaline in the heat of the battle took its toll on his senses and even Lucian looked like he was in an elongated combat that took hours to finish.
But the truth could not be any more depressing. Everything was over in under 3 minutes.
Snickers around did not help the situation, some were laughing openly and some were just shaking their heads like they knew what was going to happen.
"A woman beat him. How embarrassing. I'd rather die." A rather loud voice yelled across the mat making everyone in the room turn their heads.
A man in black tight training clothes was lying on the ground while his head was propped on one elbow. Evidently something about the situation was hilarious to him. Lucian found the snickering and laughing something mundane, he never would pay attention to people that had nothing better to do, but offer their cold critique in the most deprecating way they could think off. Almost as if something could be learned if they just made fun of their target hard enough.
Ericha glared at the man, he took the challenge gladly as he thought nothing of the woman's searing stare. He could not care less. A woman could NEVER beat a man.
"Just kill yourself man. It's the only thing you could do now. I would be embarrassed to walk these streets after that fight." He commented again.
"Listen I could help you I know a guy and he'll give you a discount." He cackled. Amused with his own words.
Ericha could not take anymore, as strong willed as Lucian was, she could not stand to see anyone make fun of her Lucian, "Are you man enough to fight me?" She simply asked.
Her voice hid the torrent of emotions. She was primed and ready to go at moment's notice. The man looked happy, as he jumped up and strutted towards the mat. Eyes followed his every move.
Ericha gently laid Lucian's head on the matted ground, careful not to wake this sleeping prince. She kissed her fingers and gently pressed them to his lips. "I'll be back soon my love." She gently whispered.
She lifted and moved with purpose. A man that she knew and respected approached her and whispered something in her ear as the man stood patiently and grinning widely. "Make sure he's alive."
A simple and gentle warning came from the man. He was in charge of this dojo. They visited it after Lucian begged her for a chance to go few rounds against her. She was reluctant at first, but his constant pleading eventually won and with heavy heart she was forced to show him a small sample of her abilities. She shook her head, *I shouldn't have told him about those stories.* She thought in self-depreciation.
They stood few meters apart. A silent but deadly lull was in the air, one person was stoic and calm, apprising her opponent seconds before the engagement just like she was thought all those years ago, but her opponent was busy clowning around.
"Whoever is standing last is the winner." The man simply said and raised his arm.
Looking at both combatants the man jokingly said as he wiggled his tongue, smirking at Ericha, "Time to get some poon."
