53 Annas First Spar (1/2)
After eating Elanor gathers the four boys in the village center. ”Alright, Anna, go destroy the boys!” she announces while laughing.
”Who's going to fight first?” Louis asks.
”You'll all attack together,” Elanor responds while waving her hand dismissively.
”But,” Franklin objects.
Elanor glares at the boys and says, ”if you brats are too much for her, what would be the point of cultivating?”
”It's alright,” Anna confirms while taking a combative stance. Her feet spread out into a stable low position. Her arms are reaching out in both directions, ready to defend.
In contrast, the boys took a more standard boxing position. This stance has the arms covering the body and an agile footing with a bit of bounce. This was the style Elanor taught.
As the boys moved in to test Anna's defense, her stern eyes give them pause.
”Cute,” Elanor says as she coquettishly covers her mouth and giggles.
John sends his voice to Elanor, ”I think it's quite impressive. It's unusual for someone at her level to be able to unleash killing intent.”
Elanor shrugs and sends back, ”Perhaps, but it looks like a kid mimicking her parents.”
”I'm not a martial arts expert, but I think it looks pretty practiced,” John responds.
”It is practiced, but it's clear that no one taught her. It must be a stance her parents used. Look at the arms they aren't symmetrical at all. Her footing looks stable, but her leg angles aren't the best making it harder for movement. ” Elanor explains.
”Perhaps your standards are too high,” John retorts.
Elanor frowns as she looks at the boys, slowly inching forward. ”Get going let your youth burn and charge! If you don't, I'd be happy to join in.” she goads on the boys.
Louis runs forward with a shout, ”Fine, ARRRR!” He throws a solid punch towards Anna expecting her lithe body to be easily blown away. However, Anna quickly knocks the attack away with a sweep of her hand. She then counters with a thrusting palm to the boy's chest, sending him tumbling backward.
The other three boys pails as they see Louis coughing on the ground. Douglas and Roy look at each other for courage. They charge at Anna in a pincer attack. Douglas decides to take out Anna's legs with his small stature. He puts all his force into his body as he grabs at Anna's leg while Roy moves in with quick punches to distract Anna.
Anna snorts at the boys. She sweeps her body in a spinning motion her lower leg smashing into Douglas's side. In the same movement, she grabs Roy's punch and takes him with her. Anna drags the boy around and flings her into Douglas, sending them tumbling towards Louis.
As Franklin hesitates, he hears John's voice in his head, ”I can tell you're afraid you will hurt your mom. But she is in the foundation stage now. It's Just as Elanor said. There is no way you'll be able to hurt her. On the other side, you can help her solidify her new strength and gain experience for yourself.”
With this final push, Franklin grits his teeth and shouts, ”Mom, I'm coming!”
”Good I was waiting!” Anna responds with a smile.
Franklin also sends some punches towards his mom's chest. These punches fly out with swift power showing his body training that John taught. When Anna tries to sweep them away, the force has some staying power pushing her back.
After twenty exchanges, things seemed to be at a stalemate. However, Franklin's chest was heaving as he sucked in breath while Anna looked as spry as ever. Not only had she reached the Foundation stage, but she also used a defensive stance. The tank of energy and exertion were too far apart.
”Stop playing with your kid and murder him!” Elanor whoops from the sidelines.
Anna sucks in a deep breath and throws a palm with all of her body behind it. Franklin closes his arms in front of him to defend himself. When the strike connects, it felt like being hit by a carriage his arms go numb as he flies back falling to the ground.