Chapter 55 - Selection of the Horoscopes (2/2)

It turned out that ever since Bianca had left Bennox and Owen she had been keeping an eye on them in case Javier decided to make another move, looks like her guess was correct. When she noticed that Javier had begun moving towards Bennox and Owen she knew that things would go south quickly.

”Out of my way b*itch. Or what? Want me to mess up your face instead?” Javier's agitated tone was worsening by the second. His fists were clenching and unclenching repeatedly.

”I cannot stand for unnecessary violence. You have already won, there is no point in kicking a downed person.”

Javier's sudden cackle startled Bianca and Bennox, Owen's body already tensing up for a fight.

”What reason would I need except for entertainment? The thrill as I play with someone's life, the rush when I reason whether to let them live and continue to torture them or to end them so painfully they wouldn't want to live a second longer?”

Bianca couldn't believe that a ten-year-old would be capable of such words and emotions but Javier was a, 'special' exception. She was about to retort when Bennox interrupted.

”Javier, if Owen can block three hits from you, will that satisfy your hunger?” Javier turned his eyes from Bianca to Bennox. This bloodied, weak, bug tried to make a compromise with him? Usually he would laugh it off but the way he had said it felt to right to call the feeling swirling inside of him. Hunger, he longed for a life-threatening thrill, for something that could help his 'hunger'. Grinning, Javier began to slightly nod his head.

”Three hits, no more, no less. He has to last without weapons and as he is right now.”

Bianca wanted to argue that Owen was in no shape to fight again and to yell at Bennox for selling out his friend but she couldn't mutter a word when she was the way Owen trusted his friend. There wasn't even a hint of doubt in his eyes, just pure, blind trust in Bennox.

”If Bennox says so then I'll be able to handle it.” Owen's tone wasn't scared or even worried, it was confident. Owen truly believed that Bennox would be right so he could only follow along with him.

Javier grinned and motioned for Owen to get ready.

”I'll be back Bennox.” Owen set Bennox on the ground gently.

”I believe in you.”

Owen smiled proudly and turned to face Javier. He raised his hands and struck a defensive position. It looked similar to a boxer's defending pose but in Etafor, boxing wasn't even a concept the people knew of.

Javier shrugged at Owen's pose and dashed closer. Feinting with a flick to the left he brought his right foot hard against the side of Owen's face. His kick fast enough to bring a slight breeze with it. On Owen's side he had seen through Javier's feint and had already shifted his arms to the right, protecting his head. Owen's defense faltered a bit and Javier's foot slipped from Owen's arms to his torso, in that moment Owen opened his palms and caught Javier's foot in them, the heel of Javier's boots splitting the skin on Owen's hands.

Seeing how his attack was blocked Javier shrugged his shoulders at Owen's defense and went in again. This time Javier switched from kicks to his fists. He threw out multiple feints and openings but Owen stayed still. Suddenly Owen's arms shifted upwards and Javier took this chance to throw a fist at Owen's gut. Surprised by the attack Owen didn't have time to react fast enough as Javier's knuckles dug deeply into Owen's stomach.

”!!”

Javier retracted his fist and made some distance between them to see how his punch had affected Owen.

The second after Javier's punch landed, Owen could feel the small remnants of his measly lunch begin to rise. His cheeks puffed out but no stomach acid made it's way back up. Gagging, Owen wiped the side of his mouth with his hand, a small thread of spit connecting the two.

”Ha ha ha! Can you still go on?” Javier looked pleased as he saw Owen's shoulders slump a bit. What he didn't like was the fighting intent in Owen's eyes. The kind of look that said he would never bow his head, not until he died at least.

*huff huff* ”I-is that all y-you got weakling?”

Javier clenched his jaw so hard his veins popped out from his neck. Angered, Javier took a step closer.

”Watch your words mutt.”

Preparing for another punch Javier reared back and twisted his arm to that the rotation would add more power to Javier's fist. Owen stumbled to bring up his left arm to block the punch but suddenly Javier's fist curved and curled around Owen's left arm. The punch fueled by all of Javier's weight and the rotation would've knocked out Owen if he hadn't brought his right palm up, catching Javier's fist in it. Feeling that his punch was blocked, Javier pushed with more force again. Without thinking, Owen shifted his body and allowed Javier's punch to slide off from his palm, Javier's upper body following the punch. Within that moment Owen used his knee to hit Javier right in the gut.

The two paused for a second before Javier flung Owen off him. Tripping on his own feet, Owen was about to fall when Bennox caught him from behind.

”You did well Owen.”

With a cheeky smile and a weak laugh, Owen raised his hand for a high-five. Smiling along, Bennox was about to return Owen's gesture when he saw Owen's hand. His smile faded and panic quickly settled in. Bianca saw the blood and quickly moved to help but suddenly the screen appeared once again.