61 Chapter 16: Port City Akshilheim 4 (1/2)

I planted my feet apart as I watch my opponent.

I wonder if I can make this match work, knowing my shoes are giving up on me...

But then in a blink of an eye, he vanished.

Alarmed, I looked around.

Wait, no! Not with the eyes! I argued at myself.

I closed my eyes and just stood still.

An itch is blooming on my side.

A faint draft is felt.

I opened them and held my hand out, clawing it towards midair

as my opponent suddenly appears and was immediately surprised that my hand had welcomed his sight.

I grabbed his face and summoned the black veins on my hands

Hastily, I hooked a punch toward his torso

But his legs moved faster than me.

It hit the right side of my body and the next thing I new I was on the ground.

glaring wide eyes at the sky with my back flat against the floor.

I underestimated my opponent.

So this is what a match feels like, I thought to myself.

I can feel my heart drumming wild.

My breath is short and rapid but it wasn't nerves.

I'm somewhat thrilled.

The rush is intoxicating.

I groped at my waist where he kicked me

And surprisingly, it doesn't hurt one bit.

I pushed at my elbow to carry myself up.

But I made one wrong step that made my shoes ripping apart more. So I stepped back down and shifted to kneel.

But the floor suddenly moved farther from me.

It's then I realized I was being carried from the collar of my nape.

My feet freely dangles on midair.

He raised me even further and then abruptly pulled me downwards with both hands.

The point of his kneecap met my stomach on impact.

Again, it didn't hurt

but it snagged my breath for a moment,

then he dropped me to the floor.

Everyone was either clapping or yelling.

Feels like a riot in here.

Only, I'm the only one being mauled.

The merchant laughed out loud from the crowd. ”My eyes never deceives me. From years and years on this line of work, I developed a sense of knowing who are weak from those who are strong!!! You shouldn't have brought such a defenseless kid in this part of the city! Huk huk huk huk!!!”

Aide and Scias didn't replied, they just watch me and smiled when my eyes met theirs.

”GOooo, Ri!!!!!” Scias pumped a fist up.

And now he calls me by that nickname too?

But I felt bad for them being mocked like this.

So I quickly stood up on my feet, dusting myself off.

Suddenly my opponent popped out in front of me without any warning,

”The strong preys on the weaker ones”

Huh—?

the next thing I saw was my opponent's fist. Hitting me squarely on the face.

Oh. I forgot to focus on my senses again!

Darn it!

I was thrown on the ground another time.

Skidding and rolling towards the edge of the ring but I stretched my hands and feet to break the momentum even before I would have been thrown off outside.

It doesn't hurt but being thrown here and there feels frustrating!

I looked down and noticed my shoes is almost parting away from its soles.

Darn it, this is making it harder to move.

But I know it's not just about the shoes.

Why can't I harbor the strength I had back then when I faced the daemon in Greenrun?

I shut my eyes and focused on my senses.

I can just slide my feet, that way my shoes won't fall completely apart, I thought.

I stood up and felt the draft before me.

I side-stepped.

Another itch bloomed from my behind.

I ducked down and felt a gust of air passed from above me.

One after another, I began to evade all the sensations.

And then it stopped.

I won't win if I just keep being defensive.

...so I opened my eyes back.

I can see the merchant grinding his teeth in frustration. Aide and Scias are cheering noisily now. The rest of the crowd are roaring out loud.

”Finish him!!!!” The merchant shouted.

I looked around and saw my opponent charging towards me.

I immediately summoned the black veins on my hands and waited till he comes.

He vanished and conjured in one spot to another, from my left and then to my right; Right and then left. Hopping and vanishing...

—drawing closer and closer

Until he was within my reach

I tried to grab him

But he suddenly appeared in three's!

Surprised, I gasped and stepped aback.

Hesitated.

Took one step forward and punched one of them hastily.

The images vanished.

My opponent appeared below,

He scoops my feet up with something, binding it as he lifted me up and I went dangling upside down.

”The struggle is useless. The difference between us is far too apparent.” Says my opponent in a sneer. ”Do you know what you lack?” says my opponent, taking his mask off.

I scowled at him in silence

”Experience.” he says.

I tried to break free and even reach for him but it was impossible.

I tried to sway like a pendulum this time and hopefully get my momentum but then he spoke,

”Well now. What do we have here?”

I looked up at him.

Has he noticed my hopeless shoes?

I can feel my blood pooling in my head.

The pressure is increasing and my ears feel like their plugged.

”Nice anklet. I'll take it.”

And with one pull of his finger...

It snapped.

He smiled contentedly, ”This will be my trophy” he sniffs at it, grinning as he rubs it against his cheeks.

My parted lips closed.

My anklet.

The sky of dawn.

My brother's gift—

.....

”Here” he(Aeron) says putting something in my hand. He closes it into a fist and leaves the room. The rest of the people of my household also left the room including my parents. Darion stayed however.

I opened my fist and saw a peculiar looking rope tied in knots. ”That's an anklet charm to ward off bad things, especially accidents, from happening” Darion stated with a smile, seeing the rope I held. ”Master Aeron has been making that ever since you woke up from the accident. It is believed that when you wear that anklet, your feet will have more affinity to the grounds you are stepping on. He believes it will protect you from falling ever again. He had asked several servants to teach him how to weave that even if they insisted to make it for him instead, but he was adamant to make it with his own hard work.”

”Is there a name to this charm?” I asked. Bending down to tie the charm on my ankle.

”There is but... if you name it now it might work it's charm more effectively” Darion chuckled in delight.

... ”Sky of Dawn” I said as Darion nodded, ”I'm sure Master Aeron will be glad to hear you gave it a name”

~[Chapter 2.5 (extra): Bond of Twins]

I can feel my heart racing inside me.