The Lands of Ralosia & Ranuulo (Books 1-3)

Fighting Academy Chapter 5- The Silent Girl

~Chapter 5- The silent girl~

Jirro, Aero, and Nout talked amongst themselves on who would face Tyro first. Between the three of them, they were sure at least one of them would manage a win. Jirro wanted a good challenge, Aero wanted a rematch, but Nout wanted to prove himself.

"Tyro beat my dad at the tournament," Nout explained, "I need to know for sure if I'll be able to protect my people in his place."

Jirro and Aero conceded that was a better reason, and the young Phantine went on stage.

Nout took the form that was taught to him by Chief Theo - hands ready at his side, trunk curled in front of him, and his tusks ready. Nout had filed down the sharp end of his tusks to a blunt edge to avoid any accidents.

Kika kicked the drum to begin the match.

Jirro watched, expecting one of them to charge, but neither did. Both of their defensive stances were pretty solid, not providing any clear openings to the other.

Nout lunged his trunk forward, and Tyro parried it. He followed up with a hook, but Nout blocked it with his arm. The two exchanged quick, deliberate and thudding blows, each to throw the other off of their defense.

Both Jirro and Aero were surprised by how well Nout kept up with him. Jirro remembered that Aero was utterly defeated by Tyro a few months ago, yet Nout was fighting evenly with him now.

Tyro backed away and a light glow enveloped his fist. He punched the air and a bright light emitted from him. Nout did the same, and a green light emerged from him. The two Focus Bursts collided and a burst of air emerged from the point of impact.

Jirro noticed the little girl, who had been sitting on the sidelines, perk up. Up until then, she had been passively watching the bouts, seeming disinterested. But the use of Focus seemed to draw her in.

"You're doing well kid," Tyro said.

"Thanks," Nout replied, maintaining his stance. He didn't want to get distracted.

Tyro vaulted through the air over Nout, preparing a kick as he landed behind. But before he could strike, Nout had landed his own punch into Tyro's chest.

Tyro fell over from the strike.

No one expected this. Kika stood mouth agape next to the drum before coming to her senses and striking it, signaling that Nout had won.

"The Phantine kid wins!" Kika said, partially caught in disbelief.

Nout dropped his serious expression and smiled, extending his hand to the grounded Tyro, pulling him up to his feet.

"Really good job," Tyro said. He was awestruck; he clearly didn't expect to lose.

Jirro and Aero were impressed, but slightly disappointed that they wouldn't get to fight Tyro themselves. Tyro left the stage and pointed to the little girl spectating.

"Hita, you're up."

Hita hopped to her feet, her short brown hair shifting from side to side. She pensively walked onto the stage to face Nout.

She looked like she was 10 or 11, even younger than Corri. They couldn't fathom why Tyro would save her for last. Jirro could tell Nout was nervous about fighting such a little girl.

Hita took a stance that looked familiar; it was light and noncommittal, ready to improvise at a moment's notice. Jirro couldn't quite place where he saw it before. Honestly, she looked very familiar, but he wasn't sure where from.

Tyro struck the drum with his fist to begin the match. Hita charged forward, and Nout was forced to defend himself. Several swift strikes came from the girl on all sides; he barely managed to block them. Nout swung his tusks at the girl to try and trip her up but she flipped through the air to get out of his way.

"She's fast," Jirro commented.

Nout chased after her, swinging his tusks from side to side to cover more of the stage. Hita expertly stayed out of his range while circling around him.

Hita threw a wide hook kick through the air. The faintest of blue lights emerged from her kick in the form of a thin wave. The blue wave struck Nout in the snout, dazing him. In the next instant, Hita followed up with an axe kick to his forehead before he could react. He grabbed his head in pain and stifled a shout.

"Point to Hita!" Tyro kicked the drum to end the match.

Aero stood promptly, "Okay! My turn!"

Jirro sat, "Go ahead."

"You're just going to let me?" Aero gave him a perplexed look.

"Yeah... I want to watch a little more," Jirro responded, arms folded. The young girl intrigued him.

"Alright. Don't blame me if you don't get a chance to fight at all."

Aero stepped onto the stage with a smile; after watching for so long he was eager to fight. Hita maintained a serious expression. The two readied themselves, and as soon as Tyro told them to begin, both sprung into action.

The two of them made full use of the fighting stage, bounding around it at high speed in their attempts to strike and dodge each other.

Aero vaulted across the stage to strike Hita, causing her to skirt back. She threw a kick that Aero narrowly sidestepped.

Aero's fist emanated a faint red light. When he punched the air, a Focus Burst erupted from him towards Hita. She dodged it... and smiled. The first show of emotion the girl had shown.

Hita countered with her own blue Focus Burst. But rather than dodge it, Aero charged directly through it and caught the little girl off guard. He had a clear opening and took it, Aero's fist hurtled through the air towards Hita.

Hita flexed, and a blue light enveloped her entire body. Aero's fist made contact with the light, stopping short of her body. Jirro had never seen anyone use Focus like that. It was like a barrier.

Hita threw an elbow into Aero's stomach. Kika kicked the drum to signal the end of their match. The light that surrounded her dissipated.

Aero grasped at his gut and looked at the girl, "How did you do that?"

Hita didn't answer, and was breathing hard. Whatever she did, it wore her out.