Ethereal Madness

Chapter 32- Rathur

I swung my fist at Kula.

If I was a threat at all to him, he sure didn't show it. He casually dodged it last second and got up close just as I was about to retreat. My stomach was churned and my legs were ready to give. I held onto the fist lodged in my stomach in a desperate attempt to retaliate, but Kula was not amused. He rose up his arm, and me with it. He swung down and I smacked onto the ground.

It hurts. All of it hurts.

"Are you done?" He asked.

Is yes an option?

"No he's not done," Rin answered for me near the sidelines. "Stand up, you weakling!"

"He looks dead," Min pointed out.

"He beat Shuna. This much won't take him out," Tali put in her two cents.

I think you're forgetting when I beat her I had two knives. Obviously I can't say that though.

I struggled to stand up, my arms shaking pitiful as I painfully got to my legs.

"Ready?" He asked.

I nodded.

Alright, how do I beat him? I listened to the words I just conjured. Beat him? Am I delusional? Maybe we should start with landing a hit.

Switching it up, I ran to him this time. He jabbed forward but I dipped under it. His leg rose as soon as his fist retracted and I had just enough reaction time to move to the side before his foot put me out of commission. Seeing as how his upper body was basically invincible, I aimed for his legs, hoping to take him down.

I got close and he jumped. Next thing I know, he was marking my face with his foot. I tried standing my ground, but as he landed, I was brought to the ground, my head nearly crushed.

I don't get the point of this. They don't actually expect me to beat this machine, do they? The fact that my head isn't mush right now is a testament to how merciful this man is.

"Better," Kula said.

...Is it though? The pain is the same as before.

"Alright Kula, you can let him up." Tali said. To my surprise, she sounded oddly nonchalant. I was expecting disappointment.

His large foot was now off me and a figure stood above me. It was hard to make out features with the bright ceiling lights behind her, but those intimidating orange eyes could only belong to one person.

"Up." Rin said.

"I'm dead." I whined.

"I said up!" She growled like an animal, which reminded me of her throwing me at the bear. I was magically given a sudden burst of energy and my motivation went from zero to I don't want to be eaten.

"Good." Nothing on her face inferred happiness, but her tone was light. Strict, but light. "Now fight."

Before I could say anything, she was already walking away.

"B-bu—"

"Arthur," Tali called from the sidelines.

"Hm?"

"You can use your knife. The smaller one."

"Oh? Thank you." I knew I was grinning like an idiot, but I didn't care. A knife is the only way I'm gonna beat the people here.

"I thought you wanted him to learn to fight without it," Min asked.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. This is my one chance to survive Kula's assault. Maybe I'll get lucky and accidentally land a hit.