Enigma Source: Grey Area

Chapter 28: Other Activation

December 1st, 2531
Grey Morrison
Everest City: BCP Headquarters

"Okay Grey. Remember what I taught you. Always stay on your guard. And don't lock your knees". It was easier said then done. Despite me being physically stronger than Mr. Peacekeeper over here, he still managed to whoop my butt every single time. This was like my thirteenth try sparring against him. And I'm sure there would be more tries. "Okay Emile. This time I'm gonna know you out cold".

Of it wasn't obvious enough, Emile kinda took me in a started showing me how to fight. More importantly, he was kinda covering for me. Since that little restaurant fiasco, they wanted to jail me again, but thanks to my man here, I'd be under his surveillance. It wasn't too bad. I got free training and I got to spend time with two of the most gorgeous people I knew.

So here, in this training spot, Emile and I were face to face. The room pretty much a dojo. Rectangular in shape and large compared to regular rooms. A navy blue mat covered most of the floor and sweat stains decorated the dummy battleground. Some wooden benches were placed along the walls for spectators or whomever was around to watch. Blythe sat on one of them near the right wall of the room. She was accompanied by the two Petpods and the three of them cheered me on.

"You got this! Tenth times a charm!". Lux and Echo showed the same kind of enthusiastic. "Don't worry guys. He's toast this time". Emile scoffed at me. "Just because you can put on a crystal glove doesn't mean anything. I'll embarrass you like the last few matches. Only this time I'mma do it on front of your girlfriend". "Hey. We're simply best friends. But you're lucky Olivia isn't here. Don't want to ruin her perception of you".

Our fights always started with some banter. It was a fun way to get some tension going. "That's it you little punk. Let's go!", he shouted. Emile jumped into the air and readied an axe kick. I could easily defend myself with my armored hand, but if I learned anything he would find some way to outplay that move. So, I did the second best option: Dodge the attack. I hopped a few feet back and let him pound the ground where I once stood. The recoil caused him a brief delay and that was an opening for me.

I redirected my momentum and blazed towards him. I wound up and punch from my right hand and aimed for his forehead. "Got ya now!", I preemptively proclaimed. But he was ready for it. Somehow, Emile managed to grabbed my arm and grapple me tightly. A few fancy moves later, and I'm hurling in the air. The hard surface of a wall stopped my airborne spin harshly. It hurt but it wasn't enough to stop me because the second I hit the ground I got back up and went on the attack once more.

Emile let out a surprised face. "Are you still good to go?", he asked with genuine concern. "That was nothing. But this is gonna hurt you even more!". I put more power into my sprint and closed the distance between us in a blink of an eye. My plan was to directly give him a shoulder charge. Of course, I would hold back a bit so I wouldn't kill him. Emile tried to evade at the last second, but o ended up clipping his left side. "Sonuva-", he let out.

Honestly, if he didn't move, I might've hurt him pretty badly. Thankfully Emile was skilled and sturdy enough to tank the hit. "Good hit", he complimented. I didn't give him a single second to recuperate his stance. In a clean and precise motion, I turned around and launched myself forward. My left knee was out and ready to strike him on the chest. I could see the split second of fear in his eyes but he was a quick one.

Emile rolled slightly to the left, barely escaping the powerful strike. With expert recover, I landed and prepared another attack. What I did not expect was Emile being super close to me. Like, two steps away from where I landed close. I caught him from the corner of my left eye for a brief moment but that was stopped by an admittedly powerful punch to the face.