Dark Aura (under editing)

Part 4 Pretenses in Vain: Against all odds

I circle around him and slice at his sides. I can't keep this speed up for long, and I need more energy to make it through this trial. I need to end this quickly! I zipped around him and aimed to stab him in the chest. He sees me and doesn't move. Perfect, he's admitting defeat! I held the dagger; he dodges with ease and throws a rapid punch at my abdomen! I can't back out in time. He could knock me out in one blow! I use my dagger as a shield colliding into his knuckles to avoid the blow. Unfortunately, his fist also hits my left hand, my good hand. I grit my teeth and pull my dagger back. At the same time, he pulls his fist back. I pant, my left hand is throbbing and aching. I slip the trinket over my head.

My strong hand is now weakened. I need to be more cautious, other men join us on the roof. But instead of joining our fight, they stand back and watch. Is it that amusing to watch me fight? Wouldn't they be using this time to search the house? Are they expecting me to lose? What do they gain? A turn? No, that's not it... I remembered what the initiator told us. "An object of the highest value." Unless the owners are already alert?

So, then this item becomes the highest value. Unless they are brave enough to try to search for another one. I can't hit him because that will leave me open. I can't afford any more chances. I must wait for the right moment. They tumbled down behind me. There's only four? What happened to the rest? Fourteen presences. One by one, some appeared on the roofs behind me and some on the one in front. They have skills, agility and probably experience. They can probably read every move and counter it. But I don't care. They want to make it in the guild. I need to make it in this guild. Cocky brooding giants stood in my way. They were nothing short of masculinity.

Each stood tall and were stiff as boards. Each looked at me with a condescending glare, or worse... pitiful expression. They all locked eyes on me, then glanced at each other. So that's how it is, is it? I approached the one on the right. I swung and he dodged with ease. I swung again this time aiming for his stomach. He caught my wrists with incredible speed! My widened eyes locked his. Before I could knee him or even lift my knee he spun me around yanking my arms down and interlaced his legs with mine. Keeping me firmly in place with no way out! The built man held me down with an iron grip.

I grit and struggle with every bit of my strength, he didn't even budge! Thirteen of them started moving closer to me, menacingly. Trying to terrify me, get me to cower. Only I didn't tremble. Trembling is the least you can do; when met with brutes or wolves. No rules... these men won't hold back on me and if they wanted, they could kill me.

If only they knew... to fear me, to be weary of me. Heh... they will now. I lowered my head slightly to avert my glowing gaze. My right hand tingles and pulsates. My eyes pulsated and glinted. Suddenly, the deep blue sky turned a deep dark gray. They held their focus on me. Dark clouds swarmed above us, I smirked. I kept my head down to hide my glinting eyes. Usually, storms don't form this quickly.

A spine curling thunder erupted. It was supposed to be lightning! The vengeful thunder struck again, this time with more rage. Scaring the wits out of the men. They still refused to let me go. Come on damn lightning! I felt an energy run through me, and I knew it was close by. I held onto that energy, doing my best to direct it.

"Let's just kill the bitch and get the hell out of here!" The men roared in laughter.

"What's the issue? Did you piss yourself already?" Oh... humans, they all pretend to be strong or exert their "strength" on others. Heh, but when it comes down to it. They're the same... minuscule and weak. The energy was strong, resilient even... The rain poured down masking their cold sweat. But I knew it was there... I couldn't help but snicker to myself. Oh, this is going to be fun... The roof was now wet and slippery. Any sudden or quick movements could be your downfall, literally.

My will against this energy wasn't enough to control it. The lightning flashed above me. I smirked, it tilted toward me and then redirected the opposite direction. It struck the tower three houses down. The lighting zapped the metal cross and sizzled. Lighting struck the tall building, "Holy shit!" A large crack formed upon the tower, causing some debris to fall. I can sense their erratic heartbeats, cold sweat pouring down their foreheads.

Shaky limbs... His grip softened, I took that opportunity and got out of his hold. One guy noticed, but was too late to react. He swung at me, I held his fist and stretched out his arm. I land one on his bicep and his side with lightning speed. I kept my feet firmly on the ground. The men started to jog over then, and realized their error.

They slid down the slope and locked their eyes on me. The shiny, wet roof stood in their way of pummeling me. Only small movements could be made... The roof didn't have a big slope, so it was easy to move around. But ‌it was there. We were drenched from head to toe. Now it's my turn to pummel you... Each man circled near me, carefully, pensively...

One gave in and threw a punch right for my face! I blocked it, holding my arms in an x. He threw more, hitting my arms, I grit my teeth. Each punch that he landed I felt. I backed up as he kept punching. My arms were growing sore and felt heavy. I could barely keep them up. I need more strength... my hands and arms burned and pulsated. I can only do this a couple of times. I grimace as my already sore arms were torn. Now they were throbbing and burning. I tried to summon the lighting, but it fought me back as well! The pain subsided... My head throbbed, and a head splitting headache came with it.

Focus... I need to focus. I swiftly took down the x, caught his fist, with the new strength I've gained. I'm so tired of his annoying punches. I gripped his fist, hard aiming to crush it! Pain took up his features... I didn't have enough to break his fist. Since he was in enough pain, I was able to knee him in the groin. And I landed one on his abdomen as well. He should be down for a while. Urgh... my head! I couldn't help but hold it. I closed my eyes tightly as I fought to gain control. Once I open them, I see tall figures standing near me. Fuzzy, dark looking figures...

I aim at the figures and miss. I tried again, and a jolt of energy took up my body. I gritted in pain. Another came behind me, I turned my attention to him only to be hit in the face by the one in front! My jaw twisted and was stunned from the impact, and blood trickled down my lip. URGH! He'll pay for that! He was so fast! I couldn't land one blow! I can't make out a thing, my head throbbed. Focus! Focus god damnit! My feet wobbled, and so did my balance. Could one blow shift my balance so easily?

They took my unsteadiness as their advantage. I lost count of how many blows marked my skin. Some on my stomach, some on my shoulders, and some on my chest. I planned on doing my best to focus. I can't tell how many of them are raining blows. If I increase my strength, maybe I could withstand them?

Or if I could've wielded the lighting better. I'll have to solely focus on my senses. Three of them are ready to attack. I won't be able to block or make a hit. Blurs of movement jump at me. He lands one, a forceful punch, knocking the wind out of me. I crouch down, making him laugh. I zoned out his laughter and knew exactly where he was. Where they were..."You won't win this fight." Xavier's words echoed in my head. Heh, I guess he was right... I can't win on my own. My vision came back, and I ran. I jumped and slid to the roof below.

The lighting struck again, I held onto it with an adamant force. I lifted up my hood. My eyes glinted and glowed, "ARGHH!" The energy moved through me, shocking every part in my body. The lightning sizzled and cracked as it weaved toward them. I smiled back at them. The lightning bolt came down on the roof. Debris of brick and glass splattered as the men flew high in the air, only to land with a bone cracking thud.

The city people screamed in horror and shock. I panted and sweated? Lightning is a lot stronger than fire. I slid toward the edge and jumped to the next roof. Adrenaline took up my thoughts and mind. I felt exhilarated! I finally landed back at the starting point.