The Eyes of Fate (Currently in Rewrite)

Learning (Still) Hurts

Sentinel

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Washington State, USA

October 8th, 2019

"You're getting better," Fang said, wiping the sweat off his brow.

"Doesn't really feel like it," Sentinel groaned. In spite of Fang's praise, Sentinel was still staring up at him from where he was lying on the ground. "You're still kicking my ass."

"Yeah, I am." Fang offered him a hand, which he gratefully accepted. The other man hauled him to his feet and dusted off his shoulders. "But that doesn't mean that you're not getting better."

"How can you even tell when I'm so far behind you?" Sentinel sighed.

"Because you've just started, so your improvement is more obvious." Fang smiled at him. "Besides, you've only been doing this for a week. Stop being so hard on yourself."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Sentinel smiled back at him. "Thanks, Fang."

"Don't thank me yet," Fang said. "We've got plenty of stuff to do today still. I'll make you a deal though."

"Oh?" Sentinel asked, his curiosity piqued. 

"In this next round, if you can impress me for real, I'll answer any one question you have. No holds barred, no feeling awkward."

"Deal." Sentinel said immediately. He hadn't wanted to admit it, but he was insatiably curious about the Eyes. He didn't want to constantly ask them questions though, so he mostly kept them to himself. He wasn't surprised that Fang had picked up on it though.

"I had a feeling that that would get your attention." Fang grinned. "Now hit me."

Sentinel didn't hesitate, didn't so much as get into a stance. He snapped a kick at Fang, making sure not to telegraph the move, but the captain jumped out of the way anyway. 

"It's gonna take more than that!" Fang snapped, his accent coming out as his aggression did. "Come on!"

Sentinel advanced on Fang, getting into a boxer's stance. Fang kept his by his side, smirking. Sentinel threw three jabs, watching as Fang slapped each one away. He started going through some of the combinations that Ranger had taught him, alternating jabs and crossed with basic kicks. Fang seemed unbothered as he blocked punches and wove between kicks, looking almost like he was dancing. Sentinel could see the focus in his eyes though, the hellfire within them shining brightly. 

Sentinel was trying desperately to land a hit, to find a way past Fang's seemingly impenetrable guard, but he was wearing down fast. He hadn't taken a breath yet, too focused on fighting, and his vision was starting to go grey. He took a fraction of a second pause to breathe, and in that instant, Fang slammed both palms into Sentinel's chest. Sentinel staggered backwards, the small breath he took now caught in his chest. 

He hadn't fallen over though. The fight was still on. 

Fang took the momentum he had earned, moving in on Sentinel and doing much the same as Sentinel had done to him. To Sentinel, though, his movements were much more erratic. He wasn't following any pattern that Sentinel could make out, and Sentinel was just barely reacting in time to not take the full force of the blows. He was still getting hit, but he was managing to bleed enough force out of them to keep focused through the pain. 

Fang started to pick up the pace, and Sentinel started to backpedal. He was keeping just on the edge of Fang's reach, trying to get him to take a breath. It would give him a mall opportunity to strike back, and he needed to strike hard.