End of a normal life

Chapter 8

Chapter 8.

Aiden POV.

I took a deep breath, the air crackling with anticipation as we stood unmoving. This encounter had gone as I had anticipated, we were clearly beyond a mere confrontation.

The problem was whether or not this fight would go as planned.

I knew next to nothing of this man, although I was quite confident in my fighting abilities, his stance alone told me he had more experience than the average gangster.

His calculating eyes locked onto mine, any hint of playfulness gone and I could feel his unwavering intent. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent declaration of our mutual understanding.

Just as I comprehended his unwavering intent, he comprehended mine as well.

Every breath I made was calculated, it would be safe to assume the same for him. My mind raced, possibilities coursing through my brain at high speeds as I analyzed everything about the man before me, his posture, expression, and any sudden twitch that his body would make.

I could hear the distant chirping of birds, singing happily as they took to the skies, a stark contrast to the serious confrontation which was being held right under their beaks.

And then, it happened.

My head snapped back, my hair flowing with the wind as I narrowly dodged a rapid jab from the man I could've sworn was a few feet in front of me.

I launched a kick towards his abdomen, but he was no longer there.

Narrowing my eyes, I lowered my stance as a fist punched cleanly through the previous position of my head. I acted relative to the speed of the attack, quickly going for a leg sweep which was promptly dodged.

I quickly resumed a straight position, my eyes still fixated on the opponent before me.

The man who called himself Elvis moved first, despite the tense situation he harbored a casual smile on his face.

Perhaps I was the only one feeling tense here.

He started with a right fist aimed at my jaw, one which I swiftly dodged. He followed with a left hook which was swiftly dodged as well.

His attacks were simple, I could easily deduce that they were meant to disorient me. His movements were swift, akin to a dance which I understood promised pain if I made single a wrong step. I dodged his attacks, calmly waiting for an opportunity to strike back as he had me completely on the defensive.

I took a gamble, after having come to the conclusion that continuous dodging would simply tire me out. I parried one of his blows, the strike was a testament to his experience and skill as I quickly rethought my current approach.

Although the blow was parried, I felt my arm had gotten paralyzed for a moment there.

I continued dodging, my mind racing as I searched for an opening in his attacks...

But would an opening even come up to me?

I had no idea what sort of experience this man had, but seeing his level of skill it wouldn't be wise to give him the advantage... for all I knew any opening he had could've been a fake to lure me in....

But I had to gamble else I would lose.

A kick aimed straight to my side was sent my way. I slammed my feet onto the ground and moved forward, right fist clenched to deliver damage as well.

My best bet at this point would be to exchange damage, whether or not he would agree to that could allow me to determine his durabili-

Huh?