THE ULTIMATE STANDER (COMPLETED)

Chapter Eleven

      It wasn't a surprise to the rest of us when we discovered Mariya, Sofia and Gloriana's bodies the following day.

      "I warned them, didn't I?" McKayla stated. We watched as the few ninjas dragged away their bodies for disposal.

      Today's fight was to be held in front of the building. We were all assembled out front. Various weapons laid out on two huge tables. Who were those to fight? I pondered. Anyone but not Mia.

      "Ladies, welcome to yet another blissful day," Sam mentioned.

      "What's so blissful about today, knowing fully well that one of us has to die." McKayla grumbled.

      "Yesterday battle left me bowled over. However, I expect a greater one."

      "Of course he does." McKayla rolled her eyes.

      "I pretty much do, McKayla," Sam mentioned. McKayla had spoken in a muffle tone that no one could have possibly heard. "And why don't you step out and show us what you got. Pick a weapon."

      McKayla grimaced and sighed, stepping out of the group.

      "Pick a weapon." Sam reminded her.

      "I fight bare hands, Sammy, I don't use weapons," she responded aggressively.

      Sam was silent. Only the god of fist knew what was running through his mind. That was if, he was perhaps thinking.

      "Very well. I see someone woke up on the wrong side of her bed." McKayla rolled her eyes again. "However I must warn you, that you have no chance of requesting for a weapon during the fight."

      "I have no need to, Sammy."

      "Do not call me that," he warned. "Shall we begin? Your opponent shall be . . ." He stalled.

      I looked around me. No one seemed apprehensive as before. Well, they seemed prepared. And so was whomever Sam chooses.

      "Akira, please step forward," Sam called.

      What?! Akira?! Didn't see that coming. So was McKayla. Her jaw dropped the moment Akira, whom I believed had become a close friend with her, was called out.

      "I want someone else to be my opponent," McKayla requested.

      "Sorry, but you have no say or complaint in whomever I choose," Sam replied. "Akira, please proceed."

      "Fuck!" McKayla cursed under her breath.

••••♦••••

      "I choose bare hands," Akira yelled out to Sam.

      "No! Grab yourself a katana, Akira," McKayla said to her. However, Akira didn't seem like she wanted to.

      "Begin!" Sam called out.

      Akira raced forward, balled up her hand into a fist and threw it at McKayla. McKayla side-stepped, suddenly grabbing Akira's stretched hand and punching her twice in the gut. The force that came with the punches had her stumbling backward a few steps, doubling over in pain.

      This time McKayla made a move. She rushed forward pivoting, aiming her elbow at Akira's head for a blow. Swiftly, Akira shot her head up, she blocked her attack using the back of her forearm, while the other hand curled up into a fist and it connected with the side of McKayla's stomach a few times, before bringing her leg forward and giving McKayla a solid front kick to her gut.

      McKayla let out a yelp before falling backward and landing on her ass. When she began to push herself off the ground, Akira kicked her foot out which collided with McKayla's stomach. She gasped as pain exploded in her stomach. When Akira lifted her foot again to redo the move, McKayla grabbed her foot and pushed it off. She placed her hands over her stomach as she went to stand off the ground.

      Akira swung her fist and McKayla instantly ducked. Akira took a step forward as she attempted to jab McKayla in the gut. McKayla pivoted to the side, completely missing her fist. Akira threw an uppercut, and McKayla's hand instinctively shot out to grab her fist. She kicked Akira's leg to the side and swept her off her feet. Akira let out a screech as she fell onto her back. McKayla crouched down on top of her and began to punch her face nonstop. Even as Akira began to bleed. Her fist was bloody, yet Mckayla continued, screaming fiercely. It took McKayla few seconds to register that Akira was long gone dead.

      "Hmm," Sam hummed. "Not quite the fight I was hoping for. However, great job."

      With clenched teeth and fists, McKayla stormed inside the building.

      "That will be all for today," Sam stated to the rest of us. "Please make your exit."

      McKayla was nowhere to be seen in the room. However the sudden scream coming from the bathroom had few of us rushing over, finding McKayla sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall. Her head bending downward.

      "McKayla," Rochelle called. "You okay?"

      McKayla remained silent.

      "You had no choice but to do it," Nadia stated.

      "Yeah. You don't have to feel guilty," Joyce chimed in.

      "He chose her on purpose," McKayla muttered. "He fucking chose Akira on purpose!" She yelled, lifting her head up to look at us.

      "But why?" Rochelle asked. She seemed confused.

      I knew why. McKayla had provoked him that was why.

      "Motherfucker." McKayla cursed, bending her head downward again.

      I don't know how deep McKayla and Akira's friendship was, but it seemed to be something solid for it to take this much effect on her. However their friendship wasn't the only thing that was solid here, my relationship with Mia had gone way more than being solid.

      "Jiândān de zhîlìng, bùyào hù xiàng jiāo. Dàn nîmen zhèxiē báichī bù huì tīng," Lady Crepooid uttered, standing and leaning against the doorframe with her arms folded in front of her. The moment we turned around to look at her, she left the room ignoring us as usual.

      None of us understood what she had said. However that wasn't the case for Mia. I had completely forgotten the fact that she was also a Chinese. I looked at her, she seemed concerned. It was completely obvious on her face.

      "Hey," I whispered to her as I moved close. "Everything okay?"

      "Poor Akira," she said.

      "A minute there I thought you were troubled about whatever it was that Erika Li Jing said. What was it anyway?" I thought I could make her tell.

      "It was nothing. It had no meaning."

      Why do I feel like it does have a meaning. Well, I shouldn't let it bother me, so I let it slide. I slid one hand around her waist, pulling her closer to me and she leaned her head against my shoulder.