The Merciless Crimson

VI

          My fingers were tingling, I felt the familiar sensation of adrenaline start to trickle into my blood stream. Someone was talking to me, I wasn't paying attention though, too focused on the idea of finally getting back into a fight.

          My squad as well as another circled the fighting mat, everyone waiting, listening as Profesor Emeterio, listed the rules. No weapons, no signets, and no killing.

          "Whitlock," I snapped back to reality as someone called my name out, not someone— Garrick.

          "What?" I answered, not moving my eyes from the mat.

          "I asked if you were any good in a fight."

          "Oh, well I guess you could say that."

          Garrick inched slightly toward me, "well if you're not, I could always give you some lessons."

          "I won't be needing them," I shifted on my feet, starting to get restless.

          Garrick glanced to the mat before starting "How'd you get those scars? You know, the ones on your brow and by your mouth," he pointed to his own eyebrow, referring to mine.

          I had a scar on my left eyebrow, parting it down the middle, pointed diagonally. The other scar was in the right corner of my mouth, angled downward. Both were about two inches long.

          "I got the one on my brow from my first street fight. I didn't know much yet, and my opponent was much more skilled than I was."

          "And the other one?"

          I hesitated before answering, peeling my eyes from the mat, I turned to face Garrick. "A man was not being very respectful. I gave him a lesson in gelding, but not before he cut me with a blade." I locked eyes with him.

          "Damn," was his only response, before he nodded toward the mat. "It's starting."

          Two cadets stepped into the square shaped space, one was from my squad, Ben Frank, against a woman from the other squad.

          They circled each other a few times before Ben charged, he struck first, landing a blow right to her ribs. The woman jumped back, but quickly engaged again. She threw a couple of jabs, a kick here and there but Ben had the upper hand. She fell back when a punch landed right to her temple.

          "Match!" Professor Emeterio quickly stepped in, kneeling down next to the girl. "She's unconscious, someone take her to the healers!"

          A second and third year from her squad stepped in, one picked her up bridal style while the other walked in front of them.

          "Alright, you and you. Come on, you're up next." Emeterio continued on with the matches. He seemed used to the beatings that some people were handed, not fazed in the slightest.

          The next couple of matches went smoothly, it seemed not everyone excelled in hand to hand combat. Which is pretty dumb if you ask me. I mean come on now, they know what they've signed up for, why not take some lessons before you actually joined the quadrant?

          "Sky, you okay there?" Xaden walked up to me, flanked by Garrick, I hadn't even realized he left my side. I'm supposed to be the hound, why's he always the one with you?

          "Aye, I'm good," I glanced to Garrick, giving him a glare, then looked back at Xaden. "Why do you ask?"

          "Your hands."

          I looked down, my hands were trembling. Shit. How long have they been doing that?

          "No need to worry, it's the adrenaline."

          As soon as I said that, someone landed on me, with enough force that it knocked me down. I didn't waste a second, I got on top of the threat in a swift and rapid movement, my blade already at the neck of the attacker.

          "Wait!" Someone bellowed in the distance.

          I hesitated, not slicing his throat yet. What the hell? He was already bloody, fresh cuts marked his cheek bones.

          "Skyla, let him up," I shot to my feet. "He was sparring and got knocked into you, he's not trying to attack you." Xaden's voice sounded distant, yet close.

          I looked down at the man now under me, lying down between my legs. His hands were raised, mouthing the word please. I simply turned my attention to Xaden and took my place by his side.

          "If he knocked into you I would've killed him," I whispered to Xaden.

          "Alright, get this mess cleaned up. Meyers, do you think you'll need a healer?" The professor continued on, not even glancing a look in my direction. Meyers— the kid that was just under my blade, shook his head in response. "Very well, let's see, I want you and... you." His finger landed on a tall man that had freakishly large hands, then swiveled towards me. 

           A smug smile spread across my face. I began hopping from one foot to the other, I checked my braids then my shoes. I started stretching my arms and legs, cracking my knuckles then my neck. I walked over to the center of the mat, staring my opponent in his eyes.

          As soon as Emeterio gave the signal, I lunged, two swift jabs aimed for the kids throat. He was quick and dodged in a hurried movement, I didn't let up though. I sent a high left kick, he moved out of the way of that attack too.

"Are you going to be the one to finally give me a challenge?" I questioned.

"Don't I know you? You look familiar," he jumped back and lowered his fists. Dumb move.

I sprinted towards him, I stuck his jaw, followed by a kick to his liver. He was down in seconds. I moved on top of him, sending punch after punch to his face.

"Match!" I heard Professor Emeterio yell, his voice sounded closer than before. I didn't let up my punches though. "He yields! Whitlock he yields!"

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.

"Sky, get off of the kid," Xaden whispered, standing right next to me. I rose, cuts lined my knuckles and bruises were already forming.

"I remember you now, I used to watch your fights" I looked down to where the voice was coming from. His bloody, cut up lips, quivered as he spoke. "How could I ever forget? You're The Merciless Crimson."