Jaya Week 2024

Day 1: look over here

Fighting had always been her strong point.

Whether it was a physical fight against low-levels or a verbal one against her brother, Nya had always taken pride in her ability to stay with her head in the game, with her eyes staring at the prize, whether that'd be physical or mental.

Never once had she let anybody win. Her ego was too big to grant her opponent the satisfaction of a voluntary victory.

Even when her opponent had her heart in his palm, toying with it, squeezing it, protecting it, worshipping it.

Their idea of a fight was simple: whoever landed on their back first, lost. For the sake of keeping it more interesting, the two had decided to cut their powers and weapons out of the equation. Hand-to-hand combat was a vital skill during an actual, real-life fight, so practicing it once in a while was appropriate.

Especially with someone one was familiar with.

Nya knew Jay's strengths and weaknesses like the back of her hand.

Her only problem? Jay knew her the same amount, if not more.

"You should give up before it's too late, buddy," she said, her eyes calculating his every move as they circled each other in the courtyard of the monastery.

Jay raised his eyebrows in disbelief but didn't step out of line. "Buddy? That pet name's new. Not so cute, though. I'd prefer love, or sweetheart, or Jay the love of my life whom I love so much."

Nya mirrored his expression. "That's a bit too much love, isn't it?"

Her partner snorted. "Sorry, I forgot how much of a cold brick you are. Forgive me for longing for some reciprocation."

Nya's jaw ticked.

"What? No witty comeback? Come on, Nya, you can do better."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before setting her gaze back on him. He was trying to rile her up, she knew that, but man, did she want to kick him where it hurt most for using her weakness against her.

Instead of replying to his words, Nya used his boasting to her advantage and lunged at him, punching him in the gut, the air escaping his lungs as he stumbled backwards.

Jay's surprise quickly turned into understanding.

Nya was ready for a battle, and he was sure to give it to her.

He lunged right back at her, missing the first punch but successfully landing the second one to her ribs. Hissing, Nya dodged the third punch before the fourth one hit her in her wrist.

"Wow." Now it was her time to distract him with feigned hurt. "How very chivalrous of you to put your hands on your soon-to-be."

Jay's mouth dropped open. "Excuse you! You hit me first." He tried to uppercut her, but Nya dodged his hit with ease. "I thought feminism was all about equality? You hit me, I hit you. It's only fair."

The two stared at each other for a moment before bursting into loud laughter. But about three seconds into her laughing fit, with her eyes closed and her head tilted back, Nya's air was forced out of her lungs as she fell backwards onto the ground.

Her laughter evaporated with the air in her body. Her eyes ripped open as she lay with her limbs sprawled out.

"Look what we've got over here," Jay said tauntingly, standing above her and looking down at her. "Little Miss I-Never-Lose on her back. You know what you are?"

Something stupid was about to come out of his mouth. No amount of preparing was ever enough for the random things he would say.

Rolling her eyes, Nya's smile returned to her face. "What?"

Jay bent down to be closer to her head, whispering, "A loser."

Nya's smile turned into a grin, and her grin then turned into full-blossoming laughter. "Shut up!"

She pushed against his knee, which sent him flying onto the ground backwards, both of them laughing together.

A/N: Tell me you suck at writing fight scenes without telling me you suck at writing fight scenes.