❝𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋❞ - 𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐥 𝐤𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜

22

-🥋-

chapter twenty-two

AXEL

Standing in the dimly lit warehouse, I watch as the rest of my team fights their battles, while I'm fighting one in my head. Something's wrong in there, and I can't figure out what it is.

But it needs to be fixed. For her. Before something goes wrong.

I can feel it in my bones, it's all spiraling, and I need to fix it for myself. For her.

For her, and for me. So I can stop feeling the gaping hole in my chest that never seems to close.

With my fists clenched at my sides, I stare numbly at the scene going on before me. Zara's in the middle of the circle, fighting another one of my teammates. As she finishes her round, I'm called into the circle.

With my mind elsewhere, I watch as my teammate walks into the circle, getting into his stance. Under Wolfs orders, I block and retaliate all the boys attacks, until I pull him into a move where my forearm, with enough pressure, could seriously injure him.

Is this how I want to win?

Is this me?

Her words continue to haunt me as I pull my arm away, nailing my foot through his stomach and ending the fight. As Wolf steps forward, my entire body grows rigid.

"What was that?" he snaps as he steps forward.

I glance between the boy and him. "A point, sensei."

"A point your opponent can now recover to regain when you could have ended the fight for good." Wolf grips the bo staff in his arms, sending chills rising up my spine.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I remember her words. Do you know who you are right now? "I... I don't want to win that way." You're Axel.

With her words floating around in my head, I can feel the hole begin to slowly find a sense of comfort. Just listen to her words. They'll keep you grounded.

Wolf pressed the staff to my neck, pushing me backwards with it until I've stepped away from him. He takes my place on the mats, fighting the boy I previously was. He told me to never speak or form relationships with any of my teammates. I couldn't even remember his name.

Wolf immediately gets the boy into the position I had him in, but he doesn't hesitate. He drives his arm forward until the crack of bones sound from his arm and a groan leaves the boys mouth. I flinch slightly, swallowing the suffocating lump in my throat as he writhes on the ground.

"There is no way," Wolf says, turning to glare at me. "There is only winning or not."

I look down, feeling the panic fill my veins. From behind my back, my hands begin to tremble, my jaw tight. You're Axel.

As Wolf advances on me, I look at Zara, silently pleading for help. She just looks back at me, a look of equal fear on his face. Because while I got physically abused, Zara was forced to exploit herself online for popularity so the dojo got increased attention. She was mentally hurt, while I got the backhand.

"This isn't a sport, this is a fight. Your opponents refuse to accept defeat so you don't give them a choice— eyes on me!" my body lurches to the side as Wolf hits me across the face. His punch sends knives slicing down my jaw, pounding in my head that blocks out everything else.