The Peacekeepers

Part One; Chapter Four

What Doesn't Kill You...

His padded knuckles hit my cheek, my head snapped back and I fell face first onto the ring's padded floor.

"C'mon boy! Get up and show me what you can do!" He yells.

I stumbled up and got into the fighting posture Tybult showed me. He smiled and walked over to me.

"C'mon kid! Block it like I showed you!"

He threw a left jab at me. I managed to cover up and block it but then his right fist hit my hip and knocked me off my feet. I was able to scramble back up, ignoring the pain.

"What was that?!" I yelled at him.

"I've got two arms remember? Two arms, two legs. If I can't hit ya with one I'll get you with the other. Just don't forget that. It's a simple mistake but a costly one. The trick is to learn from them."

Then he threw a right hook at me. I covered up and it impacted my arm. It hurt but not as bad as it would have if it had hit my face.

I saw his left come at my hip again and I actually kicked it off course making it miss me completely. He's off balance now. I grab his forearm and use it to pull myself toward his face and I headbutt him in the mouth. He snapped back in pain, throwing me off him and cursed at the top of his lungs.

The adrenaline eventually died down and I saw what had happened. He had just recovered and was actually holding a bloody tooth in his hand. Was I really that strong? I didn't ever think about it. I went on total instinct. Then it hit me! That was the problem the whole time! I thought about it too much rather than just doing it!

He held his bloody tooth in one hand and checked the blood flow of his lip with the other hand and smiled at me.

"How the hell'd you pull that off kid? I am impressed."

I smiled back and kind of chuckled. "I didn't even think about it, I just did it." He laughed a little.

"Well I'll be damned! You're a natural boy! Just remember, if you go on instinct you'll be just fine. Never forget that Drake."

Then his face got serious again.

"Now drop and gimme ten push-ups and twenty sit-ups! Right now boy!"

I nodded my head and began doing them. After about four my arms started hurting. They gave out at ten push-ups. This made me remember just how weak I still really was. I knew I had to get stronger. If not for me than just to make my uncle proud of me. Then I flipped on my back and started with the sit ups. After about eleven my gut felt like acid was being poured over it.

I finally finished and I fell on my back panting. I had no clue that I was this weak still. Tybult reminded me of this fact when he told me I needed to get stronger and faster and tougher if I ever wanted to defend my family.

"Okay, what are you talking about Uncle Tybult? What do you mean by 'protect my family'? I would really appreciate some answers!"

"I think it's about time I told you what's really going on. Go back up to your room and I'll explain everything. Oh, and leave your gloves too." I stood up and left the octagon and went upstairs to my room.

About five minutes later he walked in.

"Work the bag while I talk to you Drake." He said with a measure of sincerity to his voice. He also didn't say "kid" or "boy" but my name, something he rarely says while we're training.

I walk over to the heavy bag, got into my stance, and started striking it. I was alternating between jabs, hooks and uppercuts. Mixing them together, also mixing speed and power in the punches. Tybult puts his hands behind his back and starts walking around me talking.

"Basically kid, your dad and I ain't gonna be around much longer. As of yesterday North and South Korea have successfully united, they came together with Russia, India and China. They named themselves The U.E.A. The United Eastern Alliance. In case we do have to leave and go to war you need to learn how to protect your family and yourself 'cuz you know this personally, you don't live in the safest place in the world. That's why your dad sent ya here. You understand all of that?"

I stopped working the bag and looked at him oddly.

"Meh, a little bit."

He nodded his head.

"Okay kid. We're done training today. We're not working tomorrow though. There's something I need to show you. G'night Drake. Get some rest. You'll need it."

It's a good thing I slept well...