L.I.E. (Learn, Improve, Educate)

Chapter 18 - A Matter of Life and Death

William was with his guard on, ready to fight anytime.

He's waiting for me to attack him first. Lael smirked.

He began to jump around like he used to do when he used to practice Kickboxing. Lael teased him a few times by pretending to punch or kick William just to make him fail.

You don't have good fighting skills.

When Lael moved forward again, pretending to hit him with his left hand so he could actually punch him with his right, William anticipated him and threw a hook right on his head.

Lael stumbled back and with another quick movement, William punched him right in the stomach, making Aiken gasp for air. He already knew the pain of that – as well as a liver shot, which he considered the worse pain he felt – but he still couldn't help but fall on his knees, aching. William took the chance and kneed Lael on his face again, making his nose bleed and making him fall on his back.

"You shouldn't mock your opponent, nor underestimate him." William advised, with the same serious and confident expression.

Damn, I'm going to die at this rate! Lael thought, trying to stay conscious.

When Lael noticed William bending down with his hands opened to choke him, Aiken kicked him in his genital area, making William fall back and growl softly as he was holding the hit area. With his head still pounding, Lael stood up as quickly as he could and kicked William in the head. The soldier grabbed Lael's foot in the air when he tried to hit him a second time and kicked the supporting leg, making Lael fall on his butt. He growled and threw himself on top of William as he tried to choke him with his hands.

William, with all his strength, managed to grab Lael's right hand and twisted it. Lael screamed with pain. The soldier punched the detective on his face, trying to get back the advantage he began with. But Lael wouldn't allow it.

Consumed by anger and willing to survive, William was elbowed the moment he tried to make Lael fall back. If I learnt something with those crazy bastards was that I can never win if I don't give all my best, even if I'm almost physically doomed. Aiken pressed his thumbs on William's eyes, squeezing them hard.

The soldier screamed in pain as his eyes were crushed, trying desperately to push Lael away. Aiken grunted with disgust as he was successful in making William blind. He stood up and began to kick William's head repeatedly until he was all bruised and swollen. Soon the soldier stopped trying to resist and slowly he stopped breathing too. Lael didn't stop until he heard Rey's eccentric voice.

"Looks like we have a winner!"

Lael looked at her, at the excited crowd and then to William. His mind was beginning to be clear. He almost fell on his knees if Rey's men didn't grab him and sat him near the other "winners". The pain of his right hand was getting worse as the adrenaline run out of his body. In a matter of time, William's body was disposed.

I... I killed someone. Lael finally thought. He gulped as tears run down his face. He didn't know William very well but Lael was sure he had a family, someone he wanted to meet when they'd get back to their home. And Lael had taken away the chance of that possibility. He covered his eyes with his hands, ignoring the annoying voice of Rey. Will anyone go back home? Lael thought, upset about everything. What was this... feeling... that made me want to end his existence? I know that it was a matter of life or death but...

Aiken opened his eyes and looked up. Damon was fighting with Sofia. He managed to kill her right after throwing her to the ground with everything he got. Her head hit on the floor with so much impact that she lost her conscience right there. It was easy for Damon to finish her up. Lael noticed that even though he was moving quickly like it didn't matter to him, Damon seemed to be upset. The crowd was specially euphoric this time.