Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 65

Zai grabbed the metal tube that she passed by as she runs. Mabilis niyang ibinato ito sa lalaking idinidiin ang paa sa braso ni Trois. Maddox jumped away to dodge the tube that Zai threw. Maddox raised his hand while he's still in midair. Napalibutan naman ng hangin ang kaliwang binti ni Trois upang hindi ito makagalaw sa kaniyang pwesto.

Hindi pa nakakaapak ang kaniyang mga paa sa lupa ay bigla na lamang may lumitaw na isang lalaki sa kaniyang likuran at handa ng iwasiwas ang kaniyang hawak na espada. Maddox immediately used his sword to block Sinbad's blade.

Sinbad squinted his eyes with the man's fast reaction. He glanced at his side when he saw a hyena jumped at him. He instantly withdrew his sword and he jumped away. Pagkalapag na pagkalapag pa lamang ng kaniyang mga paa sa lupa ay mabilis niyang ihinarang ang kaniyang espada noong umatake agad si Maddox sa kaniya.

Sinbad stared directly at the man's eyes. Mabilis niya agad nakilala ang lalaki, "Maddox Ruz, was it?" pagkukumpirma ni Sinbad rito.

Maddox smirked, "So my name is still known upto this date. I am quite proud of myself."

Zai looked down at Trois as Sinbad and Maddox continued fighting. Trois just smiled at her like usual. Zai averted her gaze and also attacked Maddox.

Shane and Claysen came back after evacuating the last survivor. Nakahinga naman sila ng maluwag noong makita na naroon na sina Zai at Sinbad. They're fighting Maddox and they could barely see their movements because of how fast they are.

Mabilis namang dumako ang paningin ni Shane kay Trois. He sighed in relief when he saw that he's still alive. Ngunit mukhang hindi ito makakaalis sa pwesto dahil sa hangin na pumapalibot sa kaniyang binti. Trois stood up but he can't even take a step forward because of the wind circulating on his left leg. Hindi rin pwedeng pumunta si Shane rito upang tingnan ang kalagayan ng binata dahil masasangkot siya sa laban nina Zai.

Zai stared at the man's black sword. For some reason, she's having a bad feeling about the sword. Sinbad squinted his eyes as he grit his teeth when Maddox landed a kick on his chest. He could feel his ribs cracking. Ngunit hindi siya tumigil at sinuntok ang lalaki sa kaniyang mukha but before his fist could even reach Maddox's face, Maddox caught it. Zai took that opportunity to land a heavy kick on his chest as well. Maddox coughed blood as his body flew from where he is standing. Gumulong ang katawan nito sa lupa at muling umubo ng dugo.

He panted as he smirk while looking at the emotionless face of the girl. Her kick was so heavy that it broke some of his ribs. He stood up, not wiping away the smirk off his lips. It would be boring if she won't live up to her name.

Sinbad suddenly disappeared and he instantly landed a punch on Maddox's face. Along with the punch, lightning struck on their spot. It created a crater. Sinbad's stoic expression remained even though he can see that Maddox wasn't affected. Mabilis niyang iniikot ang kaniyang katawan sa ere at akmang sisipain ito sa kanyang leeg ngunit hinawakan ni Maddox ang kaniyang paa. They were immediately covered with wind and Sinbad already knew what Maddox intends to do. Ngunit bago mangyari ang nais nitong pagputol sa kaniyang binti ay dumating si Zai at iwinasiwas ang kaniyang espada. Maddox blocked it with his sword. Maddox threw Sinbad and Sinbad clenched his jaw when his back hit the corner of one store.

Zai can feel how dull her strength is becoming while her sword is in contact with Maddox's blade. She squinted her eyes. Maddox just grinned as he can see how the sword is affecting the girls body. "Do you want to know what'll happen if this sword touches your skin?"

Zai put all her weight on the sword but she gritted her teeth when Maddox's sword didn't even backed away. Shane and the others can feel the tension and the pressure coming from their place. None of them refused to lose in strength. Sinbad slowly stood up and put his hand on his side when he felt it ache.