The Last Theiro

33

Tessa
•••

"You should wait for your opponent to make the first move. That way, you'll catch them off-guard," Sacha whispered in my ear as he held my arm behind my back. He pulled on it slightly then he let go when I whimpered in pain.

"Let's try that again." He adjusted his stance.

I breathed in deeply, ignoring the burning pain in my shoulder. I nodded my head and lifted my hands, hoping this time I would actually get a shot at him.

Sacha smirked and advanced on me. I thought he was going to stop but he was getting closer and closer. I panicked and swung my right fist at his head.

Of course, he swayed his head in the other direction and his fist made contact with my abdomen. I groaned and fell to the ground, gasping for air.

Sacha pressed his lips together. "Don't panic." He heaved a sigh and helped me up from the ground.

"You left your abdomen open and you didn't recover quickly enough when you missed. When your opponent is advancing on you, their legs will be the most vulnerable. Keep that in mind." His hand left my side and, once again, adjusted his stance.

I groaned. We had been training the whole morning and each time, Sacha had landed a shot resulting in me on the floor. But the next time was going to be different, I thought as I watched Sacha's moves carefully.

His fists were raised halfway, leaving his head open. When he walked, his steps were careful and he kept his right leg in front of the other.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked exasperated.

"I want you to hit me as hard as you can."

I was going to take the first shot. I had to. But I had to make sure not to miss it.

My fist collided with Sacha's jaw, but it didn't cause much pain as he stepped back and swung at me. I shrugged my shoulder up and took the punch on it. I hit Sacha four times, three lefts and a right in the face. He stumbled back, blood rushing from his nose. 

Sacha smirked, blood pouring from his nose. I gazed into his white orbs and was shocked at the emptiness in them.

"Sacha?"

His cool demeanor was distinguished. He peered at me like I was his prey and it was then that I realized I didn't know the person standing in front of me.

Sacha flew toward me, arms outstretched ready to claw out my throat. I collapsed to the ground, shaking as Sacha towered over my weak form. I held my arms up as Sacha began swinging at my head. His fist connected with my chin and I tasted a surge of coppery blood.

"Sacha!" I cried.

Why couldn't I fight? What was happening to me?

As Sacha swung blindly at me, I hooked my hand under his arm and, with my remaining strength which was almost nothing, I turned him over so that I straddled his lap.

Still, Sacha swung at my body. My head began throbbing and I felt blood trickle down my neck.

He tried to get up but I held him down firmly.

"Sacha," I whispered softly, knowing clearly he could hear me. "Sacha." I held his fists down and waited until he would stop resisting me.

It seemed that Sacha had calmed down, but his breathing was still ragged and his eyes were still empty. I held his face between my hands and held a steady gaze with him.