Experiment VII

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Fight!

"Daesung!" Rychner's voice booms throughout the room, announcing the next contender.

     Daesung shuffles over to the matt with uncertainty, sending me a doubtful glance. I plaster a reassuring smile onto my face despite the knowledge he is guaranteed to get his butt kicked.

     My eyes widen as the next name gets called "Axel!"

     A look of worry flashes across Daesung's face as I make my way over to him.

"Ah, finally! Something of interest." The voice nags.

     Daesung sweats nervously, leaning from foot to foot anxiously. I grit my teeth together whilst dreading what is to come.

"...And...Fight!" Rychner shouts.

     Daesung remains standing in the same position, not moving an inch. I too remain still, not wanting to be the first one to strike.

"While we're still young, please," Rychner demands impatiently.

     I take a dry gulp in nervousness. "Sorry," I inaudibly mouth to my opponent.

     Without another moment of hesitation, I charge forward and pass Daesung, swiping his legs from under him as I do so. I grimace as Daesung falls to the ground with a thud behind me.

"That's it. Keep going." The voice inside of my head encourages.

     I turn around just in time to see my friend scramble to his feet. Not wanting to waste any more time I swing my fist towards his face. He quickly sidesteps, avoiding my fist entirely. Daesung swiftly directs a kick to my stomach. My eyes widen as I stumble backwards, pain flaring in my side. I clench my teeth together to avoid making any sound. He must have kicked me right where I got injured in the explosion. I let out a wince as my hand indistinctively goes to my side, pressing against it.

     Daesung hesitates, shooting me a concerned glance. Speedily forgetting his worry, he sends another kick in my direction. Using my spare hand, I swiftly grab his foot, pulling it up until he falls to the ground. He hits the ground with a much louder thud than before.

     Forgetting my hesitation instantaneously I rush over to my opponent who is about to get back up. My fist goes flying into his face, knocking him back to the ground immediately. Kneeling over Daesung, who is still dazed, I ready my fists to unload unto his face.

     Daesung's hazy eyes instantly widen, "I give up!" he splurts out.

     A sigh of relief escapes my lips as the words leave his mouth. At least he finally gave up.

"What? No, that's a bad thing." Charthrax interjects. "Things were just getting interesting too..." it whines.

"Beating up my friend isn't exactly what I'd call interesting, Charthrax." I fire back as I help Daesung up from the floor.

"Not bad." Rychner remarks with little interest.

"You got one hour before lights out." I vaguely register Rilo saying while I lend Daesung a hand. He grips it, almost stumbling forward as I pull him to his feet.

"You got pack one hell of a punch, ya know that right?" Daesung grumbles, bringing his hand to his head.

~*~

     A steady breath gradually leaves my lips as I gaze upon the city not far in the distance. The heavy fog blankets over it, accentuating the vivid street lights.

     I never did like the city, everyone always rushing here and there, shoving past one another. Then there was the noise. Whether it was car horns honking, people shouting, or the occasional wailing of an ambulance, it was always so loud. The city was a hateful place to live, and yet from here, under the cloak of night, it all seems so...peaceful.

     The sound of metal hinges creaking behind me pulls me away from the train of thoughts. Startled, I spin around, my eyes darting towards to door only to see Daesung burst through.

"Oh." I sigh. My relief turns to guilt at the pitiful sight of Daesung holding an ice pack over his eye.

"Don't even you think about apologizing." the voice interjects.

"Look, I'm sorry about...that." I motion to his face.

"You're an embarrassment." Charthrax groans.

     Daesung merely shrugs, "Eh, don't worry 'bout it."

"Hey um." he continues, clearing his throat, "I wanted to thank you for what you did before."

     I furrow my eyebrows together in confusion. "What? You mean the test?" I question, thinking back to what had happened not a few hours ago. "The guns didn't even have any bullets in them."

"You didn't know that. Anyway, I..." Daesung pauses, looking me dead in the eye, "Thank you."

I nod, offering him a half-smile, "Anytime."

"And uh, sorry you got cut," I add, not eager to linger on the current subject.

     Daesung scoffs, "Yeah well at least I don't have to step in the ring with a six-foot boar-man like you will."

"Thanks for reminding me," I remark, plastering a sarcastic smile across my face.

"Just do me a favour." he pauses. "Don't lose."

"I don't plan on it."

A/N: Thank you for reading everyone! Apologies for the extra late update... I am surprised at how hard the update was, but I have pre-planned the next few more meticulously this time. Until next time!

-ѕиιρєявαιт