[Third POV]
It was a hot afternoon. It has been two months since it last rained. The lake was half full. Behind a hut, on the dried ground, two orc kids were facing each other. Both looked confident, sure of their victory.
The little crowd around them was cheering for them.
Then the fight started. The girl took the initiative and launched herself at her opponent.
[Yalak POV]
I was facing Zala as promised. It was a bare-handed fight. Zala insists on it. I guess she didn't want an accident to happen again. It was good for me as she was stronger with a spear. In hand-to-hand combat, we were as skilled. I took position, waiting for her to attack.
I didn't put my mask on my face. I wanted it to be a fair fight where our skills mattered more. I also didn't activate the body enhancement skill. First, I wanted to know how far I could go without it and improve at the same time my fighting style. Then second, because if I activate it at the right time, I will be able to surprise her and maybe get the chance to win the duel.
" Ready, Yal ? I will not hold back !"
" Come," I said.
She started to run toward me.
The orphans were excited. There is no sport or any other kind of fun activity. Fights were their only source of entertainment. Some other kids from the village joined them.
Zala was soon standing before me. I punch, but she dodges me and tries to hit my stomach. I backed off to dodge it. We exchange several blows without anyone taking the upper hand. We were gauging each other. We were peering into each other technic.
The crowd started to get bored with our simple exchanges. They wanted more spectacle ! However, I didn't care. The only thing that mattered was my opponent.
It, however, made Zala react. She changed how she fought and acted as if she was getting annoyed. But I knew better. Zala would never get bored in a fight. She just wanted to lure me into a trap. So I patiently waited for her trap. Then ten seconds later, I saw an opening, that was a bit too obvious. I increased vigilance. As I jumped into her trap, another possibility flashed in my mind. My kick was going for her, but I was ready to make my real move as soon as she would react. But she surprisingly moves her head toward my foot. I grinned. She knew I would discover her. Her false lack of attention wasn't the trap. It was the move I prepared that would doom me. I wasn't expecting her to be this cunning. Thus I decided to dodge her head.
The public was stunned. They didn't understand what happened. For them, Zala intentionally tried to get her head hit, while my kick was so bad that it succeeded in missing a free target.
Just after this moved, we both stopped facing each other. She was smiling. Clearly, we were enjoying ourselves. I returned her smile. The fight would now start for real.
I made my move first. I came closer. I feinted on the right and gave a punch directly to her face, but she countered and kicked me. It hurt, but it was only the start. Her next three moves hit me badly. However, one of her attacks reminded me of a move in a movie. If I were still human, I wouldn't be confident in reproducing it, but I'm an orc now. And an orc's body is surprisingly flexible. With my strength, it wasn't impossible to perform it. A plan started to form in my head. 'I got it.' My excitement must have appeared on my face because Zala became more careful.
We continued to exchange blows. We were beginning to fatigue. I succeed in landing some of my punches. I was waiting for the right moment. I tank two of her blow, retreating slowly, then came an opportunity. She punched, but I redirected it to the side instead of blocking or dodging. I launched myself. It was the right moment, I could see her eyes narrowing, but it was too late. Her arm was too far. So I came closer and stepped on her, she tried to push me, but I already made another step. I balanced my body back and used my first leg to shoot into her jaw. I then backflipped and landed on my leg. I was half successful. Zala is a monster. At the last moment, she accompanied the movement to reduce the damage she would receive.
The crowd shouted, excited and impressed by the move.
I let her some time to recuperate. I didn't want the match to finish too quickly. I wanted to show my skill off !
Zala looked at rubbing her jaw.
" GREAT"
A new glint appeared in her eyes. She grinned evilly.
'Looks like I woke up her battle maniac side.'
She rushed at me without a care for defense and started to rain down a series of punches. I resisted as best as I could. Then she gave two powerful punches coming from the opposite side of my head. I countered by spreading my arms. When our armed came into contact, we could hear the sound of the impact.
Bam
Our faces were close to each other. Separated by a mere ten centimeters. We were both very focused and unconscious of our wide smiles showing our little fangs. I slowly brought my face closer to hers. When I was a breath away from her lips, she blushed and became slightly confused and embarrassed.
Well, it was a shameless tactic, but I got the desired effect. She was distracted. So I activated my enhancement skill, blood rushed in my head, back quickly my head and gave her my most powerful headbutt.
'If I had a father in this world, he would have never been prouder of me than today.'
BAM
The choc was powerful, so powerful I was totally disoriented. I couldn't recognize the top from the bottom. It was also so damn painful.
'It's hurting so much!'
I couldn't hear anything. But I was recuperating quickly. Thanks to the skill, I could not only hit harder but reduce the damage and recuperate more efficiently.
I looked at Zala. I didn't find her at first, but after looking at the ground, I saw her. She fainted. I slowly recovered my hearing.
"Well, Done Yalak!"
"Incredible! Who is he !"
"Ahaha, That's how true orcs fights !".
I was still a bit dazed when something told me it wasn't finished. I gazed back at Zala, wondering if I was getting paranoid because of my fight with Neeg. But I saw her finger twitching. Soon she was slowly standing up.
She was flattering. The crowd suddenly became quiet, astounded by what was happening.
I looked at her eyes, and I was stunned for a second. A chill runs down my spine. Her eyes were entirely white. She was unconscious, but her instinct, or maybe her will, didn't admit defeat. I was worrying about her state when she started to get in position.
" Looks like it's the start of round two," I mumbled.