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"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."
- J.K. Rowling
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As the battle reached its crescendo, Eli and Xiao Long continued to exchange fierce blows. Xiao Long's movements were a fluid blend of speed and precision, the invisible Guandao technique making his attacks appear to cut through the air with the same deadly precision as a blade. Eli, on the other hand, matched his opponent's intensity with every swing of his batons, his eyes focused and unyielding.
Xiao's grit and durability were apparent. Even after Eli landed a heavy strike to his ribs and dislocated his elbow, Xiao gritted his teeth and continued fighting, quickly resetting the joint and resuming his assault without hesitation. It was clear that this was no ordinary opponent, his resilience was nearly superhuman, and the strikes he delivered had the weight of years of rigorous training behind them.
From the sidelines, Daniel stood, pumping his fists like a cheerleader. "Come on, Eli! Is that all you got?" he shouted with a grin. "Don't let him outshine you!"
Eli snorted, not breaking eye contact with Xiao. "Oh, don't worry, I'm just warming up."
He tightened his grip on his batons and launched forward, delivering a flurry of attacks that forced Xiao to retreat momentarily. But as Xiao regained his footing, a shift in his stance signaled that he was about to reveal something new. His expression grew more serious as he reached behind his back, drawing the folded Guandao. The weapon gleamed under the dim lighting, its blade intimidatingly sharp.
Xiao lunged with the Guandao, swinging it with incredible speed and force, forcing Eli to backpedal. The added reach of the weapon gave Xiao an advantage, allowing him to keep Eli at a distance. Eli blocked and dodged the strikes with impressive agility, but the Guandao's blade came perilously close to him on several occasions.
Seeing that Xiao was beginning to gain the upper hand, Eli slipped his batons back into their holsters and switched tactics. He transitioned into Aikido, moving with a fluid grace that allowed him to redirect Xiao's strikes with minimal effort. Xiao thrust the Guandao at him, but Eli deflected the blade, twisting Xiao's wrist and redirecting the weapon's momentum to the ground. In one seamless motion, he locked Xiao's arm and flipped him over his shoulder.
Xiao crashed onto the ground, but he quickly rolled to his feet, his eyes narrowed in frustration. He came at Eli again, spinning the Guandao in a flurry of strikes, but Eli continued to evade and counter, using Xiao's momentum against him. He grabbed hold of Xiao's arm and wrenched it in an unnatural direction, dislocating the elbow once more. This time, Xiao's endurance couldn't save him from the pain that shot through his body.
With a powerful throw, Eli slammed Xiao to the ground, pinning him with a knee pressed firmly against his chest. "You should have stuck to your hand techniques," Eli remarked, his voice calm as he released Xiao and stood up.
Xiao struggled to get back to his feet, his weapon slipping from his grasp as he gasped for air. He was beaten, and it was clear that Eli had been holding back all along, not even needing to tap into his animal instincts.
"No! I'm not giving up!" But Xiao will was stronger that many and he refused to back dow-
BAM!
Eli got bored and punched Xiao's head, knocking him out definitely: 'I'm not listening to your yapping.' he thought while waving his hand to remove the dust he created with the blow.
As the dust settled, Daniel walked up to Vivi, who stood frozen in shock at the defeat of her bodyguard. Her eyes widened as Daniel approached, a creepy smile spreading across his face. The air grew tense as he loomed closer.
Without warning, Daniel's fist shot forward, striking Vivi square in the face. The impact sent her sprawling to the floor, blood trickling from her nose and lips. "I always hated you, toxic bitch," Daniel spat, his voice dripping with disdain.
Eli's gaze turned disapproving as he shook his head, looking down at Vivi's motionless form. "You shouldn't hit a woman," he said, crossing his arms.
Daniel raised his fist again and grinned, declaring, "My fists are for gender equality!" His voice carried a mix of humor and conviction.
Ignoring Eli's sigh of exasperation, Daniel took out his phone and made a call. "It's done," he said to his contact on the other end. "I want the Fourth and Third Affiliates cleaned up. Everything. This is Allied territory now."
As he ended the call, the rain outside began to pour more heavily, adding a dramatic finish to the moment. The Allied Crew had successfully taken control, and this was just the beginning.
....
The rain poured down in heavy sheets, soaking the broken remnants of the Third Affiliate's headquarters. Daniel and Eli stepped out of the building, their victory solidified as the last remnants of Vivi's drug operation lay in ruin behind them. The steady downpour seemed to wash away the stench of the pla+ce, the chill in the air a stark contrast to the intensity of the battle they had just fought.
As they made their way back to meet with Squad A, the two groups converged at a nearby park. Vasco, Jay, and Warren were already waiting, their clothes soaked through from the rain, though their expressions bore signs of recent victory. The Burn Knuckles hovered nearby, still buzzing with the adrenaline of their conquest.
"Third Affiliate is done," Eli announced as they approached, his voice calm but carrying a hint of pride.
"Fourth Affiliate is taken care of, too," Vasco said, cracking his knuckles. "We didn't have much trouble with them. Honestly, they were pretty weak."
Jay nodded in agreement, glancing over at Daniel. "You were right. The lower affiliates are just fodder."
Daniel chuckled, wiping some of the rainwater from his forehead. "I told you. The real threats are from the Second Affiliate onward. But we needed these warm-ups. Now we're ready for the big leagues."
"But Zack should have called by now." As the group settled down, Daniel's brow furrowed as he pulled out his phone and dialed Zack.
The phone rang twice before Zack picked up. The background noise was chaotic, thuds, crashes, and grunts filled the line, as if Zack was standing in the middle of a war zone. "Yeah, what is it?" Zack's voice was breathless, edged with a mix of exhaustion and determination.
"Zack, where are you?" Daniel asked, his voice tinged with concern. "What the hell is going on over there?" It wasn't just the rain, there was a rhythmic crashing noise that carried through.
"Gun came," Zack replied bluntly. "I fought him, but... it's not over. Vin showed up, and now he's fighting Gun alone."
The group fell silent, the weight of Zack's words sinking in. Gun was a name that commanded fear and respect, a fighter of near-mythical strength. The fact that Zack had even held his own was a testament to his growth, but the idea of Vin battling Gun solo was alarming.
"And Vin?" Vasco asked, his voice filled with apprehension. "How's he doing?"
Zack hesitated for a moment. The sounds of combat raged on in the background, punctuated by the occasional grunt or crash. "He's keeping up," Zack finally said. "Better than I expected, actually. He's matching Gun blow for blow, even with his unorthodox style."
The group exchanged glances, a mix of surprise and relief passing between them. Vin, who had once been burdened by his insecurities and was known more for his bravado than his skills, had clearly come a long way. If he was able to stand toe-to-toe with Gun, it spoke volumes about the progress he had made during his time in Cheonliang.
"Stay safe, Zack," Daniel said, his voice firm. "We're coming now. If it looks like Vin's in over his head, don't hesitate to step in again."
Zack's voice came through the phone, filled with resolve. "Don't worry. I've got this."
As the call ended, the group stood together, the sound of rain filling the air once more. There was an unspoken understanding that tonight was just the beginning. Gun's appearance was a reminder that no matter how strong they had become, there were still formidable opponents ahead.
With the rain cascading down around them, the Allied Crew prepared to head toward Zack's location, their resolve only hardening as they readied themselves for the next challenge. This was their territory now, and they would defend it with everything they had.
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End of the chapter
Author Out!