Chereads / exceeding my limits / Chapter 13 - disadvantage

Chapter 13 - disadvantage

**The next day, Gustavo and Bia were on top of a building looking for Zeki.**

**Bia:** (yawning) Gustavo, it's way too early! We can look for him later.

**Gustavo:** (impatient) No way! I want to face him and show who's the coolest here!

**Bia:** (laughing) Wow, how childish!

**Gustavo:** (offended) You're such a pain, you know?

**Bia:** (smiling) I know!

Suddenly, a voice appears behind them.

**Zeki:** (curious) Gustavo, Bia, what are you doing?

**Gustavo:** (excited) Finally! Let's fight now, so I can show you how much better I am!

**Zeki:** (serious) Alright then.

**Bia:** (worried) Wait, Zeki! Don't get caught up in his hype.

**Gustavo:** (determined) So, Zeki, let's head to a clear area!

Suddenly, someone from the adjacent building starts shouting.

**Isadora:** (shouting) I KNEW I RECOGNIZED THAT VOICE! STOP YELLING, KID!

**Bia:** (surprised) Wait, Isadora?

**Zeki:** (smiling) What a coincidence.

**Gustavo:** (annoyed) Look who it is, the ponytail... or better yet, the nosy one!

**Zeki** (thinking): Not like you're any different, Gustavo.

**Isadora:** (offended) What did you just say?

Isadora jumps down from the window and moves to the other building, facing Gustavo, and they start arguing.

**Zeki:** (interrupting) Sorry for the commotion, but Gustavo and I are about to fight now. Do you want to join us, Isadora?

**Isadora:** (interested) Oh, that's what's going on! I thought I heard something. Of course, I want to join!

**Isadora:** (to Zeki) By the way, Zeki, we haven't met much, but I'm surprised someone as polite as you hangs out with this idiot.

**Gustavo:** (offended) Idiot? You know what, Zeki and I against you! I'll beat both of you up!

**Bia:** (sarcastic) Gustavo, you can barely handle Isadora, let alone the two of them together! Spare me.

**Gustavo:** (shouting) WHY DO YOU ALL UNDERESTIMATE ME SO MUCH?!

**Zeki:** (calm) Let's get moving before someone complains again.

**Isadora:** (laughing) Agreed.

The four of them head out, with Gustavo eager for the fight.

Arriving in an open area with few trees, Isadora and Bia sit while Zeki and Gustavo position themselves for the fight.

**Gustavo:** (determined) Zeki, don't underestimate me just because I struggled against the Earthworm!

**Isadora:** (confused) Earthworm? What Earthworm?

**Bia:** (laughing) It's a long story... well, not that long. I'll tell you later. Now, Isadora, who are you rooting for?

**Isadora:** (thoughtful) Hmm, I'm not sure... Gustavo seems pretty dumb, you can tell just by looking. Zeki seems pretty smart. I looked up writing tests, and Zeki was always first. But being smart doesn't mean he'll win a fight. And you, Bia? Who are you rooting for?

**Bia:** (smiling) I'm going with Zeki.

**Isadora:** (surprised) Aren't you rooting for your brother?

**Bia:** (honest) To be honest, I don't think he can beat Zeki. I've seen with my own eyes; he's really strong.

**Isadora:** (shocked) In that case, I'll go with Zeki too.

Isadora stands up and announces the start of the battle, while Bia watches, curious about how the fight will unfold.

As the battle is about to begin, Zeki and Gustavo prepare. Zeki, with his calm and serene expression, adjusts his stance, while Gustavo, visibly irritated, clenches his fists, which start to glow with intense energy.

**Gustavo:** (irritated) Zeki, do you think you're better than me just because you're calm? Today I'm going to show you who's in charge!

Zeki remains serene, carefully observing Gustavo's movements. Gustavo charges forward quickly, his fists glowing with vibrant energy. He delivers a direct punch to Zeki, who smoothly dodges, using his psychic abilities to create a protective barrier around himself.

**Gustavo:** (shouting) Oh, so that's how it is? You think this little barrier will stop me? I'll break it easily!

Gustavo steps back and concentrates even more energy into his fists, which now shine intensely. He launches a series of quick and powerful punches against Zeki's barrier.

**Gustavo:** (challenging) Come on, Zeki! Show me what you can really do! Or are you scared?

Zeki remains calm, his barrier withstanding Gustavo's attacks. With a controlled movement, he uses his psychic abilities to deflect Gustavo's strikes and create an opening.

**Gustavo:** (furious) Damn it! Stop running away and fight properly, you coward!

Zeki takes advantage of the opening and, with a smooth gesture, uses his psychic abilities to push Gustavo back temporarily with a psychic wave.

**Gustavo:** (frustrated) Are you kidding me? I won't let this slide!

He quickly recovers and, with renewed determination, focuses even more energy, preparing for a final attack. Zeki, serene, observes and prepares for the next move, knowing that calmness and strategy are his greatest weapons against Gustavo's strength.

As Zeki and Gustavo face off, a dense fog starts to form around them. Zeki, with his keen perception, notices the fog approaching the girls and immediately senses the danger.

**Zeki:** (shouting) Bia, Isadora, behind you, jump away now!

Not fully understanding, Bia and Isadora react and move away quickly. Gustavo, still focused on the fight, doesn't notice the change in the environment.

The fog starts enveloping the area, making everything around them indistinct. Zeki, with his alert mind, senses a threatening presence approaching. He uses his psychic abilities to protect Isadora, who is confused.

Suddenly, an attack speeds toward Isadora. Gustavo, in a quick and instinctive move, blocks the attack with a glowing energy fist.

**Gustavo:** (panting) What the hell is this? Who's trying to attack her?

Isadora, shocked, recalls a recent attack and starts to suspect that the attacker might be the same as before.

**Isadora:** (scared) It can't be... Could it be that guy again? Would he be stupid enough to pick another fight with me?

Zeki, realizing the gravity of the situation, focuses his psychic powers and creates a powerful mental force to disperse the fog, revealing the threat behind it. The fog begins to slowly dissipate, revealing a hooded enemy with a menacing aura.

**Zeki:** (determined) Stay alert. There are people approaching, and their intentions don't seem good.

With the fog finally clearing, an imposing figure emerges from it.

Isadora thinks it's the guy from yesterday.

**Isadora:** (confused) Haven't you been beaten enough already?

Isadora watches closely and notices something different about the person. They pull back their hood, revealing a familiar face.

**Chapo:** (with a cruel smile) Hello, Isadora.

Isadora is stunned, unable to understand what's happening.

**Bia:** (bewildered) Isadora, do you know this guy?

**Isadora:** (irritated) No, who are you, and how do you know my name? Answer me!

**Gustavo:** (furious) You guys messed up my fight!

**Chapo:** (with disdain) You can call me Chapo, princess.

**Isadora:** (realizing) Wait, so you're the one who sent those guys to hassle me?

**Chapo:** (smiling threateningly) Exactly. Just a little game to liven things up. But unfortunately for you, it would have been better if you had left the loser from last night in captivity, because I don't know if you'll have that same pretty face after this fight.

Zeki then steps forward.

**Zeki:** "Sorry to interrupt, but could you ask your lackeys to come out of hiding?"

**Bia:** "Wait, so there are more…"

**Chapo:** "Oh, so you noticed. And now, what are you going to do?"

Then, Chapo's gang starts to emerge. Eight people appear with smiles on their faces, laughing.

Someone calls out to Isadora.

**Chapinho:** "Hey Isadora!"

**Isadora:** "If you try anything, I swear I'll ruin your fun. Don't forget, I warned you yesterday, Chapinho. If your gang gets involved, you'll regret it."

**Chapinho:** "Oh, really? Let's see if you have the guts to do something about us. You and your threats are a drag."