A couple of minutes into the second round, and it's clear that there's something going on; he either isn't dodging at all, or I'm slipping and getting punished for it.
I taunt him in hopes of getting insight on whatever it is that's happening.
"So that's some kind of rule of yours?"
"Beat a guy while wearing your best bling."
"…."
"Didn't your mom tell you ignoring people was impolite?"
"You're curious; that means you must have some idea already!"
It's clear I can't take much more of this; it's hard keeping my fist up, and I'm dizzy.
"Nobody knows what they are for sure, a lucky coin, a neat watch passed down by grandpa, or maybe a couple of chains and rings that were tracked down and 'obtained!""
"What's for certain is that there are objects that for some reason award you with an 'edge" in your endeavors; I just so happen to have come across a decent amount of them, and boy are they rewarding!!"
He jumps back and assumes a different stance. Could he be a mixed martial artist? In an instant I'm on the floor; he swept me off my feet and already had a second blow incoming. I managed to dodge his heel, but the backhand I did not.
My mind's racing.
"10!" "Is what he said true?" "9!" "There's no way that could exist." "8!" "How could he tell me that?" "Seven..."
I stagger back to my feet with a smirk; if what he said was true, then he's nothing without them!
I lunge at him in hopes of grasping the chains; realizing my motives, he opts to keep his distance, but with each blow I throw, I keep my fingers extended for a chance to grab them.
"You won't get the chance!"
I throw a feint, and the moment he flinches, I snatch them both. Visibly frightened and a face contorted with anger, Rain rushes, but I can see that he's significantly slowed.
Using this opportunity, I deliver continuous jabs with one goal: to get the rings next.
Sliding in close I get control of a wrist, which gives me a chance to perform a shoulder throw and pull off three rings in the last second.
"A nobody like you!!"
"Wounded dogs will whine; let's get you a muzzle."
….
The walk back to the locker room felt long, for this was the first time I left the ring with questions instead of content.
"Look at you, Don. I thought you were done for."
"I thought so too. You wanna give me some info on this 'Rain" guy?"
"As they said, he's some mayor's kid; be careful; that might be your next opponent."
"as playful as ever," "Do you know anything about 'hex"?"
"About what?"
"Never mind; let me get my money and get out of here."
"Pleasure doing business with you, "Don.""
I raise my hand to wave and leave out the back exit. I see the suits lifting "Rain" up in one of their fancy cars.
"They sure lucked out today."
"Hey you, purple hair, I know you have a lot of questions; you're probably even scared. Well, it's right to be; that win against me was nothing."
His tangent was cut short by what felt like an earthquake followed by screaming all throughout the streets. The first thought on my mind was the girls. I try to run back as quickly as possible, but the horde of people is running against me; whatever it is that happened is in the direction of our house.
"Please, "please, "please be safe!"
The aftershocks are so strong I have trouble running; soon enough, I make it home.
"Girls!?"
There they are, eyes tear-filled while hiding under the bed. I ask them if they have any idea what's going on, but before they get the chance to answer, I hear a nightmarish roar, one that will continue to haunt me from here on.
The ground trembling, but this time it was not an earthquake; it was the sound of footsteps getting closer. The girls and I hunker down in the corner of the small room, waiting for a sound.
What happened next was something I would rather not remember; suddenly the entire cottage was flung into the air with us inside. The girls scream and cry, and all I could do was grip them tighter.
It lands…
Everything went blank for a second. I open my eyes to see Gem's leg horribly broken and Bea unconscious and bleeding, but miraculously, besides the dizziness, I'm unscathed. Carrying Bea on my back and Gem on my shoulder, hopping beside me, we managed to get out of the ruins; we seem to have landed further up the mountain.
My brain's overloaded; there's not a path in sight, and I don't know how long either of them has. Just then a shadow lands behind us, the impact knocking us down.
What I turned around to see will forever be etched into memory.
Long, bony limbs covered in this pitch-black skin and horrific claws to match
It was well over 7 feet tall and had on what looked like a torn-up straightjacket.
The most dreadful sight was its head, which boasted 4 beadlike red eyes in the shape of a diamond and a mouth that had its teeth sunk into Gem's torso.
"GEMINI!!!"
My heart beating out of my chest, my head swelling with fear and rage, Bea's still not awake.
"It killed her! It killed Gemini, right in front of me!"
I'm frozen, halfway shielding Bea, mouth gaping, unable to make a sound, and each step it takes jerks my entire body; soon enough it's right on top of me. Its grotesque fingers and claws reach for my legs; I try to pull away, but it snatches me and launches me into the sky further up the mountain. I land, and there I lay as I am now under this wooden pad, prolonging my faith.