Pikey, known as Gaelish by the people around him because of his thick Western accent, was an enforcer of the Thrall clan. He was known for his relentless aggression, unyielding pride, and the strongest among IV standards. Mitta, his peer, had climbed the ranks of the clan after defeating the ox-head-vice captain. Pikey, on the other hand, had to make a consistent effort to reach where he was. He was jealous of Mitta and his rise.
Given the opportunity to test Faneel, Pikey rose to the occasion. He decided to crush the wolf boy with elven ears and remind his place.
The courtyard murmured about the match-up between Faneel and Pikey. The crowd buzzed with excitement, their eyes were on the wolf-guy as he was a clear underdog.
"Ah, ye're a mage are'nt ye? come on, then! don't be shy, now. Let's brawl," Pikey taunted with a grin on his face.
Faneel did not know any magic he had to depend upon the teachings of warriors. Pikey was not using any weapons, he had a second channel and used a breathing technique that Faneel had yet to find out.
Faneel, "I won't be using magic, I only just discovered my potential. We will engage in hand-to-hand combat."
"Here, I come," without wasting a second Pikey rushes while brandishing his fists.
Faneel was prepared, without warning the fists launched, and he felt that it would be better to dodge his first attack. The young wolf understood that he was easily provoked and could use his rage and excitement against him.
"Yer a scaredy cat, aren't ya?
Ye don't have rig'ht to get admitted to Sinki School, let alone join the Thr'all clan." Pikey said conceitedly, his attacks grew erratic.
The young wolf was not paying heed to the words of his opponent but the Gaelish warrior was pissed off every time Faneel dodged his attack.
Pikey caught on to his opponent's intentions. He realized that Fannel was trying to gauge his breathing technique.
Pikey spoke with pride." Ye want to know my breathing technique, it's the breathing technique from the school of mace. I won't be using my technique in this fight.
Faneel was surprised that Pikey gave up his advantage easily. But, he understood that he was underestimating him.
He decided to stand his ground. Pikey came towards him with a berserk attack brandishing both of his fists while generating a whiff of strong air around the attacks.
Faneel immediately caught his left fist, utilized his speed, and immediately climbed on his shoulder. He put him in an arm bar while choking his neck with his legs. Both of them fell down but Pikey was smiling. He grabbed the wolf and slammed him into the courtyard ground.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Both of them were not letting go of each other, while Pikey was slamming Fannel into the ground. Fannel couldn't choke with his legs and he let go. He put in all his effort in the armbar and fractured his arm.
Pikey let out a cry. Faneel thought he had done some damage and let go but to his surprise, Pikey fixed his arm and the power of his 2nd channel was slowly healing it.
Displaying his rage, Pikey says, "How 'bout we get serious?"
The Gaelish warrior immediately attacks him in haste. Fannel tries to dodge but the attack of the warrior catches his every motion.
Fannel realizes that he won't be able to protect himself from the damage while fighting at close range. He makes a decision to get hit early before the attack comes into full force.
However, Pikey ragdolls Fannel bombarding him with a flurry of kicks, punches, and knee attacks, and exhausting him with wrestling holds. Fannel realizes that he will be defeated if he does not come up with anything immediately.
If it was any other human, then it was likely that they would have died but due to the blessing of the wolf's physicality; speed, and strength, Faneel was able to ward off most of his attack.
On the other hand, Pikey does not seem to be exhausted or injured. The flurry of attacks was coming from his end. Fannel decides to use his father's technique.
The difference between the 2nd channel and the 1st channel was not easy to overcome. Faneel knew that he could not defeat him with the usual means. He uses ancient acupuncture techniques, he attacks the pressure points to cut off the energy from the brain and spine. After the Ki only remains in the warrior's fists he breaks his left wrist by bending their joints.
Pikey realizes what Faneel was trying to do but it was already too late. He amasses his Ki in his right hand generating enough power to put a hole through Faneel.
But, Pikey was already sluggish after his channel energy was blocked. Fannel dodges the attack and sweeps Pikey off his feet. He nabs his neck in a chokehold. Pikey does not give up and Faneel chokes him, and the warrior slowly passes out.
Everyone gets shocked in the courtyard because a wolf mage defeated a warrior of the second channel. However, they were not aware of the acupuncture technique used as it was an ancient fighting style used by combatants who were well-versed in human physiology.
A loud cheer was heard in the courtyard. Even though the duel was without any weapons, everyone had pegged Pikey to win the clash. But, Faneel came on top which shocked every spectator.
The wolf boy released his acupuncture, and after a while Pikey woke up, "Be thankful I wasn't usin' me breathin' technique."
Pikey goes away towards other members of Thrall. He was known among his peers as a fair, just, and stern individual. After Faneel proved his strength, Pikey respected him.
Needless to say, Pikey was among the 10th strongest enforcer of the Thrall clan in IV standard. If he had exhausted all his resources in the fight; he would have won, it was clear to both Faneel and Pikey.
Mitta came towards the boy, "See I told you to go for the legs." Both of them laughed. Fannel further garnered respect in the eyes of Mitta. He felt he had chosen the right person to consider his best mate. The wolf was not arrogant from his win and he was not a coward in the fight as well.
Arva was among the spectators and she was amazed by the skill shown by Faneel. Despite looking meek and shy, he was quite vocal in his actions when it came to combat. While she was cheering for him, a distinct trouble was in the cards for her. She had to find a way to leer the gazes. It was up to her to prove that she was not someone to be picked on or troubled.
Faneel and Mitta were bonding from the win. The newfound respect for one another was building trust within them. Faneel was finding solace in the Sinki's atmosphere as it felt much different from the first attack, he endured.
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In the early morning, Ra'ht takes Gord to the Aboriginal Mercenary's holdup. There were around 48 warriors and 3 mages training in a courtyard of the village's chief.
Ra'ht, "Captain Cormac, this is the warrior that I talked to you about. You told me that you guys have suffered a few losses in the skirmishes with bandits and lacked manpower. I have brought you one of the finest warrior knights of Palia Kingdom."
A Mercenary with a patch speaks, "What can we do with a distinguished old knight? We need young guys not a bag of bones."
Gord does not speak, his expression unreadable
Ra'ht steps in," I know you are looking for young guys but experience comes a long way. He is from the Belliege wolf tribe, known for their ferocious attack power and intelligence."
Cormac, who is practicing silently rests his mace and speaks, "Enough, can you prove your worth."
Gord meets his gaze, "Test me, I'll show you."
The guy with a patch sneers, "I'll take him on Captain, don't ask for money after I break your face or teeth."
Gord smirked, "I'm old and ugly, I don't mind getting hit in the face. How about you? Is it okay if I break your bones?"
The patch guy feels a bit threatened and says, "Name's Igor, let's not attack with a weapon. I'm tired from training. The one who goes down first will lose."
"Fine by me." Gord uses his breathing technique of sword, he opens his 3rd channel. He feels brimmed with energy and poses in a combat position.
The patch guy takes out his eye patch, which reveals that he can only see with one eye. He channels his energy and becomes ready.
Upon the permission of the Captain, both of them clash. The Ki energy from both of them pushes one another.
Gord immediately gets in position, he starts to wrestle with the Ki, as both of them are in close combat position. An energy shoots out from the patch guy's blind eye.
It immediately burns Gord's half face. But scuffing the injury, Gord amasses his Ki and directly attacks the solar plexus of Igor. The weight of the attack pushes, Igor a bit.
However, without wasting a second Gord channels his energy in his feet. He swings from the near pole and directly smashes the kick in Igor's face. As his opponent is pushed down, Gord utilizes his momentum smoothly by attacking him with his knee and throwing a flurry of elbows and punches.
Igor, "Okay! Okay! you won, take a break."
After witnessing a swift and flawless combat Cormac gets impressed.
Cormac, "We will leave for Rakh Valley tomorrow for a protection assignment. Join us by the first light in the morning in front of the Tavern."
Gord nods, and he masks his face with determination.