THEOS

Chapter 6: Taking Some Hits

Chapter 6: Taking Some Hits

Luke eyed his opponent with caution as he raised his fists in front of him. In what he hoped was a stance that would protect his face. Breaking a nose or anything equivalent was bound to be an unpleasant experience, and something that he wanted to avoid. From the fights hed seen up till now though, none had been particularly vicious. Giving him some hope of getting out of the rings with just some bruises.

Should I be bouncing from foot to foot? Thats what they do in those MMA fights No, Ill look stupid if I'm the only one doing it. Why isnt he doing anything though. Does he want me to make the first move? Fuck it. Might as well get this over with.

Luke stepped forward with his guard still raised, only to step back in order to dodge a sweeping kick. Then dodge again as his opponent immediately moved in with a jab, pushing Luke to the boundary of the ring.

Luke shuffled to the side in an attempt to get away from the edge. Only for his opponent to land a glancing blow on his chest. His knuckles scraping against Lukes skin. Running into the ring, Luke ignored the stinging sensation from the hit, as he tried to find an opening in his opponent's guard.

You know what. He can come to me this time.

Growing impatient, the other disciple threw caution to the wind and recklessly closed the distance, wildly swinging his fists. Seeing a punch go wide, Luke repeated his opponent's earlier strategy, stepping in and burying a fist in his stomach with as much force as he could muster. Unexpectedly, the punch was ineffective, and his opponent took it in stride, without showing even a hint of pain. Taking advantage of Lukes compromised position he moved in even closer and wrapped his arm tightly around Lukes neck.

Gasping for air, Luke knew he should tap and get it over with. Instead, all he wanted to do was win. Throwing himself onto the ground, Luke used the added momentum to break free of the hold. Rolling on the floor of the arena, they both desperately tried to maneuver the other into a pin. Until, finally, Luke managed to get behind him and catch his opponent in a choke hold. He attempted to struggle, and after not finding a way out of Lukes hold he relaxed his body, and gently tapped the stage.

Luke won.

Panting, he stumbled onto his feet, and watched the referee run onto the stage. Inspecting both of them for any obvious signs of injury.

That was good, I thought I had you earlier.

You almost did, that was a good fight. Replied Luke.

It was fun! Im Mykanos by the way. He extended his hand.

Im Luke.

Good luck on the next fight. Back to back fights get exhausting fast! Mykonos walked out of the ring, as the next person in line stepped forward.

Oh right. The winner just keeps going until they lose.

Acutely aware of the sweat dripping down the side of his face and the prickling pain from where Mykanos had hit and choked him, Luke thought he should feel awful. Instead, he found himself looking forward to the next fight.

Locking eyes with his opponent, Luke raised his fists in anticipation and widened his stance. The battle began.

He won his second fight, and lost on his third. Then in a decision that surprised even him, he walked back into the line and started the process over again. Sometimes managing to stay in the ring for multiple matches, and sometimes losing after a single one.

Hours later, when the nine suns of Theos set below the horizon, Luke stumbled home. A smile on his face in spite of being covered in bruises, and aching in ways he didnt know he could.

I did not expect fighting to be that fun.

The next morning, he was happy to see that his suffering came with a reward.

Status | Quests | Inventory

Name: Lukas King

Tier: Mortal

Mana: 7

Rate: 10% per hour

Strength: 9 > 10

Agility: 9 > 10

Constitution: 13 > 14

Arcana: 1

Stat Points: 1

Bloodline: Locked. Conditions not met. (0/10 000)

Charges: 7/10

Gaining a point in every attribute except one was a surprise, a very welcome one. Dropping his spare point back into the Arcana Stat, he refreshed his Status.

Status | Quests | Inventory

Name: Lukas King

Oh. Hey Mykonos. Said Luke, smiling as Mykonos and two other people walked into the forest behind him. One of them, he recognized as the person Ethan had pointed out in the Arena. The one likely to become the Societys next Inner Disciple.

Let me guess, you're gathering herbs?

Yup.

Blue Wildflowers?

You called it.

Im just smart like that. We happen to be looking for them too. Uh, this is Spiros, hes my cousin, and that's June, she is also my cousin. He introduced. Thats Luke, he kicked my ass in the arena yesterday.

Luke waved at the cousins.

Why dont you come with us Luke? Last time we came, we noticed a bunch growing near a small lake.

Uh yeah, are you sure its okay for me to tag along? I dont want to intrude.

Yeah Im sure. Were sure, aren't we guys? Mykonos turned to his cousins.

Yeah, its fine. Said Spiros.

Lets go. Mykonos led the way into the forest.

So how long have all of you been in the Luminous Sky for? Asked Luke, ducking under a branch.

We joined two months ago with all the other new disciples. Didnt you? Said June.

No. I was just kind of minding my business when Nefkah, hes one of the Elders here, asked me to join.

Youre lucky. The test to get in sucked. They made us run laps, until there were only five hundred of us left.

That sounds brutal.

Oh trust me it was. There was even this one kid who shat his pants while he was running. Luke looked at him with wide disbelieving eyes. Im not kidding. I swear on the Deities. He grinned.

Thats insane.

I know right. You know whats even funnier. Youve actually met him alrea Spiros threw a stone at Mykonos.

Will you ever stop telling that story? Spiros yelled. And you know what. I did shit my pants, and I'm proud of it too. I did what I had to do to get here. I have something called resolve! I have commitment!

June burst out laughing. You had poop running down your legs.

Gggghhhh! You guys are so annoying. Never let yourself slip up with them Luke. Im telling you, they will hold everything they can over your head. Right now, it's that I shit myself. Before that it was because Helen turned me down.

Helen is forty years old.

Luke laughed out loud at the absurdity of the situation.

Not you too! Spiros cried.

Sorry, I tried really hard not to laugh, it's just...

Guys! Look. June pointed to a large batch of blue flowers.

Awesome, theres a bunch of them too. Enough for all of us. Spiros started walking toward them.

Wait. Luke called out, pulling him back. You see it?

I do. Said Mykonos, running his hands through his hair. Thats one big snake.

Big is an understatement. Luke took a step back. His eyes locked on the undulating black tube that was the snake. Just barely visible from behind the trees, its dark scales letting it hide near perfectly in the shadows. He didnt know much about the creatures, but he was sure that they weren't supposed to be wider than two humans hugging, or as long as a bus.

It looks like it's full. Spiros pointed to a large lump halfway through its body.

Its staring at us awfully hungry like though. Said June.

I heard snakes have good noses. Maybe you should poop yourself again, and it will just go away?

Shut up, and thats not true.

Move! Luke shouted, pulling both Mykonos and Spiros back. Just in time, as the snake whipped its tail where they were standing seconds later.