As long as you are breathing

Old man's capabilities

Kalil watched Zahid march to the archer. “I challenge you to a one-on-one manly duel! Fight me!” roared Zahid, catching the attention of even the old man.

The three let the archer go. They moved back a few steps to watch them fight. Kalil, Khestri, and the old man were among the spectators as well.

“Wow! You guys are really setting me free after capturing me?” the archer expressed his shock.

“Only to deal with you,” smiled Zahid.

“That’s enough of ‘setting me free.’ I have never lost a fight,” the archer said.

“That’s cause you have never been to a real fight,” Zahid answered.

He gave a wide grin. “Oh! I have been to many street fights. I am experienced at this,” he said.

“Enough talking, let's fight,” said Zahid as he took a Karate stance. The archer walked towards him with no stance at all while cracking his knuckles.

“Will Zahid be alright?” asked Khestri.

“Of course he will,” replied Kalil, “That guy isn’t a real fighter. At least not a street fighter. He is just bluffing.”

“Huh? How you know?” asked Khestri.

“Well, didn’t you notice how long he was taking in shooting the arrow? I am not an archer or know anything about arrows, but I can guess that shooting an arrow doesn’t take that much time. He was hesitating. Cause he is not used to killing,” replied Kalil, “A street gang must have killed a couple of persons in their lifetime.”

“Oh wow!  That’s very smart of you to figure out all of that,” complimented Khestri.

“It’s nothing,” said Kalil with a little blush.

Then they shifted their attention back to the battlefield and noticed that Zahid is lying on the ground. “Man, that hurts,” he said as his eyes became wet.

Kalil and Khestri stared at them in disbelief. “What just happened? What did we miss?” asked Kalil.

Walid answered, “Well, Zahid and that guy tried to step in for a straight punch. But that guy kinda did it wrong which fortunately came in his own favor. He stepped on Zahid's toe. While Zahid was distracted by that pain, he kicked Zahid in the groin with all he had.”

“Oh-” is all Kalil could say while Khestri couldn’t even give a reaction.

“How pathetic!” the old man stepped in. As he came closer, his tall height began to be more noticeable. His body physique was also lean and in perfect shape. He was wearing a garment that looked like boxer shorts. His hands were wrapped in ropes. A rope was also tied to his biceps and forehead. His body was shirtless and his abs were too visible for his age.

“Let me show you how it’s done,” said the old man. His voice had a strong tone. “Fight me,” he said to the archer.

“Yeaaaaaa…” the archer shouted a battle roar and ran towards the old man. Before he could do something, the old man threw a front push kick on his head and threw him far behind towards a tree. The archer was knocked out cold as the back of his head hit the tree.

Sajid quickly went to him to see his pulse. “He is dead!” declared Sajid.

Kalil and the others stood there in natural shock for a moment encountering their first exposure to killing.

“Who is next ?” asked the old man,  “Or is it all against one? I am fine with either.”

Kalil realized that this old man is not to be underestimated. He took a Muay Thai stance.

“A Muay Thai fighter, huh? We will surely enjoy this,” he said taking a Muay Thai stance himself.

Kalil showed a smile of fake confidence and said, “I figured. That outfit of yours befits no other more than Muay Thai fighters. I was double sure when I saw that teep of yours. No other fighters can throw a teep so casually from a no stance, yet land so perfectly.”

“Hmm… The teep is our jab after all,” the old man replied. Then he turned his face towards the brothers, “Okay if any of you want to fight me, all of you better come at me at once now. I will finish you guys quick. In this fight, I want no interference. I want to enjoy it to the fullest.”

“Don’t worry, they won’t ambush,” said Kalil, “We will have a fair and square fight.”

He then covered his eyes from the old man pretending to wipe his tears while letting the eye seeable from the three brother’s side. He winked at the brothers hoping that the brothers would understand that he wants them to attack the old man after he has his full attention and already drained some of his stamina.

But the dumb brothers didn’t get it at all. “Oh my God! This is so thrilling!” exclaimed Khalid.

“Yes yes. Such warrior spirit! I won’t let them go to waste. I won’t interrupt this battle even if he were to die right here,” added Walid.

Sajid further whispered, “Oh my! I think he winked at me. Is he doing this for me? Does he want to impress me? I am flattered.”

Kalil wanted to show the hardest facepalm he could muster to show the three brothers how dumb they were. But he had to suppress it in front of the old man.

Kalil started to take steady steps towards the old man. But the old man showed no signs of movement. But he was observant of Kalil’s movements which were evident from his frown.

Kalil wanted to start the fight with a teep but seeing the old man loosen his arm as soon as he slightly lifted the leg made him understand that his leg will get caught.

He then shifted his intention towards establishing his jab. But as soon as he tried taking one step inside, he noticed the old man’s weight shifting on the front foot. As an experienced fighter, Kalil realized that he will get caught with a low kick as soon as he tries to throw a jab.