Deadly Decadence

Agile

"Again!" Uncle shouted, making me groan in exhaustion.

"What?!" I catch my breath as I run back to the beginning of the obstacle course.

"Be quick, Albie!"

I force my legs to run faster to reach the beginning of the obstacle course and go through it again. I take a deep breath as I go to the first obstacle. The first two obstacles were hurdles. And as far as I recall, it wasn't that hard to skip over the series of six metal bars; on the first attempt. But now, as I try to catch my breath while trying to keep myself from tripping, I'd say it is not damn easy! I am even starting to think that the ground is not that bad of a place to rest.

"You're doing well, Albie!"

I slightly celebrate with myself after skipping the last metal bar on the first obstacle. Then, I brace myself to jump over another metal bar; only this time, the elevation is four times higher than the first obstacle. I feel my limbs stretch and complain as I exert effort to jump over the bars. Quite groggily, I somehow still managed to somersault in the air, but instead of landing with my feet, I landed with my butt. 

"You okay, Albie?" I heard Alisa's voice, and from the sounds of it, she's really worried right now. But, she should not worry! As they say, no pain no gain.

I groaned as I get on all fours to go to the next obstacle, the army crawl. The cold mud feels like a relief on my body as I crawl over it. I heaved a sigh and took a long breath as I get up and stagger as the mud that seeped its way on my clothes weigh me down, which is very not helpful as I lunge towards the balance run. I have to maintain my balance as I run over a zigzagging metal bar. I struggle as exhaustion and the mud dripping from my clothes made the metal bar slippery, making the obstacle a lot more difficult and a lot more taxing on my body.

"You can do this, Albie!"

I heard Uncle, Lance, and Alisa after I managed to finish the balance run successfully. I launched and hoisted myself up the monkey bars. Letting out a deep breath, I run to climb up the 20 feet high ladders. I was almost out of breath when I reached the top, so I paused for a while to take heartful of breaths, giving my heart to at least calm down a little as I get down through the gigantic net.

I tripped myself as I run towards the next obstacle, panting and gasping for air, making me realize how much this is taking on my body. But I stood up once again and faced the 7 feet high and 12 feet long slanted wall. Grabbing the ropes, I forced myself up the wall. It feels as if my arms are going to fall off anytime soon. But I still managed to make it to the top! I rolled to the ground after jumping from the platform and positioned myself in jumping through the holed wall.

"Ugh!"

Shock and exhaustion washed over me as I bump myself on the solid wall that was behind the holed wall, making me bounce on the other wall and fall to the ground. 

'It feels nice to at least sit down for a while.'

However, I looked up and realized that I'm not yet done. If I remember correctly, I'm close to the end of this course.

'Just... a little more, Albie.' I thought.

But my body won't seem to follow my thoughts. So, I remained there sitting and gasping for air.

"Are you okay, Albie?"

I heard Lance and Alisa rush towards me but was stopped by Uncle.

"Stand up, Albie!"

Uncle harshly shouted which was enough to fuel me once again.  I took a deep breath and using the walls as support, I stood up once again.

Even though it seems like I can't balance myself anymore, I still managed to hop over the ten tires obstacle course.

"Good job, Albie!"

I collapsed on the ground as I gasp for air and celebrate my success in finishing the obstacle course. Lance and Alisa immediately rushed to my side and gave me water after I steadied my breathing.

"How was it?"

 Uncle walked towards us, a sincere smile placed on his face.

"You could have at least told me that I have to do the course twice!"

I told Uncle, still a little out of breath.

"But you did it! Which tells a lot about your physical strength and determination. Tomorrow, you’ll do it thrice."

“What??”

 Uncle gave me a triumphant smile, which somehow throbbed my heart. Hearing these words from your trainer would certainly boost your confidence, tenfolds. Except for that part when he said that I'll do it thrice tomorrow. Seriously? Is he going to kill me?

However, I also realized that if I want to become my best before the apocalypse, this is certainly the way to do it.

"Thank you, Uncle."

"Why thank me?"

 Uncle seemed to be taken aback by my reaction. He must have expected me to complain. Well, I would certainly love to complain. But, he's a good trainer.

"For training me?" I responded, smiling.

"Well, you are paying me, so... Your welcome."

"Can I wash now?"

I asked Uncle, rubbing off the mud on my hands.

"Sure thing, Albie." He chuckled.

"I'll go with you!" Alisa chimed in and wrapped her arms around mine.

"I'm all covered in mud, Alisa!"

"That is why we're washing up!"

 She giggled as she wraps her arms around me. I laughed and wrapped my arms around her as well.

"You're not injured or something are you? That fall from the hurdles was nasty."

"I'm fine." I smiled at her concern.

"Are you sure you are okay?" Alisa scanned my body again.

"I'm sure it will show tomorrow." I say as I give her a playful smile.

"That is not assuring, Albie." I laughed at her.

"There might be bruises or two. But then again, those are just fruits of hard work." I remarked.

"But, it'll be better if you have no bruises." She debated.

"Indeed. Yeah."

We went inside the showers and washed thoroughly. I sighed as I feel the water run down my body. I didn't know taking a shower would be so comforting after a very tiring day.

We got out, changed, and refreshed. Uncle and Lance were talking about something, as we got closer, I realized they were talking about Deadly Decadence which will officially launch in less than a month from now.

"You both sound so excited." I said, and they turned towards our direction.

"Yeah! I can't wait, like really." Lance replied, a cheerful smile on his face.

"Yeah, me too." I told Lance.

I notice Uncle looking at me,

"Are you refreshed now?"

"Yeah! It's nice to take a bath after crawling over those amounts of mud." I chuckle as I said.

"Good! Prepare yourself again for tomorrow."

"Am I going to really have to go over those obstacles again?!"

“Yes, after you complete a tactical shooting course."

"Shooting?"

I can almost feel that my whole face is lighting up in excitement upon hearing the word 'shooting.'

"Yes, we'll be putting your skills in using the crossbow."

"I mean, this tactical course is ideal for other weapons such as pistols and rifles, so, I will be looking forward to how you will adapt to the situation."

Uncle continued.

"Sure!" Oops! I might have sounded too excited.

"I mean... I promise I will not disappoint. I will give my all!" I continued.

Uncle chuckled, and he led us back to the shop.

"Uncle?" I called out to him.

"Yes, Albie?"

"What will I be fighting tomorrow?" I looked at him, he seems to not really get what I mean.

"In the course." I elaborated.

"Don't worry, I prepared humanoid targets for you to train with tomorrow."

"I see."

I nod and smiled at Uncle. He tapped me on the shoulder as he gave me an assuring smile.

"Ow." I winced when he tapped my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

Uncle immediately took his hands away from my shoulder and looked at me.

"Yeah, just muscle ache, I guess."

I said as I gently massage my shoulders.

"I see. Be sure to get enough sleep. Now, go home, all of you."

"Thanks, Uncle."

We all waved goodbye at him and started walking home.