Burying the Hatchet (COMPLETED)

Game Face

She sprints a three meter distance as a boost and on the last second flips her body towards his angle. Landing on top of his shoulders locking her legs then anchors her hand on the ground. Maneuvering to twist her body weight, sending them sideways to reverse their position. Then readily sits  on top of him. Now she's got the upper hand landing punches the other dodges or not? The unprecedented feint and a left uppercut hit him hard.

"How's that for close quarter combat?" Eli sneers at Fray, lips now cut from the recent blow.

"Tastefully done." Fray catches the next punch she was about to land. Tossing over then pin both of her hands above her head. "But getting cocky so early can compromise victory." It was his chance to return the favor this time. Wiggling his brows provoking her even more.

Eli's frown turned into a sinister grin. Whatever idea she has in mind doesn't sit well with Fray. She then knees him on his crotch. "Right back at your bulb."

"Glad I secured it down there. It could hurt if I didn't." Fray then clicks his tongue acting all mighty and arrogant. 

She's a fast learner and has a lot of potential. He'll give her that. But her impulsive nature weighs her down twice as much every time.

He lets go and sits uptight and so did Eli. "Pointers. If you want a feint, really commit to it. Don't let your enemy read so much into your eyes. You have such expressive ones. It could compromise a raid if push comes to shove."

Eli  then shoos him away, "right. Dead fish eyes equals victory yay!" Sarcasm painted every word. "I know you're not always there to protect me. But how can I do so, when you keep repeating what I already learn? I want advanced courses." She protested.

He clicks his head on both sides and crosses his arms. "If you can't beat me with the basics, what chance do you stand in advance courses?"

She blows her cerulean bangs in frustration. Sol insisted on letting her original hair color shine through during their last makeover session. "Cubs are taught to prey on actual targets. Show don't tell baby, I learn better that way." She crosses her arms this time, trying to intimidate him too or just sulking. Fray bets on the latter.

"I will not clean up after your mess. We have a raid at midnight. Better walk the talk." Then he slightly pinches her nose, she snorts-her reactions are priceless to him. Though most of the time, he's more like babysitting than having a relationship.

Eli complains about the seniority issue and most of the time he admits, he can't compromise. He likes being in command but Eli's too bull-headed for that. Half the time she's trying to prove her point and the other half is pushing to make it so.

"Stop distorting your face. It's another level of weaponry I suppose. Kidding. Go get the blades.”

Eli smirks and runs towards the arsenal. 

The vast room lights up on its own the moment she steps on the front door.  Sliding back as she enters. Making a latching sound, the ones you hear on elevators when it’s opening and closing. Each rack is made of  black crystal. Back-lighted by emerald green LED. The colors of REVIVAL. Symbolizes the death of old precepts and the birth of change the world desperately needs. 

Weapons look like well guarded treasures. Each shone brighter than the last in her eyes. She even took out one blade. It was a rapier, like the one on her favorite online game character. The same thing Gab recreated in one of their conversations. She swung it around, the room is spacious enough to move around so it was not a question. Turning around she pushes her right hand while still maintaining her balance.

“Light but not my style,” she smiles before putting the blade back in its place.

She picks on the chained weapon with a crescent shape blade on both ends. Shaking her head meant the design was eccentric for her taste. Next one she picks on an altered version of razora. Instead of it’s bulky gun built it was remodeled into a handy but deadly function. How does she know? The moment she gripped the gun it punched a hole on the pillar in front of her. Not just an ordinary hole but melted-the-thick-metal-gaping-hole type.

Then the alarms blared. She panicked and tried to put it back again. Though it was too late, Fray caught her red handed. Catching his breath. He must have ran to get to her, worried.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Then gets the weapon off her hands and returns it on the shelf himself.

Eli even rolled her eyes, no plan on admitting to her crime. “They should have it locked at least. Not my fault.” Then raises both of her  hands.

“It is locked. You just happen to be granted with access to all weapons beforehand. Trei made sure you can fend for yourself.”

She plants her hands on her back pockets. Feigning her guilt. “I don’t need protection. I’m here on my own volition. I don’t need her special treatment.”

Fray puts right his hand on her shoulder. “You do. Not from the world around you but from yourself,” then taps her shoulder. “Go get the blades for real this time.”

Eli dragged herself to do what she was told. Her energy has died down. She placed the weapons on his hand as if it was too much to carry two pieces of metals. 

“Sulk later after our sparring session. You can’t go on dying on me on our first night out, do you?” 

She silently followed him outside like a good puppy.

***

“Straighten your arms. Level your body. Breathe evenly.” She never thought Fray could be this heartless in training.  Besides she needs to prove her claim. She wanted advanced courses after all. “Don’t just swing it around like a stick warding off an animal. What if you are facing a beast?”

She looked back. Her eyes blazing with determination. “Beasts don’t exist.”

“So we thought about the disease turning people into one? Stop complaining and do as I say.” Then the room shifted into a different location. They were inside a forest. “There’s the beast you were  talking down on.” Fray points at an approaching bear. Though it didn’t have fur on it. Only its muscle and hunk of flesh showing, rotting. Claws as sharp as knives, they were made of metal after all. When it roared it’s teeth were razor sharp too. 

Eli smirked, “you’re making me play with a hologram?”

Then the bear jumped and pounced at her, she was brought to the ground. 

“Thanks to your comments about the personalized touch. There you have it, a taste of your own medicine,”  he grins savoring the moment. While the other curses him under her breath.

She struggles with the bear, even received a few deep cuts, from her elbows and legs,  especially on the stomach. Now she’s writhing in pain crawling. Using her blade she pushes her body upwards in order to stand. But falls miserably. It was the bear’s turn to pounce her again. It’s eyes locked with hers like they were the only ones inside their own world. The next blow could either kill her or she kills it first.

“Wait not yet,” she calculates the distance and angle. “Now!” Then a gush of blood washes over her as she stabs the beast with her blade then drags it upward. It’s insides dropping on her face like a pile of rotten meat, utterly disgusting.

Fray claps his hands from a distance. Mentally congratulating himself for a job well done. Taking all the credits and kicking Trei out of the picture. At least he can really say that he’s moved on. Moved on from his years of unrequited love for Trei. His sentiments about her were true, except for the sleeping with her skit.

He finally walks towards Eli, giving out his hand. Like touching the key that would open the doors for his future, starting today. She grabs it then side sweeps Fray’s legs so he falls on his face. Eli stands on her own and taps her hands off with dirt. “Thank you for sleeping on the job. I need a shower.” Wiping off the blood from her face.

“Don’t let the mirror fool you,” Fray replied as he flopped himself back. Imagining how she would throw another fit finding out the top secret that kept her alive and breathing until now. Without her father knowing.

Eli just waves her hand without looking back. Dismissing any attempt of further comments from him. A wide grin pasted on her face. Thinking how she likes to plan things ahead. But that move was out of impulse. Because if she calculated things accurately it wouldn’t bring her down in the first place.

“Fray was right, my impatience will be the death of me.” She stretches her arms upward  while running. “Though I wouldn’t admit it on his face,” she snickers.