Zulu stayed on him. His hands were loose, his shoulders bouncing, and his eyes sharp despite the swelling over his left cheek.
His breathing was heavy, but not labored. He still had energy.
His feet kept shifting, measuring the space, keeping Elias just within reach.
Elias moved lightly too, but with more control. His arms were up, tight to his face, and his weight stayed centered.
He watched Zulu's hips, not his hands, and didn't blink when the next feint came.
Zulu threw a high jab, then immediately dropped low and launched a rear leg kick.
The kick slammed into Elias's thigh, and Elias grunted, taking a step back. Zulu chased him.
He swung a wild right hand. Elias ducked under it and tried to clinch, but Zulu broke it with an elbow across the temple. It didn't land clean, but the speed and aggression were rising again.
Zulu jabbed, then followed with a low kick that slapped hard against Elias's calf. Then another. He wasn't giving Elias time to reset.
