We were fighting for quite awhile, at least a few hours. But it wasn't over til it was over.
My muscles tensed from the force of the attack which I sustained, the effects taking its toll. I stood from my kneeled position, then charged Zhou once more.
Reeling my arm back I released it, slamming my fist into Zhou's abdomen.
Yoshi followed closely behind Zhou, leaping into the air delivering a swift roundhouse to Zhou's temple.
It was useless though as Zhou only blocked and evaded our collaborated attacks, but I kept up the pressure releasing my shadow across the ground we fought on.
Yoshi moved forwards, seeing as I only applied the effects onto Zhou.
He appeared in front of Zhou, throwing his fist forwards slamming into Zhou's face.
He actually got a hit off! I thought, surprised at Yoshi's increase in skill.
Zhou skid back a couple feet before stopping completely, he smirked holding his nose.
Thanks to Yohan's shadows, I couldn't move allowing Yoshi to get a hit in, good job. Zhou thought.
Yoshi pressured Zhou once more, throwing a left hook to his jaw.
But Zhou leaned backwards avoiding the blow, flames immediately erupting from his palm throwing his arm at Yoshi.
Yoshi threw his arm as well, both of their palms meeting. The flames had seemed to have been put out, the only explanation was that Yoshi was using Zing.
Good, he put out his flames. I thought, coming up with a quick plan, I rushed forwards cutting off Zhou's escape route.
The shadow latched onto Zhou's legs holding him down, slowly creeping up Zhou's body squeezing him.
Yoshi's fist thrust out, connecting directly with Zhou's face yet again.
But Zhou had not faltered, he took the hit and broke free of my shadows.
With enough strength built up, Zhou let forward a devastating attack straight into Yoshi's chest.
Tch. Yoshi clucked his mental tongue. His attack was too strong even with Yoshi's Zing active.
"Yoshi! Are you alright?!" I said, shouting loudly. But Yoshi didn't respond.
Damn it, he's out. I thought, but I had to keep the fight alive or else all our training would be for nothing.
I stood firm, my body relaxing as I closed my eyes and concentrated deeply.
Though we were sparring, Zhou just observed closely. He watched the way my body strengthened from within so quickly, and how I channeled my Yon throughout my body storing it.
Incredible, even with being here just a few weeks he has shown great control over his Yon. Zhou thought considerably of me, he saw the potential I had, possibly one with the most.
I opened my eyes, my body was stronger now, I felt it. A single step felt like I had traversed 3 meters, my movements were like a blur, far superior to Yoshi's.
In merely a blink I had already been in front of Zhou, and I slowly walked closer to him.
Zhou was surprised a little by how fast I was, simply put. He smirked, throwing his rather large fist towards me.
My perception was calm, as was my nerves. I had seen his attack before, but it was too fast for me. But I could actually avoid it now.
A crafty evasion, I shifted my body to the right a little out of Zhou's path. "Too slow." I said pivoting, which led Zhou to be met with my leg.
Zhou skidded back from the attack, wiping his lip of blood with the back of one hand.
"That was a nice one, you're both growing." Zhou said regaining his posture after a short inhale.
But I didn't waver, in fact I didn't hear what Zhou had said. "Don't forget, this is still a fight." I spoke, clenching my fists.
"I didn't forget.." Zhou replied, moving forth with unnerving speed, throwing a combo of attacks at me.
Given the circumstance, it was either bring him down or outlast him. But I didn't know how long Zhou could fight for, so my last option was to take him down.
I ducked the first attack, with the second being completely blocked. He's still so strong— My arms were beginning to numb with each blow taken.
But I did not waver, my strength came from my will to continue growing.
Zhou's onslaught didn't end, with each punch chipping away at my will to stand. I didn't know if I could outlast him, no, I knew I couldn't.
I moved my left hand, setting myself for a counter, redirecting his array of attacks, my right arm struck his ribcage.
But Zhou took it like it was nothing, overpowering my own force with his body weight. He grabbed the collar of my shirt lifting me off my feet, with not even a second to spare he slammed me into the sandy ground.
I groaned loudly, this experience of pain was nothing I've felt. My face was the first to touch the ground which broke my nose, I weakly brought myself up to my knees.
My knees shaking from the aftereffect, and my breathing labored. Zhou then stood above me, overcasting my own shadow with his.
"I-i haven't lost yet.." I said, building up the strength to even speak, "This i-isn't over.." my words were cut short when Zhou kneeled in-front of me.
"You did splendid boy, better than most." He said smiling, his reassurance was welcoming. He felt like someone I could depend on, even if times were rough.
"Thanks." I said before passing out square on the ground.
A few hours later..
"So who're these rookies, are they strong?" A boy with bright red hair had said.
"Well, I can only speak for Yohan and Yoshi, Anya hasn't been seen in awhile." Inouye said while crossing his arms.
"So Inouye, what are they like?" Said a girl with lengthy black hair, she kept one hand on her hip while the other curled parts of her hair.
"Yeah, they sound pretty awesome." Said another girl with pink hair, she held a smile on her face leaning against the sassy girl.
"Whoever they are, they're newbies.. I say we pay them a visit." Another boy with white hair said, snickering.
"Exactly what are you implying?" A korean girl with short blonde hair, and a body matching the length of her mane said.
"I'm implying we say hello." The white haired boy said, stepping up to her.
"You know what I mean, don't do what you did to that Tiwan kid." She warned him.
"Is that a threat?" He replied, his tone pinpointing a jokingly irritated atmosphere.
"It can be." She said quickly, snapping back at him, puckering her lips pouting.
"Guys, calm down.." The red haired boy said, stepping between them, and pushing them back.
"Yeah, yeah.." The white haired boy remarked.
"Hot head." She said in response, chuckling as she crossed her arms.
"You guys are sooo lame." Said the black haired girl groaning, she then walked away, with the pink haired girl and Inouye following shortly after.
"Let's just go.." The red haired boy said pulling the white haired boy along by his collar, the blonde haired girl glared at the both of them as they made their way with the rest of the group following after.
A few minutes later.
My eyes fluttered open, holding myself up with my elbows on the bed I laid on.
I turned my head, looking around recognizing the area I was in. It was my room, I guess Zhou brought me here after our sparring session.
I lifted my hand after having sat up all the way, feeling my nose which was previously broken, entirely healed.
"Weird.." I said, finally standing from my bed. I walked towards the door opening it.
My arm pulled the knob, swinging the door open. To my surprise, I saw two girls huddling in front of me.
Eh…?. My brows frowned, turning my head to the side. A confused expression, to convey my disbelief.
"Uhm.. who are you guys?" I said, considering I was genuinely curious.
One of the girls turned towards me, just after concluding their little huddle.
"Hii cutie, I'm Yuuina, you'll refer to me as your senpai, got it?" She said smiling, whilst simultaneously glorifying herself.
She had long black hair, with a white skirt and yellow sweater.
"Hi!!! I'm Nene, I'm glad to introduce myself to you. You seem so wonderful, I like to shop, and hang out with my girls! What about you??" She said, talking extremely fast. She really liked introducing herself.
Nene had pink hair with a piercing below her lip, and wore baggy jeans with a white crop top.
"Hi.. I'm Yoh-" I was cut off.
"Yohan? We know." Yuuina said, smirking..
"Wow, how do you guys know me?" I said.
"Oh, we have our ways!" Nene said excitedly.
"So what are you headed, cutie?" Yuuina said, stepping closer.
I took a couple steps forward away from the door frame, and closed my room door.
"I was going to go check on my friend, I just woke up after my spar with General Zhou." I said, kind of embarrassed.
"Wait, you sparred with 'the' General Zhou?" Nene said, seeming as if she worshipped him.
"Yeah, he was really strong.." I said, peering at my hand.
"I've always wanted to meet him, so what's he li-" Yuuina immediately shuts Nene up, turning towards Yohan.
"Sorry about her, she's very talkative." Yuuina said, with a smirk.
"It's fine." I said, chuckling nervously.
"I'll see you later then, Yohan." Yuuina said, still holding Nene quiet. She winked at me, dragging her along.
"Bye.." I said quietly as they turned the corner of the hallway.
Yuuina and Nene.. huh. They seemed nice, at least for now.
I made my way to Yoshi's room, only to find it empty. Yoshi wasn't there, and I didn't find anyone in the dormitory.
I walked downstairs to the main lobby, where I exited outside to the yard. I saw both Anya and Yoshi, talking to Zhou.
I walked over, waving whilst jogging slightly.
"General." I greeted Zhou formerly, lowering my head briefly.
"Hey Yohan.." Anya said, sounding a little startled.
"What's wrong?" I said side hugging her.
"We have our first mission, and she's a little nervous." Yoshi said, chuckling.
"Mission..? Wait, really?" I said looking towards Yoshi and Zhou, shocked.
"Yes, in a few hours." Zhou said, crossing his arms.
"You nervous?" Zhou said, chuckling.
"Not at all, we're ready." I said smiling, hiding the fact that I was indeed nervous.
"We're gonna kick some major butt!" Yoshi exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Anya joined.
"It's not just gonna be you three, since it's your first mission. I'm accompanying you with another person, it's someone you know quite well." Zhou said, looking behind us.
"Speak of the devil." Zhou said. We turned around, seeing Inouye walking up to us.
He raised his hand, a gesture towards us saying hello. He smirked as I did. I was glad to see Inouye again.
"Yo, it's you again." Yoshi said, waving back.
Anya just stayed silent, holding onto my arm tightly. "We'll be safe." She whispered to herself.
"Now, go get prepared. Be quick, you guys leave soon." Zhou said, crossing his arms.
"Yes sir." We all said excluding Inouye.
We walked inside, walking to our dormitory. "What do you think it's about?" Anya said, still holding onto my arm the whole walk.
"I don't know, hopefully nothing too dangerous." I said, holding her hand tight.
"Yeah, we'll be fine Anya. Don't worry." Yoshi said smiling.
A few minutes later
I opened my room door, sitting on my bed. I closed my eyes concentrating.
"Hello again." A voice spoke, it was my spirit again.
"It's you." I said, surprised the spirit materialized.
"Yes, what is it you need?" The spirit asked, aimlessly floating around my face.
"Your name. What is it?" I asked.
"It's Yotai." The spirit answered.
"Yotai hm? What is Gold Yon?" I asked this question, due to its correlation to what Shaun said when we first met.
"Hm.. I shall tell you that later, right now you have a problem." The spirit said, dissipating immediately.
My brows lowered in confusion, wondering what it meant.
I opened my eyes up to the sound of my door banging repeatedly, I stood up walking towards the door to open it.
"Wait a second!" I shouted, twisting the knob and opening my door.
Upon opening the door, I was instantly shoved back by none other than Taiwan.
"What's up loser, you thought you could hide forever? Your little boyfriend isn't here to save you now, let's run it." Taiwan said eager to beat my ass, cracking his knuckles in the midst of his sentence.
"Look, I don't want to hurt you man.. let's just talk about it." I said holding my hands up open palmed in defense, but still holding my ground.
"You think you can hurt me? Don't make me laugh.." Taiwan said before darting forwards with his left arm into my abdomen.
"You asked for it." I said, reacting by grabbing his arm and pushing downwards with my hand, followed by an uppercut connecting with his jaw.
Taiwan grunted, stumbling back a few feet. I stood waiting for him to respond with another attack, but he didn't. He was still staggered by my blow so much everything was blurry.
"Come on Taiwan, let's stop, okay?" I pleaded with him.
Taiwan was released from his dazed state, like he woke from a coma. I stood there seeing if he was okay.
"You alright?" I asked.
"Don't give me your sympathy." He said, glaring at me with his dark red eyes.
"Sorry, are we done though?" I said.
"No." He said, charging with another left jab but to my face. I pivoted to my left, attempting to avoid the attack. But to my surprise Taiwan feinted, his right fist launching forward with high speeds.
'?!?! I was able to avoid it though still moving backward, Taiwan just wasn't fast enough.
Using my backfoot to hop forwards, my fist connected once more with his jaw. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he fell to the ground, he was knocked out.
"Dammnit.. I didn't mean to hit him that hard.." I said, as I was a little worried.
Yoshi knocked on my door, opening it seeing as it was cracked. He walked in to see Taiwan on the floor unconscious, "The hell happened?" He said shocked.
"He just barged into my room wanting to fight me, and I forgot to hold back." I said slicking my hair back.
"Hell's his problem." Yoshi said, sighing..
"Anyway, we leave in like 10 minutes.. hurry up." Yoshi said remembering why he came in the first place.
"I'll be out soon. Can you take him?" I said pointing at Taiwan.
Yohan sighed nodding his head, he pulled Taiwan by his collar closing my door.
I exhaled in relief, seeing as that was over. I finally began preparing, bringing a small pack with my phone and a small knife.
I dressed well, wearing black pants with a dress shirt, over my shirt was a dark grey jacket.
I walked out of my room, heading to the lobby where I met up with the rest of the team.
"Are we all ready?" Inouye asked.
"Yeah!" The three of us shouted in union.
Yoshi turned to me, putting his hand on my shoulder.
"You remember our promise?" Yoshi asked.
"To never split apart, even on this mission." I said, smiling.
He smiled, patting my back before we averted our attention back to Inouye.
"The mission is simple, we have to successfully evacuate a facility, and exterminate shifters. Easy enough?" Inouye said, explaining the content of the mission.
"Yes, let's do this." I said, with everyone else nodding in agreement.
The mission was easy, rescue and extermination.