9 Highway to hell

What should I do? It is really simple: evade and avoid as best as I can and try to strike in the softest regions. And not in the softest region! Most people watching are men and they take such hits personally even if they weren´t hit by it.

He charged again! But this time I could already see a soccer punch to my face.

Hey dude! Don´t mess with a girl's face!

I tried to deflect his punch by a bit while sidestepping, so his charge won´t hit me and bending my upper body out of the line of the punch. While I am at it I tried to counterpunch with my other hand.

With all that effort I managed to avoid both the charge and his punch and I could feel my punch connect with his face. But I severely underestimated his velocity and not only did he shrug off my punch, but his body took my arm with him and sent me tumbling to the ground.

Don´t punch a moving train! Seriously don´t! I hurriedly rolled on the ground and managed to get on my feet without trouble. My arm hurts like hell though, but nothing seems to be broken.

Distance! I need distance! I tried to skip away as he turns around and charged. Seriously don´t charge right now! Okay if everything fails... charge!

Running towards Zawis I tried to time it just right. He looked at me surprised but continued with his charge. Just a few meters away I jump and add a bit of spin to my body movement.

I can see his eyes widening a bit as I plant my foot in his face. I can hear a loud crack and my vision went white from the pain. I could feel my body flying to the ground and hit something that stopped my tumbling. I tried opening my eyes, but a lot of bright stains of light blocked my view.

I don´t have time for that! I blinked and blinked until enough of those stars left my field of vision to get a view of my opponent. I raised my head and shakily stand up. My feet, that made contact with Zawis face still hurt like hell, so I mostly stood on my other feet.

I looked around for Zawis, but couldn´t see him on the field. Where is he? Where?

I blinked the last stars away and slowly the sound I didn´t notice vanishing returned. I could hear cheering, here and there some biting comments and the Elders booming voice.

"The victory belongs to Arn!"

What? Where is Zawis? I turned around and there he was lying on the cold, hard ground! Apparently, after we collided we both tumbled into the spectators. That sounds about right, since my body mass surely isn´t even half of his, and killing his momentum with only one kick is simply not happening. Did I really manage to knock him out? Yeah! I am the...

"Arn, move and make place for the next fight!" Elders' voice boomed and shocked me out of my stupor.

"Yes!"

Goal achieved! No more than that! Overachievement achieved!

Let´s get out of the way, sit down and massage my foot for the next fight. It still hurts and I will have to fight at least one other fight. Right now I must look like one delicious meal. I somehow managed to fight off Zawis, but now the honor for defeating me did suddenly rise. Perhaps five or ten minutes until I will be challenged again? Will that suffice to get back on my feet? Probably not, but there isn´t a choice. If I was in better condition I would have challenged the next weakest after me before someone can challenge me, but I don´t think I will have that option right now.

"Next fight! Donar against Sarolf!"

"Yes!" "Yes!"

They took the field and charged at each other like some sumo wrestlers and proceeded to punch the daylight out of each other. That was how everyone expected a fight to go. I hope I won´t get burned for my fight.

"Winner is Donar! Engilde challenges Sint!"

"Yes!" "Yes!"

And another slugfest just with female members. It really doesn´t look very creative, but seems to work pretty well. My feet are still not in perfect condition, but I don´t think I will have more time. I need to challenge the next one after this fight!

"The victory belongs to Engilde!"

Cheers erupt and drums were beating, they just like to shout and drum don´t they? How can their reaction always be the same?

"Who will challenge next? It seems Athala wants to challenge next!"

Damn! I was too slow! Don´t let it be me! Don´t let it be me! Come on!

"Who do you want to challenge?"

Not me! Not me! Not...

"I want to challenge Arn!"

Nonononononono No!

I slowly stood up and threw a hopefully murderous gaze at Athala.

"I accept the challenge!"

It's not like I have another chance anyway... did I at least sound confident this time?

I started to move into the circle. She will charge at me, right? I shouldn´t just assume everyone will do the same, but... I can´t imagine them attacking in any other way.

The elder raised his arm and again dropped it sharply.

"Begin!"

She charged. Thought so! But do you know the difference between you and Zawis? You are lighter and smarter. You will definitely try to get me with a punch!

Sure enough, I noticed her arm starting to punch at me. Clinging with both arms to hers, I jumped up until my body was vertically in front of her upper body and pulled her over me. It sounds quite strange, but thanks to her momentum and her relative light bodyweight I managed to throw her over me and landed on top of her trying to knock the wind out of her.

That´s it just retreat now! I rolled away and to my feet. She looked a bit hurt but more than that she looked quite perplexed. Why does she take her time to get to her feet?

Alright! Chance! Kick to her face!

I got two kicks in before she blocked them with her arm. It doesn´t look like she appreciated the kicks well, but I don´t think I did more than annoy her. And my foot hurts again!

Distance! I once again need distance!

She tilts her head a bit, but instead of charging she calmly walks at me raising her fists. Her smile to me looks like the most evil of smiles and the only thing I could think of was:

Oh shit!

Slugfest incoming!

Was my last thought before I parted from this world.