Dance of Strikes

The crew in the pub cleared space as the two stared each other down. Everyone in the building watched carefully, as if they would move at speeds missed by a blink. They both held their fists up. Alex with his feet firmly planted and his fists in a closed stance, ready to counter. Kelsey, light on her feet, an open stance and shuffling slightly as if she were keeping a momentum to strike at any moment.

The crowd remained silent as they formed a circle around them. A coin fell from a table, it spun almost in slow motion as it descended before the clink. Suddenly Kelsey threw a fist aiming for the stomach, only to be blocked off. Before Alex could retaliate with a counter, Kelsey struck with a high kick aiming for his head. Alex lifted his arms but was temporarily stunned by the force of the impact.

As she pulled back Alex went for a clothesline strike which got countered into a grappling battle.

"Why are they trying to kill each other? They only have to knock the other down." Stated Prince in fear of his best friend's life.

"Kelsey has always been brutal, no matter the situation. Whether the battle be large scale or training, she will always show brutality. Your friend seems to be handling this well, but she seems to be holding back." Responded Dean with a grin.

Kelsey made an attempt to put Alex in a side headlock but backed away as Alex readied himself for an Olympic slam.

"Wow, there is only person I know who'd think of that attack in this situation." Kelsey said almost praising Alex.

"Well, I'm no ordinary amateur in a fight." Alex responded with a smug smirk.

Alex decided to go on the offensive and went for a stomach strike only to feint it and struck a full force open palm attack straight for Kelsey's face hoping to incapacitate her and knock her down. She evaded the direct strike but was still struck on the shoulder.

She wobbled slightly but responded by swiftly grabbing his arm and pulling him in closer. Both wound their heads back and collided in a clash of hard hitting headbutts. They both were dazed but refused to go down.

Their moves were both slower and less accurate. Throwing and evading strikes in a wobbly back and forth.

"Well, this took a turn, usually that would knock someone out but they both went in with power and are still standing. Hopefully, they didn't get brain damage" Dean laughed.

Prince watched with concern as strikes were thrown, missed, and countered. "That collision really knocked it out of them, I don't know how they're standing" he said hoping neither of them had a concussion.

Although lethargic, the strikes had a sense of stance and grace in them. Each hit still filled with power and force considered dire to the other.

Kelsey went in for a headlock as she jumped to get a grip of Alex's head. Before she could lock in upon landing, Alex slid out and locked in a back body lock.

"What are you doing you perv?" Kelsey said alarmed. She had an embarrassed look of anger. Alex realised he had locked his arms across her breasts. He began to notice the warm feeling in his arms but quickly released and pushed her away.

"I'm so sorry." He yelled with a red face. Dean burst out in laughter and Prince looked away trying not to laugh.

"How'd it feel?" Chuckled Dean. "That was smooth kid. She must be a B cup or something."

Alex spluttered random words and noises in embarrassment and shame.

Kelsey, with a look for blood, charged in with no guard with a devastating headbutt on the head on Alex. They both stood still with their arms held to their sides.

They both stumbled and collapsed to the floor. The match ended in a tie, and both were out cold.

"What'll happen now then?" Prince questioned. "They're both out cold."

The Dean wiped a tear from his eye after his joyous laughter. "After that, I'll have to hear the kid out. That was a great show, he also fought one of our elites. She's known for using her head and no one has ever been able to take one hit let alone two, with one being doubled up from his own headbutt."

"Well, are we just gonna wait for them to wake up?" Asked prince.

"Yeah, but we'll take them upstairs away from the crowd. We'll let them rest up. You can stay with them if ya want, or ya could have a drink," said Dean.

"No thank you" Prince said politely. "I'll stay with them. I'll call you when they're up."

"Why are ya here anyway kid?" Asked Dean.

"Well, Alex is my best friend" responded Prince. "He'll do anything for me. To be honest sometimes he's a little crazy, but from what I learned about him, it's kinda makes sense. He lost so much already, so he doesn't want to lose anything else."

Dean smiles and nodded, both were transported up the stairs followed by Prince. Dean looked over at Prince and nodded.

"That kid has a good heart."