A Wish Granted

Three Years Later,

There is music when the knuckles meet the jaw or the first meet abdomen, the hollow grunt had their own tune and the echoes that come after it was more like a symphony to the one who enjoys fighting.

It might be for honor, to save the country from their heroic deeds. He did not care a shit if the country collapsed tonight. He knew he was strong enough to stand even after the downfall of the world. 

Some fight for pleasure, to get twisted joy from the blood and flesh of others. To see someone losing all his honor, power and life in the battlefield but for him… this fight brings music, music that keeps his mind alive. 

Lennart did not like music. But he liked the silence that followed it. Only one thing, one place kept his mind clear and that was… this fight. Irony, because he hated blood. The red color and the pain that comes with it remind him of that day again and the hatred bubbling inside him for years only gets heated again.

If only, if only.. He punched again and the thoughts paused. Violence was the only moment when he only thought about blood and survival. Other thoughts fade accepting their defeat.

"Do you think you are undefeatable, Lennart? I will show you tonight that with time you are rusting." the young man who had recently joined the group mocked with a strange laughter.

If not for the fight, Len would have told him to not laugh in front of others. But then… it would be better for him to laugh. It would give Len another way to keep the other knights busy in their work.

The man seemed to notice the bored look on Len's face. He gritted his teeth. It had been minutes. Twenty minutes later he was punching and Kicking Len but the man had not shown a single sign that he would defend or attack.

He could not believe that this man who was so dazed and lost could be the best fighter of the notorious underground bars where people fight for money, fun or meeting Lennart. But no one knew why Len fought here when he was the strongest man of the empire.

The one and only aide of his majesty, Charles The tyrant who had swallowed the whole empire after killing his whole family. And he did it with the help of only one person…. Lennart. The name was feared, hated and reviled at the same time.

Lennart was a legend for many, a traitor for a few but they all believed in his power. The strength his fits hold was nothing in comparison to his mind. And he came to fight here every weekend, promising the winner anything they wanted.

But… no one ever won against him. Tonight it will be different. The man was sure about it no matter what the crowd said. He was going to defeat this monster and show the world that Lennart was not invincible. He was a human like them and humans had weaknesses. And he was lucky, the man was too distracted to fight today.

"Once this fight ends, you are going to offer me the position of a baron at least. I want to be a noble." he said as he landed a perfect blow, forceful and lucky at the perfect angle on the jaw to jar the teeth and shook him from his thoughts. A mistake!

Lennart danced backward, his eyes finally clearing and falling on the man for the first time. And he raised a brow bemused at his triumphant gaze. He regained his balance, already fainting left, then right studying the body of his enemy, his exhaustion after fighting for a long time and all his weakness.

He might have been born as a noble but he had lived as a criminal. And criminals did not know mercy. He came to his feet, faster and then his fists now delivered unsympathetic, unwavering blows, connecting in a barrage of hits. Cheek. Jaw. Torso. The man was shocked, he tried to take a step back, but Lennart was sharper, faster, he only kicked the man hard enough for him to fall on his knees.

Lennart reached closer. Bent his torso to meet the eyes of the man. The man felt fear for the first time when he noticed the smirk on Lennart's face.

"You could be a duke as long as you defeat me. But for that you have to grow first." he patted his shoulders as if he was dealing with a child. The man gritted his teeth and wanted to stand up again but he couldn't.

Even when he struggled to stand or Lennart disappeared in the dark shadows, he did not find the strength to stand again.

"Your bone had been broken in that kick." a young man announced as he came forward.

"You should not have provoked him and he would have let you go with a few wounds." The man looked at the injured fighter with pity and laughter at the same time as if he was naive and stupid.

"Who are you?" he gritted his teeth. He might be defeated by Lennart. But who was not? That did not mean he was going to kneel here and listen to the random babbling of a stranger.

The young man must have expected this. Same questions must have been asked so many times that he did not waste his breath in replying to it. He took out three silver coins from the pocket and threw them toward the injured man. The injured man looked at them with fury. 

"Hey, do you think I am a beggar? Why are you throwing money at me?" He had his pride too. But the young man did not hear any of it. He repeated in a stoic voice, 

"This would be enough for your treatment, if not. You can come to Earl's manor to get the compensation but the news should not reach daylights."