Helpless

My eyes widened and I was left dumbfounded.

The injuries that was once hindering him from fighting back quickly became a history.

How…?

I almost dropped my bag that was hanged in my shoulder but I regained myself.

"Surprised?" He asked me with his sly smile. I did not respond.

I can now feel the insane amount of magic that he was once suppressing.

Does that mean he was not fighting at his full strength? Or he was not using even half of his powers?

Ever since I entered Aspiera, I never felt this helpless. I always thought I could win any fight as long as I use my power perfectly. Am I that arrogant since I won the combat training?

It has never crossed my mind that I'll be facing such a strong and formidable enemy. I never thought that a mission as simple as this could be very dangerous. How can I possibly win? I haven't fought a Caeli before.

It felt like his powers are crushing my hopes. I thought I was strong enough to engage in a real combat, but just facing him right now makes my knees tremble.

Even without raising a single finger, I think I'll surrender right away.

Wait…

His presence and his magic are clouding my thoughts.

I am not a coward! John trained me not to withdraw from a fight! I should fight even if it costs me my life!

I put down my bag and buttoned my jacket. What happens will happen. If this is the end of me, I'll fight proudly!

I positioned myself and covered my fists in flames.

"I thought I could defeat you easily without relying on my magic…" is he mocking me!?

"…but now I'm fired up!" he said and quickly rushed to my direction pointing the spear he made with his magic.

I thought I evaded it safely but I saw blood coming out from my shoulders. He got me again!

I know I don't have a chance against him but I can't just stand here and wait for my demise.

We started exchanging attacks using our magic but he is controlling the fight.

All of my attacks were useless against him and most of them are just to defend myself.

I did everything I could to block the daggers he kept on throwing but I missed almost half of it and now I am bathing with my own blood! There are open wounds all over my body and I am starting to lose my vision.

At this time, my flame can't heal all of these and I don't have enough magic left in me. If I use it all to recover, I'll be defenseless.

But if I don't heal myself, I won't be able to last more than five minutes!

I was busy thinking while he is approaching me.

I have no choice.

I set myself ablaze to heal my open wounds. The bleeding stopped but the wounds were not completely healed. I can still feel the pain all over my body but I don't have time to worry about that because he is now in front of me.

"I thought you are strong." He said, I can see in his face that he is really disappointed.

"You know, in this world, the weak dies first." He continued talking while looking at me like I am the most helpless person in the world.

I attacked him with my flame but it is too weak that he just repelled it with his magic.

I no longer have strength. I no longer have magic left in me. I am exhausted from the fight and I can't even move most of my body parts because the wounds might reopen.

Is this my final fight? Will this forest be my grave?

I laughed to myself. I let my arrogance precede me. If I only finished him earlier when I had the chance, I wouldn't be in this situation right now.

But regrets are always last in the line.

The trainees in Aspiera might be laughing at me right now if they can see how helpless I am. I can envision John's face staring at me saying 'pathetic'. I can imagine Maddy's mocking face while laughing at me.

But…

No, I am not giving up.

I fixed my position and stood up proudly. I gathered all the magic left in me.

I saw him grinning.

I closed my eyes and felt the magic coursing through my veins. It is not enough to kill him but it should be enough to deal some serious damage.

The worst-case scenario after releasing this attack is that I might pass out. But I'll think about that later… if I have the luxury of time and energy to spare.

I am slowly releasing the flame inside me and made a little tornado in my hand. This is the attack I used against Maddy during the combat training but it's weaker.

I positioned my body as if I am throwing a rock. It's 'do or die'.

He just watched me gather all my confidence. I released my attack with all that's left in me and waited for it to reach him but his phone suddenly rang.

He lowered his guard when he tried to get his phone so I was sure he will deal a serious damage.

It felt like the time purposely slowed down.

When he got his phone, he answered it like there's no harm approaching him. He is holding his phone with his right hand while he raised his left hand stopping my tornado.

He swiftly moved his hand in circular motion and the tornado quickly vanished in his hand.

My hope quickly shattered and it left me there, unable to move not because of my wounds but because of the shock.

This is impossible!

"Come on John! I'm having fun here!" I heard him say but it just passed through my ears.

The real worst-case scenario isn't me passing out but him repelling my attack.

I still can't believe what just happened. My mind won't digest it.

My legs trembled and I suddenly plummeted to the ground. I am losing my strength and some of the closed wounds are now opening and my body started bleeding again. I am starting to get dizzy and my vision is starting to get blurry.

I can't pass out now! I have to escape! I have accomplished my mission already and all I need to do is to get out of here and run!

I can't defeat him, not in this situation and not even when I am perfectly healed. He is way out of my league!

I tried to stand and used my arms to support my weight but it was of no use.

This can't be my end. I refuse it! I have to escape and train more so I don't have to feel this pathetic again!

But my body won't move. Not even an inch. I can no longer move my hands. I don't have enough strength to struggle. All I can move are my eyes.

I saw him put his phone in his pocket and went to my direction.

My vision is a little bit blurry so I can't see his facial expressions. And I don't want to see it… I feel so humiliated.

All I could do is close my eyes and feel the ground while I am bathing with my own blood.

I couldn't even heal my injuries.

I can now hear his footsteps and feel his hands hold my back and carried me.

I opened my eyes one last time and saw his worried look while he is carrying me.

Then I plunge into darkness.