Chapter Seventeen

I scowled as people laughed loudly behind me. I even glared when the people in front of me would bump into my knees, only to apologize in fear.

My body sat smack in the middle of a crowd. People surrounding me from all sides. Now that I wasn't fighting, the cheering seemed to bother me.

"I'm so excited!" Arianna laughed and bounced next to me.

"Me too." Dan's eyes twinkled.

"Go Sani!" Liz dragged on a loud cheer.

A fighting tournament, I grinned.

While fighting itself didn't excite me, the tournament allowed me to see who I was dealing with. It's an advantage no one takes for granted.

"Hey look! There's Parker!" Arianna towards a red head that peered among the fighters.

His eyes were relaxed and focused. Honestly, I don't think it was a side I've ever seen of him. A weird feeling swirled in my stomach.

I touched my stomached, almost concerned. Am I sick?

A grin fell over his face and he waved madly when he found us among the crowd.

Sani stood next to him, her usual stoic face looked through the competitors. After a quick sweep, she looked over to us and saluted with two fingers.

Liz and Brye let out a shrill scream.

I had learned that these 'tournaments' were created in order to evaluate the trainee's ability and decide whether they were ready for real combat. However over the years it had become a full scale tournament in which the winner would have the opportunity to battle their previous trainer, Sharp-eyes. Arianna had mentioned to me that the tournament is usually held every four months. This one however had been pulled forward by two.

I wonder why, I thought while looking over the contestants.

Bodies of different types stood among each other. Tall, short. Lean and buff. Curvy and skinny. With a glance I could already tell how had a strong chance of advancing to the preliminaries. Then again, I kept in mind I could not determine their analyzing skills until they were fighting.

"Welcome everyone!" Mr. Small announced into a microphone. "We'll be starting in two minutes! I repeat! We'll be starting in two minutes!"

Once the announcement had passed, it seemed that the contestants would look nervously at each other. With the exception of Sani of course, who simply smiled eerily as though she were ready to kill.

"That's not creepy." Dan blinked with concern.

"I think it's kinda... cute?" Arianna attempted to cover up Dan's words lamely.

Even I can't deny, I thought, she looks terrifying.

Liz avoided making a comment by screaming Sani's name loudly.

The two minutes went by quicker than expected as Mr. Small was back on the small platform. "We are ready to commence! Our first fight, Lois versus Herman!"

The crowd watched as these two walked onto their stage, not hesitating to flex their muscles. Girls screamed in delight at the sight of the bare chested men.

Mr. Small announced the rules of the fight while declaring that Sharp-eyes would be the referee. Then the fight started. We all watched, keen eyed, as the two of them threw punches at each other.

Are they really ready for combat?

Their throws in my eyes were sloppy and slow. I could easily predict what moves they were to take. Left. Then a right. They only seemed to be punching each other, neglecting the fact that their whole body could be a weapon.

Even so, the crowd roared with excitement with each punch.

I looked over to Arianna to see her reaction but she was busy whispering with Lucky. She said something that caused Lucky to turn a violent red.

My head tilted slightly. I wonder what she said in order to turn her so red?

Suddenly, I felt something strange.

In a rash movement, my eyes jerked to the left but found nothing and no one there. I could feel my heart to beat erratically.

I could've sworn someone was looking at me.

Looking in every direction, I had yet to find the pair of eyes that stared. The prickly feeling never leaving me.

Over the past few days I had been feeling the same sensation several times. Someone is watching me. The issue was finding out who. They clearly knew how to conceal themselves the moment they realize you can sense them. The idea that someone this skilled here put me on edge.

"Snow?"

My eyes focused on a hand that waved over my face. I turned to see the owner of the face.

"Are you good?" Arianna asked with a concern expression.

I nodded, What good would come out of her knowing?

"I was telling you that I asked Lucky to come eat lunch with us." She spoke weirdly. I narrowed my eyes in my head when I realized she was being shy. "Is that fine?"

My eyes moved between Arianna and Lucky. Both of them seemed shy and nervous.

A weird and bitter feeling tickled my chest.

Will she take Arianna away from me?

I froze at that thought of mine.

What am I thinking? Arianna was someone I trusted to an extent. The only person I could feel comfortable around. Maybe that's why I don't want her to suddenly drift away. Maybe I considered her my- no. She can't be my friend. It was too dangerous.

And besides, who would even want a friend like me?

Trying to push my thoughts away, I simply looked away and mumbled, "I don't care."

The roaring of the crowd covered Arianna's response, but I couldn't escape the elated look she gave Lucky. The bitter feeling returned.

One of the weaklings had won, although I didn't really care and the tournament went on.

Match after match, until it was finally Parker's turn.

Unlike the other boys, Parker didn't flaunt his looks when he walked on stage. That didn't stop the girls and women from screaming though. The other guy he was up against sent him a dirty look. Parker ignored it and looked at us instead.

I hadn't realized before but his curls were pushed back with colorful hair clips, exposing his forehead.

His forehead is bigger than I expected.

"It's so refreshing looking at Parker with his hair pulled back." Liz smiled. Brye nodded in agreement.

"He just looks weird." Dan muttered while searching the crowd for someone in particular. She lit up and waved when she found her sitting across from us.

Parker flashed us that grin.

My stomach fluttered again. Seriously I'm I sick?

I turned to see if I could ask Arianna for an idea but she was chatting with Lucky again.

Looking down, I began to toy with my hands again. His voice would've told me if it was serious. So I should be fine. I just don't know why it's happening.

Stomach aches, to my knowledge, come when; you're beyond starving, you've eaten spoiled food or drunk something unhealthy, and when your organs are hurt due to a wound. I know for a fact it wasn't the first or the last option, so it might've been related to something I ate or drank. I should probably-

"He won't let Parker land a punch!" Brye spoke with concern.

My attention turned to Parker who was consecutively dodging several attacks effortlessly. He's passed my expectations, I thought. Although I had seen him in elemental training, it wasn't hand-to-hand combat.

Parker's moves were slow, but not as slow as the rest. His moves were almost near precision with a few mistakes here and there. Not to mention he was able to read his opponent's moves.

Parker would definitely beat the current Tristan in a fight, I analyzed with a nod.

Over all, the red-head was not bad.

Finally deciding to attack, we watched as Parker landed a strong kick to his opponent's side. Then as the guy gasped for air, Parker lowered his fist only to pull it up with force. The uppercut was enough to leave the guy on the floor. We watched as the guy scrambled back to his feet to swing once more. Parker however, had quickly dodged and gave him another strong punch on the ears. The guy fell into a daze and tripped. Parker finally pinned the guy to the floor and the both of them struggled until Parker's opponent reluctantly gave up.

The crowd went wild.

The sheer loudness of it caused me to physically squeeze my hands over my ears.

"He won!" Arianna and the rest were standing with the rest of crowd while cheering and chanting Parker's name.

It was quick compared to the others. A sinister smile crossed my face. I wonder how long he would last against me.

Mr. Small announced the winner and urged the crowd to calm down.

Once everyone was settled down, I felt Arianna nudge me gently. "Parker's calling you." She pointed at Parker who looked at us.

"How did I do?" He mouthed.

I gave him an inexpressive thumbs up.

Despite my lame answer, Parker grinned.

"Look Sani's next." Dan pointed to the space in front of us with her chin.

Expectedly, Sani also won her match after mercilessly beating the living daylights out of her opponent.

"Personally I think Parker and Sani are both going to reach the finals." Brye muttered and I looked over to her.

"Why would you say that? The other's are pretty strong." Arianna looked over with a raised brow.

"Sure they're strong, but compared Sani and Parker, they hold no candle." Brye stated with a firm tone.

My lips thinned. Brye without a doubt was analyzing the different fights and had come to the same conclusion as I did. Sani and Parker were fighting smartly. While others swung at random, they both calculated and acted upon their findings. However, there was one thing that made one of them superior to the other.

Liz gasped. "But that would mean they would have to-"

"Fight each other." Dan finished with a grin. "Finally, something exciting to look forward to."

"Who would win?" I mumbled suddenly.

Brye's eyes furrowed as she went into deep thinking. "Well, Parker's build is stronger so his chance of winning should potentially be bigger."

A small smile slipped through my lips at her response. Well, she's not wrong.

"Still, to make it that far. It's impressive." Liz chirped.

I unconsciously looked at my rough hands. They'll never have to claw the way I did during training. I don't know if that's good or bad.

The day went on, fight after fight and I was near exhaustion when the moment we had expected arrived.

Parker had won yet another match which signaled his advancement to the finals.

"He really will have to fight Sani!" Liz remarked as Dan smirked with wicked joy.

"We will be having a twenty minute break before the final match!" Mr. Small announced.

The crowd immediately began to disperse to meet with their respective friends who had fought previously. Parker and Sani came to us.

"Hey guys!" Parker smiled. "How are we doing so far?"

"Don't go easy on each other!" Dan sprang up while ignoring his question.

Sani smirked, "Isn't that a given?"

Parker sent her a disturbed look. "Are you really not going to go easy on me?"

She shook her head.

"Now I'm afraid."

Everyone's laughter rang through my ears. The sound of their laughter is kind of calming. I closed my eyes. Was it possible for me to keep hearing this?

Their laughter became someone else's. I felt my heart drop. A small child's laugh rang in my ears. My eyes open and the laughter cut off instantly.

"Are you okay?" Parker asked with concern peering at my face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Everyone's attention was directed at me.

I nodded, ignoring the pounding of my heart and the lump in my throat.

"Are you sure? Do you want to go to the infirmary?" Arianna asked anxiously. "Wait no! Lucky, why don't you check if she's okay?"

Lucky immediately nodded and moved towards me.

My hand quickly went up and I shook my head.

They glanced at each other knowing there was no room for arguing.

"You sure do have a lot admirers Parker." Sani smoothly transitioned their attention from me.

Everyone's attention went to the surrounding crowd. Women and girls looked at us with envy but squealed when Parker looked in their direction.

He turned again shyly and looked at me anxiously. "I- I guess I do."

I found it odd how so many women can fawn over a boy.

His eyes bore into mine and my heart soared again.

W-well, it's their business not mine, I thought looking away quickly.

"We've gotta get back. Come on Loverboy." Sani dragged him away as he protested.

"While he has a lot of admirers, he doesn't really pay much attention to them." Lucky glanced over to me with a smile. "I think that's why I felt special when he spoke to me."

Arianna glanced at her. "You are special though."

Lucky blushed scarlet.

Okay...

"We'll be commencing shortly!" Mr. Small announced, causing the masses to return to their respective seats.

We watched as Parker and Sani took the time to stretch and focus.

The crowd grew silent when Mr. Small urged the two finalist to enter the ring.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and other! Welcome to our final match!" His voice was loud yet full of vigor. "Our finalist, Parker versus Sani!"

The crowd didn't hesitate to meet his vigor with loud roaring cheers. I had to admit, even my heart with beating with anticipation and I didn't mind the loudness of the crowd.

We watched as the two contestants listened closely to Sharp-eyes instructions, his lips seemed to be retelling the rules. Suddenly the two of them retreated to the mat. Sharp-eyes nodded, giving them reason to face each other and bow respectively.

Then it began.

The two of them instantly went into a fighting position, and while Sani's was near perfection, Parker's was a little too slouched. Their personalities seemed to die and like beasts, their eyes only shone with thirst and focus. The crowd grew quiet, the thick atmosphere grew between them as they circled the arena like tigers.

Suddenly, Sani pounced out of nowhere and broke the mental battle.

The crowd gasped as Parker dodged and the attacks from both sides began.

While Brye's analysis was correct, Parker's build was more stronger than Sani's, she failed to consider one thing. Sani did not hesitate.

While watching all of her matches, I realized there was a consistent technique in her fighting. She injured then attacked those weak points and she was smart about it. While Parker fought cautiously, Sani struck mercilessly.

The only way Parker had a winning chance was if she were to suddenly have an opening.

However, seeing that he was already injured as Sani had managed to dislocate his shoulder, it was only a matter of time until he lost.

Parker held his shoulder and attempted to back away but Sani pounced once more.

Having an even more limited opportunity to attack, Parker could only dodge the fury of attacks Sani brought.

"She's absolutely pummeling him!" Dan exclaimed with joy.

Brye only stood there wide-eyed.

There!

While swinging periodically, Sani's footing grew wider. Parker had failed to see this, and thus missed his opportunity to obtain the upper hand as Sani's feet adjusted. He had to wait until his next opportunity.

It was only a matter of time before one of them grew tired.

And it seemed that Parker was first.

He had slowed to the point where he was unable to dodge a swing for his nose. He stumbled, disoriented from the hit. Sani didn't wait for him to get his head back in place and landed a kick to the side of his stomach.

The crowd gasped as Parker tumbled onto the ground.

Sani towered over Parker like a giant, her eyes glowing. She swooped in, taking advantage of his dazed state to hold him into a head lock. We watched as he struggled but eventually went limp. His shoulder began to shake, and a loud bellow erupted from his mouth. Sani narrowed her eyes.

"You win!" He laughed, admitting defeat.

A loud whistle rang, and the crowd began to cheer.

Sani stood up, and helped Parker up as well. His nose was certainly broken, blood ran down his nostrils. We watched as Mr. Simmons walked up to Parker and checked his condition. After popping Parker's shoulder into place, Mr. Simmons went to Sani, who stood mostly unscathed.

After confirming that they were fine, Mr. Small stood once more on the platform.

"The winner of this tournament is Sani!"

The roaring of the crowd returned.

"Yes!" Liz squealed and shared a hug with Dan, while Brye still seemed a little shocked.

Sani stood in the middle of the mat, a triumphant smirk laid on her fingers as her fingers were tucked in the pockets of her pants.

After a few moments, Mr. Small spoke once more. "Sani, you have to opportunity to fight Vans, would you like to attempt it?"

She nodded almost immediately.

A short break passed and the fight commenced immediately.

While her skills were great, she didn't last more than a minute against him.

But something that I had failed to notice while I fought him consumed my thoughts.

He fights just like like a soldier trained by the World League, I thought.