The third duel was when the squad really started to click. Chad and Salem worked very well together, while Sable and Ariel also worked great in tandem. Like always Jack was the odd one out. His power and abilities were dangerous and if he didn’t focus extremely hard, he could just as easily hit his teammates. They were using their new formation. This one involved Ariel and Sable charging forward while Salem and Chad would flank each side and Jack would support.

I have no idea how to support them. This is gonna suck. “I’ll do my best.” Planning before the battle, he decided his best option would be to focus on the enemy and try and stop them from doing whatever it is they wanted. The enemy squad was each carrying a large shield and a rifle. They all set up near each other. They were a wall of steel and guns.

The horn blew, signaling the start of the match. Once the duel started, the enemy began firing at each of their designated opponents. Jack’s group split up to spread out their fire, each opponent continued to shoot toward their chosen opponent. Jack lifted his gun and started to return fire at the opponents. He did his best to not hit his teammates as he shot. He was not very good with his gun. Crap shooting like this I could easily hit Sable or Ariel.

After firing a few shots and seeing them bounce off the thick shields ineffectively Jack decided to change tactics. He pulled out a different attachment for his gun and quickly started to fiddle with it while his team distracted the enemy. At first, they had shot a few times toward him, but whoever was supposed to be shooting at him had changed targets once Ariel and Sable had charged forward. Now Ariel and Sable were behind a large earth shield that was being reinforced by Ariel’s wind element, while three enemies fired toward them. Jack finished reassembling his gun and lifted the new model. The gun was a long-shot rifle that utilized the user’s element to fire. It was a really expensive modification that Jack had trouble paying for. Jack dropped to the ground, he set the gun up with a tripod and aimed toward the havoc. The enemy was still in a tight group. Sable and Ariel were still pinned down. Salem had done a good job of approaching the enemy, but he was being constantly shot at and was having trouble handling all the bullets. Chad was running around like an idiot. He was running and shooting his guns while dodging and weaving so it would be really hard to pin him down. It looked like he was almost breakdancing as he twitched, weaved, and bobbed. Jack thought it looked a little ridiculous, but he was doing a great job of still shooting his gun, and he was very distracting. Two of the enemies looked to be shooting toward him because he was so annoying. Jack sighted the rifle on the enemy and charged the first shot. He had to push the electricity into the rifle. There was a special mana cartridge that would absorb the elemental mana and enhance the bullet. After a few seconds, it signaled it was ready to fire with a little beep, and a small red dot in the corner of the scope turned green. Jack aim directly at the center mass of the middle enemy and fired. The gun punched back, and the scope smashed Jack in the eye.

“ow. Fuck” Jack blinked his eye. It was blurry. He tried to use his other eye to look down the scope and see what happened. The enemy he had been aiming at was still there, but the person two shields over had been blown back by the shot. Their shield was a crumpled mess, and they were still trying to recover. The shot had changed the flow of the battle in one second. The enemy squad was completely caught off guard and reacted slowly. Jacks squad however was prepared for the possibility of him using the gun and instantly went into action. Salem, Ariel, and Sable all charged in while Chad attacked the one who had been blown back. The difference in the ability and techniques of Jacks squad mates was apparent as they each charged into their opponents with different methods. Ariel was incredible. She flew through the air like a leaf on the wind. She twirled, spun, and flipped. Sometimes she looked more like an acrobat or a dancer when she fought. Jack could watch her forever. Then there was Salem. He was a bit more destructive with his metal control. The enemy was wearing thick metal armor and every time he connected a punch or kick the armor would dent and crush.

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By being in contact with the metal he was easily able to manipulate it to make it weaker as he was punching it. It was an incredible display of control for a first year, and Jack knew Salem would be incredible one day. And last but not least was Sable. His technique was the crudest, but it worked just as well. Sable just covered himself in stone and bowled his opponent over. Then he proceeded to stomp and crush them. His opponents were quickly dispatched by his teammates.

“Whooo, that’s three in a row.” Chad was laughing gleefully.

Even Ariel was smiling as the group collected their things. After collecting their stuff, the group made their way out of the arena.

“That was amazing!” Chad was still chatting away loudly. “If we keep going like this, we could easily make it to the finals.”

Jack winced. “Why did you have to go and jinx it?”

Chad looked ashamed. “Oh no. What have I done? How do I get rid of the curse?

“it’s too late man. were cursed by the jinx now.” Sable said solemnly

“Curse? Who cursed us?” Ariel asked way too seriously.

“Uh no no,” Salem said in a calming manner. “They are just joking around. They are saying Chad pointed out the fact that things are going well. Some people believe it is superstitious to comment on a streak.”

“Oh.” Ariel looked confused but she had relaxed.

“Come on guys. Let’s go find out when our next match will be.” Jack said, changing the subject.

While the group was walking through the city enjoying their winning streak, they laughed and joked.

“I mean what was that you were doing Chad? You looked ridiculous.” Jack said.

“my dance moves?” it’s a style I made up myself. Looks cool right?

“I don’t know if cool is the word I would use,” Sable said.

“hahaha. Thanks, man!” Chad said happily smacking Sable on the back.

“Does nothing get you down?” sable asked confused.

“what’s to be sad about? My friends and I are on a winning streak! Hahaha”

Everyone laughed. It was hard to tell if they were laughing at him or with him, but everyone was happy.

Jack looked over at Ariel and she was staring at him. She had a small smile on her lips but she also looked very serious. “We really need to talk about that scar on your hip.” That’s when Ariel pulled down the front of her shirt. Jack blushed and quickly looked away. He had never seen a woman naked before and was very shy.

“I noticed your scar was similar to Jack’s,” Salem said.

“yes. This scar on my chest is very special. Where I come from people absorb elements naturally. The scar left behind from this process is very distinct. Jack was shell-shocked. He was now staring at her chest. She had on a sports bra and right above was a large scar covering her upper chest.

“W..what?! You absorbed an elemental core naturally too?!”

The group now slowly turned their heads to look at Jack. “WHAT!?!”

“You both absorbed your elements naturally?” It was Salem talking. He was looking very serious between Jack and Ariel. “I was led to believe that was incredibly dangerous and no one does that anymore. Why would you do that?”

“Well, uh.” Jack was quiet as he tried to get his thoughts in a row. He had thought about this moment so many times. He had come up with so many scenarios about how the group would find out. He had never imagined this.

“I uh…” Everyone was staring at Jack. “It was an accident.” He looked down at the floor. He didn’t want to make eye contact with his friends. Jack was embarrassed.

“Holy cow! I can’t believe you both absorbed your elements naturally! That’s insane!” Chad was being very loud, and people were starting to stare. Ariel lifted her shirt and blushed slightly.

“Uh. Anyways.” Ariel changed the subject. “When I saw the scar on your leg I instantly recognized its distinct style. It’s the scar from naturally absorbing an element. My clan still performs element absorption the old way. How did you accidentally absorb yours.”

“It’s a long story.” Jack said quietly

“tell us over lunch!” Chad said happily.

“Uh, yeah. Ok. I guess that works.”