The 5 days Abe said it would take to reach his village had to be extended to 10. Not because it was impossible to reach the destination on the predetermined day, but rather because Connor really needed some lessons.
Despite Connor's efficient combat style with great potential - revealed to be Boxing, impressing Abe as it turned out to be an existing fighting style instead of improvised - he shouldn't rely solely on his fists and enhanced physical condition, even though Connor didn't disclose the latter.
Both attempted to determine Connor's proficiency with various weapons, from common ones to martial and improvised weapons, and surprisingly, even animals. After all, according to Abe:
"If you can throw it at your enemy, it's a weapon."
Which was undeniably true.
Historians of medieval wars often said that battles in movies were as accurate and well-written as a blind man in a shootout trying to listen to a mute. One common practice in those wars was to throw anything at the enemy climbing the towering walls surrounding the castle.
The arsenal ranged from stones to wooden plates—whatever was necessary to bring down those ascending. Not just to knock them down but also to set them ablaze. Pitch, alcohol, oil, or anything flammable had a reaction to fire as perfect as fireworks on New Year's Eve. And every defensive measure was essential in any war, no matter how small.
In the meantime of discovering his ideal weapon, Connor also asked the real reason why Abe had ventured what would be the equivalent of a week's distance from his village. At this point, the Primate opened up enough to reveal that he hadn't sought hunters to address his tribe's food problem—they were actually well-off in terms of food.
Connor was never much of a biology or science person, but for some reason (again making him question how he knew this information), he knew that Primates are omnivores, capable of feeding on anything, as long as it is safely edible. The real reason Abe had left was because he was on a journey of self-discovery, dealing with problems that Connor couldn't understand, no matter how hard he tried.
The Primate is one of the leaders of his village, responsible for vital sectors like warriors, hunters, and shamans. The religion followed by the Primates was more spiritual than religious, at least in the common understanding of religion. Connor is completely ignorant about religion and "supernatural knowledge" and chose not to comment on that topic.
In short, the primate just needed to take a breather. Working all the time can exhaust even the most resilient mind, making the most diligent beings succumb to so much mental pressure. Connor could relate a bit to the Primate; just two weeks ago, he was drowning in drinks, fights, and headaches about the future. With all this leadership melancholy aside, there wasn't much to talk about between the two. Despite Abe wanting to discuss world religions, Connor showed no interest in the topic. It was even awkward to try to start a conversation. The Big-Eared one also didn't talk much about his life—for obvious reasons but also out of sheer jerkiness.
In summary, their dynamics weren't the best. It defied logic, even.
Putting all that aside, the matter of weapons had to be explored in these 10 days, and even then, they weren't sure if they had chosen the right one.
They explored weapons from a more realistic standpoint.
The first and obvious one was the knife, a weapon easy to conceal and efficient in surprising opponents. However, Connor wouldn't use the knife, despite being constantly reminded that he had the tool. Abe scratched off this option on the same day it was presented.
The next weapons were variations of the same, but for different purposes: dagger, machete, and short sword. The only difference among the three was the blade's size and sharpness. Despite his best efforts, our protagonist didn't have great success wielding any of these three death utensils. He was quite average, neither bad nor good.
Common swords, longswords, hatchets, war axes, maces, and other cliché tools from a medieval world served to teach that Connor couldn't balance his weight and the weapons' weight without proper training. Not only that, as he wasn't accustomed to having more range than his fists, he couldn't define a minimum or maximum distance to attack, leaving openings even children could exploit. Not exactly something pleasant to showcase. He tried to compensate with speed, which closed opening but showed others.
Move too little, gets attacked. Moves too much, does the work for the opponent. Of course, after some training sessions, he reached a level that Abe deemed "tolerable."
At this point, both Big-Eared and Primate were ready to give up on finding a weapon that Connor could use. Until Connor suggested a spear or something similar. He suggested it because, as a child, he used to play with broom handles, pretending to be a bipedal anthropomorphic reptile living in the sewers and eating pizza. Sure, he threw out that idea without being serious, but Abe took it as a last hope to find out if this idiot wouldn't end up dead or impaled with said spear.
Just in case, Abe prepared a wooden spear without a point, which left Connor slightly annoyed, but he went along with it.
After swinging the object a few times to determine its weight (which was almost negligible), he tried to attack Abe with it. However, instead of holding it like a spear, he held it like a staff, even a Bō Staff. Basically, one hand was at the bottom, and the other was near the upper end, leaving the tips exposed on each side. After a fight that Abe had to take seriously, both were satisfied with the results. Well, Connor was satisfied; Abe was left speechless.
More tests were conducted, with a spear, a halberd, and a naginata. All these weapons were perfect for Connor. Not only that, but these weapons required extreme concentration and skill—something Connor made seem as natural as learning to breathe. Especially considering that breathing was something everyone was born knowing how to do. But it was confusing and contradictory.
The Big-Eared one was quite normal with medium-range weapons, below average with short-range weapons, but exceptional with long-range weapons? It was something that defied logic. How could someone who couldn't calculate the ideal distance for each attack with any other weapon handle spears—weapons that demanded precision and a sense of the battle's surroundings without the slightest inconvenience?
But then again, every moment with Connor defied logic.
Despite everything, these four weapons were perfect. After all, distance is the best asset in a battle. Speaking of distance, Connor could use a bow without much difficulty. He wasn't great, but he wasn't bad either. What he lacked was practice, as he understood that it took time for the projectile to reach the target and that gravity still acted on the said projectile.
With all that settled, they finally resumed their journey.
----------------------------------------
"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you for a while," Connor began, not entirely sure how he would conclude his sentence.
"Go ahead."
Connor really wasn't comfortable asking the question, considering that Abe had invested his time in Connor since he was found alone. But since he had the full attention of his mentor, he had to take advantage.
"I wanted to know why you helped me."
Finally, he asked after hesitating for a few seconds.
"Look, kid, I have my reasons. Maybe I did it out of pity, or for some other reason."
Connor is not stupid, there was a reason behind it. Connor noticed that the response was a rather neutral one. It couldn't convey "I don't want to tell you, but I also don't want to lie" in a more polite way than this, he had to admit. However, he kept these thoughts in his mind. He didn't want to sound ungrateful. But he also couldn't let his paranoia kick in. Taking a bullet from his friend wasn't exactly a positive experience from his point of view.
He shook his head and focused on the road, letting Abe understand, not only through his reaction but also through his body language, that he wasn't satisfied with the answer, despite not verbalizing it.
"Now that I think about it, how many people live in your village?" he asked, trying to shift the focus to another topic.
"Including me, there are 36 people," he said bluntly.
"That's it?" Connor asked incredulously.
"We're not many; we never were. What's the reason for your surprise?"
"Well, most places I've been to had thousands of people."
"Empires have that level of population. Here in the West, we don't have the luxury of having more than 2 children. Especially in these circumstances," he explained, using his hands to gesture that there was nothing more than... trees.
Important information: He is in the West.
"Don't forget about the predatory animals and monsters.", Connor quipped.
Abe just grunted affirmatively.
"When you said 'village,' I imagined it would be a bit more populated," Connor reasoned briefly.
"You're not wrong, as that's the definition of a village, but as I said, we're not many."
"Are you secluded or something?"
"I could ask the same about you Big-Eared ones."
Connor understood the question he was given. From his physiognomy, ears, and the fact that he had scales on his skin, it pointed in the obvious direction that he wasn't human. However, he also couldn't say which species he is. Not even from which variant of the race he belongs to.
"I barely know my species," he said after thinking for a few seconds.
They walked in silence for a while. It's not like they could talk about another subject. Abe, despite being wise and possessing extensive knowledge (mostly about wars and battles), knew nothing about civilization. He had common knowledge about cities, capitals, and countries, of course, but his knowledge didn't go beyond that.
Looking further ahead, the road came to an end, revealing humble houses made of twigs and leaves. The village was in a clearing in the forest that didn't seem natural. They probably cleared the area to make it more suitable for construction. It was surrounded by wood and stone, forming a simple fence, with the wood passing through the stone pillars. There were also some crops and other structures that looked like warehouses or butchers, which were closed.
The entrance had two guards with axes made of pebbles. Connor noticed that nudism must run in the veins of the entire village, as the Primates also didn't wear clothes.
"I don't want to become a furry..."
With a slight shiver running down his spine, raising the hairs on the back of his neck, he shook his head to dispel thoughts of having relations with a Primate.
BONK
"Are you paying attention, Connor?"
Connor looks at his assailant with grateful eyes.
"Sorry, I was daydreaming…"
----------------------------------------
Connor found himself seated on what should be a table. The table itself was a mat made of bamboo legs and a large animal skin sewn onto a wooden board. There were no chairs, and it wasn't very tall, so he had to sit and cross his legs to be comfortable. Around this table were three Primates:
Abe, who was seated to his right.
Ukk, who was seated to his left.
Gef, who was seated in his front.
The three leaders of the village had received Connor in the main house of the village. Abe had warned that this would happen, but it was still uncomfortable to be seen as a foreigner. Maybe even a potential threat. Entering the village, Connor received several glances—some curious, some suspicious. He had to push aside that feeling, as a much worse one was manifesting.
The feeling of anxiety.
Ukk is a shaman, older than the norm (or what he considered the age norm for Primates), and the only visible difference from the others was the few tribal ornaments along with slightly graying hair. Connor assumed that whatever her role in the village was, it probably involved the spiritual.
Gef, on the other hand, is the oldest of the three, with numerous scars and wounds on his body. He probably serves as the voice of reason, a veteran who retired from the battlefields to advise future generations, guiding them toward a safer future.
The two elders assessed Connor, silently judging him until they began to speak... in a language that Connor didn't understand.
And, incredibly, their native language wasn't monkey screams.
----------------------------------------
"Explain to me, Abe, you may be wise, but what part of bringing an outsider to our village seemed like a good idea in your head?" Ukk asked in an authoritative tone.
"I must agree. But I also believe you wouldn't have done it without a good reason. Especially a Big-Eared one," Gef added his thoughts to the case.
"I understand your concern; I had no intention of bringing him here."
"Then why did you bring him?" demanded the shaman. She was already growing impatient.
"I was about to explain until you interrupted me." Abe's face didn't change, but his tone made Ukk click her tongue.
Gef looked at his companion attentively, intrigued and surprised. Intrigued by his irritation and surprised that Ukk had been defeated, metaphorically speaking.
"As I was saying..."
Abe continued with his explanation, not only about his departure from the village but also the circumstances that led him to bring Connor with him.
"Besides... He has scales on his skin," Abe concluded after a brief recap of the events.
Ukk and Gef were shocked by the revelation. Well, Ukk was; Gef was confused about why this information was important.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
"So you mean he..."
"It's likely," Abe said, not very sure but also without strong doubts.
"Look, I know I'm old, wise, and all that, but what should a few scales mean? Especially on him?" Gef pointed to Connor, who was astonished at his sudden inclusion in the conversation.
"Despite being the Advisor, you can still be foolish enough not to know one of the most basic stories in the world..." Ukk said with bitterness in her voice.
"It's not like it's necessary for me to learn such a thing! And besides, I'm not obligated to know everything! Until last week, I didn't know that 'scotch mist' was another word for rain!"
The two primates looked at their elder incredulously with the information that reached their auditory systems.
"You didn't know that?" They shared the thought in their heads.
"I think we should explain this to Connor as well," suggested Abe.
"You won't! He's an outsider! If he knows this information, what could he do to us?" Ukk shouted, standing up from the table.
----------------------------------------
Connor at this point was starting to lose his anxiety and gaining more impatience. He knew they were talking about him, and yet he didn't understand a single word being said. Were they threatening him? Insulting him? Offering him to some demon who likes people with big ears? With each word spoken, he grew more irritated, to the point of being exasperated.
He had enough.
"HEY!" he shouted, slamming the table, almost breaking it in the process.
It worked. The three stopped talking, or rather, arguing with each other.
"I don't know what you guys think of me, consider, or expect from me. I just ask that whatever you're going to do or say, it be in a language I understand, okay!?"
"And who are you to demand anything from us, Big-Eared one?" Gef threatened.
"Huh?!"
Gef was starting to get pissed. Not only with the conversation but also with who this outsider was supposed to be. Judging by his actions, he contradicted everything he had been told.
"Who do you think you are, Big-Eared one?", The Advisor repeat, slowly and mockingly.
"Wanna find out, you impotent prick!?"
Ukk and Abe planted their faces on the ground at Connor's sudden declaration. Seriously? Who was dumb enough to pick a fight, no, demand a fight with the leaders of the place where one of them was trying to find shelter for the outsider? It was just plain foolish!
Connor and Gef locked eyes. Gef with his tired and experienced eyes looking into Connor's energetic and challenging ones. The Primate could perfectly tell that whoever this outsider was, now he had his full attention. Challenged and defied, he couldn't refuse an invitation to humiliate someone. Gef was going to teach Connor, in the worst way possible, who was in charge there.
"Outside. In the arena. Pick a weapon."
"You're going to regret this, ape."
Ukk and Abe watched this exchange of barbs. Ukk was curious about the outcome of what would happen next, although she already had an idea of how it would end. Abe was concerned but also couldn't do anything. That Big-Eared one was more stubborn than he gave him credit for. If all went well, Connor would at least learn to be less arrogant. Honestly, he wondered what was going on in his pupil's head.
With a sigh from both, they left the main house.
----------------------------------------
The village had never been so lively in recent years.
First: An outsider appears with one of the elders.
Second: The outsider challenges one of the elders to a battle.
And third: The Advisor accepts.
At this point, it was like a spark in dry grass. Everyone from the village gathered at the small arena (which was just a circular fence) to witness the absurdity. After all, they needed entertainment. Life in the forest is peaceful to the point of being dull at times. According to the elder, it would be a fight with wooden weapons, and the Big-Eared outsider would have the right to choose a weapon of his own. Which was a small surprise to some. Gef picked up a wooden sword, not really caring which weapon he would choose. He would win, right? No chance that this skinny guy would beat a veteran.
Connor took a simple staff that didn't differ much from a broom handle, except for being thicker and more robust. After swinging the item a few times, he felt confident that the weapon would serve its purpose. However, his body wasn't in the same tune. It wasn't trembling, but he had butterflies in his stomach. He was gazing at the ground, taking deep breaths and calming the anxiety that was starting to manifest.
FLASHBACK
"Boxing?" asked Jack Ashman, a bit surprised by his grandson's career choice.
"Yeah! If I'm going to fall, I want to at least know how to throw a punch!" said a young Daniel, full of energy.
"If that's what you want, I have an old buddy who can help you."
"Really? For real?" said the pre-teen with a hopeful look, typical of a child who remembered a gift they thought they wouldn't get.
"Sure, but you'll have to work really hard. This sport is dangerous and quite expensive. I don't want to see you get there and then want to quit at the first sign of difficulty."
"I won't!" he pouted, his conviction doubted.
"Hehe, calm down, kid. Relax, I'll give him a call and see if he can teach you."
And with that, Daniel began shouting, to no one in particular, about how he would be the greatest boxer of all time.
END OF FLASHBACK
His resolve was filled, but it left a weird feeling in him. Like this memory wasn't accurate. It was missing things, or even, wasn't the memory he was looking for.
No matter, it's time to fight. He just needs to use what he learned.
----------------------------------------
"Why is he taking so long?"
That was the thought echoing in Gef's head. He was starting to theorize that his opponent might have gotten scared and couldn't come out from wherever he hid. An easy victory that tasted like no victory at all. Would he really have won without his opponent showing up? To dispel his doubts, the particular Big-Eared individual finally presented himself, carrying… a… single… staff?
Seriously? Gef began to laugh, no, he was rolling on the ground from so much laughter. A piece of wood? Well, his sword was made of wood, but the big-eared weapon was no different from the sticks children used to play... Whatever they do with sticks.
After composing himself, Gef looked at his opponent once again. He was calm. Not calm in the "I'm going to beat this guy" sense, but rather the "I'm not going to run away" kind of calm. It couldn't be called calmness. It was a mix of three things: Determination, Courage, and sheer stubbornness. It was no longer just defiance; it was a challenge, a call to war.
Gef might not know many things and also might not be familiar with his opponent, but at that moment, he respected whoever the Big-eared was. Connor stopped a few meters away from the Great Primate, looking him squarely in the eyes.
"All right, outsider. What's your name?" He voiced his curiosity.
"Connor," came the prompt reply.
"I must say, your choice of weapon is quite... Iconic, to say the least," he mocked.
"Do you know ligma?"
Disturbed by the sudden question, Gef stopped to think about what he should answer. Why ask that right before a fight? He decided to ask in return.
"What ligma?"
Gef realized he made a mistake when he saw a smirk forming on Connor's face.
"Ligma balls! Man, you really fell for it!"
Gef's face went from a neutral expression to his head smoking from the surprise insult. Never in his life had he been insulted in such a swift and smooth manner.
"You won't leave here alive, you brat!"
"Brat? Are you living in the 2000s or something?"
Gef grew tired of waiting. He made a charge with his sword, trying to hit his, now, enemy. With just one hand, he delivered a diagonal slash from right to left, aiming to hit Connor's neck. This would have been perfectly executed if Connor didn't have the advantage of distance. Lifting the staff, he used it to thrust into the Primate's leg, causing him to lose his balance and almost fall to the ground..
Connor had caused this just to taunt him; he had no intention of attacking at the first opening. Taking a step back, he couldn't believe his luck, as an attack had already been planned to strike at his forehead if he had tried. Gef couldn't hide his surprise and frustration seeing that Connor had escaped his attack.
Clicking his tongue against his teeth, Gef changed how he held his sword. From just one hand casually swinging a piece of wood, it transformed into both hands gripping the weapon like a warrior. He had clearly underestimated the Outsider. In his fights, the first attack was often the last, making his battles quite anticlimactic. The idea of Connor being a match for him still didn't register in his mind, but at least he would adopt a more decent stance in the fight.
Connor observed the change in the posture of the elder Primate. Great. At least he achieved that. Figuratively patting himself on the back, Connor took a defensive stance.
"He who rushes to attack rushes to fail."
A phrase his grandfather had told him many times, as well as his teacher. He felt slightly embarrassed recalling this lesson, as he obviously hadn't followed it in the fights Carlos organized.
Focusing on balancing the weight of his body on his feet and placing the staff in front of his body, he waited for his enemy's advance, which didn't take long to come. The attacks came with strength and precision, slow but meaningful. The distance between them, thanks to Connor's staff, meant the attacks were far from dangerous, but because of these same attacks, Connor had no way to counterattack. If not for his defensive posture and the weight evenly distributed between his feet, he should have been on the ground by now.
Seeing that his brute force tactic wasn't working, Gef tried to use speed. With quicker and less precise attacks, he managed to give Connor even less room to think. Each strike blocked with the staff seemed faster than the last; Connor really needed a solution to his little problem. Finally, one of the attacks landed, right in the chest, near the navel, providing an opening for a head strike. Gef thought the battle was over. Raising both his arms, he looked at the Outsider, who lasted just over 40 seconds.
"You did well, but it's time to—Ghagrggh!?!"
Connor dropped the staff and delivered a left hook to Gef's ribs. This attack not only caught him off guard but also caused considerable damage to the Elder Primate. Gef dropped his sword and took a few steps to the side. Analyzing where he was hit, Gef realized it wasn't a stroke of luck; it was a calculated blow. He wanted them to have underestimated him.
Connor, in turn, picked up his staff from the ground and resumed his defensive stance. His eyes more determined than ever, his face the epitome of pure focus. Gef was slightly startled by this. Picking up his sword from the ground, Gef prepared to fight again. It seemed he would have to stay a bit longer.
----------------------------------------
"It seems your pupil is smarter than he appears to be," said Ukk after witnessing the easily dodged attack.
"Yes, but I believe it might have been just luck. Anyone would seize the opportunity to strike. But for some reason, he chose to step back..." Abe voiced his thoughts, not caring much about his fellow Elder's statement.
"Your disciple's choice of equipment is unique, but wise," admitted Ukk.
"Really? And why do you think so?"
"Maintaining distance in combat against an opponent who is declining due to age. I believe Connor is fighting with the intention of wearing Gef down, which is indeed an intelligent tactic." Ukk reasoned after a brief moment reflecting on the question.
"You just praised an outsider?" he teased lightly.
"I do not like Outsiders. But acknowledging their qualities and ideas is just an exception," she said with her typical shamanic demeanor.
Abe simply hummed in agreement. He didn't want Ukk to throw a tantrum over a provocation, especially considering her age.
"Now the real fight begins," said Abe, refocusing on the battle.
----------------------------------------
Both fighters began to move in unison, attacking relentlessly with no signs of stopping. The only thing keeping the fight going was the fact that the Elder Primate was showing signs of fatigue.
Even with all his endurance, he was losing energy rapidly. Fighting was hard work, it always had been. But today, especially, he was exhausted, not from the fight but from age and rustiness. Every punch, every kick, every cut from his blade, every attack Gef delivered was an effort in itself.
He also became more aware of how close the Outsider came to hitting him every time he attacked. He could easily avoid most of his blows, even though it tired him even more. They were engaging in an incredible fight, but they weren't going anywhere. They wouldn't defeat each other; they were just prolonging this battle. Gef tried to close the distance, thinking he could land some stronger blows and create an opening, possibly finishing with just a single strike, but he couldn't reach him. It was impossible. And then, suddenly, Gef realized something.
That stupid stick he called a sword was not helping him anymore!
Connor's sequence of blocks and attacks made the sword more of a hindrance than a tool. It was more getting in the way than assisting him with the item. He tossed the blade aside and went for a brawl. He was confident that his physical prowess would be enough to finish off his opponent. When he raised his arm to strike the target, it became clear. There was something behind it.
There was definitely something there... he could sense it. But that wasn't what worried him. What worried him was that, for some reason, he thought Connor knew about it. And he let it happen. All these attacks he launched against the opponent hit the intended target perfectly. But they were always blocked or dodged. This meant that Gef wouldn't have an advantage until he understood the reason. So he stopped.
"So, are you ready to admit defeat?" Connor said, smiling, taking a few steps forward.
"No, I'm not!" Gef shouted at Connor, who was just a few meters away from him.
"Oh, so let's fight to the end? Are you sure?" Connor replied, amused by the situation.
Something not unnoticed by Gef.
"Let me tell you something, Big-eared. I like challenges, but I certainly don't like to lose," he declared as he stood up.
Connor took a step to the left to observe the posture of the Great Primate.
"How about an old-fashioned brawl?" He asked, curious.
Gef laughed. He wasn't afraid of anything. Not that Connor was either. Neither of them planned to leave the fight, but this little discussion kept them entertained, so to speak.
"Maybe this Connor guy has some tricks up his sleeve," Gef thought to himself.
"Alright, I agree."
----------------------------------------
"The outsider has the gift of provocation. Gef is usually much calmer than this," remarked Ukk.
"To be quite honest, when someone comments so directly about your... 'balls'... males tend to want to defend their masculinity at all costs. Even if that cost is being the complete opposite of what you normally are," explained Abe.
The male primates near the elders nodded vigorously, much to Ukk's disgust.
"Still, the fact that he made Gef abandon his sword and agree to a brawl of punches and kicks..." Abe began to muse a bit, wondering what suicidal idea Connor might be considering.
"Abe, focus. They're about to put on quite a show." Ukk pointed to the villagers who were cheering in excitement.
----------------------------------------
They moved in unison once again. Both now without their weapons. Ready to go on the offensive. At least, that's what he thought. When Connor took a deep breath and closed his eyes, Gef was surprised. The young man seemed very calm, his face showing the hint of a smile.
In the next moment, the Outsider widened his eyes and punched the left eye of the Primate.
"In boxing, rhythm is better than speed."
One of the few things he would never forget from boxing classes. Your opponent might be the fastest and toughest of all, but finding the right moment to strike would always surpass the imprecise speed that many sought.
His punch didn't miss the target, but it gave the Primate a good shake.
The blow wasn't that strong, but Gef was surprised by its speed.
He got up, his left eye bleeding slightly. Gef was surprised because he never heard anything about outsiders doing this, and this punch... How was it possible for this guy to punch him like that? He couldn't quite understand.
"I can't believe it..." Gef murmured to himself.
Gef composed himself and soon after, they started exchanging blows again. Even though he was tired, he couldn't let this Outsider be so confident. Connor, on the other hand, was no longer presumptuous or smiling. He was... Focused. Neutral. Blank. Unreadable. Like a machine. No, a beast. Acting purely on instinct.
As they exchanged blows, Connor's breath was faster and more irregular than before, his movements were more agile and precise, yet still very cautious. Seeing this made Gef's eyes widen. He was completely mesmerized. This had to be cheating, but he wasn't complaining, he loved the opponent's fighting style, and he didn't think it was real cheating, just different.
Another blow was coming. Another kick was about to happen. Connor's face was blank, and his movements were slow but relentless. His attacks seemed to be more calculated and powerful now that he wasn't holding back. The Elder Primate dodged the blow, but not before seeing the left corner of Connor's mouth twitch. He was getting tired too! He was starting to gasp, trying to catch his breath, looking a bit desperate.
It finally happened:
In a final desperate attempt to get back at the Outsider, Gef punched Connor straight in the stomach. The punch was so strong that it sent him flying backward. He was still somehow standing, but unable to continue the battle. After a few seconds of the two staring at each other, Connor finally gave in and fell to his knees, still too stubborn to let himself fall completely.
Gef sighed. He should have expected something like this from Connor at this point. As he approached the Big-eared, the latter tried to get up, only for his legs to betray him in the attempt. Closing his eyes, preparing to take a blow, Connor was surprised to see Gef offering his hand to help him get up.
But the most surprised was Gef, who got his hand slapped.
"Don't insult me with pity".
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, both elders who were watching the battle with the villagers slap their palms in their faces asking if this stupid fight was really necessary.