At that moment, the knowledge of who they were going to challenge, made the heart of Eiji skip a beat, and he murmured: -among all opponents ...- while Layla struck his side with the elbow for the second time, ordering him to focus.
Once in position, the two teams got ready to attack, initially the team 1 decided to engage one opponent each, so James attacked Layla and Soana went for Eiji, knowing that she had the advantage over his challenger.
Their vehemence forced Eiji and Layla in fast and relentless parry, there was no room for a counterattack, and the two were at a distinct disadvantage, so Layla came up a strategy, and whispered to Eiji: -you need to turn, let's put ourselves back to back-, and so they did, Eiji avoided the slash of Soana sword and changed placed with her, even so, Soana did not mind it and continued to attack, pushing back the boy.
In this way, Layla and Eiji found themselves at opposite ends of the arena; and with a sign of understanding they both avoided the opponent’s blow, exchanged places and allowed their opponents to attack until precisely find themselves back to back in the middle of the arena, then Layla whispered to Eiji: -In a moment let’s change opponents, I’ll send back Soana and we’ll focus on james-.
They continued to suffer for a while team1’s blows, to give them the impression of winning... although it was not exactly only an impression.
When at one point Layla gave the signal to Eiji, they exchanged place, and after Layla kicked Soana making her fall, they focused on James; their swords were in perfect sync, and closed as a wolf’s fang on James, or at least they would have done, except that the target executed an incredible leap, making a complete rotation as it passed over their heads and went near Soana, in order to help her.
The strategy didn’t work, by a slight margin, but it had not worked, so the boy asked Layla: -and now? - While she whispered thoughtfully: -I could try that thing ... But it is risky-
Eiji could not understand: -Which thing? –
But she did not deign him of a reply, instead told him: -all right, when I tell you, give me your hand and throw me in their direction, but I need 10 seconds and I can’t move, so I need you to protect me-; the boy tried again to understand the intentions of the girl: -ok, but what do you want to do?-
She replied with a smile: -trust me-
The opponents were now back on their feet and were advancing towards them, so they started to battle side by side, and after a few time at a sign of Layla, the both of them began to push their opponents, forcing them to retreat quickly, and after reaching the end of the arena, Eiji and Layla retreated to the other side, leaving Soana and James without words.
Layla had run all the way to the other side, while Eiji had stopped halfway; Layla then closed his eyes, while Eiji waited.
10…9…8; Team 1 had recovered and understood that something was amiss.
7…6…5 Soana and James were running through the arena preparing the final attack.
4…3…2 Eiji incredibly parried both the attack of the opponents and now they had crossed swords with him
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1...0 -NOW!!!!!!- the girl extended a hand towards Eiji, who disengaged and ran towards Layla with team 1 just behind him; at the last moment, Eiji grabbed Layla’s hand.
The boy felt pervaded energy, while he could incredibly throw Layla against Soana and James in a moment, with a strength that he never had.
The team one ahead parried swords, but Layla’s body was covered in a strange white glow and when she kicked, her leg easily destroyed the wood swords of Soana and James, making them fall to the ground; now it was the turn of Eiji, the fight only ended when one pointed the sword to the throat of the opponent, when they admitted defeat, or when on hit a vital spot, so Layla shouted –FINISH IT!!!! -
Eiji did not need to think twice about it, and was about to hit Soana, when she murmured: -Ahia, that idiot, it hurt a lot, help me Eiji-; it was a moment, the indecision of a second, and with a fast movement Soana seized the Eiji’s sword, who offered no resistance, and struck him and Layla.
The fight was over.
The teacher announced in a neutral tone of voice: -the winner is team 1, there are no further meetings today, train some more alone or go back home-, so everyone started to go home, foreseeing what would happen in a few time; only Layla, Eiji and his grandfather stayed where they were.
The girl stood up and headed to Eiji, while the oldman watched; a slap at full power struck the face of the boy, who was stunned looking at her friend's face, Layla had tears in his eyes and spoke softly: -what happened to you? What the hell happened to you? We had won-
Eiji couldn’t hold her stare and lowered his head: -Sorry, at some point, she told me she was badly hurt and I couldn’t ... I couldn’t hit her-; Layla shouted: -is it possible that she is the only one that you care for?- and ran away.
The old man looked at the boy and decided after a few seconds: -for punishment you’ll have to train throughout the afternoon-. Eiji tried to protest without much conviction: -why? I’ve not done anything bad-
Hearing those words his grandfather reprimanded him: -you've made your teammate cry and you have been defeated, you will have more to apologize at the first opportunity and....- and because there is something wrong continued the oldman, but kept it for him .
The boy urged his grandfather: -and? -; -and for that, it’s enough, don’t you think? I'll wait for you for dinner at home-
Eiji trained for all the afternoon, striking blows against a dummy more to vent his anger than for training, he thought aloud: -what can I do if I like her and I can’t hit her? Is it a crime? And because of Layla I'll have to train until evening, it’s not right, I’ll never say sorry-, the boy depleted his energy until the sun went down, then the boy went home in time for dinner, which passed without even a word, then he went to sleep.
It was a night without dreams, the one before the end of everything.