“Are you sure Maria?” Théoden asked me aloud.

“Yes. I am positive.” I said with as much confidence as I can. I glanced over at Quinn and with what courage I could muster up “I hope you are ready.”

“Huh…well this is a surprise. I thought I was going to be able to get a few more rounds in on him before I got to fight you.” Quinn said, “let me power drain real quick. I don’t want to hit you with whatever blood is running through his body.”

“I want you to explain more of that to me later Quinn.” Théoden said as he attempted to heal himself for a third time and was finally able to.

I sighed softly as I felt the burst of radiant energy through the bond. We both watched Quinn in amazement as blood dripped from her fists and onto the ground. “That should do it.” She said as she shook her hands. “What? It’s like you two haven’t seen my ability work before.”

“I have and yet I am still confused by it.” Théoden said, “how…never mind explain to me later. I want this second round to get started before Maria decides to back out.”

“Thanks for the…” I stopped, yeah, that sounded like me.

“Exactly. Now it’s my turn to take a seat.” He said as he motioned for me to stand. “Now, rules. Very, and I mean very limited magic. No blood infusion and no wild magic. Got it?” Quinn and I both nodded. “I will accept minor spells and healing. That’s it.”

“Got it captain!” Quinn shouted as she cast healing touch on herself one more time. “Anything else?”

“Hit below the neck.” Théoden said as he took his seat.

“Is that it?” Quinn questioned one more time before we began our round of fighting.

He thought about it for a moment, “just have fun with it.”

I looked at him and I looked at her. My heart raced as time ticked by. Maria strike first, strike fast. You got this.

I didn’t know what I was thinking. Hell, I couldn't do this. There was no… I was jolted out of my train of thought when I saw Quinn move. My eyes followed her movement as she darted towards me.

I jumped out of the way as I was able to see her attack before she swung. Like when Theo was fighting her, this left me with an opportunity. So, I didn’t think I just acted on it. I swung my fist towards her shoulder and to my surprise, it impacted. Wait…I HIT? I thought through the bond but my moment of celebration was brief as Quinn reacted and swung her fists into my stomach.

“Don’t celebrate too early Maria!” Theoden shouted.

“Whatever.” I grunted as I spit up a bit of blood. Wait.. she didn’t…

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“Hmm.. interesting. Don’t worry I won’t use your strength. I was just curious.” Quinn stated as she let the blood drip from her fists. “You and him share some of the same aspects in your blood. Curious indeed.” Quinn said as she shook the last bits of my own blood in my direction.

She swung one more time while I was distracted but I managed to dodge her fist this time. And as she missed, I retaliated and swung at her side impacting not once but twice. I could tell my swings weren't as strong as hers but I hoped I still made somewhat of an impact.

On the second impact Quinn grabbed my fist as I tried to run away. “I wonder…” She murmured as she squeezed my fist.

I screamed in pain as I could feel the pressure against my bones. They were about to break. Or so I thought. The pain lessened as I felt the usage of the bond. Don’t! I shouted at him through the bond as he tried not to react to the pain that was pulsing at his own wrist.

It’s too late for that Maria. She knows.

WHAT?

She knows.

How in the hell…the BLOOD! I finally pieced together what he already knew. What Quinn knew. Due to her abilities with blood, she was somehow able to figure out we were linked. “FUCK!” I yelled aloud as she still held her grip on my wrist.

I tried to break free and failed. So that left me with one more thing. Magic.

NO!

Limited magic use, remember?

Ugh…be easy with it Maria.

I thought of ways to escape and thought about just vanishing or if I had the capabilities of a draconic leap like Theoden. As I focused on it, I found myself able to vanish from her grasp. Only to reappear ten feet away. Side step? I questioned Theo.

If anything, something similar.

I utilized my surprise escape and threw my body at Quinn. Just like Theo had previously done. “Hey!” Quinn shouted as I managed to tackle her to the ground. “What is with you two and tackling me to the ground?”

I smiled at her, “what I know, I learned from him.” I said as I balled up my fist and punched her square in the chest. I swung a second time, this time I heard several cracks as I impacted her chest harder.

She gasped for air as I remained on top of her. I braced myself for a third swing but to my surprise my fist was caught by Theo. “Enough Maria.” He grabbed me by my waist and pulled me off of her.

I looked down at her and realized why he wanted me off. “I..I did that?” I questioned as I saw her chest had collapsed from the bones that I broke. It wasn’t to the point of death, but I could tell Theo was worried that with the few bones that broke, it would put Quinn in more danger than he wanted her to be in.

“Yes.”

“I’m good..” Quinn breathed out slowly.

“I didn’t even know..” Hell I had no idea I was swinging that hard on her. I didn’t even know where that strength had come from.

Quinn remained on the ground as her body worked quickly to heal itself. And with Theo’s aid she healed further. “We can keep going.. I have a bit of strength left.” Quinn said as she sat up and leaned against Theo.

“I think we can call it here. I don’t need either of you two getting seriously hurt.”

“Fair enough.” Quinn said as she finally managed to get to her feet. She offered me her hand which I took. “It was an honor fighting you. I hope I get the chance to do it at full strength.”

“Ha.. yeah we will see about that.” I said nervously.

“Perhaps, this can be a once a week thing.” Theoden said, “it will do you both good to get practice in.”

“I’m down if she is.” Quinn responded

Both stared at me. “I--I suppose.”

“Great! And Quinn, one more thing before we finish up here.” Theo said. “Can you explain what you meant about the blood?”