Fight Against Fate: Chapter 1

“Now Alec remember. Please remember. This is just a sparring match. Practice.”

“Right.”

“Just a friendly thing.”

“Yeap.”

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Got it.”

“Winning or losing doesn’t matter.”

“Mmhm.”

“Alec.”

“What?”

Alec turned to face his best friend from childhood and now coach and flashed him a grin. A grin that even now made Felix’s heart skip a beat but he wasn’t going to be fazed. He knew how to ignore that handsome face and get to the point. He grabbed his head and turned him to face his opponent on the opposite side of the practice ring.

They were inside a small gym. It had an open ceiling to allow fresh air and sunlight but had a tarp rolled to the side in case it rained. The gym was mostly empty, people getting in their routine exercise and coming and going. Sparring matches were normally a spectacle, a distraction but this guy had scared everyone into their own corners.

He was like if a troll had cross bread with a human a few generations ago and this guy was the result. He was huge, burly, and short tempered. Alec had no idea what kind of weapon he normally used but he chose a practice club as his tool here. Behind him was a scrawny weasel of a man. His own coach. 

“Hey hurry up!” the weasel shouted. “We’re trying to get our private training in for the tournaments and we don’t need all your rats clogging up the gym.”

Alec made a face standing up quickly and Felix said, “Alec.”

“I know. I know. I got this.”

“Don’t go for big hits. Focus on your footwork. That’s what you need training in anyway.”

“Yes sir,” Alec said and finally walked toward the center of the ring. His opponent did as well and must have had a foot and a half over him in height and easily a hundred pounds.

Felix and the weasel walked around the ring to stand on the middle edge. “This is going to be a standard tournament round. Fight until one of you gives up.”

“Or until someone doesn’t get back up,” The weasel eyed Alec and then rubbed his hands together. “Regulation rules of course.”

Felix threw a glare at the man and then a worried glanced at Alec, “Shake hands and then get ready.”

Alec extended his hand the giant took it, shaking it enough to almost pull his arm out of it’s socket.

“Let’s have a good match,” Alec said with a friendly smile.

“Can’t wait to crush you like an ant,” the giant replied and hefted his club into his hand. “I’m gonna win the War God’s armor. I’m fated. Don’t need someone like you fucking it up for me.”

“When I win, you guys are gonna get outta here,” Alec smiled drawing his practice sword, “And if an ant like me can fuck it up for you. Maybe you don’t deserve it.”

He snarled and Alec just returned with his smile. Felix watched him, letting out a worried noise but raised his hand, “Begin.”

The giant stormed at him swinging the club in a wide powerful arc. Alec knew better than to even try to block so he jumped back putting distance between them. He assumed the giant of a man was going to be slow and clumsy but he kept barreling at him like a train. Ducking away Alec sprinted toward the edge of the ring as the club thudded into the mat.

“You ain’t gonna win running from me like a coward! Come on! I’ll make it quick!”

Alec glared, turned the sword and lunged at him. He went under a mighty club swing and swung his practice sword with both hands hard. It collided with the man’s chest and he grunted at the hit. Alec was quick to cheer but that died in his throat as Alec was grabbed by the face and lifted off the ground.

Alec kicked and swung the sword at the oaf’s arm but then felt the club connect with his stomach and suddenly he was across the ring huddle in pain. The oaf laughed raising the club above his head, “Too damn easy.”

“That’s a win for my fighter,” The weasel said with high pitched laughter. “Better luck next time. Bye bye.”

 “Alec!” Felix almost ran to him but Alec got back to his feet, stumbling a bit. “Are you good?” He nodded quickly and smirked. “Okay. He’s not out yet.”

The oaf looked at him and scowled, “Next time you won’t get back up.”

“Try me. Hate bullies like you,” Alec retorted and started bouncing on his feet. “Especially when they hit like little kids.”

That got to him. Alec saw the rage start to boil in his eyes and he rushed at him. Alec kept bouncing and watched his club arm. He swung it at him again and Alec leaned forward going under it. He saw the man’s arm coming for him in a heavy punch but Alec stepped around that. He swung his sword hitting him under the armpit and then jump clocking him between the eyes.

The oaf stumbled backwards dazed and Alec pressed his advantage. He swung another blow this time aimed at his knee and the giant man let out a shout of pain as he wobbled. Shoulder checking him hard Alec pushed and sent the man tumbling backwards. He tried to catch himself but failed and fell out of the ring.

The weasel’s face went slack and even Felix looked a little smug. Alec walked over to him putting the sword at his hip and smiled. Felix watched his friend saunter back over and shook his head, “You were sloppy at the beginning. You got lucky.” Felix pointed at him. “We’ve got a lot of practice to do if we’re going to win the tournaments.”

The door creaked loudly grabbing everyone’s attention. “You’re gonna need a lot than practice if that’s your best performance Alec. Might as well go back home.”

Turning around to face the new voice, Alec glared at the man he’d known almost as long as he’d known Felix. The usual smug grin, pristine clothes and cold dead focused eyes.

“Not on your life Dio.”