[The Test]: Part Three

Tension swirled as Morena and Batu stared each other down. Batu drowned out the cheers and hollering from the girls and focused his attention on the tanned beauty in front of him. There was no need for rest even after that intense and fast-paced match from earlier.

Batu's adrenaline died down a bit, and the cuts across his body were getting increasingly painful. He calmed his breathing as he waited for Jin Mayleen to call the match.

Tick tock, tick tock. Jin Mayleen glanced at her watch again as the needle ticked ever so closely to the twelve mark. It finally struck twelve, and Jin Mayleen quickly shouted, "Begin!"

Batu instantly took the charge, dashing towards the vixen as she stood there with a sly smile. Morena was so full of openings, and Batu couldn't figure out what the hell was she standing there for.

Batu leapt up and threw a flying kick, aiming to end the match quickly. However, Morena moved gracefully, cartwheeling out of the way at the last second.

Batu didn't let up; he threw a straight kick; she spun around it. A fast right hand, yet she slid by it like an elegant dancer; her hand brushed against his face, teasing Batu to chase her more.

And he did. It was like a game of cat and mouse as Morena spun and flipped out of his attacks. If Diah was a fierce tiger, then Morena was like a nimble fox. Morena always seemed to slip just out of his reach.

"Don't tell me you're just gonna run for the whole round, are ya?" Batu asked. "Actually, keep goin'. You're makin' this a lot easier for me."

"Well, it was fun watching you struggle to catch me," Morena replied. "But, I guess I should take this more seriously." She suddenly ran straight for him, slipping under his blurring kick to trip him over.

Batu felt the weightlessness of his feet as the world spun around him. It took him a near instant to realize he'd already been tripped over. He hastily broke his fall as he hand-springed back. However, as Batu tried to get his bearings together, a shadow soon loomed over his head.

His instincts went into full overdrive as he immediately caught the axe kick that nearly struck his face. His hand slightly shook as he held her foot in place.

"Oh~" Morena said in surprise. "Not bad, handsome. Let's dance some more."

Batu leaned back, bobbed and weave out of her attacks. They were like elegant dancers in the ballroom as they moved around the training hall. If she wanted to dance, then Batu can dance as well.

They twist and turned as they fired fast combos. Batu dodged a kick by nearly a hairs breath and threw his own as well. Morena was sent stumbling back but quickly shook it off.

She flipped over with a kick, he dodged with a roll; she kicked with a spin, but he leaned back like fat joe. However, Morena spun again and surprised him with another one. Batu was clipped in the head with a second kick but pushed through the pain.

The crowd watched in awe as the two of them went at it like warriors. There were whispers amongst them, wondering who was this guy that was able to match up against Morena. They were very impressed to say the least.

"Hmm? Not bad," Jin Mayleen's hand rested under her chin. "Not only does he pack a punch, but he's also light on his feet."

"Pfft- I could still beat him," Diah crossed her arms with a pout.

Emiko chewed on her nails in nervousness; if this kept going on, then Batu would in no doubt join the Golden Horde, and she would lose the bet. She couldn't imagine the things he would do to her, "Don't let that bastard win."

Meanwhile, Nomin clenched her fists as she focused on Morena, 'Why isn't she trying?' She felt angry at her; it was like she wanted him in the gang. It seem that she had to be the one to finish this.

'A right hook. Wait, no-' Batu was suddenly struck by a left body shot instead.

Morena had pulled a feint on him. She followed up with a feint jab to a cross, and a fake low to a high kick. Batu retreated back while Morena pushed forward with quick and calculated steps. She was finding ways to break holes in his defense.

In a slight panic, Batu covered himself up like a shell to block her attacks. He needed to set the timing just right. He moved back as his arms absorbed most of the damage. Then, Morena came in for another feint.

'Now!' Batu quickly closed distance and threw a hard left cross. He finally connected.

Morena stumbled back in surprise, and her beautiful face marred into a frown, "My~ that's not how you should treat a woman."

"I would treat ya out for dinner, but I gotta win this one."

"That does sound quite nice," Her smile was like a cunning fox. "If you win, then maybe I can accept that little offer of yours."

"Then, I really can't lose now," Batu grinned.

The both of them closed distance to engage again. Batu had slowly adapted to her way of fighting; when she would attack and retreat and when she feinted. This was a learning experience for him.

'A feint,' His eyes darted towards a hand that flew towards his sides, 'No- above!' Batu quickly blocked a right hook that came straight for his head.

Morena frowned as the seconds passed on. Her feints aren't working, and Batu was getting accustomed already. This man had a very quick adaptability unlike any other regular person. She needed to try something else.

Batu threw out a quick jab when she came in, however, Morena took this minute opportunity to grab his arm and throw him over her shoulders. Batu groaned as his back slammed against the floor.

"I hope you have some good ground game, handsome," Morena mounted on top of his stomach.

Batu struggled to get her to latch off of him as they wrestled around on the ground; they rolled from top mount to side control before Morena managed to break into rear mount.

'Damn, she's freakin' good,' Batu thought. His neck was being squeezed tight, and Batu found himself gasping for air. He struggled to hold back the arms that had put a chokehold on him. He finally broke free and got back on top mount.

"Hey, Yoona, is this still PG rated?" Angie suddenly asked.

Yoona quickly shook her head.

Meanwhile, Morena was caught by surprise when Batu had snatched her by the arm. His grip was like a vice, and he wouldn't budge a bit. She struggled to get him off of her, but Batu's strength was much greater than hers.

Then, Batu's legs wrapped between Morena's arm and locked her in an armbar. She tried to push back against his pull, but she was slowly losing ground. This was the first time someone had put her in a dire situation.

"Morena, you can do it!" Few of the girls cried out. Then, the rest of the crowd followed and said their own words of encouragement. Soon, the training hall had gotten rowdier as everyone shouted together.

"Get the hell out of there!" Emiko shouted. However, she knew her words were in vain. After all, she had already experienced how strong Batu was once he had gotten a hold of her.

She couldn't help but shudder at the thought of it. Yet, Emiko hoped for a slight chance that Morena would pull through and knock that ogre out.

Morena felt like her arms were about to break the more Batu pulled back. Yet, she still held on, flailing her legs in an attempt to kick Batu off. She couldn't, and her arm had slowly reach its breaking point. Leaving with no other options left, Morena decided to tap out.

"I give," Morena finally said.

Batu quickly let go of her arm with a sigh of relief. He admit; that one was a tough fight. Although she wasn't stronger than him, she was quicker and had an eye for tricks. At least he managed to win this one. Batu stood up and raised a hand out to Morena.

The crowd grew silent again; they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Batu had just received another win, and he was just one step closer to take the prize.

"Damn it, no!" Emiko cried out in anger while Yu Mei had cheered once more beside her. Yu Mei was on cloud nine; at this rate, Batu was bound to join the Golden Horde.

"I am surprised," Morena grabbed his hand and was pushed off from the floor. "You're quite the strong man; I didn't think anyone could win me over like this."

"Enough to win ya over for dinner?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, handsome," She trailed a finger under his chin.

"C'mon, you even said it."

"Well, I did say maybe; sorry if I bursted your bubble. I''ll see you around, bye-bye~" Morena walked away with a sensual sway of her hips.

Batu sighed out as he watched her back. He had been played like a fiddle. Morena bowed her head to Jin Mayleen before she stood by her Khanate's side once more.

"Congratulations, Batu, for making it this far," Jin Mayleen slowly clapped. "However, there's still one more fighter you have to face, and she happens to be my best. Nomin, would you please?"

"Yes, Khanate."