SILENT SHADOWS AND SEARING BLOWS

"Some people accidentally walk on your feet and apologize, while others walk all over your heart and don't even realize."

Forty-Four supported Five as they moved forward and finally got to the edge of a thicket which through its gaps you could see the sand and sea ahead an indication that they finally got to the end of the mountain at the northern side.

"Oh shit," Forty Four exclaimed with his eyes popping out after seeing a scary scene.

"What is it?" inquired five, but the only answer he got was Forty-Four gesturing for him to take a look himself, which he did.

Across the sands surrounding the seas, One Thirty could be seen engaging in a brutal fight with three other expendables, actually, it was a fight against each other and it seemed One Thirty was going to come out on top since the others seemed pretty worn out.

"Just as I thought, " Five sighed with a Calculative expression.

"You have a plan right, judging from your look," Forty-Four stated.

"I do, and it starts with us just enjoying the show for now."

"Now, I wished I had popcorn, you don't see such a sight every day," Forty-Four complained, which earned an eye roll from Five.

"No need for the popcorn, it's already over" Five deadpanned

"Really?"

Forty-Four quickly looked at the fight and discovered that everyone was on the ground except for One thirty, whose clothes were all torn up and he had some injuries all over his body, but they didn't seem fatal to be declared dead like the others.

"What are we going to do now?" He asked.

"...."

"We can't stay here forever, you know that right?"

"......"

"And aside from him and us, there's still one more person."

"I know that, just keep quiet and let me think." Five said exasperatedly.

"Okay!!, I was just stating th......"

"I know you are out there" He was suddenly caught off by One Thirty's voice, who was looking at their location, even though they knew he wasn't seeing them.

"He knows" Forty Four stated the obvious.

"Of course, he knows, if only someone would have kept quiet." Five deadpaned.

"I'm sorry, but we can still take him down," Fine said while unslunging the sniper, "remember you were saving this for him."

"It won't take him down, not now that his aware of our presence."

"What do you suggest we do, we can't fight him directly you know that, he's too strong, even stronger than Eighty, I've seen it." Forty revealed the obvious.

"One of us will have to distract him"

Hearing this, Forty-Four nodded solemnly, "I will do it, I'm in a better position to since you are barely standing."

"No, you won't"

"Why not? you are badly injured."

" Cause is not about dinner distracting him only, but to distract him to let his guard down, since he will think his just going up against a common expendable, and once you see that relaxation in him, take the shot and make sure is his head."

"No, I'm still..."Forty-Fourur couldn't complete his words before he saw Five, move out of the thicket revealing himself to One thirty. He took a deep breath and quickly laid down positioning the rifle with its head sticking out a little from the ticket towards One thirty.

One thirty had a look of surprise on his face seeing Five walking towards him, only to stop a few distance from him.

"Were you expecting someone else?" Five mocked.

"Yeah, a challenge." He fired back.

"And who says I'm not?"

"I do, you probably lasted this long because you went into hiding." One thirty said that, but he wasn't stupid enough to believe it, he could see the injuries on Five's body which suggests he has had a fair share of fights these few days and he came out from it.

"Then I guess, this is gonna be easy for you." Five baited while taking a fighting stance.

But it seemed One thirty didn't fall for it, since he also took a fighting stance as well, with his eyes carefully locked on Five.

The sun bathed the sea water, casting its glow over the desolate beach too. Waves crashed against the shore, sending sprays of saltwater into the air, while a distant thunderstorm rumbled ominously.

One thirty was an imposing sight. He slowly moved with the confidence of someone who knew he was virtually unstoppable, but also a bit of cautiousness in his eyes. Five also realized this but had faith in the theory that raw power was nothing without the skill to wield it. Since he had observed One Thirty's fight with the Neos, he knew wasn't that skilled, for if he was, then he was totally fucked. Anyway, he was looking to win this fight but to give Forty-Four the chance to have a clear and easy shot.

Five took a deep breath, feeling the cool evening air fill his lungs. Ignoring the pains he was feeling from his wounds, every muscle in his body coiled, ready to spring into action. He didn’t have One thirty strength or durability, but he had something else—years of training and the will to keep fighting.

“Are you sure you’re up for this, little man?” One thirty taunted, his voice carrying over the sound of the waves.

Five didn’t reply. Instead, he shifted his stance, lowering his center of gravity, and raising his hands in a defensive posture. His eyes never left One thirty's. He watched as he shrugged, seemingly amused by his silence.

“Suit yourself,” he said, and then he moved.

One Thirty lunged forward with blinding speed, his fist swinging in a wide arc. Five ducked, feeling the air whoosh past his head as his fist narrowly missed him. He rolled to the side, coming up in a crouch, and lashed out with a quick kick to his knee. It was like kicking a steel beam. One Thirty barely flinched.

“Is that all you’ve got?” he sneered, swinging his arm again.

This time, Five was ready. He sidestepped, grabbing his arm and using his momentum against him. He twisted, trying to throw him off balance, but One Thirty was too strong. He planted his feet, jerked his arm free, and backhanded him across the face.

The force of the blow sent Alan flying. He hit the sand hard, rolling with the impact to lessen the damage. Pain exploded in his jaw, but he forced himself to focus. He couldn’t afford to be distracted. Not now. Not when every second counted.

One Thirty laughed, the sound echoing over the beach. “You’re pathetic! Why even bother fighting?”

Five pushed himself to his feet, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His vision blurred for a moment, but he shook his head, clearing it. He watched One Thirty, noting the way he moved, the way he carried himself. He was starting to get overconfident. Sure of his strength. Sure of his invulnerability. That was his weakness.

Five feinted to the left, then darted to the right, moving faster than One thirty could react. He closed the distance between them in an instant, driving his elbow into his side. He felt the impact vibrate up his arm, but One Thirty merely grunted, swinging at him with a powerful backhand. Five ducked, slipping under his arm, and struck again, aiming for the soft spot under his ribcage.

One Thirty eyes widened in surprise as he felt the impact. Five didn’t let up. He moved like a shadow, striking and retreating, never staying in one place long enough for One thirty to get a hold of him. He aimed for his joints, her pressure points, anywhere he could find a weakness.

Despite his strength, One Thirty was struggling. He swung wildly, his frustration growing with each missed strike. Five danced around him, his movements fluid and precise. He could see the frustration in his eyes, the confusion. He wasn’t used to being outmaneuvered, out-thought.

“You can’t keep this up forever,” One Thirty growled, his voice tinged with anger. “I’ll crush you!”

“Maybe,” Alan replied, his voice calm.

He darted in again, feinting a punch to her face. One Thirty raised his arms to block, leaving his midsection exposed. Alan spun, driving his heel into his stomach with all his strength. One Thirty staggered back, gasping, the air driven from his lungs.

Five didn’t give him a chance to recover. He moved in, aiming a series of rapid strikes to his chest and neck. One Thirty stumbled his balance faltering. He swung at him, but his movements were slower now, less precise. Alan ducked under his arm, slamming his palm into his chin.

One Thirty head snapped back, and for a moment, he looked dazed, but she wasn't the only one, Five whose whole arms and legs were now aching was starting to wonder why Forty Four hadn't found a chance to shoot yet.

He wasn't distracted for long as he pressed his advantage, kicking at his knee. He buckled, falling to one knee. Five moved in for the final blow, but One thirty's hand shot out, grabbing his ankle in a vice-like grip.

With a roar, he yanked him off his feet, slamming him into the ground. Five's vision exploded into stars as pain lanced through his body. He struggled to breathe, the air knocked from his lungs.

One Thirty loomed over him, his eyes blazing with fury. “Enough!” he snarled, raising his fist for the finishing blow.

Five's mind raced. He was outmatched in strength and his body arched to even move a finger as One Thirty's fist descended.....