Unlikely fight

Thomas entered the dimly lit room and frowned at the sight before him. There was only one large bed, clearly meant to accommodate two people at most. "Just one bed? Well, I guess it's big enough," he muttered, collapsing onto one side of the bed.

Before he could settle in, Sophie claimed the other side, glaring at him as she did so. "Don't even think of trying anything, you jerk. You hear me?" she warned, her tone sharp.

Thomas rolled his eyes. "Trust me, I wouldn't dream of it," he replied flatly, pulling the blanket over himself.

At that moment, Steven entered the room, looking disgruntled. "These people don't even have bathtubs! How am I supposed to bathe?"

Thomas, unfazed, gestured toward the window. "Use the river outside."

Steven's face twisted in horror. "The river? Absolutely not! Do you know how many people probably use that river? Plus, what if the current carries me away? No way! I'll just sleep like this."

As Steven made his way toward the bed, both Sophie and Thomas blocked him.

"There's no way we're letting you sleep here smelling like that," Sophie said, her nose wrinkled.

Steven looked genuinely offended. "What? I don't even smell bad! I swear!" he protested.

Thomas crossed his arms. "Bath or floor. Your choice."

Steven grimaced, clearly not liking either option. "I have never in my life slept on the floor. You two could sleep on the floor while I take the bed," he suggested with a smug grin.

Sophie and Thomas exchanged a glance before simultaneously glaring at Steven, their patience wearing thin.

Moments later, Steven stood outside the room, dripping wet and sporting a few new bruises courtesy of his frustrated companions. "There. I've bathed. Happy now?"

Thomas smirked. "Thrilled."

Reluctantly, they let him back onto the bed, but Sophie turned to him with a warning. "And don't try anything either."

Steven blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Try what?"

Sophie's face turned red as she stammered, "Nothing!" and turned away to sleep.

Steven, oblivious, lay down in the middle of the bed. The three tried to sleep, but Steven's restless movements quickly became a problem.

"What the hell is wrong with this guy?" Thomas growled, trying to push Steven back to his side.

But Steven rolled over in his sleep, landing directly on top of Sophie. She let out a furious yell and shoved him off, waking him up in the process.

Steven sat up, startled. "What? What's going on?"

"You were moving around in your sleep!" Sophie snapped.

"I don't move when I sleep," Steven insisted, clearly unaware of his actions.

"Yeah, sure," Thomas muttered, already pulling the blanket back over himself.

Sophie asked, "By the way, is your driver still waiting for us outside?"

Steven shook his head. "Nah. I told him to leave. He'll come pick us up tomorrow."

The trio finally managed to settle down again, but Steven's movements resumed almost immediately.

The next morning, Steven woke up feeling refreshed and stretched, a satisfied grin on his face. He turned to Thomas and Sophie, who were sitting at the edge of the bed, glaring at him with red, bloodshot eyes.

"Morning, guys!" Steven greeted cheerfully, only to be met with a barrage of pillows and anything else they could throw at him.

After they vented their frustration, Sophie sighed. "Alright, Mark, get ready. You've got a big fight ahead of you."

Thomas looked uneasy. "What should I do? You know I'm a pacifist. I don't like fighting."

Sophie placed a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have a choice. If you want to repay the king and save your sister, you'll have to fight."

Thomas nodded reluctantly. "Alright," he said, heading out to bathe.

When he returned, the king was already waiting for him. "Are you ready?" the king asked.

Thomas took a deep breath. "I guess so."

Sophie and Steven joined him shortly after. Steven placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've got this, Thomas."

The king's brother arrived with Tunda, a towering man who looked more beast than human. At 7'9" and 200 pounds of muscle, he roared like a lion as he entered the arena.

"Holy cow," Steven whispered, his eyes wide.

Sophie's jaw dropped. "Is that even human?"

Thomas swallowed hard. "I'm having second thoughts, guys."

Steven nodded quickly. "Who wouldn't?"

Sophie elbowed Steven in the ribs. "Stop that!" Turning to Thomas, she said, "You've got this. Remember, you're the alpha. Not Tunda. Sure, his palm might be big enough to grab your entire body, and he could probably kill you with one kick, but—"

"Not helping!" Thomas interrupted.

Steven and Sophie gave him one last round of encouragement before stepping back.

The bell rang, and the fight began. Tunda wasted no time, charging at Thomas and landing a series of devastating punches and throws. The crowd watched in horror as Tunda tossed Thomas around like a ragdoll.

Steven winced. "I can't watch this," he said, though he peeked through his fingers.

Despite the relentless assault, Thomas realized something strange—he wasn't feeling any pain. Each punch and throw seemed to have no effect on him.

As Tunda charged at him again, Thomas instinctively threw a punch of his own. To everyone's astonishment, Tunda was sent flying out of the ring, crashing far beyond the village.

The arena fell silent. The king's brother's jaw dropped, and the king jumped to his feet, cheering.

Thomas opened his eyes, confused. "Did… did I win?"

Sophie and Steven rushed to his side, celebrating.

"Thomas, that was incredible!" Sophie exclaimed.

"Yeah, you totally destroyed him!" Steven added, patting him on the back.

The king approached, thanking Thomas for his help. The villagers gifted them food and supplies as a token of gratitude.

As the group left the village, Thomas focused on sensing the locations of the beasts. " At an abandoned garage That's where they're keeping Beth."

Sophie nodded. "We don't have much time. We need to rescue her before tomorrow night, or they'll kill her."

Steven's driver arrived just then, urging them to hurry. "Don't tell your parents I brought you here," he warned Steven as they climbed into the car.

The ride back was a long journey, tension hanging in the air. When they arrived at Steven's house, they gathered in his room to strategize their next move.

"We need a solid plan," Thomas said.

"And fast," Sophie added.

The trio looked at each other, knowing the battle to save Beth had only just begun.