Chapter 7 - Combat Practice (3)

Jon's last match of the day had started. 

Beads of sweat dripped down his face, he was focusing to the extreme, activating his 'eyes' to an almost excessive degree for mere sparring. His 'eyes' now a complete fusion of all colours imaginable, those colours pulsed and shifted continuously in a somewhat mesmerizing manner. He wasn't going to take any chances and planned to maintain using his 'eyes' to this level, regardless of any strain it caused, that was his determination to win.

His heart was beating violently, almost as if trying to escape his chest itself. 

Jon wore a massive, somewhat off-putting smile on his face, fitting for a battle junkie.

 The match had begun and he was as prepared for the battle as one could be. 

As was his opponent. Torren Davis, had finished setting out whatever plan he had concocted within his mind and had truly focused on the battle that was about to ensue. 

As they listened to the countdown their eyes did not leave each other, staring each other down without a single blink. And as the countdown ended they wasted no time, rushing in a straight line toward their opponent.

 Jon hadn't activated his superspeed, he didn't want to use any of his abilities, excluding his 'eyes', until Torren had activated his own. Though the real reason for this decision was his pride, he desired to test his own martial arts against his foe. Jon had recognised Torren as someone who could rival, potentially even best, him in unarmed and unpowered combat. 

Jon was still extremely fast, even without activating his superspeed, he had trained his body to the extreme. As he sprinted towards his foe, even now they still maintained eye contact, as if in a staring contest.

Torren charged with explosive speed, his gaze fierce, and his demeanour had a natural, unbiased aggression. 

They met each other at the middle of a platform, not even 3 seconds had passed since the start of the match, and they were already clashing. A flurry of punches and kicks were being exchanged between the two, though none connected with both of them dodging or parrying the other's attacks. 

They threw strikes continuously without pause, neither one of them showing any signs of slowing down. Blocks, parries, and dodges were all that those hits met. Jon swung his leg for a calf kick, yet Torren raised his leg to block. Torren returned with an uppercut as Jon had dropped his guard, yet met air as Jon weaved his head and stepped back. Jon's 'eyes' gave him insane cognitive ability and allowing him to see and think at accelerated rates, meaning he was able to see and react to strikes with greater ease.

That didn't mean he was winning though, neither of them were winning, they were both on equal levels, at least in hand to hand combat. Jon still had no clue when Torren would use his ability. 

Torren himself seemed unfazed with the current situation of the battle, with a stoic expression on his face and not even a drop of sweat could be seen. He showed no signs of frustration at the current deadlock they were in, and showed no indication of using his ability. And then he spoke, with a deep, masculine voice.

"You fight well, Jon Bacardi. How long have you practiced the arts?" A subtle, almost unnoticeable smile appeared on Torren's face as he asked. He hadn't halted his strikes when asking this and continued to keep pressure on Jon, he pushed forward aiming a teep towards Jon's abdomen. 

'He sounds as old as he looks' Jon thought to himself, as he side stepped Torren's attack and attempting a takedown using a judo throw. Though he couldn't touch him, as Torren had already extended the distance, only slightly out of Jon's reach.

"About 10 years now, my dad used to do MMA, so the whole family is kind of into it." Jon responded, answering his question and delivering a jab that was blocked easily. "What about yourself?"

"Impressive. What a coincidence, I too have trained for a decade." Torren acknowledged with a nod that Jon is a true rival in unarmed combat, having a profound respect for his foe and viewing him as an equal. Torren swung his right leg and connected with the rear of Jon's thigh, the first successful strike of the match had been landed.

Swiftly after, Jon landed a low kick to Torren's calf. Neither of their blows were particularly damaging to each other, yet they still carried an extreme force, their trained bodies easily enduring the strikes.

The continued their clashing, landing several strong blows on each other, and then eventually Torren expanded the distance. Now standing at the back of the platform where he initially was at the beginning of the match, Torren rolled up his sleeves, exposing his large forearms and spreading his arms out wide. His wingspan was impressive, stretching out far larger than the average for his height. This strange pose was something that Torren had not done a single time in previous matches, and this didn't escape Jon's notice.

'This might have something to do with his power. Maybe he's preparing for something. Maybe long range. Maybe a burst attack, where he could close the distance. It doesn't matter, I'll be ready for whatever he has planned.'

Torren muttered something in an inaudible voice, stretched his arms out further, pushing out his large chest. Jon noticed great power surging through Torren, he was unsure of the nature of said power, but could still tell that it was something to be feared. Torren's eyes were still glued onto Jon, not letting him escape his sight, even for a second. The power continued to surge through Torren, until it's complete activation.

In the next moment, Torren was set ablaze. Flames completely encapsulating the surface of his body, the raging flames gave a continuous violent roar. Those flames contained a myriad of colours, pulsing and intersecting with one another; purples, blues, greens, yellows, reds and oranges, clashed and merged. 

"Jon Bacardi! I recognise your strength! As such, I will allow you the opportunity of witnessing my own." Torren's low and somewhat terrifying voice was enough to send chills down the spines of all those that saw him. Tendrils of flame danced around his form, radiating an immense heat that could be felt even by the other groups. The heat came in waves, assaulting Jon, by leaving minor burns on his outfit, and darkening the metallic platform with ash. 

"Bring it on!" Jon's face was plastered with a massive grin, his pearly white teeth on full display and his eyes flowed majestically, the colours colliding and merging in a more violent and intriguing manner. "I'll extinguish those pretty flames of yours!" Jon was truly loving this development. 

'He has developed his ability to this stage. How marvellous. Although it's just sparring, this really will be a rewarding battle.'

Jon put up his spatial membrane, acting as a permanent barrier protecting him. Although it wasn't full proof and caused great mental strain when maintained for prolonged periods, it wasn't at a level for him to be all that concerned with. His eyes forward and focused on Torren. They're eyes both glued on one another. Ready to strike.

Torren shot forth at immense speed, soaring just above the ground and leaving a fiery trail behind him. His features still retained, his beard and hair were unaffected by the flames blazing around him, the same could be said for his skin and clothing. Yet the platform and the surrounding air were indeed impacted by the flames. The great heat could be felt as he travelled at great speed towards Jon, slightly levitating and burning brightly, with his lips curled up in a subtle smile and his eyes reflecting his amusement. 

It took him a mere 2 seconds to appear before Jon. 

Jon met him head on, using his superspeed combined with his super strength to attempt to deal to some melee damage to his blazing opponent. He maintained his barrier whilst doing so, attempting to land an attack coated with invisible space, something which made no sense. It was something Jon could rarely actually accomplish due to the intricacy required in such an attack. His ability really is extremely versatile, and as such requires immense effort and creativity to make the best use of it.

His attack was successful. Landing an extremely heavy right hook on Torren's cheek, causing his head to turn and his body to sway. However, Torren hadn't just foolishly charged right in, he had landed a blow to Jon's liver, somehow burning through his spatial membrane, and causing him to wince. Flames were burning on the area Jon had just been struck, though his fist was unaffected due to the lack of direct contact. The flames continued to rage, leaving minor burn's on Jon's skin and threatening to spread further. Due to Jon's superior durability, the damage was minor and not all that dangerous. 

Jon extinguished the flames using his spatial ability. Unlike with the spikes in the earlier match where he teleported them, or the gravity field he had isolated against Sarina, this time he he simply erased the flames. Isolating them and then deleting that invisible space and it's contents, thus removing the flames that seemed to burn indefinitely.

He proceeded to thicken his membrane, causing further mental strain, albeit still at a manageable level. 'This is troublesome. Flames that can burn through even space. Though it was just a weak membrane, he's still holding back due to it being a spar. I can't even fathom how destructive those flames would be if he unleashed his full power.' Jon surmised the intensity of Torren's ability, appreciating it's destructiveness.

Jon let his power flow further through him. Looking with his 'eyes', he noticed Torren's power flowing through his body and gathering at his right hand. 'A blast is coming.' He was right, as he used his superspeed to close the distance and remain out of Torren's eye, a blast of infernal flames shot forth towards his previous position. 

Jon was now right beside Torren, appearing next to him within the blink of an eye. Torren, confused, detected that Jon had disappeared from his previous spot. Before he could find him, an immense blow had struck him on his head, Jon's shin landed perfectly, sending Torren flying. He rolled a few times, but found his footing and looked directly at where Jon had snuck him from. Only to find no one standing there.

Jon then appeared behind Torren for a second time, having sprinted after him during his fall. This time delivering a strong knee to Torren's spine. Not a single sound of pain left Torren's lips though, he levitated a few meters into the air, after having taken further knockback from Jon's blow. Torren regained his bearings and began formulating a plan to counter Jon's speed. 

Flames scattered across the platform, these flames were much weaker in nature than the ones he hit Jon with, after all Torren couldn't just start a massive fire on a large scale and risk the safety of others. The flames on the platform danced with a shade of green that was reminiscent of jade, and gave off a moderate heat that spread throughout the air. The spectators of the group marvelled at the sight of the platform engulfed in beautiful flames, whilst also feeling the heat that they emitted. 

Jon's barrier was protecting him from these flames. Torren knew this would happen, and had decided to limit Jon's mobility temporarily. Torren knew Jon could battle in the air, but he also assumed that Jon would be at a disadvantage in aerial combat.

Beams of flame shot out in Jon's direction, scorching the platform his feet. Jon narrowly evaded these blasts and entered further into the flames of the burning platform. Maintaining his membrane and remaining unscathed, not even letting the heat or smoke in. 

Jon decided to extend his ability on a further scale, trapping the flames that assaulted the battlefield in an invisible space. He was not extinguishing them, erasing them entirely would require more of his concentration and would fatigue his mind and cause him to drop his guard. 

Jon proceeded to remove his barrier and begin ascending, trying to take the fight in the air. Jon was now eye-to-eye with Torren, with they're eyes once again locked in a fierce stare. 

Torren sent another blast of flames, of an enchanting violet colour, towards Jon. 

Jon had avoided them narrowly and approached Torren.

Torren also approached Jon, his flames concentrated particularly on his hands and feet. 

They exchanged blows once again, Jon had evident burns on his skin now. 

Torren had bruises throughout his body, hidden by his fiery cloak. 

This exchange continued, Torren appeared to have the upper hand.

His fiery punches left visible damage on Jon, and Jon's mind was occupied with trying to keep himself afloat.

'I've got to bring him to the ground.' Jon knew that fighting like this was not going to end well for him.

Creating an invisible floor to step on, Jon used his speed to get into Torren's blind spot.

He wrapped his arms around him, lifted him up, and jumped backwards. Performing a suplex from the air, and crashing Torren into the ground. The contact he made with Torren caused further burning to appear on Jon's arms. With the combat suit having been burned completely at the area of his forearms, and causing his arms to taking on a dark, burnt and charred appearance.

Jon put up his barrier again, not wanting to receive any further damage and not having to focus on flying. He then charged at Torren again, dashing at him using his superspeed and appearing behind Torren. Whom had just gained his senses and gotten back to his feet.

Before Jon could land a blow, the flames surrounding Torren surged, flaring with new vigour. The intensity of the heat was incomparable to before, although still restrained, and the colours of the flames had fully merged into something beautiful. Torren was now a violent hue of various colours and shades all merged with each other, his flames burned with controlled aggression. 

Jon widened the distance, retreating back to one of the edges of the platform. He took a moment to admire Torren's flames. 'Sheesh, that heat's suffocating! And he's still holding back?! Crazy. Anyway, how am I gonna fight against that? How should I approach this?'. Jon's mind whirled at a rapid pace, as he started formulating a method of beating Torren in his current, blazing state.

Torren himself, had now directed his full attention back onto Jon, his flames burning brilliantly, giving him a harrowing, yet somewhat majestic impression. He walked forward menacingly, a light yet ominous chuckle escaped his lips.

"You really are strong! Not just in the arts, but also with your powers! I acknowledge you as a worthy rival. Someone who deserves to stand among the best." He spoke with respect, not as a senior talking to a junior, but someone he truly viewed as an equal.

Torren motioned his hands, the flames listened to his silent command and took shape. A spear of pure flames found itself within Torren's hands, it was truly a work of art, the weapon possessed a deadly splendour. The vibrant flames crackled, the floor beneath Torren was melting from the combination of his own flames and the flames of his newly forged weapon. 

Torren took on a stance with the spear in his right hand, now cocked back and charged, ready to deliver a devastating throw. 

Jon, having now broken out of his trance, prepared himself to receive the approaching threat. He condensed his membrane, and readied himself to isolate the spear. He released the confinement on the flames that engulfed the platform, now a fiery battlefield lay on the platform. Jon made sure his concentration was fully set on stopping the spear.

Torren released the spear. Soaring like a blazing javelin.

It further fuelled the burning battlefield, causing the flames to erupt further. 

It travelled with absurd speed.

Jon's defences were fully prepared. His barrier thick. His mind sharp. He focused his power to isolate the fire spear. His invisible space shattered, completely ran through by the projectile. He prepared another, hoping that further concentration would work to slow the incoming javelin. It worked, somewhat, slowing it down but not stopping it.

Jon now had time to get out of the way, escaping with his superspeed. 

The spear landed on the platform, causing a small explosion where it impacted. The already burning flames of the platform, were further fuelled. 

Drops of sweat laced Jon's brow.

'This heat is insane. If I was hit with that, I'd have been defeated for certain.'

Jon readied himself to rush in at Torren, and make use of his spatial barrier to deal some damage to the burning man.

Torren readied another spear. He moved forward, ready to clash head on with Jon and use his newly formed bladed polearm.

They were face to face with each other, Torren was about to attack with his weapon, taking advantage of the greater range.

When...

"THE FIRST MATCH OF THE FOURTH ROUND HAS NOW ENDED! PLEASE EXIT THE PLATFORMS!"

The Iron Lady's voice rang out, booming with enthusiasm.

They had ran out of time. After all, the spars couldn't go on for too long and disrupt the schedule.

The result was a draw.

Jon felt bitter.

'If that continued any longer... I might have lost. I'd have had to bring out more power to combat him. That would have gone way beyond simple sparring.'

"You fought well. It was a great match." Torren spoke up, offering Jon his hand for a handshake. He didn't seem too phased by the inconclusive result. 

"You too, man. You're one of the strongest I've ever faced. I hope we can spar again sometime." Jon grasped his hand and shook it. 

He let out a sigh and walked towards his water bottle. 'All that fire has really made me thirsty.' Jon gulped down the water and looked at the wreckage of the platform, he shook his head. The platform was quickly replaced, the Iron Lady destroying and reconstructing the platforms after each match. 

From the corner of his eye, he noticed someone approaching. Sarina Martinez was walking over towards him.

"What a match." She said as she clapped her hands, now standing in front of Jon. "To be able to hold your own and even get a draw against Torren, is extremely impressive. The guy's a monster in combat, always in the top 10." 

"He sure is, any longer and I would have lost." Jon was honest, he didn't want to make any excuses and genuinely respected his opponent.

"You still fought really well, I'm surprised a 3rd year could match him in hand to hand combat. Well, that's all I wanted to say. I've got a match later, so I'm going to prepare for that." And with that Sarina walked away.

'What a strange woman.' Jon thought to himself.

Jon's matches had come to an end.