...
'Ack!'
Koji's body recoiled as Ivory's fist was thrust upon his chest--grueling, sickening was the pain of the strike.
His chest, despite being hit, continued to heave violently--though, this may only be the start, Koji was feeling the pain already.
His lips quivered.
'Her movements...'
Though his eyes--who, in every way--have utterly failed him, caught a glimpse of her next attack.
Ivory launched her slender leg at Koji's side; the strike would no doubt end the battle.
Of course, that's if it struck him.
How could Koji let such a thing happen!?
His hand launched out--almost instinctively. But wait, Koji had never done such a thing--this was obvious, because he was not experienced in combat.
So--how, just how could he accomplish it when facing an opponent that he couldn't even rely on his senses to beat?
Use a trick once, the audience will laugh; use a trick twice, the audience may laugh again. However, once you use the trick once more--the audience may start to find out how the trick works.
Yes, Koji had found out Ivory's fighting style!
One may say that Koji is late to this; however, how could he know her fighting style? She had been changing it constantly over the years, developing it.
Though, some things never change.
Even through the tens of times that her style has changed, and through the training she has gone through--some things had still remained.
Sadly, she was versing an opponent who could see through these similarities.
'Shit, I'm still stuck on the defensive! What am I supposed to do?'
He blocked three more attacks from Ivory: a knee, an elbow, and a swipe with her legs.
Blocked, dodged, and dodged!
'Something has to change--Fuck! If I lose to her more, she will just keep wanting to fight. Also, not that I care about pride--however, someone like Ivory--she will not be my hardest opponent; if I can't beat her, how can I deal with what's to come in the future?'
His ears--unreliable, Ivory was too quiet.
His nose--obviously, unreliable; it was not like Ivory was smelly.
His eyes--well, they were enough to keep up; Ivory wasn't that fast. However, coupled with the fact that dust was invading his sight, they were mostly unreliable.
His taste--currently, all that Koji could taste was his dry mouth!
And well, his sense of touch was currently nothing but a burden.
...
'K-Koji? He is not falling! What is going on, I thought I was much stronger...'
Ivory threw more attacks. First, was blocked by Koji. Second, dodged by Koji. Third, dodged by Koji.
Koji! Koji! Koji!
She began to fill her mind with his name!
'But he's nine... Shouldn't I be able to beat him?'
No, something worse was at hand--not even her father, Lin--could ever predict her in such a way!
'Will I lose?'
...
'What's that?'
Koji's eyes brightened up as he stared into Ivory's dark green iris's; his gaze sharpened--her emotions, they could not go unnoticed by Koji.
When he looked into her eyes, despite his defensive position--even though he was losing--he had already knew something.
Without a doubt, he would win this fight!
'Doubt? Yes, doubt! She doesn't think she will win; the fact of the matter is--if you are too focused on wallowing in self doubt, then the opponent will just destroy you! This, oh really I thought Lin would teach you such a thing. Truly, it is a pity that he didn't.'
Though his words may seem arrogant, they were not without reason.
The reason being his own experience!
Every time he fought Ivory, he would doubt himself; every time, he would lose. While yes, that was due to his lack of strength, technique, and talent in fighting--he had not fixed any of that! He was still weak, he had just noticed the patterns in her attacks; however, how could he make use of that if he doubted his ability? She was too fast for him to doubt! He would be struck without an instantaneous decision.
...
'This kid, Koji; wow, truly I am impressed.'
Lin could only watch with wide eyes as even more of Ivory's attacks were deflected; however, it was clear Koji wasn't the best at retaliation.
Koji would block--maybe dodge an attack, however he wouldn't retaliate. If he did try to retaliate, Ivory would stop his attack from landing.
'I am proud to teach such a significant, and talented student. Though, yes Koji you have much to learn. However, I have taught many--one such as you has never crossed my path.'
'Though sadly, even with your determination--you will lose!'
...
The two continued their duel--Ivory's hand flew through the air, trying to chop at Koji's side!
However, it was just dodged!
'Yes, Koji--this is where you lose.'
Lin was sure of it now--Koji would not be able to defend against such an attack.
Koji's dark eyes flashed in alert--though he may have dodged, it was still a losing situation.
His spiky black hair swayed through the air as he knelt his head down, and looked up to see that over his head, a kick was launched.
'An opening!'
He wasted no time.
He quickly shot his elbow at Ivory's stomach--it swung, and swung fast! his small elbow cut through the air as he launched it as fast as he could, giving no time for Ivory to react!
However, there was a problem.
Ivory, who was about to meet her loss--still had tricks up her sleeve.
If a magician runs out of tricks--sometimes, he will simply make one himself.
'H-huh...'
Koji's eyes widened in utter disbelief--he was so sure of himself, yet now he could only watch as Ivory jumped up in time somehow, and now launched her leg straight at his face!
'I cannot lose!'
What was this?
He did not say this due to his future, and he did not say this because he didn't want to get hurt.
Finally, Koji's pride had shown!
If he tried to block that kick with his hand, which was the only thing he could do in time--it would for sure be broken by her leg.
However, Koji didn't care!
He sent his hand up and blocked, the pain instantly stabbing through him--though he didn't stop, he launched his fist at Ivory's face, and it landed.
The match, that was supposed to be a simple spar--it ended with Koji breaking his hand, and injuring Ivory harder than she had ever done to him.
Simply because of his pride, which he denied the existence of in the first place.