AN: This took way longer than expected and I constantly had to edit, add, remove, etc a lot of scenes for this chapter to work! I'm sorry that these chapters can't be longer than what I have right now, but I think the content sorta justifies the length. You know that I have a life too right? Right!? Lol, let's move on with the story!
The white fist blurs past Tatehwa's head as she dodges to her left. Magical flames encase her in a cloak. Tatehwa smirks, "Wise choice, I love a good brawl." Her fists shimmer an icy blue as she clamps onto Sting's ankle. She reverses Sting's direction and slams him onto the ground in front of her. The sheer force of it causes the ground around them to explode! Tatehwa follows up by delivering three quick jabs to his abdomen. Each jab roots frost on the point of contact. However, his skin doesn't turn pale and cold like a normal man's. Tatehwa's thoughts provide a split second for Sting to exploit.
Sting smirks and roars, "White Dragon's Roar!" A white hurricane of magical energy explodes from Sting's mouth and encases his distracted opponent. After taking the initial blast, she is able to swing her arms in front of her face and brace for the rest. Sting gets to his feet and charges into his opponent's guard. He digs his fist straight into his opponent's gut. Tatehwa folds onto the fist. Sting grabs her head and slams his knee into her face. She unfolds and is open once more. Sting unleashes a flurry of punches with his glowing white fists. However, his rapid fists come to a stop in favor of one last, powerful, punch that sends her flying some distance away.
Tatehwa's back scrapes against the dirt and she comes to a stop while her flame cloak sputters and dies.
Sting's hands are no longer glowing white. "Was that all you got? I gotta say, I'm disapp-" A sudden burst of maniacal laughter shatters the illusion of defeat.
Tatehwa's hysteria squirms through her mental barriers for all to see. Tatehwa raises her legs and kickflips herself back into a standing position. A single scratch damages her clothing; however, the same can't be said for her spirit. Gone are the logical and analytical eyes of a scholar and gone is the composure of a saint. She gazes right at Sting with lust and insanity in her eyes.
Tatehwa shouts, "Tiid Klo Ul!" and time nearly stops. In a fraction of a second, she invades Sting's personal bubble as her fiery fist drills into his gut. She takes her head to his ear and whispers, "Give me more." The hot flames become cackling electricity and five rapid pulses of electricity surge throughout his body. She lets go at the final pulse and switches to frost as she attempts to pummel his chest in. His hands are blitzing across his entire body in hopes of not taking any more hits. Desperately, he attempts to yell, "Whi-" A frost fist smacks him across the mouth before she grabs and throws him some distance away. She quickly prepares two fire spells and fires her missile-like fireballs. To top it all off, she shouts, "Yol Toor Shul!" and a torrent of flames race towards Sting.
In the torrent of flames, a glowing white figure blitzes out. Sting yells, "White Dragon's Holy Breath!" He sends forth a horizontal and condensed hurricane of holy energy bolts towards Tatehwa, destroying grass and trees along the way towards her.
In a moment of true fear, Tatehwa shouts," Feim!" and the attack goes straight through her spectral form. The holy attack destroys the remnants of the surrounding area, leaving behind a barren battlefield. Sting charges towards her again only to pass right through. Tatehwa shouts, "Wuld!" and passes through Sting to be face to face. Her physical form returns as she rears back her fist and applies frost before she slugs Sting across the face. The powerfully cold punch knocks his head to the side long enough for another heavy slugger to the gut. He folds into the punch. Tatehwa throws her hands above Sting's head and they grab each other. In the blink of an eye, a rectangular block of ice forms around her fists and she swings downwards with all her might!
In another flash, Sting's body outlines a stronger white than before and the block of ice never meets its target. Sting's hands stop and throw away Tatehwa's incoming frost fists with newfound strength. He propels her arms off to the side and shatters the ice conjoining her hands. He retracts his arms onto his chest as he dashes to Tatehwa's face. His 3 limbed assault across her face, torso, arms, and legs push her across the battlefield.
Despite Tatehwa's attempts to dodge, block, and misdirect, they're too much for her to handle, causing her to absorb and take significant hits throughout the entire assault. However, her fanatical expression remains! A thought scrambles its way into her mind, Time to end this before we kill each other. In a fluid motion, she ducks underneath a blow aiming for her head. She dives underneath Sting and shouts, "Fus Ro Dah!" The unrelenting force launches him into the air. A massive shockwave throws any debris further away from her. Tatehwa fires off lightning bolts, ice spikes, and fireballs at a rapid pace.
A voice from above roars, "Holy White Dragon's Roar!" A whirlwind of white magic bursts forth from Sting's mouth: aiming for Tatehwa, enveloping the incoming projectiles, and obscuring her view.
Despite the chaos, Tatehwa's voice resounds across the battlefield, "Wuld Nah Kest!" The holy whirlwind slams onto the ground, disrupting and reforming the layout of the battlefield around her. Smoke and dust violently scatter; creating a dirty fog. She mutters, "Perfect." An orange glow covers her hand as she grabs an invisible object. She thrusts her hand downwards, making a hole in the dirt with her fist.
Sting's descent visibly becomes much more rapid towards the dirty fog. The sound of his voice is one of great surprise! Tatehwa releases a small laugh in response as she lets Sting crash onto the ground next to her. She crouches down to see Sting's face in the dirt and says, "This has been fun," with a playful tone, but it's over," she finishes with all seriousness. She duel casts a sleep spell on her opponent. Applying honey to her word, "Sleep," she coaxes. Furiously yet drowsily, Sting attempts to protest before falling to deep sleep. Peace comes at last.
That is until a dark and heavy aura invades her senses. The old man! She turns quickly and prepares a few spells towards the elderly man. He gets out of his makeshift chair. His piercing eyes stare directly into Tatehwa's eyes while his battle-ridden and fit body shine for all to bear witness to his power. He raises his hands, Tatehwa tenses, and his hands slap together. A slow clapping noise resounds across the field. Tatehwa loosens and lowers her hands and her guard a tiny bit for the gigantic elder upon sensing no ill intent.
The elder's eyes, clothes, and posture radiate immense respect and eagerness. He stoically speaks, "You have proven your strength to be beyond my disciple. You will be a worthy challenge, but I wish to fight you at your fullest." His eyes harden as if he is contemplating something. He speaks again, "You have my permission to join Sabertooth. We are in need of the strong. And in return, we can provide you with money, warm beds, food, water, and strength."
Tatehwa's posture turns strict, straight, and formal like the man before her. She states, "An interesting offer, of that I'm certain. How can I trust the words coming out of your mouth? I've seen your types before, and they are doomed to fall and turn their backs on those who matter most." No reaction from the elder. Tatehwa curiously continues, "What if I say yes?" What if I say no? Does my opinion matter to you?"
In a monotone voice, the elder responds, "I'm concerned with the results, not the ideas behind them. You have the power to say yes and the power to say no. You decide for yourself and I will have no quarry with you."
Strictly, Tatehwa responds, "Very well. It seems that this world is in need of my help and I shall. Take me to your guild hall so I may receive the mark of Sabertooth. However, cross me or attempt to enslave me will result in your slow and immensely painful death as I carve you separate from your heart."
The elder paces his way to Tatehwa. His bulky form towering over her as he got closer and closer. Now face to face, he agrees on the terms and responds with his own threat before traveling over to his disciple. He somewhat sadly gazes at Sting's sleeping form from above him. His huge hands pick up his disciple and he swings him over his bulky shoulder. He paces over to Tatehwa while he carries Sting over. He states, "Follow me," he pauses for a second, "and welcome to Sabertooth, the strongest guild in Fiore!"
