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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 8: New Meaning of a Punch

Beta-Reader: Ant0nius

"Remember to-"

"Not antagonize anyone- Uncle, I think we both got it," Hope interjected, growing irked by that constant reminder. Naerie was not fazed by it, but even then it was clear that the rule meant for both was actually extended only to her alone.

It wasn't a secret that Hope had gotten a bit annoyed over some of the stuff she learned of the Fire Clan through the acolytes in the Dark Clan. If she had to draw a comparison, Mr. Bengala's clan was a Soft version of it- everyone was battle-crazy in both groups, but the Fire Clan was super-crazy about it. And as much as Hope liked to train, fighting to the point of hurting people she knew of and cared about was not something she was pleased with.

The fact that Carmesi was so incensed in teaching 'pain' for the sake of improvement further fueled her inner anger towards her. She knew through Vixy that the woman was horrible at times, she just didn't expect the worst to be focused on training Knights-in-training. Despite that, Hope was willing to listen to her Uncle, knowing how Matt held a closer understanding of the Fire Crest than many others. Also, because she had seen him being somewhat uneasy towards this meeting. Even more after talking with Howl about the current state of events.

So, when they entered the Fire Arena and were escorted to the 'back rooms' to where the Knights' training area was through the tickets gifted to them by Howl, the trio was ready for the sort of violence that was unfolding during the spars in session. Most were quite vicious, but not to the point of delivering a flinch or two at best, but the one where Carmesi was in charge was something else.

Hope could remember when she asked her younger sister why she liked to punch and kick people around, and that same reasoning felt more evident here than anywhere else.

"It's just fighting, and it makes me feel the very best!"

These words perfectly matched Carmesi herself as she decimated her student, a Lion Prime, without any mercy behind each strike. It was a dreadful sight for someone that had been training to protect people, not see them being brutalized like that. And the words she uttered, those were what stuck to Hope the most.

"Your footing is still imperfect. Two years and you have yet to drop your mistakes- you think this is a joke or something, boy?"

The harshness, followed by a threat.

"If you think it is, then you should be packing because you are shaming me and this clan. Now leave my sight."

The student complied, and soon Carmesi was alone. A Fox Prime with mostly brown hair and a few blonde locks, it was close to what Vixy had, except the brown-area replaced the fiery red of her daughter.

"Does anyone else here want to fight me?!" Carmesi demanded, angry and cocky, and got Hope all earnest to jump in the arena and fight her.

It felt wrong for her to think this, but something about the brutality she witnessed and the comments the woman delivered to her downed opponent made her belligerent and ready to cave her snout in. Quite vicious, yes, but her vitriolic thoughts found no chance to turn in action as someone else spoke up and took the challenge.

"I will."

Matt was already standing, with Naerie merely nodding and leaving Hope unsure if this was the right way for them to 'reunite'. Sure, her Uncle told her that this is how they used to bond in the past, but things have changed a lot through the passing of centuries. What were the chances of things having changed and for Matt to be walking in a brutal beating?

Despite that, Carmesi was now looking and stared at the currently-masked human as he moved to approach the arena. One of the guards tried to stop him, but a glance aimed at Carmesi was met with a sharp glare that prevented him from blocking the new opponent. Hope could only stare in wonder and pray that Matt knew what he was doing and, to an extent, she had a feeling he did.

If only she could stop being this kind of worrywarts at times...

Admittedly, that was not how I had planned to get this reunion to happen.

I would have planned for something like a spar, yes, but not in light of how she treated the previous fighter. Carmesi had always held a degree of viciousness in combat, but most of that ruthless display was dedicated to soldiers that needed to be built for war. These were kids trying to catch up with her, idolizing her, and getting decimated by her.

"I am surprised that someone that isn't affiliated to this group would come to challenge me," She mentioned, yet glancing sideways to where the girls were. "And with Ambar and Grace's daughters. I hope you understand they are not simple kids."

"They are young women, yes, and their parents are known to me as they are friends."

That detail caught Carmesi's attention. "Truly? Yet with a mask like that, I wouldn't think you are much."

"Oh, I had a friend that would say that too, but I think she was more of a 'show rather than tell' kind of fighter," I hummed, stretching a bit as we prepared. "So, are you up to this, Carmesi."

"Of course. I will give you the mercy of being defeated in a few minutes."

"If you're so sure then, how about we go for a wager?" I added calmly, forgetting the precise words, but remembering the feel behind those.

"A wager? Hmph, you think you even have a chance against me?"

"Obviously, or I wouldn't be wasting time being this cocky towards you, Carmesi," I retorted flatly, the shift of tone definitely hitting her like a jab as she recoiled as if she had been struck by one.

An avalanche of emotions crashed onto me right as I greeted Carmesi like that.

I have been a bit emotional around other people I was familiar with, but Carmesi was one of those few I had a strong bond with. And as much as I could tell that most of it was suppressed due to my identity being unknown to her at the moment, I had a feeling she was going to catch up through my own style.

Soon the battle started, and, from the very first move, memories flooded my mind as we both sparred hits and found ourselves deadlocked into a vicious exchange which saw no opening from both sides. Carmesi's style had grown more aggressive and somewhat more lazy due to a lack of a serious opponent, while mine was more defensive since I was a bit rusty.

Due to these factors, we equally matched early on, and we both tried our hardest to find a way through each other's defenses without picking up the pace in the brawl. Still, no result and the intensity grew without us wanting that to happen. Still, eventually, we broke off to study each other's current stance, with the woman now missing her confident scowl and looking... confused and interested. A sight that now felt more in line to what I could remember from our last few spars. Less bold and more attentive. Yet, the end result of that quiet study was the most memorable event.

We rushed back into the close fight, my jab reaching her nose, while hers slammed up to my chin.

She spit some blood while I was just rubbing where my chin under the mask was as we backed off again.

"You are packing a lot of power for a mere human," Carmesi muttered, sounding extremely suspicious. "How is that possible?"

"I am an odd one, I have been told," I replied. "Still, I can't help but feel like you are purposely holding back for reasons other than me being human."

"Oh? And what do you think is the reason I am holding back then?" She snapped, clearly annoyed by someone picking up on her own mindset. Something she always hated, but the best way to convey the situation better to her.

"You sound… like you are missing someone."

It was there that I felt it. The same heat as back then when we first fought.

The temperature of the room seemed to increase, and my throat tightened as my nostrils caught the familiar scent of… smoke with a hint of nostalgia.

She rushed forth, putting more strength in her hits and forcing me to do the same, except by adding some Water Magic to hold off the worst of her fiery strikes. Even with my endurance boosted, I felt like I was getting mauled by her attacks, and I almost lost there if not for the fact that Carmesi was too distracted to pick up counters to her hits.

From time to time, I would hit her muscles, both on her arms and legs, with her pace growing sluggish to an extent before giving me the chance for a double punch to her stomach, barely missing her visible scar and then an uppercut that flipped her backward and to the ground. The combo was enough to stun her while she was down and help me take a proper posture to stop her from breaking free. A foot by hovering over her throat, while the other pressing against the wrist of her preferred hand.

"It's your loss, Carmie-"

I made a mistake with that. It got so familiar, so personal and so nostalgic that I couldn't keep my stupid mouth from calling her Carmie. It's been so long, I had to force myself to call her Carmesi as I tended to use her name mostly for super-serious businesses. To use it in a casual situation felt... wrong. And left me with a strange taste in my mouth.

This didn't extend to now that I was 'cooked' and ready to spill some beans and... I blurted that one out.

Her eyes widened astronomically and a gust of hot vapor slammed onto my chest, forcing me to back off and give her the chance to tackle me down. She grasped at my wrists, pushing her weight onto my lower chest and staring intensely at my mask before realizing I wasn't... fighting back.

She let go of my wrist, the world momentarily forsaken as she quietly reached for the mask and... pulled it away. I could see her twitch a moment as she saw my mouth, then my nose, and finally my eyes and hair. The mask rested on the ground and she gulped nervously at the sight.

...

"Hi... Carmie."

Her eyes narrowed, and she looked ready to punch me before... reaching for my nose and pinching it.

"Hello Theo."

First contact was thus made.

AN

Carmesi is a bit of an oddball in emotional situations.

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