Chapter 3 Lair's Dance
AM. Bryan meant AM. Tian was awake before the sun was even awake, learning combat and kickboxing moves and trying to block Bryan's insane punches. Tian was actually enjoying it. From this close up he could see that Bryan had blue eyes and a scar running through the left one. He had a tribal-ish looking tattoo on the left side of his neck. And more scars than Tian could have the time to count while being attacked by this ferocious man. Being in this kind of situation reminded him of a video game or a movie, a great hero is called upon to serve a great purpose and defeat a great evil. Tian felt alive, more alive than in his repetitive, dull existence.
"Now try to block my one, two, body blow!" Bryan exclaims. He sends a punch with his left, then right, and then left again this time aiming it at Tian's gut. He managed to block the first two only based on the name Bryan called it but didn't see the gut punch coming. He doubled over, heaving on the ground, trying to catch his breath. This definitely wasn't the first time this had happened today. It's already 9 AM, and he's been knocked to his knees, back, and stomach more than he would want to in this kind of situation. Now maybe if it was just the two of them in front of a blazing fireplace with some sensual music in the background. Yes, Tian's wildest fantasies involved fireplaces and sensual music, like a 30-something year old woman in the 90's. Maybe even throw in some sexy saxophone solos.
"Could... we maybe...take... take a break. We've been… been...at this for four hours ...already." Tian could barely wheeze out. He's gonna need some more of those miracle pills soon.
"Enemies won't let you have a break. Get up. I have another sequence to show you." Bryan admonished. And that's how it went day after day for 3 years. Bryan would wake up Tian at an ungodly hour and they would train until dusk. After Tian would eat and then get to tracking Nina. Tian learned alot about Bryan, not that Bryan would tell him anything. But from the way Bryan moved and talked Tian could tell he was either in the military or was a cop. Everytime Bryan hit him with a particularly ruthless move he would do this taunt and follow it up with a wicked laugh. A laugh that Tian couldn't help but want to hear more of, as strange as it may seem. And Tian could tell that Bryan didn't completely hate him. When Tian blocked or did a complicated move Bryan would have this cute smirk on his face. Tian was really enjoying being the one to accomplish that. Tian was falling hard for Bryan and could only hope Bryan felt the same way.
"You're getting good at this." Byran compliments, one of very few. Today they were practicing a ten hit combo. Tian added a little flair to his and ended all the kicks and jabs with what he calls a gravity brain buster. Using one of his hands to hold Bryan's shoulder and the other right under Bryan's arm he sends a swift kick to his right shin, using his fall to flip him hard onto the ground. Tian rolled onto his feet and ended it with Bryan's signature taunt and a poorly imitated version of Bryan's laugh. Now Bryan was the one winded. He was about to send a throw of his own when they heard a loud beeping sound coming from Tian's laptop. Tian ran over to see what alarm was going off.
"I've found her," Tian announced.