The fight had become the centerpiece of the entire den.
Jack moved first, lunging toward Joshua with a roundhouse kick aimed at his head, but Joshua ducked under it smoothly, his reflexes sharp. Without pausing, Jack followed with a flying knee, but again Joshua sidestepped, letting the strike pass by harmlessly.
Then Jack snapped a low kick at Joshua's leg, fast and heavy but Joshua checked it with his knee, the impact echoing through the courtyard like a wooden bat striking stone. Without hesitation, Joshua stepped in and threw two blindingly fast left jabs, forcing Jack to cover his face. That was all Joshua needed.
With a vicious snap of his waist, Joshua dug a powerful right hook into Jack's ribs. The blow landed hard, driving Jack backward a step.
Jack winced but grinned through the pain. "I see you've gotten stronger since the last time we fought."
Joshua's green-glowing eyes narrowed. "Is that all you got, Jack? Disappointing." He bounced on his toes, fists raised, his posture loose and fluid.
Jack spat to the side. "Okay, Joshua… now you're really asking for it."
This time he surged forward with renewed speed, throwing another roundhouse with his right leg. Joshua blocked it with his left arm, and countered with a right hook but Jack caught it on his elbow. Then, with a spin, Jack launched a spinning elbow that would have knocked out any lesser opponent. Joshua leaned back just in time, the strike missing by inches.
The doors to the den swung open as James and Sam exited with trays full of food and drinks, laughter on their faces, until they saw the chaos in front of them.
"Joshua! What are you doing?!" James called out.
"Why are you ruining our double date?" Sam added, frowning.
But the two fighters didn't even hear them. Jack and Joshua threw right hooks at the same time, blocking each other with their left arms. Their grins widened in unison.
James sighed and set down the trays on the table. He started walking toward them. "Stop fighting, guys! Why are..."
CRACK!
Two simultaneous fists flew toward his face, Jack's and Joshua's. James's body went limp in midair, blood splattering like paint, before he hit the ground and tumbled until his back slammed against the wall with a sickening thud. He lay still, blood trickling from his mouth.
"STAY OUT OF THIS, BITCH," Jack and Joshua shouted in unison.
"JAMES!" Sam screamed and sprinted to his side.
"Joshua! What are you doing?!" Merlin yelled, her voice rising in panic as she rushed to James as well.
Neither fighter flinched. Joshua threw an uppercut, but Jack twisted away. Jack answered with a sharp elbow, but Joshua was already gone, his footwork too fast.
Then Joshua caught him. A right hook slammed into Jack's abdomen, making him grunt and stumble. Joshua followed with a monster left hook aimed for the jaw, but Jack leapt back just in time to dodge the devastating blow.
Sam dropped to her knees beside James, gently holding his bloodied head in her hands.
"They ruined my beautiful prince's face…" she said tearfully.
Merlin knelt opposite her, her eyes glowing faintly as she pressed her palms to James's wounds, purple healing light spreading from her fingers.
This idiot… he could've killed him, she thought, gritting her teeth.
Meanwhile, Crystal stormed out of the den, hearing the commotion. She froze upon seeing the fight, then her eyes lit up as she spotted a familiar face.
"Franciele!" Crystal rushed to her and hugged her tightly.
"Hey bestie, I missed you," Franciele said, squeezing back.
"I missed you too!" Crystal giggled.
They pulled apart, smiling brightly.
"How's the den doing?" Franciele asked.
"Business is good."
"And the thugs? They still giving you trouble now that Joshua left?"
Crystal grinned proudly. "Nope. I got a new protector, Jack. He scared them off like puppies."
Franciele glanced at the brawl. "So he's a good kid, huh? But Joshua is still stronger."
Crystal's smile faded. "No he's not. Jack's stronger than Joshua."
Franciele raised a brow. "Okay, how about this? I bet fifty bronze coins on Joshua."
Crystal smirked. "Then I'll bet fifty on Jack."
They shook hands as if it were a business deal.
Back at the table, Jessica slumped into a chair with a mug of Amarula. She took a deep sip, her fancy dress slightly wrinkled from the evening.
I made all this effort… put on this stupid dress… and the guy I like is fighting his friend and ignoring me… she thought bitterly.
Across the courtyard, Jack's breathing was growing heavier. He wiped sweat from his brow as he reset into his Muay Thai stance.
This is really getting dangerous… Joshua's a monster now, he thought.
Joshua burst forward with a jab at Jack's face. Jack slipped to the side and fired a low kick toward Joshua's calf but Joshua intercepted it with a vicious right hook to Jack's leg. Jack staggered backward, stunned.
He blocked my low kick… with a punch? Jack thought, disbelief in his eyes.
Joshua launched a massive overhand right. Jack caught it on both arms, but the sheer force sent him flying. He hit the ground and skidded, dirt rising in clouds.
Joshua bounced in place, his green eyes glowing like twin emerald flames. "Come on, Jack! Is that all you got?"
Jack lay there for a second, chest heaving. Then he pushed himself up slowly. His red eyes glowed like embers, burning hotter and hotter.
"Okay, Joshua… I'm done playing around." He raised his fists, his stance now tighter, more lethal than ever.
Red eyes met green.
And the real fight was just beginning.