Hafen, seizing the opportunity, dragged the dazed Ms. Lily away from the fight.
"Boys, you need to get out of here. You can't win," Ms. Lily murmured. Her cheek was bruised, and a thin line of blood trickled from her lip. Her sunglasses were cracked and askew. Underneath, her hidden eyes strangely glowed. She struggled to her feet.
"We're not leaving without you," Hafen insisted, and he helped her up.
Brad's gaze shifted to Matteo and Stark. He remembered the sting and the humiliation of his defeat. Now, this new power thrummed in his veins. He wouldn't lose to them again. He laughed and gestured towards them with a flick of his wrist. "Fine. You'll all die together," he proposed.
Stark's grip tightened on the handle of his former sword. "You talk too much," he retorted and threw it at his forehead.
Brad stumbled back and rubbed his forehead with a grimace.
"Matteo, now," Stark commanded.
In a blur, Matteo zig-zagged around Brad, and a trail of dust was left behind. He delivered a series of rapid punches to Brad's back. However, they barely registered.
With each hit, Brad's muscles tensed and absorbed the impact. The dark energy swirling around him seemed to harden his skin like armor.
Matteo's confidence wavered, and he halted his onslaught. "My fists hurt," he stammered.
Brad growled and spun around, backhanding Matteo across the room with incredible speed. "Your strength is pathetic. Your speed is worthless," he mocked.
Matteo slammed against a bookshelf, and books rained down upon him. He slid to the floor and groaned in pain.
"Matteo," Stark yelled in fury.
Jasper and Elaine gasped in shock.
Brad turned to Stark. "You're next," he roared.
Stark ducked under Brad's clumsy but powerful swipe. A fist thrown at Brad's knee connected.
Brad barely nudged and smirked.
"This... this is impossible. I defeated you before," Stark claimed with disbelief.
Brad laughed, and he grabbed Stark's arm. He effortlessly lifted him into the air and bragged, "My master has given me power beyond your imagination." He slammed him into the floor.
Stark coughed and gasped for air.
Benjamin frowned and firmly stood.
Just then, Ms. Lily, with her cracked sunglasses and glowing eyes, stepped forward and placed a relaxed hand on Benjamin's shoulder. "It's okay, Benjamin. I've got this," she proclaimed.
Hafen looked at her with concern. "Ms. Lily, you're hurt," he pointed out and tried to stand.
"Let us help," Benjamin urged.
Ms. Lily looked over her shoulder at them with a small, enigmatic smile. "Hafen, you have a brilliant mind, but it is still young. There is much about this world you have yet to learn. Same with you, Benjamin," she advised and inquired, "Have you heard of the kingdom of martial artists?"
Hafen's brow furrowed. "I haven't," he answered.
Benjamin's curiosity also piqued.
"Precisely," Ms. Lily confirmed with a nod. She turned to face Brad, and the air around her seemed to crackle. "My father was a royal guard in that kingdom, and he taught me everything he knew," she declared, rolling up her sleeves. She removed her cracked sunglasses. Her eyes, once a normal shade, now emitted an intense energy.
Brad scowled and dropped Stark. "My master will be pleased to add your energy to his collection," he remarked and sneered.
Ms. Lily's smile vanished. "I wouldn't be so sure," she replied with a serious expression. She walked with a grace that commanded the room. She stood before Brad, a stark contrast to his hulking, corrupted form. "Brad. I remember when you first started as a guard. Some say you were overprotective of the forest. You were always willing to risk your life for others. This... this is not you," she sympathized.
Brad hesitated, and a flicker of the old guard surfaced in his eyes. "My master... He gave me strength. He said I could finally have the respect I deserved," he stammered and clutched his head.
Ms. Lily's expression softened with pity. "True respect is earned, not given. It certainly isn't found through this burrowed power of darkness," she elaborated.
Brad shook his head. "He freed me," he muttered. He suddenly roared and threw the first punch.
In a blur, Ms. Lily weaved under Brad's outstretched arm and appeared beside him. In a single, fluid motion, she placed her glowing palm on Brad's chest.
Brad's eyes widened in disbelief.
The classroom lights flickered erratically.
"I'm not just a tournament organizer. Let me show you real power," Ms. Lily declared. The glowing energy in her eyes intensified, and the same energy surged from her palm. She let out a powerful burst.
The blast struck Brad. The dark energy that fortified him sputtered against Ms. Lily's power. Smoke covered the classroom.
Brad flew back with a deafening cry. He crashed through the wall and into the empty classroom next door.
A stunned silence descended upon the room. The kids watched in awe.
Brad barely got back to his feet, and his right arm was gone. A blaring hole had formed on his chest. He glared back at them. "You'll pay for that," he warned. Unfortunately, he could still fight.
Ms. Lily panted. She had used a lot of energy, but she remained determined. She turned to the survivors. "He's more resilient than I thought. You all need to get out of here. Now," she instructed.
"No. We're not leaving you," Hafen protested with determination.
Stark pushed himself to his feet and agreed, "We fight together, or we die together."
"Boys, you've suffered enough. You need to live for your parents. I'll be fine," Ms. Lily insisted with a reassuring smile.
"Come with us. We'll survive this together," Matteo pleaded.
From the next room, Brad's roar echoed.
"We don't have much time," Ms. Lily whispered. She saw the resolve in her students' eyes. She understood their bond with her. She wouldn't be able to convince them to leave without her. Her eyes glinted as a new plan formed in her mind. She turned to Pepe and asked, "Pepe, do you trust me?"
Pepe, who had been watching from the back of the room, nodded without hesitation. "With my life," he replied.
"Good," Ms. Lily responded and approached him. She handed the pistol and leaned towards his ear. "I need you to use this if I turn," she whispered in a hushed, urgent tone.
Pepe's blood ran cold. "What," he questioned with disbelief.
"Don't tell the others. It'll be the only way to end my suffering and ensure everyone else's survival," Ms. Lily warned with a knowing smile.
In an entrusting manner, it signaled Pepe to save and protect everyone.
Pepe stared at her, and a storm of emotions churned within him. He had seen the same kind of smile before. He looked at his siblings.
Hafen, Matteo, and Stark were ready to fight.
Pepe met Ms. Lily's determined gaze and gave a slow, solemn nod. "I understand," he murmured and grabbed the pistol.
From the next room, the wall exploded inward.
Brad burst through the cloud of dust. His eyes blazed with an unforgiving hatred. "Enough games," he roared, and dark energy swirled around him.
Ms. Lily turned to face him. She took a deep breath and assumed a fighting stance.
Brad charged.
Ms. Lily met him head-on. She ducked under the swing, and she struck Brad in the side with a powerful palm strike.
Brad staggered back. He glared at her with fury. "You're starting to annoy me," he growled and lunged.
Ms. Lily sidestepped and connected a low kick.
Brad tripped and crashed to the floor.
Hafen, Stark, and Matteo charged.
"Wait," Ms. Lily urged.
"Take this," Stark yelled and threw a punch.
Brad recovered and blocked Stark's punch with his remaining arm. With a wicked sneer, he kicked him in the stomach.
Stark flew back and crashed into a desk.
Matteo zoomed by, and he kicked Brad in the face.
Brad's head snapped back. Still, his arm swung around Matteo, instantly grasping him. Holding him in a hug, he squeezed with all of his might.
The sound of Matteo's bones cracking and his following screams filled the room.
"Let him go," Hafen demanded and kicked Brad in the shin.
Brad grunted and threw Matteo aside. He turned to Hafen and swung.
Ms. Lily intervened and grabbed Brad's arm.
The fierce exchange fell into a deadlock.
Seeing the opening, Hafen charged forward and threw a series of rapid punches to Brad's torso.
Brad staggered back. He glared at Hafen. "You little brat," he growled.
Ms. Lily gritted her teeth and tightly held Brad's arm. She contorted it into an unnatural angle. In a flash, she severed it.
Brad frantically stepped away from Ms. Lily while clutching his bleeding stump. He stared at the spot where his arm used to be. "You brats! You've taken my dignity. You've taken my life. You'll pay," he bellowed, and pure fury overwrote the last vestiges of the guard he once was. He lunged towards Hafen with nothing left but raw, unrestrained rage. His mouth opened wide.
Ms. Lily's eyes widened. She threw herself between them, pushing Hafen out of the way.
Brad's teeth sank deep into Ms. Lily's shoulder.
A choked gasp escaped Ms. Lily's mouth. For a moment, her eyes, still glowing with their strange energy, widened in shock and pain.
The world seemed to slow down for Hafen. He witnessed the dark venom of Brad's corruption spreading from the bite. He saw the life drain from Ms. Lily's face. He noticed Pepe, at the back of the room, raise the pistol with a trembling hand.
"Ms. Lily," Hafen screamed.
Ms. Lily and Brad tumbled across the floor.
Brad broke her arm as payback.
With her remaining arm, Ms. Lily shoved Brad back with a final, desperate surge of energy. She crumpled to her knees and shuddered. "Kids... run," she wheezed in a weak, rattling whisper.
Pepe's finger tightened on the trigger and aimed at Ms. Lily's head. His mind screamed at him to fire and fulfill the promise he had made. He had to end her suffering before it begins. Yet, his hand refused to obey. He hesitated.
Brad, triumphant, loomed over the fallen teacher.
"Pepe, shoot," Elaine yelled in horror and cowered behind Jasper.
Benjamin stepped in front of Elaine and Jasper, and he held his knife. He prepared to fight.
"Run," Ms. Lily pleaded again. She pushed herself up with her good arm and looked at Pepe with a desperate, pleading gaze. Her eyes lost their glow.
Pepe recognized their promise in her eyes. The barrel of his gun aimed directly at her.
"Pepe, what are you doing? Don't shoot her! She's our teacher," Stark demanded.
Matteo surged in front of Brad and threw a punch with all his might. "I'll save her," he declared. His small fist connected with Brad's chin.
Brad stumbled back. He blinked in surprise and turned to Matteo with a scowl. He noticed a change in Ms. Lily.
The damage was already done...