Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

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The bastard had it coming.

How dares he look at MY Serina like he has any right to claim her?

Did he really think that Serina will go to him if he wins?

Did he think that he can win?

I was training and sparring since I could walk, and monstrous reflexes are ingrained into every cell of my body. That was one thing my father always approved of. Training. I polished my skills to the point of being able to defeat boys five years older than I was.

I remember as a youngster I would get hit, but I always stood up and kept going.

I don't know what a defeat is.

Actually, ever since I reached my teens, I had to hold back my strength in order not to hurt my sparring partners or mutilate my enemies (not that I had many, but a teenager ends up in a spat or two).

The fight with Lazarus was exhilarating. It's been a long time since I was able to go all out.

Lazarus punched my shoulder and I felt that one, but I immediately got him in the jaw.

Ha! Take that!

His physique is outstanding. A number of those punches would definitely break a bone or two, yet Lazarus barely flinched.

It seems that I'm not the only freak of nature and based on the surprise flashing in Lazarus's eyes, I could guess that he thought the same about me.

After twenty exchanges, I had to admit that Lazarus was good. He was better than Sergio.

No wonder he is so confident, but I am not a dandelion whose tufts can be easily blown by the wind.

As our speed and intensity increased, I realized that Lazarus was faster and stronger than I am, but he used brute force while I had a technique that was polished by years of practicing several martial arts.

Lazarus was relying on his physical strength, using mostly his hands to fight, and he made no moves to avoid my hits. That worked in my favor, but the brute had a stone-like body and even after eating dozens of my hits I didn't notice him wavering. He is a monster.

I felt danger radiating from him but instead of shrinking, something unknown stirred inside of me, urging me to keep going and beat him into obedience.

Can I beat him? This fleeting doubt was the reason I got punched in the gut and the air left my lungs. Damn, he is an animal.

How can a guy have so much destructive force embedded in his fist?

Instead of fighting the darkness that swelled within me, I gave in, embracing the bestial call that lured me with a promise of power that will allow me to ignore the consequences.

I lunged at Lazarus with the need to make him submit. It was primal and uncontrolled, and it was not me, yet I allowed it to consume me.

The force was addictive and intoxicating, it blurred my reasoning with a craving to wreak havoc.

I knew that I am receiving hits, but I made sure he suffered as well.

I used every skill I ever learned to avoid Lazarus's lead-like fists, minimizing damage of his blows, and I aimed at his points that would cause the most harm.

It didn't matter why I'm fighting as my only thought was to prove to him that he can't stand above me. No one can.

I am at the top.

It just me and… there should be someone else.

Serina!

I snapped out of my trance and met her gaze full of worry, anxiousness, and something I didn't want to see. Disappointment.

What am I doing?

This morning Serina saw me fighting in an alley and I told her that I'm not a violent guy, and on the same day I ended up in another fight. Why did I allow Lazarus to provoke me?

No matter how much I hate the guy, Serina considers him as her friend, and this is a birthday celebration for Serina's fosterling I am yet to win over, and I need to stop this.

But losing was not an option. Can I win without crippling him? Can I win?

Another punch blurred my sight.

Damn it!

Stop doubting yourself and come up with a solution before it's too late.

At this rate, no one will win because Serina will admonish us both for ruining the event she planned for weeks.

I stopped attacking and focused on avoiding Lazarus's hits while my brain worked a million thoughts a second.

"Are you giving up?", Lazarus taunted me, feral hostility filling his eyes.

I snapped and delivered an uppercut right into his chin.

He stumbled backward and I used this chance to back away from him.

"This was enough.", I said.

Lazarus spat a mix of blood and saliva on the floor. "Stop now? You are kidding."

I lowered my hands to rest next to my body and met his glare.

"I'm done. If you want to continue, here I am."

Lazarus dashed toward me with his fist ready to hit and I heard Serina sucking in the air sharply.

Lazarus's fist stopped only a few centimeters from my face. Air whipped my skin from the force behind his punch which never landed. I wondered if that punch would knock me out.

"Fuck you!", Lazarus squeezed through his teeth.

I gave him a stiff smile, knowing that I won (at least mentally). Now it was the perfect time to show that I am the bigger man and not some ruffian who is itching for a fight.

"Let's continue this some other time. It's not fair to ruin the party."

"Always a considerate gentleman, right?", Lazarus asked me bitterly.

I shrugged. "One of us needs to be. Putting Serina first is what made her fall for me."

The left side of my face stung, and I saw stars for a moment when Lazarus punched me. That's going to leave a mark.

"Laz!", Serina screamed while I stumbled to regain my balance.

"It's OK.", I said coolly, unwilling to admit that I'm in pain. "Lazarus needed to release his frustration. I'm glad I could help."

Serina tugged my hand. "Come, let me check your injuries."

"I will be fine."

"I know.", Serina said stiffly and pointed at my face. "After I put ice on that and give you painkillers."

Without a word spoken, the youngsters parted to make way for me, and I noticed their queer looks.

They are closer to Lazarus than with me and I could guess that they see me as an enemy.

I cursed internally. I allowed my temper to get the better of me and to ruin all the progress I made.

Serina was not looking at me and I knew that she was upset.

What can I do to fix it? I didn't have an answer to this question, so I decided to be a good patient and see what she will do while giving her time to steam out.

Serina didn't talk much. She instructed me to lay on the sofa and put icepacks on a few spots that swelled and showed bruises. I knew that I will heal quickly and there was no need for first aid, but I kept quiet, and I even accepted painkillers.

"Don't move until I get back.", Serina said sternly.

"Where are you going?", I asked when I realized that she is heading out.

"To see Lazarus."

I pressed my lips into a line and watched her walk out the door. She can't be really angry. Right?

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