CHAPTER FIVETEEN
IN THE FOREST (Jack vs Jay)
Jack landed on the forest floor, his feet absorbing the impact, and he panted heavily, the exhaustion evident. His staff, a faithful companion in battle, shrank in size.
Jay dropped Jack's staff in front of him, a sly grin on her face. "It seems I must have knocked some sense into you."
Recovering, Jack picked up his staff and rose. "No, I just thought I would test out what I've learned in training on you."
"I commend you for still fighting, even though you know the outcome," Jay remarked.
Jack's staff stretched towards Jay, but she effortlessly evaded its advance. "I know it's going to end with your loss," she declared, a confident smile playing on her lips.
"You amuse me, Jack Lukong," Jay added, her voice carrying a mix of amusement and challenge.
Undeterred, Jack rushed towards Jay, but an invisible attack struck his head, causing momentary disorientation. He continued running, pondering the origin of the unexpected assault.
Jay threw a punch at Jack, but he agilely jumped, countering with a powerful kick. Jack's attempt to strike back was met with Jay effortlessly blocking and retaliating with a barrage of punches.
Thrown against a tree, Jack fell face-flat but quickly stood up. "Are you really a girl? Your punches are too painful."
"You should be out by now. Why aren't the lights in those eyes out?" Jay taunted.
Another unseen force sent Jack flying, prompting him to wonder if someone else was involved. Jay claimed responsibility, attributing it to "THE CLOCK," not just foreseeing the future but influencing it.
"Liar! I know someone else is helping you," Jack accused, swinging his staff towards Jay.
An invisible force intercepted Jack's attack, and Jay seized the opportunity to punch him down. Determined to control the situation, she thought, 'his unpredictability is slightly changing the future I see. I must knock him out before it escalates.'
Attempting to stand, Jack faced a relentless assault. Gripping her staff, Jay announced, "This is my strongest attack, Future pitch," swinging it horizontally.
Jack narrowly dodged the attack, retreating as a powerful force from above created a crater upon impact. Jay, blood flowing from her clock eye, closed it, stating, "No matter how much you try to change it, the future is not something a spoilt brat like you can alter."
Realizing his mistake, Jack declared, "Since this fight started, I haven't wondered why I couldn't damage you. Now I understand it was due to my impudence. Starting now, I'm going all out."
As Jay turned around, she was surprised to see Jack standing. "You're still up after witnessing my strongest attack. I no longer assume you're inferior to me."
"That's great. Now you realize I can change your future," Jack responded, closing his eyes to reminisce about his training with Teresa.
TWO MONTHS AGO - TERESA'S HOUSE - TRAINING ROOM
Teresa struck Jack's back with a wooden sword, and he fell to the floor. She pointed her sword at him, saying, "That's enough for today."
In the dining room, Teresa and Jack discussed his awakening, PLUS INFINITY, and the depth of his potential.
PRESENT TIME - IN THE FOREST (Jack vs Jay)
In the midst of invisible attacks, Jack dodged skillfully. Jay charged, and Jack declared, "Tenfold Giant."
As Jay prepared to counter, Jack's staff increased tenfold, pushing her deep into the forest. The staff returned to its normal size.
Jay threw her staff, but Jack redirected it, causing the earth to split. With a swift move, Jack propelled himself towards Jay, landing a punch on her face.
Acknowledging the prolonged battle, Jay said, "This fight has gone on too long; it's about time it ended."
Jack agreed, "You took the words right out of my mouth. With my next attack, I'll end this."
Gripping their staffs, they unleashed their ultimate moves. "Future pitch!" Jay exclaimed. "Light speed Heavy Twofold Giant," Jack countered.
As their attacks collided, Jack's staff hit Jay's abdomen, but a powerful force struck Jack's head.
JACK VS JAY, WINNER:
TO BE CONTINUED