The Lone Griever: EIN 002

The Lone Griever: EIN

002

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[Gungnir: The Capital City of Odin]

Engelsflügel District - (Spiegel Gym/Bottom Floor)

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Ein awaits his sister in the ring Ava reserved earlier

As always, according to that adage, “after you,” the guest goes first so Ein was the first to enter the ring. With one bound he leapt from the ground and over the top rope in which He landed in the bottom right corner of the ring.

Ava smirks…

Excitement entices her.

Her nerves burn with anticipation.

She’s as giddy as a school girl…

…she’s ready to fight!

In one bound she leaps above the ring and lands on the top rope. An astounding feat that impresses Ein. He bows his head and smirks. Ava returns a smirk of her own:

Ever since the betrayal by her Clan, the Griever, Ava developed a routine of her workouts and rotated them each day. Over time she increased the amount of time she works out and she increased the intensity with which she works out; all to prove herself worthy to her older brother, Ein the Ferocious Grey Wolf!

Over the past seasons, her intense training augmented her physical strength and capabilities to an astonishing degree, and she expanded her repertoire of signature combat techniques. Never again will she be that puny welp barely able to fend for herself and to never be shamed in the thick of battle again.

Watching Ein fight; witnessing him casting himself to hell and back, inspired her.

Feeling a bit content Ava slides down the ropes and leans back against them; her arms hooking around the middle rope. She locks eyes with her brother. He marvels at his sister's conditioned body. Just to think Ava used to be a shrimp of his kid twin sister. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts.

“Ava, you’ve grown so much, and you’ve achieved even more.

From that day you became determined to prove yourself worthy of receiving Lady Fenrir’s favor, and to fight by my side in that fabled Calamity, Ragnarök.

You used to be such a feeble thing that would always cling to me but now look at you. You grew up fast on me kid. My heart swells with joy.

As the first-born I will always protect you but now I also have you to watch my back.

…I look forward to the conclusion of this sparring match.”

Ava herself with confidence.

“Ein, before we spar, I just want to say… thank you.”

She had acknowledged the message sent through his body language. She feels the familiar brotherly warmth from their ordeal in the Öde Wasteland.

She assumes her own stance by spreading her feet apart and raising her forearms, parallel to each other, at an acute angle. She lifts her knee and steadies it as she hones her breathing; maintaining a homeostatic body temperature to maintain the fresh condition of her muscles and to facilitate her blood flow.

An electric rise in the air excites the siblings, both formerly of the Griever Clan. The tension between them seeps into the thick, humid air. That electric rise entices a medley of emotions between them.

The pressure Ein exudes is intense. Calm and mighty… he is ready.

Ava swallows a salty, bitter bile. She was ready moments ago. Right before she stepped into the ring and even from the second she awoke this morning, but now… she’s that same defenseless She-Wolf with her clothes shredded and bloody. She was unable to go on to gain the favor of Lady Fenrir on the day she fled. Her weakness cost Ein Lady Fenrir’s favor too.

The bile works its way back up. She swallows it again.

She looks up but doesn’t see her brother.

“Ein! Where did he go...panicked, Ava jerks her head left and right. An after image of Ein shimmers before her.

“Too slow Ava!”

Ein throws a punch. It connects with Ava’s cheek. He throws another but Ava manages to guard the following attack. Ein grabs Ava with his free hand and tosses her to the ground.

Her mind rushes with thoughts of futility and helplessness. She can’t win.... She isn’t going to win.

Ein angrily growls.

“Come on sis Are you here to fight or just to waste my time!?”

Suddenly it snaps, Ava’s feral instincts…

She smirks.

“Whatever you say bro...”

Ava swings her legs like a gyro wheel using her torso as the axle.

Ein’s knocked off his feet but catches his balance with his hands and cartwheels into a reverse handspring.

Both competitors are now stationary. an equal distance between the siblings. Ein and Ava gaze at each other with even more ferocity. The two take a moment to map out an offensive strategy against each other.

Within a fraction of a second the two sprint forward and in the subsequent moment they break into a mad dash.

Ava quickly lifts her leg and swings it in a powerful roundhouse kick, but Ein ducks and throws a bent arm in a vertical an uppercut

. Ava blocks it and counters with a fierce uppercut of her own. Ein leaps back. Ava pursues with a lunging knee thrust. It connects with Ein’s abdomen. Her knee sinks in. Ein is breathless.

From the sidelines Gwen gasps.

“Ava... you have really matured... to knock the wind right out of Ein like that...”

Gwen continues to watch this decisive match unfold.

Ava removes her knee and follows up with another roundhouse kick aimed for Ein’s head, but Ein quickly throws his arm up... seemingly unfazed by the last attack.

Ada is thrown for a loop.

“Your recovery time should’ve been longer...”

He grabs Ada’s leg and executes a reversal by throwing her against the ropes.

“Always remember Ada, the more you improve the stronger the opponents you will face.”

Ein throws a punch. It connects with Ada’s cheek. He throws another but Ada manages to guard the following attack.

Ada makes a swipe at Ein, but Ein eludes the projection of the attack and executes a rising uppercut.

Ada blocks it and counters with a rising kick followed by a downward hinge-like kick with her knee as the focal point. Ein leans back just enough to avoid the two kicks. and grabs Ada’s shin. He drops her and locks her leg with his legs. He applies immense pressure on her leg and flips over on his belly.

“I know this move… Gwen mutters to herself. “It’s one of Ein’s deadliest grappling techniques. The pressure applied to the constant twisting motion of the leg lock forces the opponent into submission…”

“...the Panzer Fang Leg Lock”

Ein increases the pressure on his lock. Ada doesn’t grimace, she just continues to bear the pain for as long as she can. Suddenly she makes a critical realization.

Ein only managed to lock one of her legs. She still has her right leg.

When it comes to the Panzer Fang Leg Lock… Ein either locks one leg or both legs. With both legs locked it’s an automatic win by submission because the pain is just too insufferable and there is no escape. With one leg locked there is a chance to reverse it, but it comes with the risk of breaking the locked leg.

This lock... The Panzer Fang… is a near perfect master lock.

“Damn it! What should I do?”

Ada continues to grit her teeth and grunt.

Ada’s mind races, sifting through each and every thought of how to reverse this hold. She rejects every one of them because they result in either her submitting or her breaking her leg. She will not submit to Ein. Even if it means a broken leg. The body heals over time but pride forever remains marred. If she submits right here and now, it will prove she is still the scrawny welp.

Her mind races but finally, instinct kicks in once again.

It’s do or die... even if she does break a leg...

Ada musters just enough strength to flip herself with Ein on their backs. She fights back the pain and sits up.. Ein is just as surprised as she is.

Using her own immense strength, Ada breaks the lock by jabbing her elbow onto Ein’s leg. Ein reels his leg from the pain and releases her leg. She quickly rolls back and hobbles to the side.

Quickly recovering from the jab Ein springs up and assumes his fighting stance from earlier.

Ada, unnerved and unharmed by Panzer Fang leg lock quickly dashes forth.

She leaps into the air, bending her vaulting leg under her thigh and extending her dominant leg forward. Ein readies himself for this assault... but Ava switches up her attack. Ava quickly spins around and switches legs and uses her vaulting leg for the brunt of her attack. She strikes him in the chest. After the first strike Ein is pushed back Ava lands on the foot she struck with. She hits the mat and crouches. She proceeds to execute a rising uppercut…

But even after all of her grit and effort Ein still musters enough speed to produce an after image. Ava’s attack passes right through it.

“Shit! Where could he have gone?” Ava directs her landing towards the top rope and bounces off, but as she does, she’s caught by Ein mid air.

“What the!?”

There’s enough distance from their current position and the ground that leads Ada to predict Ein’s next move...

...The Shooting Star Dive …

It’s a technique where the user catches an airborne opponent and drives them to the ground, leaping away before the moment of impact. It’s a dangerous move and can result in death if used incorrectly or if the opponent is not strong enough to withstand the impact.

Fear grips Ava for she knows in her heart she cannot withstand the impact especially airborne from this height.... but if Ein is using this move on her then perhaps, she can survive the attack. Ein wouldn’t risk such a fatality,

From the sidelines Gwen watches in horror as Ein with Ava hurtle closer to the canvas.

“Ein you idiot!” She hollers. “What are you thinking!!?”

Ava clutches on to her brother and closes her eyes.

Gwen braces herself to withstand the impact...

...but... it never occurs.

Ein quickly flips over moments before the impact and nimbly lands on his feet.

Stunned by this twist of faith, she slowly opens her teary eyes and watches Ein cradling her as if he had just swooped in and saved her from a pack of feral beasts and for the first time in a long time he has a sincere smile on his face; spreading from cheek to cheek.

“I’m proud of your achievements. You lasted more than twenty minutes with me and on top of that you broke my signature submission hold, The Panzer Fang. It is my absolute Master Lock. Most people would’ve tried to reverse it but through sheer will you found a way to break it. You’re more than ready to compete in the Blitzkrieg Tournament.”

Ein places Ava down and pats her on the back.

“Thanks… but Ein, you’re still way ahead of me.”

Ein studies his sister’s diminishing courage in her eyes. But he pats her on the head. Ava slightly blushes. Train me some more… I just don’t feel ready for the upcoming tournament...”

“Alright sis. I accept your request.”

Ava smiles and the two warmly embrace.

“Thank you Ein”

Gwen is relieved that the fight is over without any fractures or fatalities.

Her heart swoons as she watches the siblings display their tenderness.

As warm as their display is, it doesn’t last for long...

...Ein, Gwen, and Ava sense the presence of a newcomer, one of which stands out from all of the other fighters in this gym. His scent even marks the air. He is neither wolf nor human but something different; the ashy and dusty scent of sand from a faraway land, fills the air.

Every being in the gym ceases their activity to direct their attention to a young warrior shrouded in mystery.

He’s wearing a crimson tunic and a white sash slung diagonally across his shoulder. He’s wearing a tan sleeveless top with a hanging hemline girdled by a brown leather belt. His pants are black and they are neatly tucked into his brown leather boots.

The lower half of his face is wrapped in a crimson scarf. His corneas glow a golden hue. His flowing black hair is fine like silk and is slightly bespeckled with dust.

“Is the one known as Ein Griever here,” he asks...

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