Chapter 23: Agon's final lesson

THIS was the last training session with Agon. My training with Ardeen, Nick, and Raji for a couple of weeks has been hell to me. Waking up every morning was so hard that I'm not able to move my body because of the muscle pain I'm feeling.

For this was the last day, I felt like I ran a long way. I've learned so much and I can literally say that I improved. It feels like I was reborn—no, I was reconstructed of new tactics and equipped with new knowledge.

My body feels it—the power of my mind, my fighting abilities, and my quick decision-making when fighting an enemy. All these new things made me realize that I'm capable of breaking through my limits. I didn't realize that these dormant abilities existed in the depths of my soul.

As I stand on the middle of the training room, panting and beads of sweat running down my neck as I change to my defensive stance facing Agon with his relaxed posture.

"That's how you've got?" he asked, challenging me to do more.

We stood in the middle of the mat, circling each other and waiting who was going to charge first.

"Don't be too full of yourself. I will beat you today," I confidently answered.

Without another word, I lunged at him but he dodged my first strike swiftly while his hands was in his pockets. His moving with precision and don't have unnecessary movement. Agon's body moved smoothly depicting countless of experience.

Psh! Pareho silang apat. Ang yayabang! Nakaiinis!

Mas lalo kong inigihan ang pag-atake, kating-kati na patumbahin si Agon. Isang tumba lang, tatalon talaga ako sa tuwa pero hindi ko siya magawang tamaan ng sipa at suntok. Tumaas lalo ang lebel ng inis ko dahil pansin kong hindi siya umaatake.

"You're showing emotions again, kaya ka nababasa ng kalaban," aniya. "You're mind was clouded who will lose or win. Focus. I could read your action and anticipate your next move."

My lip suppress a thin line. I gave him a kicked but that was the wrong decision I made. He caught my right foot and hold it tighly, before I realize it, he gave me a grin before sweeping off my feet.

My eyes widened as I hit the mat hard, gasping for air as if it was out for a long time. My body began to feel the soreness of  the previous training leaving me down for a couple of seconds.

Hapong-hapo akong napatingala sa pares ng sapatos na lumapit sa'kin.

"Get up. Show me what you learned." He look at me, eyes filled with demand.

With full of determination, I got up and give him a hard blow on his chest leaving him behind and started running towards the weapons.

Napangiwi ako sa sakit ng kamao. Ano 'yon? Gawa ba sa metal ang dibdib ng lalaking 'to? Tangina ang sakit!

Mabilis kong hinablot ang mahabang stick at tinutok iyon sa kan'ya. Walang pagdadalawang-isip na ginamit ko 'yon na naging dahilan para mapaatras siya habang atake ako nang atake. Kumuha din siya ng isang mahabang metal at ginamit na pansalag sa mga atakeng ginagawa ko.

The four corners of this training room echoed with our heavy breathing and the clanging of our weapons.

"You're good," Agon commented out of nowhere that made my heart skipped a beat.

My heart pounded everytime I hit a strike on his body, leaving me distracted for what I felt towards him.

Mas lalo akong natuliro kapag nakikita ko ang paminsan-minsan niyang pagngiti kapag nakatatama ako o naiisahan ko siya sa mga taktika ko.

As weeks passed, I realized that I wanted to be with him. I wanted to be his side and fight with him together with his friends. I want to prove that I can fight and learn.

Even if he didn't know my feelings for him, I wanted to proved that I can truly stand by his side. That I can protect Levin even he was not around.

Kung noon ay gusto kong kumawala sa puder niya, ngayon ay ibang-iba na. Kusa na akong lumalapit sa mundo niya ng walang pag-aalinlangang umatras o tumakbo.

As my feelings grow bigger, my desire to be with his side made me realize a lot of things. In this dangerous world where enemies are lurking, I need to be equipped of knowledge, tactics, and experience to fight and defend what I want to protect.

Agon throw his weapon and launched a countless jabs. I dodged and blocked all of it that the pain coming from his fist vibrate all over my shoulders. I can feel the fatigue all over my system and it's getting heavier.

Hindi ko inisip ang nararamdaman at mas lalong tinuon ang atensyon kay Agon. Determinado akong ipakita lahat ng natutunan ko sa mga nagdaang linggong pag-eensayo.

I countered with a swift punch aimed at his face, but he totally blocked it effortlessly. He launched a kick that I'm able to block, but it made me take a step backward because of the weight he has given.

I quickly reached for a knife and charged towards him but before I knew it, he easily disarmed me, leaving my mouth hanging open. He was like a lightning and I'm not able to track his move quickly.

He grabbed my wrist and twisted as I fell down on the mat.

"Argh!" I grunted.

I did not mind the pain coming from my back and quickly rolled to break free from his grip.

Habol ang hiningang napaupo ako sa pagod na nararamdaman.

"Susuko ka na ba?" aniya, nanghahamon.

Napailing ako. "Not yet! I want to win!"

"Let's see then."

I grab a paired of throwing knives and throw it to his side, but he easily deflected them using a katana.

"Woah!"

"What an intense battle!"

Napabaling agad ako sa pinagmulan ng boses. It was from Nick and Ardeen watching us while Raji was looking at me with a proud look. Lahat naman sila ay may nakaukit na pagmamalaki sa mukha nila dahil sa labanang nasaksikhan nila ngayon.

I know they are all proud.

Pumalakpak si Agon para makuha ang atensyon ko. "Focus."

Napabuga ako ng hangin at sinugod si Agon na wala ng armas ngayon. I launched a powerful kick and punches. I waited for one oppurtunity that Agon will launched a kicked.

I know that this training will not end up so easily. Idagdag pang si Agon ngayon ang kaharap ko.

He's ruthless!

Ramdam ko ang malalakas niyang suntok at sipa na hindi na tulad ng dati. Mukhang hindi na niya ako pinagbibigyan but I know that he was not giving it all out.

He was really testing what I got.

An intense battle between us made his three friends go in silence while watching us. I can feel the tension building up in the training room as we move faster and faster.

The moment that I've been waiting for laid its wings right in front of me. Agon launched a kick that made my heart keep on racing.

I took the opportunity to sweep his feet, and a satisfying thud filled my ears. I heard how his friends scream in satisfaction.

"That's right! Roast him!" Nick shouted while laughing.

"Wooh! Jek-Jek namin 'yan!" Ardeen seconded.

Napangiwi ako sa narinig. Jek-Jek? What the fuck?

I darted my eyes to Agon, and as he began to get up, I immediately grabbed a gun and pointed at him while heavily panting.

A proud smile showed on his face. "You really did well. I admire your fighting spirit."

My heart beats faster the way he smiles. I can now see the admiration in his eyes.

Tila ilang milyong kabayo ang sumipa sa kaloob-looban ko sa narinig. Napakagat ako sa pang-ibabang labi at halos mapunit ang labi sa malapad na ngiti ko.

"Training is done. You can now rest. Pagalingin mo ang mga pasang 'yan. You really did a good job," ani pa niya na mas lalong nagpangiti sa 'kin.

"Of course! I will not stop until I'm the best," pagyayabang ko na kinatawa niya.

I extended my arms to Agon, and he gladly accepted it, but after he stood, my world began to spin, and darkness welcomed me as I felt the fatigue all over my body.

I felt how Agon carefully lifted me in a bridal way. He carried me as if I were the lightest element in the world. 

"Rest now. You've proven yourself enough. Let me take care of you while you regain your strength. Sleep,"

I can't hear what he said, and it seems like a whisper. Tiredness was taken all over my body as I finally closed my eyes, and a small smile was carved on my face.

It was the recognition I really wanted—words coming from him matters the most.