Page 110 of Retaliation

“Faster,” he had ordered. “You need to be faster than Reaper.”

The next night, the boxing ring had become their battleground. “Your form is off,” he had criticized, his voice sharp. He had demonstrated a series of punches and kicks, moving with precision and power. “Do it again. Correctly.”

She had mimicked his movements, sweat pouring down her face. Each mistake was met with a stern correction, each improvement with a cold nod of approval.

Weights had been added to her regimen. “Strength is key,” he had stated, handing her dumbbells. “Reaper won’t hold back.”

She had lifted until her arms trembled, her muscles burning. He had pushed her further, his commands a steady stream of demands. “You have to be stronger.”

By the end of the first week, they had moved to hand-to-hand combat. His strikes were fast and brutal, forcing her to react with speed and accuracy.

“You’re too slow,” he had growled, knocking her to the mat.

She had gritted her teeth and got up, refusing to let him see her pain. Each time she hit the floor, she bounced back, more determined than before.

Agility drills had come next. He had set up an obstacle course, watching as she navigated it. “You need to be quicker,” he had barked.

She had stumbled, frustration mounting.

“Again!” he shouted, his voice echoing in the empty gym.

She had pushed herself, her body aching but never giving up. Scorpion had introduced grappling techniques. They wrestled on the mats, his grip like vices.

“You need to anticipate your opponent’s moves,” he had instructed, pinning her down.

She had struggled, learning to twist and turn out of his holds. Each time she freed herself, a tiny spark of pride flickered, quickly extinguished by his next challenge.

The end of their two-week regimen had arrived. Scorpion had watched as she ran through a series of drills, her movements more precise and powerful than when they had started.

“You’ve improved,” he had admitted, a rare glint of approval in his eyes.

But there was no time for celebration. He handed her a set of wraps and motioned to the ring. “Now, we spar.”

On the thirteenth night of training, she reached her breaking point. Scorpion had made her strike a wooden plank with her bare hands for the past half-hour. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the sweat, as her knuckles split and bled.

“Again!” His voice was relentless, echoing through the empty gym.

She tried, but her strength was nearly gone. “I can’t!” she pleaded, desperation in her voice.

“Again!” he commanded, his eyes cold and unforgiving.

Her arms felt like lead, her hands throbbing with pain.

“The pain is too much,” she cried out, her voice breaking. “The bone hasn’t even set properly yet!”

When she hesitated, he bellowed, “Again!”

That was the final straw. She couldn’t take it anymore. With a surge of anger, she kicked the plank he was holding. It flew from his grip, sending him crashing to the ground, the plank splitting in two.

“Didn’t you hear me?” she shouted, her voice shaking with rage and exhaustion. “I can’t! It’s been two weeks, and Reaper hasn’t challenged me yet! I need to rest.”

Scorpion got to his feet, his face a mask of cold fury. He dusted himself off and grabbed another plank from the shelves, holding it out to her. “You wanted me to train you,” he sneered, his tone icy. “Again!”

“No!” she screamed, the frustration and pain exploding out of her. “I’ve had enough. I’m done. With the training, and with you.”

Her words echoed in the gym, hanging in the air. She turned and ran out, her heart pounding, grateful she had driven her bike there.

She hopped on it, not even bothering with a helmet. She sped away from him, her anger driving her faster and faster. The city lights blurred past as she pushed the limits, desperate to escape the frustration and pain.

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