Chapter 42: Friendly Spar
Susan didn’t wait, charging forward with surprising speed for someone her size. Her first punch whistled toward Fin’s head – a test, not her full strength.
He slipped to the side, the blow missing by inches.
"Not bad," she grunted, immediately following with a combination – a jab, cross, then a sweeping low kick.
Fin blocked the jab, ducked the cross, and jumped the kick. His movements were fluid, efficient, with no wasted energy. He made no attempt to counter yet, simply observing her style.
Susan’s eyes narrowed. She pressed harder, her attacks becoming more intense, her footwork cutting off his escape routes. Her experience showed in her positioning, her balance perfect despite the uneven ground.
The team watched silently as she backed Fin toward the edge of their makeshift ring. A triumphant glint appeared in her eyes – she had him cornered.
She launched forward for the takedown that would end it.
Fin waited until the last possible moment, then moved. Not away – into her charge. He twisted his body, using her momentum against her, a subtle shift of weight, a precise application of leverage.
Susan found herself off-balance, her forward drive carrying her past where Fin should have been. Before she could recover, he swept her remaining foot and guided her down, not with brute force but with perfect timing.
She hit the ground hard, Fin following her down, securing a hold that pinned her shoulders.
For three heartbeats, nobody moved. Susan’s shocked expression reflected the disbelief of the watching team.