Chapter 4 Nobels

I woke up with a massive headache, everywhere ached badly. I squinted my eyes open as bright lights seeped through.

I turned my head to the clacking of a keyboard on my left side and noticed Ronan sitting there, glasses perched on his nose as he typed fast on his laptop.

What was he doing here?

“I see you've finally decided to wake up” he said without looking up.

“Good day sir” I said, my throat parched.

He took a glass of water from the table and handed it to me.

I drank greedily, thankful for it.

“How long was I out for sir?”

“A day” he replied this time taking off his glasses and staring at me.

“You did well in your first training session, marshal saw potential in you so he has agreed to train you”

I scoffed lightly. “What potential? I merely won by a slim chance”

“You adapted, calculated, used a risk to your advantage, against an opponent who was way out of your league, and won, to me that's potential” he said.

I didn't say anything.

He stood up. “You should get some rest, your training officially begins tomorrow” he said as he walked towards the door and opened it. “And this time, try not to sustain heavy injuries” then walked out.

Silence hung heavy in the room.

I closed my eyes, exhaustion drawing me back in eagerly.

I just hoped I didn't die in my training before I had the chance to bring this cartel down.

……

After resting for 2 more days as per the doctors instructions. I was back in training again.

Marshal had me running laps and doing sit ups, basic things so as not to strain my injuries too much.

“Everyone gather around, we'll start sparring” marshal shouted. “Finley and Nicole, into the ring, let's show our newbies how it's done”

Everyone moved into positions.

“All newbies move to the front, this is essential for you all to learn, Agnes” he called.

“Yes sir” I said while jogging towards him.

“Stay here,” he said. And I stood beside him.

Everyone stood in their various positions.

Then silence as Finley and Nicole, squared each other up, their expressions serious.

“Space” marshal shouted.

They moved back.

“Position”

They took their stance.

And we all waited with baited breaths.

“Fight”

They moved at the same time.

Finley's fist went for Nicole's face but she moved to the right side immediately using her left hand to counter then she jutted her leg out aiming for the back of his knee, he anticipated it and moved his leg forward as his left hand pulled her right hand causing her to lose balance, his outstretched arm moved out to hit her chest but she bent low, her knees sliding below him and pulled up behind again, her right leg moved up, aiming a kick right for his face.

Finley didn't have time to counter but he had time to defend, still…. the kick slammed into him without mercy, sending his body bouncing to the other side of the ring, he didn't waste time staying down he was already on his feet.

I stared in shock.

He moved like he hadn't just been kicked on the head going for a blow to her stomach, Nicole anticipated and moved to defend her side.

He smiled.

Instead of hitting her side his fingers wrapped around her exposed neck and with all his might, he raised her slim body up, then slammed her onto the ground with a deafening crack.

“Fuck” she screamed as her face scrunched into anger, she forcefully pulled one of the fingers holding her neck, a crack sounded as Finley screamed in pain.

He abruptly pulled back his hand, or he tried to….. she didn't let him.

She held his injured arm and pulled him towards her, twisting her legs around his body in a lock position then wound his injured arm with her left arm across his neck, sliding her right hand over her body and holding him in a lock.

Finley groaned as he tried to lift her using his other arm as momentum, she didn't let him, she pinned him down with more force.

It didn't stop him though he lifted her up on his knees and slammed her body back down, the sound echoing in the training room, she whimpered in pain, but still didn't let go.

He went for it again but this time, she quickly pulled out her right leg that wound around his body and kicked his right knee out causing him to lie flat on one side, then immediately wrapped her legs around him again.

It still didn't stop him, he used his left knee that was still propped up and tried to push himself up, she let him pull himself up this time then pulled out her right leg and pushed his knee out again with much force causing him to slam back to the ground hard this time his head followed and he screamed.

She didn't let go, with no option left, his left hand formed a fist and hit her side relentlessly, but she still didn't let go.

Now it was all a matter of endurance.

I stared in awe, my body numb, I couldn't move, I couldn't blink.

No. It wasn't that I couldn't, I didn't want to, I felt like if I did, I'd miss something important.

After relentlessly hitting, Finley grew weak. And decided his best bet was to tap out and so he did, only then did she let him go as she pushed him to one side, he collapsed on his back smiling.

Everyone clapped.

“Jesus babe, you could've killed me” Finley said.

Nicole laughed as she plopped herself on his stomach hard, he groaned.

“That makes two days of training you've missed,” she said smiling.

“Alright, alright, that's enough” Marshal shouted. “get off the ring before you both show us things we do not wish to see”

I stared in silence.

Did I just witness lovers fight like enemies?

“You seem overwhelmed,” marshal said with a smile.

“I mean….. I'm surprised, I've never seen anything like it” I said still in awe, while replaying the fight over and over again in my head.

“Would you like to spar with Nicole?” He asked again.

I stared at her.

“I would definitely love to”

He laughed. And ruffled my hair.

“Nicole, the newbie says she wants to fight you,” marshal shouted.

My head snapped towards him in shock.

“I obviously didn't mean now ... .I mean she's not in the best shape to take me” I said to marshal

“Some other time” she replied then laughed and waved at me.

“You'd spend weeks in the hospital if you go up against her now”

I scoffed and pursed my lips.

Bullshit.

“What's her rank?” I asked.

“She's a Nobel,” he replied.

“I don't understand, is she some princess or what?”

He laughed. “You really are funny, did you learn nothing from the Blood Cartel?” He asked.

I shook my head. He sighed.

“Well I'm not surprised, each to their own vices” he mused thoughtfully.

“The Bone Cartel is divided into 10 high ranking members, I'll start from the least, as we move on you'll know everyone by their ranks fully.