COVELENT: XenoTrait

Blade pushed himself back to his feet as he tightened his jaw. ”This guy,” he thought while looking at Felix. ”Where did he come from?” he continued to ponder as he looked around.

Felix stood between him and Abel. ”Not paying attention, huh... you should be careful because not paying attention like this guy,” he said as he looked at Blade, ”might just get you killed, Abel... watch carefully.”

Abel blinked. ”What...?”

”I’m giving you a free lesson, so be happy.” He stretched his hands. ”Not that many people get a chance like this, so pay close attention.”

Blade’s eye twitched. ”You think this is a game?”

Felix shrugged. ”For me... hmm, depends on how interesting and entertaining you will be.”

Blade roared and rushed forward, throwing a heavy kick that tore through the air.

Felix didn’t move until the very last second and only stepped slightly to the side. The kick missed him completely.

”You see that?” Felix said. ”He committed his entire body to the attack.”

Blade spun immediately, throwing a hook as Felix leaned backward. The punch missed by inches.

”Big attacks are powerful,” Felix mocked.

Blade threw another punch, but it missed.

”But they create openings,” Felix continued.

Blade swung again, and Felix slapped the fist aside.

”He didn’t block it this time or even dodge,” Blade thought. ”He is clearly playing with me... it might be time to use that now.”

Blade was slapped across the face, snapping him back to reality as the motion completely ruined his balance.

”That’s opening number one,” Felix said.

Blade stumbled back, but before he could do anything, Felix backhanded him across the face.

Blade spun, and before he could recover, Felix drove a punch into his stomach.

Blade flew backward, skipping across the broken road.

Abel’s eyes widened as he stared. ”...How are you doing that?”

Felix rolled his shoulders. ”Because I’m paying attention.”

Blade got back up. ”Haaa... shit... this guy is not giving me time to use my power... I need an opening, even if it’s only for 10 seconds.”

Blade charged again.

Felix sighed. ”Still not learning, huh.”

Blade threw a straight punch, but Felix caught the wrist and twisted it as Blade’s entire body turned with the motion. Then Felix swept his leg, and Blade crashed onto his back.

”See?” Felix said. ”Technique matters.”

Blade immediately tried standing as Felix stepped forward, his claws extending. ”Now this part you can’t copy.”

The claws flashed.

”Oh... so you had a trick up your sleeve, huh?” Felix’s claws had been stopped by crystalline structures that were forming on top of Blade’s skin.

Felix jumped back and barked, ”Let’s see what you got... you might just be entertaining for me.”

Blade stood up and screamed, ”Aaaahhhhhhh,” as his body was slowly being covered by diamonds.

Felix mumbled, ”His are gray... oh my, he sure grew bigger.”

Blade barked, ”You’re a fool... you let me use my ability.” Blade made two fists and smashed them together as his eyes turned a bright red.

Felix stepped closer. ”Just because you grew in size doesn’t mean you’re stronger than me.”

Blade snapped back, ”Oh really? Then dodge this.”

He raised his hand as four projectiles made of the same crystalline structure flew in Felix’s direction.

Felix dodged the first two, grabbed the third, and kicked it in Blade’s direction. Blade hit the projectile with the back of his hand, shattering it. Felix then threw the other projectile at Blade, aiming for his leg.

A shallow strike landed across Blade’s leg. Blade staggered slightly, and his movement immediately became uneven.

Felix pointed toward him. ”First objective... weaken mobility. If they can’t move properly, every mistake becomes bigger.”

Blade growled and threw a barrage of attacks, but Felix dodged every single one.

”Felix is practically dancing around him. One step left, one step right, a shoulder check, a slap to Blade’s face, a shove, and a punch. Every one of his movements is forcing Blade further off balance. Every attack of Felix’s lands clean,” Abel thought as he watched everything.

Eventually, Blade dropped to one knee. The crystals covering him fell apart as he breathed heavily.

Felix glanced at Abel. ”Your turn.”

Abel’s eyes widened. ”What?”

”Go,” Felix commanded.

Abel didn’t hesitate. He sprinted forward.

Blade looked up as Abel jumped, grabbed Blade’s shoulder, twisted it, and slammed him back into the road.

The ground cracked beneath them.

Felix nodded. ”Good.”

Blade slowly rose again. His blood mixed with rainwater as his breathing became ragged.

Yet somehow, he smiled. ”You gave me this weakling?”

His eyes locked onto Abel. ”Fine.”

Blade clenched his fist as every muscle in his body tightened.

He charged ahead. The road shattered beneath his feet.

Abel stood his ground. The fist came flying toward him.

Then it stopped.

Abel’s hand caught it.

Blade’s eyes widened as Abel’s expression hardened.

Abel tightened his grip.

”The lessons have finally clicked... he was always a fast learner,” Felix thought.

Blade tried pulling away.

”Too late,” Felix mumbled.

Abel drove his punch forward.

The strike landed cleanly. Blade froze, his knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the ruined road.

The rain continued to fall as Abel stood there, breathing heavily.

Felix smirked. ”Better now... much better.”