This will probably be the longest chapter in the whole first book. As I still have a section or two to go after this one. Which itself is long.
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6
As Bond stood erect, The Professor’s eyes burnt a hole into him. Disgusted that his final appease to Bond had failed, The Professor now set his mind on complete destruction. It would be he imagined short and brutal.
“Hurry to your feet old friend,” The Professor growled. He wanted to finish Bond, but he wanted to make sure his former pupil stood toe to toe with him before he did. He wanted to experience the look of contempt that would fill Bond’s eyes. He wanted to enjoy his last glaze before he watched his eyes roll back into his head. Yeah, it had been a long time since anyone called him Strangler, but he remember all too well why he had picked up that nickname.
Bond slowly rose to his feet. One in hopes that he would be able to regain some mental strength after his struggle, and two he wanted the Professor to wait. He needed to formulate a plan of attack and part of it was throwing off Professor from any form of attack he had.
“While you get to your feet, no doubt trying to buy yourself some time, do not take me for a fool Bond. I have always admired your intelligence, your cunning and your ability to think outside the box, but remember who was your professor. Remember all the things I taught you, now imagine the stuff you skipped on. And if that does not frighten you, just think of all the things I kept close to my chest.”
“You mean like your old murderous ways, Strangler.”
When Bond called him this before, it shook him, but now he was remember to embrace that side of himself again. “Ahh yeah that nickname you love to bring up. Bond, my dear former student, it was something you should have kept to yourself. Sure, it shocked me at first, but now it has awakened a monster that has remained dormant in me for so long. Now, I remember things that well you will find out soon enough. Now to your feet, I will not make many mistakes so stop looking for an opening.”
Bond knew he was correct; The Professor was on his game today. Bond reached his feet and locked eyes with his former mentor. “Audaces fortuna iuvat.”
“Going to your Latin, Bond? You really disappoint me. Have you reached the end of your rope?”
Bond had come up with another plan, and he prayed that the Professor did not see past it. “Maybe or maybe, I wanted to give myself a bit of a reminder of what I am about to do to you.”
“Have at you!” The Professor began to remove his overcoat. The Professor’s suit hid an exquisite form. His cover in the school served him well. However, he still worked out daily just in case he ever needed to defend him.
“I see you made decent use of the school’s money.” Bond remarked. He did not expect The Professor to be so physically imposing, but he had to block that out of his mind right now. Bond removed his protective layer. They would slow him down too much, and he knew the Professor would exploit any minor mistake.
They slowly closed the distance between themselves, neither wanting to rush in and make the first error. The Professor thought about blasting Bond a bit was unsure if his powers were still tainted. Bond thought the same about taking out his guns, but he could not kill no matter who the target was.
Now the distance between the two men narrowed to striking distance, but once more neither wanted to make the first move. Then Bond caught something in The Professor’s eyes was he signaling someone. Of course! How could Bond be so foolish, one of The Professor’s pupils had snuck on Bond.
Bond turned around to face him, but found himself greeted by no one. He turned around just in time to feel the Professor’s fist across his face. He had made the first mistake, the Professor had used his surroundings to his advantage. Soon Bond found himself pummeled by repeated shots to the face. He did his best to cover up and create some distance for himself.
Bond finally created enough room between himself and The Professor to duck underneath one of his vicious punches. He countered by ramming his shoulder into The Professor’s midsection. This took the breath out of The Professor and forced him to retreat a bit.
Now Bond went on the offensive, he wrecked The Professor with a left jab and quickly followed up with a right hook. The Professor attempted to block the next left jab, but felt the thump of Bond’s right fist against his neck. Bond had anticipated the Professor’s move before he made it.
He followed up the blow to the neck with a knee to the face. He continued to pound on The Professor with heavy rights and lefts. Occasionally he would throw in a kick or a knee to keep The Professor guessing. Now he worked only on instincts and rage, if he did not know what he was doing his opponent would be unable to guess as well.
Finally, The Professor had enough and fell backwards after a vicious blow to the face. Bond felt that the fight was over. He went over to cuff the Professor, but he had been too fool hearted. If he had turned back on his brain, he would have seen the trap that the Professor had set for him.
The Professor faked being unconscious and as Bond drew close he prepared a blast to knock him off his feet. He had gained enough strength from the abuse Bond was laying. Bond realized he had walked into a trap too late. As The Professor sent the shot in his direction, Bond only had enough time to try an evasive roll.
The shot caught his leg burning off a big chunk of flesh. The knock back the Professor felt was minimal as he was already on the ground.
The Professor slowly got to his feet because he wanted to revel in the pain that his former pupil was going through. He saw the pain and suffering in Bond’s eyes as he slowly made his way over to him.
“You know, I imagined a bit less blood when this happened, but nonetheless. It is what I wished for. You writhing in pain while I stood over you like your merciless god. Do you have any final words?”
Bond had to force his mind to block out the pain. At least for now. He could see The Professor hovering over him. His left leg almost useless to him, but his right would be all he needed. The Professor sauntered over to Bond enjoying his victory. But he like Bond made a fatal mistake. He thought that his opponent was defeated because he landed a final blow.
When the Professor was close enough, Bond swept out his legs with his good leg. The Professor hit the ground hard and Bond crawled over to him and began to brutally hit him time and time again. This time he would not stop until he drew blood.
Finally, when he felt the Professor was out of commission; he hit him two more times to be sure.
“Yeah, you have never seen this one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.”
Bond laid down in the sun for a second. His leg would need to be looked at, but it appeared he had friends in need now.
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This chapter goes out to Teuthida.
Re: TavernTales 18: Elemental, My Dear
Hybrid Mode
