The Mouse and The Monarch

9

~MOUSE~

The yellow overhead lights cast stark shadows across the dusty ground.

The air hung heavy with the scent of oil and gunpowder, a tangible reminder of the military presence that surrounded them.

Ophelia's hair fell over her head like a halo, and Askel's eyes seemed to gleam with a primal intensity as he watched her.

The first move was Askel's, a lightning-fast jab that Ophelia deftly dodged.

The ring echoed with the dull thud of feet on the flimsy mat below them.

"You're not gonna make taking you out easy," Askel remarked, his voice cutting through the sounds of their ragged breathing.

Ophelia, undeterred, countered with a swift kick that sent Askel staggering backward.

"Course not." She said with a smirk as she rightened her stance.

The banter between them continued as they circled each other within the confines of the ring.

Ophelia could feel the eyes of the tall Colonel from across the room.

König, standing tall, his arms folded across his strong chest, watched with a stoic expression, his hard stare an unspoken challenge.

She didn't get him.

He was angry at everything she did.

And right now, he seemed incredibly angry every time she opened her mouth.

Askel lunged forward, aiming a powerful hook at Ophelia, but she sidestepped, feeling the air brush her face.

The dust stirred beneath their feet, creating a haze in the ring.

"Is that the best you can do, Poule?" Ophelia taunted, her brown eyes sparkling with defiance.

Askel's response was a low, menacing growl as he launched a relentless assault.

He was clearly not used to not getting what he wanted.

And no one ever caught a mouse.

"You sure have a mouth on you," Askel grunted, a bead of sweat trickling down his brow.

Ophelia's eyebrows shot up as she saw the suggestive smirk on his face.

With a sudden burst of strength, Askel attempted a powerful sweep, aiming to catch Ophelia off guard.

She anticipated the move, gracefully leaping over his outstretched leg and landing with cat-like precision.

"Maybe I do," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest in mock irritation.

König's hard stare remained fixed on Ophelia, his expression unreadable.

The weight of his scrutiny added an extra layer of pressure, a silent reminder that this wasn't just a friendly sparring session.

It was a test, a proving ground for the skills they might need in the field.

But König's irritated stare made it feel more personal than that.

Ophelia seized an opening, delivering a swift combination of strikes to his throat leaving Askel momentarily stunned.

Askel, though formidable, struggled to match her speed.

With a final, decisive move, Ophelia executed a perfectly timed sweep, sending Askel sprawling to the ground.

The ring fell silent for a moment as he hit the floor, the dust settling around them.