Chapter 27

KAIDA'S POV...

After the other squad members discussed attacking District 11, I knew we were about to face something very challenging.

But, even though it was challenging, I was still willing to go with them. I was also ready to fight for survival.

"I'm going with, too, right?" I asked Axton.

Thane shook his head, "That would be too dangerous," he said.

"True, we can't put you in such grave danger when we're supposed to protect you," Zarek supported.

I was already imagining how everyone was going to leave the prison, leaving me behind to stay all alone in this dry land.

"She can go," Axton suddenly said.

My eyes lifted and I turned to him immediately, "I can? Really?" I asked with hope.

He looked at me and nodded, "Yes, Kaida, you can...if you prove you're ready for a real battle," Axton spoke seriously.

I nodded, "I'll do it, what do I have to do to prove it?" I questioned eagerly.

"Kaida," Zarek came and held my hand.

I looked up at him and he shook his head at me. "Come on, Princess, you don't have to go with us," Zarek tried to convince me.

I was about to reply when Thane placed a hand on Zarek's shoulder. "Don't worry, if she proves herself, then she can be allowed to come with us, right, Axton?" He asked the quiet Axton.

Axton nodded.

Axton led us back to the fenced combat space. I entered the combat area while Thane and Zarek stood outside.

Axton went to the corner and picked up two sticks from the racks of sticks that were lined against the small fence, then he walked back to the center.

"Seph," He called over someone I had never noticed from the team.

The guy was tall and had proportionate muscles, he looked very fit and agile.

"Yes, Captain," Seph replied immediately.

Axton pointed at me, "Come here, Kaida," He said.

I took a deep breath and walked closer to him, already knowing what he was about to say.

He pointed one combat stick toward me, "Take it,"

I took it from him and quickly used my eyes to measure Seph, I was already calculating how I was going to defeat him.

"You're going to have a pre-battle training with Seph. The combat stick in your hand is for your defense and attack, use it in the best way possible," Axton spoke loudly.

He threw the other stick to Seph which he caught flawlessly.

"Understood," I nodded at him.

Seph respectfully bowed to Axton then he slowly walked toward me.

I could already see other squad members gathering around the fence to watch how the fight was going to go between me and Seph.

Axton slowly moved away and left the combat area, going to stand with Thane and Zarek.

Axton was staring at me with an expectation, Thane was somewhat looking confident, yet a little worried, while Zarek was looking plain worried. He looked like someone who didn't want me to fight even if I was good at fighting, he didn't just want me putting myself in danger.

"It's an honor to stand before you, Great Purirfier," Seph's voice drew me back to him.

He was bowing his head to me in respect.

"Give me your all, Seph, do not hold back, do you understand?" I asked seriously.

Seph nodded, "As you command, Great Purifier," he responded.

I nodded and started to walk around him.

Seph raised his stick like he was holding a spear, I thought he was going to aim it at me, but he suddenly pushed it into the sand and used it to elevate himself, hitting me with a sharp front kick, causing me to double over from the unexpected attack.

But I didn't crouch for long, I quickly stood and saw him coming at me with his stick raised high, aiming to hit me behind the neck.

I decided to discard our sticks and end this fight quickly hand to hand.

I allowed him to reach me, letting him believe he got me again, but when his stick was about to hit my neck, I dodged and swiftly went behind him, using my stick to hit him hard on the back of his knees.

He grunted and fell to the ground on one knee.

I heard the onlookers making astonished sounds at my move, but I was focused.

Seph was agile as I suspected. He pressed two of his hands to the floor and brushed his leg behind him, attempting to brush me off my feet, but I jumped up and evaded the attack.

He was on his feet again, coming at me with speed and agility, his stick strongly held in his hand to impact damage to my ribs.

I swiftly jumped up and used my stick to hit him hard on the wrist of the hand he was holding the stick.

"Ughh!" He grunted as the stick fell out from his hand.

Still in the air as everything was happening in a second, I used my legs to push against his chest, which sent him flying and falling against the small fence.

To my surprise, Seph was back on his feet.

He did a backflip and succeeded in brushing me down, but I mercilessly raised my leg and hit his knee, making him stumble and I was sure his knee must have dislocated for a moment from my hit.

As he was still trying to turn around and get back at me, I jumped high in the air and landed a sidekick on his neck.

"Ugh!" He groaned and fell to the floor on his side.

I waited for him to get up as he used to but he didn't; he just lay there, unmoving.

"She knocked him out!" One of the squad members shouted from over the fence.

Soon, there was an uproar of clapping and shouting. The onlookers were truly astonished and impressed by the combat skill I had just portrayed.

"Did you see that, Zen? She defeated Seph; even you, have never done it," I heard Cody praise me while he mocked Zen.

"She's a fast learner," Andre commented.

"She's very impressive, she's not only a female Purifier, but she also possesses significant combat potential," Lex commented.

Everyone was praising me, but I was worried about Seph. Would he still get up?

"Well done, Kaida. You've proved to us that you're fit to join for the attack mission," Axton announced, he was pleased with my progress.

I looked toward him and saw the pride in his eyes. This was the second time I'd caught him staring at me with such pride.

Zarek ran to me and carried me up and down like I weighed nothing. "You showed them, princess!" He laughed.

"You did great, Princess," Thane gently placed his hand on my lower back as Zarek led me to them.

Everyone was proud; they all believed I had learned how to fight from earlier when Andre and Co had taught me. But, only I knew that my combat skills came not from innate talent or a few days of effort but from long-term survival under a disguised identity.

After this phase, I prepared to join the group heading to District 11.

I and Axton, along with everyone else, set out across the desert towards District 11.

On our way, a sandstorm suddenly arose and Axton decided to use it to cover our tracks.

"We have to hurry; this sandstorm is in our favor; it's a natural camouflage, we have to cover the distance and let it cover our tracks," Axton announced amidst the sandstorm.

"Yes, Captain," The team members and other team members who were joining in the attack responded.

I was beside Axton the whole time; he suddenly drew me into his side, and then provided me with sturdy combat gear and assigned a guard unit to protect me.

Zarek transformed into a giant wolf and carried me through the desert. I held onto his mane to steady myself, feeling reassured despite the fierce wind.

We maintained a high pace through the sandstorm, swiftly approaching the District 11 border.

Along the way, I saw white carriages speeding along the tracks, filled with people on the verge of complete beastification.

I felt outraged by society's cruel treatment of them, they didn't even care that those were once humans like them.

After a long journey, I sensed the army suddenly halting, tension instantly filling the air.

Thane leaned down to my side and whispered into my ear, "We have reached our destination. We are now preparing for the next step."