Break Two: Setting

 

7: A Fight in the Dark

 

 

 

The kick was against all the laws of physics. It came in low and vicious from behind and landed near his left kidney. There was no time to consider logistics of being kicked in the back while lying in bed. He was already upright and combat ready when someone punched him again. This was delivered from in front, with the full force of their weight, which make his head ricochet to the right.

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He dropped to the floor on reflex, kicking hard to the side at the same time. He connected and in the darkness heard an agonising scream to the satisfying backdrop of bones crunching. There was a loud thump as something heavy fell to the floor.

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“Full illumination!”

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Nothing happened. If anything, it got darker. He moved around lightly, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness. And there was the problem. He could see the grey shapes in the d of furniture. Other than that, nothing. His assailants were invisible. His droids would not activate for a presence that could be neither seen nor sensed. Hanmei seemed to be picking up no danger, she remained immobile and uncommunicative. 

 

Which could only mean one thing again.

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This battle was all in his head.

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Some people sleepwalked. He sleepfought. he was almost used to this experience, this regular but unannounced battle with himself. But if someone one was in danger — other than him, he had no idea who it was. As he kicked and slashed in the dark, using centuries old fighting discipline, visions flashed through his mind, images he didn’t recognise, buildings and people, some familiar; some not.

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And among it all, she was there. Needing his protection — or so he told himself. He had no idea who she was, but each time he sensed her, the feeling of familiarity grew. He knew he’d give his life to protect her.

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But how did you fight an invisible enemy night after night in your dreams? And how did you protect someone from danger when all your instincts were screaming at you that they were the deadliest person in that darkened room and that you should run the minute you saw them clearly?