Just barely

Adam put up his fists as Ashley staggered to her feet.

“No more hesitation? Good.”

Ashley stretched out her arms as she turned her neck in a quick warm-up exercises.

“Come on, Aussie. Lemme feel it!”

Ashley ran with lightning speed and jabbed her elbow into Shadow Ape’s cheek. Adam’s body twirled around as he shook the dizziness of the blow. Massaro was about to do another jab, but Adam grabbed her arm and drove his fist into the girl's chin.

Ashley laughed as pain surged through. Her laughter died down as he wiped saliva from her chin.

“Very good. I can't believe we haven't fought before.”

“I’m just getting warmed-up, luv.”

Shadow Ape kicked the punk in the abdomen, but she only flinched a little. Adam was about to threw a kick to her head. Ashley grabbed his foot and twisted his ankle, causing the soldier to fall to the ground.

Flipping back in the game, Adam kept his hands in combat stance. Ashley nodded in approval.

This wasn’t a skirmish between good vs. evil; it was a career. A profession. Duel between two fighters.

They maintained eye contact in a game of dare. They both challenged as they threw punches. Adam blew a strike to Ashley’s neck, avoiding any lethal damage. Ashley gasped briefly, but stayed focused.

Was this it? Shadow Ape was ferocious in his attacks and continuously pounced Ashley with kicks and punches. The girl was weakening but she did her best to fight back.

This was not vengeance. Ashley was breathing heavily as her muscles wilted. She stared at her opponent and smiled. She enjoyed this. The fight of sheer muscle; of sheer willpower. She craved it and flourished with it. The joy of battle.

A quick uppercut **** Shadow Ape back. Ashley hissed like a demon. The Aussie was obviously enjoying it too. The fight of proving who was stronger. Proving to him that she wasn’t a rookie. Ashley lunged forward as Adam, with no mercy, drilled his knuckles to his opponent’s forehead.

The duo both crashed on the floor, both of them gasping as though they'd been screwing each other for hours.