The date goes fine, it’s what happens after which is disconcerting

During our adventure, we mostly came across the usual creatures. At least we got to train our routine. But after our lunch break, we came across a carnivorous plant. I remembered how Oliver and I had to deal with them together with Amelia. I explained Mia about their vines and also about their spores.

Mia came up with the idea for us to go in side by side. That way, no matter which way the vines came from, we could always see them coming and cut them down.

We approached slowly, letting the vines come to us and cut pieces off them until we had cut them so short, they could no longer be a danger to us.

Once we got close enough, we spread out, like we used to. I made a feint, pulling the plant’s attention on me. That way Mia could rush over and stab the plant. Since I had warned her about the spores, Mia first took a deep breath, ran over to give the plant a stab, then continued running to my side. I did the same then and when the plant released its spores, we were already safe and out of the way. Then all we had to do is wait until the spores had landed and then it was safe for another attack. It took us a while, but eventually we took down the carnivorous plant without falling victim to its spores.

After that long-fought battle, Mia and I returned home while eating some delicious fruit. While coming close to the village, we see Oliver. And Emma is there too … and Fabe. They seem to be arguing. I have a bad feeling about this.

When Mia and I get closer, Fabe suddenly grabs Oliver by his neck and yells, “I’m warning you, pig. Get in my way again and I will leave you half dead!”

This is what I was afraid of. I quickly rush over to Oliver to help him, followed by Mia.

“Fabe. Please, stop!” Emma begged Fabe as she tried to separate them.

“Shut up!” Fabe yelled at Emma and pushed her to the ground.

When Mia sees her sister fall, she rushes past me and goes straight for her twin.

“Oliver, what’s going on?” I demanded.

“Darx …” Oliver replied with difficulty, still being held by Fabe.

“Don’t get into this, Darx! This is between me and the pig!” Fabe insisted.

“What’s wrong with you, Fabe? Why did you push my sister!” Mia interrupted.

“The pig here was trying to steal my girl!” Fabe answered and threw Oliver on the ground.

“Stop it!” Emma says as she tries to stand. “I was feeling dizzy and Oliver helped me to keep from falling.”

I had enough of this. I was about ready to join in against Fabe, but Oliver stopped me.

“No, Darx!” Oliver tells me as he gets up from the ground with a bloody face.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, Fabe.” Oliver continues, his gaze focused on his bully now. “I helped Emma because you weren’t there for her when she needed it. And I would do it again no matter how much it bothers you.”

Fabe cracks his knuckles and replies, “You really have a **** wish, don’t you.”

“I know what you’ve been doing to Emma. She tries to hide the bruises, but I’ve seen them. You are sick for beating her like that!” Oliver starts yelling.

Mia quickly turns her attention back to her sister and asks, “Is that true, Emma?”

Emma seemed like she was going to say something, but instead she started to vomit. Emma clearly is not feeling well, so I suggest Mia to take her home.

“I’m sorry, Darx.” Mia says as she picks up her sister and starts walking away with her.

I’m sure Mia wanted to stay here and help us teach Fabe a lesson. But that is unfortunately not possible this time.

As Mia and Emma leave, I notice Kase coming towards us.

After he passes the girls, Kase asks, "What's going on, Fabe?

"They keep getting into my relationship with Emma." Fabe replied, keeping his eyes on Oliver.

Kase shifts his eyes at me for a moment, then back to Fabe and says, "You’re not going to allow that, right?"

“Kase, you’re not helping!” I shout at him.

That is when Fabe drew his sword. It made me reach for mine. If Fabe wants to fight Oliver like this, even if oliver told me not to interfere, I’ll have to. But then Fabe threw his sword to the ground and raised his fists. Seeing what Fabe did, Oliver, without hesitation, also got his fists ready. Then, they began to fight.

I'm glad to see that Oliver is finally standing up to Fabe. He is even holding his own at the beginning. But Fabe's size and technique are starting to put the fight in his favor. After a couple of minutes of fighting, Oliver has fallen a couple of times. He keeps getting back up, but every time it takes him just a bit longer. His face is showing so many bruises. Even with blood in his mouth and a cut above the eye that leaves his face bloodied, Oliver's still does not give up. Then Fabe manages to get one good blow into Oliver’s stomach and he goes down without trying to get up.

"Come on, little pig! GET UP! I haven't had enough." Fabe yelled.

Oliver wanted to fight Fabe, and he gave it a good shot. I left him to it like he wanted. But now, the fight is over. I approach intending to stop the fight, but Kase decided to block my way.

"Move Kase.” I say. “The fight is over."

"This is a fight between men, Darx. You are not supposed to intervene.” Kase replies.

“Men?” I ask. “This is a fight between a bully and his victim, not between men.” I say as I point at Fabe kicking and insulting Oliver while he’s down. “If you consider this to be masculine behavior, then you have no idea what being a man is all about.”

“Tss,” Kase sneered at me. “And you think you know what it is to be a man?”

I’ve had enough of this. Time to say something which will make him attack me.

“At least I’m more of a man then you are.”

As expected, Kase got angry and swung his fist at me. Since I expected it, I dodge his attack and swing my fist to his face in return. Based on how easy it was for my fist to connect with his face, Kase must have thought I was a pushover. Except, now that I landed a punch on his pretty face, Kase was furious with me.

Now that Kase is taking me seriously, it becomes a lot more difficult to hit him. His blows are fast. Luckily, I have good reflexes. But I am on the defense. This way I am never gona get past him. It’s no good. I don’t think I can beat him.

Eventually he manages to come in close and hit me in the stomach with his knee. As I am doubled over in pain, Kase gets behind me and gets his lower arm under my throat. Then he pulls me close to him and I feel myself ****. I pull on his arm as much as I can, but I can’t get loose. This isn’t good. I can’t breathe. Kase is making me watch Fabe kick Oliver. I can’t do anything. I’m feeling weak. It’s getting dark. I’m …