Element Wielder (The Void Wielder Trilogy Book 1) by Cesar Gonzalez Page B

Drusilla, inwards or outwards. She came from a noble family, and made sure everyone at Rohad knew it. Like her sister, Elvira, she never missed an opportunity to humiliate those she believed were beneath her.
    Drusilla strode to the middle of the arena, her long, bony legs cracking loudly with every step she took. She gave Aya a mocking smile, exposing a set of crooked, yellow teeth.
    The announcer brought his hand down. “Begin!”
    Falcon clutched his sweaty hands as both girls rushed each other. Aya preferred to fight at a close range, so her weapons were batons and her own fists. For this duel she used thin fighting gloves. Drusilla, on the other hand, brought a large wooden staff to the fight. Aya would have to find a way past it.
    Drusilla brought down her staff directly in front of Aya, who quickly rolled under it. In a split second she stood right in front of Drusilla, bringing her fists down on her.
    Drusilla stumbled back. Aya dove forward with a volley of quick punches. Drusilla dodged the first attack, but the two last two punches met her mid-section.
    Drusilla snarled. She obviously hadn’t expected to be put on the defensive so early in the fight.
    Aya gracefully swirled her hands and a tornado of water sprang from the ground. Under her command the tornado grew in size and speed. She swung her hand forward. The water spiral rushed toward Drusilla. The skinny girl spun her staff and a fire wall formed. The water attack and fire shield clashed with tremendous force, sending loud cracks echoing through the arena.
    Seconds later the water ripped through the shield. Drusilla fell to the ground. With clenched fists Aya moved forward, water surrounding her gloves. Falcon’s eyes darted back and forth between both girls, eager to see his friend claim victory.
    “Get up, Drusilla,” said Aya. “I will not strike a downed opponent.”
    Drusilla looked up, rage in her eyes. “No, I’m not done. I will not lose to you.”
    “On your feet then.”
    Drusilla picked herself up, throwing a fistful of sand in Aya’s eyes. She lunged at Aya, pulling on her hair, both illegal moves.
    Aya let out a low scream as she brought her hands to her face. She stumbled back into the wall and rubbed her eyes.
    Falcon stood in disbelief. How could the judge have missed not one, but two illegal attacks?
    Drusilla shot a fireball at Aya. She took the hit without going down, but the entire bottom of her shirt was now charred in black. Drusilla followed her fireball attack with her staff. She struck Aya’s stomach and ribs.
    Still Aya remained on her feet.
    Drusilla took aim at Aya’s kneecaps. Falcon cringed as the staff made contact. Aya dropped to one knee.
    The judge began the countdown.
    “Ten…nine…”
    Aya stood, but one of her hands rested on her ribs. With her other hand she rubbed her eyes. Her loud wheezes made it clear that the simple act of breathing had become a struggle.
    Drusilla grinned. “Don’t you ever learn? You’re no match for me.” She swung her staff at Aya.
    With eyes still closed, Aya grabbed the staff before it made contact. She crouched and swept her opponent’s legs with a swift kick. Drusilla stumbled. A water geyser burst through the ground and shot Drusilla back into the air. Aya jumped and delivered a kick to the skinny wielder’s mid-section. Leaving little time for recovery, Aya grasped Drusilla, putting her in a Nakatomi grip. A lock her father had developed, but Aya had perfected. It involved throwing your opponent to the ground and locking their hands and feet from behind. Falcon smiled, certain there was no way out of it.
    “Yield,” said Aya.
    “I will never lose to a Nakatomi. You hear me? Never!”
    “Yield, Drusilla. Don’t make me break your arm.”
    “Please. Like you would do that. We both know you are too great a coward.”
    Aya strengthened her grip.
    Drusilla groaned in pain. She twisted her long neck around as if trying to come face-to-face with Aya. Then she spat green