Chapter 16: Liger vs Jaguar

Meanwhile, back at Amber Village, during the morning, Laura showed Leona around the mansion. “Sure is a lot of space for just a few people.” Leona criticized. “Papa says it’s for if something bad happens and some of the villagers need a place to stay.” Laura replied. The two walked up to the second floor. There, they headed over to Laura’s room.

The room was rather basic. It had a bed, a desk, and a bookshelf completely filled with books. They ranged from animal and plant encyclopedias to basic math. There was a framed photo on her desk. A family photo of her, Ferral, Nia, and a newborn Berus. And of course, all of the crows that would surround her outside her windows. You wouldn’t think a child slept in this room with how bland it was.

“Isn’t it cool?” Laura asked, gleefully. Leona chuckled awkwardly, “Well…it’s certainly a room.” Berus peeked his head in from the doorway. Leona instantly heard a small amount of noise he made. She looks back to see the boy looking at her, curiously. “Morning, Berus!” Laura ran over to him. “This is my new friend! She’s also a friend of Papa!” His eyes widened. “Whoa, really?! Is she super strong like him?” Laura nodded excitedly, “Yep yep! She might even be super DUPER strong like papa.” Leona walked over and knelt to face Berus. She smiled. “Hello. Berus, was it? My name is Leona.” “Hello! It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Leona!” Leona laughed. She was pretty surprised just how nice and polite these kids were to basically a stranger. They reminded her of how Ferral was when she first knew him.

Footsteps started coming from the hall and closer to the room. Nia stopped behind Berus. A slight stern look on her face as she stared at Leona. “Hi, mama!” Laura ran over and hugged Nia. Her expression softened as she looked down at her daughter. “Good morning, sweetie. You’re a little for breakfast.” They pulled apart, Laura giggling. “I’m sorry, mama. I got distracted hanging out with one of Papa’s friends! Ms. Leona!” Nia looked up at the Ligeress, who sarcastically smiled and waved. Nia rolled her eyes before looking back down at Laura. “Well, why don’t you go wash up and ask one of the cooks to make you breakfast?” Laura nodded, “Okay, mama!” She ran back into her room, grabbed some clean clothes from her drawer, and ran out to the bathroom. Nia turned her attention to Berus. “Honey, why don’t you do some studying? I want to do some catching up with your father’s friend.” The boy nodded, “Okie dokie!” He ran off to his room right across the hall, closing the door. Leaving only Nia and Leona.

The silence was almost deafening. Only being broken by the caws of the crows. Nia crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. “So, just what do you want?” She asked. “Easy. Your hubby and I have some unfinished business,” Leona hissed, “And I’m leaving until it’s done.” Nia pushed off the doorframe, walking face-to-face with Leona. “And what if I don’t let you do that?” Leona chuckled, “I see, you said you’d kill me. Or some bullshit like that, right?” “You don’t think I wouldn’t?” “No. You wouldn’t even last a minute.” Nia scoffed, “Alright then. Let’s see if you can back up those words, bitch.” Leona laughed. “Oh, you’ve got some nerve! I’m always itching for a fight, let’s go.”

Nia led them downstairs to a room on the left side. It was a large room with a massive sparring mat. “It’s simple,” Nia started, “Whoever gets knocked out of the mat or gives up loses.” Leona stretched, “Sounds fine. I assume we both know what happens if you or I win?” Nia nodded. They walked to opposite ends of the mat and got into fighting stances. They stared each other down, neither moving a muscle. Then, in a quick burst, Nia rushed toward Leona. She cocked back her left leg and threw a powerful kick. Leona blocked, pushing her leg away and throwing a punch. Nia dodged it and went for her own punch. Leona grabbed her fist, then pulled Nia closer, slamming her head against hers and kicking Nia away.

Nia held her stomach in pain, but recovered quickly. Leona lunged forward, throwing a left hook. Nia ducked, but before she could counterattack, Leona kneed her face. She moved to the back of Nia and kicked her square in the back, sending her flying forward. She spun around, slamming her claws into the mat to slow herself down. She stopped just before going over the edge. Nia growled. Leona smirked, taunting by moving her hand toward her. Nia looked down for a moment. She smiled, then looked back up and ran toward Leona on all fours. She put all her strength into her legs, the iris in her left eye swirling, mixing the emerald green with blue sapphire. She sprang forward with incredible speed, catching Leona off guard. Nia delivered a powerful right hook that connected with Leona’s left cheek, sending her flying back and tumbling across the mat.

Leona shook her head as she got up. She looked at Nia and gasped in shock. She had transformed. Her hair was still black from the top, but from the middle down became spirals of blue and green. The same happened with the fur on her arms and legs. The design around her pupil was the same flame-like one as Ferral. Leona scoffed, “So, you have the evolved awakening, too?” Nia nodded, “Yeah, Ferral helped me achieve Super Full Power.” Leona rolled her eyes. “God, that name is awful. But, if we’re going all out…” She tensed up and transformed as well. “Then I’ll be glad to join.”

The two rush at the other, continuing their match. Leona was actually shocked by just how much stronger and faster Nia had gotten. She could keep up with her in Super Full Power. Ferral and her clearly trained together a lot. Nia dodged an attack, falling back, but landing on her hands, and shot both her feet into Leona’s stomach. The two darted around the mat, having little scuffles before jumping away.

They socked each other across the face. Nia grabbed Leona’s arm, turned around, and threw her over her shoulder. Slamming Leona against the mat. Back and forth they went, trading blows. Nia seemingly has the edge. Leona was surprised by how fluid her fighting style was. She expected to be a brawler like herself, but the way Nia moved was like flowing water. And at the last second, a swift and intense strike. It seemed like a fighting style Ferral would’ve learned. Leona kicked Nia back, creating some distance between the two.

They panted heavily, their faces and bodies covered in bruises. Leona let out a long sigh, “Alright, you’ve surprised me,” She huffed, “I’ll give you that.” Nia spat out blood, “You’re not half bad either. I can see how you managed to damage Ferral.” Leona grinned, “Yeah, you’re good, but I’m going to end this now. You’ll never even see it coming.” Nia looked at her, confused as Leona closed her eyes for a moment. Shooting them open, they gained the same gold color as they did when she fought Ferral. Nia was baffled, but before she had time to react, Leona was gone in a flash. In an instant, Leona smashed her left foot into Nia’s stomach, the woman coughing out blood. She got launched back and wasn’t able to recover in time, crashing into the wall of the room. The fight was over.

Nia had lost.