Sign of the Zodiac: Aries
[Sign 1: Aries] Second Round

By nightfall, the eight matches in the first round were finally finished. The eight losing candidates were unable to continue the match, and were forced to give up on becoming uluwero. The other eight, including Anaru and Kaharap, will play a second round match tomorrow at the same venue.

That night Airyung told Anaru to rest and forbade him to practice.

“You better save your energy for tomorrow's match. There's no point in training tonight. All your techniques, speed and strength have been embedded in your body since we have been training regularly for this long,” Airyung said convincingly.

Anaru according. Maybe he should rest. Although today he does not do heavy work, but it is better to save energy for tomorrow morning. The wounds and bruises obtained from the exercise have also begun to heal. Somehow his body seemed to regenerate faster lately, so his wounds quickly closed. Finally, for the first time in the past month Anaru was able to sleep before midnight. He slept very well without any dreams.

The morning came quickly. Airyung woke Anaru as soon as the sun rose. Ngaio has prepared a delicious breakfast that is appetizing. Anaru immediately got ready and ate his breakfast with Airyung. Ngaio has been away since morning to meet Kaharap. Anaru suspected Kaharap must be very upset because Anaru escaped to become uluwero and now lives in his lover's house.

Anaru actually also did not want to linger troublesome Ngaio. Things get awkward for both of them, and although Airyung is with them, but it feels awkward to have to live one roof with her ex-boyfriend who is now dating someone else. Anaru planned to return home after he was officially inaugurated as uluwero. Matu and umanya should welcome him with pride if he returns as uluwero.

The second round starts when the day is brighter. As before, a short procession was held before the start of the fight. Anaru got his first turn against the tall and strapping young man. Anaru did not know him, but he saw the youth match yesterday. His name is Ihaka, coming from the uluwero family who live on the eastern side of the dead forest.

From yesterday's match, Anaru noticed how Ihaka's fighting style was. The movement of the young man was quite fast, although not as fast as Airyung. His body was also pliable and his dodging ability was great. In the previous match, Anaru noticed that Ihaka was able to survive the punches and kicks and then attacked right when his opponent was off guard. Anaru seemed to have to be more careful this time around.

After the whistling of the battle signs began to ring out, Anaru immediately darted as usual, about to launch the first attack. His punch was supposed to hit Ihaka's chest, but somehow, Anaru's punch only reached for air, a distance of an inch from his opponent's body. Anaru maneuvered again using his legs. But again his kick only hit the air. The head of Ihaka that should have been targeted by Anaru was left unturned, leaving a distance of several inches from the feet of Anaru.

Anaru jumped back and stopped his attack. This boy named Ihaka seemed to be able to read the movements of Anaru and dodge in the last seconds. None of the Anaru's attacks succeeded in hitting Ihaka's body. Anaru tried to think fast. On the next attack, Anaru tried to use a trick move. But Anaru again failed. Ihaka dodged just before Anaru about it. Ihaka like being able to read Anaru's mind.

“I've seen you fight. Your movements are exactly like your fight yesterday. I can predict it from the beginning,” said Ihaka in Khitai.

Anaru did not answer and just spat on the ground. He again mounted the horses and prepared to attack again. But not yet Anaru moved, Ihaka had already run towards him first. Anaru prepared to accept Ihaka's attack. But instead of directly attacking, Ihaka actually ran around and then threw a right elbow punch on the back of the head of Anaru. Anaru staggered forward.

In a shaky state, Ihaka again carried out the attack. A punch landed on Anaru's face, making the young man re-stagger backwards. In the next instant, without warning, Ihaka jumped up to deliver the next blow. Anaru dodged quickly, saving the bulge that was directed towards his nostrils. Circumstances eventually turned around and Ihaka began to master the fight with his quick attacks. Anaru dodged nimbly and was several times almost hit by Ihaka's punches and kicks.

“Your speed is awesome. But I'm faster than you,” said Ihaka.

Anaru became the moons of Ihaka. Some of his attacks hit Anaru's body. Even so Anaru did not feel any pain. Ihaka was fast, but his attack power was weak, especially when compared to Airyung. Ihaka's punches and kicks are just like a soft pat that has no impact.

Right at the moment when Ihaka's punch was aimed at Anaru's stomach, the young man immediately linked the two hands above and then threw it into Ihaka's head. The two-handed punch hit the nape of Ihaka and instantly knocked him down. Ihaka collapsed in one attack. Anaru's name was re-emerged as the winner of the second round of fighting.

Anaru smiled with satisfaction. He retreated from the arena and went to Airyung who looked worried.

“Can you be pushed by such a weakling,” said Airyung as soon as Anaru arrived before him.

“She fast. But not too strong,” replied Anaru with a gasping breath.

“It seems I should teach you more movement variations so that your attacks are not easy to read,” muttered Airyung who started to devise new training plans for Anaru.

“That's a good idea,” says Anaru excited.

Suddenly Airyung pulled Anaru's hand forward. Anaru who was confused then looked back and saw Kaharap who was trying to hit Anaru on purpose.

“What's up?” ask anaru.

“Don't big head. You're just lucky. Those two opponents of yours are the weakest candidates,” scorned Kaharap.

“Please talk as you like. We can prove who is stronger in our fight later,” replied Anaru while grinding his teeth.

“I'm looking forward to it, Anaru. Try not to lose the next game,” said Kaharap who then breezed away.

Anaru clenched his hand to hold back. He was very impatient to be able to deal with Kaharap in the arena. At that time he will beat Kaharap until satisfied. Anaru will avenge all the bad deeds I have hoped to do to her all this time.

Airyung grabbed onto Anaru's fist gently. “No victory in anger. You have to stay calm to be able to do battle well,” said Airyung. But Anaru was already too angry at Kaharap. There are things that can be forgiven, but what I've hoped to do to him all this time, does not include those things. Anaru will not be able to forgive him. 

...***...