1 month later
OutsideLas Vegas
The force of the slap was enough to turn his head but he stood his ground.
"The truth is what it is. You can try to hate and hurt others but the fact remains you are different, forever. Now it's time to do something with that knowledge."
Kathryn stared at Daikar and her face was red with anger. Her breathing was heavy and she was mentally tired of going the circles this discussion had been going. Nothing had changed with this topic for a week but she had to press for a better explanation.
Daikar just stood and stared back, silent like a statue. His arms were crossed in front of him which only added to his barrel-chested physique. Kathryn was his height which means he didn't have to stare her down ... literally.
"I don't want to be different. Not like this. There are others who should do what you are asking me to do." She was matter-of-fact.
"Too bad."
Kathryn's anger boiled over and she swiped at Daikar and her fist flew quick toward his nose. Daikar didn't dodge the action. He caught her fist in his giant palm. The snap of skin contact echoed in the loft apartment.
Kathryn just kept her stance as if she were posing for a painting.
"I really hate it when you say that and you have said it enough," she said through clenched teeth.
"Too bad."
She struck with her other fist. This time Daikar took a step back and he looked surprised. Kathryn still missed but she was satisfied her attack was not parried or stopped.
Kathryn left the hospital one week after she entered. Her bones mended faster than normal. About 20 years ago that would have been a remarkable feat but more people started showing up with regenerative abilities. Dr. Wade did everything he could for her and she was grateful for his efforts.
After that she went to work but couldn't do it. Everyone learned of her situation and business dropped off. It's not that Kathryn became a pariah in her line of work; she was now "damaged" and that affected everyone who worked for her. She had a meeting with all her employees and provided the bonuses they were due. Kathryn closed the doors and found Daikar.
She had been training with ‘The Grand Battler’ for a week and she was regrettably accepting that she had an "super power". But first she needed to get into shape. He wanted her to be able to fight. This was not how she expected to work out at all. Kathryn visited the gym regularly to stay fit and lean ... to stay beautiful for the business. Now she was turning into a different kind of beauty.
One with sting.
And she started to like that idea while still holding a candle of hate for what had happened. One man's selfishness took away everything she had known. She personally vowed to try to find others like her: victims. Kathryn promised to help them and she knew how.
Vendetta.
She smirked at the thought as she took a step forward and raised her fist to give Daikar an upper-cut to his chin. Again, he stepped back but with a determined look on his face.
"Your vision is compensating for the loss of depth perception."
She froze in a ready-stance. "Thank you, Daikar."
"No more discussion?"
"No. If I am what you say, then it's time to work on it."
Daikar smiled for the first time she could remember. "Good. Be ready for more pain then." His left foot stepped backward as he leaned into the punch he put forward. This time his fist glowed with a dazzling orange-red aura.
The effect captivated Kathryn for the brief second he needed. His fist cracked against her cheek under the eye patch. The thunder of the blow shook every bone in Kathryn's body as she flew in the air away from Daikar. She landed20 feet away from him and slid another ten before stopping.
Pain. But not like that night. It was just in her face. Kathryn lifted her hand to the point of contact and felt it swell. She wiped the blood slipping from her mouth and looked at the smug look on Daikar's face.
"So that's what you can do, eh? I think it's time I learn what I can do."
"Too bad."
Kathryn really hated that phrase.
Outside
The force of the slap was enough to turn his head but he stood his ground.
"The truth is what it is. You can try to hate and hurt others but the fact remains you are different, forever. Now it's time to do something with that knowledge."
Kathryn stared at Daikar and her face was red with anger. Her breathing was heavy and she was mentally tired of going the circles this discussion had been going. Nothing had changed with this topic for a week but she had to press for a better explanation.
Daikar just stood and stared back, silent like a statue. His arms were crossed in front of him which only added to his barrel-chested physique. Kathryn was his height which means he didn't have to stare her down ... literally.
"I don't want to be different. Not like this. There are others who should do what you are asking me to do." She was matter-of-fact.
"Too bad."
Kathryn's anger boiled over and she swiped at Daikar and her fist flew quick toward his nose. Daikar didn't dodge the action. He caught her fist in his giant palm. The snap of skin contact echoed in the loft apartment.
Kathryn just kept her stance as if she were posing for a painting.
"I really hate it when you say that and you have said it enough," she said through clenched teeth.
"Too bad."
She struck with her other fist. This time Daikar took a step back and he looked surprised. Kathryn still missed but she was satisfied her attack was not parried or stopped.
Kathryn left the hospital one week after she entered. Her bones mended faster than normal. About 20 years ago that would have been a remarkable feat but more people started showing up with regenerative abilities. Dr. Wade did everything he could for her and she was grateful for his efforts.
After that she went to work but couldn't do it. Everyone learned of her situation and business dropped off. It's not that Kathryn became a pariah in her line of work; she was now "damaged" and that affected everyone who worked for her. She had a meeting with all her employees and provided the bonuses they were due. Kathryn closed the doors and found Daikar.
She had been training with ‘The Grand Battler’ for a week and she was regrettably accepting that she had an "super power". But first she needed to get into shape. He wanted her to be able to fight. This was not how she expected to work out at all. Kathryn visited the gym regularly to stay fit and lean ... to stay beautiful for the business. Now she was turning into a different kind of beauty.
One with sting.
And she started to like that idea while still holding a candle of hate for what had happened. One man's selfishness took away everything she had known. She personally vowed to try to find others like her: victims. Kathryn promised to help them and she knew how.
Vendetta.
She smirked at the thought as she took a step forward and raised her fist to give Daikar an upper-cut to his chin. Again, he stepped back but with a determined look on his face.
"Your vision is compensating for the loss of depth perception."
She froze in a ready-stance. "Thank you, Daikar."
"No more discussion?"
"No. If I am what you say, then it's time to work on it."
Daikar smiled for the first time she could remember. "Good. Be ready for more pain then." His left foot stepped backward as he leaned into the punch he put forward. This time his fist glowed with a dazzling orange-red aura.
The effect captivated Kathryn for the brief second he needed. His fist cracked against her cheek under the eye patch. The thunder of the blow shook every bone in Kathryn's body as she flew in the air away from Daikar. She landed
Pain. But not like that night. It was just in her face. Kathryn lifted her hand to the point of contact and felt it swell. She wiped the blood slipping from her mouth and looked at the smug look on Daikar's face.
"So that's what you can do, eh? I think it's time I learn what I can do."
"Too bad."
Kathryn really hated that phrase.
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