[Saphire Reign]

I swung my sword from right to left but he jumped straight up. I jumped up after him and nailed a kick to his gut. He laughed and disappeared. He reappeared on the ground next to a tree “Well, well, she’s got some skill. Wouldn’t you say?” Another voice entered the little talking spree “I do say so master but why would you want a human as a servant, especially a girl.” I threw a look at the thing behind the voice. It was a 3’4” Maneka. It hid behind a tree “Mmmaster.” I heard him laugh “Don’t worry Lecto, she can’t kill you.” I flipped around, threw a punch at his stomach, and he backed up. All the sudden he was right in front of me, his hand came up and curled around my neck. He pushed me back against a tree and got right up next to me, he put his head next to my ear “You know what: I like someone who can stand up for themselves.” I put my hand on his stomach and put my fingers between his ribs “It’s time for you to BACK up.” I pushed hard and he stepped back and grabbed his side “You don’t know when to give up, do you?” I smiled and brought up my right food to kick him. He grabbed my leg and flipped me over. I landed hard on my back; he got on his knees over my stomach and put his hand on my throat “Now will you give up.” I shook my head “No!”
“Then you are going to pass out and when you wake up I’ll have won the wager.” His hand tightened around my neck. The last thought before my world went dark was ‘how is this guy so strong, how?’

My eyes flickered open to see twinkling stars in the night sky. I sat up slowly, grabbing my throat with my hand and trying to swallow. The guy stuck out a bottle of water “Here.” I took it from him and drank deeply.

After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, I spoke “So, um, what is your name anyway?” He grunted, “You didn’t even know my name yet you came to kill me.” I cleared my throat “So, what is your name?” He leaned back against a tree; his eyes closed “My name is Alec. What’s yours?”
“My name is Alexis.” He took a deep breath in and let it slowly out. I glanced at the fire “So, what are my duties to you?” Alec mumbled “Tomorrow.” I smiled and laid my head back down, closing my eyes.