Emma and joseph.
.
.
The air between them was gone now.
No distance.
No caution.
Just impact after impact.
Emma swung.
Joseph blocked.
and answered immediately with a brutal counter that snapped her shoulder back.
She didn't retreat.
She stepped in again.
Elbow.
Punch.
Kick.
Joseph took it.
Gave it back harder.
BOOM.
A strike to her ribs.
Emma barely shifted.
Then returned one straight to his jaw.
Both breathing heavier now.
Both refusing to slow down.
Refusing to yield.
Joseph suddenly moved differently.
Closer.
Too close.
Emma's eyes narrowed.
but it was already happening.
His hand shot in.
GRIP.
Right into her side.
Her kidney.
Hard.
Merciless.
Emma's body jerked slightly.
Just for a moment.
a real reaction.
Joseph leaned in, tightening his grip.
"…Got you."
Emma's eyes darkened instantly.
Cold.
Dangerous.
Without hesitation.
she drove her fist into his face.
CRACK.
Joseph's grip tightened even more.
trying to break her rhythm.
Trying to force her down.
Emma didn't back away.
Didn't plead.
Didn't slow.
She grabbed his wrist.
Locked it.
And twisted.
hard.
Joseph grunted.
But didn't let go.
The pressure between them increased.
Strain. Pain. Rage.
Emma stepped closer.
despite the grip.
and slammed her forehead into his.
THUD.
For a split second.
they separated slightly.
Emma exhaled once.
Slow.
Controlled.
Then.
looked at him.
"…Is that all?"
Joseph wiped blood from his lip.
Smiled faintly.
"…Not even close."
And they rushed again.
Harder than before.
Now—
no more blocking.
No more trading hits.
Just movement.
Emma leaned.
Joseph's punch sliced past her face.
She stepped aside.
his kick missed by inches.
Joseph shifted.
Emma's fist cut through air.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
Both reading each other.
Adapting.
Every second.
Footsteps echoed.
Breathing sharpened.
Clothes tearing slightly from the motion.
Not a single clean hit.
Until.
Emma saw it.
A tiny opening.
She stepped in.
twisted her body.
and drove her fist forward with everything.
BOOM.
It landed.
Clean.
Heavy.
Right across Joseph's face.
His head snapped to the side.
Body staggering half a step.
But.
he didn't fall.
Instead.
he moved forward.
Fast.
Before Emma could reset.
Joseph grabbed her.
Pulled her in.
Close.
Too close.
Both arms wrapped around her.
Locking her in.
A full body grip.
Then.
he squeezed.
Hard.
Relentless.
Pressure building around her ribs.
Her back.
Her arms pinned.
"…Got you now." he muttered low.
The force tightened.
Trying to crush.
To restrict her breathing.
Emma's body tensed.
Not panicking.
Not struggling wildly.
Her eyes.
calm.
Sharp.
Emma's expression shifted suddenly.
A slight frown.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Annoyance.
Joseph tightened his grip.
trying to crush the air out of her.
And then.
Emma moved.
She leaned forward.
and sank her teeth into his shoulder.
Hard.
Joseph's body stiffened.
"…Tch—!"
She didn't stop.
Held on.
Applied more force.
A brutal, desperate counter.
Joseph's grip faltered.
pain breaking his control for a split second.
"—Let go!"
He released her.
Emma dropped down.
landing lightly on her feet.
Stepping back.
A thin line of blood marked his shoulder.
Joseph clicked his tongue.
hand pressing against the bite.
Eyes narrowing.
"…You fight like an animal."
Emma wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
Cold.
Unbothered.
"…You tried to crush me."
A pause.
Then.
she raised her stance again.
"…Don't complain."
They collided again.
faster now.
No pauses.
No hesitation.
Blow after blow.
each one sharper than before.
Emma ducked.
countered.
Joseph blocked.
drove forward.
Their movements weren't just skill anymore.
It was will.
Refusing to lose.
Joseph suddenly shifted.
stepped inside her range.
caught her arm.
twisted.
And slammed her back against the wall.
THUD.
The impact echoed.
Dust falling slightly from the surface.
Before Emma could react.
he locked her in place.
One arm pinning her shoulder.
the other pressing across her torso.
his body weight holding her down completely.
No space.
No movement.
Emma struggled instantly.
Pushing.
Twisting.
Trying to break free.
But Joseph tightened his hold.
harder.
"…Got you."
Emma's eyes sharpened.
Her body strained.
muscles tightening.
trying to force even an inch of movement.
But he didn't let her.
He leaned closer.
voice low.
"You're strong… I'll admit that."
A pause.
"…But not enough."
Emma didn't answer.
She just kept struggling.
Not panicked.
Not desperate.
Just… refusing.
Her fingers curled.
searching.
timing.
waiting.
She suddenly.
stopped.
Her body went still.
No struggle.
No resistance.
Joseph smirked.
"…That's it?"
His grip loosened.
just a little.
That was all she needed.
BAM.
A brutal headbutt.
fast.
precise.
right into his face.
Joseph staggered back.
grip completely broken.
Emma didn't waste a second.
She slipped out.
stepped forward.
eyes sharp.
And broke free.
Joseph held his face.
breathing heavier now.
a faint line of blood forming.
"…Heh."
Emma straightened.
Calm again.
Controlled.
"Fool."
She stepped forward.
Then.
Joseph lunged again.
Both of them rushed at the same time.
Impact.
Fists collided.
Then.
they started trading.
Punch. After punch, desperate to win.
No defense.
No holding back.
Each hit landing.
Each hit shaking the other.
Joseph's fist cracked across Emma's cheek.
Emma answered with a straight punch to his jaw.
Back and forth.
Relentless.
Their breathing getting heavier.
their movements slightly slower.
but neither stopping.
Until.
Joseph misstepped.
Just a small mistake.
his footing slipped.
and he dropped to one knee.
That was it.
Emma's eyes sharpened.
She stepped in instantly.
grabbing his collar.
locking him in place.
And then.
she started.
Both fists.
coming down.
again.
and again.
and again.
NONSTOP.
Punch after punch.
driving into his face.
not giving him a second.
not letting him breathe.
Each hit faster than the last.
each one heavier.
Joseph's head snapping back.
his body trying to recover.
but she didn't let him.
No pause.
No mercy.
Just pure, overwhelming pressure.
Emma's expression?
Cold.
Focused.
Emma's fists kept coming.
until.
Joseph suddenly caught her wrist.
Everything stopped for a split second.
His grip tightened.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"My turn."
Before she could react.
he yanked her forward.
twisted.
and slammed her down onto the ground.
The air left her lungs.
Joseph climbed over her.
pinning her down completely.
one knee pressing her side.
one hand locking her arm.
And then.
he started.
Punch.
Her head snapped to the side.
Punch.
The ground shook under the impact.
Punch.
Again.
Again.
Again.
No rhythm.
No pause.
Just raw, violent strikes raining down.
Emma tried to move.
to slip.
to counter.
but his weight held her down.
Her vision blurred for a moment.
Still.
her eyes didn't lose focus.
Even as he kept punching.
even as each hit landed harder.
She kept staring at him.
Cold.
Calculating.
Joseph's fist froze mid-air.
Just like that.
His breathing was heavy.
his hand still clenched.
but he didn't swing again.
He was staring.
Emma's face…
Bruised.
A bit bloodied.
Yet still.
soft. Feminine.
For a split second.
it overlapped with a memory.
His mother.
The way she looked at him…
Joseph's eyes flickered.
"…tch."
That tiny hesitation.
Was enough.
Emma's eyes sharpened instantly.
She moved.
CRACK.
A sudden, brutal headbutt slammed into his face.
Joseph's head snapped back.
his grip loosened.
Emma shoved him off.
rolling to the side.
and pushed herself up.
Breathing steady.
Eyes locked back on him.
Like nothing changed.
Joseph stumbled a step back.
hand touching his face.
a bit stunned.
Then he looked at her again.
And this time.
there was no hesitation left.
Only intent.
Emma straightened fully.
wiping the blood at the corner of her lip.
"Don't hesitate."
Her voice was cold.
"Or you'll die."
Joseph didn't waste that moment.
He rushed again, fast, aggressive—
no hesitation this time.
Emma shifted
sidestepped.
almost clean.
THUD.
His leg whipped in.
a sharp kick to her side.
It landed.
Emma's body jolted.
she stumbled a step.
just one.
Enough.
Joseph was already there.
His hand shot forward.
GRABS.
Her throat.
Fingers tightening.
locking in.
He slammed her back slightly.
holding her upright.
Grip getting stronger.
Stronger.
Emma's hand went to his wrist.
trying to break it.
But Joseph leaned in.
eyes cold.
"ur dead."
His voice low.
Certain.
The pressure increased.
cutting her breath.
Emma's eyes narrowed.
not fear.
Calculation.
Her body relaxed.
Just slightly.
Joseph noticed.
for a split second.
"…giving up?"
Wrong.
Emma's leg shifted back
planting firmly
Her hand slid from his wrist.
down.
And then.
BOOM.
A brutal knee strike straight into his ribs.
Joseph's grip faltered.
just enough.
Emma twisted.
forcing his arm off her throat.
And slipped out.
Backing away.
breathing in sharply.
Alive.
Still in it.
Eyes locked onto him again.
colder now.
----
The place was ruined.
Walls cracked.
Concrete broken.
Furniture shattered into pieces.
Blood—scattered across the ground, the walls… their clothes.
But neither of them stopped.
Emma stood straight again, breathing heavier now.
Her arm still stinging from before.
Her side aching.
But her eyes?
Still sharp.
Still locked on Joseph.
Joseph wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.
Looked around.
A faint smirk.
"Look what you've done…"
Emma didn't answer.
Silence.
Then,
they moved again.
FAST.
Joseph rushed first.
Emma stepped in.
not back.
CLASH.
Fists collided,
shoulders slammed,
they pushed into each other like two forces refusing to break.
Joseph threw a punch.
Emma tilted.
barely missed.
She answered with a straight hit.
CRACK.
His head snapped slightly to the side.
but he didn't fall.
Instead.
he smiled.
And hit back.
A heavy punch to her ribs.
Emma's body tightened.
but she stayed standing.
They kept going.
Punch.
Counter.
Step.
Turn.
Strike.
No rhythm.
No pause.
Just pure instinct.
Emma ducked.
spun.
and drove her elbow into his jaw.
Joseph staggered one step.
Then grabbed her shoulder,
and slammed her against the broken wall.
Dust falling around them.
Emma pushed back instantly.
forehead colliding with his again.
Both of them separating.
just enough.
Breathing.
Heavy.
The floor beneath them.
cracked further from their movement.
This wasn't slowing down.
It was getting worse.
Joseph laughed quietly.
"Good…
This is what I wanted."
Emma wiped blood from the corner of her lip.
"…Then don't die too early."
Joseph's smile faded.
Just a little.
"…Would you like someone," he said slowly, stepping closer,
"that kills your family?"
Emma didn't move.
Didn't blink.
"My family is long dead."
Joseph tilted his head.
"…Did they get killed?"
A pause.
Emma answered.
"Yes."
Joseph exhaled through his nose.
"…See. It hurts."
Silence.
Then.
Emma spoke.
Flat.
Cold.
"Yeah."
A step forward.
"Especially when you killed them yourself."
Joseph's eyes narrowed.
"And was forced by someone named Vencor."
That name.
hit.
For the first time.
Joseph's expression cracked.
Not anger.
Not rage.
Something deeper.
"…Don't."
Emma didn't stop.
"He made me do it."
Another step.
"And now you're here, talking about pain?"
Joseph's hands clenched.
"You don't get to talk about pain."
The air changed.
Heavier.
Sharper.
Joseph's voice dropped.
"…You killed him."
Emma stared straight into him.
"Yes."
A beat.
"I killed Vencor."
Silence.
Then.
Joseph smiled again.
But this time.
there was no calm in it.
Only anger.
"Good."
He stepped closer.
Inch by inch.
"Then I don't have to hesitate anymore."
Emma didn't move.
"I wasn't going to anyway."
Air moved.
Both their clothes, hair swayed with the wind.
They rushed again.
clashed.
hands locking mid-strike.
Palm to wrist.
Grip to grip.
Their fingers tightened against each other like steel, neither letting go, neither stepping back.
For a moment.
they just stood there.
Breathing heavy.
Eyes locked.
Joseph smirked.
Slow.
Confident.
"You know…" he muttered,
"…I found your weakness."
Emma didn't react.
No blink.
No shift.
Nothing.
That alone told him enough.
His smirk widened.
Suddenly.
he stepped in.
closing the distance completely.
and wrapped his arm around her side.
Then.
his hand drove into her kidney.
And squeezed.
Hard.
Emma's body tensed.
A sharp reaction, just for a split second.
Her breath hitched.
barely.
Joseph felt it.
"There it is."
He pressed harder.
Fingers digging in, applying brutal pressure, trying to break her posture, her rhythm.
her control.
"Even you—"
he leaned closer, voice low,
"—have something that hurts."
Emma's hand slowly rose.
grabbing his wrist.
Her grip tightened.
Stronger.
Stronger.
Her eyes finally shifted.
Cold.
Focused.
"…You talk too much."
Then.
she twisted.
Hard.
Joseph's wrist bent unnaturally as she forced his grip open.
stepping out of his hold in one sharp motion.
And immediately.
she drove her elbow straight into his jaw.
A heavy impact.
Joseph staggered half a step.
but didn't fall.
Instead.
he smiled.
Again.
"Good."
And rushed her.
again.
Emma didn't stop.
Her fists kept moving.
fast, sharp, precise
one after another.
His face.
His ribs.
His jaw.
Each hit landed clean.
Each hit should've forced him back.
But Joseph.
didn't move.
He tanked it.
Every single strike.
And his arms tightened around her.
both sides now.
his hands locking onto her kidneys.
and squeezing.
Harder.
Emma's body stiffened.
Her breath broke for a second.
just a second.
but enough.
Still.
she kept hitting him.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Her punches grew heavier.
less controlled.
more desperate.
"LET—GO—"
Each word came with a hit.
Joseph grinned through the damage.
Blood at the corner of his mouth.
Eyes locked on her.
"You're strong…"
He tightened his grip again.
"…but not enough."
Emma's hits slowed.
just slightly.
The pressure was building.
Her body was reacting.
But her eyes.
never changed.
Cold.
Sharp.
Alive.
Then.
suddenly.
she stopped punching.
Joseph frowned slightly.
"…What?"
Her hands dropped.
for a split second.
then.
she moved.
Her arms wrapped around his neck.
pulling him in closer instead of pushing away.
And.
she drove her knee upward.
straight into his stomach.
A deep, solid hit.
Joseph's grip faltered.
just for a moment.
That's all she needed.
Emma twisted her body sideways.
forcing space between them.
and slammed her forehead into his face.
A brutal headbutt.
Joseph stumbled back.
his grip finally breaking.
Emma landed.
one foot sliding slightly.
breathing heavier now.
but still standing.
Still composed.
She wiped the corner of her mouth.
Looked at him.
"…Don't touch me like that again."
Joseph steadied himself.
Blood dripping.
Smile still there.
"…Now that's interesting."
Joseph adjusted.
Not reckless anymore.
Not trading blows.
Now he was thinking.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
watching Emma's stance…
her guard…
her breathing.
"…I see it now," he muttered.
He stepped in again.
fast.
his fist rising toward her face.
Emma reacted instantly.
raising her guard.
ready to intercept.
But.
he switched.
Mid-motion.
His body twisted.
and his hand drove straight into her side.
her kidney.
A clean hit.
Emma's body jolted.
Just slightly.
Joseph pulled back.
Didn't chase.
Didn't rush.
He observed.
Emma steadied herself.
Adjusted her stance.
Eyes locked on him.
"…So that's your plan."
Joseph smirked.
Didn't answer.
He moved again.
Same rhythm.
Same setup.
A feint to the face.
Emma didn't fall for it this time.
She shifted her body.
trying to guard both.
But Joseph expected that.
He stepped deeper into her space.
and drove his knuckles into her other side.
again.
Another kidney shot.
Emma exhaled sharply.
Her balance dipped.
just for a moment.
Joseph backed off again.
Calm.
Patient.
He wasn't trying to overwhelm her anymore.
He was breaking her down.
Piece by piece.
"Your body will give up before your will does," he said quietly.
Emma straightened.
Breathing heavier now.
But her eyes.
still sharp.
Still focused.
"…Then I'll just end this first."
Joseph rushed again.
This time.
Emma didn't wait.
She stepped forward into him.
not back.
closing the distance before he could set the feint.
Her hand shot out.
grabbing his wrist mid-motion.
She pulled him off balance.
and drove her elbow toward his neck.
But
Joseph twisted.
barely avoiding a clean hit.
Still.
he smiled.
Because even now.
his fingers were already shifting.
aiming.
For her side again.
This fight.
was no longer about strength.
It was about who breaks first.
Then.
the moment Joseph stepped in again.
ready to repeat the same trick.
Emma moved first.
No hesitation.
No guard.
She read him.
The slight shift in his shoulder…
the angle of his hips…
that same setup
for her side.
"…Got you."
Joseph's hand started to dip.
But.
Emma exploded upward.
UPPERCUT.
Her fist drove straight into his jaw.
clean.
perfect.
Joseph's head snapped back.
his feet lifted slightly off the ground.
The impact echoed.
For a split second.
everything stopped.
Then.
he crashed back down.
stumbling.
barely catching himself.
Blood slipped from the corner of his mouth.
Emma didn't chase immediately.
She stood there.
breathing heavier now.
but steady.
"…You're getting predictable."
Joseph wiped his mouth slowly.
Looked at the blood.
Then.
he laughed.
Low.
"…Good."
He straightened.
Neck cracking slightly as he adjusted.
"That means you're adapting."
His eyes sharpened again.
Even more dangerous now.
Because now.
he wasn't underestimating her at all.
He rushed again.
faster than before.
But this time.
no obvious feint.
No pattern.
Just raw speed.
and unpredictability.
Emma stepped in to meet him.
And once again.
their fists collided with each other's faces
Both of them slid back slightly.
feet grinding against the broken ground.
Neither falling.
Neither yielding.
And now.
the fight had changed again.
No more simple tricks.
No more easy reads.
Just two monsters
---
Mostang and Liam.
They arrived.
quiet.
Careful.
Mostang pulled Liam back before he could step any closer.
Both of them slipped behind a broken wall, shadows covering them.
From there.
they saw everything.
Emma…
and Joseph.
Still going.
Still standing.
Every hit now sounded heavier.
Slower.
but far more dangerous.
Liam's eyes locked onto Emma.
Her coat gone.
Her arm slightly bloodied.
Breathing heavier than he had ever seen.
But still.
standing straight.
"…Emma…"
he whispered.
Barely audible.
His hand clenched.
Hard.
Every instinct in his body screamed.
go to her.
Help her.
End this.
He took a step forward.
Mostang's hand shot out.
grabbing his shoulder.
Firm.
Stopping him completely.
"I know."
Liam froze.
Mostang exhaled smoke slowly.
eyes still on the fight.
"I know you love her secretly."
Silence.
Liam didn't deny it.
Didn't look at him.
His eyes stayed locked on Emma.
"…Then let me go."
Mostang tightened his grip slightly.
Not aggressive.
just enough to hold him there.
"You go now…"
Another heavy clash echoed from the battlefield.
Emma and Joseph colliding again.
"…you ruin everything."
Liam's jaw tightened.
"She's getting hurt."
"I know."
Mostang said.
"She could die."
Liam said.
"I know."
Mostang finally looked at him.
serious now.
No smirk.
No teasing.
"But if you step in…"
His voice dropped slightly.
"…she won't forgive you."
That.
hit harder than anything else.
Liam went silent.
His fists trembled.
He looked back at Emma.
watching her dodge.
counter.
get pushed back.
then push forward again.
"…She's insane…"
he muttered.
Mostang gave a small exhale.
Almost a quiet laugh.
"Yeah."
Another clash.
louder this time.
Dust rising.
"She's our emperor."
Liam swallowed.
His body still wanted to move.
To break in.
To end it.
But he stayed.
Because deep down.
he understood.
This fight.
was hers.
They kept watching.
silent.
Tense.
Every second felt longer than it should.
Emma and Joseph were still moving.
slower now.
but sharper.
More dangerous.
Then.
Joseph suddenly paused.
Not fully.
Just.
a shift.
A feeling.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Someone's here."
Emma noticed it too.
That tiny change.
And that's when.
he moved.
Fast.
Joseph stepped in.
grabbed Emma from behind.
locking her arms tightly against her body.
His grip was precise.
Calculated.
One arm across her chest.
the other controlling her wrists.
Emma struggled instantly.
but his hold was perfect.
He pulled her closer.
very close.
Too close.
From afar.
Liam's eyes widened.
"…What the—"
He stepped forward.
but again.
Mostang grabbed him.
Harder this time.
"Don't."
Liam's voice sharpened.
"He's got her—"
"I said don't."
Back to them.
Joseph leaned slightly toward Emma's ear.
His voice low.
Cold.
"You brought spectators?"
Emma didn't answer.
Her eyes didn't panic.
Didn't even shift.
Still calm.
Still locked forward.
"…I didn't."
Joseph smirked slightly.
"Liar."
His grip tightened a bit.
just enough to test her reaction.
Emma winced.
barely.
But then.
she stopped resisting.
Completely.
Joseph noticed.
"…Gave up?"
A pause.
Emma's voice came out.
quiet.
Steady.
"For the hundred time."
"You talk, too much."
And then.
her foot shifted slightly.
Just enough.
for something to change.
and in that exact moment.
Her leg hooked behind his.
Her body dropped low—
and then—
she lifted him.
Not with brute force alone.
but with timing.
Balance.
Precision.
Joseph's eyes widened.
just a little.
as his footing vanished.
Then.
BOOM.
She slammed him straight onto the ground.
Hard.
The impact echoed.
Dust lifting slightly around them.
Joseph's grip broke instantly.
Emma didn't stop.
She twisted out.
rolled.
and got back on her feet in one smooth motion.
Breathing heavier now.
But still standing.
Joseph groaned.
but… smiled.
"…Good."
He wiped a bit of blood from his lip.
still on the ground.
then slowly started getting up.
From the shadows.
Liam clenched his fists.
"…She's insane…"
Mostang smirked.
"Told you."
Back to them.
Joseph stood fully now.
Cracked his neck slightly.
"Now that's the emperor I wanted."
Emma didn't reply.
Her stance lowered again.
Eyes sharp.
Focused.
Then.
they rushed again.
Joseph's instincts kept screaming at him.
Someone's there. Watching.
Every time his eyes shifted, even slightly.
Emma was already there.
A punch to his jaw.
"Focus." she said coldly.
Not loud.
Not emotional.
Just… absolute.
Joseph clicked his tongue.
Annoyed.
Fine.
"If that's how you want it…"
His stance changed.
Subtle.
But dangerous.
He rushed her again.
fast.
but this time.
his shoulders feinted high.
Like he was going for her face.
Emma reacted.
Guard up.
That's when.
he dropped low.
THUD.
His fist drove straight into her side.
Her kidney.
Emma's body tensed instantly.
A small reaction.
but real.
Joseph saw it.
And smiled.
"There it is…"
Emma stepped back.
just half a step.
but enough.
He didn't give her space.
Again.
he rushed.
Feint high.
BOOM.
Another hit to the same spot.
Emma's breath hitched slightly.
Still standing.
Still composed.
But now.
he knew.
Joseph circled her slowly.
Like a predator that just figured out the pattern.
"I don't need to beat you everywhere…"
he said quietly.
"…just where it hurts."
He dashed again.
faster.
Emma tried to counter.
But he slipped past.
THUD.
Another brutal strike to her side.
This time.
her body folded slightly.
Not falling.
Never falling.
But the damage was stacking.
From the shadows.
Liam's eyes widened.
"…He's targeting the same place…"
Mostang's expression hardened.
"…He figured her out."
Back to the fight.
Emma wiped a bit of blood from the corner of her mouth.
Breathing heavier now.
Joseph stood straight.
Confident.
"I'll keep hitting it…"
he said.
"…until you drop."
Silence.
Emma slowly raised her guard again.
Her eyes?
Still sharp.
Still unshaken.
"…Try."
And she stepped forward first this time.
ready to break his rhythm before it breaks her.
Then.
Emma moved.
No hesitation.
She stepped in.
then suddenly.
jumped.
Her body twisted mid-air.
precise.
controlled.
She wrapped around him instantly.
Her legs locked around his neck.
Her arms pulled his head in tight.
A full choke.
Clean.
Perfectly executed.
Joseph's vision shook for a split second.
"…Tch—"
Emma tightened.
No wasted movement.
No emotion.
Just pressure.
Her thighs pressed harder.
her forearms locked in.
cutting off air.
cutting off blood.
Joseph staggered a step.
Then another.
For a moment.
it actually worked.
His breathing broke.
His balance slipped.
From the shadows.
Liam's eyes widened.
"…She got him—"
Mostang didn't react.
Just watched.
Carefully.
Because he knew.
Joseph wasn't done.
-----
Joseph's hands shot up.
grabbing at her legs.
trying to pry them off.
But Emma adjusted instantly.
Tighter.
More pressure.
A faint crack sound from the strain.
Joseph's expression changed.
Not panic.
Not fear.
Aggression.
"—You think this is enough?"
With a sudden burst.
he planted his feet.
Hard.
Then.
SLAM.
He dropped backward.
driving Emma into the ground with him.
The impact shook the floor.
But she didn't let go.
Still locked.
Still choking.
Joseph gritted his teeth.
then drove his elbow backward.
once.
twice.
The second hit forced space.
Just enough.
He twisted.
gripped her leg.
and.
ripped her off.
Emma hit the ground.
rolling once.
but instantly trying to get back up.
Joseph didn't give her time.
He grabbed her.
and forced her down harder.
Now she was on the ground.
And he stood over her.
breathing heavier.
"…Nice move."
Emma looked up at him.
Unfazed.
Even after all that.
her eyes didn't change.
She exhaled slowly.
then pushed herself up again.
"…Not enough to stop me."
Joseph's eyes flicked—again.
To the side.
To the dark.
Still there…
That feeling didn't leave him.
Someone was watching.
Waiting.
His gaze returned to Emma.
Slowly.
"…Alright."
If they're there.
he'll force them out.
He rushed her.
Fast.
Emma met him head-on.
No hesitation.
Punch.
Counter.
Block.
Hit.
Their fists collided again and again.
each strike sharp.
each movement calculated.
Then.
Joseph shifted.
Low.
SWEEP.
Emma's legs were taken out instantly.
She hit the ground.
hard.
Before she could recover.
Joseph dropped with her.
And.
THUD.
A brutal strike to her side.
Then again.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Relentless.
Precise.
Every hit.
same place.
Emma's body tightened.
her breath breaking slightly.
But her eyes?
Still focused.
Still locked on him.
She didn't even notice.
Didn't notice the shadows.
Didn't notice.
them.
Because to her.
only Joseph existed right now.
From the darkness.
Liam's fists clenched.
"…I'm not watching this."
Mostang grabbed him.
tight.
"Don't."
Another hit landed.
THUD.
Emma's body jerked slightly.
Liam's eyes snapped.
"Let go."
"Liam—"
"LET GO."
--
Joseph raised his fist again.
"One more—"
Before it could land.
CRACK.
A sudden punch slammed into Joseph's face.
snapping his head to the side.
Everything paused.
Joseph stumbled back half a step.
eyes sharp.
Liam stood there.
Breathing heavy.
Eyes furious.
"…Get your hands off her."
Behind him.
Mostang exhaled sharply.
annoyed.
"…Fuck you."
Emma, still on the ground.
finally blinked.
slightly surprised
"…Liam?"
Chapter end