The exchanged carried on for just over a chime, Artek managing to slip some blows but still getting tagged a few times. Artek couldn't help but feel she was holding back Still the wolf woman seemed pleased as she stepped away signalling for him to stop.
He stepped away, relaxing his arms and gave them a shake, awaiting her feedback. This was something strange for Artek, he wasn't used to listening to peoples critiques of him. But she was powerful and clearly skillful and so therefore worthy of his respect.
He even found himself smiling at her slight praise and nodding eagerly when she asked his to try and hit her, the playfulness coming through in her voice. Her stance was low, utilizing the fact that she was much shorter than him, making herself as small a target as possible.
Artek took a deep breath, falling into a more aggressive stance. His feet slightly wider apart and hands not so high, trying to adjust for his opponents height. She had attacked aggressively and with a wilder style than he was used to, something he was keen to try out.
He circled as he approached, slowly making the distance, and when he was close enough he sprung forwards, launching of his back foot trying to trap her foot with his left as he landed. Not that she stayed still long enough and as soon as his foot hit the floor, she was gone.
He spun to his right, facing her again and delivered his classic left jab right cross. He snapped the jab out trying to get it out and back as fast as he could. His cross he put a bit more power on, but almost unbalanced himself as he had to punch down a fairly long way to reach her. Both his efforts were avoided, one ducked and one slipped. She was using her size to her advantage.
Again he closed the distance and tried the jab cross, and again she avoided. He thought back to her attacks. Unrelenting. He finished his combo after two. Cautious. She wanted him to attack. So attack!
He snapped another jab out, predicting that she would slip it, so didn't extent it as far. This meant he was able to push up quickly onto his front leg and force his back knee up towards her mid section. Her eyes widened slightly, but just lithely skipped to he left. That was fine his knee unfurled and he stepped down. Now his right foot was forwards. Not wanting to loose moment he flexed his lift knee as though he was going to lift it, but then aimed a jab at her forehead. He was rewarded by her having to slap it away rather than just avoid it.
Pleased he then pivoted to the left off his back foot and swung his right foot across, trying to sweep her legs from under her. But this time she was ready for the low attack and jumped his leg with impressive height gain.
He grinned. This was more like it, fight fire with fire.
Great writing! Hope to see you again in the future!
