Artificial Memory (DISCONT'D BUT WILL UPLOAD UNEDITED CHAPTERS)

Chapter 4: Distance Beats the Shit Out Of Me

My fist had connected with his guts before he had time to react to my snicker. The force of it knocked him backwards and I got up as he did, leaping up and hitting him in the head with a roundhouse kick.

He hit the ground hard, rolling over and spinning around to face me. From the whistling in his breaths, I could tell that the impact had knocked the wind out of him. I got cocky and just rushed him head-on when I realized he was definitely hurting.

He appeared to be bracing himself to block me again, but he instead feinted to the side, driving his fist into my ribs wile I skidded to a halt and attempted to block. I gritted my teeth, bearing the pain as best I could, and jumped at him. He met my every attack blow for blow, until I finally staggered backwards, gasping for breath, exhaustion making my legs shaky. Pain radiated from every one of my bones, but I still braced myself to hold off whatever he dished out at me. However, when I looked at him, he was also panting, holding his chest with one hand.

"Not...not bad..."

He laughed between gasps.

I smirked, seeing my chance as he lowered his head to cough. I rushed him but he ducked, kicking my legs out from under me. I fell backwards, gasping as the wind was knocked out of me as well. Still, I tried getting up but was held still against the ground as Memory pinned me down.

"Damn you."

I spat angrily.

He laughed briefly, then rolled sideways and lay sprawled out on his back to catch his breath.

"You...fight really...really well..."

He gasped.

We lay there for a long time, trying to breathe, letting the adrenaline die down. As I opened my eyes again, I saw Triumph standing by my side with an awestruck expression.

"You're definitely a Fallen. Any normal Dreamwalker would've had their bones broken by the force of his attacks, and you managed to match his speed almost perfectly!"

He exclaimed, extending a hand down to me to help me stand.

I grabbed it and he pulled me up, then nodded to me and walked over to kneel beside his brother. Memory was still gasping for air, one hand clutching his chest.

"Memory? You alright?"

Triumph asked with concern.

"...I think he screwed up my chest...hurts...can't breathe."

Memory replied in a tight voice.

"Diaphragmatic rupture? Damn, Distance hits pretty hard, eh?"

Triumph remarked, kneeling down and lifting up Memory's shirt. Bruises were slowly disappearing from his skin, but he still had difficulty breathing.

I walked over to where he lay, then extended my forearm in front of his face.

"Drink."

I muttered as I forced down my guilt.

He shook his head.

"I'll be fine in a bit. It's already getting easier to breathe."

He explained, no loner having to speak between breaths.

It didn't take another minute before Memory was able to sit up again, smiling at me. As he proved that he was all right, Triumph became more relaxed and headed inside alone.

Nerves calming, I sat down beside Memory, staring up at the clouds while his breaths returned to normal. After awhile, I sighed and murmured,

"Sorry."