Chapter 8: Contention

As Markesh meditated he emitted all the chi he could spare, pushing it into the environment in an attempt to create order amidst the chaos of John's chi. He only needed a small oasis to begin the process, it didn't take him long to create a small zone where John's chi could not cross. From there he began to convert more chi to broaden his oasis. He had began his meditations near Lexi, not so much to protect her from John's chi but to use the chi she naturally emitted to help him with his battle of wills. John's chi reacted to Markesh's with extreme prejudice, it began to push back on his small oasis and wouldn't allow him to take another inch. John could feel another will contesting his control, he was not entirely in control of his faculties but he hated to be manipulated. He began to fuel the waypoint with more angry thoughts, he seen in this will contesting him everyone who had ever wronged him. His chi began to crackle as it pushed back and fed directly on Markesh's chi, he was slowly taking the oasis back, shrinking the safe zone that Markesh had created. Markesh was astonished by John's will, he controlled bright blue chi himself, some of the most powerful that could exist. John was an untrained novice who had never controlled chi or meditated before, to say that this angered Markesh would be an understatement. It was time to take the kids gloves off, Markesh increased his efforts, he would wear himself out soon but he wouldn't allow John to embarrass him. The oasis began to grow quickly, pushing the red chi away with blue bursts of sparks and light. He was preparing for a powerful attack, if his meditations wouldn't work then he would physically attack John as soon as his oasis stabilized. If John had reacted angrily to his earlier attempt to take back the waypoint then now he was downright livid. His thoughts went blood red as he began to regain his consciousness, he could feel someone trying to take something away from him and it was dragging him back to wakefulness. Markesh could see him beginning to return to the outside world and saw his opportunity to strike and took it. He sprung up off the ground with the speed of a cheetah, running directly towards the center of the waypoint, directly towards John. He intended to strike at him with all the chi he had collected and end the battle with a single blow. John's eyes began to flutter, as he looked up he could see Markesh preparing his strike. He didn't have time to react and took his blow directly to his third eye, his head snapped back and pain invaded his mind. Breaking his connection with the waypoint, but he still retained his consciousness just as the waypoint remained tainted by John's chi. "You have destroyed the cleanliness of this place with your disgusting soul, you are an abomination. I will end your life here and now." Markesh was preparing another chi strike when the shadow beasts broke through, now he was in a dilemma. Should he kill John now while he was down, save Lexi and escape or attempt to fight off the shadows and do both. He didn't get the chance to decide because John as already on his feet and was charging at him with a grimace of pain on his face, he was already taking back control of the waypoint and it was empowering him again. "You are a fool to ignore me!" John shouted as he began to launch a flurry of punches and kicks empowered by his red and black chi. Markesh took the onslaught of attacks on his guard, blocking most blows and only being struck a few times. Every hit that touched his guard drained his strength, John's chi naturally preyed on everything, empowering its user even more. Even after launching so many attacks John still felt fresh, but seeing that he had barely broken through he decided to change things up a bit. He started to use only powerful attacks, since he had little to no training that mainly resulted in telegraphed haymakers and thrust kicks. Only a single attack managed to get past Markesh's guard but it was enough to knock him to the ground. John was on him in an instant, letting his instincts guide him. He quickly grabbed his right arm and began to twist, he intended to break it. He only got so far when Markesh executed a perfect roll to counter the pressure and a leg sweep knocking John to the ground while Markesh regained his feet. John had grown used to being on the ground, but that thought only served to make him angrier. He immediately rolled onto his stomach to get his feet under him, Markesh took the chance to strike at the back of John's head, knocking him forward and onto the ground again. By this time the beasts were upon them, they seemed to ignore Lexi, the amount of chi that John and Markesh were emitting was too intoxicating for them to even consider anything else. John struggled to his feet as the beasts launched themselves at Markesh and himself, he looked towards his opponent. Their eyes locked for a split second as they both decided to take care of the task at hand before killing each other. There were 4 beasts surrounding John in a the first few seconds, 1 charged at him and he met the charge with a punch that hit it right between the eyes. It went down with a single attack and John began to dispatch more of them. He punched another in the side of its head and watched as it shattered from the power of his blow. In the same motion he launched a round house kick at a third beast, connecting with its face and shattering it as well. His chi was acting on its own and feeding on the beasts weaknesses, and even on their very bodies. His aura consumed the pieces of the 2 beasts he had shattered and was even feeding on the first beast he had dispatched while it writhed on the ground in pain. John chopped at the fourth beast with his open hand and severed its neck, shattering it as well while his aura consumed the remains of the first wave that had attacked him. Each beast he consumed affected his mental state, causing his head to hurt and making him think thoughts that were not him own. If he continued to consume them he would lose himself. Markesh was striking beasts down left and right, he had already defeated 6 beasts and was attacking a seventh. But they seemed to be never-ending, dozens more were surrounding them and the continued to flood the waypoint. Suddenly a purple aura appeared among the red and blue, a third existence had arrived to fight the beasts. "Reinforcements, its about time the Circle sends someone to help. Help us clear these beasts then we have an abomination to put down." Markesh was excited at the idea of finishing the beasts first and John afterwards. The newly arrived expert didn't share his enthusiasm, "You call him an abomination but he is only a newly ascended presence, he knows nothing yet. Neither of you are dead and even the waypoint is not completely lost. He has not done any serious wrong." Markesh wouldn't stand by while he was basically just called a fool or a liar or both. "I will take him out myself then!" Markesh charged at John again, he had heard the exchange and had prepared himself. When Markesh launched his punch John did the same, the met in mid air and created a shock wave that knocked them both back. The new expert raised his eye brow at this and charged them both, he launched himself into the air and landed on Markesh's stomach with both feet and struck him directly in his third eye. As John climbed to his feet the newcomer was already upon him, he knocked him out directly as well with a well aimed blow to his third eye. He slung them both over the same shoulder, one on top of the other and went to fetch Lexi in a one-handed princess carry. He then disappeared in a flash of purple light and sparks while the beasts continued to frenzy, no less then 100 had reached the waypoint.