Chapter 135: Raw Power

Chapter 135: Raw Power

Later in the evening, Jacek found himself alone in the gym. The soldiers were all preparing for Mattison’s large scale plans leaving no one with time to exercise. It had been a long time since he lifted weights without the assistance of ki. He felt like he was back in the days of his youth.

He grabbed a few dumbbells and sat down on a bench preparing to do overhead shoulder presses. However, before he could even begin, he heard the door open and close as someone walked in to the gym joining him.

He looked at the mirror in front of him to see Xenia trotting in with a smile on her face wearing skintight leggings and a skimpy sports bra to match. “Need company?”

Jacek smiled, “It’s always a good idea to have a workout partner especially without ki. I will need a spotter.”

She swung one leg over and sat on his bench facing him, “How much do you think I can bench press without ki?”

He sized her up, “Hmm. 5’10”, 160 lbs, toned muscles... you’re strong, very strong for a girl. But without ki, I would guess 185 lbs maximum on bench press.”

She gawked at his answer with her mouth open stunned, “185lbs? Jacek I’m offended you think I’m so weak! Come over here right now.”

She stood up and walked over to a bench press setup and began to load weights onto the bar. She slung one 45lbs plate on, then a second, then a third. She continued until five 45 lbs plates were on each side of the bar.

She slapped the top of the bar and said, “495 lbs! Let’s see if I can do this. I’ve always prided myself on being able to lift at least 3x my weight, and this is well over 3x my weight.”

Jacek raised his eyebrows impressed at her claims, “I will be certain to spot you closely. This weight could crush you without ki.”

She sat on the bench and meditated until her ki was zero, completely suppressed. She then laid back on the bench and placed her hands on the bar just outside shoulder width.

Jacek looked down at her, “Do you need help with the lift off?”

She scoffed and lifted the bar off without his help. It had been a long time since she had lifted weights without ki as well, and the weight made her arms shake as she held it steady. She then slowly lowered it until the bar touched her chest at which point she steadily and slowly began to inch it back up. She began to groan and moan softly at first and the more loudly as she pushed it all the way back up and racked the bar.

Jacek was genuinely shocked and impressed, “495 lbs! Wow!”

She sat up and looked back at him, “I’m the kind of girl who can do it all.” She winked at him and stood up.

Jacek then said, “And just how much do you think I can bench press without ki? Seeing as I have none right now, it would be a great time to test my physical strength limits.”

Xenia then sized him up, “Hmm. 6’3”, 330 lbs, not an ounce of fat on you, some of the sexiest toned muscles on the planet... Nothing less than 1,000 lbs. That is for sure. But how much beyond 1,000... I can’t say.”

He nodded at her impressed, “You’re headed the right direction. What if I told you I last maxed out at 1,250 lbs.”The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

She crossed her arms, “Shut up! Prove it!”

Jacek walked across the gym to grab special 150 lbs plates and loaded up the bar until the bar weighed 1,250 lbs. He then sat on the bench and looked at Xenia who still stood in front of him, “Are you going to spot me?”

Luckily, her first lead to investigate was under the cover of nightfall. Although Jacek could distract Xenia that didn’t mean other soldiers wouldn’t see her.

She raced through the rocky terrain void of life and vegetation until after ten miles she came upon a landed jet with a small encampment adjacent to it.

She recognized the insignia of the Sage Empire on a few of the cargo boxes, and she eagerly rushed out to greet them. As everyone turned to see her darting from the darkness and into the light, she recognized Jarek and Erika and was instantly relieved.

However, her presence was unexpected by the arriving party and several special op soldiers darted out with charged up ki blasts ready to annihilate her on Jarek’s command.

She came to a halt and Jarek’s voice boomed, “State you name if you wish to live!”

Katya fell to a knee and removed her hood, “Katya Nova, of the Karasu Clan. I bring a message from Lord Heraklinos.”

Jarek ordered his men down and immediately stepped out to welcome her, “You spoke with Jacek? How is he?”

Katya stood, “He is living like a king with Xenia BloodStar. Though he does not yet have his ki back.”

She then held out a sealed letter and handed it to Jarek, “Jacek emphasized that you must read this before interacting with Xenia in any way.”

Erika walked up behind Jacek, “Thank you Katya. Would you like to stay with us in our camp?”

She bowed her head, “Thank you Master Sage; however, I am also under deep cover helping Jacek from within the citadel. I have a very public sparring match with Xenia tomorrow in the stadium. My absence would be very suspicious and could possibly put Jacek in harms away. I must return.”

Jarek put his hand on her shoulder and solemnly said, “Thank you for your sacrifice and hard work, Katya. It will not go unrewarded. We will do what we can to extract you along with Jacek.”

Katya bowed her head and quietly said, “Forgive me. I must be going now.”

She then disappeared into the veil of darkness and made haste as she returned to the citadel under the cover of nightfall.

Jarek wasted no time opening the letter from Katya:

To whom this may concern. Do not rush in to save me. Xenia favors me to a degree that compromises her safety. I am slowly building her trust. You may hear me say things or see me do things that are wholly unacceptable. However, duly note that I am either acting under a guise as her new trustworthy companion or being bloodbent against my will. It is best we wait for our moment to strike rather than rush in. Time is, for the moment, on our side as I work to put myself in a position to end this war and end the BloodStar reign from the inside. Further communication to come.

Jacek Heraklinos

Jarek handed the letter to Erika who quickly read it. He then said, “Jacek didn’t outline the things he is doing, the things we may see, or the things we may hear because he knows it would be heartbreaking to you. He is trying to protect you. Were it up to me I would have you stay behind for the meeting we will attempt to set up with Xenia.”

Erika scoffed, “I am just as determined as Jacek to finish this fight. I will not let my emotions get in the way.”

Jarek nodded, “Very well. Then let us get some rest and see if we can’t invite ourselves to this sparring match tomorrow.”