The Uprising (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 2) Read Online Free Page A

boisterous roar and finally pushed me away. I staggered backward and Father leaped forward, practically falling on me. He grabbed me and held me down. I tried to get up but he was too strong. Now the crowd was going crazy for him.
    I kept trying but it was no use. Father was considerably bigger than me, and his strength was formidable. He took his time and elbowed me hard. The shot was brutal, but I kept my composure. Father went on, dropping big punches and crushing elbows. Then he got in a better position and blasted me with more punches.
    I could see blood in my eyes as I tried to fight back. I punched Father’s stomach but it did nothing. He kept battering me, and I was starting to lose my awareness. The blood seeping into my eyes blinded me as I attempted to break free. I kicked my legs hard, trying to create some space. Still, nothing—but I wasn’t going to give up, and I knew Father realized my undying will.
    You’re going to have to knock me unconscious to win.

Chapter 10: Emily
    M y hands were shaking as I held onto the railing. It looked like Juozas was finished. Adomas hammered away with big punches, and I saw Juozas twist and turn with his arms and legs swinging, desperately trying to break free. Looks like our coronation will have to wait.
    But then, Juozas grabbed Adomas’s arm and held on. Adomas tried to yank his arm away but it was no use. Juozas pulled the arm down, trying to lower Adomas. After a vigorous struggle, he finally pulled him down to his level and delivered a vicious head-butt.
    I jumped up and cheered. I took a huge breath and grabbed my chest. Juozas kept head-butting Adomas. They were both bleeding now. Juozas quickly let go of the arm and rocked Adomas with a stinging punch. He tumbled to the floor like a pile of bricks, and Juozas got back to his feet.
    I threw my hands in the air and roared with the crowd. Dalia was still looking on calmly with her hands folded in her lap. Adomas staggered to his feet. Juozas ran at him and popped him with a flying knee. Adomas fell down again and covered up. Juozas wasted no time and bent down. He crushed Adomas with shot after shot. Adomas tried to get up but Juozas stayed on him. He looked exhausted after exerting all that energy to hold Juozas down.
    By contrast, it seemed like Juozas had caught a second wind—a burst of energy—and he was moving better than before. He kicked Adomas hard, and the strike echoed throughout the arena. The sandstone floor was spotted with blood. Adomas crawled away and tried to get up again, but Juozas pushed him to the floor and kneed his back over and over.
    As I watched the onslaught, I took a moment to reflect on Adomas. It was sad to see him like this, clearly just too old to keep up—but this was tradition, the passing of the torch, and it needed to be done.  Juozas kicked him like a dog as he rolled around. Every kick made a loud thud sound, and they looked devastating. However, I knew Adomas wouldn’t give up. He would have to be knocked out cold to lose his title. 
    Juozas was taking his time now, and the crowd was cheering like the fight was already over, slowly settling down. Feeling a little relieved, I took a deep breath and sat back down.
    Then, shockingly, somehow Adomas got back to his feet. The crowd gasped in amazement and rose as one. I jumped out of my seat and covered my mouth. Tears came down from my eyes as I watched Adomas wobble into the wall. He eagerly waved Juozas on and covered up, drawing his arms into his chest. Juozas came forward and kneed him hard. Adomas stood tall and took the punishment—and seconds later, he surprised Juozas with a solid punch.
    The shot sent Juozas staggering backwards. My mouth dropped open. Adomas stumbled ahead and swung again, grazing Juozas’s chin. Juozas responded with a swift kick to Adomas’s ribs. They fell into each other and paused for a moment. It was utterly breathtaking to see them bloodied and battered, holding onto each other for