The Start of the Tournament
The day of the tournament had arrived. I felt the tension in the air as we headed to the Sangre High arena. The air was cold, but every step we took was filled with determination. This wasn’t just a personal battle; it was for the entire school.
We all walked in silence as we entered the large gym of Sangre High. In every corner of the place, you could see the discipline and dedication of the students to martial arts. Unlike ours, their every move seemed controlled and disciplined. I knew they were a different caliber compared to the opponents we had faced before.
“The arena is packed,” Bryan said, looking around in surprise. “Looks like a lot of people came to watch.”
“It seems our fight has turned into a major event,” Ashe said, glancing at the spectators in the stands.
In the middle of the gym, we spotted the stage where the matches would take place. On one side of the arena stood Lance and his teammates, holding various equipment for their respective martial arts. Lance stared at us, and for the first time, I noticed a slight smile on his face. I knew he was the most dangerous of them all, but I didn’t show any signs of fear.
“Lance,” I greeted as our eyes met. He didn’t respond. He just smiled slightly and turned away, walking back to his group.
After a few moments of preparation, the matches began. The first fight was between Bryan and Yuri, the Karate expert.
I couldn’t hide my anxiety since Yuri was known for his quick and powerful strikes. But I knew Bryan had the skills to face any opponent because of his discipline in boxing.
They entered the center of the arena, preparing to fight. The entire arena fell silent as we waited for the referee’s signal to start the match.
“Ready…” the referee shouted, and I immediately sensed the tension in the air.
“Fight!” the referee yelled simultaneously.
Yuri launched an immediate attack. He executed a rapid roundhouse kick that barely missed Bryan. “Whoosh!” The sound of Yuri’s foot slicing through the air seemed to signal danger.
But Bryan quickly countered. With a swift straight punch, “Bham!!” Yuri stumbled back, not expecting Bryan's speed. I watched as Bryan began to control the distance, evading Yuri’s kicks and punches while trying to find a clean opening to strike.
“Focus, Bryan!” I shouted from the sidelines.
He nodded at me, dodging another punch from Yuri. I noticed that Yuri was starting to slow down from Bryan’s continuous attacks. Bryan found his moment and unleashed a powerful hook. “Thud!” It connected with Yuri’s side, and I saw him clutching his stomach.
However, Yuri refused to give up. He continued to fight, although it was evident he was reddening from the impacts of Bryan's punches. His kicks and punches remained fierce, but now Bryan could anticipate his moves more easily.
In a swift motion, Yuri attempted a flying kick, but Bryan evaded it quickly. He followed up with an uppercut, “Bam!” which struck Yuri on the chin. Yuri was shocked and nearly fell, but he managed to stay on his feet. I knew the end of the match was near.
Before long, the match concluded with another powerful straight punch from Bryan. “Thud!” Yuri fell to the ground and didn’t get back up. The referee stopped the fight and raised Bryan’s hand in victory.
We approached Bryan after the match. He was sweating but had a smile on his face.
“Great job, Bryan,” I said. “Yuri is tough, but you maintained your discipline.”
“Thanks, Jayden,” he replied. “I know this isn’t over yet. But we need to keep up the momentum.”
I looked at the next pair set to fight. I knew this wasn’t going to be the toughest match yet. Ashe would be up next against Mina, the Jiu-Jitsu master. This match would rely not only on strength but also on strategy and endurance.
When Ashe’s name was called, he stood with confidence, and I knew he was ready for the fight. He understood that speed in his kicks alone wouldn’t be enough; he needed to think even faster to avoid Mina’s grappling techniques. I knew he believed in himself, but this match would be a test of his abilities.
As Ashe prepared himself before the match, I approached him. “Ashe, remember, don’t let the fight go to the ground. Use your distance. Don’t get close to her without a plan.”
Ashe smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, Jayden. I know what I need to do.”
The match commenced, and I could see Ashe’s discipline and skill in Taekwondo. He used the speed of his kicks to keep his distance from Mina, but I also knew that wouldn’t be enough to thwart a Jiu-Jitsu expert like Mina. I sensed that in the moments to come, the real test for Ashe would begin.
The tension in the air was palpable as the crowd held its breath, eager to see who would emerge victorious. Ashe's strategy was clear; he was trying to wear Mina down while maintaining his distance. Every time she attempted to close the gap, he would pivot or dart sideways, using his agility to avoid her grips.
Mina, however, was relentless. She shifted her tactics, attempting to bait Ashe into overcommitting. Every feint was calculated, and I could see the determination in her eyes. “This is going to be tougher than I thought,” I muttered to myself, watching intently.
As the match progressed, Ashe’s speed and footwork shone through. He landed several well-placed kicks, each one met with a grunt from Mina as she absorbed the impacts. Yet, she remained focused, waiting for her chance to grapple.
“Come on, Ashe, keep it up!” I shouted, hoping to motivate him as he danced around the mat.
Then, in a sudden move, Mina lunged forward, attempting to grab Ashe's leg for a takedown. But he anticipated this and quickly leaped back, evading her grasp. Ashe then retaliated with a high kick aimed at her head, but Mina ducked just in time.
The crowd roared with excitement, and I felt my heart racing. Both fighters were giving it their all. I knew it was only a matter of time before one of them would gain the upper hand.
The match seemed to stretch on, with both competitors showcasing their skills. I was on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the next move.
Suddenly, Mina managed to close the distance, grabbing Ashe's arm and attempting to pull him into a grappling position. “This is it!” I thought, knowing that if he got caught, it could spell trouble.
Ashe, however, was quick to react. He twisted his body and executed a counter-move, throwing Mina off balance. The crowd erupted in applause, and I couldn’t help but cheer for him.
“Nice one, Ashe!” I yelled, filled with pride.
But the fight was far from over. Mina regained her footing and resumed her assault, each attempt becoming more aggressive. Ashe had to stay sharp, and I could see the determination in his eyes as he prepared for the next exchange.