The Challenge of Riku
In the previous matches, we had already shown our strength and capability. But now, standing before us was Riku, the strongest fighter from Sangre High. He was an expert in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, known for his incredibly effective ground game. In every match he participated in, he never left the ring without victory. His holds seemed almost magical fast, effective, and highly tactical.
Before the match began, we gathered in a corner of the arena. "Jayden, don’t let him take you to the ground," Ashe said, her voice filled with understanding and support. "You need to fight him from the top and not let him control you."
"I know," Jayden replied, his face serious yet with a confident smile. “I’ll do everything for this.”
After a few minutes of preparation, the referee decided it was time to start the match. “Ready… Fight!” he shouted. Riku moved quickly, his movements fluid and full of confidence. He immediately targeted Jayden, who was prepared with a counter in mind. 
Thanks to his experience in Jeet Kune Do, Jayden didn’t hesitate. He chose to respond with a straight punch. “Bham!” He tried to hit Riku in the face, but Riku swiftly dodged and grabbed Jayden’s leg.
This was where the real fight began. Utilizing his professional training, Riku attempted to push Jayden down to the ground. However, Jayden anticipated his strategy. Instead of allowing himself to be pinned, he used his footwork to jump back, avoiding the grapple.
“Nice move!” Ashe shouted from the sidelines. We all knew Jayden was on the right track. But Riku wasn’t finished.
He quickly tried to reach for Jayden with a takedown.
Riku was highly skilled in these maneuvers. In an instant, he pulled at Jayden’s leg and tried to bring him down.
"Wham!" The sound of Jayden hitting the mat echoed. As he landed, Riku immediately moved to secure the mount position. He remained calm and focused on his objective, quickly pivoting to deliver strikes to Jayden’s face.
“Jayden!” Bryan shouted, appearing anxious as he watched the fight unfold. But under pressure, Jayden exhibited true resilience. He didn’t panic. Despite the struggle, he managed to find an opening. He quickly executed a shrimping escape and got out from underneath Riku. “Wow!” we couldn’t believe his speed.
However, it wasn’t long before Riku attempted to position Jayden back on the ground. “You can’t escape from me,” he whispered, becoming more aggressive. He tried to lock in an armbar, but Jayden recognized the right counter.
Jayden quickly rolled over, using his legs to gain the back position. “Alright, Riku, it’s my time now,” he said, attempting to secure a chokehold. “Bham!”
But Riku wasn’t an easy opponent. He countered that move and tried for his own chokehold. “Wham!” The sound of the struggle resonated as the crowd roared. People were eagerly watching, each person seeming thrilled by their cheers.
I could see the tension in Jayden’s face. But he wasn’t shaken. Despite all the pressure, he continued to engage. His mind raced with thoughts of moves, possibilities, and tactics. The match extended into a series of tight moves and rapid counters.
“Jayden! You need a strategy!” Ashe shouted, filled with hope. I knew that this fight wasn’t just about Jayden but also for his friends.
At the right moment, Jayden spotted a gap in Riku’s defense. He quickly released the chokehold and sidestepped behind Riku. Using his Jeet Kune Do expertise, he transformed that movement into a swift takedown. “Whap!” The sound of Riku hitting the ground echoed.
But Jayden knew it wasn’t over. He quickly moved to mount Riku, limiting his movements and trying to secure a mount position. “Bham!” The sound of combat rang out. Finally, Jayden managed to restrict Riku’s movements. 
“Hold on to me!” Jayden shouted.
In the ensuing seconds, Jayden showcased incredible strategy. He delivered strikes from above, “Bham! Bham!” as he seemed to flatten Riku. In the final moments, Riku decided to submit. “That’s enough! I give up!” he shouted as the fight continued.
“Jayden wins!” the referee shouted, and the entire arena erupted in applause. I could see the smile on Jayden’s face as he rose from the ground. I felt immense joy at his success, but I also knew that the true battle lay in the next challenge.
“We’re just one step away from the finals,” Ashe said, looking at Jayden as if he were a hero before his friends.
“But we need to be ready. The next one will be tougher,” Bryan added. We all knew that even harder challenges lay ahead, and our journey was far from over.
But with Jayden’s victory, we felt a sense of hope. In the upcoming matches, we would be ready.