THE HIDDEN RIVAL

NICE KICK

The sound my back made when it slammed into the mat was not normal. It was that sharp, wet thud like when you drop a raw steak on tile. I saw stars like Real ones. Like I’d opened a damn galaxy portal with my spine.

“s**t,” I groaned, curling sideways in pain, my ribs screaming like they'd been yanked out and stomped on. Everything ached. My mouth tasted like blood and humiliation, but it wasn’t over. Not even close.

Nikita stood over me like some damn titan, breathing hard, fists flexing. That b***h looked proud of himself. Like tossing me across the ring was some kinda hobby. My vision blurred, but I still caught the smug-ass smirk tugging at her lip.

“Stay down, kid,” he muttered like he was being generous. “This ain’t your league.”, I wasn't listening though, last time I did listen his fist ended on my jaw .

I spat blood on the mat and grinned like a lunatic. “Yeah? And yet here I am… still fuckin’ breathing.”

He rolled his eyes and came at me again but this time fast.... like Real fast. His foot swung for my ribs, and I barely twisted in time. He boot grazed my side, sending a shockwave through my already broken body. I swore the floor tilted. I staggered to my feet, dizzy as hell, stomach growling like a damn beast.

I hadn’t eaten all day, yeah am gonna call it a day or all week. l don't know how long I've been down there, I was raised mafia at least I lived with my parents , I could snap my fingers and get a feast. But this was punishment not some Training. I was being honed into a weapon. Or tortured for fun, depending on which psycho commander was supervising.

Nikita grabbed my arm and yanked me forward, fist c****d back and bam! , he clocked me right across the face. I stumbled, nose gushing blood, ears ringing like I’d been hit by a freight train.

I coughed. “Damn, you're hit like my mom.”

He growled and slammed his elbow into my jaw... when I said this guy loved my jaw I wasn't kidding, I dropped again. My body was begging to stay down. But no, Hell no. My pride wouldn’t let me. I crawled, hands slipping on the blood-slick floor. My own blood.

“You done?” he asked, walking in slow, circling like a vulture ... I mean he is a vulture.

I laughed through the blood in my mouth. “f**k you.”

Another kick landed square in my gut. I folded over, wheezing, the wind knocked clean outta me. My vision dimmed at the edges, but my brain refused to blackout not my brain actually, I refused. Every part of me was screaming, bones threatening mutiny, but I got up.

Slow.

Shaky, But up... at least my hand was still respecting itself.

My fists trembled as I raised them again, chin lifted even as blood dripped down my neck. “Come on, Nikita. Hit me like you mean it.” yeah I knew I was purposely tempting him to make the first move am not too stupid.

he didn’t hesitate. he lunged.

But this time, I was ready.

I ducked under her punch and slammed my shoulder into his ribs. It was weak, but unexpected. he grunted. I used the second he hesitated to jab his thigh twice, right at a nerve point. Thank you, biology practical manual.

He gasped, stepping back, off balance.

And that’s when the beast in me snapped.

I launched forward with a roar, slamming my fist into his stomach, then his jaw. he stumbled. I gripped his collar and headbutted him. Pain exploded in my skull, but it was worth it. he reeled backward, dazed, blinking fast.

I pounced.

Punch. Punch. Uppercut. Elbow. I didn’t care that I was screaming. Didn’t care that tears mixed with blood on my face. I hit him like my life depended on it. Because it f*****g did.

he tried to counter, but I caught his wrist, twisted it, and kicked his leg, right at the same nerve spot. he collapsed with a shout.

I straddled her, fists raised. he threw one desperate punch that grazed my cheek, and I answered by slamming his head into the mat.

The crowd went quiet.

Like dead quiet.

My chest rose and fell like I was breathing fire. I stared down at him . Nikita was out cold.

Gone.

I f*****g won.

I stumbled back, blood-soaked, half-conscious, but victorious. I stood in the middle of the ring and roared. My throat burned. My body? Broken. But my pride? Intact.

Commander Ivan or whatever his name was stepped forward, eyes gleaming like a damn proud devil. “Well done,” he muttered.

I collapsed before I could even respond.