Chapter 11
1275 Words
“You focused?” she asked quietly, her fingers moving fast and sure.
“Always.”
“No emotions in the ring, Pyra. You lose your head, you lose the fight,” she said firmly.
“I don’t plan on losing anything tonight. Not ever,” I murmured, eyes fixed on the mirror.
She tied off the last braid with a tight snap, then gave my shoulder a light pat.
“Good. Stakes are high tonight. The crowd’s wild.”
I stood, rolling my shoulders as I felt the switch flip inside my head.
“Let’s get this over with. I have a quiz tomorrow,” I said dryly, earning a short laugh from her.
“College life, huh,” she said with a shake of her head, wearing that annoying grin of hers.
“Easy for you to say—you’ve already graduated.”
We stepped into the hallway and walked toward the ring, the soft hum of music growing into a pounding bass mixed with muffled cheers. The kind of sound that made my blood race. The kind of sound I craved.
At the end of the hallway was a metal door, glowing faintly red under the overhead lights.
Beyond it—the ring.
And whoever thought they could break me tonight.
Patina gave my braid one last tug—tight, secure.
“No crying. No backing down.”
“Crying’s not in my nature,” I shot back, smirking as the adrenaline started to build.
Patina stepped back, pulling her copper hair into a ponytail. Normally wild and loose, it now gleamed like fire under the lights, tamed into a sleek line that only made her more intimidating.
She didn’t need much makeup. Her features did all the talking. Brows arched just enough to throw a silent challenge, and her eyes—dark, sharp—looked right through you. They held a dangerous glint, seductive and ruthless. Her lips, naturally pink and full, curved into a knowing smirk.
“You look like you could burn this place down with just a look,” I said, leaning slightly over her shoulder. We were the same height, thankfully.
She smirked, playing with her perfectly maintained nails. She once said she was happy to retire from Taekwondo just so she could finally grow them long. She's weird.
“And you’re about to do the same. Just with your fists.”
I couldn’t help but grin.
“They don’t stand a chance.”
“You sure about your opponent tonight? He’s a guy. Might be a little more than you can handle,” Patina raised a brow, feigning concern. I wasn’t sure if she was worried about me—or about the money she bet on me.
“No women left to fight. No one wants to try,” I said with a cocky grin.
Technically, it was unfair and dangerous to go against men. Their strength was on a different level. But I had no choice. No woman dared to challenge me anymore. Annoying, really.
She gave me a side-eye and nudged my head off her shoulder.
“Your arrogance is overflowing.”
“Watch and see,” I said with a smug grin.
Patina chuckled softly, no doubt in her tone.
“Go shred someone’s ego. Show them the face of someone who’s been burning for this.”
I cracked my neck and rolled my shoulders, the fire inside me roaring to life.
“Oh, I will. Don’t worry about me.”
This time, I didn’t look back.
I closed my eyes as the door slowly opened, and the crowd roared my name like a chant, relentless and rising. The moment I opened my eyes, I was hit by a blinding light. The arena was packed. Every eye was on me.
I kept my focus sharp as I walked toward the ring, where my opponent already stood. He was bigger, bulkier, covered in tattoos. Smirking—underestimating me.
Big mistake.
“And now…” the announcer’s voice rolled through the speakers, slow and deliberate. “From the depths of fire…”
My face stayed blank. No emotion. No hints. I would remain unreadable—and unstoppable.
“…the one who never backs down. The one who turns pressure into power, rage into ruin…”
Red and gold lights pulsed across the warehouse walls. I could already smell the blood, sweat, and smoke.
“…fearless, relentless, unstoppable…”
A pause—like the breath before the blow.
“…the flame that scorches everything in its path…”
“In the right corner—the monster, the queen of the underground—give it up for PYRA!”
The room exploded.
Cheers thundered. The ring lit up in reds, golds, and oranges—like someone had set fire to the sun.
And I stepped right into it.
The heat slapped me across the face. Sweat pooled at the back of my neck.
God, it felt good.
“Looks like tonight’s your first loss, Pyra,” he sneered, cracking his neck like it would intimidate me.
I looked him over, unimpressed.
“It’s a little early to call.”
He chuckled dryly, stepping forward like a man who thought he was invincible.
“I’ve seen your fights. You dance like it’s ballet. That pretty face? I’m giving it a souvenir tonight.”
I tilted my head, smirking.
“You sound like someone who’s never been punched in the throat.”
He froze. Hit a nerve.
He shook it off quickly, puffing his chest.
“Keep talking. I’ll make you swallow those words—along with your mouthguard.”
I could already feel my irritation rising. His face was annoying enough. His voice just made it worse.
He leaned in closer and I frowned. Not only was he cocky—he had bad breath.
“You’re not invincible, Pyra. Just a girl with fast feet and too much attitude.”
I held his gaze, calm and still.
“Cute,” he spat. “You’ll be kissing the floor tonight.”
I laughed—small, bored.
“You’re loud. That usually means one thing—your fists can’t back up your mouth.”
The crowd stirred. Murmurs grew. Betting slips were exchanged in the shadows.
I scanned his body. Not out of interest—out of strategy.
Every fighter has a story. His? Worthless. Just like him.
In this game, fists aren’t enough. You need precision. You need a plan. That’s how you win. Find the weak spot—then destroy it.
His stance was too wide. Overconfident. A classic boxer’s mistake.
“I’ll make sure to hit that pretty face of yours,” he said loud enough for the audience to hear.
I blinked slowly. Then smiled.
“Sure you will.”
His nostrils flared like he was about to charge.
I didn’t flinch. I studied him.
His breathing—off. Too fast for someone who hasn’t thrown a punch yet. Poor stamina. That’ll bite him later.
Right side, near his ribs—tight, guarded. A faint yellow bruise still healing.
There it is.
A weakness.
I licked my lips, rolled my shoulders. My muscles hummed with energy.
He’s already bleeding.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
He came here thinking he could hit my face?
Let’s see how long that confidence lasts.
His right stance was off. The crowd wouldn’t notice. But I did.
That’s my target.
“Hope you said goodbye to your ego before stepping in,” I murmured.
He rolled his shoulders, breathing like a bull.
“Let’s see if you’re still standing in five minutes.”
You’ll be lucky if you last two.
- Writer
