The mats.
Atlas and the girl facing each other.
"No holding back," Isabella said from the side. "Fight like you mean it. Both of you."
Atlas hesitated. Then moved.
He struck fast. Hard. Testing her defense.
She blocked. Countered. Her movements sharper than before. More aggressive.
They exchanged blows. Atlas pulling his strikes. Not wanting to really hurt her.
But the girl—she wasn't pulling hers.
She hit him. Ribs. Kidney. Jaw.
Real hits. With real force.
Atlas staggered. "Okay, okay—"
"Don't stop," Isabella commanded. "Keep fighting."
The girl came at him again. Relentless.
Atlas had to actually defend himself. Actually fight back.
He swept her legs. She went down. Got back up immediately. Came at him again.
He caught her wrist. Twisted. She should have stopped. Should ha
