The Devil Has My Heart

Chapter 7 - Trials

After a long morning of working out and training, Jason and Akira head to their room to shower before going out for food and shopping. When the couple steps out of the hotel, they see lots of other fighters outside chatting amongst themselves.

"Jason Calebson?" A woman's voice can be heard from behind them. They turn to see another popular fighter by the name of Trinity Neason standing behind them. "Can we help you?" Akira says sarcastically. Trinity looks at her with distain, then directs her attention back onto Jason, her eyes full of desire. 

"You're Jason Calebson, aren't you? I have seen a lot of your fights. You are certainly one of the best in the world." She looks him up and down, twirling her short blonde hair between her fingers as she flashed him a sexy smile. "Thank you. You are Trinity Neason, right? I have seen quite a bit of your fights as well." Jason smiled at her. Akira began burning a hole into the side of his head with her flaming glare.

Trinity was a very attractive woman. She has sun kissed skin and a platinum blonde bob hair cut. Her eyes are baby blue and she stands five inches taller than Akira, at 5'9". Her build is thin with very long legs. She grabs the attention of anyone when she walks into a room. 

"Are we done here? We have somewhere to be." Akira interjects. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you and your friend were busy." Trinity waved her hand at Akira and that was enough to set Akira off. "b***h, I'm his girlfriend, although I am sure you already knew that. You wanna play dumb like you don't know my name? I will make you regret that." Akira stomped aggressively forward and Jason grabbed her by her waist. 

"Hey babe, relax." he said in her ear. Akira yanked away from him, her eyes still throwing knives in his face. She directs her attention back to Trinity and spits a very clear warning. "I will see you when the tournament starts." Trinity smiled pompously at her as she walked away. 

Akira stands there a moment watching Trinity before she turns back to Jason. She stares at him for a second, then brushes him off as he tries to wrap his arms around her. "f**k off." She power walked to the crosswalk, not looking back for Jason.

"Akira! KiKi, wait baby!" She pressed the button to cross and waited for the signal. "What was that about? Why are you so angry?" Akira punched Jason in the chest then began walking across the street. "Hey! What the hell was that for?!" 

"For being so f*****g stupid." Akira kept power walking trying to create distance between her and Jason. Jason caught up with her and grabbed her from behind, this time not letting her push him away. "Let me go goddamn it!" She struggled hard to get out of his grasp but he would not let her go. 

"Tell me why you're angry and I will." he said in her ear. She tried to elbow him in the face but he side stepped, then grabbed her arm and spun her around. "Would you just talk to me, please? What did I do?" At that moment Jason realized she had tears in her eyes. "Whoa. Baby, why are you crying?"

His face softened with concern. "You are a f*****g i***t, Jason. You really just stood there in my f*****g face and let that w***e disrespect me! You were even flirting with her right in front of me!" Akira yelled, catching the attention of people passing by. 

She tried to storm off again but he grabbed her once more. "Baby I was not flirting with her. I would never do that! I guess I didn't realize what she was trying to do." He ran his fingers through his hair bashfully. "How could you f*****g not realize that b***h was flirting with you and acting as if she doesn't know me or know I'm your woman? 

You just stood there and let it happen! I don't want to be near you right now." Akira began walking away and Jason sped up to step in front of her. "Baby please. You must know I would never do anything like that intentionally. Really, I just was distracted. I would never, EVER do anything intentional to hurt you Akira. You must know that. 

No random b***h could ever make me stray from you, ever. I swear it." He stepped closer to her and cradled her head in his large hands. He used his thumbs to caress her soft brown skin before leaving a gentle kiss on her beautiful full lips. 

"Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you or make you cry." Akira placed her hand on his, running her fingers over his rough tanned, tattooed arm. "Fine. But it if happens again, she dies and so will you." Jason chuckled and pulled her in for another kiss. Jason deepened the kiss and they both almost forgot they were standing outside in the middle of a busy California street. 

"Do you want to go back to our room and let off some tension?" Jason breathed lustfully in her ear. "Mmm that sounds nice....but not as nice as lunch. I'm hungry." She pulled away from Jason and began walking down the street. 

The next day started very early for the three friends. Trials for the uninvited attendees started at six in the morning, so Jason and Akira got up early to support their friend as he tried to secure his place in the first round of fights. They all arrived at the arena and the place is already packed. 

"Damn, I didn't realize so many people who weren't invited were gonna be trying out." Eddy expressed, nervously. "Just relax Ed, you've got this." Jason said, massaging his friend's shoulders to pump him up for the trials ahead.

"Eddy, you can do this. Did you speak to Chris this morning?" Eddy nodded. "Yeah, I called her right before I met you two downstairs. I wish she was here though." Eddy found an unoccupied spot on in the lobby and started to stretch. "We will go see if there's a spot we can sit and watch. Good luck." Jason fist bumped his friend and him and Akira walked hand and hand into the trial arena together. 

"Hey Jason. So you're here supporting your friend, huh? That is very sweet of you." A familiar female voice could be heard coming into the half empty arena. It was Trinity. Jason immediately wrapped his arms around Akira and pulled her close. "Yes, we are." Trinity looked at them perplexed. "Oh you I meant her. Isn't she trying out today?" 

Before Akira could react, Jason spoke up. "You know damn well she was given an invitation to be here. My woman and I are here supporting a friend that wasn't. Now if you'll excuse us..." Jason kissed Akira on the neck and led her to some open chairs down the aisle. "I love you so f*****g much." she said under her breath, but not looking at him. A smile crept onto Jason's face. 

"Well I wasn't about to have the love of my life as upset as she was yesterday. I still feel like s**t about that, by the way." Akira looked up at Jason and leaned into his chest. "No need. I forgive you, especially after that. Put that b***h right in her place." Jason laughed. They sat down and waited for the trials to begin. 

This series of fights would determine what people would be the final six to join the first rounds of the tournament. Eddy came out and stood in a long line of other male fighters ready to compete for their chance to join the tournament. 

A long line of women formed at the opposite side of the arena. An announcer came in from the double doors and stepped to the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen! We are here today to determine who shall be the remaining six contenders to join the Golden Dragon Tournament. 

Each of you have been paired at random to compete. There will be a series of battles until we are down to the final six men and the final six women. It will be then that those six men and women will be paired off once more to compete. The last three women and the last three men standing will be our final six contenders that will join the elite fighters for the official tournament. We will begin with ladies first."

The announcer called for two women to begin the fights. The women by the name of Alice Grey defeated her opponent quickly with very little effort. "I'm calling it now. That chick will make it into the tournament for sure. She's bad." Akira whispered to Jason, quite impressed with the newcomer. 

Jason and Akira watched as the matches went on. Some were hard fought while others ended within seconds. After a couple of hours and a few breaks, Eddy made his way down to the final six men. The final six women were determined and another break was called. 

"I'm gonna face time Christina and let her give him a pep talk. He's looking pretty tired." Jason kissed Akira on her temple and called Christina before walking over to his friend. "Hey Jason, how's it going? Did Eddy make it?" 

"That's why I'm calling. He is in the finals but he's looking like he needs a talking from you. Hey man." Jason reaches Eddy as he is pouring cool water over his head. "Hey man, what's going on?" Jason hands him the phone and Eddy's face lights up. 

"Hey baby! I'm almost there. Just got one more dude to get through. How are things at the dojo?" Jason looked over at his girlfriend and noticed she was looking uncomfortable. After Eddy finished his conversation with Christina, Jason hurried back to Akira who had her head in her hands. "Babe? Are you okay? What's going on?"

She looked up at him with a pained, uncomfortable look on her face. "I don't feel too good right now. I need some fresh air." Jason looked at her a moment then touched her face. She felt cold and clammy. "Come on, babe. I'll take you outside for a little while." 

Jason helped Akira out of her seat. As they walked towards the door, Jason caught Eddy staring at them with his arms out, as if to silently ask his friends where they were going. "We will be right back, man!" Jason yelled over the bustling of the conversations in the arena, then took Akira outside for a drink of water and some air. 

Jason looked at Akira attentively as she sipped on her bottle of water and took a few deep breaths. "You getting nervous for the tournament?" Jason asked. Akira looked up at him, her eyebrow raised. "What? No, of course not. I just started feeling a little nauseous out of nowhere. It might be from being so close to that b***h Trinity." 

She chuckles and Jason smiled at her. "Are you feeling better now, KiKi? I think the finals are starting up soon. Eddy will be looking for us." Akira gulped down the final bit of water and threw the bottle into the trash before Jason scooped her up bridal style and took her back inside.