South Gerta was well-known for its tropical climate and rainforests. Ferries, boats and rafts were the common forms of transports since there were an abundance of rivers.
South Gerta has three great tribes and hundreds of minor ones. Daya in the middle, Nangguk to its left and Xianshu to the right. While there are independant minor tribes, most of them swear fealty towards those three.
In the participants section, where all of them are shirtless, Gana was seen to be crossing his legs as his mind replayed the fight over and over again. His visualization and imagination grew firmer even without his eyes to confirm his surroundings for all his life. Every participant sat few meters away from him as they saw him more of a freak.
'Who is this Gana kid?' Both Xianshu's and Nangguk's chief directed their underlings to pry his background. Those among the Daya faithful looked at him with mixed emotions. They all knew that Chief Apparu's concubine, Leha, favored him greatly. They thought she was just taking pity on a meek, blind child. Just a friend for her twins that she bore. Never would have they thought that Gana would demonstrate his prowess in fighting against Daya's own heir no less.
"Step into the ring, Gana and Priyata."
The crowd this time cheered for the Nangguk's heir that will face this surprise package. Gana sensed his opponent in front of him as they both put their arms diagonal to their chest and bowed.
'The twins said he's nimble one and loves to do kicks.' Gana thought inwardly.
Priyata scanned this junior two years younger than him. He still remembered his father advising to be not complacent. 'Indeed, in this little man's body hide a ferocious amount of strength if he's able to do that to Zarr.' The referee signaled to them fight.
Both took a stance and stand for one minute just holding their position. The audience could feel the tension rising as they both circled around the ring.
Gana heighten his senses more so that he won't lose his sense of directions. His ears tracked the footsteps, his nose detected the smell of sweat while skin noticed the changes in air current.
They both stopped circling each other. Unexpected of everybody who thought Gana would be on the defensive, he rushed forward for a takedown as his arms spread open like a butterfly.
Priyata saw this as cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Naive!" He shouted before executing a front kick to catch Gana on his face. The sound around his kick vibrates similar to a bullet. Some of the audience shut their eyes in fear of Gana being bombed . Instead of landing it, Priyata saw Gana slid under his right leg that was used for the front kick.
After sliding on his back, he rotated his body as he caught Priyata's pivot leg with a leg kick. Priyata fell right on his back as Gana pursued by assuming a top mount position. His hand began rifling Priyata's face endlessly with hooks and straights while slipping a cheeky elbow.
The referee immediately pushed away Gana as soon as he saw Priyata arms relaxed. This time, the crowd cheered for Gana instead of falling silent. Gana did his signature celebration of pumping his fist to the sky again. His confidence skyrocketed for he truly believed he's able to compete. For years he cursed himself for being blind and weak.
'Not anymore, bring on anybody in front of me.' He shouted inside his head. Chieftain Panglo of the Nangguk Great Tribe squeezed the armrest of his seat while a vein seen bulging from his head. He turn towards his advisor, "How the fuck did those Dayas were able to find this kid and we missed the window to get him,hmm?" Every other tribe shared the same sentiment, including the Xianshu. Though they are unable to do much as Gana has ties with the Daya.
"You know bro, I think we need to reassess Gana from this point on." Durman voiced his concern.
Darman nodded, "Looks like we still underestimated him, he's no longer a kid that we used to bully."
Gana returned to the waiting section. All the other Pencak participants looked at him with more awe and respect. He ignored all these eyes that he felt and just sat down to replay the fight over and over in his head.
A few more rounds took place with Gana breezing through some of them. It is the quarters and all the crowd were discussing about was just one match. Gana vs Koku.
The strongest of the three great tribes' heirs, Koku of Xianshu. Every important figure of this festival are drawn towards this match. Nawar who was disinterested throughout the day asked Leha," You think that boy can win again?" Leha didn't answer, she just grinned.
"It seems your talent of spotting talent will showits worth once again." Nawar commented as her eyes directed at the ring.
Chief Kunais of Xianshu on the other hand seems completely confident. There's a reason for that, his son is pretty much the jewel of this young generation who are head and shoulders above everyone.
"Lightning won't strike thrice. Right?" Durman looked at both Gana and Koku approaching the ring.
"Its down to Gana really. He just need a window and end this match like he did previously." Darman analysed.
Gana stood before Koku. As they bowed with their right along their chest. Gana has a mental note on this Xianshu's heir, 'Very well-rounded, no real weaknesses, can grapple and pack a punch.'
"Your streak ends here, dark horse."
Koku took a stance with one fist near his face while other on his hip. Gana didn't respond as he took an orthodox boxing stance. Unlike the match against Priyata, Koku rushed forward as he unleashes a barrage of punches. Gana was able to either dodge or block as he went full turtle mode on his guard. Despite not take any real damage, he wasn't able to counter attack since Koku arm speed was abnormally fast coupled with his insane cardio. Under pressure from the barrage, Gana sensed there was an opening as Koku's right fist slowed down a bit so he launched a straight. He thought wrong for it was a trap. Koku took one step back before triggering a roundhouse kick.
PANG!
It slammed onto Gana's left arm while he was trying to block. The sound effect resembles that of a gunfire that shook the hearts of the audience. A large bump began forming on his arm. He gritted his teeth in pain as his left arm dangled. 'FUCK! This guy's kick power is better than Priyata's.' Cursing inwardly, Gana ducked the incoming jab only to be met by an uppercut. His body fell back wards. His head was reeling from that clean shot that Koku commits. Koku not giving him any breathing space, slid forward to do a top mount.
In this moment, Gana felt Koku's leg so he instantaneously react to sweep kick Koku's right leg as he spin his body body causes Koku to fall affront. Koku swore inside, 'This bitch was still able to catch even when downed, damn it.' Koku tries his best to roll to escape from this submission attempt but to no avail. Gana was also rolling, following his movements as both his arms lock onto Koku's heel and twist his hips. "ARRGH!" Koku not wanting to give up, screamed in agony. Again the crowd's hearts shook from this high level fight. After a few moments of suffering in a heel hook, Koku finally tapped.
After letting go, Gana pumped his fist once again. The crowd cheers was pulsating when the underdog won his fight again.
Gana!
Gana!
Gana!
"Absolute madman. He got hit clean but was still able to do a submission!?" Durman exclaimed.
"I don't think our chances of winning is high anymore after this." Darman shook his head.
It was a historic day for Gana for he was touted as the "Heir-Hunter" of South Gerta. A start of a legend.