Cero winded up a punch, throwing it with his greatest might. Deacon watched the attack get closer before weaving around the strike. He stopped his fist short of Cero's face before poking his nose.
Deacon: You depended on a single strike too much again.
Cero: A single strike is all one needs to turn the tides.
Deacon: Deep stuff, doesn't matter if it doesn't land.
Deacon walked over to the bench behind Cero, picking up a box of fries and wolfing down several. He turned back to Cero, who stared at him with furrowed eyes.
Cero: You're a rare case. I find it impossible for opponents to dodge my attacks easily.
Deacon: You're right. I'm a one-of-a-kind person. Automatic and my natural movements make me the hardest man to hit. But you, on the other hand, can be dodged by more than me.
Cero: I find that hard to believe.
Deacon: Two examples I can make right now are the heads of Pulsar and Titanomachy. They'd probably beat you without taking a hit. Theodore is another one as well. Jason is a fast kid, so he'll probably dodge some attacks of yours. And there's Co-
Cero: Impossible. Each of those names you stated would fall to my fists.
Deacon: If you can hit them, sure. Your greatest weakness right now is that fighters are more mobile, agile, and faster than you. You can probably take out most people with a single hit, but if you're not likely to land it, it doesn't matter how strong you are.
Deacon placed down his box of fries, walking back onto the mat. Cero looked down at the man, who wore a smug grin on his face. Deacon pushed a finger onto Cero's chest.
Deacon: You're a strong guy, Cero. Stronger than nearly everyone I've fought. But your strength won't get you out of every scenario. You need to rely on your foresight more.
Cero: Why?
Deacon: C'mon now. You know foresight is basically what most of you top ten fighters use to make your mark. You can dodge most attacks you predict and prevent others from dodging your hits.
Cero's eyebrows raised as Deacon's grin turned to a wide smile.
Deacon: Now you're catching on. You can catch even the slimiest fighters if you can read what they'll do next. They each might have unique ways to dodge and avoid hits, but body language is something hard to fake. You read their intent and their bodies and you'll eventually land each of your instant knockout hits.
Deacon turned away from Cero, walking with his hands behind his head. He leaned over to his right as Cero's left fist flew past him.
Deacon: A bit too early to try that on me, though. I basically have three-sixty vision.
Cero: And I'll get past it one day.
…
Cero continued his march towards Remy, whose breathing was irregular. The pain and fear he felt mixed in his body as he saw the unstoppable object in Cero move closer. He hugged himself, attempting to keep his shivers under control. The pressure that Cero emitted filled Remy was an unexplainable dread. Remy's mind flashed with images of his friends and Nupan. He released his hug, running directly at Cero.
Carrie: What are you doing, you idiot?!
Angel: He has a death wish!
Hugo: Is he suicidal?
Li: Or is this a strategy?
Remy ran to Cero, who threw forward a quick jab. Remy slid under his opponent's punch and between his legs. Cero predicted this before throwing a back kick that hit Remy's back. Blood spewed from his mouth as he flew forward from the momentum of the kick. He rolled across the ring floor before hitting his staff. He looked up, jumping to his feet as he pulled his staff from the ground. Remy looked back to Cero, who had lunged forward and was moments away from landing his strike. Remy's body slammed the bottom of his staff into the ground, pushing himself away from Cero's strike. The punch collided with the ground, forming a large crater.
Remy's thoughts: He's… He's a monster… I'll die if I get hit…
Cero whipped around, lunging at Remy with speed unimaginable for someone his size. Remy's body had finally succumbed to the fear that had been building up. His land loosened as he watched the large mass approach him. Cero's fist swung like a wrecking ball. Remy wanted to move, but he was too late. The punch connected with his stomach, distorting Remy's face with pain. The gasps from the audience did not come as a result of the strike that Cero had landed, but the damage Cero had taken. Remy's staff had dropped in just a way that it aimed directly at Cero's throat. Cero's momentum pushed his throat into the staff, damaging his breathing. Cero staggered back, the impact of his strike weakened. Remy fell to his knees, the feeling of vomit rising from his stomach. Cero held his neck tightly, rage filling his eyes.
Cero's thoughts: This bastard… This was not skill, this was not talent. This was nothing more than luck! He is no fighter. He's nothing but a lucky bastard!
Cero's eyes flared with the rage that filled his mind. He grabbed the back of Remy's gi, pulling the fighter up before landing a punch to the man's gut.
Cero's thoughts: You're nothing but a rat! A lucky rat!
Cero released his grasp of Remy's gi, using both fists to strike Remy. All Remy could do is raise his forearms in defense, feeling each strike crack his bones and damage his muscles. His arms turned horrific shades of black and purple. Cero threw a hook punch across Remy's face, blood flying with the punch. Everyone in the audience gasped, Zachary and Zenzo watching horrified at the match before them. The referee stared with wide eyes at the one-sided slaughter before him. Tears began to build up in Carrie's eyes as she watched Remy stay standing from the beating.
Carrie: I'm… so sorry…
Angel: Just quit already!
Ziyad: This is… torture.
Theresa: I can't bear to watch.
Remy's body turned bright shades of red before quickly turning black and purple. Each of Cero's strikes was more painful than anything he had experienced in his life. Every member of the Arachna stared at the monitor, watching the match before them.
Hiroto: You defeated that man before?
Daymond: I did. It was not that long ago, yet I feel as if a rematch would have an unclear winner. The strength he is displaying here is not even his true might.
Yussuf: His first match destroyed the ring heavily, but this match… It hurts to watch…
Hiroto: This is truly… inhuman.
Remy moved his staff in front of one of Cero's strikes, flying back from the impact. Cero pulled back his fist, watching blood drip from Remy's arms. His face was bloodied, bruised, and swollen. Despite this punishment, Cero looked into the one eye of Remy's which was not swollen shut. That eye told Cero everything he needed to know about his opponent.
Remy's thoughts: I… won't give up…
Man 1: Just forfeit already!
Man 2: You did enough, just stop!
Woman: Someone stop this!
Cero noticed how heavily he was breathing. Kammy wore a look of fear as he watched Cero.
Kammy: He went into a blind rage, completely ignoring his neck… His breathing is taking a heavy toll on his performance.
Ryan: That Remy kid got really lucky with that shot. This is his last chance.
Remy widened his stance, holding onto his staff tightly. He could feel his mind pulse as he forced himself to stand. Despite all the pain and damage, Remy only could think of one thing.
Remy's thoughts: My friends… they're waiting for me to win… My king and queen… are relying on me…
Remy's one eye flared up with a burst of adrenaline. His sights focused solely on Cero's neck. He aimed to crush it in one last thrust. He focused all of his strength into his legs as he charged at his opponent. Cero watched as Remy charged forward, his body overflowing with his desire to win. Cero's face lost its anger, finding respect in Remy's pride as he cleared his mind.
Cero's thought: This boy, he continues to push forward. I see why you chose him now, Theodore.
Cero clenched his left fist, lunging forward. The distance between the two closed as they moved closer and closer to one another. Cero cocked back his fist, Remy tightening his grip on his staff. Both fighters' attacks flew at the other. Everyone leaned forward in their seats, watching the final clash. Remy's staff made its way to Cero's neck, sliding past it with incredible speed. Blood spilled from Cero's neck as Remy's staff flew past. Members of the audience had their faces filled with grief as they watched the conclusion. Cero's fist connected with Remy's head, slamming into the side with unimaginable force. Remy's eye rolled back as his body flew with the punch. His vision went dark, his mind blending everything together all before his body hit the ground. Cero held his pose, watching his opponent come to a halt. Remy laid on the ground for several moments, the only movement coming from his chest. His faint breathing was picked up by Gonzalez's ears.
Zachary: WE HAVE A WINNER! AND THAT WINNER IS CERO RAY LAMOOOOOOTTAAAAAAAA!!!
The audience erupted in loud cheers and screams as Cero basked in the attention. He held his throat tightly, turning away from his opponent.
Cero: You were a brave fighter. I can see you have yet to reach your peak. Continue to train and grow stronger. I would enjoy a rematch with you.
Cero walked towards his entrance where Kammy and Ryan ran over to him. Ryan wrapped an arm around Cero's beck with Kammy lightly punching Cero's arm. Bruna, Vector, Mason, and Tico all stood at the entrance of the hallway, cheering.
Bruna: Y-You did it! We didn't d-d-doubt you for a moment!
Mason: I got a bit worried when you ran into the staff, though.
Vector: But man, were you really going to impale the guy?
Cero: I do not hesitate to make whatever choice I must to attain victory.
The group disappeared in the hallway as paramedics ran into the ring. They quickly picked up Remy with Carrie at his side. Gonzalez's ears perked up as he heard her quiet words among the loud audience.
Carrie: I'm so sorry, Remy. You… you were amazing out there.
Gonzalez's focus was broken as Jason bumped his shoulder.
Jason: Shame that your teammate lost his match. He did pretty well despite being weaker in every way.
Gonzalez: He performed as well as I hoped. I hope he takes this as a learning experience.
Jason: That match got me pretty excited. I can't wait for our match.
Gonzalez: That is if we win our matches this round.
Both fighters stood in silence, facing the other. Jason turned back to the hallway.
Jason: Great, can't wait to fight you.
He disappeared as Gonzalez wore a faint smile on his face.
Gonzalez: I'll make sure to make you proud, Remy.