2 years before the events of the tournament…
Gonzalez punched a punching bag off its chain, sending it flying across the room. Sonia watched on with her arms crossed, nodding.
Sonia: You're getting better, Gonzalez.
Gonzalez: Hardly. Don't we have any with more weight and stronger chains? Or should I just go to boulder training now.
Sonia: You could, I have my own training spot that King Oneiroi let me have. They bring in boulder and metal structures to let me stay on my a-game.
Gonzalez: Thanks, I'll take you up on that offer. But first…
Gonzalez turned and faced the man wearing a helmet that sat in a chair watching the two chat.
Gonzalez: What is he doing here? I don't think he's properly in the Owl Team, right?
Sonia: He isn't, but he's definitely strong enough to qualify. Introduce yourself, Oneiroi boy.
Abraham: Yes! My name is Abraham Oneiroi! I'm very interested in training with you, Mr. Muertojos!
Gonzalez: Uhh… Just call me Gonzalez. I'm not very interested in being called a mister…
Abraham: Certainly! I'll call you Gonzalez Muertojos from now on!
Gonzalez: Just Gonzalez is fine. And no need to be so formal, I'm just like everyone else.
Sonia: Yeah, because everyone can punch an above average sandbag off its chain.
Gonzalez: Shut it, you.
Abraham: It'll be an honor to train beside you, Gonzalez! I've heard nothing but great things about you from my father and the other members of the Brigade!
The year went on with Abraham being the most punctual of everyone that Gonzalez had trained with. While Sonia would become uninterested, or Remy would be too frightened, or Daniel would be easily distracted, Abraham never lost focus. He had done everything he could to keep up with Gonzalez, building Gonzalez's trust as the days became weeks, which became months. Abraham became one of the people Gonzalez had respected the most, even if he was not able to keep up the same pace. He pushed himself harder, making his status of what would seem like a prodigy seem even more believable. Gonzalez sat at a bar counter with Sonia, holding a water bottle in his hand.
Gonzalez: He's a great kid. He's able to train with me and keep up with his swordsmanship. He'll go far, I know that much.
Sonia: Yeah, he has a bright future. I just wish he wasn't involved in those stupid underground matches you all seem to be into.
Gonzalez: It's a great training experience. Don't knock it till you try it.
When Gonzalez saw Abraham's brutalized body, a flame was ignited within him. A flame that began to burn bright.
…
Gonzalez slapped Joseph's fist away then stopped a spear hand just short of the boxer's throat.
Gonzalez: That would have been your death.
Joseph's eyes twitched as he unleashed a blurred mess of fists aimed directly at Gonzalez. Gonzalez's arms moved perfectly, knocking each fist off course. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, throwing his own fist forward and pushing Joseph back. Joseph's face twisted from the sudden blow, his eyes shaking in a rage.
Gonzalez: What happened to your confidence from a moment ago?
Zachary: What is happening right now?! The lead that Joseph seemed to have had a moment ago has seemingly disappeared!
In the infirmary of the doctor known as Bodin, the members of the Arachna all sat and watched the match before them. They all watched the match carefully with Simon and Yussuf watching with shock.
Yussuf: This guy… He's insane…
Simon: He's able to do this well after that last match, no wonder you had so much confidence in him.
Simon turned to Daymond, who smiled. He flipped through the pages of his book until it landed on Gonzalez, who ranked number four within the entire organization.
Daymond: Gonzalez is one of the more interesting fighters. He always means business, but this is one of the few times I get to see him play with his food. It gets me really excited, I hope I get to fight him.
Shizu: You're quite lively for someone who should be recovering right now.
Bodin: Let him have his fun. The more people he fights, the more he grows.
Hiroto: Why are you people so concerning? But I can't deny that this Gonzalez guy is impressive. His name reminds me of something…
Despite Joseph's outlash, his footwork remained consistent. Each blow he threw remained with its full power, something Gonzalez noticed as he blocked each attack. Joseph's once peaceful heart had spiked in its beating rate. Even if he kept his consistency, he was unable to keep his composure. Each strike was easily readable to the blindfolded combatant. Each strike was as clear as day.
Gonzalez: Allow me to assist.
Joseph's eyes wavered as he heard those words through his enraged assault. Gonzalez's spear hand flew through the storm of fists, landing perfectly on Joseph's chest. The contact sent sensations through the boxer's body, racing straight to his heart. Gonzalez stepped back as Joseph held his chest. Joseph's mind raced as his heart grew calm.
Joseph's thoughts: WHAT THE HELL DID HE JUST DO??! MY HEART FEELS… calm.
Joseph's eyes relaxed as he gripped his chest. His breathing had calmed, his mind had stopped racing. He felt at peace for a moment. Gonzalez stood across from him with not a single look of interest.
Gonzalez: Go back to that style you were using. I don't want to hear a single excuse as to why you lost.
Joseph looked up at him, a smile appearing on his face. He let out a chuckle before breaking out into full laughter.
Joseph: HAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU'RE HILARIOUS, YOU KNOW THAT?!
Joseph dropped his head, his eyes meeting Gonzalez's blindfold.
Joseph: I'll make sure that decision is your undoing.
Joseph's form refined itself, his stance had perfected itself. He charged at Gonzalez, releasing a quick right straight. Gonzalez felt the vibrations in the air, moving his right hand to catch Joseph's fist. His head perked up as Joseph's hand wrapped around Gonzalez's hand, pulling him to the side. The right straight changed course at the last moment, striking Gonzalez on the side. Gonzalez grunted as the right fist turned into an uppercut. Gonzalez's left hand shot out, Joseph weaved past it and unleashed a powerful left hook. He continued his forward motion, forcing Gonzalez back as he unleashed his powerful strikes.
Joseph's thoughts: You made a mistake, Gonzalez. Once I'm able to compose myself, I can make the most of the boxer-puncher style. Not only that, I'm able to make great use of the southpaw form of boxing despite being right dominant. I can change my boxing style quick enough to overcome your lil pokes. You killed me once? You should have committed, because no one will come to your aid. Not your king, not the Arachna. You will die in this ring!
Joseph's right straight moved faster than any punch he had ever thrown. The power moved from his legs, up his back, and into his fist. He aimed to knock Gonzalez down to the ground right there. Gonzalez moved his body forward, wrapping his right leg around Joseph's left. He swept the boxer's foot, knocking him off balance. Gonzalez moved past the straight and slammed his palm into Joseph's chin. Joseph fell on his back, gasps released from the audience.
Man 1: Isn't he supposed to be the super middleweight champion?
Man 2: What the hell is he doing on his ass?
Woman 1: Is the underground too much for even him?
Joseph's thoughts: What?
Joseph looked up at Gonzalez, then around at the ring.
Woman 2: Maybe he isn't as impressive as we thought…
Man 3: It only makes sense. Gonzalez took on a supernatural serial killer, what chance did Joseph have?
Joseph's thoughts: Shut up…
Man 1: Maybe he should retire. Not much of a future for someone doing that poorly against someone so injured.
Man 2: You're right. Gonzalez isn't even fighting at his best.
Joseph's thoughts: SHUT UP! YOU BASTARDS KNOW NOTHING! HE… HE ISN'T HUMAN! I'LL PROVE TO YOU I'M BETTER!
Gonzalez: Stay down, Joseph. You lost. You have no chance against me.
Joseph: Stay down? I lost? What bullshit are ya saying?
Joseph got on one knee. His heart had lost its peaceful heart rate once more as he stood up. The referee moved closer, watching Joseph's movements. Joseph smiled.
Joseph: I'll show you what it means to lose, bastard!
Joseph hopped back onto his feet, charging at Gonzalez. Gonzalez immediately took a fighting stance as Joseph changed direction. He grabbed the neck of his guitar, spinning on his heel as he swung the body of the guitar at Gonzalez. Gonzalez swung the back of his right fist at the guitar, breaking it into pieces. Everyone watched closely as the pieces of the guitar flew into the air. Joseph ran forward, grabbing an object from the inside of the broken guitar. He swung it in his hands, grabbing one end in his right hand. Hamadeen and Moll watched the match in shock.
Moll: Are those…
Hamadeen: NUNCHUCKS?!
Joseph swung the other handle of the nunchuck at the back of Gonzalez's head. The distance closed quickly as two of Gonzalez's fingers pushed into the middle of the chains. The nunchuck wrapped itself around Gonzalez's fingers as he turned his head to Joseph. Joseph's smile disappeared as he noticed he couldn't move the nunchucks at all.
Gonzalez: This was very disappointing. You did everything you could to beat me, but it all amounted to nothing. What's worse, you did it in front of everyone here today.
Joseph's face filled with fear as he heard the whispers from around the ring.
Zachary: I can't believe it… The boxer that has made his way to fame, that never used the assistance of weapons before, used not only his guitar, but also a pair of nunchucks!
Zenzo: It only makes sense! Weapons aren't banned and he was up against the one and only Gonzalez Muertojos!
Despite Zenzo's justification, the distasteful whispering continued. Joseph could hear how disappointed or angered people were with his usage of this tactic. Not only did his last ditch effort fail, it led to an even worse response than he had hoped.
Gonzalez: Your boxing must be pretty disappointing to lead you down this path. Even Hamadeen fought Jason with pride, sticking to his boxing until the end. Unlike Jason, I won't give you such an honorable defeat.
Gonzalez clenched his fingers, shattering the chains and having the handles of the nunchucks fall onto the floor. Joseph stumbled back as his image of Gonzalez changed. An insurmountable wall formed behind Gonzalez, casting a vast shadow over the two. Joseph's mind began to falter.