It was a quiet night, and Jamal was sitting down, looking into the night sky, the stars out, by the lake behind the rooms he was staying in. His girlfriend, Ula, was with him, as she stared alongside him.
"I don't know if I'll win badly, or I'll be beaten." he told her, "Maybe I'm not ready."
"Of course you are! You've been training so hard! Probably harder than most people here. Except for maybe Leon, but that doesn't change anything." she told him, kissing his cheek.
"I'm not afraid of Leon. I don't think I'll face him tomorrow, but if I get passed that round, then probably. I'm going to prove everyone why I'm here, to show I'm worthy, and not just some random fighter here for glory. I'll show them what I have."
"You've already showed me everything about you, and I know your worthy to me." Ula grinned, before kissing him more fiercely.
They were like that for a intense minute, before a grunt stopped them. They looked behind, to see Hops staring at them, eyes black and strained towards Jamal especially.
"Ya'll better stop making out, and actually win tomorrow. I didn't come here to lose." Hops simply said to him.
With that, he walked away. Jamal was confused. Where did he even come from? One minute, they were together, alone for once, and the next he comes in and ruins everything.
"What's his problem?" Jamal asked her.
"I don't know. Maybe we should prepare for the tournament. I'll see you again tomorrow." she said after some thought, getting up.
"Wait! Already?!" he cried out, with her nodding ahead.
He cursed Hops furiously once she was gone. It was going to be nice little break, just before he could've gotten beat up tomorrow, and he ruined it. He got back up and walked back to his room. Ula wasn't waiting for him, and her door closed.
"Good night." he whispered through the door.
"Good night, Jamal. Now go get some sleep if you believe in yourself." she muttered to him, already sleepy.
He just opened back his door, and changed into his shorts. He didn't forget what they did to Fonda. He wouldn't let himself get to that position. But that person's power, did food require for it to activate? It was possible, but it just made him more cautious of the strange powers he would encounter. As he hopped into bed, he closed his eyes. I'll win this and that's a fact.
...…..
The alarm the room had jolted him awake once again, almost hitting his head on the wall. Jamal mumbled to himself, getting out of bed and changing into his custom black and smooth outfit, specifically made for the tournament, as it allowed for his fire to range more freely and stronger. He heard a knock on his door, and opened it to see Brat by the door, his back covered in bandages.
"You alright? That fight was intense." Jamal asked him.
"Eh, I never been better." he said weakly.
"I think you need to get some rest. You'll be fighting again in two more days."
"I am aware, but I'm here to tell you that Fonda wanted to see you."
"Really?" Jamal asked, coming out the door.
Brat nodded, as they walked down the stairs, Brat still limping slightly as he hailed a carriage near them. The ride took several minutes as they passed people walking around, and near the woods from which they came from. They had finally stopped in front of a largish building, and Brat walked out the vehicle. Jamal followed behind, as they passed the lobby, a woman noticing Brat and waving them through. They walked down a long hallway, until the stopped a few doors from the end.
The door opened, Jamal was shocked. Fonda was there, all the color of her skin gone, laying in bed staring at him, Erythema at her side. Jamal was saddened to see her in this shape.
"I'll leave you guys alone for a bit, but don't forget you're fighting today. I'll be cheering you all in the stands. Good luck." Brat told him, and limped away.
"You came." Fonda said weakly, once he was gone.
"I did. It's a shame that you lost yesterday." he mumbled.
"I tried, my very best, but it wasn't enough." she quivered.
Jamal couldn't see her like this. She was so cheerful all the time, but not at the moment.
"Don't worry, I'll win just for you today."
"Really? You mean it?"
"Of course. I swear it!"
She smiled at him, and got comfortable before going back to sleep. Erythema nodded at him.
"Thank you for doing this. It means a lot to her."
"Of course, any time, but I got to get to the fight in time, so I'll try to be back here later."
She nodded towards him, and Jamal briskly walked out the building. He hopped inside a carriage waiting to pick someone up, as he told the person to take him to the food area. Once he arrived, he went inside and saw Ula waved towards him. He waved back and got his breakfast a few moments later. When he sat down, he noticed Hops was sitting next to her, but he wasn't there before. Where did he even come from? Jamal displeased him anywhere near her.
"Before you ask, he's only here to explain the plan to win the tournament." Ula told him, before he could say anything.
"What plan? All we have to do is win our fights with what ever we got. There is no plan." he attempted to explain.
"Oh, are you so slow? If we all make it, then we go on to the next round. It's going to be a team-based free for all, based on our age division. I didn't have high hopes for Fonda getting into the next round, and she proved me right. Brat is going to have to fend for himself, but it won't be much help for him. If the rest of us get through, then it'll be the three of us there." Hops mentioned to him.
"First, I'm not slow, I'm questioning the situation. And second, why would you assume we all make it there?"
"Cause, we're one of the best here. Unlike the younger division, we actually have more experience, well maybe not you, but that's not the point. We'll be more aggressive and probably get into it easily. Otherwise, you are as weak as I thought you were."
Jamal got up from that statement and was right in front of his face. He wasn't going to let this slide.
"Listen here. I'm not afraid of you. You think I'm weak, but I've proved you wrong. I've beaten you so many times and I can do it again. You are nothing compared to me."
"Will you guys calm down? This isn't necessary. If you really want to win this tournament so bad, then don't bother fighting." Ula had said.
Jamal stared right into Hops' eyes, his expression making him want to punch him even more. He gave up, and just got his food he hadn't even touched yet.
"I'll see you at the lobby, Ula." he told her, ignoring Hops' existence.
While he was walking away, he could hear Hops saying, "You better not lose and cost us this too."
He walked the entire way back to his room, taking a good twenty minutes. He slammed the door behind him, and ate his food in peace. Once finished, he went outside and burned the leftover in his hands. He watched as the flames consumed the package, as if they were hungry too. When it had completely disintegrated he let the wind blow the remains away. He checked the silver watch Ula gifted to him, reading 11:40 a.m. The first matches would begin at 1:00 p.m but he wanted to be there early. He went back into his room and looked at himself one last time before he moved past a mirror. Was he growing a beard, as he felt and saw hair around his chin. He went back outdoors and closed the door behind him.
"Hey, aren't you the guy that took on Leon? If so, it's nice to finally meet you." a teen said behind him.
Jamal turned around in surprise. He didn't even remember fighting him until he recalled his encounter only two days ago.
"I wouldn't say I fought him, but hello there." he said, bringing his hand out.
"Oh I'm not here to befriend you. I'm just greeting you before you and him lose today. I can't wait." the teen laughed at him, jumping off the stairs.
Jamal rushed to the edge, only to see him walking away fine. He shook his head, and rushed down the stairs and began his journey to the stadium. I wonder what Ula is doing at the moment, he thought, as he passed by some onlookers pointing at him. He couldn't have been that famous, no one even recalled him when he was in the stands earlier that day. He picked up the pace and hurried to the stadium, not so far in the distance.
After several minutes, he finally walked with the crowd into the stadium, people going left up to the stands, him going to the right. Before being allowed to enter the room, he was asked to identify himself, which he did, before being allowed to go through. Inside was just several benches laying around, already a few fighters inside preparing. He eyed Leon who was already there, as he grinned at him. Jamal was not going to be anywhere near him, as he sat down in the back away from everyone else. He checked the time again. Only 12:20 p.m. He still had at least another forty minutes, before he would have the chance to fight. He looked around, and saw the teen from earlier talking to another girl, pointing at him and Leon and laughing. If he fought him, Jamal would make sure he got crushed, plus he had to win for Fonda.
Minutes went by, as more people shuffled in. Finally, Hops had arrived, not even bothering with their custom outfits. Weren't those meant to help them utilize their powers to it's highest potential? He really couldn't have been that cocky or stupid. Jamal continued to check his watch periodically, 12:40 p.m. Ula was going to push the schedule, and they could not afford to lose. Sitting anxiously, he waited, until the door opened again, Ula finally appearing, wearing her custom outfit. Finally, he thought, as she walked towards him.
"Seems like you wanted to be late, huh?" he said, hugging her.
"Let's just say the crowd was holding up." she smiled eagerly.
They chatted for a bit, until the announcer came in, and asked for Leon and another person to come up. Leon grinned as the other very nervous opponent got up behind him. From the lobby, they could hear the cheers of the crowd, and within two minutes, the crowd roared with approval, as someone came back to ask for another pair of fighters. Jamal already knew that the other fighter didn't stand a chance. These other matches lasted much longer, and thirty minutes later, called Ula and another person.
"Don't fail me now. You got this." he told her kissing her briefly, before embracing her one last time.
"I know. Don't worry about me, you better finish your opponent later." she said, before pulling away and walking outside.
He could hear the teen from earlier, along with Hops, snickering at him.
"Yo, are you serious? What's your problem? We're on the same team, man!" he yelled.
"Hey, watch your voice!" an official shouted at him.
Jamal backed down, and just ignored him. He could hear the crowd cheer them on, as no one was called for at least ten minutes. Finally, one could hear the crowd roar loudly, as they called Hops and someone else. It was only him and the teen from earlier. They both grinned at each other, waiting to beat the other. Five minutes had passed, and someone called them to go outside. Jamal eagerly walked out first, the crowd giving him an extremely loud cheer when he appeared. He looked around, dots of blood around the entire space. What fights happened here, he did not want to know, as he walked down towards the end of the space, his opponent on the other side.
"And now, a highly contested battle, between Jamal and Vice, let the match begin in 5,4,3,-" the announcer had began to say.
Jamal glanced around, noticing the dents and cracks on the surrounding walls and floor. He looked dead ahead at his opponent, Vice, who looked like he wasn't even going to take him seriously. He got serious himself and got into his stance, expecting a challenge.
"2,1, fight!" the announcer finished, the crowd roaring louder than before.
Vice began to rush towards him, as Jamal tightened his quickly made stance. He was going to wait to use his power, until he felt like he should. Once Vice was close enough to him, Jamal kicked him right in the gut, causing him to roll into the wall. The crowd burst into cheers as Jamal kept his stance, not backing down. He couldn't have let him hit him that easily, he knew, he's probably planning something.
Vice got up casually saying, "That didn't even hurt. Come on, show me your powers or I'll make you!"
Vice was definitely being more aggressive, as he dodged the punches and kicks Jamal threw at him. When Jamal threw another punch, Vice crouched down and punched him in the face. It caused Jamal to crouch down, before being kicked across the space, close to the other wall. He quickly got back up, and closed his eyes.
"I guess it's time I fight for real." he told him loudly.
Suddenly, a large plume of fire erupted from his body into the sky, before calming down, as small bits of fire surrounded Jamal, as he had just entered his "sparking" form.
Vice smiled, almost with joy, and rushed towards him. Jamal fired multiple fireballs in an instant, the crowd out of their seats, cheering the barrage. Vice dodged them all, but was near them every time. He sidestepped Jamal as he attempted to kick him, but then screamed in agony. Jamal used the opportunity to turn his hand into a blade of fire, as the tip was touching Vice. Vice rolled on the ground, trying to prevent the fire from spreading. Jamal didn't hesitate to punch him in the ground, bursts of fire erupting from his fist, and causing a deep crack in it. The crowd was so loud, one could say they could still hear the cheers a mile away.
Vice coughed a bit of blood in Jamal's face, and caused him to get kicked into the wall again. He quickly got up, and began running towards the other side.
"Why you scared to fight me! Come on, what happened?" Jamal yelled at him.
Vice crouched down, blood dripping from his mouth and laughed. How can he still be up after all of that, Jamal thought. Vice then pounced back towards him, as Jamal launched several fireballs into the sky. Vice attempted to tackle him, but Jamal avoided it and grabbed him by the back of his shirt. Aiming his hand towards him, a small ball of fire was created and he fired it on him, letting go. It created a small explosion, and pushed Vice onto the ground. The fireballs Jamal had fired from above, finally came back down, and rained its heated onslaught upon him, creating a large cloud of smoke. The crowd was into it, but as it cleared, Vice was still standing and grinning towards him. He slowly walked towards him, still laughing.
"Don't you understand? I have the power to absorb your attacks. Of course, I will admit, they've been doing quite the devastation upon my body. I don't even know how I would be standing if it wasn't for it. But now, let me thank you for the opportunity. It's was a good fight, but now it comes to an end." Vice said calmly.
While he was talking, Jamal had created a large ball of fire and had it aimed towards him.
"I think it's the end for you." Jamal replied back, firing it towards him.
It's created a large wind behind him, as Jamal watched it propel towards him. Vice just stood there, his hand back, as if he would punch it. It wouldn't work, it would be too powerful, Jamal knew. Or so he thought. When Vice finally punched at it, it wavered in the air, before dissipating instantly.
"What!" Jamal cried out, as Vice crept towards him.
Quickly, he aimed both hands at him, an even larger fireball formed. When he was close enough, he fired it at him, having created a fire blast. Vice just smirked at him, and punched it again. His blast flickered in the air, as Jamal kept pushing onwards. But it was starting to get tiring, as Vice slowly walked through, getting closer to him.
"Time's up Jamal." he laughed at him.
Jamal kept a straight face, straining to hold it. His foot began to slide back, as the sleeves of the outfit began to be stretched from the pressure. He couldn't lose now, not like this. He had promised Fonda he would win, Ula was depending on him, even Brat was rooting for him in the stands. He had gotten so far, and couldn't lose here and now.
Yelling from deep inside, his flames flickered brighter than before, as Vice was beginning to get pushed back from the attack.
"Oh come on, don't start trying now, because once I take you out, your girlfriend and Leon will be finished too. And just as brutally too!" he cackled, "Your nothing but a pest in my way."
Jamal almost stopped. No, he wouldn't let anything happen to Ula. The fact that he would, was the thing that made him frustrated.
"Don't you dare do anything to her. I won't let you!" he screamed.
Suddenly, in a maddened rage, flames began to connect around him, his eyes flickering orange and so. His body was slowly becoming fire itself as the blast was really pushing Vice back. Running out of the stored energy, Vice dodged out of the way of the blast, watching it hit and begin to melt the wall. But then it had dissipated, as he watched Jamal stare at him, heaving heavily at him, now only flames, but his eyes, a slightly darker orange.
"What happened to you?" he was able to mutter before being launched into the sky.
The crowd was silent, as Jamal was quickly above him, and punched him back down, creating a fifteen-foot crater in the reinforced floor. Vice spat out even more blood, before Jamal was in front of him.
"Don't you ever talk about Ula like that every again." Jamal furiously told him.
Vice, in shock, used the final reserve of energy he absorbed and tried to punch him, only for Jamal to grab his fist, and for a few seconds the wind from the block removed the flames from his body, and one could see his outfit still intact, but his eyes still glowing orange from his fury. The flames returning, with his other hand, Jamal created a small dense ball of fire, and simply touched him with it.
He pulled back his hand, and backed away. Nothing happened, as Vice tried to get back up, before a big explosion had occurred. The wind caused everyone to duck down to not get blown away as a few others unfortunately did. The thick smoke was in the air, and Jamal simply punched in it's direction for it to be blown away. Vice was somehow still intact, but was definitely out, and the match.
The announcer shocked began to stutter," An-an-and our winner is Jamal from Saputa."
The crowd was still silent, but then Brat had began to clap. Soon everyone slowly followed and gave him a standing ovation. They began to cheer for him wildly as medics came to drag Vice away. The flames from Jamal had disappeared, and the color from his eyes were gone, but had smoke coming from his back. The burst of energy had made him a bit tired, but he had done it. Jamal looked around at the cheers and raised his fist in victory. He still had another round to go, but for now, this was his.