After we all agreed, my buddies, full of energy, dashed towards the exit, while I followed at a slower pace, taking in the scene.
A woman on the other side gave me a letter, which had my room number, B-124, and the rules for the tournament.
Walking to my room, I was surprised by how fancy and comfortable it was. Feeling really hungry, I quickly heated up a frozen pizza in the microwave. Once I had eaten, I was so tired from the long trip that I fell into a deep sleep.
A few hours later, my phone started ringing. Still half-asleep, I answered and heard a nice voice on the other end.
"Please come to medical room A-100 right away," the voice on the phone said calmly.
Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I told her, "I'll be there as soon as I can," before hanging up.
Even though I was still feeling sleepy, I knew I had to get moving. I quickly got dressed and started looking for the medical room.
On the way, I found the weapons room and decided to take a quick look inside. The guy at the counter said hi and asked if I was ready to choose my weapon.
Looking at the list of weapons, I decided I wanted something light and easy to handle. After thinking it over a few times, I chose a pair of brass knuckles.
"I'll take these," I told the guy at the counter, looking him in the eyes.
"Okay," he said. "You'll get your weapon when your first fight starts."
Before I left the room, I asked the guy how to get to the medical room. He told me there was a map outside, so I said bye and left.
I found the map and started walking to the medical room. After a few minutes, I finally got to the medical room.
"Hi, sorry I'm late," I said to the woman at the desk.
"It's okay," she said calmly. "Please lie down on this bed when you're ready for the serum."
Taking a deep breath, I lay down on the bed and held out my right hand. The nurse gave me the serum, and I felt a little prick before I passed out.
After what felt like forever, I woke up feeling really heavy and couldn't even open my eyes. I could feel people moving me around and heard them talking.
Finally, they stopped moving me, and I could feel cold, metal things touching my skin. Then I heard some people talking.
"He's alive, He's alive!" someone said, sounding really excited and relieved.
"Thank goodness! If he hadn't made it, I'd be in big trouble," another person said, sounding relieved.
With all the strength I had, I lifted a finger to let them know I was awake. Right after that, I heard someone speak.
"He's awake! Give him the medicine to help him get his strength back, so he can open his eyes and talk," she said.
I felt my mouth being opened and she gave me some medicine mixed with water.
As I started to feel stronger, I tried to open my eyes and was shocked to see that my body was badly burned.
"Hey, are you feeling okay?" one of the women in front of me asked.
"Yeah, I feel okay," I said. "Why do I have burn marks all over my body?"
"Well... You've got third-degree burns. Luckily, with our medicine, your skin should heal in a few days. But we're worried about possible memory loss. It looks like the burns, starting on your face, caused some brain damage. Do you remember anything about how you got here?" the woman explained.
"I remember some medicine and water being put in my mouth. I remember trying to open my eyes, but before that, I don't remember anything," I explained.
"You're Mehmet Muja, a 17-year-old from Dragtora, a nation sandwiched between two adversaries. In anticipation of an imminent conflict, President Alessandro Bianchi, in collaboration with his old ally, Dr. Aria Malik, initiated a project. This project involved the selection of 100 individuals, aged 16 to 18, each of whom was given a unique power through a special serum. These individuals were then set to compete against each other, with the last one standing being awarded 1 million dollars and the position of chief commander for the impending war," she elucidated.
"You were among those chosen, and you participated willingly. We administered the serum, but an unforeseen incident occurred involving your newfound power," she added.
Intrigued, I asked, "What is my power?"
"Your power is pyrovision - the ability to ignite anything you intentionally gaze at. However, a problem arose when you unintentionally activated this power while unconscious, causing a fire in the room," she explained, her face shadowed with regret.
She continued, "There's a drawback to your power. The more you use it, the more you risk temporary blindness. Overuse could lead to permanent loss of sight."
Acknowledging her words, I asked, "What's next? Where's my room? When's my first fight?"
"Your room is B-124, and your fight is in a week. Have a good day," she replied, her smile radiating warmth.
Before departing, she handed me a set of medications to aid in my skin's recovery and to manage any discomfort.
Navigating towards room B-124, each step was a battle against the sharp pain in my legs. Despite the agony, I persevered until I reached my room. I immediately sought refuge in the bed, allowing myself to unwind.
The following day, rejuvenated from the medication, I decided to explore the premises.
During my exploration, I discovered a room labeled 'weapons'. Intrigued, I ventured inside to find a towering man.
"Hello, how may I assist you?" he greeted, his smile welcoming.
"I was exploring and found this room. Could you tell me more about it?" I asked.
"This is the weapon room. If you're ready to choose your weapon, just let me know your name," he clarified.
"I'm Mehmet... Mehmet Muja," I responded.
After checking a document, he looked surprised. "According to our records, you've already chosen a weapon: brass knuckles."
I realized I must have made the choice before my memory loss. "I apologize, I had an incident that resulted in memory loss, so I don't recall selecting a weapon."
"I'm sorry to hear that," he sympathized. "Unfortunately, I can't change your weapon selection."
"Alright, thank you. Goodbye!" I bid him farewell.
Exiting the weapon room, my eyes landed on the tournament brackets. There, boldly displayed, was the name of my next opponent: Maya Patel.
Rest became my priority as I prepared for the upcoming battle against Maya Patel.
After several days of rest and nourishment, the day of the anticipated fight arrived.
With a mix of anxiety and excitement, I entered the arena, brass knuckles in hand. Gratitude filled my heart for the man from the weapon shop, but the weight of the upcoming battle still hung heavy.
Across from me stood Maya Patel, her hands gripping a pair of tactical tomahawks. Our eyes locked, and in that silent exchange, an unspoken understanding passed between us—we were about to engage in a battle of extraordinary powers.
Maya wasted no time, launching a dazzling flash of light towards me. Instinctively, I sidestepped the blinding assault, narrowly escaping its disorienting effects. Her command over light manipulation was evident, leaving me in awe.
Regaining my composure, I focused on Maya, trying to anticipate her next move. Suddenly, beams of light shot forth from her hands, aimed directly at me. Reacting with agility, I twisted my body, narrowly dodging the deadly beams that sliced through the air around me.
Maya then used her powers to bend light around herself, fading into invisibility. With no visible target, I relied on my instincts, honed through a lifetime of resilience. Sensing her presence through a slight disturbance in the air, I lunged forward, my brass knuckles clenched tightly. But before I could make contact, a bright flash of light engulfed me. Momentarily blinded, I stumbled backward, disoriented by the unexpected assault.
Regaining my focus, I realized that my powers were still unrefined, leaving me vulnerable in the face of Maya's skillful attacks. But I refused to succumb to defeat. Taking a deep breath, I concentrated my vision on Maya's form, a flicker of anger burning within me. As my gaze locked onto her, I channeled my power, making a nearby object burst into flames. The distraction caught Maya off guard, momentarily disrupting her precise control over light.
Seizing the advantage, I lunged forward. Maya, momentarily caught off balance, attempted to conjure a blinding flash of light to counter my advance. But this time, I anticipated her move. With a calculated sidestep, I narrowly evaded the blinding assault, closing the distance between us.
The intensity of our clash intensified as I unleashed a flurry of punches, my brass knuckles connecting with a resounding impact. Maya skillfully parried and dodged, her agility and reflexes matching my growing ferocity. With each exchange, I learned more about the intricacies of close combat, adapting my movements to counter her deft maneuvers.
As the battle reached its climax, I mustered every ounce of strength and skill within me, unleashing a series of attacks upon Maya. I struck her, aiming for vulnerable spots while keeping her on her toes.
With a swift feint, I aimed a powerful uppercut towards Maya's chin, successfully connecting and causing her head to snap back. I followed up with a barrage of rapid punches, targeting her midsection. Each strike landed with precision, causing Maya to wince from the impact.
Seeing an opening, I launched a spinning back kick towards Maya's side. The force of the kick hit its mark, causing her to stumble slightly. With a sudden burst of speed, I closed the distance between us, aiming a precise jab towards Maya's face. The strike landed, grazing her cheek and leaving a red mark.
To maintain my momentum, I transitioned into a powerful roundhouse kick, aiming for Maya's head. The kick connected with a satisfying thud, jolting her head to the side. Sensing an opportunity, I delivered a swift knee strike to Maya's abdomen, causing her to double over in pain.
I pressed forward, delivering a rapid series of hooks and crosses, aiming to overwhelm Maya with the sheer intensity of my attacks. Each strike found its mark, rattling Maya and causing her to stagger back.
In a final act of desperation, Maya unleashed a blinding flash of light, brighter than anything she had conjured before. But I was ready. Channeling my power, I focused my gaze on the ground beneath her, igniting it in a burst of flames. The sudden heat disrupted her concentration, causing the light to fade.
With Maya momentarily stunned, I seized the opportunity. Charging forward, I delivered a powerful punch, my brass knuckles connecting with her chest. The impact sent her flying back, and she landed on the ground with a thud.
I charged at Maya, my brass knuckles glinting menacingly under the harsh light of our battleground. Maya, still reeling from the previous onslaught, barely managed to conjure a shield of light to protect herself. But I was relentless, my fists raining down on the shield with such force that it began to crack, the sound echoing ominously in the air.
Deciding to switch tactics, I began to burn the environment around me, causing objects to burst into flames. The once cold and sterile battleground was now a blazing inferno, the heat intensifying with each passing second. Maya, caught off guard, struggled to maintain her shield as the heat intensified. I seized this opportunity and landed a powerful punch, breaking her shield and sending her sprawling across the ground.
I was in full control now. I was a whirlwind of fury, my brass knuckles a blur as they connected with Maya time and time again. Each hit was a symphony of power and precision, a testament to my training. Maya tried to fight back, her tomahawks slicing through the air, but I was always one step ahead, my movements fluid and calculated.
Maya was visibly weakened, I could see the toll the battle was taking on her. But I didn't let up. I pressed on, my attacks relentless. Each punch, each kick, was a clear message - I was not going down without a fight.
In my eagerness to end the battle, I made a critical mistake. I left myself open, my defenses momentarily lowered. Maya, seizing the opportunity, launched a blinding flash of light directly at me. I was momentarily stunned, the world around me a blur of bright light. My senses were overwhelmed, my vision filled with nothing but white.
When my vision cleared, I found myself in a different setting. Maya had manipulated the light around us, creating an illusion of a serene meadow. It was disorienting, the sudden change in scenery throwing me off balance. The once harsh and unforgiving battleground was now a peaceful meadow, the soft rustling of leaves and the gentle chirping of birds a stark contrast to the chaos of our battle.
Maya didn't waste the opportunity. She attacked, her tomahawks a blur as they sliced through the air. I barely managed to dodge, the sharp blades grazing my skin, leaving behind a trail of red. Each attack was precise and calculated, a testament to her skill and training.
I tried to fight back, but Maya was always one step ahead. She is circling around me, her movements graceful and fluid. It was like trying to catch a ray of light. Each attack was met with a counterattack, each move anticipated and countered.
I was exhausted. My attacks were slower, my movements sluggish. Maya, on the other hand, seemed to have found a second wind. She was relentless, her attacks coming faster and faster. Each hit was a reminder of my failure, a reminder of my defeat.
Maya did something unexpected. She manipulated the light around her, bending it to her will. Suddenly, she was everywhere at once, her form flickering in and out of existence. It was a sight to behold, a testament to her power and control.
I tried to keep up, but it was impossible. I was fighting shadows, my punches connecting with nothing but air. Maya, meanwhile, was landing hit after hit, her tomahawks slicing through my defenses. Each hit was a reminder of my impending defeat, a reminder of my failure.
I was on the defensive. Maya was in control, her light manipulation giving her the upper hand. I could barely keep up, my body screaming in protest with every move. Each hit was a blow to my pride, a blow to my resolve.
Maya delivered the final blow. She manipulated the light around her, creating a blinding flash. I was momentarily stunned, my vision a blur of bright light. When my vision cleared, I found Maya standing over me, her tomahawks raised. It was a sight that would haunt me, a reminder of my defeat.
The world around me faded to black, a bitter taste of defeat lingering in my mouth. The echo of Maya's triumphant laughter was a cruel reminder of my failure. My fists clenched, the cold metal of the brass knuckles biting into my skin, a physical manifestation of the fury that was brewing within me.
The serene meadow that Maya had conjured was now a battlefield, the once soft grass stained with the evidence of our battle. The harsh reality of my defeat was a stark contrast to the peaceful illusion Maya had created. The tranquil chirping of the birds was drowned out by the thunderous roar of my rage.
My body screamed in protest, the numerous cuts and bruises a testament to Maya's skill. But it was my pride that hurt the most. I had been bested, outmatched by Maya's light manipulation. The memory of her tomahawks slicing through my defenses was a wound that no amount of time could heal.
The sight of Maya standing over me, her tomahawks raised in victory, was burned into my mind. It was a sight that fueled my anger, a sight that ignited a fire within me. I would train, I would improve, and I would have my revenge.
As I lay there, defeated and broken, a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. This was not the end, it was merely the beginning. Maya had won the battle, but the war was far from over. I would return, and when I did, I would be a storm of fury and vengeance. Maya had ignited a fire within me, a fire that would only be quenched by victory. I would return, and when I did, Maya would know the true meaning of defeat. My defeat was temporary, my resolve, eternal. I would rise from the ashes of my defeat stronger.
Maya, enjoy your victory while it lasts, for I will return, and when I do, there will be no mercy.