Aria strode forward with confidence, her hips swaying in a rhythm that drew every eye in the crowd, their gazes trailing her every movement.
Alexia's eyes narrowed as she watched.
"Hmph...men." She snorted.
Her eyes turned to Aria, just where did this lady think she was? wearing such a short dress; It was as if she was personally inviting trouble.
Bryan also stepped into the arena with relaxed, almost lazy steps, his expression one of utter boredom. It was clear from his demeanor that he didn't consider this fight worth his attention.
"BEGIN"
As the signal sounded, Aria sprang into action, her movements a complete blur. She danced around Bryan, her feet barely touching the ground.
Bryan swung a massive fist towards her, but she dodged effortlessly, the air whistling as his punch missed its mark.
With a sly smile, she slipped behind him, delivering a swift, stinging kick to the back of his knee.
"Aaargh..." He grunted, his leg buckling slightly, but he quickly regained his balance and turned to face her.
He launched himself at her again, his massive fists swinging wildly. But she dodged it with ease then countered with a swift kick to his chest, but instead of striking with full force, she held back, merely grazing his skin. He stumbled back, his face reddening with rage.
He swung his fists again, but once again she dodged it easily, moving like a phantom. Her lips curled into a smile as she danced around him, landing quick, sharp blows to his torso and legs, each strike causing him pain but never enough to end the fight.
He lunged at her, trying to grab her, but she slipped away like water through his fingers. She hit him again, a sharp jab to the ribs that made him gasp. He swung wildly, frustration clear on his face. She laughed, a light, mocking sound that echoed around them.
"Is that all you've got?" she taunted, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
But he ignored her, with a bellow of rage, he charged forward, his arms wide, seeking to crush her in a bear hug.
She sidestepped, her body arcing gracefully, and delivered a devastating kick to his stomach. He winced, doubling over, his air whooshing out in a painful gasp.
She laughed again, a melodic sound that seemed to taunt him further.
"Come now, surely you can do better than that," she teased, her voice a silky purr.
Bryan's response was a guttural roar as he charged at her, his fists swinging wildly. She moved like a shadow, her body twisting and turning with fluid grace.
With a swift spin, she delivered a spinning back kick to his ribs, the impact sending a shockwave of pain through his body. He staggered back, clutching his side, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
He roared in rage, charging at her with all his might. She spun away, landing a kick to his side. He grunted, staggering back.
She was relentless, her strikes coming faster and harder.
She hit his joints, his muscles, every weak spot she could find. He was strong, but he was slow, and she was taking him apart piece by piece.
Despite the punishment he was enduring, he refused to give up. He fought on, driven by his sheer willpower and the primal urge of a man.
His swings became more desperate, his roars more guttural. But Aria remained untouchable, her skill and agility making her seem almost otherworldly.
With a sudden burst of speed, she leaped into the air, delivering a powerful kick to his chest.
He stumbled back, his arms flailing as he tried to regain his footing. Before he could recover, she was on him again, her fists and feet a whirlwind of motion. She struck his jaw with a precise uppercut, the force of the blow snapping his head back.
Dazed and reeling, he took a step back, his vision blurring. Aria saw her opportunity. With a swift, graceful motion, she swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.
The crowd couldn't help collectively holding their breaths. She stood over him, her eyes cold and calculating.
She had played with him long enough. It was time to end this.
With a mocking smile, she leaned forward, her breath hot against his ear.
"You should never have mentioned my mother earlier... that was your first mistake" she whispered.
With a final, powerful kick, she sent him sprawling across the arena. His massive body skidded to the edge of the platform, wobbling for a moment before he tumbled over the side, disappearing down the arena.
The entire training ground fell silent, the crowd mouths wide with disbelief.
"What... the..."
"Damn! Is that a girl or a man? How can she be so strong?"
"Impossible! This should be impossible, a girl could never win against a man... right?"
But the proof stood before them.
Aria stood in the center, her chest heaving with exertion, a victorious smile playing on her lips.
There was no shock in her eyes, she always knew she would win. With confident strides, she strode down and walked back into the crowd.
They collectively parted from her, and couldn't help gaping at her, like some kind of monster.
Throughout the fight she wasn't once injured or even scratched, and she had many opportunities to kick Bryan out of the arena but she didn't and just kept fighting.
She had simply been toying with him, that meant she hadn't used her full strength.
At this thought, they couldn't help a shiver running down their spines, no longer thinking of her as just a girl but instead a formidable opponent...a very formidable opponent.
Xavier narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned to Liam next to him.
"Tell Nathan to investigate this girl, I want to know every single detail about her...every single one. Understood!"
"Yes, your Highness" he bowed without a hint of hesitation.
"Ahem" Lucien cleared his throat, snapping out of his shock.
He turned to the nearby servants and signalled them to take away the battered Bryan.
He lay unconscious, blood spurting from multiple injuries. His limbs were twisted at unnatural angles and his ribs jutted out, quite a pitiful sight.
The servants stepped forward, grasping his arms and legs, and carried him out of the training ground.
"Injuries are inevitable," he warned."The only thing I can guarantee is your life. You may surrender if you wish and if you no longer wish to participate, you are free to leave"
He swept his gaze over the crowd, no one moved; the amount paid was just too enticing for these men.
"Good, next up Marcus versus Orion"
A burly man and a skinny figure stepped into the arena.
The fight soon started and ended just as quickly, with the crushing defeat of the skinny man.
One after another, other men stepped forward, with more and more people leaving the training ground. Soon, only half remained.
"Alex versus Rapheal" Lucien finally called out.
Alexia grinned and strode into the arena. Rapheal followed with lazy almost bored steps.
He leaped into the air and landed with a force that shook the ground, cracks spiderwebbing across the floor.
The crowd couldn't help gasping.
"BEGIN" Lucien's voice rang out.