Jack's attention shifted back to the VIP section, where Lena was seated. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes never left him. For a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of something—concern? Regret? But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
As the announcer called for a brief intermission before the next round, Jack stood, his body aching but his resolve intact.
He looked at Victor, who handed him a bottle of water. "This is just the beginning," Victor said. "You've got more fights ahead. Pace yourself."
Jack nodded, taking a sip. He glanced back at the cage, now being cleaned for the next match. The blood on the mat was a grim reminder of what he was up against.
As the crowd buzzed with anticipation for the next fight, Jack leaned against the cage wall, his mind already racing with strategies for what was to come.
"This isn't just a fight," he muttered to himself. "It's a war."
---
