The crowd buzzed in anticipation as Leo and Anton stepped into the circular arena. The stadium lights cast harsh shadows, amplifying the tension in the air. Leo's muscles tensed, his senses heightened, as he watched Anton across from him. Unlike Leo, Anton was a hulking figure, his physique built more for brute force than agility. The rules allowed anything short of fatal harm, and Anton looked more than ready to test those boundaries.
A buzzer sounded, and the match began.
Anton charged forward, his steps pounding against the ground. Leo, quick on his feet, sidestepped Anton's initial attack, his mind racing as he tried to assess Anton's fighting style. Anton swung a heavy fist, and though Leo ducked, the sheer force of Anton's punch created a gust of air that blew past Leo's head.
Leo took a step back, circling, trying to stay just out of Anton's reach. As he did, he noticed Anton's expression—a smug, almost mocking smile as if he knew something Leo didn't.
"You can't dodge forever, kid!" Anton taunted, his voice loud and full of arrogance. "You think you're special just because you've got a little skill? I'm stronger than you in every way!"
Leo said nothing, keeping his focus. He ducked another punch, twisted, and delivered a quick jab to Anton's side. But Anton barely flinched. Instead, he grinned wider, clearly unfazed by Leo's efforts.
"You know," Anton sneered, "I'm going to win this match. And when I do, maybe I'll go pay Samantha a little visit." He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "After all, someone needs to take care of her. I bet she wouldn't mind a *real* man."
A spike of anger flared in Leo's chest, but he kept it in check. Anton's words were meant to throw him off, to break his focus, and Leo wasn't going to give him that satisfaction. He took a deep breath, trying to stay centered.
But Anton wasn't done. He laughed, a dark and mocking sound that echoed through the arena. "You know, I was in your room the other night. I was the one who got in. You two weren't there, so I thought I'd make myself comfortable." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that only Leo could hear. "Saw something nice while I was there, too. A little souvenir."
Anton's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Let's just say Samantha's… *delicate items* aren't as well-guarded as you think."
Leo's vision blurred as anger exploded inside him. The image of Anton's smug face, laughing about Samantha, pushed him over the edge. He couldn't hold back anymore. This wasn't just a fight; it was personal.
Leo's eyes narrowed, his entire stance shifting. With an intensity Anton hadn't seen before, Leo moved forward, closing the distance between them in a flash. He ducked low, then swept his leg in a powerful arc, catching Anton off-balance and sending him stumbling.
Before Anton could recover, Leo was on him, launching a series of precise, rapid strikes. His fists moved like a blur, landing hit after hit on Anton's body. Every punch was fueled by a surge of fury, each impact driving Anton back.
Anton tried to counter, swinging wildly, but Leo anticipated every move. Ducking under a punch, Leo twisted and aimed a brutal elbow strike right into Anton's ribs. Anton grunted in pain, staggering, his balance faltering.
"Don't you *dare* talk about her like that," Leo growled, his voice low and dangerous.
For a moment, Anton's confidence wavered. He'd underestimated Leo, thinking him just another kid with quick reflexes. But the fire in Leo's eyes was something else—a fierce determination that Anton hadn't accounted for.
Anton's anger flared. He roared, trying to overpower Leo with a wild swing. But Leo dodged, slipping behind him and delivering a swift kick to the back of his knee. Anton's leg buckled, and he fell to one knee. Leo took advantage of the opening, landing a powerful punch across Anton's face that snapped his head to the side.
Desperation flickered in Anton's eyes as he tried to regain control. He managed to push himself back to his feet, staggering slightly, and threw another punch at Leo. But this time, Leo anticipated the move perfectly. He sidestepped, grabbed Anton's arm, and twisted it into a painful lock.
With a sudden burst of energy, Leo swung his leg up and kicked Anton squarely in the chest, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Anton hit the floor hard, dazed and struggling to get up. Leo advanced, not giving him a chance to recover. He grabbed Anton by the collar and delivered one final blow—a punch so powerful that it knocked Anton's head back, his body going limp.
The stadium fell silent. Anton lay on the floor, motionless and unconscious.
A loud voice echoed through the arena. "The winner of this round—Leo!"
Cheers erupted from the audience as the announcer's voice faded. But Leo barely noticed, his mind still boiling from Anton's words. He stood there, breathing heavily, his gaze fixed on Anton's unconscious form.
This wasn't just a victory. This was a warning. No one would mess with him or Samantha again.
And with that, he turned and walked out of the arena, leaving Anton lying in the dust.