The roar of the crowd was like a thunderous wave crashing against the walls of the arena, as Aamir, Raj, and Riya stood together, catching their breath after their respective matches. They had each earned their victories, but the intensity of the competition was far from over.
Riya and Raj exchanged looks, both knowing that the third round was far more than just a formality. The battles would only get tougher from here. The stakes were high—every fighter in this round was here for one reason: to secure their place in the World Tournament.
"I can feel the tension," Raj muttered, his eyes darting across the arena as the next set of fighters prepared to enter the stage.
Aamir nodded, his eyes focused on the current match unfolding. The fighter on the stage was a muscular third-year student named Arjun, whose build seemed to be a mix of brute strength and speed. He was facing off against an equally agile opponent, Kiran, whose small frame seemed deceptive compared to Arjun's towering size.
The fight began with both fighters cautiously circling each other, trying to gauge the other's strengths and weaknesses. Aamir couldn't help but admire the way Kiran danced around the larger fighter, narrowly avoiding every strike that Arjun threw. But Arjun's raw power was undeniable, and it was clear that Kiran would need to outsmart him in order to win.
"Let's go, Riya!" Raj said suddenly, giving her a gentle push toward the arena. It was time for her battle.
Riya smiled at him, her usual calm demeanor settling over her like a shield. "It's my turn now."
The crowd roared as Riya's name was called. The announcer's voice boomed across the arena, "Next up: Riya Kapoor versus Devansh Yadav!"
Riya stepped into the ring, her eyes never leaving her opponent. Devansh was a large, powerful fourth-year fighter, known for his brute strength and aggressive fighting style. His bulky frame, combined with the fierce look in his eyes, made it clear that this wasn't going to be an easy match for her. But Riya was prepared. She wasn't just fast—she was tactical, and she knew how to use her opponent's strength against him.
Devansh immediately lunged forward, throwing a heavy punch at Riya's head. But she anticipated it, stepping to the side just in time, her body fluid like water as she moved. Her footwork was graceful, like a dancer, and her opponent was left swinging at air.
The crowd gasped in awe as Riya smoothly sidestepped his next blow, her expression calm but determined. She wasn't in a rush; she was waiting for the perfect opportunity. Riya's eyes studied every movement Devansh made, calculating his next move. He was fast, but his strikes were wild—he relied too much on raw power. That's where Riya had the edge.
As Devansh went for another swing, Riya ducked low, sliding under his arm and using her momentum to launch a swift kick to his knee. The impact sent Devansh stumbling forward, a flash of pain crossing his face.
Before he could recover, Riya was already on the move. She darted behind him, using her speed to her advantage. With a quick, well-placed jab to his back, she knocked him off balance. Devansh staggered, trying to find his footing, but Riya was relentless. She didn't give him a chance to catch his breath.
The crowd watched in awe as she expertly avoided every strike, gracefully dancing around him while landing precise blows to his sides and legs. She had already begun to wear him down, and it was only a matter of time before he would fall.
With a final, decisive kick to his ribs, Devansh collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. The referee immediately raised Riya's hand in victory.
"Riya Kapoor wins!" the announcer called out, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
Riya stood tall, her breathing steady as she bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment of her win. She didn't let herself savor the moment for too long. There was more to come.
Raj slapped her on the back as she walked past him. "That was amazing! You had him dancing in your palms."
Riya smiled modestly. "Thanks, but the next fight will be tougher."
With the next match beginning, Aamir and Raj stood in anticipation. Raj's battle was up next, and he seemed to be vibrating with nervous energy. Aamir placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him an encouraging look. "You've got this. Just keep your focus."
Raj nodded, his lips set in a determined line. "I'm ready."
The announcer's voice boomed again, calling Raj's name. "Next up: Raj Sharma versus Karan Desai!"
Raj stepped forward, entering the arena with his characteristic mix of confidence and nerves. Karan was a formidable opponent, known for his lightning-fast strikes and unrelenting pace. He had the kind of agility that made him a difficult fighter to track, but Raj was no slouch either. His endurance had improved dramatically over the past few months, and he knew that he could outlast Karan if the fight went long enough.
As the bell rang, Raj immediately squared up, his posture low and defensive. Karan wasted no time, charging forward with a flurry of quick jabs aimed at Raj's head. Raj blocked and dodged as best as he could, his eyes darting to track Karan's every movement.
Karan was quick, like a shadow, but Raj was starting to find his rhythm. He saw the openings in Karan's attack, and as the other fighter lunged for another rapid punch, Raj moved to the side and countered with a well-placed knee to Karan's ribs.
The blow took Karan off guard, and Raj capitalized on the moment, pushing him back with a sharp right hook. Karan recovered quickly, but the damage had already been done. Raj was wearing him down, taking advantage of his superior strength and endurance.
Karan's attacks started to slow as the fight wore on, and Raj began to dictate the pace. With a final burst of energy, Raj delivered a powerful kick to Karan's midsection, sending him sprawling to the ground. The referee stepped in quickly, declaring Raj the winner.
"Raj Sharma wins!" the announcer's voice rang out, and the crowd roared in approval.
Raj grinned, his chest heaving with exhaustion but also triumph. "That was tougher than I thought," he admitted, wiping sweat from his brow as he made his way back to Aamir and Riya.
"Great job," Aamir said, giving him a hearty slap on the back. "You fought smart."
Raj chuckled, a bit out of breath. "Smart? I just hung on long enough to get the lucky shot in."
Riya gave him a knowing smile. "It wasn't luck. You've come a long way."
As the final battles of the third round continued, Aamir couldn't help but feel a rising sense of excitement. They had made it this far, but the real test had only just begun. The tournament was about more than just winning—it was about proving who they were, what they had worked for, and how far they were willing to go to claim their place among the best.
The trio exchanged a look, all of them silently acknowledging the path ahead. Their futures were uncertain, but one thing was clear—they would fight together, no matter what.