The crowd's roar reverberated through the Colosseum, but for Kaiden, the sound barely registered. His focus was on his opponent, whose battered frame seemed to be held upright by sheer defiance. Every breath he took was labored, his chest rising and falling like bellows, but the fire in his eyes had not dimmed.
Kaiden steadied himself, feeling the pounding of his heart and the strain on his arms and legs. The flow coursed sluggishly through him now, his body screaming from overexertion. Yet, the challenger—somehow—was still standing.
"Not bad, kid," the man muttered, his voice carrying an edge of amusement. He stretched his neck, a series of loud pops accompanying the motion. His grin widened, exposing bloodied teeth. "But if you think you're the only one who knows how to tap into the flow, you've got another thing coming."
Kaiden's eyes widened as the man raised his fists, the brass knuckles on each hand beginning to shimmer faintly. The metallic glint shifted, a faint aura of light surrounding them—a visual manifestation of the flow. The crowd gasped in unison, their cheers and jeers dying down into murmurs of shock.
"You're not the only one who's trained," the challenger said, his tone almost mocking. "Let's see how you handle someone who knows how to really fight."
Kaiden clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles white. His mind raced. He had assumed he was the only one here who could use the flow, something he had learned under Garin's brutal tutelage. Seeing someone else wield it so effortlessly made his confidence waver.
The man lunged forward, his fist swinging in a wide arc, the flow-enhanced brass knuckles aiming for Kaiden's ribs. Kaiden barely dodged, twisting his body to the side. The strike missed him by a hair, but the force of the punch alone sent a gust of wind rushing past him.
Kaiden's thoughts spiraled.
How? How does he know the flow? Is this common? Have I been underestimating everyone here?
The challenger didn't let up, his fists a blur as he threw punch after punch, each strike glowing faintly with the power of the flow. Kaiden was forced on the defensive, blocking and dodging as best he could, but each hit that connected rattled him to his core. The brass knuckles, now imbued with the flow, carried a crushing weight behind them that threatened to shatter his guard.
Kaiden gritted his teeth, his thoughts racing as he struggled to keep up.
Focus! Don't let him overwhelm you. You've been through worse than this!
The challenger laughed, his grin feral as he continued his assault. "You're good, but not good enough. You rely on the flow like a crutch, but you don't understand it. It's not just about power—it's about control!"
Kaiden's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening. The man's words struck a nerve. He had trained relentlessly under Garin, pushing his body to the brink every day. But now, he realized he had been using the flow instinctively, not fully grasping its potential. He wasn't fighting with precision—he was fighting with brute force.
The challenger's next punch came straight for Kaiden's face, and this time, Kaiden didn't dodge. Instead, he shifted his stance and raised his arms, bracing himself. The punch landed squarely on his forearms, the force driving him back several steps. Pain shot through his arms, but he held firm.
"Not bad, kid," the man said, stepping back to catch his breath. "But let's see how long you can last."
Kaiden took a deep breath, his mind clearing. He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the flow within him. It wasn't just a tool for strength—it was a part of him, a rhythm he needed to sync with, not force. He could feel it now, faint but steady, like a river coursing through his body.
When he opened his eyes, he was ready.
The Clash of Flows
The two fighters collided in the center of the arena, their fists meeting with a resounding crack that echoed through the space. The challenger's brass knuckles glowed brighter, the flow amplifying his strikes, but Kaiden's movements had changed. He wasn't just reacting—he was predicting, countering, and weaving through the man's attacks with a newfound rhythm.
Kaiden stepped into the challenger's range, ducking under a right hook and driving his fist into the man's side. The challenger grunted, staggering, but he recovered quickly, swinging his brass knuckles upward in an uppercut. Kaiden leaned back just in time, the punch grazing his chin as he retaliated with a quick jab to the man's jaw.
The exchange grew fiercer with each passing moment, neither fighter willing to give an inch. The ground beneath them was stained with blood and sweat, their bodies battered and bruised. Every punch felt like a gamble, every movement a calculated risk.
Kaiden could feel his body reaching its limit, but he refused to back down. The flow was his anchor, guiding him through the chaos. He focused on precision, conserving his strength while exploiting every opening in the challenger's defense.
The challenger, however, was relentless. His strikes became wilder, more desperate, but no less dangerous. He lunged at Kaiden, swinging with all his might, but Kaiden sidestepped, using the flow to enhance his movements. He countered with a devastating right hook that sent the man stumbling backward.
The Final Moments
Both fighters were on their last legs, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, the tension palpable.
The challenger lunged one final time, his fist glowing brightly as he aimed a powerful punch straight at Kaiden's face. Kaiden, too exhausted to dodge, braced himself. Time seemed to slow as the man's fist drew closer, inches away from connecting.
But then, the man's body faltered. His knees buckled, and the glow around his brass knuckles faded. He collapsed forward, his fist stopping just short of Kaiden's face. The crowd erupted into cheers as the man hit the ground, his body finally giving out.
Kaiden stood there, barely able to remain upright. He knew the truth—the man hadn't been beaten by his strength alone. He had won because the challenger had tired out, his body unable to keep up with the strain of the prolonged fight.
The announcer's voice boomed through the Colosseum. "The winner is... Kaiden!"
The crowd roared, but Kaiden didn't share their excitement. His fists unclenched as he let out a shaky breath. He had survived, but he wasn't satisfied. He could still feel the man's fist, just inches away from ending it all.
As the adrenaline faded, Kaiden's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground. He stared up at the sky, the noise of the crowd fading into the background. His mind raced with thoughts of the fight, of the challenger's words, of his own weaknesses.
"I need to get stronger," Kaiden muttered, his voice barely audible. His determination burned brighter than ever. He wouldn't let this fight be his peak. It was only the beginning.
End of Chapter 27
Kaiden's victory marks a turning point, but it also leaves him with a sense of unease. The fight revealed his shortcomings and the vast potential of the flow. As he resolves to push himself harder, new challenges and adversaries await him in the Colosseum.