Chapter 34: The Collision of Instincts & Wills

"You make a fair point, but even you can't react to my ultimate way of doing things!"

I dared to challenge the manifestation from within as we both knew what was to come.

"If I am going down, better do it in style, am I right?"

"You mean, not with a woman, am I right?! Hahahaha!"

The manifestation laughed at my remark, taking the position at the center of the stage. Within seconds the air around us began to feel more pressured than before…

It just had to do with how my manifestation prepared itself for the second round.

He took a wide stance without many openings… The manifestation made a cross in front of its chest and balled its fists as he slowly builds up the pressure. At the same time, it synchronized its movements with its hands downwards allowing him to store more energy inside of his core. Pressure oozed from his body like it charged his energy for a final strike of some sort. But instead of charging at me, the manifestation kept his ground, only building up more pressure as time went by.

Having learned that charging ahead blindly isn't the best of ways against myself I knew all too well I would accomplish more with a tranquil mind.

My stance left more openings, knowing fully well what was about to commence, I knew that the one who would strike first would have the biggest advantage over the other.

While at the same time, the latter of the two had the opportunity to anticipate the opponents' movements, creating a chance to counterattack. This was why the tension only kept building more and more.

Instead of a wide stance, I made sure to have a good foundation with my legs, moving them outwards allowing the energy to directly flow into my body. Opening myself to the energy felt refreshing while at the same time I could feel the pressure. I was convinced that I would be able to anticipate any move thrown at me… To create an even better balance I continued my stance, showing the manifestation of my open palms in such a way that it almost felt like I was welcoming its presence. While in reality, I knew this was to better understand the flow of energy around me. What would happen if I opened up myself even more I wondered.

We both knew the second round was about to commence as the both of us started to close in on one another. Inching closer ever so slightly our energies began to collide with each other. The pressure increased immensely as I could see the pressure formed small craters around our feet. Was this the best way to handle things? As far as I knew, this was the only way to go about it… I had to overcome my demons, meaning I had to defeat them, right?

"I have to give it to you, I'm impressed. Even though I'm a physical manifestation of you I never thought you would try to fight me on my turf, now this… This is going to be a battle to remember! Don't let me down now…"

The manifestation said proudly as he inched ever closer.

Only moments away from the battle to commence I steeled my resolve,

knowing that the manifestation had to strike first if I wanted to fulfill my battle plan. Being in arms reach of each other the temptation to strike first began to set in… The manifestation had struck at my chest, making me fly into the air last round… Even striking at my face, which to me is one of the biggest disgraces of battle!

I had to pay it back, but could I do it without losing my cool?

I had to hold on, A chance would eventually present itself.

I too had struck at the manifestation's face last round, meaning it too was about to lose its cool. Surely my prediction was correct as shortly after the manifestation moved in its arms at full force.

Having prepared for this moment I gently struck up my arms with equal force,

feeling the flow of energy around me I moved along with it,

to find that I repelled the manifestations first strike.

I did it! I was back in the game!

Again the manifestation struck at my openings, which I had left there deliberately knowing it was easier to counter attacks as you could see where the enemy was about to strike.

This time trying to overpower me with speed the manifestation struck at my belly, but it was fast learning. As I tried to counter his second attack he quickly stopped in his tracks, leaving me vulnerable to an attack from below. The manifestation struck down its foot with such force that a crater formed underneath us, making me lose my footing for a slight moment. Although the moment was short, it had proven enough for the manifestation to go on the offensive once more.

Instantly striking upwards with a charged fist. Because of my footing, there wasn't much I could do, was it about to hit my face again?! NO!! Refusing to get stuck in the face once again I used the manifestation's force against itself. Moving in the trajectory of the fist I gently grabbed onto it, making it seem as if I got pushed back, but in reality quickly finding my footing to strike back.

Having dodged his fist in the narrow movement, I used the energy to quickly turn around and throw the manifestation down with my foot. Anticipating the possibility, the manifestation duck down. Dodging the kick entirely. Multiple opportunities had presented themselves, but none were actual clean hits! The battle became more heated as it went on.

Strike after strike we both anticipated what was to happen next,

until a simultaneous hit to the face made us both fly backward,

bringing the match to a stalemate.

"Excellent!! Now, this… This is what I was talking about! Now my friend… You are worthy to give my all against!! Better not lose now or it will be over before you can realize it!"

The both of us recovered their stance, quickly spitting out the blood that had been accumulating in our mouth and nose. We knew the battle was far from over as it had become a battle of wills, a battle that directly spoke to one's instinct!

Having experienced what we were both capable of, it was time to give it our all, anything less would result in instant defeat, which neither of us would be giving to the other.

I took on a more offensive stance allowing me to instantly react to whatever move the manifestation could throw at me. I opened up my stance completely covering more ground than before. Crouching down slightly as I opened up both my legs by widening my stance as well as my arms opening them up as if it were a gigantic mouth. Focus returned to the battlefield when suddenly I realized that the manifestation was doing the same thing.

Again we closed in on each other, but this time I knew the stance was to go on the offensive, which enabled me to go straight for the attack. But instead of instantly striking at the manifestation as it did towards me, I followed the energy surrounding us, guiding me to turn and strike. As I did… Quickly it became apparent that it had to be swift as every move got instantly anticipated by the manifestation.

Unable to get him in a lock we were back at the beginning, trying to find a way to strike one another… There was a final thing I could try before it turning into a complete slugfest. I had to if I was ever to defeat myself…

Deciding stances were only going to prolong the match beyond our capacities I quickly made my way towards the edge, allowing myself to gain speed to charge headstrong at the manifestation.

The manifestation stood in the middle of the battlefield waiting for the collision of fists.

But was he anticipating my every move? I had to try my final resort to find out the truth.

As I ran at full speed and prepared to strike at the manifestation, it dug down and turned to sweep me off my feet. To prevent me from falling in went in double or nothing…

Jumping over the manifestation and without thinking grabbing his waist from the back.

Unable to break free I pulled the manifestation backward, throwing it over my own body crashing it straight into the ground. I had done it! The German Supplex was a success!

The manifestation lay there motionless for a moment before it vanished like smoke on a cold breezy day. Had I won this round? Was it finally over? Looking around to confirm my victory I truly seemed like I had won. But something inside me told me otherwise and I would soon find out the truth… As It felt like it had only just begun…