The Match

The strobe lights fell into the sky. They always stood out in comparison to the other illuminations of the arena.

"The newcomer Damien is about to have his debut match at the early age of seventeen. Something unheard of in this profession. What do you say, Jack?"

The commentary rolled on as two young men entered the ring. The elastic stretched as Damien entered the ring. The ashen wings were absent. His face had a trace of emotion that was rare.

Anticipation. Eagerness.

"You said it all, Paul. This guy got some heavy balls to go up against the rookie killer when he has no aptitude in magic."

"But Jack, do you not think that comment was unexpected? After all, magic is not allowed in boxing."

"Haha. We are commentators, Paul! We have seen many of those wannabes walk onto that stage, right?"

"Right. So?"

"Losers will remain losers no matter where they are!"

"We shall see!"

The stadium was barely full. Yet Damien did not mind this or the commentators at all. His focus was on the match.

"Son! We are with you. Your whole family is here. You can win!"

He patted Damiens back. Damien walked into the center and looked into his opponent's face.

'Something is wrong.'

The referee repeated the rules. The bell was rung to start the round.

'Red eyes. I remember this from somewhere...'

He noticed his opponent's eyes when he closed in on him. They were both in-step fighters. Both right. Damien stood with his guard up, peeking through his fists onto his opponent's face.

Boom!

The man in the red shorts sidestepped and delivered a right hook which landed square on his jaws. Damien turned on his front foot, jabbed into his opponent's stomach. As the guy bent a little from the impact, Damien shifted his weight to his back foot.

Boom!

Damien had converted the momentum he gained into an uppercut.

Blocked!

'Something is wrong. This...this is not real.'

His opponent took two steps back. A glowing ball appeared in front of him.

'I am about to die. I must act!'

Suddenly a crossbow appeared on his left arm. It fired!

Shoosh! Thud!

The entire scene changed to that of rolling meadows.

-Skill: Boxing lvl 3->4

-Vampiric Absorption activated

'Fuck! From where did this pop up from!'

Damien was referring to the tree-like monster in front of him. Tentacles whipped away at the ground in front of him.

'Was the meadows not supposed to safe!'

He steadied himself for the upcoming battle.