Chapter 21 - Virtus Imperium

Gonzalez raised his hands as Spencer stepped back. Thong watched closely as both fighters kept the other in their sights.

Thong's thoughts: Gonzalez has kept that blindfold on this entire fight and was able to push Spencer this far. His senses must be among the best.

Thong turned his head and looked past Kusari, staring at the Virtus Imperium's section. Mike was among them.

Thong's thoughts: I need to find him after this match…

Thong looked back at the ring with a noticeable shock.

Kusari: How did this happen?

Blood dripped onto the ground as a large cut ran down Gonzalez's arm.

Zachary: WHAT'S THIS?! GONZALEZ HAS TAKEN A SURPRISING AMOUNT OF DAMAGE!! BUT HOW DID HIS OPPONENT MANAGE TO DAMAGE HIM THIS MUCH?!

Gonzalez's thoughts: In that moment, as I tried to get close, he read ahead as far as possible to get me — this guy is dangerous.

Gonzalez clenched his fist, blood spurting from his arm.

Thong's thoughts: That cut is rather shallow, it likely only got skin deep. Spencer's attacks are no joke to be able to hurt Gonzalez that much.

Gonzalez slowly stepped in a circle whilst continuously facing Spencer, who remained mostly still in the center of Gonzalez's pathing.

Spencer's thoughts: Gonzalez is a man capable of reaching the top ten, yet his skills feel amateurish. Were his matches rigged to get him to the minimum criteria?

Gonzalez let out a huff of air before charging forward. Spencer twitched as Gonzalez's fist shot towards him, Spencer moving his right hand out of his pocket and towards Gonzalez's wrist. Spencer's body moved in shock as Gonzalez's pointer and middle fingers came undone from the fist, grabbing Spencer's outstretched index finger.

Gonzalez: I see, you have sharp points on your gloves. Well, to any opponent that should be clear.

Spencer's thoughts: How far did he read ahead of my attack?

Gonzalez: You're fast, but try to be less predictable.

Gonzalez pulled back his left fist before unleashing a punch to Spencer's face, the glass in the mask's right eye shattering and falling to the ground. Spencer stumbled back as Gonzalez jumped back.

Spencer's thoughts: The weight behind that punch was heavy. If I weren't wearing my mask, he would have easily struck my temple and knocked me unconscious right there. This is the strength behind a top ten's punch!

Spencer shook his head, his right eye entirely visible as he stared down Gonzalez.

Spencer's thoughts: Yet he hasn't looked at me once with his eyes… A blind opponent that is this powerful. Just what heights has he reached.

Gonzalez's hands moved quickly, Spencer stepping back again and again as he narrowly avoided Gonzalez's strikes.

Zachary: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WOULD YOU LOOK AT THIS! THE TABLES HAVE TURNED WITH GONZALEZ NOW HAVING SPENCER ON THE ROPES!!!

Kusari: This seems more correct, but that punch turned the table so quickly. Was Spencer not prepared for Gonzalez's counterattack?

Thong's thoughts: I think Kusari is onto something… But I don't think it was entirely that Spencer was ill-prepared, I think Gonzalez fights differently. The preparations for most of his strikes seemed to be for chops, but looking at that punch, he was going for more than just damage. Even the positioning of it seemed like it was prepared to knock out Spencer in a singular blow.

Spencer finally brought both of his hands out from his pockets, each hand with blades small enough to be naked to the human eye. Gonzalez didn't let up his attack, striking at Spencer again and again. Spencer's hands lashed out, formed like claws as he tried to strike his prey. In the next moment, Spencer's left arm fell limp as another follow-up punch sent Spencer flying back.

Kusari: He finally got him… Spencer started strong, but at this point, no one can beat The Hyena.

Thong turned to look at Kusari.

Kusari: Oh right, you're a rookie. Gonzalez is a terrifying martial artist. While getting hit by fighters even like myself, there is always the chance to power through and continue the fight. But against Gonzalez, he strikes pressure points. So like Spencer there, since Gonzalez landed a strike, he likely won't be using that limb for the rest of the fight.

Thong's eyes opened in shock as he looked down. Gonzalez, the man with blood dripping from a large gash in his forearm, seemed much more likely to win after landing two attacks.

Spencer's thoughts: I lost my arm… My attacks were figured out… Is this the true power of a top ten? That once they fight seriously, that victory seems impossible?

Spencer stared at Gonzalez, a shiver going down his spine as he stared at Gonzalez.

…

One month earlier, Spencer had finally reached the spot as rank 45 in the Eclipse after his seventeenth match. His popularity had shot up as he had sharpened his strikes to be nigh undetectable. Thinking he had found stardom, he walked through the main lobby of the Eclipse headquarters, only to hear that despite his grueling journey, any talk was simply about the current top ten.

Spencer's thoughts: What do they have that I don't? I worked my ass off to get this far, and yet they steal my recognition. If that's how things work around here, then I'll show everyone that we that worked so hard deserve even better than those top ten bastards.

…

Spencer gritted his teeth behind his mask, looking at how the top ten member he wished to beat for the audience to realize his strength, was now showing the gap between their skills.

Spencer's thoughts: Gonzalez, you're a terrifying force. But I would not be a member of the Eclipse if I allowed myself to be defeated so easily!

As Gonzalez moved closer once again, Spencer struck at the ground once again, Gonzalez jumped up.

Gonzalez's thoughts: His legs are fast too, I can't be careless after getting his arm.

Gonzalez landed on the ground once again, strengthening his fingers as he threw a jab at Spencer. As Gonzalez got closer and closer, Spencer's right hand shot out, his hand slashing up Gonzalez's face as Gonzalez's open-hand jab landed just below Spencer's ribcage. Spencer fell to one knee as Gonzalez landed on his feet. The audience looked in shock as Gonzalez's blindfold began to slide down his face. As the blindfold fell to the ground, Gonzalez's eyes opened slowly, revealing brightly colored blue eyes, sparkling under the arena's light. Spencer looked in awe as Gonzalez widened his stance.

Spencer's thoughts: I thought he was blind…

Gonzalez's eyes focused heavily on Spencer's mask, and with one more strike, Spencer's body collapsed to the ground.

Zachary: … AND WE HAVE A WINNER! AND THAT WINNER IS GONZALEZ MUERTOJOS!!

Gonzalez let out a sigh as he crouched down, picking up his blindfold as he walked to the entrance he had originally left.

Gonzalez's thoughts: I hope you found the message you were looking for, Spencer. You were pretty fast.

Kusari let out a chuckle as he looked down at the ring.

Kusari: Even if Spencer was good, Gonzalez is just in another league. I hope he doesn't feel too demotivated from this.

Thong: … It was only a single loss, he should be fine after his recovery.

Kusari stared at Thong before a grouchy look covered his face.

Kusari: I guess you're not aware yet, but losses are a lot more detrimental than just losing a chance at getting some money or whatever. Losses in this organization are heavy blows to one's morale. You can drop two, five, even twenty spots from where you were from a single loss. Compare that to Spencer who hasn't lost a single time he's been here. I wouldn't be surprised that a loss like this, in front of this many people, can lead one to leave the organization for good. I've seen it from plenty of the rookies I've crush-

Kusari immediately looked away as Thong avoided looking at him.

Thong's thoughts: So losing can even lead to that large of a drop in ranks? But that isn't what's important! I need to find Mike.

Thong looked over to the Virtus Imperium, pushing past Kusari and running to their section.

Thong's thoughts: I can see some of them standing up already, they're about to leave!

Thong ran across several rows of seats, getting closer and closer to the Imperium's sector. As several of them began walking through the back doors, Thong bumped into someone before falling to the ground.

???: Watch where you're going, bastard!

Thong shook his head before looking to see who it was.

???: God, people don't understand who they're- Wait, Thong, is that you?

Thong's thoughts: Mike…

The two stared at each other as members of the Virtus Imperium stared at Thong.

Thong's thoughts: I found you…