Chapter 97 - Challenging Fear

Simon's breathing was heavy, his brain was rattling and his right arm was now entirely unresponsive. He watched as the "king" in front of him raised his fists. His mind was filled with mixed thoughts of fear and hatred. His body could only tell him his death was soon.

Simon's thoughts: If I lose here, he'll kill me. He'll burn my body just like he did with my parents. I refuse! I refuse to let my body burn like my soul!

Simon placed his left hand out, attempting to hide his dazed state with a look of confidence. Hamadeen immediately charged in, twisting his upper body to throw a strong left straight. Simon pushes the punch away before being hit in the side with a right hook. Simon slashes at Hamadeen with a chop, Hamadeen moving just out of Simon's reach and landing a direct punch to his face. Simon staggers before Hamadeen moves onto the offensive, unleashing several strikes on Simon. Simon immediately attempts to move out of Hamadeen's range before noticing Hamadeen's right foot is stepping on his left. A number of quick punches coat Simon's body, using his left arm to block as many as he can. Hamadeen turned on his right foot, moving around Simon's defense and landing a right hook across Simon's face. For a moment, it had looked like Simon had stopped moving, Hamadeen refused to let this moment pass him by. He aimed for a left follow up, only for Simon's hand to shoot out and cut right below his left armpit. Simon's face was that of a man who refused to die.

Yussuf: Simon's in a bad position!

Nupan: Is it even possible to win in that position? He's up against a boxer, not blocking or dodging strikes is going to knock him out eventually.

Magnus: His chances of success have fallen drastically…

Daymond: I recommend not assuming that Simon will lose. He may be in a bad position, but he is someone who will fight until he has nothing left to give.

Shizu looked back at Daymond, noticing a look in his eye.

Shizu's thoughts: So even a godless man can pray. Don't lose, Simon. We're waiting for you.

Hamadeen looked into Simon's eyes, noticing the flame that burned within them. He smiled before continuing to throw more punches, noticing that Simon is slowly blocking them. Simon put on a small smile as he looked at the punches.

Simon's thoughts: I stabbed his arm, didn't I? Those punches are slower and have less power… As long as I know what those are, I can…

Hamadeen pulled his head back, narrowly avoiding one of Simon's upward spear hands. Simon began unleashing several quick spear hands, aiming to cut and stab Hamadeen further. Hamadeen weaved through the strikes, returning fire as the space between the two fighters became filled with their strikes. The audience was left speechless as blood flew off of Hamadeen and bruises riddled Simon's body. Both of their faces were filled with the desire to win.

Tristan: Is he really going to lose to a guy with one arm?!

Violet: I wouldn't be surprised, that guy is impressive!

Joseph: Hamadeen isn't going to lose. He knows that losing isn't an option.

Amidst their strikes, Hamadeen realized how much faster Simon's strikes slowly became. He noticed the look in Simon's eyes. Simon had begun to aim for one of his higher spear hands to be a finishing blow. The bloodlust in his eyes had told the whole story. Simon's spear hands had slowly started to dig deeper into Hamadeen, small holes spewing blood began to riddle his body. Simon had ignored all the pain dealt to his body, aiming for one strike to kill. Hamadeen gritted his teeth, hoping that his strikes would register in Simon's mind, but Simon had lost any look of pain in his face. Hamadeen had entered a predicament.

…

Hamadeen got punched across the face, Joseph pulling back his fist as Moll and Zenzo watched with beers in their hands.

Zenzo: Why don't you try dodging more?!

Moll: Yeah, that'll help you out a bunch!

Hamadeen: I would if I could. Your punches are really fast, Joseph.

Joseph: Of course they are. Remember, these are the punches that put you down in the ring.

Hamadeen rubbed the back of his head, Joseph picking up a water bottle from the floor and taking a quick sip of it.

Joseph: It's because you're thinking about it all wrong. You're just trying to avoid every piece of damage you take. In matches like the Eclipse's, you're gonna get hurt. Pain is inevitable, so don't try to act like you can avoid it. You need to remember to roll with the punches, so don't be afraid to get hit.

…

Hamadeen's thoughts: If I need to get hit… I'll make sure I hit them harder!

Hamadeen pulls back his left hook before throwing it forward at full force. Simon notices the blow, immediately ducking to his left, the blow flying right past him. He smiled as he finally realized the opportunity that had arisen. His leg hand shot forward, his spear hand digging deep into Hamadeen's gut. Hamadeen coughed up blood, looking down at Simon with a smile. He pulled back his left, aiming it directly to the base of Simon's neck.

Hamadeen's thoughts: Forbidden Revolution!

The punch struck the back of Simon's neck heavily, pain filling his face one moment before a pause came to the action. Joseph chuckled to himself in his seat.

Joseph: Using illegal moves when you won't get punished for it, eh?

Everyone looked intently at the match before them. No one knew what to say before Simon staggered. Despite the power behind the blow, Simon was still not down. Hamadeen pulled himself off of Simon's spear hand, noticing how Simon still had life in his eyes. With a moment of hesitation, pulled back his right fist before bringing it up below Simon's head, throwing a mighty uppercut to Simon's chin. Simon stumbled back, his eyes rolling back before he limply fell to the ground. Everyone stayed still, unsure if he would spring into action once more. The referee slowly moved over to Simon before going down on one knee, putting a hand over Simon's body. He was still breathing but was unresponsive. He waved his arms in the air, Zachary and Zenzo immediately catching wind of it.

Zachary: W-WE HAVE A WINNER! AND THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH IS NONE OTHER THAN HAMADEEN HAAAAMEEEEED!!!!

Hamadeen's arms fell to his side, his breathing heavy before turning away from Simon.

Hamadeen: You were strong. I hope I don't need to fight you ever again.

Hamadeen walked away from Simon, meeting up with Moll and Midori that stood at his entrance. Moll proudly placed a hand on Hamadeen's shoulder, Hamadeen recoiling and Moll quickly pulling his hand away.

Moll: Forgot, spear hands. But you did good out there, kid.

Midori: Your drive and skill were quite extraordinary. Let's have you patched up.

Hamadeen: Thanks, you two. I just need to get bandaged up and have some time to sit down. I'm tired.

Moll, Midori, and Hamadeen headed back to the infirmary, the first one to meet them there was none other than Kuro. Kuro walked up to Hamadeen with his hands in his pockets, a wide smile on his face.

Kuro: Nice work, bitch. You beat that living butter knife.

Hamadeen: Yeah, he was tough. I'm lucky I survived that.

Kuro: You survived that alright. How about you and me do a little bit of fighting?

Midori: Kuro, are you really trying to pick on someone who's this injured? Do you know no shame?

Tico: Chill it, gramps. I know kids' tones pretty good and he isn't trying to be malicious. From what I can tell, he wants to train with Hamadeen.

Kuro's smile slightly trembled, but he kept his confidence up. Hamadeen looked at him and smiled.

Hamadeen: Maybe later. I think that'd be fun.

Moll: Would you look at that? Youngsters really do have a lot of energy. But don't let all those holes take the rest of your blood, Hamadeen.

Hamadeen: Yeah… Yeah…

Hamadeen's legs buckled, Moll quickly catching him before moving him over to a bed.

Moll: Nurse, we're going to need a blood transfer and fast. He's type AB, so help him out here.

Nurse: Roger that!

Midori: It seems that match changed you, Kuro.

Kuro: It didn't change me for shit. But I know now that some of these guys would be great to play with!

Midori had a soft smile as Kuro wore a prideful look on his face.