Chapter 143 - Hit-And-Run

Cero and Remy turned their backs on the other, opening distance between them. The referee stood in his spot as he watched the fighters open distance. The sound of the flag being the only thing that could be heard outside of the audience's whispers. Ryan and Kammy stood at Cero's entrance, watching him come closer. Despite looking directly at them, he paid them no mind. His sights were on something beyond just the people and sights before him. Remy's lips quivered as he moved away from Cero, quickly turning around to face his much larger opponent. Cero turned around, the sight being as colossal as a mountain moving to Remy.

Remy's thoughts: He's rank number two of the Eclipse… He nearly beat Daymond in the past… Am I cut out for this…?

Remy closed his eyes, letting out a heavy breath. His eyes opened with a look of determination, holding onto his staff with both hands.

Remy's thoughts: Worrying won't get me anywhere. I just need to fight the best I can.

Cero and Remy faced down the other with the referee glancing over to Remy.

Referee's thoughts: If I were you, kid, I would give up now. But I can't disqualify you until you say so… So please don't make me regret this.

The referee raised his arm, tension building in the walls of the ring.

Referee: FIGHTERS! TAKE YOUR STANCES!!

Remy widened his stance, holding firmly onto his stance. Cero raised both fists, his eyes now focusing on his opponent. Remy felt a shiver go down his spine, but he chose to ignore it. The referee took in a deep breath of air before swinging down his fist at full force.

Referee: BEGIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!

Remy charged forward, watching Cero slowly inch forward. He spun his staff as he ran, his movements like an airplane about to take flight. Remy struck forward, his staff flying through the spinning formation. Cero quickly blocked the strike with his forearm. He glanced at his arm.

Cero's thoughts: Interesting, that strike wasn't light. I expected something much weaker from him.

Remy noticed Cero's change in focus, quickly spinning his staff again to aim at Cero's open right side. Cero's hand flew up, grabbing the staff before it could connect with his shoulder. Cero's eyes moved to Remy, who gritted his teeth as a cold sweat formed on his forehead.

Cero: Your choices are quite predictable.

Cero prepared to crush the staff in his grip as a force sent him sliding back. Remy's legs landed on the ground as he spun his staff around him.

Zachary: Unbelievable! Did my eyes just deceive me?

Zenzo: Remy sent Cero back with a flying kick!

Cero patted down his chest, looking up to see Remy take a wide stance once more.

Cero's thoughts: That kick didn't hurt, but he was able to move me. He got lucky.

Remy furrowed his eyebrows, watching Cero's body language closely. Cero clenched his fists, charging directly for Remy. Remy let out a heavy breath, running in as well. Cero threw a left straight, Remy shivering from the power behind the blow. He took a large step forward, knocking the blow upward with his staff before striking Cero's chest with his staff. Cero moved his right arm to grab the staff once more, only for Remy to quickly spin the staff and slam it into the left side of Cero's face. He jumped back, spinning his staff overhead as Cero rubbed his cheek with the back of his left hand.

Zachary: Remy's attacks are far more bold than the previous round! Could he be aiming to win this match with hit-and-run tactics?

Cero's thoughts: The strategy isn't poor. He's well aware that I am above him in most categories. But now I'll crush that strategy.

Cero charged forward, throwing several quick punches towards Remy. Remy quickly weaved through the attacks, using the bottom of his staff to push him ever so slightly. Each of Cero's strikes missed their mark as sweat built up on Remy's face. In his eyes, each strike was an attack that would be able to kill him instantly. Remy looked up, seeing Cero pull back his right fist with great force.

Cero's thoughts: KenShinka Style: Demon Form - Twisting Flames

Cero's fist moved through the air like a missile. Remy pushed back with his staff, moving entirely out of the way of Cero's strike. His fist kept moving, slamming into the ground. Debris flew into the air as a crater was left in the ground, the edges of it in a twisting shape. Remy's breathing became disheveled, looking at the power Cero held in his hands.

Remy's thoughts: That would have killed me… He was trying to kill me…

Remy looked over to Cero, who loomed over him like a hulking figure. Ryan let out a laugh.

Kammy: Something funny?

Ryan: Yeah. Cero was definitely holding back there. He likely doesn't want to kill Remy, so he's showing off just enough to make him forfeit.

Kammy: As expected of our faction leader! Even when faced with an opponent, he shows them mercy!

Ryan's thoughts: Casually throwing out a punch like that. How unlike you, Cero. Are you saving your bloodlust for Daniel? Or is there someone else you are saving it for?

Cero brought both fists up, staring down his shaking opponent.

Cero: This is your last chance. Forfeit or face what will come from continuing this match.

Remy closed his eyes, gripping onto his staff tightly. Everything in his body screamed at him to forfeit. He could hardly get his breathing under control. Everyone in the infirmary stared at the screen.

Angel: As much as I hate to say it, Remy's best bet right now is to forfeit. Cero's just too strong…

Hugo: Yeah. That last punch would have turned him into a pancake. If he wants to keep living, he better give up.

Carrie: Maybe he shouldn't dodge…

Mike: What is up with you?

Theodore: Even if it looks bleak, we must hold faith in Remy. He hasn't given up yet.

Remy tightened his grip on his staff, opening his eyes as he pointed the end of it at Cero.

Remy: M-M-Man… As much as I would l-like to give up… I won't! I-I'm not a coward!

Cero: I can see you shaking from here. This is no place for the weak.

Remy: Weak…? Yeah, you're r-right… So I'll just h-have to show y-you I'm not weak.

Cero raised an eyebrow before realizing the meaning of Remy's words. Remy dash forward, his staff trailing behind him. Cero raised his guard, watching Remy prepare for a swing. Remy spun his staff, the flag waving as he thrusted it forward. It aimed for the gap in Cero's guard. Cero pushed it away with his left forearm, only for the other end to strike the side of his head. His eyes darted, blocking another quick strike that came from his right. Remy spun his staff masterfully, refusing to give Cero a moment to drop his guard.

Man: Look at how fast it's moving!

Woman: I think I can hear the flag from here!

Cero's face grew disgruntled, aiming to grab the staff. Remy smiled, slamming his staff into the ground, pushing himself forward. Cero turned as a hook kick slammed across his face. Remy jumped back, using Cero's face as a platform. He applied pressure to his staff, opening the distance even greater. Cero frowned as Remy now stood several meters away from him.

Zenzo: Unbelievable!

Zachary: Remy is using every inch of the range advantage his staff gives him to prevent Cero from striking him! He's fighting for the long haul!

Remy's thoughts: You bet I am!

Remy's smile disappeared as Cero charged forward. He looked like a moving fortress, not a single attack seeming like it had affected him in the slightest. Remy held his staff tightly before throwing it into the air. Cero threw several quick strikes, Remy weaving through each blow that was just a hair away from him. The audience looked in shock, noticing that Remy avoided each blow.

Man 1: How is he doing it?!

Man 2: He's dodging each one!

Cero's eyes squinted as his hand grabbed onto Remy's face and flung him across the ring. Remy rolled on the ground before stopping on his feet. His eyes shot open as Cero held one hand in the air. He brought down a hammer fist, Remy dodging it at the last moment. The strike formed cracks all around the impact. Remy ran around Cero, jumping into the air to grab his staff. Cero whipped around, throwing a swift punch. Remy blocked it with his staff, being flung back and slammed against the ring wall. He let out a gasp as he dropped to the ground.

Zachary: He's finally caught him!

Zenzo: You can't run away forever, and Cero shows that such tactics are futile against him!

Kammy: Yes!

Remy pushed himself up from the ground, watching Cero move closer.

Remy's thoughts: Dammit… He caught me twice there… I need to follow my sparring with Gonzalez closer!

Gonzalez stood at the top row of seats, watching the match closely. Jason appeared from the entrance behind him, turning to him.

Jason: Enjoying the show too?

Gonzalez: I didn't expect to get a visitor here.

Jason: I'm just looking for a good view. And man, isn't he getting a royal asswhooping out there.

Gonzalez: Despite being my teammate, I can acknowledge that Remy is outclassed here. He'll need to play every card he can to win.

Jason: Every card, huh?

Remy's eyes darted around him, making the only decision he could. Cero charged at him, pulling back his fist before unleashing it. Remy slammed the bottom of his staff onto the ground and – after putting all of his strength into his legs – jumped far over Cero's head. Everyone let out an audible gasp, watching Cero's punch slam into the wall as his opponent jumped far overhead.

Man: He turned his staff into a pole vault!

Cero turned around, raising his forearm as a small cut appeared. Remy, spinning his staff as quickly as possible, had cut into Cero's skin.

Cero's thoughts: So him performing this against Nupan was no mistake. If he plays dangerously, he can do some impressive damage. Impressive for him that is.

Cero moved inward, blocking Remy's spin with one of his arms. He reached forward, grabbing onto Remy's face before sweeping his legs with one foot.

Cero's thoughts: KenShinka Style: Earth Form - Falling Sky

Cero pushed down, Remy's eyes staring widely through the gap in Cero's fingers. Cero's eyebrows raised as Remy continued to spin in the air, slipping out of Cero's hold and spinning above the hold. Remy spun in the air, slamming his staff down at full force onto the back of Cero's head. He landed on his feet, gritting his teeth. Cero remained unmoving before pushing up against Remy's staff with his head alone. His right eyebrow twitched in annoyance, a quick shiver going down Remy's entire body. Cero threw forward a punch, sending Remy flying back. Remy let out a gasp, flying several meters away from Cero. Fighting against the pain, he slammed his staff into the ground, halting his flight. He came to his feet, spinning his staff once more. He quickly took the flag off the staff, stuffing it into his pocket as he aimed the end at Cero.

Remy's thoughts: I won't give up! I failed there, but I refuse to lose! My friends, they're relying on me!