Fight Or Kill

Alice was eating her breakfast when Aliyah appeared and said, "Your tournament is due tomorrow and you are sitting here, eating like homeless people. You should be focused on your training and your mind should be concentrated on the techniques that I taught you." Alice took a medium burp and said, "Don't worry, Aliyah. I am keeping my mind cool and relaxed so that I don't get nervous and start acting crazy. A great martial artist once said that an empty stomach is the enemy of intelligence. So, I'm filling my stomach with enough food to keep my brain relaxed." Aliyah said grimly, "Do whatever you like, Alice. But remember one thing that tomorrow at this very time, you would be standing in front of someone who will be more stronger and experienced than you. So, if you don't want to be paranoid, then start acting paranoid because I am feeling much paranoid." Alice said, "Chill, lady. We are going to do fine tomorrow. We are more prepared than most of the people in the tournament." Aliyah said, "Fine. If you want to remain calm and relaxed, fine. But, I have to make some necessary arrangements for my dear friend." She suddenly disappeared in purple smoke as Alice was about to ask her a question. Alice sighed and continued watching TV.

Everyone was cheering and flashing their favourite fighter photos and tshirts in the camera as thousands and thousands of people gathered for the tournament. The tournament was not that special, but a sudden funding from various political parties and the President himself made the small tournament a large competition and also the number of matches increased and fifteen new fighters joined the roster. Many sponsorships flooded the betting markets with tons of cash and made the bets even more expensive. Ms. Shepherd and Mr. Watwell decided to increase their bets too, but couldn't due to them being distinctive authorities. Ms. Shepherd still managed to combine her bets with some other teachers of her college and increased it to a mere one percent. Assayah was standing near Isabella and telling her few important things before her fight with a local junior karate champion. Gongamtei looked at the karate champion and said, "It's a boy. I didn't know it is a inter gender competition. Anyway, Isabella won't have problem defeating this little champ. He seems a little speedy but I don't think his strikes will do much damage. Try to attack him in the solar plexus often when you see gaps in his movement. If possible, try to end him in the first round only. Prolonging won't be much healthy." Assayah smiled, "Let her fight as she understands. Your aspirations will make her nervous. Listen, the boy is a karate champion and so definitely will have some skill in his repertoire, but that's not important. He is good and maybe a little speedy as Gongamtei observed and that's a factor you must be careful of. But, I have seen you fight and you strength lies in your deceptive attacks and explosive power. Use it when necessary and be safe. Now, go on and win it." He shaked her body and patted her shoulder as she entered the octagon.

They walked and sat near Ms. Shepherd and Mr. Watwell alongside with Tom and his son Cameron. Assayah asked, "So, how's you little business doing nowadays?" Cameron said, "Your medicines helped a lot and now I can do something for my girls. But, what about Mr. Wolf?" Assayah said, "He deserted mid way saying that he got far more important work than nabbing your attacker. Anyway, what happened has already happened and now we should focus on this tournament. It might have some suprise for you." Cameron asked, "What suprise?" Assayah smiled, "Just wait and watch." Ms. Shepherd looked at Gongamtei and asked, "Did you trained my daughter well? If she loses before reaching finals, I will sue you." Gongamtei smiled, "Don't worry, Ms. Shepherd. She is going to win this tournament at any cost." Ms. Shepherd smiled, "Oh, thanks a ton, mister." Gongamtei murmured, "After she wins the tournament, I'm going to fuck her till death. Assayah may say anything but she is not the one destined to be my apprentice. I want someone stronger and experienced than this little cunt and especially not another girl." Assayah listened to Gongamtei's thoughts and said, "We will need her for future plans, Gongamtei. Fuck her but don't kill her. She will be a perfect weapon for us." Gongamtei said, "Whatever." Mr. Watwell looked at Assayah and asked, "Where is that Alice? She must here by now. Her fight is scheduled to happen in the next hour." Assayah smiled, "I'm not her assistant, sir. She is going to arrive when she will come. Till then, focus on Isabella's fight." Mr. Watwell gave him an angry look but stopped from showing any response. He looked at the organiser and the chief sponsor of the tournament, Mr. Tyson Lee. Tyson Lee was a renowned ex professional fighter and now an industrious businessman and philanthropist. He was currently looking for a female fighter who can represent USA in the upcoming Olympics and also become the new face of his women's fighting division which he inaugurated a few weeks ago.

Mr. Watwell immediately rose and walked briskly towards Mr. Lee and said politely, "It's an honour for me to meet you here, sir." Mr. Lee looked at him and said, "Thanks. But, I have barely recognised you. Can you please introduce yourself?" Mr. Watwell said, "We meet at your inauguration party last week at Toronto. You said that you will be eagerly waiting for the tournament and you would personally come here to scout for some young talents for your women's fighting division." Mr. Lee smiled, "Oh, I remember. Mr. Watwell, the former mayor of Chicago." Mr. Watwell smiled, "Not the former mayor. I'm still the incumbent mayor of Chicago." Mr. Lee smiled, "Pardon me. Politics is not much of my interest. I even sometimes forget my city's mayor. By the way, looking at the girls I don't guarantee much success for them to be selected by my training team. Most of them are quite lean and young and are bound to lose even before reaching quarter finals. But, again judging someone by their body is against my rules so let's see who can be my next face of my women's division." He shook Mr. Watwell's hand and went away. Mr. Watwell returned to his seat and sat down. Assayah whispered, "What is Tyson Lee doing here?" Mr. Watwell asked, "You know him?" Assayah smiled, "Of course. I know. He is such a celebrated public figure of today's generation." Mr. Watwell said, "He sponsored the majority of the tournament and apparently is looking for an apprentice who can take forward his legacy. I'm hoping Isabella to be atleast in his good books for the tournament and if she even manages to reach quaterfinals, she will be enlisted in Mr. Lee's training roster list." Assayah smiled, "That's quite a good news. I pray too for her success." Mr. Watwell smiled.

Assayah looked at Gongamtei and said in his mind, "This idiot is planning to give away Isabella to Lee's training camp. How do I explain to him that his daughter is no longer his daughter but a collateral damage for the war we are planning to make happen." Gongamtei said, "These flithy mortals are only created to be a pain in our asses and create problems for us. Isabella has already ingested a lot of my secret potion and I cannot let her waste such great power on defeating people for stupid trophies. The potion that I gave her will make her inner self more powerful and her mind will forget forgiveness and mercy and will turn her into a killing machine. I cannot let her waste my precious abilities on useless mortals." Assayah asked, "You gave him the rare potion that is so sacred just for a tournament." Gongamtei said, "Not for this stupid tournament. I gave her the potion so she could come completely under my control and she could kill Alice without any remorse or fear." Assayah said grimly, "Your plan is quite risky." Gongamtei said, "It's the time to be risky or else you know what happened with Krymon." Assayah smiled, "Krymon died because he took the risk." Gongamtei said, "Whatever. Concentrate on the match now."

Isabella calmly took her stance and as soon as the referee whistled, the boy jumped towards her and Isabella put her hands up in defence. The boy easily found an opening in her defence and kicked her in the stomach. Isabella rolled on the mat and banged the net with a tough force. Isabella slowly rose and was about to see up when the boy gave a straight kick on her face which nearly broke her jaw. Isabella still managed to get up and got another punch on her jaw and then a roundhouse kick on her temple. Isabella immediately coughed a little spit with a little amount of blood, but still was standing. The boy jumped again, but this time Isabella rolled away and the boy hitted the net with full force and injured his arm. Isabella punched him in the jaw and then took him in a fireman carry position and threw him on the mat with violent force, immediately breaking his front two teeth. She then did a back spin kick and incapacitated her opponent. The referee and all looked at her with awe and then a sudden burst of applause and claps started to echo all round the stadium. Ms. Shepherd looked at Gongamtei and said, "You have made her quite different from earlier. She is way more dangerous now." Gongamtei smiled, "It's all in the mind, Ms. Shepherd. She did her own thing by herself." Mr. Watwell quickly walked towards Tyson Lee and said, "I hope you are enjoying the show. The young individuals have progressed quite a lot and I hope that you will find your star in this stadium only."

Mr. Lee looked at him and said, "That girl was extraordinary. It was like she didn't even feel any pain at all and she defeated the boy in just three attacks. Even though I say it was quite impressive but again it looks quite sceptical too. How can she do that? She is definitely not a fighter material and I can say that from my years of in ring experience. Anyway, if that girl can keep her standards intact till quarter finals then she can have a contract with us." Mr. Watwell smiled, "Coming events cast their shadow long before. I have some trust in this girl." Mr. Lee smiled, "So, she's your girl. That's why you were so eager for me to come here today. Don't worry if she is good, then I won't have any problem in taking her under my tutelage. But, remember I don't like requests and bribes. I'm warning you beforehand." Mr. Lee rose and walked towards the stage where he was about to give a speech.

Mr. Lee looked at the roaring and cheering audience and waved his hand. He came near the microphone and said, "Good afternoon, my dear fans and the audience present here today at the stadium. Most of you know me and have heard about me in news or sports channels and due to your immense love and blessings, I'm appointed the new coach of the women's fighting division preparing for the upcoming Olympics. My presence here today is both recreational and professional as I have come here to both enjoy and select able and deserving fighters amongst you for my new women's fighting division that I inaugurated a week ago. Enthusiasm and dedication with a blend of hardworking spirit and honest heart is the identity of a good and successful martial artist. My master used to say that the true martial artist is not the one who can defeat hundred people alone, but the one who can find his peace and have mercy for his opponents in the octagon. I know that martial arts is a violent sport but the essence of martial arts relies on the mind of the fighter. If he or she believes that he is the most powerful person just because he or she can do some fancy kicks and punches, then he or she is bound to lose every battle of his life. Arrogance is the surest path that leads to destruction and humiliation of one's true self. Anyway, I won't bore you any further with my speech as we all are here for something more exciting than my speech." He waved his hand and walked down the stage and took his seat amongst the audience.

Gongamtei looked at Assayah and said, "I highly disagree with Lee's speech. Power feeds power and if one wants to develop power, he has to shape it up with more power. He said that the essence of martial arts relies on peace and other bullshit, but in reality a person who is in the business of hurting others can never be in peace. Bloody hands can only be washed with more blood." Assayah said, "Chill dude. Lee talked about the inner peace that is quite important for any fighter. Anyway, our focus is not him but that Alice who has the spear. I have looked at the schedule for today's fight and she is scheduled to face Alexa Claymore tomorrow afternoon. Then, we can see what she is and what she is capable of." Gongamtei smiled, "Alexa Claymore? She will definitely need to use any hidden power she possesses if she wants to win the fight." Assayah and Gongamtei looked at each other and laughed.....