Born To Lose, Reborn To Win

FIONNA

Observing the stage and being in it were two different things altogether, Fionna realized as Basil NorthClaw encircled her, predatory beady eyes of his on her.

Outside the stage, she was a mere observer with all of her strength reined in. But in the stage, she was a hunter with all her attention on her prey.

She never had doubts for once, but if ever she did, they all disappeared at that moment as her eyes zeroed in on Basil NorthClaw and him alone.

The noises, the cheers, the booings, none of them mattered to her at that moment. 

All that mattered was the prey.

She barely heard the metal clang before Basil swung for her like a well trained panther. He was an agile thing, and his blows were certain without any hint of hesitation.

His claw was bared, while all Fionna did was to raise her fists up, her legs parted as she shifted her weight onto the balls of her feet in rabid anticipation .