5 points

Noah exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders as he set his stance again. Nothing had changed. Nothing except the fact that Riku had already used up his one lifeline.

'No more resets. No more safety nets.'

Riku had played his best card, erased a moment of Noah's triumph, and reset the fight to his favor. But that trick was a one-time deal. Now, all Noah had to do was continue exactly what he was doing before.

Noah lunged.

His chi surged through his legs, propelling him forward at an angle just as Riku swung a right hook. Noah ducked under it, feeling the air rush past his ear. He knew better than to assume that was it—the echo would come next.

Anticipating the replay, Noah pivoted, shifting positions just as the second punch materialized out of thin air. Riku's fist met empty space, and Noah wasted no time capitalizing.

His counterpunch snapped forward, chi-infused, drilling into Riku's ribs.