Drake Vs Blackthorn

Kael stayed on the cracked stone floor, breathing slowly. He wasn't broken, but a heaviness filled his limbs that had nothing to do with being tired. The crowd's whispers barely reached him. What stuck with him most was how completely Alexander had controlled him. Every move seen before it happened, stopped cold, torn apart.

'He never gave me a chance to lead,' Kael thought, pressing his palm against the cool ground as he finally stood. His body complained, but he ignored it, rolling his shoulders while taking a deep breath. Losing didn't hurt as much as being so thoroughly outclassed.

Across the arena, Alexander stood relaxed, hardly out of breath, not even looking Kael's way. It wasn't pride. It was knowing. The fight was over, and to Alexander, the outcome was never in doubt.