The group began to break apart as they made their way toward the arena. Shuren, Assad, and Kiichi headed straight for the octagon, their footsteps echoing against the pristine white floor and meanwhile, the others veered off, climbing the steps to the upper viewing platform.
Taura bounced with excitement, practically skipping as she gazed at the arena.
"Man, this is gonna be epic! Rookie fights are always a riot, sometimes they even cry! Right, right?!"" She spun around, scanning the faces around her.
Pixia smirked, hands casually tucked in her pockets. "Depends on who's crying. If it's Kiichi, I'll be all for it."
Tasia laughed so hard she nearly stumbled on the stairs. "Please let him cry. I've been waiting for that since last year."
But as Taura continued to look around, a frown slowly crept onto her face.
"Wait… hold on. Where's Lokei?"
Suddenly, everyone fell silent.
"…Don't tell me he wandered off again," Taura muttered, shooting a glare at the empty stairs behind them.
Back At The Family Hall
Lokei lounged at the same long table as before, his legs kicked up on a chair, happily slurping a gigantic bowl of noodles. His plate was already piled high with empty bowls, as if he hadn't moved an inch.
"Hah… all that fuss over some rookie and a spar? Honestly, they get so worked up over the dumbest stuff. It's like watching kids squabble over candy."he grumbled through a mouthful of broth, splattering soup across his chin.
He snatched a dumpling with his chopsticks, shoving it into his mouth whole. He chewed with gusto, glaring at the empty seats across from him as if the food was the only reliable company he had left.
"'Oh look, Assad's so special! Ohhh, let's all cheer him on!Tch. Give me a break." Lokei mimicked in a high-pitched voice, waving his chopsticks around like a conductor.
He took another slurp of noodles, the sound echoing off the walls. A piece of meat slipped out, landing in his lap and glanced down, sighed, and then popped it into his mouth anyway.
"…You all can sit around clapping for the rookie. Me? I've got better things to do." He slammed his chopsticks down, stood up with noodle broth still dripping from his sleeve, and threw his jacket over his shoulder.
"Got a mission. Real work. None of this silly showmanship."
Lokei stomped toward the exit, but his foot got caught in the long leg of his chair, sending him tumbling forward. His face hit the table with a loud thunk.
He slowly peeled himself off the wood, completely unfazed, and grabbed one last dumpling from his plate.
"…Totally worth it."
He stuffed it in his mouth, walked off still chewing, and mumbled with his mouth full: "Good luck, rookie. Try not to die while I'm gone."
The air in the stark white arena was thick with anticipation. Every pair of eyes from the viewing platform was fixed on the two figures standing inside the octagon Assad and Kiichi, locked in a tense silence.
Shuren stood between them, her presence slicing through the stillness like a knife. A soft glow illuminated her face as she took a drag from her cigarette, the ember flaring brightly under the harsh white lights.
Smoke drifted lazily above her head as her sharp gaze shifted from one fighter to the other.
"Well,it's clear what you two need to do." She took another drag, her voice steady and indifferent.
"No rules. Just hurt each other as much as you want, I couldn't care less." she said, exhaling a thin stream of smoke,
Her words hung in the air, flat and unforgiving.
Kiichi cracked his knuckles, a grin sharp as glass spreading across his face. Assad straightened up, his silver eyes narrowing.
They both nodded slowly, their cold stares locking in the center of the arena. On the surface, they appeared calm, composed and ready.
Shuren let out another puff of smoke, flicking the ash to the floor as she lazily raised her hand.
"…Start."
Silence enveloped the room; the stark white walls seemed to swallow the word, leaving only the soft hum of the lights and the steady rhythm of Assad's breathing.
Neither man budged. Kiichi tilted his head, rolling his shoulders like a predator preparing to pounce, a smirk slowly spread across his face.
"Here's the deal, rookie.l'll give you some free shots but I attack sometimes. Go ahead, hit me wherever you want. I'll even rate them for you. Think of it as… charity." Kiichi blared as he held up three fingers.
His voice echoed in the stillness, but Assad didn't flinch. His silver eyes remained fixed, unblinking, as if Kiichi's taunt had never even registered.
Kiichi chuckled, lowering his hand. "No? What's wrong? Afraid you'll make a fool of yourself?"
Still, there was no response. Assad stood there, as calm as a statue, the smirk on Kiichi's face faltering for just a moment before sharpening again, his voice dropping, each word dripping with venom.
"…Or maybe you're just what everyone says dead weight. All talk, no action and just another pretty face hiding behind that silver-eyed gaze.
Assad's eyes flickered, a crack appearing in his calm facade. His jaw tightened, breath hissing through his nose.
Assad then sprang into action his fist connected with Kiichi's jaw like a steel hammer, the sound echoing through the sterile white room.
The force lifted Kiichi off his feet, sending him crashing sideways across the octagon floor. Gasps rippled through the viewing platform and even Taura's jaw dropped, caught between cheering and disbelief.
Assad slowly lowered his fist, his silver eyes fixed on the still figure before him. For a brief moment, he thought
'Is that it? All bark and no bite? This guy was way too cocky.'
Then, the silence shattered as a laugh was heard. It started low, muffled, but quickly grew louder. Kiichi's shoulders shook as he pushed himself off the floor, a wide grin spreading across his face despite the bruise darkening his jaw.
"Wow…" he rasped, wiping the blood from his lip with the back of his hand. His eyes sparkled with a wild, manic energy.
"That was kinda… good." He stretched the words out, his voice cracking with laughter. "Gotta give it… hmm…"
He straightened up, flexing his neck with a satisfying crack.
"…a solid zero point one outta ten."
The crew above erupted in chaos Taura shouted, Pixia groaned in annoyance, and Tasia laughed so hard she slapped the railing.
Down below, Assad's lips pressed into a thin line. He hadn't expected gratitude, but mockery? His pulse steadied, his stance lowered, and for the first time since stepping into this room, his fighting instincts kicked in.
Kiichi licked his teeth, grinning like a wolf. "Now it's my turn."