Another punch came flying—a heavy left hook—but Damon's instincts kicked in. He slipped just enough, his back skimming the cage wall as he reset his balance.
His mind cleared fast.
But the damage was done.
He had been touched. Hard.
And everyone in the arena knew it.
Malikin smirked, his feet planting as he stalked forward, confidence in his every step.
For the first time in his career, Damon Cross was on the defensive before he could get started.
And now he had to dig deep.
Fast.
Absolutely. Let's dive back into the action. Damon recovers his composure and starts to fire back with intelligence, precision, and grit. We'll keep it within round one and give it the epic, high-stakes energy you're looking for.
Damon's feet found the canvas again, solid, steady. His jaw ached, but his head was clear. He tasted blood on his lip and knew it was his own. A reminder.
You're in a fight now.
No more feeling out. No more calculations.
It was time to answer back.
