The whistle broke the silence, the beginning of the second round. Kaid clenched his fists, arms shaking but spirit still strong. Across from him, **093** cracked his knuckles, his smile spreading wider as he advanced slowly, heavily.
"Still on your feet, huh?" **093** snarled, his voice low. "Let's see for how long that holds."
Kaid didn't say a word. He moved his weight, maintaining his light stance and watching his opponent's moves. Recruits leaned forward along the ring, tension setting in as they anticipated the fight to resume.
"Don't get pinned," Atlas bellowed from the side, his voice commanding but urgent.
"Yeah, stay agile, Kaid!" Ava chimed in, her hands clenched as she watched.
As **093** lunged, Kaid darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a thunderous punch aimed at his ribs. The force of the missed blow made the crowd flinch, but Kaid didn't pause. He countered with a quick jab to **093**'s side, the impact sharp but controlled.
"That all you've got?" **093** sneered, shrugging off the hit. "You're gonna have to try harder than that."
"Too much mouth," Kaid replied quickly, his voice even.
The bigger recruit's smile failed him, and a black glaze appeared in his eyes as he attacked once more. This time, he moved faster, angrier. His fists flew in rapid, furious combinations, each blow aimed at breaking Kaid's guard.
Kaid deflected the first punch, dodged the second, and caught the third on his forearm. The blow sent him reeling backward, a numb ache in his arm, but he did not flinch. His breathing remained even, his concentration unbroken.
Axel stood watching from the sidelines, his fists clenched at his sides. "Stay sharp," he breathed to himself, so quietly that his voice was on the edge of being lost in the whispers of the recruits.
"You've got this, Kaid!" Lila said softly, her hands clasped together in anxious anticipation.
The fight continued, the two recruits circling each other like predators. Kaid kept moving, staying just out of **093**'s reach. He knew he couldn't match the brute's strength, but he could wear him down.
You're quicker than I'd thought," **093** snarled, his anger at last getting the better of him. "But that won't save you for ever."
Kaid exploded into a burst of speed, faking to the left and shooting **093** into guard stance. Whirling on his heel, he then kicked hard at the back of **093**'s knee. The bigger recruit stumbled fractionally, his balance destroyed for a moment.
The crowd murmured in surprise, some of them leaning forward as Kaid took advantage of the opening. He followed up with a quick series of punches, targeting **093**'s ribs and jaw. Each strike was precise, forcing **093** to step back and reassess.
"You're annoying," **093** spat, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Good," Kaid replied, his voice steady.
But **093** did not finish. With a bellow, he moved forward, fists flying like hammers. Kaid dodged the first one, but the second struck solidly on his shoulder, and he staggered.
The crowd gasped as Kaid clamped his jaws shut, pushing through the pain and trying to remain upright. "Come on, Kaid," Atlas bellowed, his voice carrying above the din.
Kaid brought himself back in hand, chest heaving as he refocused. This wasn't simply about enduring—it was about triumph. He needed to bide his time.
**093** advanced once more, his movement a mite more labored now, his breathing harsh. Kaid picked up on the fatigue seeping into the stance of the other and watched for his chance.
As **093** threw another punch, Kaid dodged and countered with a sharp uppercut to his jaw. The blow snapped **093**'s head back, sending a shockwave through the crowd.
The recruits erupted in gasps, some of them cheering as **093** staggered back, his balance faltering.
"You're dead," **093** growled, his voice shaky.
"No," Kaid said simply, his tone calm but resolute.
Before **093** could get up, Kaid had him cornered, catching him with a knockout punch to the side and followed by a stiff elbow to the temple. The bigger recruit doubled up, covering his head in agony.
The whistle blew again to signal the end of the bout. The guard stepped forward, yelling at the top of his lungs. "Winner: Recruit Kaid!"
The room erupted with whispers, the recruits gawking at each other in surprise. Kaid left the ring, his walk slower but not wavering. He removed sweat from his brow, his countenance tranquil although he felt his system surged through by adrenaline.
Axel and the rest grouped around him.
"You were amazing!" Lila exclaimed with opened eyes.
"Good job," Atlas replied with a nod of his head.
"You didn't make it—you beat him," Ava chimed in, pounding him on the back.
Kaid groaned a weary grin, his chest still laboring. "Thanks. I'm just glad I wasn't flattened."
At the opposite end of the room, Commander Rourke observed the scene, his keen eyes furrowing ever so slightly. Kaid had caught his notice—and not necessarily because of his win.
The assistant stepped forward again, his clipboard in hand. "Next match!" he barked. "Who's stepping up?"
A figure emerged from the crowd—a smaller recruit with wiry limbs, fiery orange hair, and sharp eyes. The number **076** was stitched into his uniform.
He pointed directly at Ava, his expression steady but confident. "You're up."
Ava smiled, getting up and cracking her knuckles. "Okay. Try to keep up."
Axel's team looked at each other, the excitement in their faces replaced by anticipation as Ava entered the ring.
"Let's see how this works," Axel muttered to himself, his eyes still on the next match.