The practice fights were in full force when Cyrus emerged, his sharp gray eyes focused on Axel with stubborn resolve. A self-satisfied smile stretched on his face, riling the calm resolve on Axel's face.
"You've been playing hero long enough, Sage," Cyrus sneered. "See if you can hold your own with the real deal."
Axel's warriors shared nervous looks, the atmosphere between them taut.
"You don't have to do that," Kaid growled, his tone rough.
"I do," Axel said calmly. His eyes didn't falter as he moved into the vacant arena.
Both warriors didn't even have time to react before Commander Rourke's rough voice boomed within the structure.
"Stop it!
The recruits stood still, their gazes flicking to the Commander. Rourke stepped forward, his scarred face inscrutable but demanding immediate respect.
"This isn't about a grudge," Rourke said coldly. "It's about proving yourselves to everyone. Guards, clear the center arena. This fight won't be ignored.".
In mere seconds, sparring rings were abandoned, the biggest room of the building available for what had become a show. Recruits lined the periphery, murmurs spreading through them as Axel and Cyrus headed toward the ring.
Axel glided into position, his guard firm and alert. Cyrus sauntered, his grin broad as he sized up his opponent.
The whistle blew, silencing the room.
Cyrus lunged first, his movements fast and aggressive. Axel blocked his initial strikes, countering with calculated precision, but Cyrus was relentless, forcing Axel into a defensive rhythm.
"Come on, Sage," Cyrus snarled, his fists swinging in sharp arcs. "You're supposed to be the hero here, right?"
Axel sidestepped a hook, his action fluid in the face of its ferocity. "I'm not playing games, Cyrus. You should have learned that by now."
The crowd murmured as the fight escalated. Cyrus used his unpredictability to keep Axel on edge, feinting left and lunging right, landing a quick punch to Axel's side. Axel recovered instantly, retaliating with a sharp kick that sent Cyrus stumbling.
"You're quick," Cyrus spat, wiping sweat from his brow.
Axel didn't respond, his breathing controlled as he circled his opponent.
The two opponents traded blows once again, their movements brutal and merciless. Cyrus punched and kicked with all his might and in rapid succession, and Axel found himself blocking and parrying these attacks. Axel's counterstrikes were aggressive, taking advantage of the lapses in Cyrus's defense.
Ava stretched forward in her seat, fists clenched. "He's got this," she whispered.
"Barely," Eli countered, his voice strained with attention.
The audience gasped as Axel connected with a sharp uppercut, sending Cyrus's head flying backward. But Cyrus shrugged it off in a moment, his smile giving way to sheer resolve.
"You're more trained than I gave you credit for," Cyrus grudgingly acknowledged. "But it won't help you.".
Cyrus attacked once more, pretending left and landing a quick kick on Axel's ribcage. Axel reeled but did not fall, swinging back with a solid punch to Cyrus's jaw.
The audience burst into gasps, some of the recruits clapping, others standing in stunned silence as the fight raged on. Sweat dripped from both fighters' foreheads as their movements became stiff, their breathing ragged.
"They're going too hard," Kaid whispered, his concern clear.
"It's too much," Lila said back, her hands shaking barely at all.
Commander Rourke's piercing eyes leveled on the duel. His face was expressionless, but his stance was that of a master who silenced even the whispers in the crowd.
At last, when Cyrus and Axel fought for the third time, tiredness telling on them, Rourke held up a hand.
"Stop!"
The whistle blew, cutting through the tension. Axel stepped back, breathing heavily but keeping his stance steady. Cyrus staggered, his chest heaving as he wiped sweat from his forehead.
"This isn't worth breaking both of you," Rourke said coldly, stepping into the arena. His scarred face was hard as he surveyed the recruits. "You've proven enough—for now."
Axel settled back, his eyes roaming to Cyrus, who was still gasping for air. The tension between them had not dissipated, but the battle was done.
Rourke swung around to the crowd, his voice ringing out. "Single strength is one thing. But now, we see how well you survive in groups."
The recruits looked around at each other, muttering broke out again.
Unit combat, Rourke added, his voice autocratic. "You'll fight in squads. Win together, or lose as individuals. That's the way you make soldiers."
Axel's squad huddled near him, worried but resolute faces.
"Here we go," Kaid growled.
"Stay in a group," Axel told them bluntly, his voice rough and firm. "No matter what, we're not separating.".
The atmosphere was electric as the guards went about getting the arena ready for the team battles. Axel caught a glimpse of Cyrus, whose smile had been recharged, albeit not so brilliant this time.
"This isn't over," Cyrus muttered, his voice dripping with ill will.
"Not in a long, long time," Axel responded, already resigned to the task at hand.