“Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the finals of the 75th International Champions League! We’ve been getting treat after treat this year. Including but not limited to the ones watching in the VIP lounge, Brian [Blackout] Faraday, Marko [Whiplash] Donaldson, Shimizu [Shadowstep] Rie, and Ray [Silverback] Kitch.”

“But tonight we’re proud to present the fight of a lifetime between the 3 time ICL world champion, Basil [Bonecrusher] Mundo and the rising star that has disrupted the status quo, Kaiser [The Imp] Kernarde!”

The crowd goes wild with the opening announcement. It didn’t matter if they were poor, rich or middle class, good or evil. Everyone truly came together to watch the climax of Kaiser’s journey. Some wished Him the best, some wished him the worst. The undeniable fact is that their eyes are glued to the scene.

Basil walks out from the backstage. He’s 193cm tall and 101 kg pure muscle in weight. Each step he took sent a small vibration in his vicinity. He took a step into the ring and he cracked his knuckle, waiting for his opponent.

The tension was high in anticipation. Suddenly the spotlight moves towards the ceiling. Kaiser was standing on top of one of the beams. The spotlights followed him as he ran along the beams. Cheers of admiration and worry mixed together until he jumped from above and did a triple forward roll before landing on his hands and feet like a cat and played the crowd like it was his personal orchestra.

“You're new in town. So let me give you a tip, flashy moves ain’t gonna win you the fight, runt.”

“Well, we can’t all be tall, dark and brooding, can’t we?”

Neither could taunt the other and they went to their respective corners. From the seats behind Kaiser, they could see the huge difference in their build. To them, it was like he was facing a mountain.

Kaiser is smaller yet faster and more nimble on his feet. His acrobatic moves have caught most of the competitors off guard.

“Kai, you gotta listen to me kid, this isn’t like every other fight, you gotta wear him out. You can’t go in on your instincts alone!” his coach was visibly worried and Basil took notice of that. He’s not planning to make this a long fight. Unfortunately for Basil, Kaiser was thinking the same thing.

The referee was ready in the middle and called them both to stand. Out of concern, the referee made sure and asked Kaiser, “You sure you don’t want to back out?”

“Just start the fight, reff. I'm ready for him.” His grin grew wider and devilish in nature.

The ref nodded and counted, “3…..2……1…….FIGHT!”

Basil immediately lunged forward with his full body strength, trying to grab on to Kaiser only for him to dodge backwards and run towards the ring’s wall behind him. He used the wall as a pad to jump higher for a chance to hit Basil from above. Basil quickly lifted up his arms to guard against it. A second passed and there was no sensation of a hit. By the time Basil realized, it was too late. Kaiser has shifted his weight mid-air, falling down halfway through the arc and rolling forwards between Basil’s feet, then extending his feet back to hit his knee. The move was successful, as Basil fell down on one knee. Kaiser tries to tackle but fails as Basil quickly shifts his center of gravity and gain balance enough to withstand it and shrugs Him easily.

The Crowd’s cheers grew louder for Kaiser and Basil. More and more people pushed their way towards the betting counter. The numbers of bets and the money at stake grew larger but still neck and neck until a man in white suit put 10 million Ruht on Kaiser. The gap increased by a large margin and that instigated more people to bet on Basil.

Suddenly, a loud bang and vibration was sent throughout the stadium, bringing all attention back to the ring. Basil stomped his feet, causing Kaiser to be off balance for half a second due to him being the closest to the point of impact.

“That’s a really annoying move…” Kaiser clenched his teeth as he stepped back to gain some distance.

“I have to take out those legs first,” He thought.

Kaiser ran along the walls, gaining momentum and jumped towards a wall, using the same move as before but faster. Basil quickly covered his head and knelt down in case he tried the same trick again. Kaiser reached the top of his torso, but there was no connected hit again. There was no way for Kaiser to roll under His feet again. So where did he go? He used Basil as a jumping point, doing a summersault and landed behind Basil. He didn’t go right into a tackle immediately. Kaiser is waiting for Basil to stand up. To find that split second moment where his center shifts. Basil knew what Kaiser was aiming for. What he needed to do was turn around and swipe Kaiser’s feet, but he wasn’t anywhere as nimble and quick as Kaiser. His only choice was to get up. That led to Kaiser taking advantage of that small window and pushing Basil down on the ground. Then he quickly got on top of Basil’s back and put him in a headlock.

“Yield Basil!.”

“No!”

Basil tried for what seemed to be a long 10 seconds, but it was useless as the referee called the point for Kaiser. He coughed as his breath was still rugged.

“I underestimated you, runt. I won’t make the same mistakes again!”

“Of course you won’t. You’ll just make a different set of mistakes.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

They went to their corners, taking a brief rest before the second round started.

“Damn kid, that was wild. How’d you get him to fall like that?”

“I just timed when his balance was off center.”, He said it nonchalantly.

“Jeez, kid. You ain’t normal. Well, I guess neither is your opponent.” Kaiser’s coach looked and compared the two fighters.

“They should’ve called this battle of the monsters. Just go on defense and dodge, kid. You got the speed. He'll be desperate for a point since you have the lead.”

“Got it, old man.”

The bell rings and calls the fighters to stand once more.

“That was a clean first round, guys, Ready? 3…….2…….1………FIGHT!”

Kaiser quickly took a step back as Basil's hand reached out for a jab. They continued the battle of attrition by dodging and jabbing. Meanwhile at the bar, the Man in white suit was nursing his margarita. A bigger fellow came and sat next to him. He was an older gentleman with gray hair and beard wearing a purple and white striped shirt and red formal vest with gold buttons.

“Didn’t think you’d come,” adressing the man in white before ordering a pint of beer from the bartender.

“And miss the moment his dreams comes true? Not a chance, pops.”

“You’re so sure he’ll win?”

“How can I not, when his trainer is a demon like you?" Oliver give his dad the side eye.

He knows very well how strict his father is. Old George was the 5 time champion from the 42nd to 46th ICL. After his retirement, he went into becoming a coach, but nobody could take his training regiment from start to finish. Not even his own son, Oliver. Kaiser was different. He had a drive to become better and stronger. He has a purpose and something to prove. Oliver didn’t need to prove anything. His father loved him regardless and was still proud of him for fighting at his own pace.

“Do you think this will finally make a difference, pops?"

“I don’t know, but I know for a fact that they won’t be able to look the other way anymore.”

“I’ll drink to that, Cheers pops.”

Basil’s breathing had turned rugged and heavy. Kaiser had led him around while dodging all of his strikes. If the time runs out, it’ll be a draw and Kaiser will be at 2 points while Basil is stuck with 1. The first to 5 points will take the trophy and win the 75th ICL. Basil wants to break the record of 5 straight wins from Old George. He needs to win this year and the next two years to do that. Yet, here stands the obstacle in his way. Kaiser kernarde, representing Old George as his student. It was like he wasn’t allowed to win in the beginning. He felt it was truly unfair. Kaiser was just a rich kid turned fighter for hobby, he thought. Meanwhile Basil started with nothing and worked his way up from poverty. Lost in his thought, the 2nd round ends with a draw.

The 3rd, 4th and 5th round was a complete win for Kaiser. Basil has ran out of stamina by the 3rd and His negative mindset had turn his moves frantic and sloppy. Kaiser took that opportunity. Kaiser’s main strength was in his punches. The frantic Basil gave many openings and the accumulated strikes finally got to him in the 5th round. The refferee took Kaiser’s hand and declared him the winner.

[There it is folks, what a thrilling and exciting round of matches! Kaiser Kernarde is the world champion for this year! Despite Basil’s aggresive moves, he has endured and risen to the top! Everyone give him a round of applause!]

Despite an underwhelming performance, many had continued to cheer for booth. Kaiser gave his hand out for Basil to stand, but He just looked away and ignored it. Basil couldn’t see how much his rejection had hurt Him. Kaiser truly respected Basil despite their banter.

The betting counter was crowded with people who’d won a fortune from from Kaiser and that included Oliver.

“You know insider trading is illegal right?” teased George

“Spare me, it could’ve gone either way, Basil was as strong if not stronger than Kai..”, he stopped his sentence before looking towards the ring.

“It’s just unfortunate that Kai has the stronger will.”

“…ya know, He'll shove that trophy in your face forever.”

“Godamnit, don’t remind me. The only thing that makes him a flawed human is that cockyness of his.”

“Yea, but that ain’t gonna ever get Him a lover though, you won that point on him. What are you gonna do with the money?”

“For Wendell's education, of course.”

“Speaking of which, bring Wendell around next time. His grandpa misses him dearly.”

“Then just visit home once in a while. He’s still 8, I can’t exactly bring him around all of this yet, otherwise Haley would kill me.”

“Hahahaha. Your mom would've done the same back then. I'll think about it. Maybe we can visit her grave together soon.”

“I'm sure mom would love that.”

Kaiser and His coach went out from the fighters locker towards the lounge where Oliver had been waiting. Kaiser’s expression turned overjoyed as he was going to greet Him. Yet a few people came and cute in between, it was the aforementioned fighters that sat in the VIP lounge. Brian, Marko, Rie and Ray.

“That was some real shit, brother. How would you like to fight under Agerro Co. ?” Started Brian, offering their business card.

“I’d pay double for you to be my personal sparring partner!” said Marko

“Here’s the deal, I like you. wanna go on a date?” proposed Rie.

Everyone fell silent at the sudden confession and jaws were dropped. Shimizu Rie was known to never be interested in any guy in the fighting scene. This was a blow to everyone that had a crush on her and those who idolized her. Oliver spat out his drink in disbelief that his old man was going to be proven wrong. Kaiser couldn’t answer and tried to shift the conversation by looking at Ray.

“I just wanted an autograph, man. I don't wanna give you anymore headache than you already have.”

He signed the autograph and answered the other three.

“I'm not good at working under a company. Ask Old George, I'm more trouble than I seem. As for sparring, you don’t need to pay me, dude. I'm okay with fighting anytime, just waive the transport fees. As for the date….Look, I’ve never had a romantic interest in anyone, so this is very sudden, but I won’t say no to going on a date and trying it out.”, He nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

“Nice, give me your contact info, I’ll text you when I come by Hollow’s Edge.”, They input each other’s phone number and Kai excused himself to see Oliver.

“I can’t believe what just happened”, Oliver had a look of disbelief and happiness for Kaiser.

“You say that as if that's a bad thing.”

“It’s not, but you’re a musclehead! Do you know how many girls have been into you in the past and you just brushed it off? I guess it takes a confident woman to say it to your face for you to realize.”

“Exactly! I'm a disaster when it comes to romance.”

When their car arrived, Rie blew a kiss towards Kaiser and he just waved and smiled awkwardly. The car took them to the port where Oliver’s Private yacht was ready to depart. It was time to come back home to Hollow’s Edge. For the Prodigal son, to return.