At the backstage of Maxwell Colosseum, Jake was escorted to the medical room for examination after being knocked out by Naomi West. Carter had led Luna and Akane from the spectator area into the backstage so they could check on Jake. They all gathered around him while he was being tended to. Jake, still slightly dizzy, opened his eyes to see his friends surrounding him.
"Jake, are you okay?" Luna asked, her voice full of concern as Jake slowly tried to sit up with Carter holding his arm to assist him.
"I'm alright, just a bit dizzy," Jake replied, his head still hanging slightly as he tried to recover. Akane gently placed her hand on his forehead, checking for any signs of serious injury.
"I'm okay, Akane," Jake said with a forced smile, trying to reassure his friends. "Just a few bruises, nothing too serious."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/36/Madison_Thompson_Profile.png]
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Maddie barged in. She was no longer dressed in the formal red gown from the meet-and-greet but in her usual attire—a red sleeveless oversized jersey with the number "2" and a white shirt underneath, paired with a short black skirt. She looked worried.
"Jake, are you alright?" Maddie asked, rushing over.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Maddie," Jake smiled again. "It's nice to see so many people concerned for me."
"Don't worry, you're still in the running with the loser's bracket," Maddie said, trying to lift his spirits.
"Thanks, Maddie. You and Carter are going to compete next, but I'm rooting for both of you!" Jake responded.
"Ahem!" Akane softly gasped, trying to remind Jake that she and Luna were still there.
Jake grinned sheepishly. "Oops, Akane, my bad! Guess the hit to my head made me forget my manners."
Before Jake could introduce them, Carter stepped in. "Let me do the honors, Jake," Carter began, but Maddie was quick to take charge.
"My name's Madison Thompson, but you can call me Maddie!" she said, extending her hand to both Luna and Akane.
"I'm Luna," Luna introduced herself, shaking Maddie's hand.
"Akane," Akane whispered shyly, barely making eye contact as she shook hands as well.
"I met Jake and Carter at the meet-and-greet session. I'm also competing in the Athenaeum Games," Maddie explained with her usual upbeat energy. Then, without missing a beat, she dropped a bombshell question. "Are you two Jake and Carter's girlfriends?"
Both Luna and Akane turned bright red, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "No!" Luna responded quickly, while Akane shyly shook her head, signaling a strong "no" as well.
"Oh, that's good! I'm interested in both of them!" Maddie teased, causing Luna and Akane to stare in shock. "Just kidding! I wanted to see your reactions when I asked!" Maddie burst out laughing, her playful nature on full display.
"Maddie! Please!" Carter groaned. "They're serious and shy people!"
Maddie turned her fierce gaze to Carter. "And you're my opponent! You'd better take me seriously, or I'll beat you into mashed potatoes!" she snapped, her tone suddenly intense.
The group stared at her in shock, unsure of how to react. Carter raised his hands defensively. "Hey, chill out, girl! We're friends, right? It's just a friendly match, no need to get so intense!"
Maddie held her fierce expression for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You should've seen the look on all your faces!" she giggled, clearly amused with herself, while the others stood there, not entirely sure whether to laugh or sigh in exasperation.
"Jokes apart! Carter, during the match, I want you to give your best, okay? Whatever happens—win or lose—we're still friends, right?" Maddie asked, her tone more serious this time.
Carter, still unsure if she was joking or being sincere, replied, "Not sure if you're joking or not, but I'll definitely give my best effort. And yeah, we're definitely still friends, regardless of the result." His response came with a mix of uncertainty and reassurance, not wanting to take any chances with her playful nature.
Maddie's mischievous grin returned. "And I got another question. During Jake and Naomi's match, who were you rooting for?"
Carter scratched his head, clearly torn. "Hmm, that's a tough question."
"What! You just have to say Jake! Why are you even thinking about it?" Maddie teased, acting mock-offended, which only made the entire room burst into laughter. Her lighthearted teasing lifted the spirits of everyone, especially after Jake's tough loss.
Even Jake, still nursing his bruises, couldn't help but chuckle, feeling the warmth of friendship surrounding him.
As the mood in the medical room remained light-hearted, the atmosphere at the arena of Maxwell Colosseum grew more intense. Pat and Samantha, poised and ready, began to introduce the next competitors with fervor.
"It's only Day 1, and we've already witnessed an exciting blockbuster match! Without further ado, let's move on to our next battle! Get ready for some action!" Pat announced, maintaining the energy of the event.
Samantha chimed in with equal enthusiasm, "That's right, Pat! Introducing the only competitor from combat sports! At just 17, hailing from Université de Lumière in France, he represents fencing with a fight style that combines strategic finesse and perfectionism. Please put your hands together for Olivier Leclerc!"
The crowd erupted into applause as Olivier Leclerc made his way into the arena. Clad in a traditional white fencing jacket and pants, he exuded confidence, his Épée in hand. He performed a few precise thrusts in the air, showcasing his readiness and mastery of the sport.
"And now, his opponent!" Samantha continued, her voice filled with anticipation. "The Russian beauty, representing Sankt-Peterburgskiy institut fizicheskoy kultury, Russia, also 17 years old, in the sport of rhythmic gymnastics—Natalia Ivanova! Her fight style blends strength, flexibility, and artistry, bringing the elegance of rhythmic gymnastics into combat. Expect to see innovative, artistic displays in this match!"
Natalia stepped into the arena with a warm reception from the audience, matching Olivier's entrance in grandeur. She wore a purple and white leotard, paired with white stockings—a perfect reflection of her grace and agility. In her hand, she held a ribbon stick, a tool of both artistry and combat. With it, she would transform the battlefield into a canvas, where her disciplined control and creativity would come to life.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/37/Olivier_Leclerc_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/Versus.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/33/Natalia_Ivanova_Profile.png]
The arena buzzed with anticipation as the LED screen above flashed the competitors' faces—Olivier Leclerc versus Natalia Ivanova—signaling the fight's imminent start.
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Pat, trying to feed off the energy of the crowd, asked, "Samantha, these two competitors have such different styles. What can we expect from this matchup?"
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/92/%C3%89p%C3%A9e.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f7/Ribbon_stick.png]
"I'm thrilled too, Pat! Olivier's weapon, the épée, is a traditional fencing tool. At 35 inches long, it gives him the reach to engage opponents at a distance while maintaining precision. This will allow him to execute quick, accurate thrusts and maintain control with swift, deliberate movements." Samantha paused, turning her attention to Natalia's approach. "On the other hand, Natalia brings something far more unconventional. Her rhythmic gymnastics ribbon stick, while only 20 inches long, extends with a 6-meter ribbon. This gives her the ability to cover a wide range of motion, incorporating fluid, graceful movements with a lethal edge. We're about to witness a beautiful mix of artistry and combat—a battle of precision versus creativity."
"And here we go!" Pat's voice rose as the whistle blew, signaling the start of the match.
Olivier raised his épée, his posture tight and ready, the point of his sword aimed toward Natalia. Across from him, Natalia twirled her ribbon stick, her graceful, sweeping motions creating delicate circles in the air. Still, the tension behind her movements showed she was more than prepared for a serious fight. The crowd leaned in, eager to see which would prevail—traditional combat mastery or the elegant creativity of rhythmic gymnastics.
Oliver and Natalia circled each other, eyes locked, carefully measuring their next moves. "You planning to do this all day? I can walk in circles as long as you like," Oliver taunted, his voice calm but clearly aiming to unsettle Natalia.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/e/eb/Oliver_performing_Lunge_and_Disengage%2C_lunges_forward_with_a_powerful_thrust%2C_then_quickly_disengages_and_retreat.png]
"I..." Natalia started to respond, but before she could finish her sentence, Oliver lunged forward with Lunge and Disengage, using the brief conversation as a distraction. With the speed and precision of a seasoned fencer, he thrust his épée toward her, then quickly disengaged and stepped back, creating distance once again. His blade barely grazed the fabric of Natalia's leotard, marking the first successful hit of the match.
"What a quick strike! I didn't expect Oliver to land a hit this early into the fight!" Pat exclaimed, excitement evident in his voice.
"Oliver's experience in combat sports is already showing," Samantha analyzed. "His Lunge and Disengage is a classic fencing maneuver, allowing him to strike effectively and then retreat to avoid a counterattack. Now, he's back to measuring Natalia's movements, staying on his toes for her next move."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/df/Lash_of_Elegance.png]
The crowd, taken by surprise, murmured in fascination as the graceful Natalia maintained her composure despite being hit first. She quickly realized that Oliver was a strategic and cunning opponent, someone she needed to adapt to carefully. Knowing it would be a tough fight, she decided to go on the offensive with her move, Lash of Elegance. With a fluid flick of her wrist, Natalia sent the ribbon lashing out towards Oliver. Her movements resembled a rhythmic gymnastics routine, showcasing both combat and artistry. The seemingly harmless ribbon struck with surprising force and precision, drawing gasps from the crowd.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c7/Strategic_Withdraw.png]
However, Oliver was prepared. He performed Strategic Withdraw, retreating from Natalia's attack, baiting her forward while setting her up for a counterstrike. His calculated retreat was a testament to his combat experience, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/59/Spiral_Deflect.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/be/Mirror_Maneuver.png]
As Oliver closed in for his counterattack, Natalia swiftly executed Spiral Deflect, twirling her ribbon stick to create a dynamic, spiraling shield around herself. The fluid motion of the ribbon aimed to deflect Oliver's strike, but he had already anticipated her defensive play. He responded with Mirror Maneuver, deflecting her ribbon with precision and using the momentum to deliver a lightning-fast riposte, finding another opening to hit Natalia for a second time.
"Natalia's strategies seem to be falling apart! I'm starting to worry for her!" Pat exclaimed, watching as the crowd shared in his concern.
"Natalia's Spiral Deflect is usually a strong defensive technique, but Oliver's Mirror Maneuver was the perfect answer to it," Samantha explained, her tone analytical. "He predicted her block, used it to his advantage, and found the perfect moment to land his second hit. This fight is leaning heavily in his favor right now."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/cd/Calculated_Clip.png]
"What's wrong? Are your tactics not working?" Oliver taunted, his voice sharp as he tried to chip away at Natalia's confidence. He darted forward with a Calculated Clip, his épée grazing her ribbon stick just enough to throw off her balance and disrupt her next move.
Natalia, this time, remained silent, refusing to engage in his taunts after the mistake she'd made earlier. However, internally, she was struggling—her confidence waning after being hit twice. She repositioned herself near a stack of crates, trying to buy time to formulate her next move, unsure whether to go on the offensive or defensive. Both approaches had failed against Oliver so far, and the pressure was mounting. Oliver, on the other hand, stood patiently, waiting for her, his posture unwavering and his épée poised.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/29/Ribbon_of_Retribution.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/54/Phantom_Footwork.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/8e/Olivier_performing_Riposte_Roulette%2C_showcasing_his_series_of_rapid_ripostes_in_unpredictable_directions.png]
Determined to try once more, Natalia launched into her offensive move, Ribbon of Retribution. The ribbon seemed to come alive, flowing with lightning speed as it surged towards Oliver with fierce intent. Yet, Oliver's grin showed he had anticipated her move. While Natalia was repositioning herself earlier, Oliver had already begun his Phantom Footwork, using deceptive steps to create the illusion that he was closer than he really was. This led Natalia into overextending her attack. With precise timing, he countered her Ribbon of Retribution with Riposte Roulette. Parrying the ribbon effortlessly, he unleashed a flurry of unpredictable ripostes, each one forcing Natalia into a frantic series of defensive maneuvers.
Under the relentless assault, Natalia struggled to keep up. Each blow chipped away at her defenses, leaving her vulnerable. Before long, her ribbon stick slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground—a clear signal that the match was over.
"Match over! Beeeep!" The referee's whistle echoed through the arena, signaling the end of the fight. Though Natalia remained conscious, the barrage of hits had left her unable to continue. She knelt, clutching her arm as the paramedics quickly arrived to assist, placing her on a stretcher to assess her condition.
Oliver, with a sense of calm victory, raised his épée and swung it down in a calculated gesture of triumph. The LED screen above flashed his image with the word "Winner" beneath it. The crowd, witnessing Oliver's tactical dominance and swift victory, took note. This was a fighter to watch—his precision and strategy marking him as a serious contender for the title this year.
"What a one-sided match we just witnessed! Oliver's combat sports experience truly came into play, as Natalia couldn't seem to find an answer to his calculated moves," Pat remarked, his voice brimming with awe. "Natalia fought with pride and grace, though. Her Ribbon of Retribution was precise—a powerful sequence aimed directly at Oliver. But the tactician that he is, Oliver closed the distance swiftly with Phantom Footwork and ended the fight using Riposte Roulette. Her overextension left her unable to react quickly enough to defend herself against his relentless barrage of strikes," Samantha added, giving her sharp play-by-play analysis of the match.
"Nevertheless, we’ll see more of Natalia in action as she moves into the loser's bracket. I have a feeling she’s got more tricks up her sleeve, which she just wasn’t able to showcase to us today!" Pat chimed in, trying to boost the crowd's spirits. "We all wish her the best in her next competition!"
The crowd, still in awe of Oliver's precise and tactical display, took note of the impact combat sports could have in the Athenaeum Games. Oliver had certainly left an impression, and everyone knew this was just the beginning of what he could bring to the competition.