"If you're going to lose anyway, you might as well get something out of it."
***
I traced the tactical breakdown with my finger, walking Lyra through each phase.
"Three phases of combat." I tapped the first section. "Phase one: the opening display. Vance uses flashy footwork and aggressive posturing to intimidate his opponent into mental submission. Wide stances. Dramatic flourishes. Probably some verbal taunting to establish dominance. Standard bully playbook."
My finger moved down.
"Phase two: the cat and mouse. Once he's established psychological superiority, he'll toy with his opponent. Light strikes. Near-misses. Opportunities for surrender that he knows won't be taken. This is where he draws the fight out and lets the crowd appreciate his skill."
"And the finale?" Lyra asked. Her tone suggested she already knew.
