An hour had passed. Akane had fought three more times, winning with the first blow.
The final was now within reach. I can handle the semi-finals, Akane reassured himself.
"Fighters!" The intercom crackled over the arena. "Please, Akane Koyagami and Matsumono Kenjaki, enter the arena!"
Akane groaned as he rose from the bench, ready to step into the arena once again.
Back in the stands, Tsubasa eyed Akane's worn-out look. "Mai, he seems worn out," he said.
"I've never seen Akane this weak before." Mai responded.
"Don't fret, my darling," Agusteen said, "Your friend is still rather strong. I can sense it."
"Who's he fighting?" Tsubasa began to search the arena for Akane's opponent.
"I think it's that underground fighter, Matsumono Kenjaki. He's a pretty dirty fighter." Mai responded.
"You have a good eye, darling. I do believe he's the man who took out that world-class boxer." Agusteen said.
"Will Akane be okay, sir?" Mai asked sweetly.
"I do believe your friend will be fine. I'm guessing he too does not follow the norms of Japanese martial arts, hmm." Agusteen responded.
"You'd be correct," Tsubasa said as a smaller man entered the arena.
"All we can do is hope, Tsubasa. I believe Akane will win, so I'll cheer for him!" Mia declared.
Back in the arena, Matsumono walked towards the centre.
He was no taller than five foot eight. He was dressed in a leather trench coat, darker than the night sky.
His hair was short and spiked high into the sky; his body was lean and muscled.
His legs were covered by dark trousers, and his eyes were a thin, glaring red.
"Ah, Akane, you've seemed rather strong so far," Matsumono said with a smirk.
"And your Matsumono, actually, I don't care!" Akane roared as the referee started the bout.
The crowd roared once more as the first semi-final bout had begun.
The two charged forward, roaring as they did, Matsumono's fist connected.
Akane stumbled back; he held his bruised jaw, "shit!" he cried out.
"Don't stand still for too long!" Matsumono roared, his fist sinking into Akane's stomach and his foot in his ribs.
Akane finally reacted; he grasped Matsumono's shoulders and held him as he delivered a devastating knee.
The air was ripped from Matsumono's lungs. Akane continued with three well-placed shots to his face.
Matsumono stumbled back, keeping his balance until Akane leapt into the sky.
He spun, his lead leg shooting outward. It connected directly into Matsumono's chest.
He flew back, skidding across the stone floor violently.
Akane attempted to charge, but Matsumono got there first.
What! Akane screamed to himself, as a fist crashed against his unprotected face.
Akane began to leak blood across the floor, but he wouldn't back down.
The two began to swing, Akane's fists connecting with Matsumono's jaw every time he swung.
But the same was true for Matsumono himself; one large hook caught Akane's jaw.
He fell to one knee, his blood stained the stone floor.
Matsumono's foot swung high, attempting to finish off the beaten-down Akane, but Akane rose.
He caught Matsumono's axe kick and swung his busted open hand towards his head.
The punch seemed to move in slow motion for Matsumono, but it landed.
The short man remained upright for a moment, as though the punch had no effect on him, but within an instant, he collapsed.
The crowd cheered one more time, chanting Akane's name.
Akane's legs faltered under his weight; he fell to the floor with a grunt.
He paused for a second, the blood streaming off his face.
His chest heaved; he rose, stumbling across the arena, his vision blurred.
Every muscle in his lean body screamed against him; he peered up through his blurred vision.
As he connected with Shibara he stood alone, seemingly unscathed.
He looked towards Akane, nodding with respect, before turning his attention back to his own bout.
The medical personnel approached Akane, but he charged toward their path.
"Clear the way!" he demanded, feebly shoving past them.
But before he could reach the end of the arena, he collapsed, the crowd awed at the scene.
Tsubasa and Mai began to shout for Akane to stand, but he couldn't hear them.
The medical staff charged over to the young teenager. "He can't compete!" one of them called out.
The crowd went silent, but all Akane could see was a fog as he lay face down on the cold stone.
Tsubasa charged over the railing; he leapt down the twenty-foot gap.
He landed with a grunt, but without a care, he charged towards Akane, shouting his name.
The security attempted to make chase but they were no challenge to the speed of Tsubasa.
In an instant he reached his freinds side, "Akane, Akane!" He called towards his friend desperately.
The medical team began to turn Akane over, but just then his eyes opened with a growl, and he began to stand.
"Akane, stop!" Tsubasa called, but Akane ignored him.
He shoved the medical team to the ground as they attempted to hold him down.
"Get off me!" he cried out, "I made a promise and I will not lose. I can never lose!" he bellowed.
"Akane, please, stop!" Tsubasa urged.
But in an instant, Akane grasped Tsubasa's collar and pulled him close.
"Shut it!" He screeched into Tsubasa's face, pushing him to the floor.
Tsubasa tumbled backwards, smacking the floor. His eyes darted back towards Akane.
Wide with shock and fear, this was the first time he had ever seen Akane like this.
It was the first time he had ever seen Akane truly care for something so obscure.
"I don't need your help! I don't need anyone. I will get stronger. I will protect everyone!" Akane shouted as blood pored out of his mouth.
His body shrank, his face had gone pale, and his eyes were lifeless, unlike his determined voice.
The medical team scrambled back in terror at the fury in Akane's spiteful words.
The announcer's voice scrambled to life over the speakers, "Uhh… the fighter… Akane Koyagami… declares he is fit to continue! Continue with the second semi-final!"
Akane took his seat on the now empty bench, his mouth still leaking blood.
Tsubasa rejoined Mai in the stands; neither spoke, their eyes locked onto the stone arena.
Shibara entered, his bare feet stained with blood, his eyes wide with a bone-rattling kindness.
His opponent sauntered towards Shibara; he was a giant.
Taller than any other competitor Shibara had faced so far, he wore a plain black tank top and baggy military trousers.
His hair was short and spiked, the two neared each other as the referee called for the match to begin.
Shibara's eyes constantly flickered towards a battered Akane.
The crowd roared, yet Shibara remained fixated on Akane, whom he believed was a friend.
A fist connected with Shibara's jaw, sending him skidding across the floor.
The crowd began to roar, "It's the first time he's been hit!" One woman yelled.
Shibara stood, he wiped his now bloody face, shit, I took my eyes off the big guy, he thought.
"Hey, kid!" The giant roared, "Don't take your eyes off Rokango!" he yelled.
"Don't become overconfident, you clumsy fool," Shibara said calmly.
He spun, his foot planted deep into Rokango's stomach; the large eight-foot beast flew back.
But this time, Shibara didn't win with a single strike; Rokango planted his feet.
With a smirk, he charged forward once more; Shibara was too shocked to even move.
Rokango's giant fist crashed into Shibara, sending the master flying.
Before Shibara could even stand, Rokango charged.
Shibara's eyes widened in astonishment as Rokango loomed over him with a broad grin.
His fist began to pummel Shibara into the ground over and over, blood spewing out of Shibara's mouth.
But finally, he was able to swipe Rokango's large legs out from under him.
Shibara jumped backwards, glaring at Rokango in pain.
The two charged forward one more time, their fists connecting with each other's faces.
But this time Shibara pushed through the punch as Rokango's chest heaved from premature exhaustion.
His fist landed flush, breaking Rokango's face.
The large man stumbled backwards before his large body fell to the ground with a thud.
The referee rushed in as the crowd erupted in excitement, and now the final approached.
"Everyone, please take a short five-minute break before the final matchup!" The intercom crackled.
The five minutes felt like five seconds; the air in the arena was thick, heavy with the scent of blood.
Akane sat on the isolated bench, his bloody head hanging low.
Every breath left like shards of glass cutting deep into his pulverised lungs.
His body was a map of bruises, and rivers of blood; his mind was in and out of consciousness.
But his body stayed upright even when his mind was out of this world.
I will not let Shibara beat me, he thought to himself, his hands curling into a fist.
Eventually, he stood, his legs shaking violently. The medical staff rushed forward once more.
But a single glare from Akane forced them to stop. They froze and slowly backed away.
He walked towards the arena, each step a battle against gravity, but to the crowd, he seemed perfect as ever.
On the opposite side of the arena, Shibara stood awaiting his opponent, his face marked from the previous encounter.
The two rivals made their way to the centre of the arena; they locked eyes, and the crowd began to roar once more.
Akane smirked widely; he raised his fists towards Shibara, "Come on, you punk!" he roared.
The referee brought down his hand to bring the bout to a close, "Fight!" he ordered.
The two began to circle each other until the ground began to tremble.
The crowd screamed until a terrifying screech came from below the ground; the crowd froze.
Until a beast rose from the ground; people fell from the stands, their skulls crashing on the ground.
As the arena began to crumble, an eye peered over the top of the stadium with a low humming growl.