Day 7: The Confrontation

  The day had finally arrived. The anticipation in the arena was palpable, the energy electric. The crowd had packed in, buzzing with excitement and curiosity. They were waiting for the showdown—Valor versus Legion.

  Terry stood in the back, his face painted, his black gear clinging to his body like a second skin. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, his muscles tensed, ready for what was coming. He knew this was more than just a match—it was his chance to prove himself, to solidify Legion as a force to be reckoned with.

  The lights in the arena dimmed, and Valor’s music hit, the crowd erupting in cheers as he made his way to the ring. He looked focused, his jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the arena, searching for any sign of Legion.

  As Valor stepped into the ring, Terry waited, letting the moment build, letting the tension grow. The crowd’s cheers began to die down, replaced by murmurs, by whispers. They knew something was coming.

  Then, the lights cut out completely, plunging the arena into darkness. A single spotlight hit the entrance ramp, and Legion’s music began to play—a slow, haunting melody, heavy with dark undertones. The fog began to pour out from the entrance, and Terry stepped through it, his arms spread wide, a twisted grin on his face.

  The crowd’s reaction was mixed—boos, jeers, but also cheers from those who had been drawn to the chaos, to the darkness that Legion represented. He made his way down the ramp, stalking through the fog, popping out with different mask, each a different emotion, a different part of who he was,

  Terry climbed into the ring, the grin never leaving his face. He could see the anger in Valor’s eyes, the determination, but also the doubt. Legion had gotten into his head, had made him question himself, and tonight, Terry was going to take advantage of that.

  The referee signaled for the bell, and the match began. Valor charged forward, his fists flying, but Legion was ready. He ducked, slipping around Valor, landing a quick strike to his ribs, then another. He moved like a shadow, quick and elusive, never staying in one place long enough for Valor to get a solid hit in.

  The crowd was on their feet, the energy in the arena electric. Valor managed to grab Legion, lifting him up for a slam, but Terry twisted, slipping free, landing behind Valor and shoving him into the ropes. He could feel the power, the control—it was all in his hands.

  “You’re nothing Valor!” Legion shouted, his voice echoing through the arena as he landed a hard kick to Valor’s side. “Just a stepping stone, my first chapter!”

  Valor swung, his fist connecting with Legion’s jaw, sending Terry staggering back. The crowd roared, and Valor pressed forward, hitting Legion with a series of hard strikes, driving him into the corner. But Terry wasn’t done. He ducked under Valor’s next swing, slipping behind him, wrapping his arm around Valor’s neck and pulling him into a chokehold.

  The crowd’s cheers turned to gasps, the tension in the arena thick as Valor struggled, his face turning red. Legion tightened his grip, his eyes wild, the grin on his face twisted and dark.

  “This is your end, Valor!” Terry growled, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd. “You’re not a hero. You’re just another victim.”

  But Valor wasn’t giving up. With a sudden burst of strength, he threw Legion off, sending Terry crashing to the mat. The crowd erupted in cheers as Valor stood tall, his chest heaving, his eyes locked on Legion.

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

  Terry pushed himself up, his body aching, but the fire in his eyes still burning bright. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. He could feel it—the power, the darkness. Legion was here to stay, and he wasn’t going to let anyone—not even Valor—stand in his way.

  As the two faced off, the crowd on their feet, the energy electric, Terry knew that this fight was just getting started. He shook his head not Terry not here, he didnt need Terry here. This is where Legion shined. "You know Valor, while I beat your little buddy black and blue he kept yelling out for you. So sure you would save him." A twisted smile appeared on his face. "Glad I could teach him, there are no heroes."

  Valor seemed to fly at Legion. who barely managed to sidestep out of the way. He took advantage of the his enemies back and dived his shoulder into his ankle. Taking Valors feet out from under him. 'Good old chop block' Legion thought to himself.

  Legion then began laying his heavy boots into Valor, not relenting until he had to catch his breath. He went for the pin. "One! Two!" Valor Kicked out the moment before the three.

  Punching the mat in frustration Legion climbed the turnbuckle deciding to out aerial Valor. He looked at Valor breathing heavy on the ground. Terry's voice broke through momentarily "Maybe we shouldn't." Legion shook his head and leapt looking to crash his two feet into the heaving chest of Valor.

  Just before his feet connected Valor rolled out of the way leading to Legion crashing hard into the mat falling over in the process. Valor crawled over grabbing the now injured ankle of Legion put him into a ankle lock. The pain coursed through his entire leg, the urge to tap reverberating all the way to his fingers.

  "Nowhere to go you bastard." Valor shouted. "Tap or I break your ankle." The referee looked at Legion making sure he was still willing to stay in the match. Through gritted teeth he nodded.

  Taking his hands away from his head he began to reach out for the ropes, using his hands to drag himself ever closer. He was almost there, just a inch more. Denied. Valor pulled him back to the middle of the ring. The grip tightened further.

  "Last chance freak."

  Terry wanted to break, Terry wanted to give up, Terry wanted to go back to where people thought he belonged. Legion did not. A darkness began to radiate through Legion, fuelling him. He slowly brought himself to one leg and with a jump booted Valor off of him. After Valor bounced off the ropes Legion leapt as hard as he could with a knee to his face. Somehow the announcers knew. "VAMPIRES KISS."

  Legion fell on top of Valor and this time. "One. Two. Three." He won the match.

  The bell rang, signalling the end of the match, and the referee raised Legion's arm in victory. The crowd erupted—some in shock, others in anger, and some in awe of the spectacle they had just witnessed. Terry—or rather, Legion—could barely hear them over the pounding of his own heartbeat. He lay on top of Valor for a moment longer, his chest heaving, his face twisted in pain and exhaustion. The darkness that had fuelled him, the energy that had pushed him through the pain, was slowly beginning to fade.

  He pushed himself up, staggering to his feet, his entire body aching. The referee tried to support him, but Legion brushed him away, standing on his own, refusing to show any sign of weakness. He glanced down at Valor, still sprawled out on the mat, his eyes closed, his body beaten.

  The arena lights flashed, the announcer's voice booming through the speakers. "Your winner... LEGION!"

  Legion stood in the middle of the ring, his arms raised, his face paint smudged, sweat dripping down his body. The boos from the crowd mixed with cheers, but all Legion could hear was the rush of his victory—the proof that he wasn't just some nobody, that he was here and he was real.

  He limped to the ropes, pulling himself out of the ring, ignoring the jeers of the fans in the front row. He had done it. He had beaten Valor, not just in a fight, but in the way that mattered most. Clean in the ring. One. Two. Three.

  Legion slowly made his way up the ramp, every step sending a jolt of pain through his leg, but he refused to let it show. He could still hear the crowd, could still feel their eyes on him. He turned at the top of the ramp, looking back at the ring, at Valor who was still being attended to by the officials.

  Legion brought the microphone to his lips, his voice rough, filled with exhaustion but also a twisted sense of triumph. “No heroes, Valor. Only the strong survive. If your ready for a real war. Try me in my arena. No holds barred, inside a steel cage.” He dropped the mic, the loud thud echoing through the arena as he turned and walked through the curtain, disappearing into the backstage.