From behind the tattered curtain, Virno and Rel could hear the announcer's voice booming over the arena's noise.

  Announcer: "And now, ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the upcoming match... Rel versus the newcomer Virgo!"

  The crowd erupted into cheers, stomping their feet and pounding on the wooden railings. Cabdan stuck his head through the curtain, scowling.

  Cabdan: "It's Virno, not Virgo!"

  Announcer (barely audible): "Rel versus Virno!"

  The cheers drowned out his correction, and Cabdan turned back to the boys, grinning.

  Cabdan: "Showtime, lads! Give it your best."

  Rel nodded once, his expression calm. Virno smirked, brushing past Cabdan as he stepped through the curtain and into the arena.

  The crowd had thinned significantly since Faya's match, but the air still crackled with energy. A mix of beggars, thugs, and a few finely-dressed spectators leaned eagerly over the railings, jeering and shouting.

  Announcer: "Alright, new guy, here are the rules: there are no rules! Except this -- no weapons from the outside. If you use anything you brought with you, you'll be disqualified. And by 'disqualified,' I mean we'll jump in and beat the shit out of you. Got that?"

  Virno raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing.

  Virno: "Who the fuck do you take me for? I'm no coward, unlike the losers you probably let fight here..."

  The announcer blinked, then chuckled darkly.

  Announcer: "... Give him an extra-special beating for me, would ya, Rel?"

  Rel smiled faintly, his eyes fixed on Virno.

  Announcer: "Alright, touch hands, you two!"

  Rel extended his fists. Virno hesitated for a second before mirroring the gesture, their knuckles briefly brushing against each other.

  Announcer: "LAST ONE STANDING WINS!"

  A man outside the arena rang a cowbell, and the match began.

  Virno lunged immediately, swinging for Rel's head. Rel raised his left arm to block, but Virno faked him out, darting in with a jab from his other hand. Rel moved faster than Virno anticipated, dodging the blow and stepping back smoothly.

  Virno (thinking): "This fucker's fast for his size..."

  Rel countered, stepping in with a quick punch. It grazed Virno's ribs as he twisted to evade, retreating a few paces to create distance.

  Man from the audience: "Come on, stop dancing, you two!"

  Virno's eyes darted around, assessing his opponent. Rel wasn't just fast -- he was precise, his movements calculated. Every strike felt like a test, probing for weakness. Virno gritted his teeth. If he played this straight, he'd lose.

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  Rel: "Don't get any ideas... I'll knock you out fast, I promise. Just stand still."

  Virno: "Tch...!"

  Backing toward the arena wall, Virno waited as Rel closed in. When Rel threw a powerful punch, Virno shoved off the wall with his hands and foot, narrowly evading the blow. He slid across the sandy ground, crouching low to keep his balance.

  Rising quickly, he raised his fists and advanced.

  Rel smirked, stepping forward to meet him, winding up for another strike. But before he could swing, Virno's hand shot out in a wide arc, flinging a handful of sand and dust into Rel's face.

  Man from the crowd: "YEAHHH! DON'T BE AFRAID TO FIGHT DIRTY!"

  Rel stumbled back, shielding his face with his arms. Virno seized the opportunity -- not to strike, but to sprint toward one side of the arena.

  The arena's wooden fence was ramshackle in places, and Virno zeroed in on a section where the planks were loose. Grabbing one, he used his foot for leverage and ripped it free. The plank was long and narrow, almost like a sword.

  Virno (thinking): "Perfect."

  Turning back toward Rel, he was caught off guard by how quickly his opponent recovered. Rel closed the distance in an instant, sweeping Virno's legs out from under him. Virno crashed to the ground, the plank still clutched in his hand.

  Rel reached for him, but Virno squirmed away like a cornered animal, slipping from his grasp.

  Rel (growling): "I'm really gonna hurt you if you keep this up."

  Virno: "Get off your high fucking horse! I'm not pulling punches, so don't you dare either."

  Armed with the plank, Virno regained his footing. As Rel approached, Virno swung with all his might, catching Rel on the arm.

  Rel: "Dammit...!"

  Audience Member: "YEAH! KICK HIS ASS!"

  Rel hissed in pain but didn't stop. He shifted his stance, lowering his arms and bending his knees slightly. Virno, confident in his weapon, ignored the change. He swung again, but Rel ducked under the plank with ease, closing the gap between them.

  In one fluid motion, Rel swept Virno's legs again, sending him crashing to the ground. This time, he didn't let up. A vicious kick to Virno's side sent him rolling across the dirt, gasping in pain.

  Rel: "Stay. Down."

  Virno coughed, clutching his ribs, but forced himself to stand. Rel's next kick drove him backward into the arena's fence, the sound of cracking ribs audible even over the crowd's cheers.

  Excited man: "YEAHHHH! FUCK HIM UP!"

  Rel approached for the finishing blow, running at Virno full-speed. Leaping into the air, he aimed both feet at Virno's chest like a human torpedo.

  But Virno wasn't done. Ignoring the searing pain in his ribs, he twisted at the last second, the plank helping him push off the fence. Rel's feet crashed into the fence instead, shattering the wood and leaving his legs stuck on the other side.

  Seizing the moment, Virno staggered to his feet. With all the strength he could muster, he swung the plank at Rel's head. The crack of wood on bone echoed through the arena, followed by a spray of blood.

  Rel slumped forward, his legs still stuck in the broken fence. The crowd roared as Virno stood over him, panting heavily, the plank now splintered in two.

  His opponent finally freed himself, wobbling as he stood.

  Rel (grimacing): "You know... Cabdan really isn't paying me enough for this."

  Blood dripped from the side of his head, but he was smiling.

  Rel: "So... I'll accept a draw."

  Virno, barely standing, grinned back, his teeth stained red.

  Virno: "Heh. A draw...? Y-yeah... I'll take that. A draw it is."

  The crowd's cheers shift into boos, throwing bottles and scraps of trash into the arena.

  Announcer (stepping in): "Alright, alright! You heard 'em! It's a draw!"

  One man in the audience shouted angrily.

  Angry Spectator: "You fucking pussies! Finish it already!"

  Rel turned, blood streaming down his face, and fixed the man with a cold, violent stare.

  Rel: "Why don't you step in and finish it yourself? Come on -- we won't bite."

  Virno joined him, grinning with bloodshot eyes. The man paled, sinking back into his seat. The crowd fell eerily quiet.

  Announcer: "Ring the bell! This match is over!"

  The cowbell rang, signaling the end. Rel extended his hand to Virno, who shook it firmly.

  Virno: "Good fight."

  They looked at each other's bruised, bleeding faces and smiled earnestly.

  Rel: "Good fight indeed."

  As Virno let go, his vision blurred, and his knees buckled.

  Virno (muttering): "A draw's a draw..."

  Completely exhausted, he falls backward, unconscious.

  Announcer (panicking): "Ah shit -- Cabdan! Get the doctor!"

  Rel: "I'll get him..."

  Rel rushes over to the area's exit, as the announcer tries to keep Virno conscious.

  Announcer: "Stay with me, kid. Help's on the way."

  Virno's vision faded to black, the muffled shouts of the audience the last thing he heard.