West Leyland, Azura.
In the heart of West Leyland stood a modern headquarters building with a bold, angular design alongside dark gray and black metal panels forming sharp triangles and diagonals across the facade. Large reflective blue-green glass sections contrasted with the solid cladding, creating a dynamic look.
High on the front, a massive illuminated sign in bright red letters read THE OCTAGON, standing out powerfully against the dark background.
The entrance was recessed and framed by the same geometric style, with low landscaping—small trees and shrubs—around the base. A wide parking lot filled with cars sat in front under the clear night sky.
Screams filled the air as the huge stadium brimmed with people, all squealing their hearts out at the octagonal metal cage where two female boxers fought.
The first combatant, an orange-haired woman named Nico Reeves, faced off against her black-haired opponent, Daisy Mallen.
Daisy threw a jab forward, but Nico ducked and avoided it, as she sprung up and punched Daisy's waist, then unleashed a barrage to her face.
"Ohhh, bah gawd, folks! Nico is just tearin' this poor lady apart!" the commentator cried. "Look at the strength difference here! She's casually throwin' jabs like darts!"
At the uppermost level of the stadium was the VIP area, shielded behind transparent glass. Rows of specially made leather chairs lined the space, and sitting alone in one of them was Van Ackerman unmasked. No one else occupied the section; apparently, Van had booked the entire area for himself.
He watched the match below in quiet.
Daisy snapped a sharp jab toward Nico’s forehead, but Nico raised her arm in a swift block. The moment the punch connected with her forearm, Nico twisted her body, using Daisy’s forward momentum against her.
Daisy stumbled slightly, her balance disrupted. Using that, Nico dropped her guard in an instant and drove a powerful flying fist straight into Daisy’s jaw.
The crowd erupted. A wave of loud “wows” rolled through the stands, followed by scattered cheers and gasps. Phones flashed as spectators captured the impact.
"Another devastating uppercut! Good God almighty, that nearly took her head off! Nico's stompin' a mudhole in her and walkin' it dry! This ain't a match, King, this is a maulin'! Daisy's got heart, but heart don't stand a chance against raw power like this!" The commentator's voice crackled over the speakers.
Van leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees, eyes never leaving the ring. His expression remained unreadable, neither impressed nor surprised, just quietly attentive, as though he were studying a puzzle.
"Puah!" Daisy blurted, saliva splattering from her mouth as she staggered back.
Nico grunted and inhaled deeply, pulling her right arm backward.
The entire stadium instantly fell into a lull, like they already knew what was coming.
"Here it comes," The commentator announced.
Nico's veins twisted, as her knuckles hardened, revealing hard bones and thick muscles.
She slid her foot back, then threw the fist forward. Wind conducted around it, the momentum of the punch making the air look like it was freezing.
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The blow struck Daisy's torso. Her back bucked in, and her eyes budged out. "Ugh!" She moaned as blood sprayed out of her agape mouth in a wide arc.
The sheer force of the impact sent Daisy flying backward as she slammed into the cage walls and blacked out immediately.
Silence held until...
"Let's go, anti reaction!!" A man shouted. The crowd exploded into a devastating shout.
Boards sprung up into the air, with—"Nico!", "Anti reaction!", "The Stormbreaker!" and many more—written on them.
"There you've it! Nico's ultimate attack; Anti reaction!" The commentator rose to his feet and screamed into the mic.
"Nico! Nico! Nico!" The entire crowd cheered, everyone rising to their feet.
"Cover, one... two... she's got her! The domination is complete, what a statement!"
"You're right, JR," the second commentator said. "This girl's sendin' a message to the whole locker room! Absolute destruction!"
"She's Nico Reeves, The Stormbreaker!"
3rd-tier Sorcerer: Nico Reeves.
Seeing that the fight was over, Van rose up from the seat and walked away, a slight smile tugging on his lips.
Minutes later, footsteps echoed off the hallway walls as Nico and her personal assistant walked through the corridor.
"Ma'am, you have to answer the journalists when they ask questions!" the P.A. cautioned, struggling to keep up.
"It's a hassle," Nico replied bluntly.
A door stood at the end of the corridor.
"The press are gonna have a bad impression of you," the P.A. said.
"I don't give a fuck, goddamn it!" Nico snapped. She reached the door and flung it open.
"Nico?" a voice greeted from inside the room.
"Huh?" Nico turned toward the voice and froze. "Wh-what are you—"
"You having a bad day or what?" Van muttered as he rose to his feet.
"Oh my gosh, Van Ackerman!" The P.A.'s eyes widened as she covered her mouth in shock.
"Van!" Nico screamed and rushed to him. "I thought you weren't going to come, so you saw my message?" Her once-hardened eyes suddenly softened.
"I wanted to surprise you," Van replied coolly.
"Aww, it's been so long. I missed you as fuck," Nico beamed, her eyes gleaming with joy.
"Did you watch my match?" she asked.
"Peak fight," Van nodded. "Man, I almost thought you were gonna kill her there."
"Haha." Nico chuckled, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Anyway, let's get outta this place," Van said.
"Yesh! We're going on a date!" Nico screamed and threw her hands into the air. Then she turned to her P.A.
"Oi, Nora, clear my schedule for tonight," Nico commanded.
"Huh? I just can't do that, ma'am," Nora protested, her face twisting, but Nico and Van had already left the room.
Nora's face fell as she groaned and turned away.
...
Outside the stadium, chatters and murmurings filled the air.
"Oi, anyone seen Nico? I need to interview her!" a journalist shouted.
"Nico Reeves absolutely destroyed her opponent; Daisy Mallen in tonight's match! She's the definition of unstoppable!" A sport reporter screamed into his mic.
Far from the entrance, by the side of The Octagon, stood another door.
The door opened and Van stepped out, with Nico clinging to his arm.
Unlike earlier, she no longer looked like a fighter. She wore a blue long, fitted, off-shoulder dress with a fold-over neckline. It was slit on one side up to mid-thigh. Her orange hair was tied into a ponytail, and her toned skin and muscles gave her an elegant, yet beautiful appearance.
"Jeez, how long has it been since we last saw each other?" Nico purred.
"Hmm, months? I don't know," Van replied.
They reached a black car waiting for them. A man in a suit stood in front, holding the open door with his head bowed.
"Arrgh." Nico sighed as she entered the car. "Any plans for tonight's date?" she asked.
"We should probably hit a restaurant first. I'll figure it out from there," Van replied. He started to step in, but suddenly a spark flared in the sky.
"Huh?" Van's gaze lifted to it.
A thin whistle arced up into the night. It reached its peak before erupting in a flash of red, spelling the letters "NICO", and lighting up the sky.
Van tensed slightly, eyes narrowing.
"What's wrong?" Nico asked, concerned.
"Hmm, it's nothing," he replied, stepping into the car. "Let's go."
The fireworks exploded, reflecting off the tinted windows of the car as it zoomed off.
...
On the other side of Azura, the fireworks light shone all over, lighting the ground in different shades and colors. Finn Harrow's body hit the ground with a squelch, his blood splattered across the floor.
Code blinked in horror.
Terror slowly raised his arms, taking the stance of a divine being.
The fireworks sparked behind him, giving him an almost godly appearance. Then, he spoke. "This life is a survival of the fittest. The weak have no reason to live."
