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✰ CUT THE FEED ✰
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"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. The Sekai Taikai Tournament of Champions!" Gunther shouted into the mic as the four dojos walked in and all lined up next to each other, ready to hear what they'd be doing to ensure their spot in the finals.

Gunther stood at the front of the room, his voice steady as he addressed the assembled dojos. "This is the semi-final round," he announced, his eyes sweeping over the room. "Each dojo will retain the points they've accumulated thus far. Every match will consist of three two-minute rounds, with unlimited scoring and no stoppages."

The room fell silent as all eyes focused on him, the participants pausing in their stretches or warm-ups to listen intently.

Gunther continued, "A hit will earn you one point. A knockdown is worth ten, and if anyone scores a knockout, that's worth twenty." He gave the crowd a moment to process the information, then added with a determined tone, "So, it's still anyone's tournament to win."

The points we somewhat spread out. Iron Dragons in first place had 138, Red Fury in second place had 120, Miyagi-Do had 87 and Cobra Kai had 85.

"Now, may the best dojo win."

The first round was between Kwon and Nico. Nico couldn't deny the nerves creeping in. Kwon had earned a second chance at the semi-finals, and Nico knew the other fighter wouldn't waste it-especially not against him.

Both stepped onto the mat, eyes locked in a fierce stare. There was no emotion to read on either of their faces-just cold, calculated focus. They had no choice but to stay sharp. Their minds were set on one thing: winning.

Kwon and Nico bowed to the referee, then to each other. The bow was stiff and half-hearted, neither willing to fully acknowledge the other, but the respect was still there-at least, in theory.

Luciana stood off the mat, her eyes locked on the two fighters. She was still and tense, her heart racing. Cobra Kai was currently in last place, but that could easily change. She couldn't help the gnawing feeling of dread in her stomach. She knew her brother wasn't going to back down, but this was Kwon.

The ref raised his hand, signaling for the match to start.

With no words exchanged, the two fighters circled each other warily, their focus unwavering. Neither seemed in a rush to strike, but the tension between them was palpable.

Then, in an instant, Kwon spun and slammed his foot into Nico's chest, knocking him back a step. The sound of the impact was sharp, and Kwon's stance was solid as he looked at Nico without so much as a flicker of emotion.

One point, the ref called.

Nico groaned but glanced over at Luciana. She gave him a small nod of encouragement, and he straightened up, wiping his mouth. He raised his fist, showing he wasn't done yet.

With newfound determination, Nico rushed forward, throwing a series of jabs and roundhouse kicks Kwon's way. Kwon blocked and dodged with precision, his movements quick and fluid. Nico's next attack was a spinning kick that Kwon blocked, but Nico didn't back down. As Kwon aimed a kick to Nico's midsection, Nico slid to the side, dropping onto his back to dodge the blow.

Kwon came down fast, and Nico kicked up, landing a swift strike to his chest before spinning around with his other foot, landing a clean hit across Kwon's bruised cheek. The crowd gasped as Kwon staggered, but he didn't fall. His stance wavered, but he stayed on his feet.

Two points, the ref announced.

Kwon's teeth clenched, but the frustration didn't show on his face. He bounced back up, moving faster now, throwing a flurry of punches and kicks at Nico. But Nico was fast-dodging every one of them with ease, his movements almost like second nature.

The fight continued, each point coming fast and furious. Both were landing blows, but it was clear that Kwon wanted to end this quickly.

With a sudden shift, Kwon kicked at Nico's knees, causing him to stumble. He didn't give Nico time to recover. With a swift movement, Kwon raised his leg and delivered an uppercut with his foot, slamming it under Nico's chin. Nico's head snapped back, and he crashed to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth as he groaned in pain.

The ref called out the fight.

"Knockdown!"

The crowd held its breath as the score updated. Kwon was now at 17 points, and Nico, struggling to get up, was left with only 6. This means Kwon is now going to the finals and Nico is not and if Luciana can't pull off a win for them, they will both be gone.

The scoreboard flashed: Cobra Kai - 102, Red Fury - 126.

Luciana's heart dropped, but she stayed silent. Cobra Kai had moved up to third place, and Red Fury was still in the lead. But the upcoming matches would decide everything.

As Nico slowly got to his knees, Luciana stepped forward, ready to help him. She could see the pain in his eyes, but he was determined.

The battle wasn't over yet-not by a long shot.

Next up was Zara Malik of Iron Dragons against Luciana Mendoza of Red Fury. Zara bounced lightly on her feet, adjusting the belt wrapped around her gi, her eyes locked on Luciana across the mat.

Santana gave Luciana a couple of encouraging pats on the back before she glanced over at Feng. He gave her a weak smile, but Santana didn't have time for distractions. She focused back on Luciana, watching her student's every move as she stood across from Zara. Luciana's stance was poised, her expression determined and unwavering. The air was thick with tension, the weight of the match pressing down on them both.

The ref called for them to begin, and Zara was quick to make her move, attacking first. She darted forward, her fist aimed at Luciana's face. Luciana ducked, narrowly avoiding the hit, but Zara's speed was undeniable. She followed up with a sharp jab to Luciana's stomach, earning the first point of the round.

One point, Zara Malik, the ref announced.

Luciana winced but didn't let it shake her. She immediately went on the defensive, dodging and weaving as Zara relentlessly pushed forward. The two moved with fluid grace, each trying to outmaneuver the other. They both lifted their legs simultaneously, ready to strike, but Zara was quicker. She kneeled, using her elbow to slam into Luciana's face before following up with a solid kick to Luciana's cheek, sending her stumbling back.

Another point for Zara Malik.

Luciana reached up, rubbing her nose as she glared at her opponent. Zara smirked and blew a kiss to her cheering fans, clearly taking a moment to bask in the spotlight. But Luciana wasn't about to let the distraction go unpunished.

With a fierce growl, Luciana ran at Zara, determined to take back the momentum. As she closed the distance, she spun on her heel, landing a clean hit to Zara's chest.

Point, Luciana Mendoza.

Before Zara could recover, Luciana swiftly followed through, spinning once more and delivering a blow to the back of Zara's head. Zara staggered, but Luciana wasn't done. With a quick flip, Luciana landed behind Zara and, using the momentum, flipped over her opponent's shoulders, hitting her squarely in the chest with a punch as they both hit the ground.

Point, Luciana Mendoza.

Both girls panted as they quickly rolled away from each other, creating some distance. In an instant, they both jumped to their feet, fists clenched, eyes locked, and determination etched into their features. The score was tied at two points each, and the tension between them was palpable.

Santana watched closely, her eyes sharp. "You've got this, Luci," she whispered under her breath.

Both fighters were breathing heavily, but their focus remained unshaken. The battle wasn't over yet.

The clock was ticking down, but neither Zara nor Luciana showed any signs of slowing down. The battle was fierce, and the tension was thick in the air. Zara had the lead, 14 points to Luciana's 10, but Luciana wasn't about to give up easily. Every punch, every kick was a testament to her strength, but she was beginning to feel the toll of the fight.

As Luciana backed up, stumbling slightly from the exhaustion, she found herself dangerously close to Axel, Feng, and the rest of the Iron Dragons. Her breath came in shallow gasps, her body feeling the strain of the relentless onslaught. But then, out of nowhere, a sharp pain exploded in her back as a foot landed squarely between her shoulder blades, sending her crashing to the mat, face-first.

"What the hell!?" Santana shouted as she rushed onto the mat, eyes wide with fury. "He just kicked her!" she roared, her voice carrying through the gym.

Zara, who had been smiling confidently from her earlier hits, smirked playfully and raised her hands in mock innocence. "No, she fell. I saw it," Zara tried to defend, but Santana wasn't having it.

Without warning, she shoved Zara roughly, knocking her back a step. "There are cameras, bitch! That should be a point deduction!" Santana called out, her voice ringing with anger, as gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Son of a bitch!" Nico cursed, his eyes narrowing at Axel. He shot forward to help Luciana up, but Elijah was quick to grab him, holding him back as they both rushed to Luciana's side.

Santana stood tall, glaring at Zara, but before anything else could happen, Gunther stepped forward, trying to calm the situation. "Okay, everyone, calm down," he said, raising his hands in an attempt to defuse the tension.

But Santana wasn't about to back down. "They're cheating! I want a point deducted!" she shouted, turning her eyes to Feng, who stood by with a confused expression, clearly unsure about what was happening. He didn't seem like he'd stop it either, and Santana wasn't going to let it slide.

"I hear you, Sensei Santana," Gunther said, his tone surprisingly calm, but the tension between them was undeniable.

"That asshole!" Nico shouted again, still seething with anger. "They cheated! They kicked her!"

In a sudden burst of fury, Nico lunged towards Axel, his fist swinging wildly. Axel, however, was quick to dodge, sidestepping the blow with ease. He gave Nico a nervous look, before shoving him hard, sending Nico stumbling backward into the Cobra Kai team. Kwon smirked at the sight, his eyes narrowing as he saw an opportunity to provoke.

"You could never beat me," Kwon whispered harshly into Nico's ear, before using his strength to elbow him roughly into his side, sending Nico crashing onto the mat with a thud. Santana watched in disbelief.

"Are you kidding me?" she spat, rushing to Nico's side as he groaned in pain. "Get up, Nico, get up!"

Gunther was still trying to take control of the situation, his voice booming as he tried to maintain order. "Okay, I need you all to stop-"

But before he could finish, the sound of a sharp crack filled the gym. Gunther went down in an instant, kicked in the face by Sensei Ivanov, who had just been disqualified for cheating. The crowd fell silent as Gunther laid sprawled on the floor, knocked out cold.

Santana looked up toward the stage, her eyes widening as she realized what had just happened. Ivanov, now grinning maliciously, was standing tall with his students at his back. He called out something in Russian, his voice filled with fury.

"Let's go!" Ivanov screamed, as he and his students rushed onto the mat, turning the situation from a simple disagreement into an all-out brawl.

Santana stood frozen for a moment, shock etched across her face. This wasn't just about the fight anymore. The entire tournament had erupted into chaos.

The chaos on the mat escalated quickly as the dojos that had been eliminated rushed in, eager to get their fair share of the action. The mat was a war zone, and no one was safe. From every direction, fists and feet flew, and the once-organized tournament had descended into pure anarchy.

Zara, spinning gracefully with a battle-hardened glare in her eyes, whipped around and slammed her foot into Santana's chest. The force of the blow knocked Santana back, but Zara wasn't done. She leaned in close, a wicked grin curling on her lips. "I hope the cameras caught that... bitch," she taunted.

Santana's face twisted with fury, her lips curling into a snarl. "You bitch!" she screamed, her voice a raw growl as she lunged forward, grabbing Zara by the gi and yanking her close. With a vicious grunt, she punched Zara square across the face, the sound of the impact ringing out through the gym.

Zara staggered back, momentarily stunned. But she wasn't about to be bested. With a swift motion, Zara slammed her forearms down on Santana's arms, pushing her back with brutal force. Before she could strike again, a blur of movement cut through the chaos - Luciana, eyes blazing, rushed in with a spinning kick that collided with Zara's side, knocking her to the ground with a loud thud.

"Try harder, bitch," Luci snapped, glaring down at Zara, who was now seething on the mat.

Zara, growling in frustration, shot to her feet. "You're dead!" she screamed angrily, her fists clenched tightly as she charged at Luciana, sending a flurry of kicks and punches flying. Luciana dodged, her feet nimble as she countered with a series of sharp strikes, her body moving with precision.

As the two girls clashed, Santana was pulled back by several people, their hands on her shoulders and arms, trying to separate her from Zara. But it wasn't over yet. The fight had only just begun.

Meanwhile, chaos continued to erupt all around the mat. Kwon, grinning like a wolf, stalked towards Nico with malicious intent. Before Nico could react, Kwon slammed his head into Nico's face, sending him reeling. The blow was hard enough to cause Nico to stumble back, but he was quick to recover, his instincts kicking in.

But Kwon wasn't alone. Three more figures from other eliminated dojos surged forward, joining in on the assault. Fists and kicks rained down on Nico as he dodged and weaved through their attacks. Still, a few of their blows landed, bruising and cutting him.

Then, as if the tide of the battle had shifted, Robby from Miyagi-Do slid into the fray, moving with fluid grace. He wasted no time, stepping up next to Nico, shoulder to shoulder. "Make it a fair fight," Robby said coolly, his voice barely above a whisper, but carrying with it a fierce determination.

Nico's eyes flicked to Robby, nodding sharply. With a shared understanding, the two of them dropped into fighting stances, ready to face the trio of attackers. The sound of punches and kicks flying through the air mixed with the chaotic screams and shouts of fighters around them.

The fight on the mat was no longer just a tournament; it had become a full-scale war. Everyone was fighting for survival, for honor, and for a chance to prove themselves. Luciana continued to dodge Zara's strikes, landing a few jabs of her own, while Santana was still fighting off those trying to keep her away from the action. Kwon and his gang of attackers were quickly realizing that this wouldn't be as easy as they thought, with Robby and Nico standing side by side, ready to take them on.

Around them, the sounds of fighting raged louder - kicks landing, bodies slamming into the mat, screams and grunts filling the air. The arena had turned into utter chaos, and the only thing that was clear was that no one was going to back down.

The sound of the chaotic fight around them echoed throughout the arena, a cacophony of grunts, screams, and fists connecting with flesh. Zara's eyes scanned the fray, her focus sharp despite the whirlwind of violence. She caught a glimpse of Tory, her teammate from Cobra Kai, helping Robby to his feet, and a dangerous smirk spread across Zara's face.

Not on my watch, Zara thought, her eyes narrowing as she spotted the opening.

Without a second thought, she spun around and kicked Luciana hard in the chest, sending her stumbling back. Luci grunted in surprise, the wind knocked out of her, but she recovered quickly, fury flashing across her face. Before Luciana could react, Zara was already rushing toward Tory, her movements swift and precise.

"You're mine, Nichols." Zara yelled, her voice cutting through the noise as she lunged at her.

But as Zara charged toward Tory, Luciana's attention shifted. Her gaze darted upward, her breath still heavy from the exchange with Zara, and she locked eyes with Maria, the fierce fighter from Furia de Pantera. A twisted smile crept onto Luciana's lips as she took a step back, flexing her fingers in preparation for the battle ahead.

"You're mine," Maria hissed through clenched teeth, her voice dripping with venom.

Luciana's expression hardened as she squared up to face Maria, her eyes burning with intensity. The two girls sized each other up, their bodies coiled and ready to strike as chaos swirled around them.

Meanwhile, Mia was in the thick of the chaos as well, dodging a wild punch from a member of Cobra Kai. She sidestepped with the grace of a seasoned fighter, only to whip around and deliver a brutal kick to a girl from Dublin Thunder, sending the girl sprawling to the ground with a loud crack as Mia's foot met her face.

"Ah!" the girl from Dublin Thunder shouted as she staggered back, clutching her nose.

Mia's victory was short-lived, though. Before she could step back and reassess the fight, a heavy weight tackled her from behind, bringing her crashing to the mat with a loud thud.

Back to Luciana and Maria - the battle was heating up. Luciana's fury blazed as she kicked herself up from the mat, her body moving fluidly despite the chaos around her. She quickly circled Maria, her eyes locked on her opponent, anticipating her every move.

But as Luciana closed the gap between them, someone bumped into her from behind, jarring her balance. Before she could recover, Maria seized the opportunity, charging in like a panther. She caught Luciana by the shoulders and slammed her back onto the mat with brutal force. Luci's back hit the ground hard, and she groaned in pain, momentarily dazed.

Maria wasted no time, trying to follow up with a vicious kick to Luciana's chest. But Luciana, ever the fighter, rolled quickly, narrowly avoiding the blow. With a grunt, she forced herself back onto her feet, determination in her eyes.

"I beat you once," Luciana spat, her voice low and dangerous. "Let me do it again, perra."

She lunged at Maria, her fists flying as she threw precise, powerful punches in rapid succession. Maria blocked and dodged, retaliating with kicks and quick jabs, both fighters pushing themselves to the limit. The sound of their strikes mixed with the screams and clashes of the ongoing brawl around them.

Luciana and Maria were locked in a brutal dance, their bodies a blur of motion as they traded blows. Every punch was calculated, every movement deliberate, but neither was willing to give an inch. They were warriors in the truest sense, each one determined to prove she was the stronger fighter.

The fight raged on all around them. The cameras continued to roll, capturing the absolute chaos unfolding on the mat. Screams of pain, triumph, and frustration echoed as fighters from every dojo collided in an all-out war.

Santana barely had time to register the sharp kick to her back before she lurched forward, catching herself just in time to whirl around. Her fists clenched tightly as she locked eyes with Sensei Oksana, the ruthless female instructor from Tiger Strike, a smirk of satisfaction on her face. But before Santana could retaliate, another presence loomed beside Oksana-Sensei Ivanov. The two instructors stood side by side, their expressions cold and determined as they lunged toward Santana with synchronized precision.

Santana barely dodged Ivanov's first strike, but Oksana was quicker, slipping behind her and locking her into a tight headlock. Santana gasped, her arms clawing at Oksana's grip, trying to break free. Ivanov, standing in front of her, cracked his knuckles, preparing to land the final blow.

But before he could strike, a swift blur of motion cut through the chaos.

CRACK!

Feng's foot connected harshly with Ivanov's face, sending the Tiger Strike sensei stumbling back, blood spurting from his lip. Oksana's hold on Santana faltered just enough for her to take advantage. With a sharp elbow to the ribs, Santana twisted out of the hold, gaining her footing. Wasting no time, she spun, her leg whipping around in a brutal spinning kick straight to Oksana's face. The Russian sensei staggered back, her head snapping to the side from the impact.

Santana could've let it go, but she wasn't done. The heat of the fight, the adrenaline coursing through her veins-she thrived in it. But then, her gaze shifted to Feng, standing just a foot away.

Something in her ignited.

Without thinking, she shoved him hard, her chest rising and falling with frustration. "You told Axel to kick Luciana, didn't you?" she demanded, her voice sharp and accusing.

Feng, momentarily surprised, steadied himself. His expression remained unreadable, but there was something in his eyes-something dark, something calculating. Then, slowly, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "You think I'd really do that, love?"

Santana's jaw clenched. "Yeah, I do," she said without hesitation.

Feng's smirk disappeared, his gaze hardening. They circled each other, tension thick between them, a battle of wills unfolding in real-time. The war around them continued-fists flying, bodies hitting the mat, the arena still in a state of absolute chaos-but for a moment, it was just them.

"You don't want to do this," Feng warned, his voice smooth but edged with something dangerous.

Santana narrowed her eyes. "Oh, I don't?" she challenged, stepping closer, her body rigid with anger. "I don't care how many times you've won." Her voice dropped lower, venomous and unwavering. "You've already lost with me."

Feng's expression flickered-something unreadable, something dangerous, something almost wounded. But before either of them could act, a presence barreled between them.

"Out of the way."

Wolf shoved past Santana, his shoulder knocking against hers with enough force to jolt her a step back. His eyes weren't on her, though. He was pushing through the crowd, cutting through the battlefield with one goal in mind.

Nico sprinted up the metal stairs, his breath sharp, heart pounding. The chaos in the arena below was still raging, but his focus was getting to higher ground. He gripped the railing for balance, pushing himself forward and then--

WHAM!

A rough grip latched onto his ankle, yanking his leg back. Nico barely had time to react before his body was pulled downward, his balance ripped from under him.

CRACK!

His head slammed against the cold, unforgiving metal railing, pain exploding through his skull. He groaned, blinking rapidly as his vision swam, dark spots clouding the edges. As he turned onto his side, he found himself face-to-face with Yoon, one of Cobra Kai's relentless fighters, a wicked grin stretched across his bruised face.

"You're not going anywhere," Yoon sneered.

Nico gritted his teeth and swung his foot back, catching Yoon square in the face. The impact forced Yoon's head back, his grip loosening just enough for Nico to scramble up a step. But Yoon was fast-too fast.

Before Nico could regain his footing, Yoon lunged again, grabbing both of Nico's feet and yanking hard.

Nico tumbled backward, his spine slamming against the cold, hard stairs as he was dragged down. The unforgiving steel bruised his ribs, knocking the air from his lungs before he crashed onto the floor.

Yoon wasted no time, hovering over him, his leg cocked back, ready to drive a devastating kick into Nico's chest.

Think fast.

Nico thrust his leg upward with all his strength, his foot colliding squarely between Yoon's legs.

A choked, strangled sound escaped Yoon's lips as his body seized, agony contorting his face. He collapsed onto his knees, hands clutching himself as a pathetic groan spilled from his throat.

Nico let out a sharp laugh, a smirk curling his swollen lip. "That's what I thought."

Without wasting another second, he pushed himself up and rushed back toward the stairs. His body ached, his head pounded, but he had no time to stop. He climbed quickly, each step fueled by adrenaline-

Until he reached the top.

And found two Miyagi-Do students waiting for him.

Devon and Kenny.

Devon looked uncertain, hesitating, fists clenched at her sides. Nico could tell she wasn't sure if she was going to attack.

Kenny, on the other hand, had already made his decision.

"Fuck it," Kenny muttered, eyes dark with determination.

Then he lunged.

Nico barely had time to react before Kenny lunged at him, fist swinging.

Not today.

He ducked just in time, Kenny's punch whiffing over his head. The momentum sent Kenny stumbling forward, crashing into Devon as all three of them barreled into another dojo's section.

Nico grunted as his back hit a wooden training bench, but he had no time to recover. The second he steadied himself, he caught sight of a fighter from the rival dojo charging toward him.

No rest for the wicked.

With a sharp exhale, Nico snapped his leg up and kicked Kenny out of the way, sending him stumbling sideways. Kenny let out a grunt but didn't stay down, already finding another opponent to take on. Devon, caught in the chaos, barely spared Nico another glance before turning to fight someone else from the rival dojo.

That was all Nico needed-he was in the clear.

Luciana was still locked in a vicious fight with Maria, their movements sharp and unforgiving. Every punch, every kick, was meant to hurt.

Suddenly, she caught movement from the corner of her eye-Diego and Animal were charging in, ready to jump her.

Before they could get close, Mariana, a Red Fury student, wasn't having any of it. She rushed in, grabbing Diego by his colorful long hair and yanking him backward with a sharp tug. Diego yelped, stumbling, but Mariana wasn't done. She drove her knee into his stomach, then kicked him in the ribs once, twice, sending him crashing to the mat.

Luciana, meanwhile, let out a sharp grunt as Animal lunged at her, but she was quicker. She slammed her knee into his stomach, making him double over with a gasp. Wasting no time, she twisted and rolled across his back, landing gracefully on her feet before delivering a brutal kick straight to Maria's face.

Maria's head snapped back as she hit the ground hard.

"Exactly, bitch!" Luciana shouted, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

Without hesitation, she dropped down, straddling Maria, and started raining down punch after punch, her fists colliding with Maria's face relentlessly.

Nearby, Mariana continued her assault on Diego, shoving him back down every time he tried to get up, her kicks coming fast and merciless.

The chaos raged on around them, but in this moment, Luciana and Mariana owned the fight.

The fights were growing more intense. Blood dripped from noses, lips, and brows, staining the mats below. Bruises had already begun to form, but no one backed down-each fighter remained locked in their heated brawls.

Kwon and Axel clashed in a relentless battle, neither willing to give an inch. Robby, Sam, and Tory were locked in fierce combat against members of Iron Dragon.

On the second floor, Nico staggered back, blood trickling from his mouth. A brutal punch sent him reeling, his body hovering dangerously close to the edge of the railing. He coughed, spitting crimson onto the floor below.

From down below, Santana's eyes locked onto him, her expression shifting to one of alarm.

"Nico!" she called out, worry lacing her voice.

Meanwhile, Kwon was kicked into a cameraman, both them and the camera being knocked to the floor. He wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand, his breath heavy and uneven. The chaos around him blurred for a moment as his eyes locked onto the small blade lying on the ground-a traditional Eunjangdo, its polished steel glinting under the harsh arena lights.

A slow, wicked grin spread across his face. Wrath burned in his veins, mixing with the unhinged joy of battle. His fingers wrapped around the hilt, gripping it tight as he turned his gaze toward Axel.

Luciana barely had time to react before she was slammed into Animal's solid frame. The impact knocked the wind from her lungs, and before she could even regain her footing, his hands gripped her roughly, lifting her with terrifying ease.

"No-" she gasped, but it was too late.

Animal slammed her onto the mat with a sickening thud, the force sending a sharp jolt of pain up her spine. A loud scream tore from her throat as she clutched her ribs, her vision blurring from the pain.

Above her, Maria stood, her lips curling into a triumphant grin. She wiped a bit of blood from her own mouth and lifted her foot, standing over Luciana like a predator savoring its victory.

"You beat me once," Maria taunted, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "That won't happen again."

Luciana coughed, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth as she weakly reached out, her voice strained. "Maria, stop-please-"

But Maria wasn't listening.

Animal veered off to the side, stretching out his shoulders, his smirk widening as he prepared for what was next. Meanwhile, Maria roughly grabbed Luciana's leg, pinning it down as the girl struggled beneath her.

Across the dojo, chaos erupted.

Kwon let out an enraged scream, the blade gripped tightly in his hand as he charged at Axel with reckless abandon. Axel braced himself, eyes locking onto the weapon, but he didn't have time to focus on fear-only instinct.

At the same time, Animal suddenly rushed toward Luciana and Maria, his brute strength barreling forward like a wrecking ball.

Kwon and Axel collided first, a flurry of strikes and counters. Kwon spun into a roundhouse kick, but Axel reacted fast, his own kick striking Kwon's ankle mid-air, throwing off his balance. Kwon hit the ground hard, the knife still clutched in his hand, his vision spinning as pain shot up his leg.

But the worst was yet to come.

As Kwon crashed down, Animal slid into place near Luciana, his movements brutal and precise. His foot swung up, slamming into the bottom of Luciana's leg.

A sickening crack echoed through the dojo.

Luciana's scream ripped through the air, raw and agonized. The pain was blinding, white-hot, a fire searing through her nerves.

Maria only chuckled.

"Let's make sure you don't fight me ever again," she murmured, and then she did the unthinkable.

She dropped down backward, still gripping Luciana's already shattered leg.

Another loud, gruesome snap.

Luciana's leg bone tore through her skin, white against crimson, and her bloodcurdling scream mixed with Kwon's as he lay on the ground. The blade wasn't beside him or thrown to the side. It was inside of his chest.

Everything else in the dojo seemed to halt for just a second. Even the most ruthless fighters turned their heads at the sheer brutality of it.

Luciana's breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, tears pricking her eyes as pain consumed her.

Nico and Santana descended the stairs slowly, their bodies aching from the brutal fights they had endured. But the moment they reached the bottom, a hush fell over them.

A crowd had gathered in a tight circle, the air thick with shock and dread. In the center of it all, two figures lay on the mat-Luciana and Kwon.

"Luci! Luci!" Mariana's desperate screams broke through the eerie silence as she ran toward Luciana. Blood pooled beneath Luciana's mangled leg, her agonized cries piercing through the dojo. The sight of her pale face, contorted in pain, made Mariana's stomach drop.

But then, another voice called out-this one filled with urgency and horror.

"Someone get help!"

Daniel LaRusso pushed past the frozen spectators, rushing toward Kwon. His heart pounded as he turned Kwon onto his back, his breath hitching at the sight before him.

Blood soaked Kwon's black gi. A deep crimson stain spread rapidly across his chest, and the deadly truth became clear-he had fallen onto the eunjangdo. The small blade was still buried in his torso, its steel now slick with red.

Nearby, Nico's breath caught in his throat.

"Luciana..." he groaned softly, barely able to process what he was seeing. Santana, trembling, reached for him, wrapping her arms around his waist as he clutched his bruised ribs.

And then they saw it-the lifeless body of Kwon Jae-Sung.

His open, unblinking eyes stared into nothing, the mat beneath him dark and wet with blood.

Santana let out a broken sob, her grip tightening on Nico. "Oh my gosh..." her voice cracked, tears slipping down her cheeks as she turned away, unable to look any longer.

Luciana, still sobbing, writhed in pain-until she turned her head.

Her vision blurred, her breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps. And then she saw him.

Kwon's lifeless gaze met hers, empty and still.

Something inside her shattered.

Her breathing slowed, the pain in her body becoming distant, almost numb. Her eyelids fluttered, heavy and weak.

"Luci... hey, hey, stay with me!" Mariana panicked, shaking her friend gently before turning to the crowd. "HELP! Please!" she cried out, her voice desperate, tears slipping down her face.

The room remained deathly silent, the weight of what had just happened sinking into everyone like a stone. A few covered their mouths in shock, while others looked away, horror etched across their faces.

Then, from the back of the room, a voice rang out.

A groggy Gunther, still shaking off the effects of his knockout, pushed himself up and looked around at the chaos. His eyes darted to the cameras still rolling, capturing every second of the gruesome scene.

His face hardened.

"Cut the feed..." he muttered, his voice low and firm. No one reacted, too stunned to move.

Then, with more force, he turned to the nearest camera, his expression dark.

"CUT THE FEED!"

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authors note:
well.. that was eventful... A ROLLERCOASTER. I hope you enjoyed? AHHHH part 3 is gonna eat so bad. RIP Kwon tho! 💋

thoughts? 💭 that was a lot, i know.

words: 5837