"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
Royal Vang couldn't believe what was happening. She had spent the entire round dominating her opponent, tossing her around like a ragdoll. Yet Melanie had suddenly managed to stop her attack. Royal glanced at her opponent. The young woman was a mess: cuts and bruises covered her entire body. Rough patches of blood and dirt stained her clothes. Her feet wobbled, as though they would give way at the slightest movement. Despite all this, Melanie was still standing with a bloody grin on her face.
Royal gritted her teeth. She just got lucky. Does she actually expect me to believe she hasn't been using her ability?
Melanie ignored the pain coursing through her body, her eyes locked on Royal's.
It isn't over yet. I'm still not sure I can win. But I can try.
"C'mon, Royal. One second, you want me to forfeit and end the fight as quickly as possible, the next, you stand there moping," Melanie jeered.
Royal's green eyes narrowed like those of a viper as she began to circle her.
Melanie held her stance, following her opponent's pace and movements. She focused, reaching past the pain coursing through her body. She could feel the pent-up, dormant energy within her.
I have a lot of energy to spare. But will it be enough to win this?
"Catch this!"
Royal lunged, closing the distance between them. She rotated her shoulders, launching a series of punches. Melanie slipped the first punch aimed at her face. She narrowly ducked the second aimed at her temple, but the third caught her in the chin.
Melanie stumbled away from Royal. Pain flared in her jaw, her vision blurring slightly. Her body was already past its breaking point. Yet she could feel it: the energy within her had grown again. Throughout the course of the fight, every hit she took had added to her energy reserves.
I'm almost ready. It's almost my turn. Just a little more!
Part of her feared her body would give way, but she dismissed it.
"How are you still standing!" Royal roared.
She ran forward, aiming a kick at Melanie's chest. The injured woman quickly crossed her hands in front of her, protecting her sternum. The bones in her arms rattled from the impact, and she lost her balance, falling to the ground again.
Melanie groaned.
At least they aren't broken.
She dug her fingers into the dirt, stumbling as she dragged herself to her feet.
I can't take any more hits or I'm going to pass out. Here goes nothing!
Melanie took her fighting stance again, her hands raised in a guard position. Heat began to spread beneath her skin. A faint red glow pulsed through her entire body before disappearing.
Melanie's skin suddenly began to glow bright red, wisps of steam leaving its surface. Her previously dull caramel eyes sprang to life, bright and vibrant.
"Ladies and gentlemen, could we have another Convergence ability on our hands?" the announcer exclaimed.
The audience erupted in hoots and hollers, the entire arena coming to life.
In the waiting area, Stephanie smiled softly to herself.
"Look, Tristan. She's finally using her ability."
Royal's angry gaze did not falter. She watched her opponent closely, completely unfazed.
Crystals began to sprout from her skin, covering her entire body in a bulky, jagged shell. The uneven crystals slowly condensed, compressing until the rough shell became a thin layer of incredibly durable crystal, no thicker than skin.
The two fighters stood facing each other, only a few feet apart.
Melanie was in a world of her own. Her entire body ached but pulsed with power at the same time, so much so that her skin had become red hot. Her feet were still wobbling. Yet she stood with a grin, exuding confidence.
"Let's end it, Royal."
With that, they both charged in. Power surged into Melanie's feet, propelling her toward her opponent even faster.
Royal met her head-on. The tall woman rotated her body skillfully, attacking with a spinning hook kick.
Melanie's eyes widened.
Crap, I got carried away!
She threw a straight punch as hard as she could at Royal's knee, hoping to intercept the kick. Power flowed straight into her fist as it smashed against Royal's knee, but it wasn't enough. The kick connected with Melanie's temple, causing her head to jerk to the side.
The force sent the two fighters flying away from each other.
For a second, Melanie's entire world went pitch black. The pain began to fade as consciousness slipped away.
Then she quickly came to, her caramel eyes glowing brighter. The steam exiting her skin intensified.
"Damn it! Hit me again!" She grinned.
In reality, the kick had briefly knocked her out, but her ability was the only thing keeping her going. She couldn't show fear or weakness. Not when winning was becoming a possibility.
Even after I partially intercepted her attack, it still knocked me out? I have to end this now!
Royal maintained her scowl, looking down at Melanie. She attempted to rush forward when a jolt shot through her leg, causing her to freeze abruptly.
What in the world?
She slowly turned her gaze downward.
Her trouser leg had been ripped, displaying a shocking sight: the crystal armour protecting her knee had completely crumbled away. Her skin was red and exposed. Tiny drops of blood had begun to emerge.
How could this be? Nothing has ever been able to shatter this form! My diamond is supposed to be unbreakable!
Rage began to boil inside her. Still, she took a deep breath, a small smile creeping up her face.
She didn't dwell on what had happened. She didn't plan a counterattack; she didn't need to.
Royal Vang covered her injured knee with another layer of armour.
Why would she scheme? She was Royal Vang.
I, a member of the greatest family, the House of Gold, have already won this fight!
Royal charged towards Melanie, a sneer plastered on her face.
I'm going to crush her!
Meanwhile, Melanie had already devised a plan.
That pause from before. She hesitated. That means I must have done something. Now I just have to give it everything.
Melanie channeled all the power she had amassed into her feet. She crouched slightly and shot off towards the already fast-approaching Royal. The smell of burning rubber filled the air. Wind rushed through her hair as she ran.
The two fighters leapt at each other. Royal thrust her fist forward, aiming to crush Melanie's head.
This is it. Everything I've got!
Melanie swiftly shielded her head with her hands. She tucked her knees in and further bent her head, forming a fetal position midair. Before Royal could realize what she was doing, it was already too late.
Melanie's body slammed into Royal's torso. At the point of impact, Melanie channeled the power from her feet into her hands, reinforcing them.
A loud bang rang out, earning a gasp from the audience.
The force sent both fighters spinning away from each other. Royal was hurled backward, her fist missing Melanie's head by inches, while Melanie tumbled through the air before crashing onto the arena floor.
Dust billowed around her.
Across the arena, Royal crashed onto her back and skidded several feet before coming to a stop. Her jet-black hair had been soiled by dirt and dust. Pain flared through her entire body. Her chest felt like it was on fire.
The woman angrily rushed to her feet, swatting dust out of her hair and blouse. Her eyes fell on Melanie's collapsed form.
"You! You think you can win? How many times do I have to explain this? You cannot break diamond!" she screeched as she began to walk towards her.
Melanie groaned in response. She slowly opened her eyes. Her vision had doubled, and she could still see the tall, angry figure of Royal approaching her.
Crap! She took that and can still stand?
Melanie grabbed a fistful of dust as she tried to stand, but she slipped, falling onto all fours again. She still had enough ichor and power built up to fight, thanks to the number of hits she had taken, but her battered body couldn't make use of it.
Royal's black boot came into view.
"Get up!"
Royal grabbed Melanie by the hair, dragging her to her feet.
"Now you—"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Melanie groaned, waving her hands weakly in front of her.
"What!" Royal fumed. "What is it that you would want to say now that you couldn't say all this time?"
"I know you gave me a chance to forfeit before and I didn't take it. But now I see. I'm gonna surrender," Melanie said weakly.
Royal's eyes widened.
"You are? This madness of bullying the weak is finally over?" she said with a smile.
Melanie nodded.
"But on one condition: could you tell me what that is?" she asked, pointing at Royal's chest.
The tall woman looked down at herself.
Her breath hitched in her throat.
One of the large crystals on her chest had cracked.
Her fingers began to shake.
Again? It can't be.
She stared at the fissure, watching another crack slowly spread across the crystals.
Then another. To her horror, the rest of the crystals had begun to crack and crumble. The fissures had even spread to her face and the rest of her body. Her chest was now exposed, a deep red mark forming where Melanie's attack had struck.
"This isn't possible! You cheated! You—"
Royal's grip on Melanie's hair weakened.
For the first time in that fight, her pride was replaced by crippling, undiluted fear.
I... Lost?
Her legs gave way beneath her.
She was out before she hit the ground.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Melanie Brooks advances to the next round!" the announcer exclaimed.
The crowd erupted in cheers, mixed with occasional cries of protest and disappointment.
"She did it. Mel actually did it!" Stephanie cried out, grabbing Tristan's shoulders and shaking him.
The sudden movement slightly angered him.
For the sake of the situation, I will allow this display of madness.
"Yes, she did. Perhaps I underestimated your kin. Or I overestimated Royal Vang. Either way, it was a well-fought battle," Tristan smirked.
"Now the battle is over, could you tell me what her ability is? It is quite a unique one."
Stephanie glanced at Tristan and laughed.
"Nice try. When she is back here, you can ask her."
The academy's healers entered the arena to tend to the fighters. Two of them wheeled Royal off on a stretcher while the other two approached Melanie.
She was on her knees, staring into nothing. Wisps of steam lingered around her form.
"Hey, miss, the fight's over—"
The man paused.
He leaned to the side to get a good look at her.
Only the whites of her eyes were visible.
The poor girl had long since passed out from the trauma, remnants of her power keeping her kneeling upright.