6. Challenge Accepted

"Now the question we're all waiting for." The announcer continues.

"Reaper? Do you accept the challenge?" The announcer questions, as all eyes turn towards the man I saw in the crowd. Everyone seemed to know who he was, as no one even had to question where he stood. This man just had a presence around him. I found myself growing intrigued. I'd never met someone that was able to command a room from his presence alone. I seemed to be the only one in the room that didn't know who the reaper was. Not that I really cared. He may go by the name reaper, but after today he would have to change his name to weeper.

I watched as his eyes turned away from the announcer to land on me. Did he know I was the one that challenged him? Impossible, right?

"CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!" The man shouted. Winking in my direction. 

I bit my lip as I saw him remove his shirt. I had underestimated this man. He stepped into the cage wearing a simple pair of black track pants. I stepped into the cage and found myself admiring this adonis before me. His body was so perfect, it looked like he had been chiselled from stone. I shook my head to rid myself of my thoughts, focusing on the challenge at hand. I needed to pay attention and stay focused. Underground fights were dangerous for so many reasons. But mostly because they had no rules. The perfect outlet for my Krav Maga skills. As it was a fighting technique that also had no rules.

I pull off my sweater and toss it to the corner. I turn my attention back to the reaper and wait for him to make his move.

The man doesn't hesitate. He crosses the distance in a flash. He throws his right arm out in order to punch me, however, I anticipate his move and successfully dodge it. Typically they say in fights that you should never be the first one to throw a punch. But rather, you should be the first one to receive a punch. The reason being, so you can understand the strength behind the fist. However, with my condition, that's not an option. I can't risk my lungs giving out before the fight has even started.

The reaper takes a step back, not expecting that I would be able to dodge his attack. He analyzes me before shifting his weight to throw a kick toward me. However, the moment I see him shift his weight, I knew exactly what he was planning to do. I jumped in the air, just as his leg swung up, and grabbed it. Pulling him off balance, and onto the mat below us. The man, however, is also quick to react, spinning us around, so that I'm pinned on the mat below him. He leans in and whispers in my ear, so no one else can hear him.

"You're fast, mariposa. But not quick enough. If you give up now, I'll let you walk." He says in that sexy voice of his. I can detect a strong Spanish accent, making me wonder where he's from. I looked into his eyes as his face lowered closer to mine. He reached over and held my hands above my head, trapping me under him. His head continued to lower towards mine as if there was some sort of magnet between us. I felt my breath hitch in my throat as his head lowered once more. This time stopping so that his lips grazed mine. When I didn't stop him, he closed the distance between us. Kissing me passionately, making my legs go weak. This man was like none other. I don't know how he managed to make me feel this way. This kiss was like nothing I've ever experienced before. The sparks I felt from it, only had me craving more. 

A cough from behind us, made me pull back, focusing on my surroundings.

"Never." I remark, answering his suggestion from earlier. Before he could fathom what I'd just said, I lifted my knee, successfully hitting him in the groin. At the same time, I hit our heads together. His body jerked away from mine from the double impact. His hands left my own, allowing me to spin away from him. I turned around and crouched low awaiting his next attack.

The Reaper stood up and looked at me annoyed. I could see I finally lit the fire within him. He was done underestimating me. He was now in battle mode. Exactly where I wanted him.

He ran towards me, stretching both hands out in order to grab me, however, I ducked down and slid under his open legs as he lunged for me. I stood up quickly, and kicked my foot out, making contact with his face.

"You know they say it's wrong to hit a woman. However, I've never been one for morals." He shouts at me, spitting blood on the ground.

I see a shift in movement. He drops his weight to the side, signalling that he's about to kick back. I dodge to the left, expecting him to kick out his right foot, only for him to jump in the air, simultaneously changing feet and kicking me in the gut from the left. I stumble backwards, knocked off guard as the air escapes my lungs. I can feel my body immediately go on alert as I struggle to get air into my lungs. The Reaper, however, seems completely oblivious to my condition. Of if he knows, he doesn't care.

I stumble backwards, trying to give myself more time to catch my breath. The Reaper, on the other hand, sees it as the perfect opportunity to catch me off guard. He grabs me from my back holding me in a firm bear hold. I instantly crouch down, and spin to the side, before reaching out to punch him in the nuts, resulting in him releasing me from his grasp. I lunge forward and throw my elbow back to connect with his shoulder, pushing him away from me.

To any normal person, this should've been enough to make him stop. However, the more my punches managed to connect with him, the more annoyed he became. I could no longer see the cocky man from earlier, but a weapon ready to attack. He growls out before rushing towards me.

He slams his fists out lightning fast to hammer punches on me. I raise my right hand, blocking his fist from making contact with my face, as I throw a punch at the same time. He staggers backwards, but unlike before, he captures my hand in his.

"ENOUGH!" He shouts as he pulls my arm back behind me. I wince in pain as I feel my shoulder on the brink of dislocating.

An escape comes to mind. I know this is stupid, but I don't have another choice. If I stay how I am, he's going to kill me. So to prevent it, I spin around, dislocating my shoulder instantly. I scream out in pain, as he looks at me shocked. I ignore the fact that my left arm is dangling helplessly by my side. 

Now that he's stunned, it's the perfect time for my next move. I jump up into the air, and onto his back, whipping my limp arm around his neck, and using my right hand to pull it tight, successfully cutting off his airway. He lowers to the ground and reaches over to pull me off of him. I manage to avoid him, however, his fist comes out of now where, connecting to my abdomen. I feel a rib break, making me release him instantly. Not out of pain, but because with a broken rib, I'm now at risk of my lung puncturing. I have to get out of here. I don't think I can last much longer against him.

I see a look of worry cross his eyes as he assesses me. I'm sure he's already taken inventory of my injuries by now.  Any good fighter does. By keeping track of your opponents injuries, you are better prepared to take them down. Injuries are a sign of weakness. A weakness that needs to be exploited in order to win. 

"What now, Mariposa?" He calls out to me, seeing me trapped in the corner of the cage. He walks menacingly toward me. I kick out, this time aiming for his knee. I manage to connect, stopping him in place. I kick out once more, however, he grabs my leg pulling me towards him. Using my good arm, I twist my arm back, making my elbow connect with his jaw. 

Damn is his jaw hard or what? Is it made out of metal or something? I think to myself, as I feel the kickback from hitting him square in the jaw. 

I jump up while spinning, kicking my foot out to connect with his abdomen. My foot connects, and he falls backwards onto the mat. He kicks his foot out, tripping me, making me stumble on top of him. The contact from landing on top of him, presses harder against my chest, managing to dislodge the broken rib. I feel it connect with something, and fall to my knees, spitting out blood. The man looks at me concerned, as he moves me off of him. 

Breathing becomes even more difficult as I begin to choke on my blood. The reaper has the perfect opportunity to end the fight. I'm in no condition to fight back. However, instead of finalizing it, I feel him pick me up and carry me out of the ring.

"Hold on, Mariposa." I hear him say. But I no longer know what's going on. My vision begins to blur as more blood continues to spill out of my mouth. 

What's happening? I wonder to myself.

"Respira mariposa, respira." I hear him say before everything goes dark.