Academy days (Book 2 of IA)

[30] The barfight finale

In the audience, excited whispers and shouts filled the air as people placed bets on the final match between Isa and Kat.

"I've got 200 bucks on Isa! She's a master at close combat!" one person exclaimed.

"Are you kidding? Kat's got this in the bag! She's got the strength and durability to withstand Isa's attacks," another person argued, waving a wad of cash in the air.

"I don't know, man. Isa's been on fire tonight. She's got the skills and the experience to take down Kat," a third person chimed in, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

A woman in the crowd, sipping her drink, looked on with interest. "I think it'll be a close match, but I'm putting my money on Kat. She's tough and has shown incredible endurance throughout the competition."

As the bets continued to pour in, the tension in the room grew. Everyone's eyes were glued to the ring, waiting for the final battle to commence. No one wanted to miss a moment of the action, as it was clear that this fight would be one for the books.

Isa and Kat stepped into the ring.

"Alright, we are here at the finals! On one hand, we got Kat the fiery bold heavy hitter from Spartaz!" the announcer gestured.

"This is SPARTAZ!" Kat flexed her biceps.

The crowd went into frenzy.

"On the other head, we got the Isa the cold serious knock out machine from Rosha!"

"URAAA!!!" Isa pumped her fist into the air.

The crowd hollered after her: "URAAA!!!"

"The countdown begins now!" the announcer said, as the countdown appeared on the monitor above them.

"You ready to have some fun, Isa? I've been looking forward to this all night." Kat said, flashing a confident grin towards Isa.

Isa narrowed her eyes, her stern expression unchanging. "Fun? This is a competition, Kat. You'd best not underestimate me."

"Oh, I'm not underestimating you," Kat replied, her fiery energy palpable. "I just think we can have a good time while showing off our skills, don't you?"

Isa huffed, crossing her arms. "I didn't come here to play games, Kat. I came here to win. I suggest you focus on the task at hand."

Kat rolled her eyes, but her grin never wavered. "Alright, alright, tough girl. Let's get down to business. Just don't be too upset when I come out on top."

Isa smirked, finally allowing herself a small smile. "We'll see about that, Kat. We'll see."

The countdown hit zero.

As soon as the beginning bell rang, Isa wasted no time, launching herself at Kat with a powerful right hook. Kat, anticipating the attack, leaned back just enough to avoid it and countered with a swift jab to Isa's midsection. Isa grunted but managed to block the blow with her forearm, her eyes never leaving Kat's.

Not missing a beat, Isa threw a high kick aimed at Kat's head. Kat ducked, narrowly avoiding the strike, and tried to sweep Isa's supporting leg out from under her. Isa, however, was one step ahead and quickly hopped back, regaining her balance before lunging forward with a straight punch.

Kat caught Isa's fist with her left hand, gripping it tightly. Isa's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't have time to react before Kat threw a powerful left hook at her face. Isa instinctively turned her head to the side, lessening the impact, but the blow still sent her stumbling backward.

Seizing the opportunity, Kat charged at Isa, hoping to capitalize on her opponent's disorientation. But Isa had already recovered, her tough and strict personality driving her to keep fighting. She met Kat head-on, the two women exchanging a flurry of punches and kicks in a whirlwind of motion.

The audience watched in awe, the intensity of the battle between Isa and Kat captivating everyone's attention. Both women were skilled fighters, and it was clear that neither would give in easily. The sound of fists and feet connecting with flesh echoed through the room, punctuated by the occasional grunt or shout from the combatants.

Despite the ferocity of the fight, neither woman seemed to gain a clear advantage over the other. It was a battle of wills, each fighter pushing themselves to their limits, unwilling to concede defeat. The atmosphere in the bar was electric, the energy of the duel between Isa and Kat fueling the excitement of the crowd.

As the battle raged on, it became clear that the two women were evenly matched. Both were strong, determined, and incredibly skilled, and neither showed any sign of backing down. But in the end, only one could emerge victorious.

***

As the hours dragged on, both Isa and Kat began to show signs of exhaustion. Sweat streamed down their faces, their breaths came in ragged gasps, and their movements slowed, but neither woman would yield. The crowd, initially captivated by the fierce battle, gradually succumbed to fatigue, and one by one, they slumped in their chairs or sprawled out on the floor, fast asleep.

Isa and Kat, however, continued to fight. Their blows became more sluggish, their reactions dulled, but their determination never wavered. They fought not only against each other but against their own physical limits, each woman pushing herself past the point of exhaustion.

In the eighth hour, with the audience sound asleep and the bar cloaked in the hushed quiet of late night, the end came suddenly. Isa, her energy reserves nearly depleted, threw a slow, desperate punch at Kat. Kat, equally exhausted but still aware, saw the opening she had been waiting for. Mustering the last of her strength, she ducked under Isa's punch and delivered a powerful uppercut to her opponent's jaw.

Isa's eyes rolled back in her head, and she crumpled to the floor, unconscious. Kat, breathing heavily and barely able to stand, raised a shaky fist in the air, a tired but triumphant smile crossing her face. Against all odds, she had emerged victorious in this epic battle of endurance and willpower.

The sleeping audience would never know the result of this extraordinary match, but for Kat and Isa, it would be a night they would never forget.

***

As Isa slowly stirred awake, she blinked, trying to focus her vision. She looked around, realizing she was lying on a bar lounge, a blanket draped over her. Kat sat across from her, nursing a drink with a smile on her face.

"Finally awake, huh?" Kat chuckled. "You gave me one hell of a fight, Isa."

Isa rubbed her temples, memories of their intense battle returning. "Yeah, you too, Kat. I can't believe we fought for that long," she admitted with a mixture of admiration and disbelief.

Kat raised her glass in a toast. "To an unforgettable night and a worthy opponent."

Isa couldn't help but smile back, raising an imaginary glass in return. "To the strongest woman I've ever faced."

Q: Have you ever been in a barfight before?