I M P A C T || N.DRAGNEEL

0.4

Leaving the vibrant underground arena, the vibrations, music, and chatter from the arena soon faded into nothing more than a distant echo as we ascended the stairs...

I observed Wendy's back, noting her familiarity with the surroundings as if she had the entire area memorized. The harsh beating of my own heart drowned out any other sounds, making it difficult to hear. Attempting to calm my breathing, I focused on inhaling and exhaling slowly.

breathe in and out...In and out...In and out... In and-

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Wendy opened the curtain, signaling for me to enter. However, as I did, she promptly shut it behind me. A frown crossed my face at the closed curtain, hoping for her continued company. Turning towards the locker room, I found it empty.

Anticipating a chaotic scene with graffiti-covered walls and a stench akin to a trash yard, I was surprised to find the locker room in a surprisingly neat condition. Obviously, it needed to maintain a level of cleanliness for the fighters' health. The room featured various posters adorning the walls, some torn and others no longer sticking properly. Continuing my walk, I paused in the center of the room, which was designed in a circular layout. Lockers encircled me, leaving enough space for a spin but not sufficient for running. Glancing down, I noticed a familiar red circular soaring dragon symbol.

Well, at least I managed to get his attention...

but what now?

A sudden slam behind me sent a jolt through my body. Swiftly turning around, I was met with the arrogant smirk of a familiar fighter who had stubbornly lingered in my thoughts all week. Leaning against the lockers with his eyes burning into me.

" You came..." His voice remained as deep and vibrating as I recalled, growling with each word that escaped his pink lips. " You called?" I straightened my posture, locking eyes with him as they seemed to shine even more brightly than the last time we crossed paths. The lighting was far better than the flickering one from last week.

My eyes shifted down. Now, he sported black boxing shorts with the recognizable dragon symbol at the end on his left thigh.

He's shirtless...

With the white wrapping between his teeth, he swiftly and skillfully wrapped his hands. I watched in awe as he approached, each wrap synchronized with every step. As he completed the wrapping, he stood merely an inch away from me.

" Personal space doesn't exist for you, huh?" I raised a questioning brow, to which he couldn't help but widen his smirk in response. "You forget about it after a while of fighting,".

As I inhaled deeply, I felt my body loosen, enveloped in his scent.

The Crisp Blend: Creed Aventus

" Tell me, Y/n," he uttered, causing my heart to leap. The way he spoke my name in a breathy manner sent shivers down my spine, and I struggled to maintain eye contact. With each step he took forward, I involuntarily retreated, a soft whimper escaping my lips as my back met the locker. He closed in, arms enclosing me, and I felt the tension in his flexed muscles as he tilted his head, locking eyes with mine, " What's a girl like you doing here?"

I alternated my focus between his eyes.

Left, right, left, right, left, right.

My lips parted in a feeble attempt to respond, but I found myself speechless. Frozen, unable to even blink, I pressed against the locker as he leaned forward, his scent enveloping me like a captivating intoxication.

" I was curious about the Infamous Salamander." I breathed out, glaring into his eyes.

" From what you told me, curiosity isn't a good thing." his smirk was plastered on his face, " A poor kitty like you won't survive."

His fingers firmly held my chin, compelling me to look up at him.

"Fortunately, this kitty has nine lives," I remarked.

His finger traced along my form, descending to my thigh, prompting me to arch on instinct. "Don't waste them so carelessly," he cautioned. I grinned, teasing, " Worried about me?"

He maintained that annoyingly large smirk on his face, never once breaking character. His confidence radiated, and he quipped, "What fun would it be if you left so soon?" With that, he pulled away, leaving my body yearning for more, a fact he seemed well aware of. "If you're here for a good fight, I'll gladly provide one," he declared, running his fingers through his hair. It was only then that I noticed his assistant behind him – her hair tied into space buns, dressed in super shorts and a red lace top that left little to the imagination. Salamander stepped back once more, saying, "Luce, why don't you walk her back?"

Observing him, I saw him turn around, enveloping himself once again in the cape, concealing the tattoo that seemed to manifest in every corner of my mind. His assistant nodded and passed by him to escort me back downstairs. Standing my ground, I crossed my arms over my chest and inquired, "So why exactly did you bring me here? I hope it wasn't just because you discovered a newfound interest in furries and wanted to let it out and call me kitty?"

He emitted a sound that was a hybrid of a laugh and a scoff, then turned around, narrowing his gaze at me. "I wanted to talk to you again," he stated. I hummed in response, "Normal people usually do that over a cup of coffee or perhaps at a restaurant?" I really should work on restraining my sass, but it's hard when he's this irritating. With a wave of his hand, his assistant, whom I now knew as Luce, stepped back and departed.

His chest expanded, returning to its normal size after a deep breath in and out. "You really need to control that tongue, princess," he remarked. I hummed in response, "And what if I don't?"

A shadow flickered in his eyes as if he was envisioning every conceivable misdeed in his mind before smirking. "You'll find out soon enough," he hinted. With that, he turned around and left, " You look good by the way."

__

Standing near the ring, the atmosphere buzzed with palpable energy as the crowd eagerly anticipated the boxing match unfolding before them. The spotlight illuminated the two fighters, and the intensity in the air was electrifying. Amidst the sea of spectators, a salmon-colored hair fighter showcased impressive skill and agility. The tension escalated with each exchange of blows which Salmander skillfully evaded all of them, and the anticipation reached its peak when, with a swift and powerful motion, the salmon-haired boxer executed a perfect uppercut that landed squarely on the opponent's jaw.

The impact resonated through the arena as the struck fighter staggered, eventually succumbing to the forceful blow. The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers and roars, the fervor escalating with each passing second. The triumphant salmon-haired boxer stood tall in the ring, basking in the adulation of the elated spectators.

" Another swift win for The Great Salamander!"

The announcer seized his arm and lifted it high in the air, while Salamander flashed a broad smirk in my direction. His eyes blazed with intensity as he stuck out his tongue.