Fight For You

Chapter 20: The Final Round

The air in the room was thick with tension as Ling faced her father, the man who had been both a stranger and an authority in her life. The flickering lights cast shadows across his face, highlighting the weariness in his eyes.

"Ling," he began, his voice measured, "the truth is not as simple as you might hope. Your mother was involved in much more than just the Iron Fist tournament. She was a leader among the fighters, someone with a vision that threatened the status quo."

Ling clenched her fists, her heart racing. "What do you mean? Was she part of the corruption? Did she betray the fighters?"

"No," her father replied sharply. "She sought to change things from within, to create a world where fighters could be free from the manipulation of those in power. But that made her a target. When she began to gain followers, the council of fighters saw her as a threat."

Ling felt a flood of emotions—confusion, anger, and betrayal. "So, you let her die? You stood by and did nothing?"

"I thought I was protecting you," he said, his voice wavering. "When your mother began to oppose the council openly, I had to make a choice: protect her and risk losing you, or let her fight her battles alone. I chose you, but I failed her."

The realization hit Ling like a punch to the gut. "You think abandoning her was protecting me? You put me in a cage, and she died alone because of it!"

Her father's face hardened. "You have to understand the stakes. This is about power, control. Your mother wanted to dismantle that power, and she knew the risks. She made her choice."

Ling felt a surge of rage. "And what about the Iron Fist? You use it to control the fighters, don't you? To manipulate them just like you manipulated me?"

He opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by a loud commotion outside the room. The sound of fighting and shouting reverberated through the walls.

"Stay here," he ordered, his voice clipped, but Ling could see the worry etched across his features.

"No. I'm done being kept in the dark," Ling shot back, determination hardening her resolve. "I'm coming with you."

They stepped out of the room, and the chaos of the arena enveloped them. Ling's heart raced as she pushed past her father, seeking the source of the commotion. As they turned a corner, they saw fighters grappling with security personnel, the tension escalating into an all-out brawl.

"Ling!" Orm's voice pierced through the noise, and Ling turned to see her girlfriend fighting off a group of attackers. Mint was nearby, her eyes glinting with mischief as she reveled in the chaos.

"Orm!" Ling shouted, rushing toward her.

As they reached each other, Mint suddenly lunged at Ling, a wicked grin on her face. "You really think you can win? You're nothing without your mother's shadow."

"Shut up, Mint!" Orm yelled, stepping in front of Ling. "You're not going to hurt her again!"

In a swift motion, Mint charged at Orm, who dodged expertly, landing a punch squarely on Mint's jaw. Mint staggered back, surprise etched on her face.

"You think you can take me on?" Mint taunted, wiping blood from her lip. "I've been training for this moment."

But Orm was fueled by the adrenaline of the fight, and she retaliated with fierce precision. Ling could feel her heart racing as the two women clashed, each blow resonating through the arena.

"Orm, focus! We need to find the real enemy!" Ling shouted, scanning the room.

As they fought, the chaos continued to unfold. Ying, Fluke, Yeena, and Gap rushed in, joining the fray. Ying was immediately by Ling's side, trading blows with an attacker. "What's happening?" she yelled over the din.