International Connections - Axel Kovačević

CHAPTER 5

We all stand in our designated dojo spots as we wait for Gunther to announce the next event, "In this final points round, competitors will try to knock their opponents off their platforms. Once you have fallen, you are out. Points are determined off wins, losses, and time. Final ranking after this event will determine placements in tonight's elimination round. Good luck!"

I look up on the board to see that I'm against Tori Nichols from Cobra Kai. Kwon looks a little too cocky about having his team up against me, he has this attitude that they'll already win before they start the match. When they call me up for the match Andres pats me on the back before I head to the platform. I've seen Tori fight in the past, she's good but just like the other members of her team, she expects to win. I saw her get humbled by the Iron Dragons in the Captain's War, it was wild.

We look at each other and bow, "Ais!" we begin to fight. I analyze her as we fight, I notice that her left leg is not as balanced as her right so I know I should aim for that. She tries to push me back with a blow but I blocked without budging. "Come on Nichols!" I hear her coach yelling at her angrily. Tori starts getting more aggressive but I counteract it. I get my chance to kick her left leg and I take it, knocking her off her balance. I finish her off with a quick jab to her shoulder.

"Nichols out! Time, 37 Seconds."

I bow to the judges then I get off the platform looking at our score, 47. I sit down to watch some of the other matches, Miyagi-do seemed to be off balance. They look like a mess in general. I think they're having a hard time because it seems that they only have one of their two senseis. Out of all of their teammates it looks like Miguel is the only one getting points. It surprises me that he isn't wearing a captain's band. My team does good, winning all their matches by knocking their opponents down.

Gunther begins to dismiss us, "you have all fought well, some better than others. These first 3 events allowed you to accumulate points for your team, but... this next event will involve eliminations. By the end of this next event, half of the dojos here will be sent home. I wish you luck, you are dismissed." I look up at the board seeing that we are second behind the Iron Dragons, they have 53 points while we have 51. I head back to the our training room to change before leaving to the hotel. I pass one of the locker rooms to overhear Miyagi-do getting yelled at by their sensei. They all quickly turned against each other, it was sad to see a team fall apart. I went on my way to one of the vans to take me back.

When I get into the van I see Zara sitting there on her phone. Once I sit down she looks up, when she realizes it's me she smirks a bit. "You did pretty good out there, I hope you get to the finals so I can beat you." I just look at her silently, her comments are so backhanded. I begin to pop my knuckles as the van starts heading back to the hotel. "You don't talk much for being such a good fighter." I look up at her, "I get my point across on the mat, not on the internet." She glares at me, "you know in one of these matches you might be swept off your feet, I'd hate to see your dojo lose." She makes her tone so nice yet so fake, with a smile on her face but her eyes with hints of envy and anger. I just look at her, I want to understand what she's trying to get at with me. She steps closer, starting to invade my personal space. "I am going to win this tournament, I will be a champion. I will make sure of it so if you get in my way I will take you down."

I start to get a bit mad at her, "don't talk to me that way, if you say you're going to win then show it on the mat. You saying this to me just tells me that you think I'm a threat to you." She smirks, "So now you have a lot to say huh? You may be tough but you're really just a pathetic loser with some talent that makes her a winner." I try to say something but I feel my mind failing me, my emotions are getting the best of me now. "At least I'm a winner with people behind me." The vans stops and she heads for the door. "Maybe one day you'll get to experience the love the world has for me." She steps out, leaving me there for a second. I feel some tears brim on my eyelids, "Excuse me ma'am, we've arrived." I wipe my tears quickly then head out the van feeling a new sense of fight and anger in me.