IRON FISTS || Axel Kovacevic

VIII - On The Edge

chapter 8: On The Edge
warnings: violence

Jisoo stood in formation, her posture rigid and controlled despite the faint ache still lingering in her limbs. She could feel the hum of the crowd around her, a restless energy that thrummed in her ears. The presenter stepped forward, microphone in hand, his booming voice commanding the attention of everyone in the arena.

"This round will consist of individual fights, conducted on elevated platforms," he announced, gesturing toward the raised stages scattered across the mat. "The rules are simple: knock your opponent off the platform, and you win. Fall off yourself, and you're out. Best of luck to all competitors."

Jisoo's jaw tightened as she glanced at the platforms. Each one was small, barely large enough to maneuver properly, and she knew it would force the fighters to rely on strategy as much as strength. It was a test of balance, precision, and focus—a challenge she was determined to conquer.

The first matches began swiftly, a whirlwind of skill and aggression. Jisoo watched intently as the names were called, her eyes scanning each fight with a critical gaze. She didn't just observe; she studied—taking mental notes on techniques, mistakes, and patterns.

At one point, Kwon was called. Jisoo folded her arms as he stepped onto the platform, his trademark smirk plastered across his face. His opponent, a wiry fighter from a dojo Jisoo didn't recognize, put up a decent fight, but Kwon's aggression overwhelmed him. Within minutes, Kwon knocked the boy off the platform with a clean roundhouse kick.

When he returned to the formation, Kwon slung an arm around Jisoo's shoulders, grinning smugly. "You see that? Flawless."

Jisoo shrugged him off without a word, her lips pressed into a thin line. He didn't seem to care, laughing softly as he took his place beside her.

Next came Axel's fight. Jisoo couldn't help but watch as he stepped onto the platform, his movements calculated and calm. His opponent, a towering fighter from the brazilian dojo, seemed confident, but Axel dismantled him with ruthless efficiency. Every strike Axel threw was sharp and deliberate, and when he landed the finishing blow—a spinning kick that sent his opponent flying off the edge—the crowd erupted into cheers.

Jisoo found herself locking eyes with him as he stepped down from the platform. For a brief moment, his piercing gaze held hers. But then he quickly looked away, his expression unreadable, and Jisoo forced herself to do the same.

The matches continued. Jisoo's teammates took their turns, with Tory eventually being called. Jisoo watched as Tory stepped onto the platform, her movements confident and fluid. She fought with her signature aggression, overwhelming her opponent with a relentless flurry of strikes. When Tory's opponent finally hit the mat below, the referee declared her the winner.

Tory returned to the formation, her face flushed with triumph. Jisoo raised a hand, offering her a high five.

Tory blinked, clearly surprised, before a small smile broke across her face. She slapped Jisoo's hand with enthusiasm, and for a moment, the tension between them eased.

Finally, it was Jisoo's turn.

Her name rang out over the speakers, and she felt a jolt of adrenaline spike through her veins. She stepped onto the platform, her black gi pristine and her focus razor-sharp. Her opponent was a girl from Tiger Strike, a Russian dojo notorious for its brutal tactics. The girl's icy glare was a challenge in itself, but Jisoo met it with steely determination.

The fight began, and Jisoo took control quickly. Her movements were swift and precise, each strike landing with calculated force. The Russian girl fought back fiercely, but Jisoo was faster, her reflexes honed to perfection. Blow after blow, she drove her opponent closer to the edge of the platform.

She was leading. Victory was within her grasp.

And then it happened.

The Russian girl suddenly lashed out with a sharp kick aimed at Jisoo's knee—a blatant illegal move.

The sound of impact was sickening, and Jisoo's leg buckled beneath her. Pain exploded through her body as she hit the mat hard, clutching her knee. The crowd gasped in unison, a wave of shock rippling through the arena.

The referee's whistle pierced the air, his voice loud and firm. "Illegal strike! Warning issued! One more violation, and you're out!" He turned to Jisoo, his tone softening. "Cobra Kai takes the win."

But Jisoo wasn't celebrating. She couldn't.

The pain in her knee was unbearable, radiating through her entire leg. Her hands trembled as she pressed against the throbbing joint, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She tried to stifle them, to hold it in, but the pain was too much.

"Fucking bitch." Jisoo muttered to herself.

Kwon and Tory were the first to reach her, their faces etched with concern.

"Jisoo, are you okay?" Tory asked, kneeling beside her. Her voice was softer than usual, lacking its usual edge.

Jisoo bit down on her lip, trying to stop the tears, but they slipped out anyway. "I—I don't think I can fight again," she choked out. "There are more rounds, and I—"

"Hey," Tory interrupted, her voice gentle. She placed a hand on Jisoo's shoulder, steadying her. "It's okay. We'll figure it out."

Kwon hovered nearby, his face uncharacteristically serious. "Stay still. Let the medics handle it."

The paramedics arrived moments later, their equipment in tow. Jisoo winced as they examined her knee, their hands moving with practiced precision. The pain was excruciating, but she forced herself to stay still, her breathing shallow.

As she lay there, her gaze drifted to the crowd. And that's when she saw him.

Axel.

He stood near the edge of the mat, his arms crossed and his expression carefully neutral. But his eyes—those dark, piercing eyes—were locked on her, watching her every move.

For a fleeting moment, Jisoo felt exposed, vulnerable in a way she hadn't since the loss earlier. Karma, she thought bitterly. She had seen him in a vulnerable moment that morning, and now, here she was—broken and humiliated, with nowhere to hide.

Axel's expression didn't shift, but something unspoken passed between them. A moment of understanding, perhaps, or something darker.

Jisoo turned away, closing her eyes as the paramedics wrapped her knee. The crowd was still buzzing with murmurs, but all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart.

When she opened her eyes again, Axel was gone.

a/n:

Guys there's a Megumi Fushiguro book in my drafts that already has like 18 chapters, so i wanna know if there are any jjk fans here, PLEASE  LMK!!

why do i kinda love writing sad chapters 😭

don't forget to vote, comment and share!
💕💕

also i'm thinking of dying my hair brown cause apparently it's the best match with blue eyes??? idk what do u think?

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