[Writing Contest] Falling

We all start at the same bottom,...

Good day, my name is Raze and I'm 19 years old. I live in a world called Aphacia. Our world is known for it's variety of combat sports. It's also completely normal for an athlete to compete in many different disciplines. Like my idol, 'The Steel Crusher'. He's top level in pretty much every discipline there is.

Me? I just finished all of my training and am just about to register at the World Combat League. This is how my story began...

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I entered the registration building and was quickly overwhelmed by the bright colours and high-tech machines that were spread all over the insides.

I approached the counter, behind which sat an old, grumpy lady, and said: "Excuse me madam, but could I register for the World Combat League please?"

"No need to be that polite young one", she replied, making me think she was actually a nice, old lady. "It doesn't get you anywhere in life." Boy, was I wrong.

There was an awkward silence for a while, so I tried to break it: "So, uhm..."

"Oh yes, the Combat League. Sure you can join. May I see your identification please?"

I showed her my ID and she looked slightly worried before saying: "You shouldn't join at such a young age. It's a dangerous business and I'm not just talking about what happens inside of the arena."

"No matter what gets thrown my way, I'll keep moving forward", I said with a lot of conviction behind it.

"It seems you're not going to change your mind", she was starting to look really worried now. "So what disciplines do you wish to compete in?"

"Boxing, Street fight, sword fighting and warfare", I couldn't help smiling while I said that.

"Street fight and warfare?" Her face looked shocked now instead of worried. "But those are two of the most dangerous disciplines. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I am. I was trained in melee tactics, so those disciplines should be right up my alley."

"All right", she said as she typed some stuff onto the computer. "You're all set to go. Oh, before I forget it." She handed me what looked like a smartphone. "This device will keep you up-to-date with what's going on in the combat business as well as when your matches are booked. Good luck."

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As soon as I had left the building, I booted up the device and checked when my matches were going to be. They were all planned for the next week with boxing first, followed by street fight, sword fighting and warfare, in that order. I spent the rest of the week following a really tight and intense training schedule.

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"Ladies and gentlemen, the next contest will be between Raze and Jason. The winner will go on to the qualifiers for the amateur boxing championship", is what I heard the announcer say through the microphone as I sat in the corner of the ring, looking my opponent dead in the eye. I was tense and slightly nervous, but most of all I was hyped. Hyped to be a part of that which I love, hyped to be on the path straight to my dreams.

The bell rang and I sprang up. My opponent struck twice, but I easily dodged his attacks. His movements seemed slow and wide for some reason. It probably had to do with the fact that I trained at an academy with very high prestige. I threw some fast punches and quickly won via knockout. I expected this to be way more difficult.

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Next up was the street fight, which happened in an arena which resembled an alleyway. My opponent smiled as the match began: "Fool", he said as he pulled out a pistol. "Everything's legal in a street fight."

BANG

I managed to dodge the shot by diving behind a trashcan. I grabbed my knife, picked up the trashcan and threw it at him. Meanwhile I dashed towards him, ready to cut open his chest. The problem was: I was too far away to hit him as he'd shoot me before I could strike. That's why I kicked some sand in his eyes while saying: "Everything's legal in a street fight." I then cut open his chest and won the match.

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I was really confident as sword fighting is what I excelled at at the academy. As the match started I struck my opponent's sword and pushed it upwards, giving me the time I wanted to kick his leg, causing him to drop to one knee, punch him in the jaw, which stunned him temporarily to then end the match by bringing my sword down across his chest.

So far so good, I had won every match up until now and didn't even need to try yet. I was feeling confident, but as they say: 'Pride comes before the fall'...

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Pretty long chapter to kick things off. This is going to be five chapters and the titles will form a nice quote written by none other than yours truly,
-Demon King Karnage