And then they crumbled

STIGMATA | TWO

The matches where being held in the middle of the forest. In an underground bunker that was remodeled by the owner. It was a completely different change from the abandoned factory I used to go to. the place was bigger than what you would imagine it to be it had three floors. the first level was where you would enter and sign in or pay your entry fee for those who were just here to watch. The second floor was the bar you could watch the fight from there, eat and drink. It was a bit too fancy if you ask me but to each their own I guess. I will say that these people were more organized than the old one and the place was limited to only a few people that were trustworthy and had big wallets.

The third floor was where all the fights occurred and also where the changing rooms were. I like the place even though it was kind of har to adjust at first. Nobody knew of me or had heard of me which was Ideal for us. We didn't want anyone to recognize us. I had to start from the bottom again and build up my rep many doubted I would even last one fight, but three hundred and five fights later and I'm still here on the top of the food chain as raining champion for three years.

"Come on your on in like twenty minutes" Luke led us to the locker rooms on the third floor.

"I wonder if this stigmata chick is any good" Josh looked at me with excitement. I shrugged it wasn't rare to fight a girl here it was interesting to see how the number of girls that had begun taking a liking to street fighting increased over the years. I liked it it was a change from all the usual brooding men I use to fight.

"I mean she has to be good or else she wouldn't have gotten this far" josh raised an eyebrow in question.

"Cocky are we?" I laughed.

"Josh I am the champion they literally have competitions to get to fight me, of course, I get to be cocky"

"True" he nodded.

"Well I'll wait with you James and Walter are already sitting in the audience, Ben is setting up your corner" Josh listed as we walked into the locker room.

"And I will be on my way to help Ben and look into this stigmata chick" Luke typed away on his phone turning around to walk out.

"Oh and good luck" he shouted over his shoulder closing the door.

"Want some help with the tape?" Josh offered holding up the tape gesturing towards my hands. I nodded in reply. We sat in comfortable silence as I watched Josh wrapping my hands.

"How are you feeling?" He questioned.

"Good?"

"I mean are you nervous" he chuckled.

"Oh no, why would I be?"

"Maybe because you are about to fight in a ring with no actual rules other than you are not allowed to bring weapons" I looked up to meet his unnaturally almost glowing green eyes.

"At least you know I won't get stabbed" I shrugged.

"Seriously that's all you have to say?" He let go of my hands and shot me a glare.

"I'm not nervous josh what do you want me to say I've done this plenty of times enough to be able to do it in my sleep the nerves just kinda went away by the first year it's more fun than what you think it is we all do it for the sport and the rush this is for those who crave the pain and glory" I sighed inspecting his job. He did this before every fight he asked me if I was nervous and every time it was the same answer. He did not want to accept that I was okay with almost being dead or almost killing someone. Though it was very rare that fights took that turn most fights ended peacefully with the occasional bruised ego.