The Day of the Tournament – A Race Against Time
Chaos erupted across the college campus. Murmurs, panicked whispers, and anxious gasps filled the air as the shocking news spread like wildfire.
Shristi had been kidnapped.
The moment Wick stepped into the college grounds, the weight of those words crushed him. His heartbeat faltered. His mind raced.
"Shristi… kidnapped?"
The world around him blurred. His hands clenched into fists as he struggled to breathe. He had a match today—the Selection Tournament. But how could he even think about fighting when Shristi was missing?
Before he could spiral any further, a firm grip shook his shoulders.
"Wake up, Wick!" Nick's voice was sharp, snapping him back to reality.
Wick blinked, his gaze locking onto Nick, who was watching him with urgency.
"Vivaan is already getting ready to find her," Nick informed him. "Now, the question is—are you going after her, or are you staying for the match?"
Before Wick could answer, Nick continued, "We're up against Priyanshu and Jai today. And we have no idea what Priyanshu is capable of. He could injure you or exhaust you completely. If you ask me, Shristi's safety is more important."
Before Wick could respond, another voice joined the conversation.
"I agree," Vivek said, stepping forward. "Besides, you're facing Priyanshu. He's a powerhouse—taller, stronger, and more experienced than you. Even if you defeat him, you'll take damage. If anyone should fight him, it's my brother. He's his equal in size and strength."
Deep's expression darkened. He turned to Vivek, his voice laced with irritation. "How dare you think that Wick could lose to him?"
Before the tension could escalate further, Wick raised a hand, silencing them both. His voice was calm but firm.
"I'm playing today," he declared. "Both karate and chess."
Vivaan, who had been silent until now, snapped. "You can't be serious! You're risking Shristi's life just for a match?" His voice was laced with frustration and disbelief. "It's because of you that this even happened!"
Wick turned to Nick. "When does the match start?"
Nick hesitated before answering, "In an hour."
Without another word, Wick turned to Vivaan. "Go ahead. I'll be right behind you."
Before anyone could protest, he vanished.
---
Five Minutes Later – A Shocking Announcement
An unexpected announcement echoed through the college:
"The match between Vikram Kashyap and Priyanshu will begin immediately."
The entire college was stunned.
Nick, Vivek, and the others rushed toward Wick, who had just reappeared near the tournament grounds.
"What the hell did you just do?" Nick demanded, his frustration evident.
Wick exhaled and crossed his arms. "I made sure the match happens now."
Nick narrowed his eyes. "How?"
Wick smirked. "They're idiots. That's all you need to know."
No one had time to question further. The match was about to begin.
---
The Fight – Wick vs. Priyanshu
The arena buzzed with anticipation as two of the most skilled karate fighters, Wick and Priyanshu, stepped into the ring. Despite the match being scheduled earlier in the day, the stands were packed with spectators, their energy palpable. Chants and cheers echoed across the hall as fans from both sides rallied behind their fighter. This wasn't just a match—it was a battle of pride, of dominance, of legacy.
Wick and Priyanshu had been rivals for years, their clashes in tournaments always leaving the audience on edge. But this was different. This was their first official one-on-one showdown. No distractions. No teammates. Just them.
As the referee stepped forward, raising his hand, the tension in the air grew thick. Then, with a sharp motion, he signaled for the match to begin.
"Fight!"
Priyanshu wasted no time. He lunged forward with a barrage of rapid kicks, his height advantage making them even more dangerous. Wick dodged the first few, his reflexes sharp as ever, but something was off. He wasn't as fluid, as controlled. His movements, though still impressive, lacked the usual precision. And then—a hit. A solid kick grazed his ribs, followed by another landing against his side.
"Damn it," Nick muttered from the sidelines, his sharp eyes assessing every movement. "He's trying the 360 kick… but he hasn't practiced it enough."
Vivek, standing beside him, frowned. "Wick isn't in his element today. His kicks—too weak, uncontrolled."
Nick clenched his fists but forced a smirk. "That won't work on him."
But deep down, even Nick saw it—Wick was struggling.
The fight raged on, each move a showcase of skill, resilience, and raw determination. Priyanshu's strikes were powerful, calculated. Wick, despite his exhaustion, refused to back down. He countered with swift punches and kicks, but his usual dominance was absent. The crowd watched in awe, their cheers blending into a chaotic symphony of excitement.
Then came a turning point.
Just when it seemed Priyanshu had complete control, Wick found an opening. With a sudden burst of energy, he spun mid-air, his leg whipping around in a devastating kick to Priyanshu's ribs. The impact sent Priyanshu stumbling backward, the crowd erupting in cheers. But Priyanshu wasn't done. He regained his footing almost instantly, his expression hardening with determination.
Round two began, and Priyanshu came back even stronger. Blow after blow, he forced Wick onto the defensive. Wick dodged, countered where he could, but the exhaustion was visible now. His breaths were heavier, his stance less solid. Priyanshu, relentless, pressed forward.
Nick's expression darkened. "Wick's in trouble."
Vivek scowled. "If he couldn't win, he shouldn't have stepped in the ring."
But Wick wasn't done yet.
The final moments of the fight were the most intense. With mere seconds left on the clock, Wick landed a swift punch to Priyanshu's face, making him stagger. The opportunity was there—one final strike.
Wick summoned every ounce of strength left in his body and launched an unexpected, out-of-the-box kick. His foot connected cleanly with Priyanshu's head, the impact sharp and resounding. Priyanshu took a step back.
And then—he stood still.
The crowd watched in stunned silence.
Something was wrong.
Wick, panting, turned away and began walking off the mat. The moment was surreal. Gasps rippled through the audience.
"What the hell is he doing?!" Vivek roared. "Is he quitting?"
The referee raised his whistle, prepared to declare Priyanshu the winner—until Priyanshu's body suddenly gave way. He collapsed, unconscious, hitting the mat with a heavy thud.
For a second, there was only silence. And then—the arena exploded with cheers.
The referee rushed forward, checked Priyanshu, then turned to the audience. He lifted Wick's arm into the air. "Winner—Wick!"
A deafening roar erupted from the crowd. But in the Legacy camp, there was only stunned silence. They had seen Priyanshu take that kick, seen him remain standing—yet he had fallen moments later, unconscious.
Nick, watching everything unfold, finally allowed himself a small, knowing smile.
Wick, now seated near the edge of the ring, reached for a bottle of water. He took a long sip, then looked up at the attendants. "More ice water," he requested, his voice calm, his expression unreadable.
The fight was over, but the impact of that final moment would linger far beyond the match itself.
But then—something happened that no one had ever imagined.
An announcement echoed across the arena. "Vikram Kashyap has issued a challenge to Roy! The match will take place immediately!"
Gasps spread through the crowd like wildfire. Eyes widened in shock. Even those who had witnessed Wick's fight just moments ago couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Nick's voice cut through the noise. "Wick! What the hell have you done?!"
Wick exhaled slowly, standing up. "I had to."
Nick grabbed his arm. "You're exhausted! You just fought Priyanshu—what are you thinking?"
Vivek's face darkened. "If you lose to Roy in this state, you'll disgrace everything we've built."
Wick's gaze hardened. "I know what I'm doing."
Nick clenched his fists, frustration written all over his face. "Then explain! Why challenge Roy now, of all times?!"
Wick looked past him, toward the Legacy camp. "Because I went there before the match."
His words sent a ripple of tension through his teammates. Nick's breath hitched. "What do you mean?"
Wick's eyes flickered with something unreadable. He stepped past Nick, walking toward the ring once more.
"What happened when I went to Legacy…" he murmured under his breath, his expression unreadable. "…it changes everything."
To be continued...