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“TEN!” shouted the announcer at the exact time as Bodeir exploded out of the ice. His rock armour intact, but his breath frosty. Much of Bodeir’s body heat had been leeched away by the ice, but his qi was keeping him functional for now, so he exploded into movement…

When the announcer hopped down in between the two fighters, “Hold it! Just… just one moment,” Bodeir skidded, trying to stop but running into the announcer’s outstretched palm. The announcer didn’t mind it, simply blurring in place for most, and depositing Bodeir back where he had been when the announcer had called for a halt. “I am afraid I do not know what the rules require of me here. Please wait just a moment, and then the match can resume, or Bodeir will be declared the loser due to immobility,”

With that the announcer dashed back up to his podium, and Kat watched as he spoke with a nearby woman in cultivator robes who took off running. The announcer nodded and then turned his gaze on both fighters in the arena, as if daring one of them to try something. Bodeir growled but didn’t move, while Feng stayed sprawled out on the floor.

Bodeir let himself breathe deeply, using this as a chance to recover his qi as he knew Feng would be doing the same. Currently, this pause actually favoured him, at least, Bodeir believed it did. While it had taken a good chunk of qi to escape from the ice, it was not as costly as it had been for Feng to freeze him. In the battle of reserves, Bodeir was sure he had more, both percentage wise and overall quantity. Due to the nature of qi, this meant, he would be getting more qi from this break then Feng. It wasn’t ideal… but he realised he’d taken too long to free himself. It was hard to hear properly in ice after all.

Feng on the other hand was even more grateful for the interruption. Despite his qi being lower then Bodeir’s, it was clear to Feng that he wasn’t winning the current engagement. Taking a break, revaluating things, and gather what qi he could get his hands on, could only be a good thing. Feng was certain he had been just moments away from loosing before the announcer had called for a break. It wasn’t ideal, but for him it was a win. Now he just had to turn this whole match into a win.

In the stands though… things were a different matter. Many people grumbled in discontent. This was the final round. The deciding match… and it was potentially coming down to a technicality. Despite many understanding why the announcer put a pause to the match, it was simply unsatisfying. It left a bitter taste in the mouths of many. Only those who had major amounts of currency wagered on the outcome were in any way happy with the decision to pause the match. Unlike the rest of the crowd, they would be quite put out if they lost their money because the announcer ruled incorrectly. Though… there was much debate about who was winning in the moments before the pause. Some believed that Bodeir’s near elimination meant it was basically his loss… others argued that Feng was unprepared for Bodeir’s counterattack.

And Kat… well… Kat had some questions. *Did this happen just to give Feng a chance to recover without making it seem like they were rigging the match? If the problems the Holy Icy Wind Sect have with the Mountain Shaker Sect are real, then perhaps they wanted to avert Feng’s loss?*

[I dunno Kat. You might just be seeing malice where there is none. I’m not sure this is really benefiting Feng all that much. Not when Bodeir can gather up more qi in however long this takes. We can ask Bing if you’re that worried.]

.....

*I suppose. I just don’t know if I want to voice my thoughts to her about it. Bing is really nice, and we’ve become good friends. Pointing out that her sect might not be as nice as she thinks they are… I don’t know if I want to do that to her.*

[Kat. Not only is Bing training to be sect heir and surely knows that it isn’t all sunshine and roses in her sect… if she’s really our friend? We need to TELL HER that something isn’t right.]

*Ah… yeah, I guess you’re correct Lily. I’m just worried about alienating one of Sue’s new friends. She seems to really need them.* “Hey Bing… is this normal? This sort of pause I mean?” asked Kat.

Bing frowned down at the arena and said, “I’m… I’m not sure? I don’t think it’s something that’s happened in my lifetime. Though… I must confess I also do not know if our rules state that as soon as 10 is called the competitor is considered restrained, or if you have that final second to break free as well…”

As soon as Bing said that the announcer’s aide returned and whispered into his ear. “A VERDICT HAS BEEN REACHED. THE MATCH WILL CONTINUE! DO EITHER OF THE CONTESTANTS HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS?” both contestants shook their heads in sync. “GOOD. IN THAT CASE, LET THE COMBAT CONTINUE!”

Feng was ready for the start and instantly got back up to his feet. Bodeir, having had enough playing passive, was moving forward even as Feng was still getting to his feet. Bodeir slid along the earth and slammed a fist into Feng, even as Feng blocked with his daggers crossed over the fist, letting himself fly backwards. Bodeir didn’t let up, charging forward after Feng’s retreating figure.

Punch after punch, Feng simply rolled with it, trying to conserve qi while Bodeir was wasting it. That was, until a punch sent Feng dangerously close to the edge. Feng knew he couldn’t be cast out of the ring… but being pummelled into the shield protecting the spectators would be much, much worse. He tried to dash away to the side, but Bodeir was ready. Relying on his earth movement technique, he changed directions instantly and managed to catch Feng’s shoe.

Feng didn’t hesitate, even as Bodeir was reeling him in, Feng flexed the muscles in his feet, managing to just barely, and awkwardly, slip his foot out of his shoe and escape. Bodeir hurled the shoe into the corner of the arena and slammed his foot into the ground. Spikes of earth jutting up around Feng’s feet, as the ice cultivator danced around them, making sure not to let his newly exposed foot get impaled. The stone wasn’t too sharp, and his boots were good… but down a boot? The floor was now a much scarier place.

Feng sucked in a breath, and grit his teeth. He was exposed, he couldn’t run, not when Bodeir clearly had enough qi to finish him off. So he leapt at his opponent, getting in as low as he could, giving himself barely any room to swing his daggers and pouring qi into the shining blades. Feng exploded into movement, slashing in as many places as he could. He moved around Bodeir, dodging knees and elbows as Bodeir tried to get him off, but nothing was working.

Bodeir didn’t let it worry him, simply detonating his armour again, forcing Feng away… but Feng was ready for it this time. He froze his feet in place and guarded his most sensitive organs with his daggers… one above for his eyes, and one below for something else. The moment the rocks bounced off his daggers, Feng moved again, unconcerned with the numerous injuries he had taken.

Blood trailing off him, Feng stabbed into Bodeir’s leg and arm, then ripped the daggers downwards drawing as much blood as he possibly could. Bodeir’s limbs began to freeze, but he wasn’t out just yet. The pain was nearly blinding, and Bodeir could feel the frosty chill making its way into his bones. It felt like his qi was starting to freeze as well, and the air in his lungs started condensing into a liquid. That might’ve just been the blood though…

Taking all but the last dregs of his qi, Bodeir empowered his forehead and slammed it down into the back of Feng’s own. Feng, having spent all of his qi in this last desperate attack, collapsed onto the ground, bleeding profusely from a grand number of wounds, daggers falling from his hands. Bodeir stumbled, the dagger in his leg remaining there, while the dagger in his arm fell to the ground. Bodeir was able to remain standing just long enough to hear, “AND THE WINNER IS!” before he too, fell to the ground, unconscious.