Li brought his feet together, stomping his right foot down, and his arms extended, parallel to the ground. Qishi. He thought. He inhaled deeply. Fa Jin.
Týr began swinging his right arm like a pendulum, his shoulder relaxed. Starting off strong, aren't you? Týr thought. Show me your Bajiquan, Li. Li raised his left foot forward. "From that far away? You better be taking this seriously, Li," Týr said. "I've dealt with enough egos—"
"Grit your teeth so you don't bite your tongue, welp." Li glared at Týr while pushing off his planted right foot, twisting his body to the right and bending his left arm to lead with his elbow while lowering his right arm to his hip. Týr's right arm swung just outside as Li's dash closed the gap between them. Li's left foot stomped down as his left elbow thrust toward Týr's right pectoral. Chuang Bu into Limen Dingzhou! The force of the blow pushed the air forward and out, but Týr was gone. Li's eyes widened. Týr was to his back, his arm still swinging.
"My turn…" Týr whispered. His right arm flung out in a blur. Then two. Four. Eight. Sixteen. Over a dozen golden, bending blurs flew at Li from all directions. Li gritted his teeth and pivoted off the ball of his left foot, facing the blurs. His arms went lax, and he began twisting and bending his body at the hips, letting his arms whip around. Each jab was parried and redirected; Týr snapped his arm and fired another volley, standing his ground. Lun Pu? Ah! Piguaquan! You DO know both! GOOD! You wouldn't be Li Shuwen if you only knew Baji! Týr continued firing out the blurring jabs, inching forward with each strike. Li continued to parry each blow through Lun Pu, slowly inching back. You're keeping Ma Bu even under this?! Li felt a slight chill behind him and turned his back to the right, avoiding the edge of the moving platform. Týr pivoted off the ball of his right foot and followed him along the edge.
How is he throwing those strikes so quickly?! Wait… Li saw it in between the brief retraction and extension. You…you're twisting your elbow for angle changes and using it as a spring to increase speed…clever! He caught a quick glimpse of Týr's feet as he continued parrying. That's how he avoided Lǐmén Dǐngzhǒu earlier. Li thought. He's using a rooted stance from Western Boxing to pivot off the lead foot. He spun just before impact to reach a blind spot. Is that also why he kept so close to the edge at the start? Did he bait me? The faint hints of a smile crept up on Li's face while he continued to defend. You're not underestimating me at all, are you? Li's whipping right arm slammed Týr's strike far out to Týr's left side. Using the momentum, Li swung his right arm around, up, and down to bring his palm towards Týr's crown. Pi Zhang! Týr stepped back, and the crashing palm strike swiped through the air. Li stepped his right foot forward and brought his right arm back up, aiming his elbow at Týr. His right foot stomped down, shaking the platform. Lǐmén Dǐngzhǒu!
Li's elbow collided with Týr's right elbow and missed. Li's eyes widened. Týr swung his arm back, tight and compact, in a backhand. It collided with Li's face, just as Li's parried arm whipped out and struck Týr's. Both stopped moving after the blows, glaring at each other. Týr moved first, stepping away and walking back to the center of the platform. Li watched him before heading to the center as well, stopping opposite where Týr stood.
"Li, before we continue, I must do something," Týr said. He brought his feet together, standing straight and tall. He cupped his right fist in his left hand and bowed. "You honor me by accepting this bout."
Li slightly cocked his head to the right, raising his left eyebrow. He shook his head before bringing his feet together, cupping his right in his left, and bowing as well. "Likewise. Why the formalities now?" Li asked.
Týr rose and relaxed his posture, bouncing off his feet a little and letting his arms gently swing. "I had a lot on my mind before the start, and it was in that exchange that I realized I failed to pay you due homage. Didn't sit right with me."
"Ha! That's why?" Li grew a wicked grin. "I don't need your homage."
"And that's why." Li's brow raised. "Why do you think I asked Heimdall not to announce us?"
"Simple." Li stomped the ground with Zhen Jiao, shaking the platform and the arena. The platform hopped off the ground a little before plopping back down, continuing to roll along the floor. "We do not need posturing and bravado."
Týr's fist clenched tight. "You're damn right. These stands are full of people who hold no bearing on us. Their opinions do not matter." Týr's aura began to flow. "They already know who we are," He said, his voice reverberating. "All we need…is to let our fists do the talking." Týr stopped hopping and returned to his Southpaw stance, his right arm swinging.
Li's aura spilled out as he returned to his stance. "Well said."
"Li Shuwen, do you accept my challenge?!" Týr asked.
"We exchanged blows! The challenge is accepted!"
Jörð Arena
Box Seats
Far above the arena, Odin and Zeus sat together, watching the fight continue with a third empty seat to their left. Hermes stood behind Zeus, keeping an occasional watchful eye on his father while focusing on the fight. He watched Týr dash forward and fire more strikes with his lightning-fast left hand.
"Do you think Apollo would be upset with Týr, Lord Zeus?" Hermes asked.
"Doubt it," Zeus answered. "He's not the type of person to take someone using boxing the way Týr does as an insult." Zeus, Hermes, and Odin could see it. Despite Týr's speed, they could make out the shape of his hand and fingers changed with each strike. Knife hand, one-knuckle punch, two-knuckle punch, raking hand, palm strike. Each one different from the last. "That Human's explosive power and defense demand he try to find a way to break through his guard. That last exchange was not enough to gauge him, so he may be trying to figure out how to move forward."
"Agree. Týr loves combat, but is the type of God who obsesses over doing something correctly to maximize damage, isn't that right, Lord Odin?" Odin, his white hair still immaculate, now wore a white cloak over an open purple cloak that revealed his red robe. His face was stuck in a perpetual scowl. Hmmm. Seems Set may have upset you, too. Wonder what he's planning? Hermes heard the door open behind him. He turned and saw Set enter, his emotionless gaze locking on their party. "Welcome, Set. Good to see you make it in time to watch." Odin's aura slowly flowed out as Set walked in and over to his seat. He did not look any of them in the eye as he sat down and turned his attention to the fight. Týr hounded Li around the arena while he continued to use Lún Pù to parry each of Týr's strikes. Týr's hand was parried by Li's outward spinning left arm as Li brought his right down in another chopping palm. Týr pivoted off his lead foot to his right, the chopping palm missing. Li brought his right arm back up immediately towards Týr's face. The whipping palm struck his face, and Li stomped down his right foot as his right shoulder collided with Týr's right pectoral.
"Jiān Chuàng!" Li shouted. Týr scrambled back as Li brought both feet under him into Qishi. He burst off his right foot as Týr brought his feet back under him to fire another right strike. Li's left elbow, mid-dash, raised Týr's right knife hand. It skidded across the bottom of Týr's mechanical arm and collided with his armpit just as Li stomped. "Wàimén Dǐngzhǒu!" The elbow strike sent Týr rolling to the edge of the platform. He got his feet back under him and skidded to a halt as Li collapsed. He got up, wincing as he looked down at his armpit, seeing it begin to bruise.
"Oh! Týr got him good that time!" Zeus said.
"He did. He baited him into a close-range charge." He recalled Li's stomping dash towards Týr. As his elbow raced to its destination, Týr raised his knee, and Li's right ribs slammed into it. "I wonder if he planned that from the start—"
"Set," Odin said as his aura continued to pour out as he glared at Set. "Why is Týr fighting right now?"
"Hmmm? Oh, because he asked," Set responded, nonchalantly. He still did not look Odin in the eye as a scowl slowly grew on the Norse Chief God.
"You can play those games with Zeus, but you are a fool to think I would let you get away with it even once. You were supposed to get my approval before he was to go."
"I had no choice."
"No choice?"
Zeus and Hermes quietly eyed the two while occasionally looking back at the fight.
"Týr would only fight if a specific contest was picked and a specific opponent was to be chosen. Meaning we had a better chance of his ideal matchup if Brünhilde picked it. If it did not happen the way he wanted, he would not fight, and I would have to get another substitute. His was Vidarr, by the way." He looked at Odin, nonplussed. "Would you prefer Vidarr?" Odin's aura surged. "I guess not. Be that as it may, Týr is the best choice for this round. Have faith in him."
"It is not about faith, it is about expectations and deference."
"Yet you did not ask for that for Baldr." Odin's aura vanished. "Not surprised. Regardless, Týr possesses two powerful tools that make him the ideal choice: His grasp of striking arts and his rune. Those two make him the greatest duelist in all the Heavens. Far stronger than any of us in that regard."
"Goodness! I was wondering what was causing Uncle to be upset!" A voice yelled behind them. No one turned to acknowledge Loki's arrival, his smug grin going unnoticed. "Well, look what we have here. Egypt's prodigal God of Chaos is getting a little too confident!" He stopped behind Odin's chair and propped himself on it. "Careful, Set. Uncle is strong, you know."
"Leave him be," Zeus said, watching the fight. "He is the Game Master. I did not stop him from recruiting Hephaestus and Dionysus, and you didn't stop him from recruiting your boys. They are his responsibility now. Not ours." Zeus' aura began to slowly flow out as he side-eyed Odin and Loki. "Unless, of course, you feel you're entitled to something I can't have…"
Odin leaned back in his seat and went quiet. "Boo," Loki pouted. "None of you are any fun…"
"Your 'fun' can come later, Loki," Hermes said, wearing a lazy smile. "It is not proper of us to act in such a way in front of the rest of the Heavens. It would make both the Greeks and the Norse look shameful."
Loki looked at Hermes, keeping his pout, but his gaze turned sharp.
Jörð Arena
The Ring
Li placed his left hand on his ribs. Pain flared up under his touch. Nothing broken. Maybe a fracture or two. I wonder…did he bait me again? Li thought as he stood, preparing Qishi. No…He recalled Týr's shocked expression as he was knocked off-balance while seeing the bruising around Týr's armpit grow. He just reacted that quickly. My Wàimén Dǐngzhǒu lost power from that counter. So he can use more than just Western Boxing. That knee looked almost like…Hun Gar? Southern Praying Mantis? No. Týr brought his hands back to his face and shrank his stance. Standing taller, he turned his palms outward. That's not kung-fu.
"Here I come, Li," Týr whispered as the platform continued rolling along. Týr dashed towards Li, keeping his hands high and near his face.
Li! He's switching up on us! We need a new game plan! Alvitr shouted in Li's head.
Agreed. Judging by that stance- Týr stopped his charge and made a small step to the left, rising onto the ball of his left foot. He twisted his hips and swung his right leg up towards Li's head. It's fast!
Try a Muay Thai classic! Týr thought. "Tae Hua!" He shouted. Týr's shin sliced through the air. Li gritted his teeth and ducked under the kick by widening his stance. He stepped forward just as Týr's right foot touched the ground. Týr immediately jumped and kicked his right leg out front and his left leg back towards Li. Now Taekwondo! "Kawi Chagi!" Li brought his arms up just in time to block the kick from smashing into his face. Just as he brought his arms down, Týr vanished. Something crashed into Li's left temple and sent him rolling across the platform. He scrambled back to his feet just in time to see Týr close in on him, slowly swaying from side to side.
What is this?! Li thought, pain searing the left side of his head. Týr, in a slight crouch, stepped his left foot forward and brought his right leg back as his arms gently swayed out to his left. He stepped his right foot back to the right, followed by a quick step from his left leading foot. His upper body spun, and Týr lifted his right leg off the ground, swinging it up while planting his left hand down. His heel rose to Li's temple. Li raised his right arm to block and stopped the kick. The impact shook his body, but he held firm. Immediately, something slammed into his right ribs and pushed him back further. Li threw his arms forward, stopping his momentum. Týr spun back to his feet, returning to his upright stance, palms forward and right leg bouncing lightly off the ground.
"What'd you think, Li?" Týr asked, smiling.
"I'd think you were dancing, but my ribs and head say otherwise," Li answered mirthlessly.
"Capoeira has that effect on people. Don't worry, it's not a dance," His fists clenched tight. "but you will get caught in the rhythm." Muay Thai to Taekwondo to Capoeira…it's still not perfect. That Tae Hua may have been too high, but it's doing the trick. How are you going to react, Li?
Li squatted down, returning to Mǎ Bù. Those kicks are too foreign to me. He thought. I have two options: observe and counter, or break through to stop them from even happening. The latter is likely the better choice, but you know that, don't you? He inhaled deeply and released. Let's go.
Jörð Arena
Human Bleachers
Above the city-sized arena, several human martial artists sat together, watching the fight unfold. Sitting at the front were two men. One was young and dark-skinned with an immaculate light-blue three-piece suit with black, polished leather shoes. His hair was a perfectly trimmed, short afro, and his hands were scarred around the knuckles.
Muhammad Ali
formerly
Cassius Clay
AKA
The Greatest
Undisputed Heavyweight Boxing Champion
(United States)
Sitting next to him, in simple brown and yellow robes, was a tan-skinned man with cropped short black hair. The skin on his forearms and hands was scarred, and his left knee, showing through his robes, was covered in scars.
Nai Khanom Tom
Father of Muay Thai
(Thailand)
"God, this is embarrassing…" Ali said. "That Kung-fu master is getting whooped."
"You're telling me. He looked like he was doing well at the start, but Týr is adapting to him. He was smart to start off with Tae Hua, but the attacks before and after were clearly designed to counter someone of Li's height and a style that travels in a straight line." Tom sighed. "Why did Brünhilde pick him to go?"
"Don't have a damn clue." Ali shook his head. "Not that it matters. Once this guy bites it, we're near dead."
"You two sure are talking a lot of shit for not being in the ring," A gruff, booming voice spoke behind them. They looked back to see a stocky, muscular man in a Karate Gi with a black belt. His hair was buzzed short, and his eyes jovial, but sharp.
Masatatsu Oyama
A.K.A.
Choi Bae-dal
Founder of Kyokushin Karate
Godhand
(Korea and Japan)
"If you two have a problem with Li being down there, why didn't you go and see Brünhilde?" Oyama asked.
"We did," Ali answered. "She blew us off every time, even last night after the Samurai lost."
Two men sitting next to Oyama kept watching the battle. One was a dark skinned man with an untamed, large afro, bare-chested, and wearing baggy pants.
Manoel dos Reis Machado
Mestre Bimba
Capoeira Mestre
(Brazil)
Sitting to his right was a young man in ornate white robes, his long black hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.
Wong Fei-hung
Master of Hung Ga
Tiger of Foshan
(China)
"If that's the case, then we need to shut up and trust Li to take care of this," Machado said without looking at the two. Wong nodded in concurrence. "I don't know about you two, but from what I've seen, those Meia-lua de compasso and that Chapa de chão were executed flawlessly. Haven't seen someone do that since my younger days in Salvador."
"So you're seeing the same thing I'm seeing, right? Li's getting is ass handed to him by some God throwing out our moves. Shit, he's probably got some trick that lets him pull all this stuff off. Bet I'd take him down if I were down there."
"You wouldn't," A woman's voice spoke above them. The five looked up, seeing Brünhilde looking down at them while resting against the railing. "That's why I picked Li. He's perfect to fight Týr."
"Pray tell, why?"
"For our own assurance, we promise, Brünhilde," Tom added.
Brunhilde stared down listlessly, recognizing the quintessential ego that rests in all martial artists, maybe all of Humanity. I keep forgetting what Týr does. She thought. "Question for you all," She stood up. "And any other martial artist who can hear me." She leaned back down. "Has this scenario ever happened to you? Someone appears out of the blue, asks you for a fight, seems like some cocky idiot, only for the fight to go for several rounds, maybe even hours?" All five and a few others within earshot thought about the question. Ali remembered some guy in sweatpants and a hoodie challenging him during his ban. Masatatsu, Manoel, and Wong recalled a young fighter asking for a friendly spar that lasted from dawn to dusk. Tom recalled a warrior he met on the battlefield and fought for several minutes while a war with Burma raged around him. All of them, and the dozens of martial artists around them, recalled that one major fight that felt like no other could match. There was no loss or victory. Just constant demonstration and application of every technique at their disposal in perfect form. "All of you picturing it now? Good." She extended her right arm and pointed at Týr. "That was him."
"What?" Oyama asked. "But he doesn't look anything like the man I fought."
"Of course he doesn't. Would you fight someone who has a metal arm, black eyes, and is covered in scars? He disguises himself when he does this. Kind of dumb of him, but he doesn't feel he deserves to reveal his true identity to you Masters."
"Other than those things, he looks kind of the same to me," Ali said. "Kind of pissed me off when I thought some country bumpkin challenged me out of the blue. Wouldn't have been the first time one of them tried to get a rile out of me…but if that was him, then I got to admit I see your point, Brünhilde."
She nodded. "Týr is one of the very few Gods who interacts with Humanity even up to this day. His love for Martial Arts is so powerful, it made him, a Son of Odin, humble himself and train." Pandora looked over at her, noticing a small smile and a look of pride show on her friend's face. Even standing against us, you're still going to brag about him. She thought, smiling wryly. Soft-hearted as always.
"Týr has absolutely no talent. All he ever had was dedication and a will to survive. And he poured every ounce of those two things into learning Martial Arts." She paused. "He was born into a Pantheon that was known for overwhelming power and near-endless war. In that world…he was forgotten. An afterthought, and he knew it. But like all of you, he refused to let that world crush him. When he had nothing else, when he suffered loss after loss, he reached towards the only thing that could save him: the very thing you Humans created." All the Masters exchanged glances. "And once he found it, it became an obsession. Every day, he trained. Every day, he sought out new teachers. Every day, he studied and self-corrected his techniques. Once he felt he could stand alongside you, not the Gods, he sought you all out to give you the best fights of your lives as homage to your contributions to your crafts. Those fights…are his gratitude to Humanity for giving birth to Martial Arts. The tool of the weak to become stronger than the strong." She stood back up and crossed her arms. "Now I ask you. Knowing what you know now, do any of you think you can step into the ring and defeat Týr? The God who has used ten thousand techniques ten thousand upon ten thousand times?" All of them looked back towards the arena, watching Li parry and block Týr's multi-level kicks. None of them said out loud. Their pride denied them that grace, but deep in their souls, in their fists and feet, they knew the answer. Each one pictured their bodies splayed out on the platform or impaled by the rising blades. None of them saw victory. None of them, except one man down in the arena standing strong despite the barrage.
Jörð Arena
The Ring
Li continued his efforts to keep parrying Týr's kicks. Tyr kicked at his temple again with Tae Hua, but Li dropped down and swung his left arm up and slapped the back of Týr's leg mid-swing. Týr dropped his lower body and planted his left hand, letting his hips rotate and bring up his left heel to Týr's head as his right foot touched down. Li hopped back, making the kick touch nothing but air as Týr spun back to his feet.
He's using kicks to keep distance and strike at weak spots in my guard. Li thought. Normally, I could just Chuang Bu and crash into him…but he's expecting that. A tinge of pain shot through Li's right ribs. That countering knee earlier did more damage than expected.
Then what should we do?! Alvitr asked. He's got height and reach on you!
That never stopped me before. It won't, now. Li's body went lax as he regained his rhythmic breathing. Týr returned to his upright stance, ready.
What do you have planned, Li? Týr thought. You know I got the feet, height, and reach. Even Bajiquan means nothing if you run straight into a spear or sword. Li did not charge. Slowly, he began sliding his feet across the platform, occasionally letting his legs cross as he shuffled. Týr eyed him, keeping his body aimed towards Li by pivoting off his planted left foot. Piguaquan? Not taking the initiative? Fine…I WILL! Týr dashed towards Li and stopped at his perfect range, raising his right leg and firing a push kick. Teep Trong! Li swung his left hand down, twisting at his hips, and swatted away the kick. Týr hopped off his planted left leg, spinning in the air as he raised the same leg above his head as he coiled his right leg back to plant it on the ground. Kakato Otoshi Geri! Li spun counterclockwise, moving his head and body out of the kick's line of fire as he whipped his fist down onto Týr's descending leg, accelerating it into the platform with a heavy thud. Pain surged up Týr's leg, but he ignored it. He twisted his hips to the left, bringing his right leg up and over while keeping his injured left foot planted. Martelo do chão! Li spun clockwise and dodged as he swatted at Týr's dropping leg, sending it down. Týr's toes slammed into the platform, unleashing more pain. Damn it! Týr thought.
Li stepped back a few times and stepped around to Týr's back. Piguaquan isn't just for dodging or parrying. I can and WILL use it to break you. Come, Týr.
Týr pivoted off his left foot and into a southpaw stance. He widened his stance, bringing his left arm tight to his side and left hand open, and brought his mechanical right hand out, palm-up in knife hand. Using only kicks won't work. Jabs are starting to lose their edge for now…so how about some Karate? Up in the stands, Oyama looked on in excitement, his fists clenching as his eyes widened and nostrils flared. Below, the platform rammed into the side of one of the thatch houses, shaking the fighters and testing their balance. I was wondering when this would happen.
It's as Brünhilde said. Li thought. It's not just the opponent trying to throw us off; it's the platform itself. A bit of a change from the old days, but a welcome one. Li let his arms hang as the platform ground against the wall behind him. Slowly, he backed away from Týr. Týr crept towards him, not allowing Li to gain distance. Li stopped just in front of the passing walls and crouched down a little.
Týr stepped in quickly and fired his left hand at Týr's head. "Jodan Tsuki!" Li raised his right hand, stomping slightly with his right foot, and parried the fist to the outside, sending it straight into the stone wall. Týr's fist smashed through the wall and right back to his side as he fired his right fist. "Chudan Tsuki!" Li stomped his left foot down as he swung his left clockwise, catching the punch on the inside and parrying it out into the wall. It smashed through solid stone and retreated just as quickly as the first. "Let's have some fun, Li!" He roared. "Sannleikr of Karate: Sen Seiken Tsuki!"
Li felt an immense chill surge up from his feet to the crown of his head. He could not recall the last time he felt it. Maybe it was when he first started learning Bajiquan from Huang Sihai, and he felt the overwhelming bloodlust of his teacher for the first time. Maybe it was when he was ganged up on in his youth, as was common back in those days in Cangzhou. Or, it was when he realized he was poisoned and destined to die. He could not recall, but whenever it was, he knew what it meant. Alvitr! Get ready!
Wait, what?! She yelled.
Týr's knees bent ever so slightly to strengthen his stance and balance. He breathed slowly and intently, building a rhythm as his core twisted left and right to fire Týr's spear-like fists at Li. Li gritted his teeth, letting instinct take over as he started parrying the blows. He parried one blow to the head with the back of his right hand while simultaneously blocking another punch to his body with his left elbow. Both strikes pierced the stone wall and immediately retracted. Four more punches flew at Li. Focusing his sight on Týr's sternum, Li continued parrying the blows, each one tearing into the stone wall behind him. Eight more, with all but one parried as one found home in the left side of Li's stomach. Li bit down, refusing to lose his balance or form as sixteen more punches flew at him. Four more broke through with two strikes grazing Li's head as he slipped it out of their way and two smashing into his stomach. Týr's knees began to flex up and down, changing his elevation as he threw more punches. Li could still see his face despite the barrage; eyes wild and unblinking, nostrils flared, and teeth gritted so hard you'd think he was biting into leather. These punches are too fast! Li thought as more punches continued to rocket towards him. Trying to move out of his line of fire would take more effort than just staying here…I need to come up with somethi— One of Týr's fists caught him straight in the nose. Li's mind went blank for a moment, but he came to just in time to parry a follow-up right punch to his face. He started to feel the building's walls start to touch the back of his changshan. He's going to pummel me into the wall or make me grind myself into it and off the platform! Li's eyes widened. That's it! Li parried a left punch aimed from below at his head with his right hand, stomping hard at the same time. Týr winced as his hand was struck and flew into the rock wall. Another right punch to Li's stomach was parried just as hard, making Týr wince again as he pulled his hand back to fire another punch. Li continued parrying as many blows as he could. Some still broke through and struck his chest, stomach, and face, but many were violently parried away as he continued his rapid stomping; each stomp barely a millimeter off the ground. Týr's arms began to sear with pain. He could feel his forearms starting to swell.
Bastard! Týr thought. You're not parrying! You're HITTING my arms mid-strike! Who the hell thinks of hitting someone's arms?! Damn it, this hurts! Forget whips; these feel like meteor hammers!
Who will break first, Týr? Li thought as he hammered away another brutal parry against another punch. Týr and Li gritted their teeth and continued their war. Tyr's fists continued firing like a gatling gun, and Li parried and hammered like a brutal whirlwind as the platform raced across the floor. Dozens of punches and parries turned into hundreds. Two hands turned into images of dozens as Li and Týr continued their struggle. The audience above them could not look away, save for a few. Oyama and Ali made glances back at the buildings the platform passed, sweat forming on their brows as they watched the ever-growing honeycomb of holes expand across the city's walls.
Jesus… Ali thought. What the hell is going on?!
"Those two…look like Ashuras…" Oyama whispered. "Absurd…"
Týr fired one more punch and hopped back a few meters to the center of the platform, breathing heavily as sweat poured over his body. He raised his arms, giving Li a chance to see his handiwork. Týr's left arm was heavily bruised from below his wrist to his elbow. Shades of purple and yellow marred his skin. His mechanical right arm was dented and bent through the forearm, the knuckles slightly scratched up from hitting the wall. His hands were shaking as he tried to form fists. He smiled. "Thought I had you pinned there! Didn't think you could still use Piguaquan while staying still to try and break my arms!"
Li was breathing and sweating heavily. He felt a few cracks appear and grow on his ribs. He tasted iron in his mouth as some spots on his face swelled up. He let his arms go limp again as he spat out some blood. "It's not supposed to be used that way…you definitely had me pinned…" He breathed deeply. "Had I not remembered what I did to your feet earlier, you may have had me…"
"Ha! False modesty gets you nowhere!"
"I despise false modesty," Li retorted. "That was a good exchange. I'll give you credit where credit is due." Li rolled his shoulders and tilted his head to the left and right, popping his neck. "You'd be right at home in Cangzhou."
Týr felt a lump drop in his heart. "That…is too kind of you." His fists clenched. "But I still have too much to show you, and I still need to win."
"Well said." Li's brow furrowed. Alvitr, keep me held together. He thought.
This early?!
Don't have a choice. I need to put more force into this next one.
Týr dashed at Li, keeping his stance high and fists close to his chest. Li stepped forward into Qishi. Týr entered his perfect range once more and fired a left cross as Li began stepping into Chuang Bu with his right foot. The left cross…veered down to the right, opening up and planted down on the platform. His lower rolled down behind it, lifting his right leg up and over his body. Got you, Li! Benção Descendente—!
Got you. Li thought. Pao Ta Chong! Li stepped forward, and the sound of cannon fire erupted from under his foot as pain surged up from his foot. Tun Chuang! His right hip crashed into Týr's glutes, disrupting the axe-kick and sending Týr sprawling. Týr quickly recovered and rolled back onto his feet. Pao Ta Chong! Li stomped with his left, firing like a cannonball and turning as he flew. More pain shot up from his other foot as he aimed his right shoulder at Týr's chest and stomped as he made contact. "TIE SHAN KAO!" Týr's body rattled on impact as his feet skid across the platform. He stomped his right foot back and threw his arms forward, coming to a halt just before he could fall off the platform. A part of his heel hung just slightly off the edge, and he felt something sharp graze against it. He slid his heel back onto the platform. I got you now! Li moved quickly into Qishi and off his right foot again, extending his left arm out into a vertical punch aimed at Týr's bruising chest. Chong Quan!
Týr stared in awe as Li flew towards him. In that single split moment before impact, he knew Li had already figured out the ideal strength needed to fire Chong Quan at the ideal range and strike without worry of sending himself over the edge, as well as moving fast enough to remove the option of dodging from Týr's choices. Týr's arms were battered, his feet tinged with pain from the counters, and now he likely had a bruised tailbone along with the cluster of bruises across his chest. All in all, Li sealed him from almost all options.
And none of those lost options mattered. Týr stepped just outside the trajectory of the punch. As it sailed past him, he raised his right elbow and stomped. WAIMEN DINGZHOU! His elbow slammed into Li's armpit and pushed his shoulder up. Both Týr and Li felt it dislocate. Li shot back a few meters and landed on his back on the platform. Týr stood up and looked at Li as he slowly rose.
I was right! It wasn't just a fluke…He knows Bajiquan! Li shouted mentally. How does he know Bajiquan, more so my school?! Li gripped his shoulder and jammed it back into place as his legs seared with pain. Damn…that technique earlier is still too strong for me to use too much…were it not for Alvitr—
You're welcome. She interrupted.
Ignoring you. My legs would have shattered. Damn it, I needed to put him down! "Hey!" Li yelled.
"What?!" Týr responded.
"Who taught you Bajiquan?! That Waimen Dingzhou is from my school!" Li tried to hide his smile with a scowl.
"Oh, this?" Týr stepped into Qishi, then stepped his bruised right foot forward while raising his right elbow parallel to his body and his left arm back. "Ding Bu Zhuang, courtesy of Wu Zhong-Laoshi." Li's eyes widened.
Jörð Arena
Human Bleachers
Sitting high up from the arena and far from Brünhilde and the other masters, a single old man wearing a white skull-cap in pale-blue Chang Pao robes watched the fight unfold while stroking his wispy white beard. "Well," He said. "I promised he would be one of those one-in-a-million opponents for you, Týr. He made you break out my Bajiquan." He grew a wicked smile.
Wu Zhong
First Instructor of Bajiquan in Cangzhou
Student of Lai and Pi
Týr's Bajiquan Master
"You better be ready for what's coming next, Li. Humanity and our school depend on it."