"Quest Obtained: Eliminate opponent." The robotic voice announced. 

The semifinals are the best of five. The first to three wins.

I'm currently dodging all of Cara's attacks. She is the fastest person I went up against so far. I am at a huge disadvantage. My eyes keep drifting to Lachelle fighting Keith. They were both exchanging punches and blocking what they could. I can't read lips but Keith was saying something to Lachelle. Something that distracted her, allowing him to kick her in the chest knocking her on her back.

I made eye contact with Lachelle. She screamed "Up arrow."

Without thinking I jumped into the air. I looked over and saw that Cara attempted to sweep me off my feet.

"Melee!"

I extended my leg and kicked Cara in the face. I landed and jumped back. I looked over at Lachelle who was back on her feet going at it with Keith.

I was distracted. Just like Jim warned me not to be. Cara punched me in my stomach with her right hand and slapped me with her left hand at the same time.

Holy hell that hurt.

"Come on you freak." Cara yelled.

It's one and one now. "Koi!" I yelled back.

Cara tried throwing several punches at me which I was able to block. Cara gained some space and tried to kick me in the face. I caught her kick and using my right foot slid it behind her right ankle. "My name is Alex." I pulled my foot forwarded knocking Cara on her back. "Nice to meet you."

I turned to check on Lachelle. I saw that Keith punched her in the stomach. He hit her hard enough to make her fall on her back and curl up in pain.

"Point!" I heard the ref yell.

I watched Keith grab Lachelle by her Gi and punch her in the face.

My body is moving. I didn't get there in time before Keith landed the second punch. When he tried to land a third punch I hooked my arm into his and pulled back as hard as I could.

The motion caused Keith to spin around as he stood up. He was now facing me. He had this crazed look in his eyes as he started at me.

I blocked a punch he threw at me. I noticed that his fist was covered in blood. I then looked at Lachelle. Her face was covered in blood.

Forget the ref. This guy is mine.

"Achievement Unlocked: Berserk."

I sent a punch to Keith's side. I knew it hurt me more than it hurt him since he was able to slam his head against mine. I stumbled back, but was able to keep my balance. Keith ran up and tried to round house kick me in the face. I dunked down dodging the kick, then I tackled him onto his back.

He punched me twice in the head before I felt my body get pulled off of him. I was then throw to Lachelle like I weighed nothing.

"Get up!" I heard the voice yell. 

I quickly stood to my feet as my ears rang. He landed a nice hit to my ear.

I looked up and saw that Will was standing by Keith. Yeah, that guy had to be the one to throw me. He was glaring at the ref. "You can't disqualify the boy. I barely heard you call the match. Besides it's not his fault you were too scared to pull him off the girl." Will argued.

Will glared at me. Before I could say anything I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked over to see Maindo standing next to me. "Go finish your match." Maindo ordered.

I looked over at Lachelle. I saw that she was out of the ring. She was currently leaning on Chloe holding a towel to her nose.

Neither Keith nor I were disqualified. Cara was awarded a point for the delay of the game. I watched as Chloe escorted Lachelle out the arena. I felt my stomach sink. "You know you can quit right now and go be with her." Cara mocked as I climbed in the ring.

I can only imagine the look on my face. The look that caused Cara to take several steps back out of fear.

"Finish her." I will. 

The ref swung the flag to resume the match. I ran up to Cara as fast as I could. I jumped up and hit her square in the face with my elbow. By the time the ref called the match I was already out of the ring running back to the first aid station.

"Quest Completed." The robotic voice announced. 

And I don't even care.

***

It didn't take me long to get to the first aid station. When I ran inside I saw Lachelle laying in one bed while Chloe was sitting on the other. Lachelle turned her head to look at me. "I'm going to face Keith." I told her.

She turned her head to look at the ceiling. "I want you to drop out." Lachelle told me.

"I can't do that."

"Why not?" I know why she's asking. If she can't beat him there's no way I can. After ripping him off of her I can't imagine I'm on his good side. "Because you don't quit the game before beating the boss. Besides he hurt what's mine."

Lachelle continued to stare at the ceiling.

"Well I want you to fuck up his day." Chloe said joining the conversation. Lachelle turned and glared at Chloe. 

"This isn't about what you want." Lachelle snapped at her.

I just remembered something. "You said you'll give me whatever I want if I beat Cara. Well I beat Cara." I informed the group. "I don't care if you watch the fight. I just don't want you mad at me for fighting."

Lachelle looked up and glared at me. It looked like the bleeding from her nose finally stopped. Both her eyes were black in color. Well it looks like she is choosing to be mad at me anyway.

***

This isn't about winning or losing anymore. It's about respect. You will respect Maindo Camp. You will respect Lachelle. Because if you don't, you'll be facing me.

"Achievement Unlocked: Berserk. Skill Obtained: Adrenaline Rush."

"Let's go Alex!" I heard the crowd cheer as I walked back into the arena. Why are they cheering? Because everyone likes a good underdog.

I wanted Lachelle to be cheering me on but I understand why she can't. She got me into the sport. She will probably feel every hit I'm about to take.

I walked up to Maindo and smiled. I bowed down to him. To my surprise he bowed back. Maindo then pointed to our family in the crowd. Together we bowed down to them.

The arena started cheering at the sight of it. "Remember Kioku. We bow to show respect."

"Yes Sensei." I acknowledged his words.

"You came here to discover the disabilities you possess." Maindo spoke. "Now that you understand your disability is your mind at peace?"

"The voices slowed down a bit." I explained.

Maindo raised his eyebrow at me. "Voices?" I nodded. "It's the best of seven. We will talk later about these voices." Maindo said explaining the rules. 

The ref signaled for the fighters to enter the ring. As the ref signaled for us to bow towards each other, it was apparent that neither of us had any interest in bowing down. 

"At least you get it." Keith snarled.

"Koi." I yelled.

I don't think the ref swung the flag to start, before Keith started throwing kicks at me. He would alternate his legs trying to catch me off guard. Keith attempted to kick me in the face. I dodged it by sliding towards his free leg knocking him off balance. Keith dove over me and rolled onto his feet. I quickly got to mine.

"The weirdo came to play." Keith mocked.

I'm throwing punches now. Keith is blocking all of them with ease. "Get the point!" I heard Will yell.

Keith kicked me in the stomach. It hurt, but I was able to hook my arm around his leg and I started punching his leg. Keith used me as leverage and jumped up and kicked me in the face with his free leg.

Of course I'm on my back.

As soon as I got on my feet Keith punched me in my ear again. On his second strike I blocked it with my arm. I kneed Keith in his leg in the very same spot I just finished punching. While Keith focused on his new injury I bashed my head against his knocking him on his back. Just a little payback from earlier.

I then elbowed dropped his injured leg. I don't care if it's a cheap move. I don't give a damn about this tournament. I want to hurt him the way he hurt Lachelle.

I quickly stumbled to my feet. I entered my fighting stance, but Keith jumped up and landed a punch in my face before I could even react.

I felt my body get pulled back. I looked up and saw that a ref pulled me back. A separate ref had Keith. The ref motioned for me to go over to Maindo.

"Kioku, your movements are reckless." Maindo spoke. I could barely hear him since my ears were still ringing. I tried looking around the arena, but it was all a blur. I couldn't focus my eyes passed Maindo. I looked at Keith who was talking to Will. I know they were plotting something.

"Score?" I need to know. "One to two." Maindo answered. "Focus Kioku."

I walked back to my side of the mat. I can't believe I gave up Infinity Quest to get my ass beat. I watched as Keith walked to his side of the mat.

"Hey kid, you there?" 

Who is this? 

"That doesn't matter right now. Don't lose yourself to your enemy."

I usually try to block the voices out, but I found myself bowing down to Keith. As I bowed down Keith jumped up and brought both his hands on my shoulder knocking me on my stomach.

As soon as Keith landed I grabbed both of his ankles and pulled him as hard as I could. I watched Keith land on his back in front of me. "Sorry asshole. I forgot the rules." I hissed as the ref gave Keith the point. Keith was able to arch his body up and kick me in the face.

I laid on the floor longer than he did. I think the adrenaline is beginning to ware off. It's one to three. I honestly feel like I got lucky landing the first point.

I stumbled to my feet, now aware of the condition my body is in. My stomach hurts so bad that I want to vomit. My head is throbbing form how many times I got hit in the face. My ears won't stop ringing.

There isn't much I can do. One more point and he wins. One more point and everything Lachelle worked so hard for is gone.

What was she working so hard for again? Was it for Maindo? For people like me? Was it for recognition? Fame? Glory?

The ref swung his flag.

"Powering down." The robotic voice announced. My world went black.