The First Encounter

The roar of the crowd echoed through the arena, a constant, swelling sound that seemed to vibrate the very foundation of the building. Y/N had just finished his match, the final bell ringing in his ears as he stood in the ring, catching his breath. He had fought hard—too hard, some might say—but that was the price of making a name for yourself in the world of wrestling. Blood, sweat, and pain were just part of the game, the essential ingredients that separated the weak from the strong. Tonight, he was on top. His arm raised in victory, he soaked in the applause, a grin spreading across his face.

Still feeling the buzz of the match, Y/N made his way backstage, his muscles sore but satisfied. The adrenaline hadn’t quite worn off yet, and the backstage chaos—the quick conversations, the crew scrambling to prepare for the next segment—was a familiar but comforting sight. He tossed his towel over his shoulder, wiping sweat from his brow, when a figure caught his eye.

A group of wrestlers were clustered together near a bench, laughing and chatting, but one person stood out in the corner. Leaning against the wall, Rhea Ripley, her black hair cascading down her back in sharp waves, stood with her arms crossed. She was quiet, watching the others, but there was a certain aura about her. Even in a crowded room filled with powerful personalities, she commanded attention. The way she held herself, shoulders squared, her eyes sharp yet seemingly unreadable—she wasn’t someone you easily ignored.

Y/N had seen her wrestle before. Who hadn’t? She was a force to be reckoned with, dominating the ring with an unmatched intensity. But it wasn’t just her strength that intrigued him. It was the air of mystery that surrounded her, the way she seemed almost untouchable. Her reputation had spread across the locker rooms like wildfire, and while most avoided approaching her, Y/N couldn’t help but wonder what she was really like behind the intimidating exterior.

Taking a deep breath, he decided to approach, curious but respectful. As he walked closer, he could feel the shift in the room. Conversations faltered, and the group of wrestlers took a subtle step back, recognizing the unspoken tension between them. Rhea’s gaze never left the others, but Y/N caught her eye as he neared. There was something in that look—a flicker of recognition, maybe even curiosity. For a brief moment, time seemed to slow down, and he stood there, unsure of whether to speak first or let her make the move.

But it was Rhea who broke the silence.

“Nice match out there,” she said, her voice calm and measured, yet with a sharp edge that hinted at her authority. She didn’t smile, but her tone wasn’t dismissive either. She wasn’t the type to give compliments without meaning them.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. Most people didn’t acknowledge his matches unless they were asked, but Rhea—Rhea Ripley—had just given him a compliment.

“Thanks,” he said, giving a small nod, trying to mask the slight nervousness he felt. “I’ve been working on my technique. You know how it is—never stop improving.”

Rhea smirked, her arms still crossed as she leaned back slightly against the wall. “I know exactly how it is. Constantly pushing yourself, even when you feel like you’ve reached your limit. Never settling for good enough.”

There was a brief silence as she let that hang in the air, as though testing him, gauging whether he understood the weight of her words. Y/N nodded again, a little more confidently this time.

“Yeah, exactly. It’s all about pushing through, right?” He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Otherwise, you’re just... a regular wrestler.”

Rhea’s lips quirked slightly, and for the first time, Y/N saw a hint of amusement in her eyes. “You think so? I guess you’ve got the right mindset if you’re planning on sticking around for the long haul.”

He glanced around the room, noticing a few other wrestlers subtly watching them. Y/N wasn’t sure if they were eavesdropping or just curious to see how the conversation would unfold. Either way, it didn’t bother him—he had learned long ago to focus on the task at hand, whatever that task might be. Right now, it was engaging with Rhea Ripley.

“I don’t plan on going anywhere,” Y/N said, his tone steady. “I’ve got a lot of things I want to accomplish. A lot of people to prove wrong.”

Rhea studied him for a moment, her gaze never wavering. It wasn’t judgmental, but it felt like she was assessing the sincerity in his words. Finally, she spoke again, her voice quieter, almost thoughtful.

“You’ll get there. But it’s not just about proving people wrong. It’s about proving yourself right. That’s the real challenge.” She pushed off the wall slightly, standing tall in front of him now, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “You have the ambition. But do you have the discipline? The will to keep going when it gets harder than you ever imagined?”

Y/N felt a flicker of respect for her—she was blunt, but it was a quality he could appreciate. Many people would shy away from confronting someone about their ambitions, but Rhea wasn’t afraid to call it like she saw it.

“I guess I’ll find out, won’t I?” he said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Rhea held his gaze for a moment longer, then nodded slowly, as if giving him her approval, or perhaps her challenge.

“Don’t forget,” she said, her voice low but firm, “it’s not about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

Her words lingered in the air as she turned to walk away, but not before glancing back over her shoulder.

“You’ve got potential, Y/N. Just don’t waste it.”

Y/N stood there, feeling a mix of admiration and awe. Rhea Ripley was a legend in the making, and for a moment, he felt like he was glimpsing the same fire inside himself that burned in her. He wasn’t sure where this conversation would lead, or if it meant anything at all, but one thing was certain: Rhea had just set the bar a little higher. And Y/N was determined to reach it.

As she disappeared into the hallway, he felt the weight of her words settle in his chest. With a nod to himself, Y/N knew he had a long road ahead—one filled with pain, sacrifice, and challenges. But Rhea Ripley had given him something more valuable than any victory could: a glimpse of what it would take to become truly great. And he was ready.