𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐒𝐈𝐗. tremble for my beloved

JIEUN LAY SPRAWLED ACROSS THE neatly made bed, her head propped up on the soft curve of a hotel pillow. The room was dim, the only light coming from the screen of her phone, which cast a soft bluish glow over her face. Shadows flickered on the walls behind her, dancing in time with the subtle movements of her hand as she adjusted the angle of the phone.

Her lips curved into an easy smile, one that reached her eyes, as Moon's cheerful voice bubbled through the tiny speakers.

"...and then he had the nerve to show up at Sasha's party wearing that jacket," Moon said, her voice a mix of indignation and laughter. "You know the one. The peacock disaster with the sequins."

"Oh, my god, I hate that jacket!" Yasmine chimed in, leaning into the frame on Moon's side of the call. "I told him once that he looked like an extra in a Vegas magic show, and he still wears it like it's couture."

Jieun chuckled, the sound low and warm, as she shifted onto her side. The second bed in the room was untouched, the crisp white sheets still tucked in with military precision. She'd thought briefly about sprawling out across both beds just because she could, but something about it felt a little too lonely.

"They're still dating, right?" Jieun asked, her voice light, though her mind wasn't fully on the conversation.

"Who, Sasha and Vegas-boy?" Moon laughed, tilting the phone so her beaded bracelet caught the light. "For now. But Yasmine swears she saw him flirting with Lana at that new smoothie bar. The one with the terrible lighting."

"The worst lighting," Yasmine confirmed. "Like, why would you make a place look like an interrogation room? Anyway, yeah, I saw him, and I'm just waiting for the fallout. Honestly, Sasha deserves better."

"Doesn't everyone?" Jieun teased, earning a chorus of dramatic agreement from the two girls.

The conversation meandered like a lazy river, flowing from party gossip to speculation about teachers back home and, eventually, to half-hearted karate advice that was as endearing as it was useless.

"Okay, so, like," Moon began, her face suddenly serious, "if someone comes at you with one of those spinny kick things —"

"A roundhouse kick?" Jieun supplied, biting back a smile.

"Yeah, that. You should, um... sidestep and then, like, grab their ankle or something. Isn't that how it works?"

Yasmine rolled her eyes. "Don't listen to her, Jiji. You need to, like, get inside their guard or whatever. Close the distance so they can't kick at all. Right? Isn't that what you do?"

"Sure," Jieun said, humoring them. "I'll just grab their ankle and get inside their guard. Perfect plan."

"You're welcome," Yasmine said smugly, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

Despite their lack of actual knowledge, Jieun appreciated their effort. It wasn't about the advice, anyway; it was about hearing their voices, feeling tethered to something familiar and warm. The hotel room, spacious as it was, felt cavernous when she let her thoughts wander too far.

Her gaze drifted to the second bed again, her smile faltering for just a moment. Devon and Sam were sharing a room down the hall, their laughter audible every now and then through the paper-thin walls. Jieun had heard Daniel say that the extra room had been booked for Tory and her, but that was before everything had fallen apart. Before Tory's absence had turned from a question mark into a statement.

"Hey," Moon's voice broke through her thoughts, drawing her back to the present. "You okay? You got all quiet there for a second."

Jieun blinked, then forced her smile back into place. "Yeah. Just thinking about tomorrow."

"You're going to kill it," Yasmine said, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "I mean, you're the Mighty Mouse. You're untouchable. Just channel your inner zen or whatever."

Moon nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, like, visualize the positive energy. Or maybe try yoga? You love yoga, right?"

Jieun hummed thoughtfully, her lips quirking up. "I don't think downward dog is going to help me win a match."

Moon pouted dramatically. "Well, excuse me for trying to help!"

"You're helping," Jieun said, her tone gentle, the corners of her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Even if you don't know anything about karate."

"Hey, I know the basics!" Moon protested, folding her arms. "Like, uh... kick high and don't get hit!"

Yasmine snorted, leaning back on her bed. "Inspiring."

Despite herself, Jieun felt a small, genuine laugh bubble up from her chest. For a moment, the ache of the day — the tension in her shoulders, the quiet loneliness of her empty room — dissipated. It wasn't the kind of advice she needed, not really, but it reminded her why she kept them close. They didn't need to understand karate to understand her.

Jieun's smile turned genuine again, warmth spreading through her chest. And as the conversation drifted on, the glow of the phone's screen felt a little less cold, the room a little less empty.

Moon laughed, her voice soft and melodic. "Anyway, how's Spain? Are the guys there cute? Have you been to one of those rooftop tapas places yet?"

Jieun chuckled, shaking her head. "It's fine. I haven't had much time to explore. Tomorrow's the big day."

Moon pouted, her lips forming a perfect bow. "Boo. You need to live a little, Jiji. Karate is great and all, but Spain is, like, once-in-a-lifetime."

"Yeah," Yasmine chimed in, her tone teasing. "Kick a butt, sure, but also eat a churro or something. Balance, babe."

Their rambling veered into tips for handling stress — none of which were remotely useful. Moon continued to suggest yoga poses she claimed would "align her chakras," while Yasmine confidently recommended deep conditioner to "make you feel unstoppable." Jieun didn't bother explaining that her hair had little to do with her confidence on the mat, but she smiled and nodded all the same.

"It's so cool you're, like, representing all of us," Moon said suddenly, her tone shifting to something more earnest. "I mean, you're literally on a global stage. That's major."

"Yeah," Yasmine added, leaning closer to the screen. "I don't know why you're even worried."

Jieun didn't respond immediately, letting their words sink in. The truth was, she wasn't sure if she was worried. Her emotions felt more like a tangle of threads — anger, determination, exhaustion, and something softer, something she couldn't quite name, perhaps longing for the simplicity of nights like this.

She shifted on the bed, glancing at the empty one beside her. The room had been booked with two beds, clearly expecting another occupant, and though she appreciated the quiet, the empty space had a way of making her feel more alone.

"It's a little more than that," she finally said, her voice softer now. "But thank you, anyways."

"You're going to kill it tomorrow," Moon said with a grin, her face glowing on the screen. "But remember: tapas. And churros. Non-negotiable."

Jieun laughed, a sound that felt like a small relief in her chest. "Okay, okay. Tapas and churros. Got it."

They continued to chatter about the latest drama at school, the conversation light and inconsequential, yet comforting. And as Jieun listened, she felt the tiniest thread of peace weave its way through her tangled emotions.

A knock startled Jieun, breaking the easy rhythm of Moon and Yasmine's playful banter. She glanced at the time on her phone screen: it was late — too late for casual visits. Her brows furrowed in mild confusion as she sat up, the glow from her phone casting soft light against her face.

"Uh, who's knocking at this hour?" Moon asked, leaning closer to her screen as if she could peer through it into Jieun's room.

"Maybe it's room service?" Yasmine suggested, but the tone of her voice turned sly as she added, "Or the start of a slasher movie. You know, the part where the sweet, unsuspecting girl answers the door..."

"Oh my god, shut up," Moon said, swatting at Yasmine with one hand.

Jieun shook her head, her lips quirking into a small smile despite herself. "You two are ridiculous," she said, rising from the bed. She padded quietly across the plush hotel carpet, the chill of the air conditioning brushing her skin as she approached the door.

The girls fell silent for a moment, but as soon as they heard the faint creak of her floorboards, the teasing resumed.

"What if it's someone mysterious," Yasmine whispered loudly. "Like, a handsome stranger —"

"Or a ghost!" Moon interjected, grinning mischievously.

"Please don't jinx me," Jieun muttered, peering through the peephole.

The tension that had been gathering in her shoulders evaporated when she saw who it was. Robby. He stood in the hallway, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his hoodie, his hair slightly mussed as if he'd been running his fingers through it. When he noticed the movement on the other side of the door, his lips curved into a faint, familiar smile.

"It's just Robby," Jieun said, her voice soft but tinged with amusement.

From her phone came a chorus of exaggerated oohs and giggles.

"Just Robby?" Yasmine teased, her grin audible even through the call. "That's suspiciously casual for someone you always —"

"Don't even start," Jieun said quickly, rolling her eyes as she reached for the doorknob.

"Oh la la," Moon chimed in, giggling alongside Yasmine.

"Good night," Jieun said, her voice pointed but not unkind.

Before either of them could escalate their antics, she ended the call with a tap and set her phone down on the desk by the door. A soft exhale escaped her lips as she opened it.

Robby smiled as soon as the door swung inward, the kind of smile that felt steady and grounding, even in the quiet chaos of the day. "Hey," he said, his voice low and easy.

"Hey," Jieun replied, leaning lightly against the doorframe.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other. The noise of the world outside the hotel — Barcelona's restless energy — seemed muted here, replaced by the soft hum of the hallway's overhead lights. Robby's presence, as always, was a calming counterpoint to the turbulence she carried inside her.

"You're up late," Jieun said, her tone light, though her eyes searched his face.

"So are you," he countered with a small shrug, but there was warmth in his voice.

She stepped aside, holding the door open a little wider. "Come in before Yasmine's prediction comes true and a ghost shows up in the hallway."

Robby chuckled softly, stepping past her and into the room. "A ghost, huh? Sounds like she's been watching too many movies."

"Always," Jieun said, closing the door behind him. "But she's usually not wrong."

He raised an eyebrow at that, his curiosity momentarily piqued, but then he shook his head, smiling again. "Well, let's hope tonight's the exception."

The room felt different with him in it — less hollow, less cold. As he stood there, hands still casually tucked into his hoodie pockets, it struck her again how easy it was to be around him, how his presence seemed to smooth the jagged edges of her thoughts.

Robby smiled at her, one of those slow, thoughtful smiles that reached his eyes and made Jieun feel seen in a way that disarmed her defenses. "It feels like I haven't seen you all day," he said, his tone gentle, almost wistful.

Jieun tilted her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "You did see me," she countered lightly. "At practice. In the lobby. The aquarium where you gambled your room away..."

"Doesn't count," Robby said, shaking his head as he stepped closer. "You were with everyone else. Busy. Distracted. This feels different."

The sincerity in his voice gave her pause, and for a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioning and the occasional creak of footsteps from the floor above. Robby was right. There was something different about this quiet moment, something that felt softer, more intimate.

Jieun glanced down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweatshirt. "I guess... I have been a little distracted," she admitted. "There's just so much going on."

"I know," he said, his voice quiet but steady. He moved closer, closing the small distance between them, and gently reached for her hand. His touch was warm, grounding, and she felt her breath catch as his fingers curled around hers.

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face, and found nothing but patience and understanding in his gaze. It was as if he was telling her, Take your time. I'm here.

Jieun hesitated, but the words she had been holding back all day — maybe longer — began to rise to the surface. "It's just... everything feels so heavy," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "The tournament, the pressure, the team... Tory."

Robby nodded, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. He didn't rush her, didn't try to fill the silence. He simply waited, his presence steady and unyielding, like a harbor in a storm.

"She was my best friend," Jieun continued, her voice trembling slightly. "I just wanted to be there for her, to help her the way I thought she needed. And now she's — she's on their side." Her breath hitched, and she looked away, her free hand coming up to press against her temple. "I feel so stupid, Robby."

"You're not stupid," he said softly, his voice steady but firm.

Jieun shook her head, her eyes stinging. "It feels like it. I forfeited my chance at leading the team, and now she's with Cobra Kai. What was the point?"

"The point," Robby said, his voice gentle but resolute, "was that you cared. You cared about your best friend enough to put her first, even when it cost you something huge. That's not stupid, Jiji. That's brave."

She looked at him, her throat tightening at the sincerity in his words. "But what if I was wrong? What if she didn't want me to fight for her?"

Robby shook his head. "You weren't wrong. You did what you thought was right, and that's all any of us can do."

Jieun blinked, a single tear slipping down her cheek. Robby reached up, brushing it away with the pad of his thumb. His touch was so gentle it made her chest ache.

"I'm not as strong as everyone thinks I am," she admitted, her voice barely audible.

"Jiji," Robby said, his tone soft but unwavering. "You're one of the strongest people I've ever met. But even strong people need someone to lean on sometimes. It doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, she let herself lean into the comfort of his presence, her hand tightening around his. For the first time in what felt like ages, she felt the weight on her chest lighten, just a little.

Jieun leaned back, propping herself, though her hand remained snugly entwined with Robby's. A glimmer of mischief danced in her eyes as she tilted her head and smirked. "So, was this your plan all along?" she asked, her tone light and teasing. "Using all that charm to weasel your way into my room because you couldn't handle the frat house vibes in your own?"

Robby's lips parted in mock offense, though the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth betrayed him. "Wow, that's what you think of me? You really believe I'd stoop to such low tactics?"

Jieun raised an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me you're not stuck in there with four other guys, elbowing each other for space like it's a karate free-for-all?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Okay, yeah, maybe sharing a room with Miguel, Eli, and Demetri isn't exactly ideal. Demetri snores, Hawk hogs the bathroom, and Miguel keeps trying to convince me to binge some show about space cowboys —"

"Cowboy Bebop," Jieun interjected knowingly, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, that one," Robby said with a shrug. "But no, that's not why I came here." His voice softened slightly, though his grin didn't fade entirely. "I just... wanted to see you. That's all."

Jieun rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't stop her cheeks from warming. "Uh-huh. Sure. And the fact that I have a whole extra bed in here has nothing to do with it."

"Nothing at all," he said, leaning back against the wall, a sly twinkle in his eye. "But, you know, now that you mention it..."

She reached over and smacked his arm lightly, laughing. "I knew it! You're such a freeloader."

"Freeloader is crazy." he echoed, feigning shock. "I come here out of the goodness of my heart, just to check on you, and this is the thanks I get?"

Jieun shrugged, biting back a grin. "You're not doing a great job defending yourself here."

"Okay, fine," Robby conceded, leaning in closer, his tone dropping to something quieter, more conspiratorial. "But can you blame me? This room's way better than ours. It's clean, quiet, smells nice —"

Jieun arched an eyebrow. She laughed again, the sound light and easy, and for a moment, all the heaviness she'd been carrying melted away. But then he shifted closer, their hands still loosely clasped, and the air between them grew softer, almost expectant. His gaze lingered on her, warm and steady, and her laughter faded into a quiet smile.

"You know," he murmured, his voice low, "I really did just want to see you."

Jieun swallowed, her heart skipping a beat. "You're here now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah," Robby replied, leaning in slightly, his eyes flickering to hers and then to her lips. "I am."

She didn't pull away. Didn't want to. The world outside her room — the tournament, the pressure, the chaos — faded into nothing. All she could focus on was the warmth of his hand, the way his thumb brushed against hers, and the steady closeness of him, as if he were the only constant in a sea of uncertainty.

When his lips met hers, it was gentle at first, a question rather than a statement. But as she leaned into him, her free hand reaching up to rest lightly against his chest, the kiss deepened, slow and unhurried, like the calm of waves lapping at the shore.

When they finally broke apart, Jieun stayed close, her forehead resting against his, a small, shy smile tugging at her lips.

"So," she said, her voice soft but teasing, "was that part of your plan too?"

Robby laughed quietly, his breath warm against her skin. "No," he admitted, his grin widening. "But I'm not complaining."

Jieun rolled her eyes again but didn't move away, content to stay in the quiet comfort of the moment.

THE ROOM WAS A CRUCIBLE, THE air thick with tension that thrummed like an unseen current between the assembled competitors. The dim lighting cast jagged shadows across the concrete walls, and the faint hum of overhead fluorescents buzzed like the anticipation in every fighter's chest.

Jieun stood among her team, her arms loose at her sides but her posture sharp, deliberate. Around her, the others shifted on their feet, whispering strategies or cracking knuckles, their energy like coiled springs waiting to release.

The announcer's voice cut through the tension, smooth but edged with authority. "The time has come. Welcome to our first event. I hope you're all well-rested and ready for a new and unique competition. We call it the Captain's War."

Jieun's heart didn't skip, didn't race; it merely settled, steady as a war drum. Across the room, through the shifting bodies and nervous movements, her eyes found Tory. Her former best friend stood surrounded by the unmistakable black-and-red Cobra Kai uniforms, but her stance was solitary, her gaze fixed. Tory's face betrayed something fleeting — a tremor of emotion, sadness maybe — but it was gone just as quickly as it came.

Jieun, in contrast, was immovable. She stood tall, her shoulders squared, and her expression was carved from stone. It wasn't anger, nor sadness — it was resolve, pure and unyielding.

Tory recognized it instantly and felt the faintest shiver run down her spine. She had seen this before, this silent ferocity, when Jieun had been her teammate, her friend. It had terrified her then, and it terrified her now.

The announcer's voice brought everyone back to the moment. "We told you how important your captains will be. So let's see how well you protect them. Four dojos will take the mat. Only one will be left standing. If you hit the mat, you're out. If one of your captains hits the mat, your entire team is out for this round."

A faint murmur rippled through the crowd, the weight of the stakes settling over them like a lead blanket. Jieun exhaled, a quiet, measured sigh. Her mind snapped to their training sessions with Sensei Chozen, his words clear in her memory: Protect the egg. Every move you make should shield the egg.

She glanced at Sam, their team's official captain, who was rolling her shoulders and nodding silently to herself. Sam caught Jieun's eye and smiled faintly, though it was laced with nerves.

The announcer gestured toward a towering digital board, its neon letters flickering like sparks. "Check the boards to see your group, decided by random draw. Group A, you're up."

All eyes turned upward as the board's display flickered, shifting through dojo names like a slot machine. For a moment, there was nothing but the hum of the machinery and the collective breath of every competitor. Then, the names locked into place, and the room seemed to exhale all at once.

Miyagi-Do. Falchi della Notte. Iron Dragons. Cobra Kai.

The last name lingered like a shadow over the room, and Daniel LaRusso's voice broke the silence, low but carrying. "Cobra Kai, of course," he muttered, folding his arms tightly.

Jieun felt the corner of her lip twitch — not quite a smile, but close. She didn't need to look at Tory again to feel her gaze; she could sense it, heavy and conflicted, even from across the room. Her focus, however, remained forward, her feet rooted and ready.

Sensei Chozen's training replayed in her mind: Stay calm, but stay vigilant. Your opponent's weakness will reveal itself if you don't rush. She inhaled deeply, letting the oxygen flood her chest, and gave a sharp nod to Sam.

Daniel and Johnny exchanged a few words in hushed tones, but the Miyagi-Do team had already begun to form up instinctively, their years of discipline falling into place. Jieun moved to the front, her stance wide, ready.

The mat loomed ahead, an expanse of pristine white framed by steel barricades. This was where it would all happen — the first strike, the first fall. The captain's war wasn't just about strength; it was about strategy, about precision, and above all, unity.

Jieun's eyes flicked back to Tory one last time, just for a moment. The sadness was still there, but so was something harder, something desperate. Jieun clenched her fists, feeling the slight resistance of the wraps beneath her gloves. If Tory wanted a fight, she'd get one.

As the teams moved toward their positions, the announcer's voice rang out again, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Captains, step forward. Fighters, protect your leaders."

The Miyagi-Do team circled up, their faces shadowed by the weight of the moment. The muffled roar of the crowd beyond the mat reached their ears like distant thunder, but inside the huddle, all was sharp focus. Miguel stood at the center, his eyes scanning the group with a calm authority. "Let them come to us," he said, his voice steady but firm. "Protect the egg. We need to make sure Sam and Robby are safe."

Robby frowned, his arms crossing instinctively over his chest. "I can be on the front line," he offered, his tone clipped but earnest.

Miguel shook his head immediately, the hint of a smile softening his words. "No. You just stay back and stay focused."

Robby's jaw tightened, his eyebrows furrowing. "Why wouldn't I be focused?"

Miguel raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "You did leave the hotel room last night."

There was a beat of silence as everyone turned toward Robby, eyebrows raised, expressions ranging from mild curiosity to outright incredulity. The atmosphere shifted slightly, a thread of levity weaving into the tension. Robby opened his mouth to respond, his cheeks flushing, but before he could defend himself, Jieun coughed — a deliberate, sharp sound that cut through the moment like a blade.

"All we have to do is keep the wall standing," she said, her voice low but steady, commanding their attention. Her eyes were calm, her tone thoughtful. "We know Cobra Kai, they're gonna come after us first just..." She eyed everyone, "don't falter."

The team nodded, her words sinking in. Even Miguel's shoulders eased, and Sam offered a faint, encouraging smile. Robby's expression softened, his defensive posture melting away as he exhaled.

"She's right," Sam said, her voice quiet but certain. "Let's just stick to the plan."

"Exactly," Jieun added, her gaze sweeping over the group. "We protect the egg. And we win. Everything else is just noise."

The announcer's voice crackled through the loudspeaker, sharp and commanding. "Ready..."

Jieun inhaled deeply, the breath filling her chest and steadying her heartbeat. She opened her eyes, the world sharpening into crystalline focus. Across the mat, the Cobra Kai team was already in motion, their formation fluid and predatory. At their forefront was Tory, her movements deliberate, her eyes locked on Jieun like a hawk tracking its prey.

"Begin!"

The word barely finished echoing before Tory was on them, her fist slicing through the air toward Jieun's face. Jieun pivoted smoothly, the motion natural as water flowing around a rock. Tory's punch skimmed past her cheek, and Jieun retaliated with a quick, calculated sidekick aimed at Tory's ribs.

Tory blocked it with an almost feral grin, the force of their clash reverberating through the mat. "Still quick on your feet," Tory muttered, her tone laced with something between admiration and challenge.

Jieun didn't respond. Her focus was absolute, her movements precise. Tory came at her again, feinting high with her fist before spinning low with a sweeping kick. Jieun jumped, her feet leaving the ground just long enough to avoid the strike before landing softly, her balance unwavering.

Around them, chaos erupted. Fighters from all four dojos clashed in a whirl of kicks and punches, the air filled with the sharp sounds of impact and the muffled thud of bodies hitting the mat. Miguel and Eli moved in tandem, their coordination honed through years of training. Miguel faced off against another fighter, his strikes sharp and unrelenting, while Demetri and Eli kept an eye on Sam, intercepting any threats that came too close.

Robby stayed near the back, his stance wide and ready, his focus trained on Sam and Jieun. His eyes flicked toward Tory for a moment, his expression unreadable, but he quickly shifted his attention back to the fight.

Tory pressed forward, her strikes relentless, each movement calculated to push Jieun back. But Jieun didn't give ground. She met every punch, every kick, with a counter of her own, her movements fluid and unyielding.

Tory's eyes flashed, and she lunged forward, her movements faster now, more aggressive. Jieun sidestepped, her footwork precise, and used Tory's momentum to throw her off balance. Tory stumbled but recovered quickly, spinning around with a roundhouse kick aimed at Jieun's head.

Jieun ducked, the kick slicing through the air above her. She used the momentum of her dodge to drive forward, her elbow striking toward Tory's midsection. Tory twisted at the last second, the blow grazing her side but not enough to take her down.

The roar of the crowd filled the room like the tide rushing into a cavern, a relentless force that seemed to press against the walls and seep into the mat. Jieun could hear it, but it was distant, as if she were underwater. All she could focus on was Tory.

They were locked in a rhythm now, their movements fluid and fierce, two tides clashing in a storm. Tory's strikes came fast and furious, her fists and feet snapping through the air like lightning. Jieun met her with calm precision, each block and counter-strike a deliberate choice.

Tory lunged with a punch aimed at Jieun's torso, and Jieun sidestepped, using the momentum to sweep her leg low. Tory stumbled but recovered quickly, her eyes narrowing.

Tory came at her again, a spinning kick aimed high. Jieun ducked, her body moving instinctively, and in a split second, she countered with a sharp jab that nearly connected with Tory's shoulder. It was the opening she had been waiting for. Her muscles coiled as she prepared to strike, her breath steady —

And then Yoon entered the fray.

Jieun barely had time to register the movement before Yoon was beside her, his presence like a sudden shadow. His fist came at her from the left, forcing her to pivot away from Tory. The blow missed, but it was enough to throw her off balance, enough to give Tory time to recover.

"Two against one?" Jieun muttered under her breath, her eyes flicking between Tory and Yoon. "Really?"

"You're good," Yoon said with a sly grin, circling her like a predator. "But no one's that good."

Tory stayed silent, her focus unwavering. She darted in again, her strikes more calculated now, her movements perfectly synchronized with Yoon's. It was a coordinated assault, their attacks coming from different angles, forcing Jieun to split her attention.

Jieun fought to keep up, her body a blur of motion as she blocked and countered, her instincts kicking into overdrive. She twisted away from Yoon's punch, only to meet Tory's kick head-on. The impact rattled through her bones, but she held her ground, refusing to let them push her back.

Across the mat, another battle raged. Robby faced Kwon, their fight brutal and unrelenting. Kwon's strikes were sharp and precise, his movements almost mechanical in their efficiency. Robby countered with equal ferocity, his punches and kicks landing with a force that echoed across the room.

The two captains moved like opposing storms, their clash drawing the eyes of the crowd. But Kwon had been waiting for his moment.

"You fight like you just learned," Kwon said, his voice cutting through the noise.

Robby's expression didn't change, but his jaw tightened.

Kwon smirked. "But not like your girlfriend. She's got moves." His eyes flicked toward Jieun for just a second. "I wouldn't mind teaching her a few more."

It was a calculated jab, and it hit its mark.

Robby's composure faltered, his focus wavering just enough for Kwon to strike. He lunged, his arm snaking around Robby's neck in a headlock. Robby struggled, his fists hammering against Kwon's ribs in a desperate attempt to break free. The blows landed with brutal force, and Kwon's grip loosened for just a moment.

Robby took the opening, twisting out of the headlock and spinning to face Kwon. His fist shot forward, aimed squarely at Kwon's jaw.

But Kwon was ready. He sidestepped, his arm hooking around Robby's torso. In one swift motion, he lifted Robby off the ground and slammed him onto the mat with a thunderous crash.

The referee's whistle pierced the air. "Miyagi-Do is eliminated!"

The words hung in the air like a death knell.

Jieun froze for a fraction of a second, the sound of the whistle cutting through the chaos around her. She turned just in time to see Robby on the mat, Kwon standing over him, his expression smug.

The Miyagi-Do team groaned in unison, the sound heavy with frustration and disbelief. Miguel punched the mat, his fist thudding against the surface. Hawk sat back, shaking his head, while Demetri muttered something under his breath, his voice tight with anger.

Jieun's grip faltered, and Tory took advantage. Her fist connected with Jieun's side, the impact forcing her to step back. But it didn't matter anymore. The match was over.

Tory hesitated, her hand dropping to her side as she stepped back. For a moment, their eyes met. There was no triumph in Tory's gaze, only a hollow sort of regret.

The room fell into an uneasy hush, broken only by the sharp echoes of footsteps on the mat. Jieun's breath hitched as she leaned forward, her body tense, every nerve attuned to the scene unfolding before her.

The Iron Dragons stood in formation like statues hewn from stone, their movements disciplined, deliberate, and unyielding. All six of them were still in play — a testament to their strategy, their resilience. Across from them stood the remnants of Cobra Kai, battle-worn and visibly rattled.

Kwon, Yoon, and Tory exchanged glances, their faces slick with sweat, their chests rising and falling with labored breaths. They hadn't expected to be here, hadn't prepared for the Iron Dragons' sheer dominance. Jieun could see it in their eyes, a flicker of doubt that hadn't been there before. But Cobra Kai was nothing if not relentless, and when the whistle sounded, they surged forward with the same ferocity that defined them.

The Iron Dragons didn't flinch. They didn't even move. Instead, four of their fighters stepped to the side, a clean and calculated retreat that revealed their captains. Jieun's stomach twisted. It was genius, and it infuriated her. She wanted to beat herself up for not thinking of it sooner.

The captains of the Iron Dragons stepped forward, their presence magnetic. They stood tall, broad-shouldered, and imposing, with the kind of confidence that made the air around them hum with menace. Their expressions were unreadable, their bodies coiled like springs ready to snap. This wasn't just strategy — it was a performance, a declaration of superiority that left no room for doubt.

Cobra Kai hesitated, their charge faltering as they assessed the new dynamic. Kwon barked something to Yoon and Tory, his voice sharp and urgent, but the damage was done. The Iron Dragons had shifted the momentum entirely in their favor, and the room seemed to tilt under the weight of it.

Jieun felt her jaw tighten as she watched Kwon lunge forward, his strikes powerful but reckless. He was fighting like a cornered animal, all instinct and aggression, and it wasn't enough. The Iron Dragons' captain deflected his attacks with a calm efficiency that bordered on contempt. Each block and counter felt like a hammer striking an anvil, deliberate and devastating.

Yoon tried to flank them, his movements quick and precise, but the second captain intercepted him with a roundhouse kick that sent him sprawling. Tory was left alone for a heartbeat, her fists clenched and her body taut with defiance. She charged, her strikes sharp and aggressive, but the Iron Dragons weren't fazed. They moved with the precision of a machine, each attack designed to dismantle her piece by piece.

It was over quickly, brutally. Kwon hit the mat first, the sound of his body colliding with the floor reverberating through the room like a thunderclap. Yoon followed, his groan of frustration barely audible over the cheers of the crowd. Tory fought the longest, her determination keeping her upright even as the odds stacked against her, but eventually, even she couldn't withstand the relentless onslaught.

Jieun watched, her hands balled into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. She wanted to look away, but she couldn't. The Iron Dragons were everything she feared and respected — a team that operated with a singular purpose, their movements as seamless as the flow of water over stone.

When the whistle blew, signaling Cobra Kai's elimination, the Iron Dragons didn't celebrate. They simply stood there, their captains straightening their uniforms with an air of quiet authority. It was almost worse than gloating; it was the kind of confidence that came from knowing they had already won the war before it had even begun.

Jieun exhaled slowly, her breath shaky as she turned to her team. Miguel's jaw was set, his eyes dark with frustration. Sam crossed her arms over her chest, her posture rigid, her gaze fixed on the mat. Demetri muttered something under his breath, his voice tinged with disbelief.

She could feel their disappointment, their unease, and she shared it. How could they hope to beat the Iron Dragons if Cobra Kai had fallen so easily?

The question hung in her mind like a storm cloud, heavy and oppressive.

The Iron Dragons had set the bar, and it was higher than she had ever imagined.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

the first ep was so good but i seriously am on a roll, i already know what i'm going to write for the next ch.

I LITERALLY JUST CANT WAIT FOR EP 10 OKAY THAT BRAWL WAS INSANEEEE

a cute lil robby and Fiji moment before it all goes to shit

ALSO DOUBLE UPDATE???

don't know if i'll have the next ch. up tonight, maybe late tomorrow because im going out today but i hope u guys enjoyed the double update !!!

btw. gonna have more zara in this, there wasn't enough in the show and i kinda luv her

much love,