CHAPTER 36: IT’S A DRAW.

Daniel smiled brightly, trying to mock Aiden. "I don’t think that’s the case, I think you should just agree with me at this point."

He lunged forward again as he completed his sentence—two steps then spin, whip-crack!, it was a roundhouse kick at Aiden’s temple. Aiden tilted his head back just in time for the kick to get past his head.

But, Daniel’s toenail still grazed his nose, Aiden didn’t waste any time—he quickly grabbed Daniel as he drove a quick knee strike into Daniel’s stomach.

THUD!

Daniel staggered back as he coughed once but still maintained that cheerful laugh of his. "Finally broke through my guard, huh? You should actually feel proud—it only took you, uh... around three years, right?" Daniel teased.

Aiden’s voice was flat. "You still talk too much, even after getting kicked straight in the gut."

They clashed with each other once again—fists, knees, and legs came one after another. Aiden’s Muay Thai was raw power—compact, explosive, and it felt like it was made just to break bones.

Daniel’s Taekwondo skills were flowing with energy; they were fluid, high-speed, and unpredictable.

The rhythm of the fight shifted faster and faster, their attacks started syncing with each other in a perfect manner like a deadly dance.

Daniel slowly spun mid-air as his kicks cut the air like blades. Aiden countered each one of his attacks with swift motions of elbows and knees which moved with precision.

Ryan felt his pulse racing with theirs, completely amused by the fight. "They’re unreal... it feels like I’m watching a movie."

Arthur crossed his arms as he said with a low voice. "No, movies exaggerate a lot. The thing which you’re seeing is known as control, you can attain it too with discipline."

Ryan gave a small nod in agreement. "Then I’ve got a long way to reach that level, where you and those two stand."

Aiden caught Daniel’s leg mid-kick as the crowd gasped. But before Aiden could hit his elbow on the knee of Daniel, he twisted—his body flipping midair—and landed behind him.

He spun instantly, his heel brushing past Aiden’s chin, making clear contact with it.

CRACK!

Aiden staggered back, touching his lip where a faint line of blood had appeared, and he smiled—the first real expression that he’d shown during this match.

Daniel gave a small smile as he put his two hands in his pants pockets. "Now that’s the kind of face I missed."

Aiden spat to the side and said quietly. "You’re so loud, you know that?"

And then they both went at it again—faster and harder than before. Aiden’s elbows cut through the air like knives. Daniel’s kicks bent physics with how fast they flew.

Some people in the crowd stood—eyes wide, every shout that they let out had the feeling of excitement. Even the announcer had stopped narrating the match; there was no need for him to do so.

This was Art.

Sweat flew. The air shimmered with heat and movement.Finally, Aiden landed a clean blow—a spinning elbow to Daniel’s jaw. Daniel stumbled but caught himself, laughing through blood.

"You’ve gotten way sharper than before, Aiden. I hate to admit this, but it’s the truth." he said, rolling his neck backward. "But—" he quickly kicked forward, one-two-three, a flurry of kicks so fast that they blurred "I’m still faster and better than you."

Aiden blocked two of those hits, the third slipped through, grazing his shoulder. He exhaled deeply, stepped in closer, and drove his knee right into Daniel’s ribs.

Both grinned at each other—feral, alive, enjoying each and every moment of this fight.

They weren’t competitors, they were rivals—two sides of the same coin, born to clash, destined to rise together.

Arthur looked at the two, a faint smirk appeared on his face. "These two are taking all the fun, tch." The fight between these two had lit up the fire inside of Arthur too.

Ryan was on his feet now, cheering together with the crowd. "They both are fucking insane! How are they even still standing? That’s too much..."

Arthur’s voice was calm, but it was laced with something faintly admiring them. "They both aren’t fighting for victory. They both are fighting to push each other to the brink. That’s what makes them terrifying."

Ryan slowly looked at him, jaw clenched as he asked. "Even for you?"

Arthur smirked as he took a brief moment to reply back. "If they’re both combined, then yeah."

Ryan thought, ’Even for him, what the fuck?’

[Host, let me clarify it for you, he said if both are combined. (˶˃⤙˂˶)]

Both of them broke apart at the same time, panting, bodies trembling with exhaustion. The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, waiting for one of them to fall down.

Indeed, both of them smiled faintly at each other.

Daniel lowered his stance as he brushed his hair with his right hand. "Same as every year, huh?"

Aiden nodded once. "So again it’s a draw?"

"Yeah, it’s a draw." Daniel said, grinning.

They both turned away as they started walking to their respective clubs.

The announcer hesitated for only a moment before lifting his mic to announce the results.

"Ladies and Gentlemen... for the fifth year in a row— this match ends in a DRAW!"

The audience exploded. Cheers, whistles, and applause—it all blended into one storm of sound.Nobody cared about who won. They’d just seen two gods collide.

As Aiden passed Daniel at the edge of the stage, Daniel let out a bright smile as he patted the back of Aiden."You’re still boring as fuck, Lion."

Aiden smirked back. "You’re still as loud and noisy as ever, Dragon."

They both bumped their fists lightly—not as rivals, but as friends who are bound by respect and then stepped down from the ring.

Ryan sat there, staring at them, heart pounding.

’I want that. I want to stand up there; I want to be strong. I want to be the strongest.’

Arthur stood beside him, arms crossed. "I can sense your thoughts; they’re too loud. But, for that, you have to work hard, discipline should be there," he said simply. "You will get there if you keep climbing."

Ryan nodded slowly, his eyes still locked on the stage as the crowd continued to chant their names.