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authors note: wattpad sucks and doesnt wanna publish this so im sorry for all the notifications once it finally does

Marisol sat slouched on the couch in the hotel lobby, her duffel bag sitting at her feet, and a plane ticket gripped tightly in her hand. The low hum of chatter filled the room, mixed with the occasional click of luggage wheels rolling across the polished floor. She stared blankly at the patterned carpet, her thoughts spinning. Yesterday's events at the Sekai Taikai still weighed heavily on her-Cobra Kai had been eliminated because of Tory's mistake. The entire team was reeling, and Marisol... well, she didn't know what to feel anymore.

The anxiety that had driven her out of the arena yesterday lingered, but there was also a strange sense of relief. Maybe this was fate's way of forcing her to stop pretending she was fine being part of Cobra Kai.

Lost in thought, she almost didn't notice the light footsteps approaching until they stopped right in front of her. She looked up to see Mila standing there, her younger sister's expression caught somewhere between concern and hesitation.

"Hey..." Mila said softly, her voice almost tentative.

Marisol offered a faint smile, patting the seat beside her. "Hi."

Mila sat down, tucking one leg underneath her as she looked at her sister. "How are you holding up?" she asked, her voice gentle but curious.

Marisol shrugged, her fingers nervously toying with the strap of her bag. "I'm... okay, I guess. Just trying to wrap my head around everything."

Mila tilted her head, studying her for a moment before nudging her shoulder lightly. "You sure? You look like you've been overthinking this all night."

Marisol let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "That obvious, huh?"

"Pretty much."

The sisters sat in silence for a beat, the hotel lobby bustling around them. Finally, Marisol took a deep breath and glanced at Mila. "Listen... I wanted to say I'm sorry."

Mila blinked in surprise. "For what?"

"For being a total bitch to you lately," Marisol said, her voice quieter now. "You didn't deserve that. I've been so caught up in my own crap that I didn't think about how I was treating you."

Mila's expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze her sister's arm. "It's okay. I know you've had a lot going on with Cobra Kai and everything. I get it."

Marisol sighed. "That's not an excuse. You're my little sister, Mila. You've always had my back, and I should've had yours too. I'm sorry."

Mila smiled warmly. "Thanks, Marisol. And for what it's worth, I forgive you. Besides..." She gave her sister a pointed look. "You can make it up to me by switching back to Miyagi-Do. Therese told me she's still open to giving you your spot back."

Marisol shook her head, leaning back against the couch. "No. I'm not going back. That chapter's closed for me."

Mila frowned slightly but nodded. "Okay, but... can I ask why?"

Marisol hesitated, her gaze flicking down to her hands. "There's something I need to tell you. It's about Mom-"

Before she could finish, Mila's attention shifted to something-or someone-behind her. "Wait. Who's that?" Mila asked, pointing across the room.

Marisol followed her sister's gaze and saw Axel standing near the hotel entrance. He was leaning casually against the wall, his hands in his jacket pockets, but his eyes were fixed on her. A small smile tugged at Marisol's lips.

"That's Axel," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of warmth.

Mila's eyes widened in recognition. "Wait a minute. That's the guy Hawk's so jealous of?" She let out a short laugh. "Okay, I have to meet him."

Marisol's eyes widened, and she reached out to grab Mila's arm. "Mila, no! Don't-"

But her sister was already up and walking toward Axel, her confidence radiating as she approached him.

Marisol groaned, dragging a hand down her face before reluctantly following. By the time she caught up, Mila was already talking a mile a minute.

"Hi, I'm Mila," she said brightly. "I'm Marisol's little sister. So, when are you going to ask her out?"

Axel blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before glancing at Marisol. "Uh... I was kind of waiting for the right time," he said, his usual cool demeanor wavering slightly.

"Well, no time like the present," Mila said, grinning mischievously.

"Mila," Marisol groaned, her voice low and warning.

Axel chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked at Marisol. "So, uh... what do you think?"

Marisol froze, her heart hammering in her chest. She glanced across the room, and that's when she saw him. Hawk was standing near the vending machines, his eyes locked on them. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his stance was obvious.

For a moment, Marisol's resolve wavered. She and Hawk had a history-one that was messy and unresolved-but she knew where she stood now. It was time to stop looking back.

A small, nervous smile spread across her lips as she turned to Axel. "Yeah," she said softly. "Let's do it."

Axel's face lit up with a grin. "So... does that mean you'll be my girlfriend?"

Marisol nodded, feeling her nerves give way to a fluttering warmth. "Yeah," she said again, more firmly this time.

Without hesitation, Axel stepped closer and leaned in. Their lips met in a kiss that was sweet and unhurried, but it still sent a jolt of excitement through her.

When they pulled apart, Mila was already cheering. "Yes! I knew it!" she exclaimed, sticking her tongue out at Hawk, who was still watching from across the room.

Marisol shot her sister a glare, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Mila, could you not make this more awkward than it already is?"

"What?" Mila said innocently, her grin wide and unapologetic. "I'm just helping things along."

Marisol shook her head, laughing softly despite herself. She glanced back at Axel, who was still smiling at her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like things were starting to fall into place.

The hotel lobby was buzzing with anticipation as teams from all over the world gathered, their excitement dampened by the serious tone set by Gunther Braun, the head of the Sekai Taikai committee. Marisol stood amidst the Cobra Kai group, feeling the tension in the air. She adjusted the strap of her gi, her fingers nervously fiddling as Gunther stepped forward, his expression grim.

"My apologies for summoning you all like this," Gunther began, his voice carrying over the quiet murmur of the crowd. "But under the circumstances, it was necessary. The Sekai Taikai has a long and honorable tradition. We fight hard, but we fight fair. That's why I'm saddened to announce that one of the dojos here has tarnished that tradition by cheating."

The words hung heavy in the air, silencing the room. Fighters exchanged confused glances, whispers bubbling up from the different groups. Marisol turned to Tory, who stood stiffly beside her. They exchanged a worried look, but neither said a word. Marisol's gaze then drifted across the room to Axel, standing confidently with his team, the Iron Dragons. He caught her eye and shrugged, his expression unreadable.

Gunther's tone sharpened as he turned abruptly toward one of the senseis. "Sensei Ivanov," he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

Sensei Ivanov's eyes widened in shock, his posture stiffening. "What is this about?" he demanded, his thick accent laced with defensiveness.

Gunther continued, his words heavy with authority. "Four of your students have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Marisol's eyebrows shot up in disbelief as her mouth fell open slightly. She exchanged another glance with Tory, who looked equally stunned.

"You are hereby eliminated," Gunther declared firmly.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Sensei Ivanov snapped, his voice rising with anger.

"You're hereby removed from our finalists," Gunther repeated, his tone calm but unyielding.

"Bullshit!" Ivanov snarled, stepping closer to Gunther. "Why don't you come over here and remove me yourself?"

"Sensei Ivanov!" Gunther barked, his face hardening as his voice echoed through the lobby. Marisol felt a shiver run down her spine as she tried to process the escalating situation.

Gunther took a step forward, glaring at Ivanov. "Consider yourself fortunate that your dojo wasn't banned forever. Continue this behavior, and that could be arranged easily!"

Ivanov glared daggers at Gunther, his jaw tight with barely restrained rage. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed off, motioning for his team to follow. The Russian fighters trailed after him, their heads down, their faces a mix of shame and frustration.

Marisol exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her gaze flicking toward her sister, Mila, who stood with the Miyagi-Do group. Mila's expression mirrored the shock Marisol felt, her wide eyes darting nervously between the Cobra Kai team and their rivals.

Gunther turned back to the crowd, his voice losing none of its edge. "Replacing Udar Tigra will be the dojo with the next highest point total: Cobra Kai."

Cheers erupted from the Cobra Kai team, their members clapping each other on the back and exchanging excited grins. Marisol and Tory, however, stood frozen. Marisol's stomach churned uneasily as she glanced at Mila, who frowned and shook her head, her disapproval clear.

"And on a more positive note," Gunther continued, "we'll now announce the draws for our semifinals." He was handed a stack of cards, which he opened one by one. "In our girls' bracket, the first semifinal will be Maria Alvarez versus Zara Malik. And in the second match..." He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes scanning the room. "That will pit Marisol Cervantes against Samantha LaRusso."

Marisol's breath caught in her throat as her eyes found Sam across the room. Sam's grimace was unmistakable, and Marisol felt her stomach twist further. Memories of their past flashed in her mind-of shared laughs, quiet moments, and the bitter end of their relationship.

Gunther moved on, oblivious to the emotional storm brewing within her. "In our boys' bracket," he announced, "our first semifinal match will be Diego Aguilar versus Kwon Jae-Sung. And our second semifinal match will pit Axel Kovacevic against Robby Keene."

Marisol's gaze darted to Axel, who seemed unfazed, his arms crossed casually as he nodded to his teammates. Then, almost instinctively, her eyes shifted to Robby, who stood beside Mila. His expression was hard to read, a mix of determination and mild frustration.

"Good luck to all our semifinalists," Gunther concluded, stepping back. "We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at the venue."

As Gunther walked off, the lobby erupted into a mix of chatter and excitement. Marisol, however, felt rooted in place, her thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety and uncertainty. Cobra Kai had made it to the semifinals, but at what cost? And facing Sam-her ex-girlfriend-was a challenge she hadn't prepared herself for, on or off the mat.

The next day, the atmosphere at the Sekai Taikai venue was electric. The crowd buzzed with excitement, the tension palpable in the air. Marisol stood backstage, her muscles tight with nerves, despite her best efforts to maintain her composure. She could hear the cheers from the crowd echoing through the hall as fighters prepared for their matches.

Marisol adjusted her gi, smoothing it down before glancing over at the other side of the arena. Across the room, Sam LaRusso stood in her own corner, stretching, her jaw clenched in concentration. Marisol couldn't deny the rush of conflicting emotions that swept over her as her eyes met Sam's. The history between them wasn't something that could be easily erased, and the match ahead of them wasn't just about karate-it was about everything they had lost and everything they never got to say.

Her heartbeat quickened as she took a deep breath, trying to focus on the present, on the fight that was about to unfold. This was the Sekai Taikai semifinal. This was the moment she had worked so hard for, and she couldn't afford to let her personal history with Sam distract her.

"Marisol," Axel's voice broke through her thoughts, and she looked up to find him standing nearby, his face serious but encouraging. "You've got this."

She nodded, offering him a small, thankful smile. Axel had been a steady presence in her life lately, someone who had been there when things were tough. He gave her a quick pat on the shoulder before walking off to join his team, leaving Marisol to gather herself.

The announcer's voice echoed through the venue, signaling the beginning of the match. "Next up, we have the second semifinal in the girls' bracket. Marisol Cervantes of Cobra Kai versus Samantha LaRusso of Miyagi-Do!"

The crowd erupted into applause, and Marisol felt a surge of adrenaline. Her body was ready, her mind was sharp, but her heart... her heart was still tangled with everything that had happened.

Marisol stepped forward, walking toward the center of the mat. She kept her gaze fixed ahead, avoiding looking at Sam directly for too long. She needed to focus, and if she let herself get lost in old feelings, she knew she would lose.

Sam approached from the other side, her face set in determination. She looked different-older, more mature in some ways-but the fire in her eyes was the same as it always had been. The fire that had once drawn Marisol to her in the first place.

The referee called them to the center of the mat, and Marisol gave a brief nod, bowing toward Sam. Sam did the same, her movements tight but respectful.

"Fight!" the referee shouted, and immediately, the energy between them shifted.

Marisol moved first, her body flowing into the familiar rhythm of a strike. Sam blocked with ease, countering with a quick jab that Marisol narrowly avoided. The two girls danced around each other in a rapid exchange of strikes and blocks. Every punch, every kick was precise and intentional. This was not just a fight-it was a battle of wills.

The crowd's cheers blurred into the background as Marisol focused on Sam's movements. She could see the intensity in Sam's eyes, but there was something more-something personal. Marisol knew that Sam wasn't just fighting for the win. She was fighting for something else, something unresolved between them.

But Marisol couldn't let that cloud her judgment. She had to push forward.

In one swift movement, Marisol feigned a high kick and then swept her leg low, catching Sam off guard. Sam stumbled, and Marisol seized the opportunity. With a quick, fluid motion, she landed a precise strike to Sam's midsection, sending her off-balance.

The crowd gasped, and Marisol held her breath, waiting for Sam to recover. She didn't want to hurt her-she didn't want any of this. But this was the Sekai Taikai. There were no second chances.

Sam recovered quickly, her face a mask of determination as she squared off with Marisol again. She moved faster this time, her strikes sharper, more desperate. Marisol blocked and dodged, her own exhaustion beginning to show as the fight wore on.

But she refused to back down.

In a final burst of energy, Marisol saw her opening. Sam threw a punch that Marisol easily dodged, and with a quick twist of her body, she landed a powerful blow to Sam's chest.

The impact sent Sam stumbling backward, and the referee immediately stepped forward, raising his hand. "Winner-Marisol Cervantes!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, but Marisol barely heard them. Her chest heaved with exhaustion, and she took a moment to steady herself, her heart pounding in her chest.

She looked over at Sam, who was slowly getting to her feet. The two locked eyes, and for a moment, the tension between them felt almost palpable. But there was no animosity in Sam's gaze, just a quiet respect.

Marisol offered her a small, almost apologetic smile, and Sam nodded slightly in return, her expression unreadable but not angry.

As Marisol stepped back and raised her hand in victory, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just another chapter in their complicated story. But for now, she had won. And maybe, just maybe, it was time to let go of the past and move forward.

Marisol walked down the hallway, water bottle in hand, trying to shake off the remnants of her adrenaline after the intense semifinal match with Sam. She felt a rush of relief and accomplishment, but something in her gut told her that things weren't done yet. She had barely made it back into the main area when the noise hit her like a wave.

"What the fuck?" she muttered under her breath as she stepped back into the fray, eyes scanning the chaos unfolding before her. The gymnasium had erupted into a full-blown brawl. Kids from every dojo were fighting, some already on the ground, others throwing punches and kicks at each other. It was a blur of movement and noise-shouting, grunts, the sound of fists hitting flesh, and the clatter of feet on the mats.

Before she could take another step, someone came charging toward her. Without warning, a boy from another dojo kicked her hard in the stomach. The force of the impact sent her flying back, and she hit the mat with a painful thud. Gasping for air, she struggled to push herself up, her vision slightly blurry.

"Shit..." she muttered, groaning as she steadied herself, trying to ignore the ache in her ribs.

Her eyes then caught sight of Axel, who had clearly seen what happened. Without hesitation, he grabbed a hold of Hawk by the collar of his gi and threw him to the ground with surprising strength. Hawk grunted as he hit the floor, but Axel didn't pause for a second. He charged at the boy who had kicked Marisol, taking him down with a vicious tackle that sent them both sprawling to the ground. Axel's fists rained down as he wrestled with the boy, his rage obvious in every move.

Marisol blinked, still trying to catch her breath as she watched the fight unfold before her. Axel was powerful and fast, and he seemed to be handling the other guy without much trouble. But there was a part of her that couldn't shake the nagging worry in her gut. This fight wasn't just about karate anymore-it was personal for everyone involved.

She took a step back, still rubbing her stomach, when Axel, having subdued the boy, turned and jogged over to her. His eyes were wide with concern, his hands reaching down toward her.

"Marisol, are you okay?" Axel asked, his voice low but urgent. He knelt beside her, gently checking her over. His touch was careful, but there was an underlying tension in his movements, as if he was still ready for whatever was coming next.

"I'm fine," she replied, but her voice had a sharp edge. "Just-just knocked the wind out of me. I'll be alright."

Before Axel could respond, Marisol's eyes flicked to the side, her heart suddenly racing again. Across the room, Mila was standing in a corner, but she wasn't alone. A group of much older kids had cornered her, and they looked like they were preparing to do more than just intimidate.

Marisol's chest tightened. "I'm sorry," she muttered to Axel, already pushing herself to her feet, her movements quick and determined. "I need to get to her."

Axel looked up, concern flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, Marisol was already dashing toward Mila, her legs pumping beneath her, dodging the ongoing chaos. She couldn't let this happen-not to her sister.

"Mila!" Marisol called out, her voice cutting through the noise as she neared her. Mila's eyes shot up, and her fear was instantly evident. The older kids, at least three of them, had closed in on her, their expressions dark with intent.

Marisol didn't hesitate. She reached Mila just in time to block the first strike aimed at her little sister. One of the older kids, a guy with a scruffy beard, swung a fist at Mila, but Marisol intercepted the blow, her forearm coming up to deflect the punch.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Marisol hissed through gritted teeth, her adrenaline spiking.

The guy sneered at her. "What's it to you, kid? Stay out of it."

Marisol's gaze darkened, and without thinking twice, she aimed a swift kick to the guy's side, sending him stumbling back.

She didn't stop there.

With quick precision, she followed up with another strike-a clean roundhouse kick to another kid's face. He reeled back, hitting the ground with a grunt, and the remaining two guys looked at each other, realizing they were outnumbered and not willing to engage with the two sisters anymore.

"You're lucky," one of them muttered, before backing away with his friends, disappearing into the chaos of the fight around them.

Mila's eyes widened, and she gave Marisol a look of awe. "Damn, you're quick."

Marisol smiled, though it was a strained one. "Don't ever let them corner you like that again."

Mila nodded quickly. "I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to-"

"I know," Marisol cut her off softly. "But next time, call for backup, alright?"

The two exchanged a brief but understanding look, before turning their attention back to the scene unfolding around them.

Marisol's heart was still racing, but as she looked back at Axel, who was watching from a distance, she noticed the slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He gave her a nod of approval.

Marisol and Mila were making their way through the chaos of the gym, still trying to process everything that had happened earlier. The fight had simmered down a bit, but there was still tension hanging in the air. Suddenly, Marisol's eyes locked onto a familiar figure in the center of the commotion-Hawk.

He was standing over a boy who was writhing on the floor, holding his stomach after being thrown into a table. The table was now flipped over, the sound of it crashing echoing through the room. Hawk's expression was intense, his chest heaving as he glared down at the kid, obviously not in the mood for any more fights, but clearly not done with the one he was in.

Mila turned to Marisol, eyes wide. "Oh, hell no. Is that Hawk?" she whispered, sounding almost amused.

Marisol didn't reply right away, her mind racing. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions-anger, confusion, maybe even a bit of hurt. She hadn't talked to Hawk since they broke up, and seeing him like this, so angry and in the middle of everything, stirred something in her.

"Come on, let's go over," Marisol said, her voice low but steady. "This isn't over."

Mila gave her a quick nod, her expression one of reluctance but understanding. Together, they walked toward the scene, their footsteps steady. Hawk didn't notice them at first, too consumed by the fight and the adrenaline.

Marisol cleared her throat, catching Hawk's attention. He slowly turned, his eyes flashing with a mix of surprise and wariness as he saw her approach.

"Mila, Marisol," Hawk said, his voice tight. He stepped back slightly, his hands still clenched into fists, but he didn't make any move to attack.

Mila took a step forward, her eyes darting from the boy on the floor to Hawk, then back to Marisol. "We're sorry, right, Marisol?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone more teasing than sincere.

Marisol's face softened, but she couldn't ignore the mix of emotions swirling inside her. "You hurt me by breaking up with me, Hawk," she said, her voice quieter now, not as aggressive as she had imagined it would be.

Hawk frowned, taking a deep breath. "You hurt me by moving on so quickly. Just like that, you were with Axel," he snapped, his voice sharper now. His gaze flickered to the boy on the floor, then back to Marisol, as if trying to make sense of everything. "You didn't even give me a chance to fix things."

Mila, watching this back-and-forth with growing frustration, let out a small scoff. "Well, I'm still not really sorry for calling both of you out on your bullshit," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "But, you know, if we keep fighting like this, we'll never get anything done."

Marisol glanced at her sister, then back to Hawk. The hurt from their past was still there, lingering in the air between them, but something inside Marisol told her they couldn't keep going around in circles. They had to move forward-together or apart, it didn't matter. But they couldn't keep this tension hanging over them.

"Let's end this fight together, Hawk," Marisol said, her voice firm now. "We've already hurt each other enough."

Hawk looked at her, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The noise of the ongoing fight around them seemed to fade as the two of them stood in a silent standoff. Finally, Hawk nodded, but it wasn't a confident gesture-it was hesitant, uncertain. "Fine," he muttered, still clearly frustrated but willing to let go of the argument.

Before they could say anything else, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them. A few members of other dojos were making their way toward them, looking ready to pick a fight. Marisol's eyes narrowed as she saw them-just what they didn't need right now.

Mila immediately jumped into action, pushing forward to get a better position. "Alright, looks like we're not done yet," she said, her voice full of determination. "We've got to work together, right?"

Hawk stepped up beside Marisol, and without a word, they both fell into a stance, prepared for what was coming next.

The first fighter came charging at them, but Hawk was faster. With a quick, fluid motion, he sent the guy stumbling backward with a clean strike to his chest. Marisol followed up, launching herself at another attacker, landing a well-placed kick to his stomach. The guy doubled over, and she wasted no time bringing him to the ground with a swift leg sweep.

Mila was right behind them, landing a punch to another kid's face and sending him crashing into the nearest wall. "Told you I'd get in on this!" she shouted, laughing as the adrenaline kicked in.

Marisol fought back-to-back with Hawk now, their movements almost synchronized, as if they had done this a hundred times before. The fight around them seemed to fade into the background as they took down attacker after attacker, their combined force overwhelming those who tried to take them down.

The tension in the arena, which had already been thick with the intensity of the competition, reached a breaking point when the scream echoed across the room. It wasn't just a yell of frustration or pain-it was a primal, terrified sound that made the hairs on the back of Marisol's neck stand on end. The room, filled with competitors, coaches, and spectators, suddenly went silent. Every single person turned their gaze toward the source of the scream.

Marisol's heart raced as she locked eyes with Mila, whose expression mirrored her own disbelief. They watched as Kwon, one of the fiercest fighters in the tournament, crumpled to the floor. His body twisted awkwardly, blood slowly beginning to pool around him. The crimson stain spread out like an ominous warning, too vivid to be anything but real.

The silence was deafening, as if the world itself had held its breath. Marisol's stomach churned, a wave of nausea threatening to rise up as her mind scrambled to make sense of what had just happened. This wasn't supposed to happen. They weren't supposed to be in a life-or-death situation. It was just a tournament, just a fight.

The realization hit her like a slap to the face: someone was dead. Someone she had seen fight, someone she had seen compete in the same arena, was now gone.

"Oh my God," Marisol whispered under her breath, the words barely escaping her lips. She wasn't sure if she was speaking to herself or to anyone who could hear her, but they felt hollow, meaningless. There was no right thing to say in a moment like this.

Axel stood not too far away, his gaze fixed on Kwon's lifeless body. His face was pale, drained of color, and his hands trembled slightly as he glanced down at the blood-soaked ground. His usually confident and strong demeanor was shattered, replaced by shock and confusion.

Marisol's legs felt like jelly as she stumbled forward, not thinking, only reacting. She couldn't let Axel face this alone. She needed to know what had happened, how something so brutal could have gone so terribly wrong.

"W-What happened?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly as she reached him. Axel's eyes were distant, unfocused, as if he were still trying to process the horror unfolding before them.

"I-I was fighting him off..." Axel's voice faltered, his words shaky and uneven. "He pulled out a sword, I didn't even know he had it. He did this... this spin kick in the air. I tried to stop him, but he-he fell. Landed on the sword. It was too late."

Marisol's heart dropped into her stomach as she took in Axel's words. The image of Kwon spinning in mid-air, the sword glinting in the light, his fall-all of it played out in her mind in slow motion, and it was too much to comprehend. Kwon had been taken out by a freak accident, something beyond their control. But still, he was gone. The finality of it sank in with a terrible weight.

Before she could say anything, Axel stumbled, his body stiffening as he held back a sob. His face crumpled as if the full weight of what had happened was crashing down on him now that he had spoken the words aloud. Marisol stepped forward, her arms wrapping around him, pulling him into a tight hug. She didn't know what else to do. She didn't know how to fix this. She just needed him to feel her there, to know she wasn't going to leave him to deal with this alone.

Axel stood still for a moment, his body rigid against hers. Then, slowly, he melted into the embrace, his shoulders shaking as he let out a long, shaky breath. His voice was barely above a whisper when he spoke again. "I never meant for this to happen," he murmured, his words filled with regret and helplessness.

"Shh," Marisol whispered softly, trying to comfort him even though she was just as lost and frightened as he was. She didn't have the answers. She didn't have a solution. But she could be here for him. And she would be.

They were interrupted when Daniel LaRusso appeared, his face set in grim determination as he pushed through the crowd that had gathered around the scene. He knelt beside Kwon's lifeless body, his fingers checking for a pulse, but even he knew it was futile. Kwon was gone. There was no saving him.

Marisol watched in disbelief as Daniel rolled Kwon over, his actions quick and professional despite the shock of the situation. The sword was embedded deep in Kwon's chest. Marisol's stomach churned as she realized the severity of the injury. It was too much, too final.

"Is he...?" Mila's voice broke through the haze of disbelief as she stepped forward, eyes wide with horror. She covered her mouth, unable to tear her gaze away from the blood-soaked ground.

Marisol squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the image. But it was too vivid. Too real. She buried her head into Axel's chest, her body shaking as the full weight of the situation crashed down on her. She had never experienced anything like this. She had never thought that a fight-a competition-could turn so deadly.

Gunther's voice cut through the silence like a sharp knife. "Cut it! Cut the feed!" he shouted, looking over at the live camera. The urgency in his voice only added to the chaos that had already erupted. This was no longer just a competition-it was something darker, something far more sinister than any of them had been prepared for.

Marisol felt Axel's arms tighten around her, but the weight of what they had just witnessed lingered in the air. The arena, once filled with excitement and anticipation, was now a place of horror. The others around them, still frozen in shock, slowly began to back away. The loss of life had shifted everything. The tournament, the rivalries, the fights-it was all meaningless now. What mattered was the fact that someone had died, and they were all left to grapple with the aftermath.

And as Marisol held onto Axel, she couldn't shake the thought that they might never be the same after this.

ASH SPEAKS!!

still unsure about the endgame but... this it it. i will see you guys one last time in february for part 3... for the last 5 episodes. then this book will be FULLY completed. please keep this book in your library. i will be back for part 3.

huge cliffhanger.

love you guys<3

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE. IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) STOP BEING A GHOST READER