When Violet walked onto the grey cement tile square where her fight would take place, the crowd was far more present than on the other floors. The raised square platforms remained similar to the lower levels. But, there were only four areas designated for fighters instead of several rings in one large auditorium. The size of each was several times larger than her previous fights.

The raised bleachers remained but now angled towards the centre for fan convenience while watching the entertainment. Like a mini-earthquake, cheering shrieks of exhilaration and fight lust reverberated off the walls from the audience. Violet held her composure with focused concentration under the microscope of so many prying eyes.

She spotted the referee, clad in purple with the tell-tale punching fist logo of Heaven's Arena on his chest. Beside him waited the man she was to face. He wore a respectful but locked expression and donned a karategi with his dojo's embroidered symbol pridefully on the front—an orange blossom tree with a black trunk and the roots creating the words 'Strong Foundation to Conquer All'. His triangular jawline and green eyes oozed confidence as much as his body visually displayed it with a squared, ready-to-fight stance.

"Alright," said the referee, a man in his mid-forties with salt and pepper hair poking out beneath the tall, circular uniform cap. "Remember the rules, you're high enough now I expect you know them. First to ten points or a knockout wins."

He paused, waiting for them both to nod, which Violet did. Her opponent was distracted, keeping all focus on her. Her hair stood on end. Focus and determination never left his gaze, but it annoyed her.

"Koragaji?" The referee glared until Koragji turned and gave a stiff nod. The referee straightened his shirt and cleared his throat before continuing, "Good. Okay, on my signal."

The pressure and strain of a situation well outside her control wore against Violet's psyche. Although she maintained indifference, true rest and a chance to come to terms with everything that happened in the last week were well overdue. Keeping her face the picture of calm, with not a line out of place, came with years of practice. Her vision remained locked on Koragji, with goal-oriented, cold precision of her own. The sound of the crowd was a dull background noise that played without interruption while they waited for the signal.

There was a flow to fighting that always set Violet at ease. Even though she preferred to avoid fighting, she had no issue ending one and remained confident in her skills. However, she maintained caution about how much power she'd show in any bout. To reveal her abilities was akin to slitting her own throat and beckoned certain death.

Although Hisoka said this is a known ability here. Mayb— stop! He's insane at best. Don't take advice from him. Her attention returned to Koragji. Let's wait and see what Koragji can do first. But this may be a great opportunity to continue advancing my innate skills.

Nen provided vast support in her past and future, but it wasn't the only type of power she possessed. Violet thought of her Nen skills and innate skills as two separate abilities. The way each worked and moved through her system differed, and there was a delay between when she could use one or the other. She'd spent most of the last year developing the innate skills with some success.

A hand drop and cry from the referee signalled the start. Koragji rushed forward with haste and determination. Reflexes responded to the dance her opponent began with seamless perfection. Dodging, she evaded the attacks with ease.

Nen won't be needed for this fight. The middle-aged fighter lunged again, forcing Violet to spring back and jet to the right. This will be perfect. He believes in a good offence as the best defence. It will make it much easier to read him.

As she evaded attacks, her eyes remained trained on Koragji's every move like a stealth predator stalking prey in plain sight. It took seconds for her to see the odd wave of intertwining energy that surrounded and shrouded him. His energy was currently a brilliant golden hue with flecks of white and grey throughout. It flowed around his form like a translucent, swirling river filled with an infinite number of particles, like fireflies dancing in a large cloud on a gentle breeze.

She scrutinised his translucent river as Koragji moved to strike. It danced and changed with him. The crowd started to boo for the constant game of cat and mouse Violet played. She looked like a weak opponent in the continual role of the mouse. The reality was a different matter, as she was a tiger in sheep's clothing toying with the lamb, who poorly played his role as a house cat.

Koragji tired of the game and decided on his next assault. The translucent flow around him shifted in response, with the particles changing to opaque visibility in sections, indicating his next set of actions. The choice reverberated through the gentle energy, moulding into a harsh and inflexible version.

He's going to feint a right move and then lunge forward at me and try to punch my midriff. It's a good move. Too bad I can see it.

Swiftly, Violet created a feint, avoiding Koragji's move and grabbed his left shoulder in the flurry. Pushing herself up, she swung her legs into the air, flipping over him. She braced all her weight onto his left shoulder, forcing the dojo master off balance.

Direct skin-to-skin contact was achieved, allowing her next skill to activate.

Once tapped into his flow from the contact, she could make minor adjustments and changes by sending the flow backwards. It took far more energy to make microchanges than to read his choices. But she could now render it almost impossible for him to land a hit. Energy flow in mammals was present in many bodily systems, and through trial and error, she had learned to play with many a foe. Her target would be his homeostasis system or at least a part of it.

Landing behind him, she spun to face Koragji's right side. Reaching out, she connected with his right forearm. She struck him across the chest with a roundhouse while he was off balance. She shut down his sweat glands once she controlled enough of his homeostasis flow. Jumping back, she monitored his response as he stumbled backwards from the assault.

It's just a game of endurance and agility now. I suppose it always was, though.

The enraged Koragji charged Violet with a whirlwind of attacks brought upon by out-of-control agitation and the intent of ending the match fast. It was an easy task to avoid all the sloppy, ill-conceived strikes. After three rounds of frenzied rushing, he jumped back, panting.

He's taking too long. I'll have to go on the offensive.

Respectful consideration preceded Violet's straight advance on the lean, muscular man. But, she feinted for his left side, and when he moved to defend, she dropped low and spun to connect with his left leg, impacting the shin. A harrowed cry belted from the determined Koragji's throat. But he was luckier than most that found themselves on the receiving end of Violet's legs, and the limb withstood shattering by a hair's breadth. He earned a slight amount of respect from her for that fact alone.

He bore his fist downwards to crush her skull. Spinning in a crouched position, Violet narrowly avoided the impact. She latched onto his right forearm with both hands and flipped him over her back. The green-eyed Dojo master landed hard on the tile, causing grit and dust to swirl around his shoulders. The faint smell of iron teased Violet's nose as she prepared to connect another kick, but he rolled into an avoidant manoeuvre outside her attack range.

The winded, red-faced Koragji moved to tackle her as the last wave of energy fed his desperation. Slowed and strained movements from her opponent caused little worry for Violet. He gritted his teeth and snarled in frustration. Dark red coloured his skin where it burned from over-exertion. His breathing laboured as his lungs worked overtime to clear as much heat as possible. Small areas of sweat glistened on his skin as some parts recovered, signalling it was time for her to end playtime.

Violet landed another roundhouse kick to his abdomen. He cried out and spewed hot blood with saliva as she hopped back. However, determination returned to Koragji as he sluggishly recovered some balance. She considered interfering with a second system to push her advance before his sweat glands revived, but she wasn't certain of her ability to control both at once.

Rushing the advance without mercy was a better option. She kept on the full assault through sets of quick punches, feints, kicks, and flips to push Koragji's limit and build heat faster than his body could remove it. He fell to one knee, and Violet halted in response to a call from the referee.

"Koragji, can you continue?" asked the referee.

Koragji snarled from his kneeling position to cuss at the older man. "Of course I can! Do your bloody job, moron. Only stop if we reach ten points!"

His energy flow turned crimson, and the black flecks entered the particles' never-ending dance with his anger. When the Dojo master attempted to stand to resume the bout, he stumbled and fell, unable to right himself again. Red and struggling to breathe, the heat could almost be seen rising from his skin.

"No, I'll give her that second fall as the last point," said the referee before turning to her and screaming for all to hear. "Violet wins the match as the first to ten points. She advances to the sixtieth floor."

The moment she broke eye contact with Koragji, she knew his control and energy would return. Collecting her ticket from the referee, she left the ring without so much as a glance back.

-------

Satisfied with a successful trial of her powers, Violet left the locker room smiling. She moved down the competitor's hallway to collect her winnings before seeing about the next bout. Multiple fights per day could be arranged if there was space available in the schedule of each floor. The faster she ascended, the better. 

Content pride was chased out when her eyes met the golden, ever-calculating ones of Hisoka. He leaned against one of the circular pillars which held up the white, clean cement walls of the competition hallway. Several feet behind him, the brown, metal double doors sat, granting entry into the main hallway where all the guests and the ticket booth with her winnings were located. Only competitors were allowed in the hallway, which looped in a circle around the fighting arena. Two separate locker room doors were within the hallway, each leading to a dressing room and, beyond that, the arena floor. Her locker room door sounded, the echo reaching her where she stood frozen, surprised by Hisoka's presence. 

White lights from above showered the wide-open hallway, contrasting the grey tile floors. His arms were crossed, most certainly laying in wait for his prey. The magician smirked his mischievous smile, and her heart picked up its pace. Internally, Violet punished herself for the response. He reeked of danger, and her instincts bellowed to avoid him. But, as always, he was making it anything but easy.  

Oh, dear God, why? WHY?!

"Wonderful match, dear. Although it seemed your opponent wasn't well suited to you. Strange how he made it this far with such a weak body. Hmm? ♠"

Violet couldn't help but admire the observation skills of this magician. It was obvious to her what he was doing, attempting to sort out the puzzle of her abilities.

Boastful expression in place, she crossed her arms and strutted towards where he stood, ready to square off in the next round of mental battles. Overconfidence and a lingering battle high made her temporarily blind to the dangers that surrounded Hisoka. He raised a brow and lifted himself from leaning against the white cement pillar to meet her in the centre of the wide hallway, large enough for five people to pass each other at once. 

"Hmmm? ♠"

"Thanks. Why are you here?"  

Hisoka pulled out a phone wrapped in a dirty black leather case with pieces chewed off at the edge, damage inflicted by the portal trip. He held it in the air in a display-like fashion as if he teased a dog with meat. Touching her palms over her backside area, she found non-existent pockets where she would normally keep her phone. Jaw hanging loose, she turned wide-eyed back to the red-haired monster as she continued her three-second panic attack.

"Ah! My phone!"

Smug satisfaction wrote across his lips as he removed any semblance of power she thought she carried. He held the phone between his index and second finger, waving it back and forth along the axis. Violet caught onto what the annoyance in her life pursued, her reactions. In defiance of his wants, she shifted her face back to intense indifference, but it only seemed to drive further amusement into his eyes. 

"You left this behind. I thought you might need it but took the opportunity to watch your match while I was here. ♦" Violet reached for the phone, and Hisoka raised it above her ability to grasp. "Now, now, dear. You don't have anywhere to hold this at the moment. How about I hold onto it until you finish your fights for the day?"

"It's my phone, Hisoka. Please." The return of her phone drove deep panic into the darkest reaches of her soul. It wasn't the device she craved but what the case held. Their picture is irreplaceable. I need it back!

"Aw, that is a lovely expression. It makes it hard to control myself, all those lovely and varied expressions of yours~♥"

Lust flashed in Hisoka's eyes, along with another emotion Violet couldn't place. She cringed while taking several steps backwards.

"Hey!" Waves of near rage resonated off the single vowel poised to catch the pair's attention. 

Hisoka and Violet halted and looked down the hallway in unison.  Koragaji stomped down the wide passageway to meet them. He continued to sport a beat-red face and neck from the fight. Anger saturated his entire body in the form of tension and jolted, stiff movements.

"What the hell did you do to me, you dirty, cheating slut!" 

The middle-aged fighter barreled toward Violet, causing her to step back sideways into the wall, avoiding the sudden invasion of his pointed index finger aimed at her chest. Tension froze her movements, and old wails echoed across her mind as ice-blue eyes flashed long enough to prevent a proper escape. When she cleared her mind enough to focus on the present, Koragaji had slammed his arms against the wall on either side of her head, caging her. 

"W-what...?" she stuttered and knit her brows.

Koragaji grasped her left shoulder and added enough to turn his knuckles white. A quiet groan escaped through her gritted teeth. 

He dropped his other hand from the wall to gesture aggressively. "You did something to me! That was not a fair fight! You little witch you—"

A whizzing sounded in the air, followed by the squealing noise of slicing flesh and the harsh vibration of snapping bones. Close on the heels of those sounds was Koragaji pained howl. As the parade of sounds blasted along the hallway, the pressure on Violet's left shoulder was relieved, and replaced by tension on her right arm. The new force drew her back to the middle of the corridor.

The hallway continued to saturate with Koragaji's echoing bellows, but Violet couldn't see anything clearly as Hisoka's back blocked her view. When the redhead moved toward the suffering fighter, she saw he'd fallen and was writhing on the ground. Blood painted across the pristine white backdrop of the walls with every stroke of his pained movements.  

Hisoka squatted beside him, continuing to shroud her full view of the situation. Instinct told Violet to keep her feet firmly planted and wait.

"Now, is that any way to treat a lady? Don't blame her for your lack of skill ~ ♠" The magician's voice sounded light and friendly, but his aura and body language screamed death.

Focus drawn to the wall, the blood splattered across the wall dripped down to pool on the tile floor around the fighter.  Her eyes widened when she spotted a detached hand on the ground, severed clean through the wrist. It wasn't the scene but the speed at which it all happened that stunned her into silence.

Hisoka picked up two of his playing cards embedded deep in the cement floor before standing again. He walked past Violet as if nothing happened.

"Let's go, darling~ ♥"

Violet stood dumbfounded, looking between Hisoka and the screaming Koragaji as he spread the bloody mess around. 

"You- you cut his hand off?"

Hisoka returned a few steps. "Yes. No great loss." Violet felt his large hand fully encircle her wrist before firmly dragging them down the corridor, away from the scene.

"Ah. Stop. Let me go! He needs first aid!" she argued as she regained her composure. Hisoka continued as if she hadn't said anything and forced her along with him.

To be so brazen and wound someone that much in public? In the middle of the day?!

Violet had never dealt with anyone like this before. Demons, yes; humans, no. An understanding dawned upon her about where the nickname 'Grim Reaper' came from.

"Won't you get in trouble for doing that?"

Hisoka looked down at her, smirking, still securing her in an unbreakable grip on her wrist. "Hardly. All who agreed to fight in Heaven's Arena signed death and injury waivers. You will have signed one yourself. I didn't kill him. I only took away the offending piece."

"Seriously...?" Violet questioned with knotted brows before looking at the grim reaper. 

"I don't like others playing with my toys ~♠" Hisoka's expression continued to reek of death as his jaw tensed and twitched.

"First, I'm not your anything, let alone your toy! Second, I could have handled that myself, Hisoka! He was no threat to me!" She struggled against his grip, but it never budged.

"True, but you were taking too long. It was faster this way." The magician tightened his grip and held it until she stopped fighting him. 

Of all the reasons!

Hisoka released her as they approached the booth to collect her winnings. Rubbing her reddened wrist, she accepted the envelope filled with Jenny the receptionist passed over the threshold.  

Ah, 50,000 Jenny! I can definitely afford a hotel room now. Yes! And food! So much food!

After booking her next fight, she turned back to Hisoka, biting her lip in concern. He returned her gaze with raised eyebrows. Then, his face became bored and annoyed before he turned away from her while he waved a single hand callously.

"He'll be fine. The medical team here is second to none. They can likely even re-attach the hand," Reaching out, he passed her phone back, which she grabbed with a relieved sigh. He smiled before continuing, "It happens frequently, fights between opponents outside the ring. It's discouraged, but nothing strictly prohibits it either."

I'm starting to re-think making money here.