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The power of will and determination overcoming the odds to bring about triumph is an adage almost as old as time itself. A wisdom taught from generation to generation gives the lesson always to try your hardest regardless of the situation's difficulty. Of course in the real world things are not so simple, sometimes when a situation is proving too much to handle it is too much regardless of how you want to spin it. That being said however, who says miracles don’t happen still from time to time, making us question our collective consciousness?
Aether was on top of the world, basically everyone saw him as one of if not the best kickboxer in the world. Fight after fight, he showcased how he had it all, skills, power, techniques, instincts, stamina, you name it he has it in spades. Sure, he perhaps wasn’t the best in any of those categories but he’s good enough in all of it that his conduct in the ring is almost flawless. The results show it clearly with him having a perfect record of 25-0 with 20 KO victories. It appears as though he can cruise to everyone and etched his legacy as the best.
And so when he was announced to fight again soon, no one really batted an eyelid. It appears to be another routine fight and another routine win, probably by KO in all likelihood.
It didn’t help that the fighter scheduled to be his opponent was someone who wasn’t exactly rated highly. His name is Gaming, he wasn’t a bad fighter by any means, he had a decent record and had proven to be capable in holding his own. But from a glance, he didn’t appear to be anything special, nothing compared to Aether anyways. Indeed, Aether has beaten far more proven foes before making it seem to people that he has run out of opponents to fight, and is simply scrapping the bottom of the barrel.
Regardless of that Gaming was thrilled for the opportunity to fight a fighter so renowned. Aether as always, conveys his readiness to prove in the ring how good he is. And with that both camps set to training. Of course, throughout the hype building period everyone already picked Aether to be the winner without questions. Gaming was undeterred however, For him to even be in the same ring against someone so powerful is already an honour. He vowed to do his best and accept willingly whatever the end results might be.
They both trained to prepare themselves for the fight throughout the pre-fight period. Aether’s training session was well publicised with many people coming to his gym to watch. And so he conducts his training in the adoration of many, though this may have made the session seem more performative for the show instead of actual hard-hitting training. Gaming on the other hand, trained up in obscurity, though that might be a good thing since he can train the way he wanted as hard as he could without having to worry about impressing anyone.
Regardless of that when fight day arrived, both fighters were ready for battle. Usually, as both fighters enter the ring there would be at least a fair amount of people betting against the popular Aether. But this time, there was virtually none, so everyone thinks this fight is a foregone conclusion already before it even started. Not that bothered Gaming however, wearing red gloves and black trunks with red stripes, he beams a wide cheerful smile as he stares down Aether. Who’s wearing red gloves and red trunks with black stripes during the final briefing with the referee at the center ring. Despite the sheer difference in betting odds, they don’t actually look too different face-to-face. You could even argue that Gaming actually looks a little more muscular overall than Aether in comparison.
As the briefing ended, the referee asked if either fighter have any last words they wanted to say, Gaming smiled even wider as he opened his mouth to say;
“I’ll give everything i have, so it’ll be a good fight!”
Aether didn’t say anything in reply; he simply smiled back, perhaps in amusement or smugness over facing such a naive-looking opponent. Who knows, really? We don’t really know what the man himself actually thinks. After that little business was over, both returned to their corners, and soon, they were alone with the referee in the ring. After a few moments of warm-up and psyching themselves up, it was finally time to begin.
DING
The opening bell rang out, and the fight officially begins. With cheers from the crowd, both fighters approach each other at the center ring to begin their battle. As is usual in a fight like this, the opening moments were spent by both fighters observing their foe, gaunging their range and reflexes to see where they stand. A warm-up act if you will, before the real action begins. Thankfully for this crowd, they didn’t have to wait too much longer for that to happen.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH
Gaming opened the first offensive salvo of the fight with a 3-punch combination. It was fast and sharp, but the ever skillful Aether simply twisted his body around to weave his way out of it. In that moment Gaming realised for real Aether’s said greatness. Well, even if he hasn’t he will be in the next few moments.
POW
Without skipping a beat, Aether rose back up from his dodging posture and threw a wild left hook at Gaming’s cheeks. He was caught completely by surprise since normally a fighter wouldn’t be able to transition moves that quickly, thus the punch landed flush on him. Frankly, it wasn’t that powerful of a punch, but perhaps due to the surprise, its momentum was enough to send Gaming spinning. Eventually, he loses his balance and falls down onto the canvas.
“Down!”
The referee declared him down and begin counting, the crowd roared at the sight. Yes, everyone expected Aether to KO gaming, but they didn’t think it would happen this quickly. Aether simply turned around and went to a neutral corner to wait for the count, seeming as calm and composed as he always is.
“Damn it…….” Gaming grunted under his breath, he knew this would be a tough fight, but he didn’t think things would unravel this quickly.
After a few moments picking himself up, he rose back to his feet easily beating the count. He then raises his hands, signifying to the referee he can continue. He might accept that he will lose, but he will not accept losing after just 30 seconds. That’s just too quick for it to be worth anyone’s money.
“Fight!”
The referee gave the signal for the fight to continue, and both fighters approached each other once more at the center ring. However, if Gaming thought that was just a moment of unluckiness and that he could still take the initiative of the fight, well he was very wrong.
BAM WHAM
Aether came in with another vicious set of punches, which surprised Gaming and landed on his face. From there, Aether very quickly took charge of the fight, commanding Gaming around with his punches throwing all across the ring. Jabs, Straights, Hooks, Uppercuts, Body blows, you name it. Aether, unleash them all on poor Gaming. To be fair, Gaming did appear to try his hardest to dodge and threw back punches in an attempt to fight back. But these efforts prove ineffective and the fight continues to be one-sided. Every round, Aether hit him with at least one knockdown punch, such as in the second round;
WHACK
Aether hit him with an uppercut, which sent him up into the air for a moment sending him down onto the canvas flat on his back. Gaming was able to get back up and beat the count again, but it’s clear that he’s been rattled. Then, in the third round;
WHAM
A straight punch right on his nose sent him sitting down onto the canvas in a rather embarrassing fashion. He seemed dazed and confused as to how it could have happened, but nevertheless he was able to get up and beat the count again. But here, it can be seen that his movements have become lethargic, which didn’t help him at all in the fourth round;
BAM
A swift and painful body punch hit him right in the belly button, sending him down onto the canvas again. He clutches his stomach in agony, it appears that this might be too much for him and that it’s finally the end. But thankfully at that moment, he was saved.
DING
The bell rang, indicating the end of the round. Despite this fortune, it’s clear that Gaming’s situation is hopeless. Perhaps Aether think this as well given his comments to Gaming before returning to his corner.
“You’re not coming back from this, it’ll be better if you just give up and quit here”
Gaming’s corner crew might have agreed with this as they help their fighter to corner. But evidently he refused, rising up when the referee signalled that the fifth and final round was about to begin. And so he went back out there, whether out of pride or chivalry, who knows but he’s getting beaten up mercilessly by Aether still regardless. On his part, Aether actually didn’t appear to use his full force anymore. Perhaps he decided to toy with Gaming, perhaps he took pity on him. Whatever the case, Gaming was still getting thrown around by Aether as the final minute of the fight dawned.
And then out of the blue came a moment nobody saw coming……..
POW
Gaming, out of nowhere gathered up all his willpower and lunged at Aether with a looping left hook. Aether, who had lowered his guard and movement rate due to having eased off on his attacks, was caught in complete shock as the punch landed squarely on his cheek. This time, he was the one sent spinning down onto the canvas, the punch clearly powerful enough to get the usually sturdy Aether into another realm entirely.
“Down!”
The crowd gasps as Aether is declared down for the first time in his career. A sight that seemed impossible up until now, and yet there it is for everyone to see. Gaming breathed heavily as he leaned on the neutral corner, watching the free count on Aether. To his credit, Aether managed to rise back up, but he was clearly dazed and off-balance from the force of the punch. What took him many punches to do it took Gaming just one, despite his shaky appearance, the referee decided that Aether was good to continue the fight.
“Fight!”
The fight restarts and Aether, clearly unstable waddles his way back to the center ring. Gaming was not in such a state, however as the sight before him has fired him up unlike anything before as he now seizes his chance.
“AAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!”
WHACK
With a scream, he sent a spinning head kick at Aether’s head, it landed with a devastating impact. Aether’s mouthguard was thrown out of his mouth, clear into the stands. Immediately, his legs collapse and he slumps back down onto the canvas. At that moment, Aether’s corner did the unthinkable and threw in the towel, thus forfeiting the match and giving Gaming a final-round TKO victory over the previously invincible Aether.
DING DING DING
The bell rang out 3 times signalling the fight had ended. Gaming celebrated with tears from his eyes his crew around him, all in utter jubilation at the upset he had just pulled off with all the world seeing it. Some in the crowd cheer, some scream, but most are silent in disbelief at what has just happened. Aether meanwhile laid unconscious on the canvas still. Opponents seen as stronger than him couldn’t lay a finger on him, yet this man whom he thought inferior has put him into this pathetic state. His gloves and muscles proved to be nothing but useless asthethic items to the reality of the situation.
It was an event that will be remembered for the rest of time, such was the strong impression it left on all those that witness it. Really, there’s one overarching lesson we can take from this fight. Which is that no matter the odds and the hardships, the indomitable human spirit can still hold someone firm and sometimes even let them overcome it in a huge upset.
Odds are odds, but never let that make you count somebody completely out before it’s truly over……