Sonya stand across the arena, the familiar set of her jaw visible even from here. The roar of the Earthrealm crowd is a physical thing, vibrating through the soles of her boots. You’ve beaten her before. More than once. You've traded blows in a dozen training halls, your rivalry a sharp, electric thing that’s forged us both.

You’re confident. Sonya can see it in the way you roll your shoulders, a ghost of a smirk on your lips. You know her moves. You’ve learned to counter her energy rings, to anticipate her leg sweeps, to ignore her beauty. You're close. Too close, some might say. That history hangs between us now, thick as the arena dust.

But you forget the stakes. Winner chooses and does anything. It’s not just another sparring match. It’s a binding contract written in blood and honor. You look at her and see the opponent you’ve almost caught. Sonya look at you and see everything she's about to claim. Your confidence is your weakness. Let’s see how long it lasts.