A/N: I'm kinda trash at fight scenes, so take this as a filler for what's to come. I need to do more research in both aspects of RWBY and Shadow Fight.

Chapter 3: Anticipation

This was bad. Xhang was picked to fight for the first combat session. And to top it off, his opponent, Pyrhha Nikos, was apparently, according to his teammates, one of the best fighters here in the school.

Called the Invincible Girl (a moniker she apparently dislikes), she is a three time defending Mistralian tournament champ (at least that's what Xhang heard) and managed to graduate from Sanctum Academy at the top of her class. She's a deadly fighter, incorporating speed, skill and her semblance into her fighting style. Overall, a formidable opponent.

She's also a member of Team JNPR, led by a young man named Jaune Arc, one of the main subjects of Cardin's ridicule.

This only made Xhang even more apprehensive.

He barely managed to contain his terror. His teammates… eh.

"Pyrhha Nikos?! Dude you are so screwed," blurted out Russel in a not-so-reassuring tone that only served to stoke up Xhang's fear.

"Welp, get your Lien together guys, looks like we're gonna have a funeral tonight," said Sky in a nonchalant manner, before promptly pulling out his wallet to check his money.

"Guys, relax, I'll be fine," Xhang reassured, his voice conveying more confidence than he actually harbored.

"Fine? Fine?! Dude, this is Pyrhha! The Pyrhha Nikos!" Dove squawked in terror, his face a picture perfect representation of terror in its purest form. "That girl can kick your ass in more ways than one! They don't call her the Invincible Girl for nothing!"

"Relax, Dove. I can take her."

Their expressions were priceless.

"Are you sure, Cardin? Dove's got a point, ya know? They don't call her the Invincible Girl for nothing. She's virtually untouchable," Sky pointed out, a curious look on his features.

"Huh. You don't say?" Cardin says, his eyebrows going up, an lopsided grin on his face. Then, his entire behavior shifts into a full 180 U-turn.

His jaw suddenly clenches tight, his face switching from a nervous smile into a determined scowl, and his grip on Executioner tightens, his knuckles turning bone white. An entire lifetime's worth of training suddenly settles in, his body settling into a familiar sensation: the anticipation of a fight.

"I'll be the judge of that," Xhang said, his voice taking on a distinctive growl, conveying a clear message to his friends: He will not back down.

Team (C)RDL backed up, caught off guard by their leader's sudden shift in demeanor, but relaxing when Cardin temporarily breaks character to send his friends a knowing smile, assuring them he'll be alright, before settling back into his previous form. It was all the convincing they needed.

Xhang, apprehensive, but ready to take on his opponent, makes his way towards the arena.

All around him, students began to whisper left and right, guessing who will be the winner of this bout, placing bets. And most of them were on the obvious choice.

At last, Xhang reaches the arena steps. One by one, his footfalls echoing across the hall, before finally appearing on the right side corner of the circle. The multitudes jostled for a look, expecting to see the same smug-faced, arrogant overconfident jerk that they're used to seeing on the ring.

They were met with a different sight.

Cardin's body language has changed. Now, he's just standing there on his corner, patiently waiting for his opponent. His eyes were being blocked out by his hair, his bangs barring eye contact. His lips were drawn into a thin, taut line, a sharp contrast to his trademark lopsided smirk. His body, unmoving, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. And last, but not the least, his right arm was splayed outward, The Executioner in his hand. Every two seconds, he would send it into the air, flipping midair for a few moments before being pulled down by gravity and falling back into his hands.

Students whispered in curiosity, unsure as to why Cardin was being like this today.

It mattered little. Pyrhha was about to make her way up too.

Let's see if she can truly live up to her name.

P.O.V: Blake Belladonna

Now normally when it comes to a practice match or two, Blake wouldn't bat an eye. If it was Cardin in it it, she wouldn't even bother.

Today's match is Cardin against Pyrhha. But something felt… odd about Cardin today.

He carried a different air this time. Not of confidence anymore. It was that of… determination. The will to win.

His body language says it all. His tightened jaw, his darkened expression, the way he was flipping his mace in his right hand.

Wait.

Why was he flipping it with his right hand?

Wasn't Cardin left handed?

Blake's eyes were all on Cardin now. Something's not right. What's he up to now?

"Blake? Blake, what's wrong?" A voice rang out from her right. It was Yang, her teammate. There was a look of concern on her face.

"Nothing. Just… Cardin."

The blonde brawler's face hardened. "What about him? Pyrhha'll just own him, nice and simple."

"Normally, I'd agree. But… something's different."

"Different how?"

Weiss, the heiress, chimed in. "Come to think of it, something's definitely up. Isn't Cardin usually left handed? Why is he using his right hand?"

"Exactly my thought. Real question is…" Blake's voice trailed off a bit when she noticed Pyrhha walk onto the ring. As she does, Cardin suddenly stops flipping his mace. His head slowly rises upwards, his line of sight falling on the redheaded Spartan.

Blake swore she felt a cold breeze whoosh through the room and through her spine. And for the first time in a long while… She shivered.

P.O.V: Xhang

He heard his opponent walk in before he saw her. He lifted his head just a tad to get a good look at her.

His master's voice echoed through his head.

"Size up your opponent."

Pyrhha Nikos was of a fairly average build. A tad bit shorter than him, but that would be more of an advantage for her than for him. Her attire was of a curious nature: it looked a lot like a Legionary training outfit, with a red and gold color scheme instead of the admittedly plaid armor the Legion's trainees are usually seen wearing. Her weapons caught Xhang's interest the most: a spear and shield, but more specifically, a classical javelin that looked suspiciously like a pilum, and a Greek- Dipylon style shield. Strangely Legionary in style and look, but judging from her slim body frame, she was far from those lumbering towers of brute strength. She kind of leans more on the agile Amazons, the Legion's finest female warriors. No doubt, she would've fit in with those folks just fine.

Her bright green eyes glared at him, conveying the message that she really did not like him.

"Letting you know, I really don't wanna do this," Xhang called out, hoping to pacify the hoplite.

His pleads fell on deaf ears. She responded by getting into a ready position. Her javelin glinted in the light, a threatening reminder.

A reminder he's seen ten times too many.

"So be it," he mutters under his breath. He shifted into the standard two handed hammer stance. This temporarily got an eyebrow raise from Pyrhha, before her face hardens again.

The two fighters waited, staring, watching with baited breath. Who will make the first move?

"Do not show her your cards. A fighter's best weapon is his mind," echoed the voice of his mentor.

Xhang realized what he meant. Then he asked himself.

What would Cardin do?

Charge in like an idiot, that's what.

So that's what he did. With a loud roar, he ran, getting ready to swing.

Not like he actually was going to.

The real fight begins next chapter. Sorry. But hey, guess what? The real fun starts soon. And then, we'll see who truly has the upper hand.

Constructive criticism is appreciated once more, and see ya later

Laugh, signing off!