Disclaimer: RWBY is property of Roosterteeth, not me.
Author's Note: This was one of my favourite chapters to write. I just wish life didn't make writing it take as long as it did. Hopefully you all enjoy.
From Cinders Comes Fire - Fighting Blind
Cinder did not consider herself a particularly easy young woman to intimidate. She had survived against the Grimm and made a living for herself out in the wilderness, without help from anyone most of the time. She had faced off against starvation and cold, and far, far worse. She would not go so far as to say she was entirely fearless, but she knew she was far harder to frighten than the vast majority of her peers in the room. In the few moments she was genuinely intimidated, she had always managed to conceal it deep within her core, her flames burning away every last trace before it could bleed into her expression or words.
Hyacinth Bles, however, was certainly putting that claim to the test.
Blood red eyes betrayed no emotion as she scanned the students, both waiting just outside the arena and up in the stands. Her cold air was different from Ivory's stalwart professionalism. Her teammate's stoic nature was that of a solider, or at least one in training. No doubt born from family traditions or simply a byproduct of Atlas' military being so integral to their identity.
Professor Bles' coldness was different. There was a menace to it that Ivory's lacked, an aura of mastery that served to separate the mere sculpture of a beast from the real thing. It was enough to make Cinder wonder if this was how it felt to truly face a lioness. Or perhaps a bear protecting its cubs.
Was this woman really just twenty two? Just five years apart from those she was meant to be teaching? Everything about her, from how she carried herself to even how she moved, made her seem so much older than that.
There was no denying hers was the aura of a true Huntress.
It was aura Cinder wanted to achieve for herself. In time, she was certain she could achieve it too.
"You all know why you're here. You're all young up and coming huntsmen and huntresses, each one brought here for different reasons. Some of you here have grown up in Vacuo, while others have travelled from abroad to learn here." The crimson eyes narrowed, seemingly focusing on everyone at once, digging straight into the core of each person present. "I will remind all of you that this is your first sparring session together against fellow students. The first of many throughout the entire year. I don't want any heroics or showboating out there. You are to demonstrate your skills as they are presently, which will help your professors determine where you excel and where you will need improvement going forward.
You all know the rules: These are to be one on one duels, single round. You are free to bring a second with you if you so wish, but absolutely no outside aide is permitted during actual combat. You are eliminated if you are either knocked out of the ring or your aura drops below fifteen percent. Your professor's will be officiating, and our decisions on the victor of each fight are final. You cannot dispute the outcome in any way. Understood?"
A general murmur of agreement from the gathered students. Cinder herself was already standing straight, but tried to stand even straighter. She was more than ready to prove herself today. Behind her and at her side, she was only vaguely aware of her teammates having similar reactions.
A single nod from the professor. "Then gather your things and prepare to show us nothing short of your absolute best effort. The teams slotted for the first branch will remain here. Everyone else, proceed to the stands and enjoy the show until your names are called upon. First matchup will be Team Crimson vs Team Force, starting with team leaders Cinder Fall and Otho Rost. If you care to wish your classmates luck, do so now. Otherwise, dismissed. And good luck to all of you."
Slowly, the majority of the students moved towards the exit, leaving only sixteen left in the room; the four teams that made up the first branch. Each team stuck to a single area of the room, keeping their respective distances from the others. Preparing their weapons, discussing strategies amongst themselves for their respective battles, or simply waiting until it was their turn to fight.
Cinder was among the last group, her bow blades already secure on her back and her strategy for the battle already well planned out. She was pointedly looking away from Team Force, especially Otho, not wanting to waste time dealing with the man until she had to. Instead, she turned her attention towards her teammates. If she was team leader, then she had a job to be sure the others were ready too.
Ivory was sitting beside her, checking the sights on her weapon's rifle mode to ensure everything was in order. She was constantly checking where the sight of its rifle form would be, if the weapon had one, making small adjustments, and kept pressing two fingers to her temple before modifying it again. Perhaps it was some sort of ritual of her own?
Next to her was Cy, an air of ease about him as he rested against a nearby wall with arms folded, already set and Torchy secured proudly on his back. Noticing that Cinder was watching him, Cy flashed a cocky smile and a thumbs up. Stone in contrast was quiet and unmoving, sitting in a meditative position with hands on his thighs, eyes staring off into some middle distance, deep in concentration. Earlier, Cy had mentioned Stone was always more quiet than normal before a match like this. It was just something one got used to him doing.
"So what do you think Cinder?" Cy's voice chimed in, breaking the young huntress from her thoughts and observation. "Your first battle in a Huntsman academy. How you feeling? Excited? Scared?"
She shrugged slightly, trying to sound nonchalant… She had to put a stop to the tapping of her foot, a habitual tell that she was anticipating something she knew she'd enjoy. Excitement was still audible in her tone though. "I'm ready for anything. I'm going to win no matter what happens."
"That's good to hear!" Cy chuckled, possibly sensing the boss' excitement. "Well, just keep a sharp eye once you're out there, don't do anything too reckless, and you'll be fine."
Cinder nodded, then turned to Ivory. "Anything else I should know about Otho, just in case?"
Ivory snapped her weapon back into its saber form. "I saw him on occasion during the initiation." she explained. "He's well trained in his sword and shield work, and he knows how to lead others in a group melee."
"That won't help him in a duelling setting."
"True. I haven't seen him duel one on one yet, but he will be aggressive, try to overwhelm you with his size and greater strength. Don't let him control the fight, and use your bow from a distance to keep him off balance." The mismatched eyes narrowed as they locked with Cinder's. "Furthermore, you'll be representing Team Crimson. Your first battle as team leader establishes everything about our team. Win or lose, you must face him with pride and honor."
The warning was hardly subtle, but neither was it unfounded. While duelling itself was something Cinder hadn't had much practice with either, she was experienced in facing Grimm on her own in the wild. They were much more aggressive, much more deadly, where a single error would spell her undoing. She wasn't about to lose to anyone when she had held her own against much more dangerous monsters.
She gave the Atlesian a nod of understanding. "I don't plan on letting him win."
Ivory nodded as well. "Good. Then there should be nothing to worry about."
The leader of Team Crimson then turned her attention to its largest member. Throughout the entire conversation, Stone had not once moved, or even seemed to acknowledge they were speaking at all. He must really have been in the zone, to seemingly not respond to any of the conversation going on around him.
"Stone?" She waited until she saw him blink, his grey eyes meeting hers. "You're my partner. If it's alright with you, I want you watching my back when I head out there." Better to let Otho know just who she had for backup if he tried to do anything underhanded after the fight was over.
Stone nodded, reaching for Valor as he rose to his feet. "Sure thing. I'll always have your back."
She nodded as well, and was about to say something else when the buzzer suddenly sounded outside, signalling the beginning of the tournament was about to begin. She was up to her feet in a heartbeat, Stone at her side without a single word spoken.
"Good luck Cinder! Kick his ass out there! We'll be watching from here, cheering you on!"
The young huntress smirked to herself, striding confidently to the exit. I don't need luck, her smile seemed to say to all around her.
Otho was just as quick to head for the entrance. Much like during the initiation test, he had Fig at his side as well, the taller woman shouldering her cannon club as she followed her leader. All four of them ended up side by side as they went through the hallway to the arena. Even without looking at him, Cinder could see the shine of Otho's armoured gauntlet, clearly polished to a high sheen to look nothing short of its best.
"You're not going to choke out there, are you?" Otho sneered.
"Only when I see you." Cinder retorted without looking at him.
"Good. I'm going to enjoy humiliating you out there. Try to put on something of a show before you lose, will you please?"
She scowled, but refused to bite in response to his insults. Trying to provoke her, make her do something she'd regret before the battle even started. Tempting as it was to throw the first punch early, she fought the impulse down.
A few more strides in tense silence, and then the hallway opened wide to reveal a massive arena, big enough that Cinder thought it was as big as the initiation testing grounds were. The arena stage itself was made up of many quadrilateral, triangular and circular bricks which were constructed in a 360 degree fashion, in complete contrast to the usual square stages. All the bricks of the arena were a bright polished white, looking more than tough enough to handle the impacts of various huntsmen weapons without issue. On both sides, large rows of first year students watched from above and all around, the murmuring of many, many voices enough to make the hairs on Cinder's neck stand on end. She could even make out Professors Lionheart and the other faculty teachers in the stands, observing intently, clearly ready to judge the fighting as it unfolded.
In the centre of the arena stage stood Professor Von Shiroe. The man adjusted his glasses as the two pairs made their way to their positions, Cinder to his right, Otho to his left, before focusing on the scroll in the crook of his arm. Both fighter's aura levels were already on display, both on his scroll as well as the arena's viewing screens.
"You've both already been over the rules," the blue haired professor stated, cutting straight to the point. "Protect yourselves at all times. If you have any words of respect towards your opponent, give them now."
Neither Otho nor Cinder said a word. He was smiling with a self satisfied expression. She was glaring at him with a look of pure determination. The tension between the two was palpable, all but crackling around them. No need for words between the two rivals.
"No? None at all? Very well then. Both of you are ready for battle, so let's not delay any longer. Time to see what two of our newest team leaders are capable of!"
A cheer erupted from the crowd of onlookers. Emboldened by the cheering, Cinder drew her blades with a flourish, settling into a firm and ready combat stance, all but daring Otho to do the same with the look of fire in her eyes. This was her first chance to prove she was capable of fighting like a huntress, and she was not about to hold back.
Otho, however, remained standing firm in place, still smirking like he had already won, hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Was he waiting on purpose, possibly planning to draw it once the professor started the match? She tightened her grip, focused, ready for anything he had in store for her.
"Huntsmen, are you ready?" The professor raised his hand, ready to start the match"
Suddenly, Otho raised his hand, stopping the professor short. "Wait, hold on a second, Professor! There appears to be something missing."
All eyes turned to Otho, the professor's included, wondering what was going on. Otho then turned his attention to Cinder herself. "Where's your blindfold?"
"…Blindfold? What…?"
The smirk on his face grew into a full smug smile. "You forgot. Of course you did. Not to worry, I brought a spare."
He motioned over to Fig, who in turn tossed him a long piece of what appeared to be a simple but thick grey cloth. Seeing the look of confusion on Cinder's face, he gave a somewhat theatrical shrug. "Well? That was your boast, wasn't it? That you could beat me, even when absent sight?"
Cinder just stood there, completely bewildered, wondering what on earth was he talking about. Then she frowned as she recalled the memory of their argument before the initiation test, nearly forgotten after all that had happened since then.
"…I did say that." she relented, then quickly clarified. "As an insult. Not something to take seriously. Are you really going to hold me to—?"
"Huntsman must be held to a higher standard." If possible, he sounded even more arrogant as he added, "Or was your claim back then all just pointless bluster from a weak little lowlife?"
More murmuring from the crowd, not sure what to make of the unexpected development. Even Azure seemed at a loss as to what to do. He turned his gaze towards the crowd's centre. Specifically, locking eyes with Lionheart.
The headmaster stroked his beard, contemplating. This was far from what he had been expecting when he chose to set up this matchup between the two budding adversaries, but the idea was definitely intriguing. It would quickly remove any doubt that his initial predictions were accurate, should Cinder succeed. Even if she lost, there would be time to analyze and find ways to help improve her abilities going forward. Assuming it went well, he might even be able to show Ozpin when the time came to report on a potential candidate…
"You're not seriously considering this, are you?"
Hyacinth was glaring at him, clearly sensing the direction that his thoughts were going. It didn't take much effort for him to see her disagreement was loud and clear.
"And what if I am? She seems capable of handling the handicap. Quite capable in fact."
"She's a child!" Hyacinth snapped. "And this is a bunch of childish taunting at best. She's going to make a mockery of herself in front of the whole school!"
"Personally, I think they're both being complete idiots." Mordin was resting her chin atop her hand, the alertness in her eyes belying her haphazard posture. "One's an entitled little brat with a bias that doesn't even make sense. Being a village kid isn't a big deal... and the other is letting him bait her into a fight because she can't control her damn temper."
"Mordin… Please watch your language. …Although I do agree with her assessment."
"I think both of them deserve to be put on the sidelines so they can watch the others. If they don't have the maturity to not turn this into a pissing contest, they don't have the maturity to be going at it with live fire weapons."
Lionheart struggled to suppress a chuckle. "It's not often the two of you are so readily in agreement with one another."
Hyacinth's frown deepened into a scowl. "All the more reason not to go through with this farce. You are going to get someone humiliated at best, possibly killed at worst."
Again, Lionheart quickly considered his options. Invoking his position as Headmaster was one way to settle things, but not an idea that would work out in the long run. Better to have them willingly side with him on his decision, even if they didn't completely agree, rather than cause disagreements down the road.
"Both of them have their flaws, it's true," he allowed, "But this is a great opportunity for both of them to learn a valuable lesson. Otho is overconfident in his scheming, leaving himself vulnerable should Cinder prove him wrong here. It's as good a lesson in humility that he desperately needs, especially if he thinks status alone determines the victor.
"On the other hand, Cinder is hotheaded, lashing out when confronted by Otho's insults. She's making claims about her ability that will come back to haunt her if she doesn't keep that temper or her pride under control. Either way, the defeated party will definitely learn something important after this duel."
The two friends shared a look after that. The type shared between huntsmen and other brothers or sisters in arms who were thinking exactly the same thing, but silently debating who would be the one to speak first. Evidently, the dragon faunus won out, as Hyacinth huffed and turned away, returning her focus to battle ahead.
"... if either of them get hurt, it's on your head. As is their weapon confiscation for the following week."
Another chuckle from the headmaster, though he remained professional as he agreed to the terms and acknowledged the warning. "I'll take personal responsibility should either of those things happen. Now then…" Having the permission he sought, the headmaster signalled to Azure, giving permission to go ahead with the stipulation the students had arranged.
Somewhat reluctant, Azure nonetheless nodded his understanding. His personal thoughts on the situation were carefully concealed. "If that was indeed what was agreed to," he addressed the two students, "Then I will allow it. Ms Fall, if you would?"
Cinder's eyes widened in horror. Are you kidding me?!
"There, you see? It's all been arranged. Exactly how you wanted." If such a thing were even possible, Otho was even more smug than before, no doubt sensing and savouring his imminent victory. "Or are you going to take back your words now that you actually have to prove yourself?"
"You know damn well what you're doing, Otho!" Stone snapped, voice thundering throughout the entire arena. "Are you really such a coward that you can't fight without a handicap?!"
Otho didn't even deign the giant so much as a glance. He was focused entirely on Cinder. "I don't know why you're so upset. Do you not trust Cinder to handle herself? Besides, the Headmaster already approved it. Now you're just stalling."
This was ridiculous. How the hell did things turn so horribly wrong so quickly? They were seriously going to do this? She looked around, trying to appeal to someone, anyone… and other than Stone's protests, she found herself completely alone.
It was another situation where everything was going completely to hell for her. Once again, she was being screwed over, all because of circumstances completely beyond her control.
Everyone was out to get her. Everyone was looking down on her again. Making an already difficult task next to impossible.
All to mock someone who had nothing, who had to fight just to get what everyone else around her so easily took for granted.
The fire within her core began to burn, raging bright inside her. Fine then. They wanted to make a joke out of her? She would play their games. She didn't give a damn anymore. All their scorn and mockery just made her more determined to prove every single one of them wrong.
They weren't giving her any other way out of this. And like hell was she going to let this bastard lord over her any longer than she had to.
With a long, drawn out sigh to steady her flames, refocus her goals, Cinder sheathed both blades on her back.
"Here, come on then!" she snapped at Otho. As soon as she could, she swiped the cloth out of his hands, resisting the urge to wipe that smug grin off his face as well.
Stone stiffened, stunned by her outburst and actions. "Cinder, what are you—?"
"Shutting him up! Shutting everyone up! It shouldn't be that difficult for me to do!"
She stomped back to her starting point, determined to win. The world went black as she placed the blindfold over her eyes, but her anger was burning so hot, hands shaking with so much adrenaline, she could barely get the stupid thing secured at the back of her head.
Stone's hands suddenly appeared over her own, large but gentle, taking the blindfold sides and carefully moving to tie it up for her. She couldn't help but stop a bit, surprised he had approached her so silently.
"You're going through with this…" She couldn't tell if the big man's words were thick with disbelief, questioning her sanity… Or if there was some manner of newfound respect for her. "You're actually going through with this."
"Make sure it doesn't go over my ears." She hissed under her breath, trying to remain still as he readjusted the blindfold in response. "I'll need to be able to hear where he is to have a chance. And don't try to stop me. I'm not backing down."
"I wasn't planning on it," Stone rumbled, then he must have lowered down to a knee so that his head was next to her ear, voice low and urgent. "But as your partner, I need you to listen to my advice."
"…What?"
"Draw him in close to you, then counter. Take the fight to him immediately. But not to overwhelm; merely force him onto the defensive. The moment you sense him preparing to retaliate…"
Cinder listened as Stone spoke, his instructions clear and precise, every word calm, focused, giving her a path to victory. Her surprise quickly gave way to appraisal, then approval. It was a simple strategy, but it played to her strengths in the given moment while accommodating her vision in the moment. All she had to do was execute it.
Her fire burned brightly still inside her. She was not going to lose this fight. Never.
With one last tug, the blindfold was tied firmly in place. She could feel the faint gusts of wind tickling her skin as Stone moved his hand around her head, confirming she couldn't see a thing. At most, she saw a faint bit of light where the fold rested against the top of her nose, but she otherwise saw nothing but blackness. The whispers and murmurs from the crowd seemed louder than before, sharper even, but she forced herself to drown them out. She didn't care what they thought.
Then she felt Stone giving her a quick pat on the shoulder, a final whispered declaration wishing her luck, and the footfalls as he left the stage, leaving her again all alone. But now she was ready, confident. She drew her blades again, settling into a combat stance as best she could.
She was not going to lose.
"You can do this, Cinder. Stand strong." Stone's voice behind her, offering support.
"Kick 'er ass, Otho!" Fig's voice, a series of claps, supporting her team leader from the sidelines.
Then the scraping sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath drew her attention. Cinder couldn't see it, but she certainly felt the smirk on Otho's face as he got into his own combat stance. Then a pair of impacts, 'clang-clang', as he must have deliberately struck his armoured gauntlet, giving away his position. Roughly ten feet away… twenty feet at most. She turned her head to the side, trying to hone in on the sound…
"Huntsmen ready?" Professor Von Shiroe's voice sounded off to her right. She couldn't see how he raised his one arm into the air, about to start the match. Cinder tensed her body, ready to move.
"Begin!"
Cinder tightened her grip on her swords, bracing, waiting. Almost immediately, Otho roared as he charged forward, trying to take full advantage of her lack of sight, swinging his blade in a horizontal arc straight for her head the moment he was in range.
To his surprise, instead of trying to block the strike, Cinder kept her arms stationary, deepening her crouch into a makeshift squat, effectively ducking under the singing steel as it narrowly flew over her head, close enough that she could feel the breeze as it passed overhead. The next moment she rose, swinging as hard as she could in a flurry, blades lashing out in the direction she had heard Otho coming from, rewarded with the sound of metal on metal, feeling the impact up her arm as her sword was blocked. She struck again to another impact, swung a third time which only hit air. She continued pressing forward, using the blocks and misses to guess Otho's position, adapting, never relenting. She needed to use the surprise to keep him retreating, just a little bit longer.
Right hand. Sword is in his right hand. Left hand is the gauntlet…
The crowd began to cheer as the fight was underway, all focus on the two combatants. Whatever their thoughts on Cinder's choice, the fact she was actually capable of fighting back, even if only in the opening moments, was amazing. Her strikes were sloppy, literally swinging blindly as she tried to feel out where Otho was, while Otho found himself on the defensive, keeping his arm up to defend his head and upper body, his blade blocking whichever blade was closest to landing a hit. It was clear he had not expected such resistance.
Another war cry from Otho, and Cinder ducked, spinning in place, feeling the blade nicking her on the side of her shoulder, before lashing out again. Raising both blades overhead, she struck in a downward X pattern, letting out a shout of her own as she felt the impact on Otho's gauntlet. The strike was enough to stagger the larger foe, but he recovered quickly.
Now, she waited, following Stone's instructions. Wait for him to retaliate, then…
Another roar, Otho lashing out, again aiming high, trying to take Cinder's head off with another swing.
But Cinder had timed her next move perfectly, dropping her swords as she dove forward, crashing hard into Otho's legs. The impact was again haphazard, but the sheer recklessness of the move was enough that it sent both of them sprawling, Otho finding himself face down in the dirt, not realizing what had just happened.
Before he could get back to his feet, Cinder was on him again. Half crawling, half feeling her way as she moved forward, Cinder felt her way, trying to find Otho's right arm. Feeling no metal on the sleeve and knowing she had the right arm, Cinder grabbed it at the wrist. One… twice… three times she lifted and slammed it hard into the arena floor, hearing Otho cry out as his fingers were smashed into the unforgiving tile. It was enough to break his grip out of pure reflex, a twist of the arm as Cinder pulled back for a fourth time sending his sword skittering away.
A sudden impact—Otho's gauntlet—struck Cinder in the side of the head, knocking her clean off of him and leaving her flat on her back. The next moment, Otho was on her, a punch nailing her square in the face before she could respond, then another to the stomach. Cinder refused to cry out, even as the wind was knocked clean from her lungs. She tried to keep her arms up as Otho continued his ground and pound, protecting her head, but being unable to see the incoming strikes weakened her defences. For every blow she blocked, several more easily broke through, hard and unyielding.
Vaguely, Cinder was aware of the voices around her. Only a few really stood out, the identities impossible to determine.
"Come on, Cinder! Get up!"
"Keep it up, Otho! There we go, you gott-'er now!"
Another fist to the face, this one leaving her briefly stunned. Unaware to Cinder, but visible to others watching, a small but gradual blotch of red was beginning to form on the blindfold, growing slightly bigger with each new impact.
"Come on! She can't even keep her aura up properly! How's this even fair?!"
"Push him back! Get out of there Cinder!"
Cinder bit her teeth together, refusing to relent. Another impact blocked by her arm, then a second blow, this one cracking against her ribcage. This one she was able to retaliate, pinning Otho's arm against her side, her legs shooting up, coiling around the man's arm, shoulder and neck in a makeshift triangle choke. Almost immediately, Otho's onslaught ceased, and she could feel him struggling, trying to pry her legs off of him. She tightened her grip as much as she could, maintaining her lock, throwing punches and elbows where she hoped was Otho's head and face. All she could tell was she was hitting something other than herself.
Up in the stands, the professors watched with a mix of fascination and critical analysis.
"Incredible. She's really holding her own." Lionheart observed. "I didn't think she'd be able to muster up this much offence."
"With good reason." Hyacinth growled, clearly disgusted.
Mordin shook her head. "A new record. It took less than ten seconds for this whole idea to go completely wrong. Won't be long before things get real ugly…"
Again and again, Cinder continued her onslaught of elbows. She had no idea how much damage she was actually doing, but she hoped it was enough. She could feel Otho blocking some, struggling to pull back and free himself, but she wouldn't let go. Letting him break free would be a disaster, giving him the advantage.
Then Otho suddenly stilled. She heard as he sucked in a deep breath, hissing as he readjusted. Suddenly she felt both of Otho's hands gripping roughly around her forearms.
The next moment, bellowing with rage as he did so, Otho began to pull back and upward.
The moment after that, Cinder felt herself being pulled straight off the ground. Her choke was still securely locked in, but Otho had a means to break free.
Brute force. And lots of it.
In an incredible display of strength and power, Otho lifted Cinder straight up off the ground, raised her as high into the air as he could, then threw all his weight into the maneuver. Cinder braced as best she could, but there was no defending herself as Otho power bombed her straight into the ground. The thunderous impact shattered her guard completely, her aura crackling all around her as she hit hard. Any sense of coordination was driven clean out of her skull as it smashed into the floor, leaving her utterly dazed.
…Ouch.
Only vaguely was she aware of a torrent of oohs and ahhs echoing all around, barely audible over the loud ringing in her ears. Her lungs felt like they had nearly burst during the crash landing, making it hurt to breathe. The sights and sounds of the impact had been so colossal, it caused many to flinch and turn away simply out of instinct.
"Come on, Cinder! Get up! You gotta get up!"
Stone's voice, urgent and pleading, sounded so very far away. Still, it was enough to bring some manner of life back into her unresponsive limbs. Still woozy, she struggled to rise once again, trying to find out some idea where Otho was now.
Hands up... Gotta stay up. Gotta stay up. Find him...
The crowd's cheering was far too loud. It was impossible to decipher what she was hearing. With her eyes covered and the rest of her senses disoriented, she could barely make out anything going on around h-
Her head was suddenly knocked back as the armoured gauntlet was smashed hard into the bridge of her nose. She felt herself soaring through the air for what felt like hours before crumpling in a heap with an ungraceful thud. Otho had recovered far quicker than Cinder had, and was now taking full advantage of her blinded state, spinning to add extra momentum to the attack.
"... on your right, on your right! He's coming in on your right!"
She struggled to roll onto her stomach, tried desperately to get back to her feet, trying to block out the pain as best she could.
The next shot she felt was a punt straight to the ribs, her entire core screaming as she was again knocked completely senseless, coughing up bile and what tasted like blood coating the sides of her mouth and tongue.
Another boot. This one knocking her flat on her back.
"Come on, she can't even defend herself! Call off the damn match!" Was that Cy's voice? Someone else in the sea of voices protesting? She had no idea.
"Don't give up! You can do this, Cinder!"
"Finish 'er off already, Otho! Quit screwing around!"
Somehow, Cinder was able to manage back to her feet, panting in equal parts pain and exhaustion. Her arms felt weak, heavy, but she kept them up to protect her head as best she could. She still couldn't predict at all where the next attack was coming from, but pride and determination to fight all the same kept her standing.
Calm down... gotta calm down... Can't see... Need to hear... Need to find out where he is...
The faintest scraping on metal on tile was the only warning she got. Otho picking up one of the scattered weapons off of the floor.
The next moment, the weapon, impossible to tell if it was Otho's saber or one of her own twin blades, caught her across the chest from collarbone to shoulder. She staggered back, but didn't fall. The impact was enough; now she had a plausible idea where Otho was.
Otho was quieter now, not roaring like he had been, but she still heard a faint growl as he prepared to swing again. More on instinct than anything else, Cinder ducked, feeling no impact from the sword as it swung off the mark. Instead of lashing out, she took several steps back to regain her balance, keeping herself square towards the sound of Otho's voice, bracing her arms at her sides...
"Will you just give up already?!" Otho thundered, frustration clear as day. Charging in again, swearing under his breath.
She raised both arms at the same time, crying out as she felt the sword connect with her left arm, but forced herself to power through it, lashing out with her right. It connected with Otho's jaw, causing him to swear again a moment later, the clattering of steel confirming he had actually dropped the sword again.
Her momentum was cut short as quickly as it appeared, a boot nailing her dead centre and again knocking her to the floor. A gasp echoed from the crowd at this, but without her vision, Cinder couldn't understand why. Again she rolled to her feet, stepping back to regain herself-
And suddenly felt nothing underneath her foot. Felt herself falling back.
The crowd cried out as Cinder forced herself forward, barely catching the edge of the arena before she fell out of it entirely. Only pure human reflex had saved her from a ring out.
"Cinder, get out of there! Move!"
"He's coming! Get away from the edge!"
"He's got your sword! Counter it!"
By all accounts, it looked like the battle was over. Cinder, beaten and bloodied, on the very edge of the arena without any weapons. Otho rearmed, moving to end the fight, intent on avenging his honor against the Outlander who dared to humiliate him so thoroughly today.
It was in that moment that the idea appeared in crystal clear focus in Cinder's battered mind.
She only had one chance at this. It all depended on timing. Both the next strike, and how quickly she could register where everything was in her surroundings. If she even a moment too slow, then she would lose. But if she timed it right, she could easily counter, force him out of the ring...
... No. Not out of the ring. That would just give him the excuse she won out of simple luck. She had to defeat him properly. Let him know she had beaten him despite his trickery. There had to be no doubt in anyone's mind. To give him a way out would be no better than letting him beat her outright.
She was not going to lose!
Cinder didn't move from her crouched position near the edge, barely breathed, arms up in front of her as if waiting to catch something in front of her. She drowned out all the noise outside of the battle, waiting for the sound she needed to hear...
And for the last time in the fight, she heard Otho charging at her, roaring his battle cry as he went for the finishing blow.
She waited until the last possible moment. Then, between one heartbeat and the next, she twisted away and leaned her body forward, praying it was in the direction away from Otho's attack.
The loud, clear singular note of steel ringing through the air as the sword struck the very edge of the arena was all the confirmation she needed.
Before Otho or anyone else could register what had just happened, Cinder's hand flew back, finding the blade-it was indeed one of her own-and could feel that it was completely wedged in place. Still plenty of blade left for what she would need.
She then lashed out at Otho, coiling around his sword arm and then sweeping both legs out from under the man in a single motion, all but slamming his head into the ground as they both hit hard. With her makeshift grapple still in place, Cinder again lifted, then smashed Otho's head into the ground again.
On the third attempt, she felt as Otho resisted, stopping her from driving his head down a third time.
And in doing so, had inadvertently set himself perpendicular to Cinder's sword.
Instead of pushing downward, Cinder pushed forward. She could hear as Otho began to panic, trying to push himself up and away, but Cinder refused to let him rise, pushing… fighting… struggling… forcing him forward…
Until Otho's face and neck were being forced directly into the blade in front of him.
Immediately his aura flared up as it protected his throat, but quickly started draining away as the pressure mounted, both from Cinder's efforts and from Otho trying to free himself from the guillotine-like trap he found himself in.
Cinder refused to let him go. She continued to fight to keep him in place, roaring now herself as she struggled, sensing victory drawing closer.
Back and forth, the two struggled. It could have been a few seconds, it could have been hours. Cinder still refused to relent, her fire burning strong inside her, an inferno that raged without an end. She kept pushing, feeling Otho desperately trying to escape, screaming as his aura continued to crackle audibly from the sheer weight of the both of them pressing into Cinder's blade.
She didn't care. Otho brought this on himself.
A buzzer suddenly sounded again, loud and near deafening in her ears, so unexpected it was.
The next moment, an arm was wrapped around her torso from behind, trying to pull her away. Instinct made her resist, thinking it was another enemy.
"Stop! Stop!" Professor Von Shiroe's voice, loud in her ear, fear audible in his tone. "The fight's over, Cinder! It's over! Let go of him now!"
The command was like a release switch. The fire in her blood began to fade, and Cinder relented in an instant, nerveless fingers releasing Otho and letting herself be pulled away.
Cinder sighed as she felt the cool touch of tile as her body collapsed against it. Her head bent backwards on her neck, forcing her to stare up into the blackness of the blindfold as she tried to recollect herself.
The fight was over. She had won, she knew it. Her whole body was aching all over, each blow really adding up now that the thrill of combat was ebbing away. She was still there—she wanted to get back up on her own, before the others moved to help her up. But it seemed that her body was temporarily no longer under her command and lay still. She was completely drained in that moment, with only her the faint breaths and twitching of her fingers and toes gave any indication that there was any life left in her at all.
But that was all right. A weak smile made its way onto her face. What mattered was that she had won. She had overcome the odds. Despite Otho's best efforts to humiliate her, she had still done the impossible and beat him fair and square. That thought made all the aches and pains bearable.
She heard several footsteps approaching her. Then she felt two different pairs of hands helping her back to her feet. She welcomed the assistance, staggering forward slightly as she was moved into a standing, upright position.
She flinched as the blindfold was tugged off of her face, wincing at the sudden bright white lights all around her. It took her a moment for things to settle, and to realize she was looking at the three faces of her teammates. The blindfold was then pressed against the top of her forehead, dabbing gently, wiping the blood away.
"Hold still a moment," Stone's voice was calm, but firm. Only his eyes betrayed the worry as he was checking over the cut. Even now it was still bleeding, though not as bad as before. "Open cuts on the head tend to bleed a ton… though it doesn't seem too bad."
It was a simple gesture, but she was touched all the same.
"That was, without a doubt, the craziest thing I've ever seen, boss!" Cy was laughing, shaking his head in a way that made it clear he was still processing everything he'd seen. "I don't know wether to hug ya or slug ya upside the head for doing that."
Evidently he chose the former, suddenly wrapping her in a big hug for a few moments, before pulling back, still grinning.
"Perhaps Otho should consider a different strategy that's less prone to losing when you two fight again!"
Beside him, Ivory wasn't as willing to share in the celebration, scowling, arms folded in displeasure. "That was far too reckless, Cinder." she scolded. "What were you thinking, fighting blindfolded like that? You're lucky you won when you did. You almost lost all of your aura by the end there, if not for that reckless stunt!"
Dimly, Cinder looked towards the viewing screen. Otho's had drained down to just 7% by the time she had been pulled off of him, but hers currently was down to just 18%. Three points short of the automatic elimination. Had Otho's last attack found the mark… That was a lot closer than she would like to admit.
She shrugged regardless. A win was a win. "I promised I wasn't going to let him win today, didn't I?"
For a moment, Ivory just stared at her with a complete lack of expression. Then an exasperated sigh broke through Ivory's demeanour, rolling her mismatched eyes, hands up in the air. "Just… Fine, whatever. Congratulations on your victory. Just don't ever do that again! Recklessness like that will get you killed."
Cinder winced slightly as one of her bruises ached. "Agreed…"
Up in the crowd, Lionheart applauded alongside the students, as pleased as could be. He could see that the other members of Team Force were tending to Otho on the sideline. The man himself was rubbing his throat, expression shadowed and despondent. As expected, the loss had definitely humbled him. It would take some time to bounce back, but already there was a change in him. Suddenly the overconfidence and sense of superiority was gone. Now he was more willing to learn and adapt to the challenges ahead.
And Cinder… It may have been an unorthodox means of getting the results he had been expecting, but that was still no reason not to celebrate. Indeed, it appeared she was a perfect candidate after all. A little rough around the edges, certainly, but with time and proper training, she could become so much more…
"I hope you got what you wanted from this little stunt, Leonardo."
Even though he expected it, the Headmaster still felt a cold chill crawl up his spine. He turned to meet Hyacinth's gaze. Even if he didn't know her tells, it was clear to others she was simmering with anger.
"I see that you don't approve of the results."
"No. No I don't."
"Neither do I, for that matter." Mordin added with a grunt. "Doubt specs over there is happy about it either, given he had to pry Cinder off of Otho there."
"I assure you, all of you, that this will benefit them both in the long run." It wasn't the first time Lionheart had made a decision that none of the other faculty would agree with. He doubted it would be the last. "Now all that remains is to make sure young Cinder doesn't exhibit the same problems that we just dealt with regarding Otho with his defeat today. That's where the two of you will come in."
Another scoff from the dragon faunus. "Well, thanks for making our job harder. Kid's gonna be a handful." she sighed. "I'm gonna go get a drink."
"I'll join you as well, once I get things set up for the next battle. I believe Cyrus Rainier is next, against Elowen Fig-Kona."
With that, Hyacinth followed after Mordin, but not without one last significant look directed at Lionheart.
He knew that look all too well.
He allowed it. What they had to do regarding Cinder was on him and him alone.
Sighing to himself, Lionheart turned to the students down below. For now, they were still kids. They all deserved to have their fun and a chance to follow their dreams. All four of the members of Team Crimson had exceptional potential. He wondered just how far they could soar in the coming years.
And he could not wait to see what road they travelled down.