Ryu tightened his headband and adjusted his belt. He was lucky enough to have gotten this far in the tournament. He also knew not to let his guard down one bit, because even one mistake could cost him the tournament.

Kitana twirled onto the scene while holding her bladed fans. After she stopped spinning, she put the fans away. "And now for the second fight of the quarter finals," she announced. "Wulf, Lightsworn Beast,"

Wulf swung his axe over his shoulder and walked onto the arena.

"...vs Ryu," When Felis and Minerva heard Ryu's name, they were shocked. "Wait, does she mean the Ryu?" Felis asked Minerva. "Wulf's gonna fight the Ryu?!"

"Seems that way," Minerva confirmed.

Wulf was just as shocked as he saw Ryu walk on the stage across from him. "No way!" Wulf exclaimed. "I already know this is gonna be a great one!"

"No more talk," Ryu told Wulf as he got into his fighting stance. "Come at me with everything you had."

"Fight!" Kitana shouted. Ryu immediately unleashed a ki energy ball at Wulf, who used his muscular chest to nullify it. Wulf took advantage of his axe's immense reach and swung it at Ryu a few times, with Ryu parrying all of the strikes before grabbing Wulf and shoulder tossing him in front of him.

Wulf got up after a second and retracted his claw. He swiped the claw downward and slightly scratched Ryu's chest. Luckily, only a few drops of blood were drawn and Ryu hopped up into the air, stuck out his leg, and spun around in place like a fast hurricane. "Shinku Tatsumaki!" Ryu shouted as Wulf got sucked into the attack. Wulf was knocked back a bit by this. This gave Ryu enough time to unleash a firey ki energy ball. Wulf was surprised at how Ryu could channel his energy into such a state, but combatted this by spinning his axe like a windmill, extinguishing the projectile.

Wulf then rushed towards Ryu with a shoulder charge. This connected, allowing Wulf to follow up with a few additional punches and kicks, ending with a headbutt that knocked Ryu down. However, as seasoned a veteran he was, Ryu got back on his feet seconds after. He recognized Wulf's immense fighting spirit. He then rushed towards Wulf with a forward dash, unleashed a strong Shoryuken involving his fist being encased in blue flames, breaking Wulf's block and delivering a strong side kick that was powerful enough to knock Wulf off the stage, unable to continue fighting.

"Winner: Ryu," Kitana announced. "However, there will be no finishing move taking place." Ryu ignored this as he went to help Wulf to his feet.

"You presented an excellent effort, Lightsworn" Ryu told Wulf. "It was an honor to have a battle with you."

"Same to you," Wulf said as he shook Ryu's hand. At that moment, Minerva and Felis ran towards the two and the latter was starstruck.

"OH MY GOD!" Felis shouted, unable to contain her excitement. "It's so awesome to meet you!"

Ryu gave a small chuckle. "I take it these are your friends?" he asked Wulf.

"Yup," Wulf replied. "This here's Felis and Minerva. Felis... is a bit of a video game buff."

"Yeah. First time she played Street Fighter II, she wouldn't shut up about it," Minerva explained.

"You two did great out there!" Felis exclaimed.

"Good luck in the semis," Wulf said.

Ryu nodded with a smile, then went on his way.

to be continued...