Reyna leaned against the locker and studied the other occupants of the room. Hazel and Frank were sitting next to each other and watching the television. It was showing the highlights of the fight that had just finished, which meant it was time for the main event of the night.
Reyna would admit that she felt slightly jealous that Annabeth had the honor of being the final fight of the night. It had been a surprise that had been dropped on her when she arrived, and upon hearing the news, the look of determination on her face only grew. Annabeth clearly wanted to prove why she belonged in the main event.
It wasn't often that females would be the final fight of the night, as most people cared more for the men's fights and found the heavyweight title to be the most enticing. It always garnered the most buzz and ratings. From what Reyna understood, the fight card had to be rearranged because of a last minute injury that caused the main event to be canceled.
Annabeth's fight shot from the first match all the way to the top of the card. Both placements were ideal. The first fight of the night set the tone and had all of the excitement and hype of the crowd to fuel the fighters. And, everyone anticipated the main event.
Reyna had always wanted to be in the main event. It really only happened for champions, as there was never a regular fight between two contenders that warranted the main event spot. When Reyna challenged Annabeth for the title, would it be at the top of the card?
Her gaze moved to the champion in question. Annabeth and Lupa were talking quietly as the champion adjusted her gear. Percy stood next to Annabeth and was wearing a Wolves hoodie with his own name on it. Piper stood on her other side, and it seemed like they were all giving the champion a pep talk.
Reyna looked back at the television and saw a hype package was being played for Annabeth and Leila's fight. Reyna knew she had a mountain to climb when she fought Clarisse, but she was going to win the fight. Nothing would stop her. From there, she would be on to face the champion.
In a perfect world, Reyna would face Leila. She knew that she could win that fight. Reyna had beaten Leila before, and while the woman had improved, she wasn't good enough. It would be a fluke if she beat Annabeth tonight, and it would be an even bigger one if she somehow beat Arachne. If she somehow made it through those two, Reyna would be more than happy to relieve her of the title.
It was very likely that Reyna would face either Arachne or Annabeth for the title, and she wasn't sure which she preferred. Arachne had beaten her before, but she was still a rookie then. Nowhere near as good as she was now, and Arachne had lost more than a few steps since then. The woman was still extremely deadly with her submissions, and Reyna didn't want to have a war of the mind against her.
As for Annabeth, she would make an interesting opponent. They trained and lightly sparred together, but Reyna knew that Annabeth would be in a different mode during a fight. A title match would be nothing like sparring. In the end, Reyna would want to take on Annabeth. The champion just had to make it past two challengers.
Reyna heard a knock on the door and turned her head. Lupa opened the door, and Reyna frowned as she tried to recognize the woman at the door. Annabeth spoke, "Sally?"
"I just wanted to wish you luck," Sally said as Lupa let her into the locker room. Reyna knew that family was allowed in the backstage area and could visit the locker room. That jealousy grew in Reyna's chest, but she tried to shove it down more.
While her team always supported her, she never had anyone visit her like Sally did. Her relationship with Hylla had been fractured for so long that Hylla never went to any of her fights. Nico didn't attend all of them, and it wasn't like she had anyone else to support her.
"You're going to do great," Sally promised as she pulled Annabeth into a tight hug. Reyna didn't hear Annabeth's response, but when she pulled away, there was a huge smile on her face. Reyna averted her gaze and stared at the ground, trying to get rid of the jealousy that she felt. "I should go back to my seat before Paul eats all of the popcorn. I just wanted to wish you luck."
"Thank you," Annabeth breathed. She pulled Sally into another hug, and Reyna looked away completely. She focused on the television. It took her a few moments to stop herself from scowling. Sally left the room, escorted by Piper.
"Are you sure it's cool if I go out with you guys?" Percy asked.
"You are a trainer," Lupa answered with a small smile. She moved to the door and looked at Annabeth. "Shall we?"
"Yes," Annabeth replied. She lost her smile, and a determined look came to her face. Percy handed Annabeth her title. The champion looked down at it for a moment before carefully placing it over her shoulder, showing off the illustrious golden plates. Annabeth and Lupa left the room a moment later.
"That's our cue," Reyna said as she adjusted her hoodie. Reyna carefully kept her sleeve over her cast. She couldn't wait to get it off and get back to training for her fight against Clarisse. Her gaze moved to the knuckles on her hand that she had broken when she punched the wall. While the knuckles were healed, she hated how much damage her entire arm had taken in a short amount of time.
Reyna trailed behind her teammates, and Percy, as they left the locker room and made their way towards the curtain where Lupa was waiting. Reyna watched the lights dim, and she followed her team towards the cage. Will was already sitting by the cage, and upon seeing Reyna, he gave her a nod. She nodded back.
As they made it to the cage, Reyna paid no attention to the grandiose introduction by the announcer. She instead focused on Annabeth. The champion stood with her title on her shoulder and a look of confidence on her face. It was a stark contrast to her having spent the last few days worrying about every aspect of her fight.
Annabeth looked ready for battle. She kept her head held high as she made eye contact with Leila. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, so it wouldn't fall in front of her face during the fight. Her gray eyes had a laser focus on her opponent as if she was examining her for any weaknesses.
Ever since joining the Wolves, Annabeth had gained more muscle. It was a subtle change as they focused on strength training three times a week, and she was a little more leaner. Reyna was willing to bet that the woman punched harder and faster than when she first joined the Wolves.
The announcer stepped away, and Annabeth slowly took off her title. She examined it for a few moments before she handed it off to the official. He raised the title before handing it off to a stagehand. Leila and Annabeth stared each other down as the spotlights raised.
Annabeth was the first to step forward and offer her glove. Leila touched it and nodded to her. They both stepped away, and the fight officially started. Reyna swore that the crowd was holding their breath as they watched, waiting to see what would happen first.
Reyna wondered the same thing. Both women were cautious. Too cautious for their own good. Reyna had no doubts that the beginning of the fight would be a slow, plodding affair. Both women would be feeling each other out, not willing to commit to a quick attack.
Even if there was an advantage to be obtained, neither woman would start the match with a flurry of attacks. One punch may be thrown but never two. It was all a test of reflexes. That was when Reyna would have to start the fight lightning-quick when she finally faced Annabeth. The champion would have to be forced on the defensive, and Reyna would not be able to take her foot off the gas.
Reyna forced herself to focus back on the fight. The two fighters circled each other, and Reyna watched the seconds tick by. It took twenty seconds into the fight for Leila to throw the first punch. It was one aimed high that Annabeth dodged with ease. Leila didn't follow up with another attack.
A sigh left Reyna as she watched the two. She hated this idle time during a fight. Lupa would tell her this was one of the most important parts of a fight. To feel out your opponent and see how they react. To see if you could make them flinch.
Annabeth threw the next punch. Leila dodged and struck out with a low kick. Annabeth blocked it with ease and returned one of her own. Reyna kept her eyes on the match, but she hated to watch a fight this slow. The mental prodding and mind games were her least favorite part of the fight.
And something that Annabeth Chase excelled at.
Annabeth could fire off a brutal punch or kick just as well as anyone, but it was her brain that was the most dangerous. She seemed to know what her opponent would do before they did. On top of that, she knew a counter to everything. Whether she could pull that counter off or not was a different story.
As the first round wasted away, Reyna watched the two fighters poke and prod at each others' defenses. Neither threw more than one punch at a time. Neither committed too much to an attack. For Reyna, it was a boring way to start a fight. And, she could never tell who would win the mental chess battle.
When there were ten seconds left in the round, Annabeth backed away. A smirk came to her face as she lowered her guard completely. Leila frowned as confusion sparked in her eyes. Even the crowd seemed shocked.
The first round ended, and Annabeth walked towards her corner. She fixed her gloves and looked at them. Lupa studied Annabeth with a curious look, "What is the plan, Annabeth?"
"I know how to take her out," Annabeth answered. The confidence was clear on her face. "Water please?"
Hazel offered Annabeth a squirt bottle. Annabeth took out her mouth guard and took a few squirts of the bottle. Reyna studied the champion and looked at the other corner. Leila was talking to her coach rapidly, and it seemed like the coach was trying to hype her up.
Annabeth handed the water back to Hazel and made eye contact with Reyna. She nodded at her, and Reyna returned the nod. She would admit that she was confused about what exactly Annabeth's plan was, but she knew better than to question her.
"Show them why you're the champ," Reyna said. Annabeth gave her a nod of confirmation and turned towards Leila. Reyna frowned. This confidence was new to Annabeth. It was something she never displayed in any of her fights. Usually, Annabeth was tense in a cautious way. Not as relaxed as she looked now.
Reyna knew what she was seeing, and she didn't like it. Before joining the Wolves, Annabeth Chase had been the best fighter in the Delian League. There was no disputing that. In the Olympic League, there were those with more experience and skill with her. Two of them were in the Wolves, with one of them being the mentor.
Reyna and Annabeth sparred a few times each week. It might not have been full matches, but they were practicing and sparring with each other, picking up on each others' techniques. On top of that, Annabeth sparred with Lupa. One of the greatest fighters ever. And Annabeth was a student of the game.
Iron sharpened iron, and unfortunately for her, Leila was just a cheap whetstone compared to Annabeth and the rest of the Wolves.
Annabeth walked to the middle of the cage with confidence. The bell rang for the second round, and Annabeth threw another punch. Reyna frowned as it was just as cautious as those before it, like she was still feeling her opponent out. Leila threw out another testing punch of her own.
And Annabeth struck. The champion danced underneath the attack and got in close, slamming her fist into Leila's face. The challenger stumbled back and brought her hands up to defend her face. Annabeth attacked her with a kick to the gut. Leila doubled over, and a knee slammed into her jaw.
Annabeth followed it up with a punch to the face, and Leila stumbled back, off-balance and probably out of time. Annabeth planted her right foot and kicked out with her left. It brushed against Leila's jaw, and if the blow had fully connected, the fight would be over. Instead, the challenger stumbled away still on her backfoot.
The best course now was for the champion to press her advantage, and she did. Annabeth kicked forward with a strong boot to Leila's gut. The challenger doubled over and brought both hands to cover her face. Annabeth didn't try to knee her this time, probably knowing that Leila expected it. Another blow to the jaw would send the challenger to the mat.
Annabeth moved forward and threw herself forward in the motion of a dropkick. Her attack was aimed low and hit Leila below the knee. Leila's legs crumbled out from underneath her as she collapsed forward to the ground.
And right into the champion's grasp. Annabeth trapped Leila's chin underneath her arm and grabbed that wrist with her opposite hand. Her legs wrapped around Leila's midsection, trapping her in the guillotine submission. Leila tapped a few seconds later, and the crowd erupted into a roar.
Reyna heard Hazel and Frank cheer beside her. Percy called out Annabeth's name triumphantly, but all Reyna could do was stand there. She expected Annabeth and Leila to go three rounds. The first would be spent feeling each other out. The second and third would be an even match without either gaining ground until Annabeth finally managed to break through.
This was not what Reyna expected. Annabeth just made a statement to the entire world, and she did it with ease. Reyna had underestimated Annabeth, and the champion just made her challenger look like a rookie.
If Reyna and Annabeth had been the ones fighting, Reyna would have taken Annabeth too lightly. She knew better now, and she wouldn't make that mistake. Reyna forced herself to focus back on the champion.
Most champions took the time to celebrate their win and maybe even pander to the crowd or point out someone who had supported them. Annabeth took the time to celebrate for a few moments before she walked towards Leila and extended a hand. Leila took the hand and was pulled to her feet.
Annabeth said something to Leila, and her defeated opponent nodded. The two hugged for a brief moment, and Leila walked towards her corner. Annabeth turned towards the official and grabbed her title from him. She looked around and seemed to be soaking in the reactions of the crowd.
Annabeth made her way out of the cage and was pulled into a hug by Percy. She hugged him back and had a huge grin on her face. Annabeth pulled away from Percy, and Lupa spoke, "Congratulations, Annabeth."
"That was amazing," Hazel added.
"It was incredible," Frank agreed. He looked like he was in shock. Reyna stared at Annabeth and realized that she had yet to speak. A silence had settled over the group.
"You destroyed her," Reyna finally said. She tried to keep the shocked look hidden from her face. Annabeth looked at her and grinned.
"You're buying drinks tonight, right?" Annabeth questioned. It didn't sound like she was out of breath, and she hadn't broken a sweat. Annabeth had not just beaten Leila, but perfectly picked her apart. Reyna didn't know how she was going to take Annabeth out, but she still had her own obstacles to make it through.
"I think I am," Reyna agreed. She watched Percy wrap an arm around Annabeth and lead her away. Hazel and Frank followed right behind. Reyna hesitated before taking up the rear. Lupa stayed next to her.
"You see what you face now?" Lupa questioned. Reyna nodded without looking at her mentor. "If you keep your temper, you will defeat Clarisse, and you will finally have the title match that you have desired for so long. Annabeth will have to train harder to take on Arachne and beat her."
"When you and Annabeth stand face to face, remember that she has been training with everyone. She has picked up on the habits that you have, as you are doing for her. It will be a war between the two of you," Lupa stated. She stopped walking and looked at Reyna. "Truthfully, I do not know who will win, but I look forward to watching the fight."
"I'll be the one who wins," Reyna promised. She kept walking towards the locker room. Lupa followed, and when they made it to the locker room, Reyna saw that there was a huge grin on Annabeth's face. Her gaze moved back to Lupa. "For now, we celebrate Annabeth's victory."