Chapter 4 - The Big Man Falls
Delaney came in smiling, rolling his shoulders like the match had already become a story he would tell later. Riley stayed still, hands loose at her sides.
“You sure?” he asked.
“I’m sure we are,” Riley said. “But answer one question first. How many of your opponents were smaller than you?”
His grin weakened. “What kind of question is that?”
“A useful one. Big fighters often mistake size for skill. You close distance, use weight, overwhelm. It works until someone understands where your force is going before you do.”
The yard went quiet.
Delaney lunged.
He was fast for a man his size. His hand shot toward her collar while the other rose to control her head. Riley dropped her center by inches, turned her torso, and let his grip pass over her shoulder into empty air. Then she caught his wrist, stepped inside instead of away, and redirected his momentum.
Delaney’s knee hit the sand.
His wrist bent just enough to make his whole body obey.
She released him.
“Get up.”
His face reddened. This time, he came lower, feinting before driving for a takedown. Riley rolled with him, not against him, and ended with one knee near his spine and one hand controlling the back of his neck.
Delaney fought.
She held.
Not with strength.
With position.
“Your strength is real,” she said near his ear. “But strength without direction is just energy looking for somewhere to go. I gave it somewhere.”
She stood and looked at the rest of them.
“Who’s next?”
Webb stepped forward.
He did not smirk. He tested. Adjusted. Struck carefully. Shot low. Changed angles.
Ninety seconds later, he was on his back, breathing hard.
He tapped.
Riley offered him a hand.
“You think before you move,” she said. “That’s rare.”
Webb took it. “You’re real.”
May you like
“I know.”
That was when Kael walked forward.
