SS 18: Cicilia De’Reigndhart vs. Veronika Ivanov

In all actuality, the Russian swung blindly into their stomach, she didn’t expect there to be much room to work with but Veronika wasn’t going to complain. The feral growl ripping from her opponent’s throat was met with a slight glaring gaze, she was focused, calm. The solider knew she had to keep her bearings and only move when they did, only she didn’t expect her German adversary to think up the same thing as her.

With both elbows connecting, her head snapped to the side, following her elbow while hers connected in that same instance. She drove it as much as she could given her situation and position but thankfully it was enough to warrant the juggernaut to back off. With room to know move, the first thing she had to quell was her aching jaw. Her right hand cups the bone, rubbing the pain to a bare numbness to retrieve her focus. Veronika has to admit, they knew how to throw their weight around but it was far from over.

Cicilia continued to back pedal until she was center ring, the sudden passiveness of their stance wasn’t welcoming in the slightest, she was very unsure if to take it or not. Her mind mused over this as she pulled away from the corner, making her way center stage, before offering her hands in another test of strength.

Veronika had already played this song and dance but this was a way for instant payback. If she managed to bait the juggernaut into following through with another test her knee would find a home in their stomach. Her strategy was to work them over, being them closer to exhaustion then to chip that exhaustion further with holds. A simple plan but how far could she execute? That, Veronika wasn’t too sure about.

A tactical retreat if ever there was one. That exchange was but a confirmation test. She wasn't backing up because she had to, just that she wanted a new start. This girl was strong, but she didn't look too... strategic. Granted, Cicilia wasn't either, but this was where she gets inspired! The inner strategist left dormant inside will come out in a blaze of flaming fists! She just had to know her opponent... And now she did. Veronika wouldn't be disappointed anymore.

The Russian fighter stepped in, gesturing for Cicilia to come in close for another lock-up. Yeah... Like that would happen. She saw where that last one lead and it wasn't too... favorable. No point in getting herself into another pointless war of attrition. However... The Juggernaut smirked and shuffled closer to the woman, seemingly closing the distance to lock up! The instant she got in arm's reach, The german lashed out with a quick jab to Veronika's nose followed by a blistering uppercut to her gut, hoping to wind her with this sudden surprise attack! Bursting out from that passive shell that left the russian dissatisfied, the Juggernaut began an vicious left-right combo of heavy, brutal blows, attempting to knock her head RIGHT off her neck with the repeated hooks to her jaw!

*BAM!*

*BAM!*

*BAM!*

Cicilia would smash away at her opponent's head before reaching out to grab at her shoulders with BOTH hands and drag her in for a BRUTAL knee to her stomach followed by a wrathful uppercut to her jaw, intent on sending her flying back! This volley of blows were meant as much to damage as they were to keep Veronika on the back foot as she slipped right on up after her intent on delivering an even more agonizing combo!

Veronika felt that this would be another chance for the juggernaut to prove her name sake, nothing in this world was more valuable than proving your own worth, at least that’s what she thought. Her drive to appease the crowd but still keep the respect of her German opponent seemed to go hand in hand, she thought nothing of betrayal when she offered them a second chance at this test.

Surprise. Surprise gripped her mind as they faked their cooperation, the German was quick to step in to reliever a jab to her nose, a brutal first start if she was trying to break her nose, followed by a speedy uppercuttiher midsection. Veronika was sent back, back pedaling to assess the damage but she didn’t have time to groan or the like. The juggernaut came right back for seconds. Closing in her arms, elbow to elbow, she’d clench her fists as they second wave came. Her guard was being battered right and left as the juggernaut attempted with all her might tochip her down little by little.

A primal distasteing growl erupts from her throat, she couldn’t except being pushed back like this, she had to do something, anything! With the fury of blows still coming she steps inward toward them, fighters like her needed room to punch, since, from she could tell at least, she had to bring her arm back a good bit togire off punches like these. Her plan was to eliminate the space she had to throw each punch and there wasn’t much distance to cross.

If her plan set in motion, Cilicia would find a Russian amazon upon her, guard up, and a rough shove to follow suit. Her objective was to stumble the juggernaut, her new strategy revolves around getting a hold of one of those arms, she needed to disable them if she wanted a chance in this match.

Cicilia waled on Veronika without any sign of stopping, her fists smashing over and over against her Russian rival! She was relentless, brutal, attempting to bully the seemingly stronger woman into getting her way: Devastation. Veronika was not so easily beaten, however. She was on the German's level if not one more above, able to take her strikes MUCH easier than someone lesser, standing her ground against the assault of the boxer! Even more-so, she managed to counter with an attack of her own: Lunging as Cicilia retracted her arms for another punch, the Russian panzer went on the attack... if one could call it that, her arms shooting out to not hit her... but PUSH the boxer off-balance! Footwork and such was what she was MEANT for in her profession but that didn't stop the force of someone equally powerful from toppling her slightly! Cicilia stumbled back, shouting in surprise but just as soon as the Russian moved to trip her up, she then did the opposite to stabilize her... Or so it seemed.

With one of those repelling hands, Veronika caught one of the German's wrists, holding it hostage in her iron grip! While it did provide the anchor needed to keep her from falling, this was not a position ANY striker wanted to be in! With their limbs restricted, they would be unable to do what they did best in beating the tar out of their opponents! Hissing in frustration Cicilia lunged in, attempting to wrap her free arm around her neck, to draw her in close for a knife-like knee to stab into her ab-armored stomach! Hopefully, this deterred any sort of crippling plan her opponent intended to enact, what with her arm firmly locked in her grip. Her leg would then quickly retract her leg, only to have it kick off the ground again to SPIKE into Veronika's belly once again!... And again... and again if need be! However many times it took to get her to release her grip!

Veronika had meant to do more than just hold theblimb hostage, in her mind there was more than just holding it tight in store for the juggernaut but of course she didn’t get that chance. She was quick to close the distance, cutting off any attempt at following through with a submission maneuver.

In that instance, the Amazon felt their arm wrap about their neck, locking her in place. She knew this wasn’t the place to be and made a break to pull away but Cicilia was already on the attack. A knee spikes her abdomen, pain courses through her innards and stomach as the bone connects with flesh. A rather unpleasant sound erupts from her lips, threatening to take her off her feet.

The German was relentless but that would be her own undoing in the end. She came in for another strike and another, in rhythmic succession, this is where the juggernaut had messed up. As the knee came in for the third or maybe fourth time, Veronika caught her leg, under the crook of her knee. Even through the battering she managed to hold on to their wrist, it was payback time and what better way to do it than bringing the pain!

With two limbs now in hand, Veronika stayed low, at this angle she felt she had numerous opportunities with any move she preferred. In that moment, the Russian would attempt to pull the German up and over her shoulders in a fireman’s carry. If she were quick, her right arm would slip over their neck, her left would push her up, suspending her lower half in the air before twisting sharplyto drop her on their back!

Cicilia jammed her knee into Veronika's gut once... twice... But her grip just wouldn't loosen! She attempted to hammer her point home, to establish some ground, to break the russian soldier's advantage but she just... wouldn't... GIVE!! She figured Veronika had the durability to come with her strength... There was no doubt she looked that way but she was able to take more than one Knee-strike from the JUGGERNAUT and keep clinging on!? That's... remarkable... What was even moreso was how she fought back! When Cicilia came up for a third strike to her gut, Veronika's hand shot down to catch it, scooping up the German's leg in a very unbalanced an perilous position! She didn't even have time to come up with some sort of vain question as to what was happening as the russian soldier quickly scooped her up in a fireman's carry... The proceed to flip her up and slam her down on her back in a MORE than professional slam!

GGGUH!" She gasped in pain as she was dropped on her spine, a feeling she wasn't used too in the least... Cicilia had hardly ever been knocked off her feet, let alone picked up and slammed like this! It was almost an alien feeling, only the vaguest of childhood memories providing additional context!

"...NNgh..." She groaned, her spine starting to ache with the heat of the impact, Cicilia attempting to wiggle over on her front and push herself up... For what that was worth. Her movements were slow... rattled by this display of control and power coming together as one! With a freight train such as she off course, Veronika had every opportunity to exploit it's confusion!

The solider was relieved to finally take full advantage over the German, having tanked and managed to to overpower her once again filled her heart with ease. She could sense now what was Cicilia weakness, someone who trained all their life in boxing couldn’t compare to an expirenced grappler like herself. Here, she held the high ground and all the chips were in her hands, how she played them, well that was up to her.

Unlike most, Veronika wouldn’t take any pleasure in the power exchange. She solely focused on clearing an obstacle, losing her composure would prove a grave mistake and she couldn’t let that happen, not with Cicilia. Her hardened gaze met the slow boxer, it was natural for someone who wasn’t used to this kind of pain/treatment to expirence and that was something she could use. The Russian decided to push her attack. Her left leg rose, her boot at the ready bam! came the boot against her spine, bam! came the second wave.

She’d onky do it twice, she could only guess that if her strikes landed cleanly that the German would have an even harder time getting up than she wanted. Veronika was keen on that fact, banking on it actually. The solider was unsure about her endurance level or her stamina level for that matter but one thing she did know was their caliber of strength. Of course the tanned tank wasn’t stupid, she knew in that regard she could go toe-to-toe but Cicilia outmatched her in nimbleness, something that she clearly lacked.

The solider knew letting up would be a sign of weakness and it wasn’t in her to. Her boot would slip under her stomach if all went according to plan, her right foot would position itself in between her knees, crossing their right over their left and making sure her foot was the fulcrum point, she’d drop to the mat to apply pressure in her figure four lock! ”Grgh, You give,no?” her tone was attentive, observing in a way. ”Hear De’Reigndharts strong. Show me strength!” She demands.

Cicilia was down on the floor, trying to regain her faculties and Veronika took advantage of that. She didn't lock up a limb to try and wring out the boxer's strength. She didn't mount her and proceed to beat her head into the dirt. No... She wanted to humiliate the Juggernaut apparently by stomping HARD on her spine! Each blow only served to remind the German of the power gap between them... She could feel her own durability begin to buckle under the Russian's foot, each stomp taking a bite out of her will to fight back! She would've been impressed if it didn't leave her feeling so weak and pathetic!

"GAH! AUGH!" She cried with each heel slamming into her spine. She could feel the hot rush of blood and the aching swell of her muscles under her skin begin to increase ash Cicilia again tried to force herself up... only for Veronika to PUSH her back down, grinding her dirty, dusty boot-heel into her back between her shoulder-blades! What shame she felt... What helplessness... It reminded her of those fights between herself and Elfrida when they were but children, how Cicilia was but a flopping fish in the face of a well-honed shark. How no matter how she fought or what damage she took, she just couldn't exploit what few (if any) weak-points that exposed themselves! The worst part is that she could SEE them in Veronika! She sees points of interest that if ONLY she could attack, she could make some headway but Veronika just... kept... MOVING! JUST! OUT! OF REACH!

Just like now...

"DAMN IT!" Cicilia swore, slamming her fist into the floor of the arena, her teeth practically biting into themselves as her opponent dug her boot into her back... This couldn't be... The difference in their ability couldn't be THIS great!" She glared up at the dark-skinned russian over her shoulder as she mocked Cicilia, her voice almost seeming to echo Elfrida's.

Why don't you give up!? Come on, Cicilia! You're supposed to be tough!

For an instant, she could almost see her sister's face in Veronika's, a layer or mask over the Russian's face, smiling down at her with at smug, condescending grin.

Suddenly, The Juggernaut let out a roar of power as she whirled over on her stomach, throwing Veronika's foot over off to the side, potentially taking her off balance. With on swift move the boxer SHOT to her feet and lunged at her stronger rival, aiming to Take her DOWN to the floor with a massive spear! Should she managed to do so, she would keep up her momentum, mounting the woman before cocking a fist back and SLAMMING it across Veronika's jaw! She didn't let up after that strike, however, her hands instantly shooting down to snatch up the soldier's head. She held it still... as Cicilia moved to SMASH her forehead into the woman's face!

The Russian was sure she’d had done enough to warrant a break from the German and for a moment it seemed like it too. She was prepared to put them in even more trouble with a submission but something clicked in Cicilia. Veronika wasn’t dull, from the moment she heard her roar she should’ve stepped back and retreated to think. Her speed wasn’t up to par however and she found her balance rocky with the sudden shot to her legs.

Within a split second the De’Reigndhart was upon her. She didn’t have the time to properly set up her guard and her stomach paid the price. The spear was devastating and clearly knocked the wind right out of her. ”Guh!” her lips released as she fell to the mat. She need a moment to recover but of course, Cicilia wasn’t going to relent, was her small taunt that rage inducing? Was what little she said really that offensive? The solider wasn’t sure but she knew for one thing now wasn’t the time to think about it.

Her arms locked tightly together to form a barrier but it was shakey, each punch threatened to break her guard and soon enough the threat was real. She ended up taking one, no two shots to her face. The German grabbed hold of her skull and this was something thebsokider knew all to well. This tactic was used frequently during hand-to-hand combat training and a couple times in the battlefield in her most toughest spots. Her own hands rush to grab her skull and in that moment she would answer the call. Her rushed headbutt adding its own force.

Hopefully she could throw the other off of her to breathe. She didn’t expect so much in such a small amount of time but she had to admit the woman had something going for her. Veronika wasn’t going to just let her get away with this assault, no, she deserved some punishment for that but for now, recovery came first.

Cicilia's blows rattled the Russian soldier, she could feel it. From the spear she nailed into her belly to the cracks across her jaw she was able to squeeze past her shaky guard! Was Veronika's taunt that rage inducing? Objectively, no. Personally, yes. Veronika did not know how little Cicilia appreciated being reminded of her family, how they still existed and lived to taunt her and tell her of ALL the things she's done wrong. How weak she was... How untalented... How clumsy and stupid. By their rich, high standards, she should've torn apart the entire Old World by now with her skill but here she was... struggling to even make a living here in Japan. She could practically feel their sanguine eyes digging into her spine already as she knelt over the Russian, beating on her face like it were a drum. How they shake their heads and pinch their noses in distaste. She could already hear them.

How utterly brash of you, Cicilia.

Do you even know what puts us above the rest of these charlatans!?

Don't bother getting up. Your fighting is shameful.

She hated them... Even that was too soft a word for the hostile, violent resentment she felt towards them... Even the thought that she might share blood with those tyrants. She despised being reminded that she had a legacy tied to those that would flush their out child down a sink if they knew how little talent she would grow to posses. Hearing that her last name belonged to someone other than herself... it was one of the short fuses that would set the bomb off.

Her skull SLAMMED into Veronika's hitting them both so hard, stars danced hypnotically across their gazes! Even as vertigo pried at her fingers, she didn't relent her assault! She refused! Even so... A swift, hard shove from Veronika threw the Juggernaut off, leaving her gasping, glaring at the soldier as she rose to her hands and knees. She probably didn't know what set off the boxer... Maybe she'd apologize for her outburst after this match... Not now. Now, she'd act on it.