SS 19 Entropy Championship - Manami Kuroda (c) vs. Pyrena Alexandria Nikos

Just be patient. Keep cool. Wait for the best opportunity.

Despite being a few chances to strike, Pyrena chose to stand pat, holding on as much as she could. She knew this was tricky, but she had to keep her own emotions at bay. Plus with this being a hardcore match, there were so many things that could potentially happen should she strike at the wrong time. Tempering her emotions, using it for something more practical.

It had been a while since she had gotten into a kickboxing battle but if that is what Manami is starting with then Pyrena had no qualms in adapting to such. While she was known to be quite imposing due to her size, the Red Amazon has used such expectations to her advantage. Since many wouldn't expect something like a jumping knee strike right off the bat from someone who could ragdoll an opponent. But it was a good idea. If it landed, she could mount the Wolf Girl and let loose.

If.

The knee that aimed right towards her face only caught air as Manami slid underneath like the snake she is. Leaping over the Wolf Girl, Pyrena inwardly cursed that didn't land. But it was fine. There were more opportunities to land a decisive blow. One that would really knock her out of loop.

So the Red Amazon would land on her two feet, turning round swiftly just to see Manami in a low crouch. "Tch..." Pyrena would bring her guard up again, looking to take the dare. Unlike Manami, she would be more straightforward in her approach, in the literal sense as she came up, with caution, and brought her left knee up, looking as if to chamber a kick. A push kick to be more specific, which looked to be somewhat in range. However, the Greek would bring that foot down, just to bring the other one up, testing how she would handle a hard oblique kick.

Fast. Strong. Composed.

Manami was slowly drawing together an interesting picture of the woman standing definitely across from her with each passing second. Their match had barley elapsed longer than a minute and she could already piece together the challenge that awaited her. Pyrena had the appearance of a typical powerhouse, but the deft movements, the quick reactions the arc of her kick and the way she followed through. It all spoke to a level of technique that was bred far beyond a typical wrestling ring.

That skill and surprise spoke for itself as Pyrena readjusted and prepared herself for her advance adopting a hard posture not unlike the one she’d mocker with moments ago. But this appeared more fine tuned, more refined. Just like her approach.

The Greek came in hard and the wolf watched her feet carefully from the floor. The feet were always a tell, a window that revealed more than the rest of an opponent’s body to the right pair of eyes. And it seemed Pyrena knew that. Manami anticipated a left

That half-second was enough of a difference for Pyrena’s kick. By the time Manami saw through her feint, the amazon’s mighty leg was already speeding towards her. She took another leap back and winced as the kick stomped her above the chest. A point in the Greek’s favor that it still felt like taking an iron rod to the collarbone even after she braced herself. Between this and the stance, if she had to hazard a guess, there was some kickboxing experience latent behind that towering physique. Quite impressive material she was working with here.

Nevertheless, Manami could work with it. She smiled back at the Greek and reached up to grab the woman’s leg before it retracted. Bracing her back foot, the Wolf Girl would twist the extremity inward and attempt to swing the redhead flat on her face with a dragon screw. She wasn’t intent on letting Pyrena scurry away, however. After her maneuver, she’d shuffle her thighs between the woman’s leg and lock her arms around her ankle, moving to secure a bitter kneebar while the amazon was still gathering her senses.

This match would be different. She saw the kind of woman Manami is and she cannot deny the skills she has. But where it would be used for savegry, Pyrena would remain refined, yet hard hitting. The knee didn't hit, but that wouldn't stop her from moving forward. There were still more opportunities.

She went with her own feint, one that Manami herself opened up with but hoping she would get some success where the Japanese Wolf didn't. She kept her movements crisp and fast, showing that there was more to her physique than just being strong. 

While it certainly helped with adding some damage to the successful kick to her chest, there were other factors that played, her experience showing vividly and telling Manami how much of a bad idea going toe to toe in a kickboxing style fight could be. Strucked her chest, stepping into it, her skills haven't dulled in the slightest. Any harder and it could potentially break bone. And for a match like this, that would be fast. And disappointing. Nevertheless, the Red Amazon would move to bring her leg back, planning already what to do next. 

That is until something grabbed it. 

And before Pyrena could react, she would be thrown to the floor in a dragon screw. A good counter, something that Pyrena didn't want to admit, but it did bring her to a place that is notoriously where Manami is strongest. The danger would hit her just as Manami locked in the kneebar and started to twist the leg. 

Letting out a hiss, the pain did bring her to her senses and the Greek knew that a leg lock of any kind was dangerous as seconds go by. Trying not to panic, the Red Amazon would twist to the direction where her leg twisted, gritting her teeth. Manami may have one of her legs, but as long there is still one free, there were options. 

One that she would use initially as she lifted the leg up, relying that the length of her leg would be enough to send the heel of her boot towards the head of Manami. If the Wolf Girl was to hold on then Pyrena would simply deliver more, just to make it less it a comfortable place to be.

Someone in the audience gasped. It was hard to tell exactly who while her mind was preoccupied with executing a potentially crippling offensive. It may have been one person. Possibly two. The volume sounded equivalent to a whole group. Regardless, someone somewhere had realized how bad this situation was about to be. No doubt, Pyrena was thinking the exact same thing.

It didn’t take an expert to see that the Amazon’s best chances were going to be found on her feet. Use those long, lithe legs to keep her foe at a distance and stay as far off the floor as she possibly could. Manami knew that from the instant they bumped shoulders in the hallway, but seeing those kicks confirmed her theory. Once that advantage was stripped out from under her, it was a simple matter of binding the limb. Getting the right torque. Letting the pain sink in, the reality weigh on her mind, and then? Snap. That’s how it should have gone.

But then Pyrena did an interesting little thing. She twisted her leg along the same path, playing with Manami's grasp as she relieved some pressure on herself. Good instincts. They saved the Greek's leg for a good couple seconds as the Wolf Girl clambered to regain her grip.

A couple of seconds being all she needed. Manami looked up to check on how Pyrena was dealing with things and in that same moment found the underside of a boot clocking her square in the forehead. The tension slackened and Pyrena’s leg fell free as Manami fell onto her back surprisingly easily. Her expression wasn’t one of frustration, however. More...curiosity. An eyebrow raised in speculation. There was something about that kick, the way her legs moved in general as she went through a little rewind in her head.

“Muay Thai?” Manami’s face settled for a moment, then snickered as the realization hit her. She rolled back and kicked up to two feet, standing tall and placing a curious finger beneath her chin. 

“I recall meeting a woman with that style before.” Her innocent smile turned sinister and jagged at the corners. “I kicked her kneecap inside out and threw her to the ground so hard she broke her clavicle. Who would have thought? Throwing knees at a sandbag for a living doesn't teach you how to fall properly.”

The wolf placed one hand to her hip and kept the other dangling at her side, keeping everything loose and lax as she began a confident strut to the side. Cool, calm, seemingly open for the attack.

“The predicament with such an inefficient style like is that it makes you predictable. Boring. I sincerely hope that’s not what you’re after.” She waggled her finger. "Boring me is not a good idea."

Time is important, especially when it comes to something like a leg lock. Because by the time it hurts enough to make an opponent tap, their knee is already ripping apart. So already, by the time she felt the pressure of the kneebar kicking in, one thing came to mind.

Get out. 

And that she would work to do, all the while keeping calm and not panic. Mostly because Manami is probably fishing for that sort of thing and wasn't going to let her get the satisfaction. The audience already held their breath, worried for the Red Amazon who looked pretty good standing and now her chances doesn't look too good. That is until she moved to negate some of the pressure off her knee. Affording a few seconds while Manami looks to refortify her kneebar.

Those seconds would be enough just to strike her heel down her forehead, just one good hit needed to make her let go. 

Well that was easy.

Surprisingly so, perhaps the head might be a good target. Something to keep in mind whilst in battle. Soon as she rolled over and pushed up to all fours, Manami came to a realisation. Pyrena paused, not for too long but the space of time was noticeable as the Red Amazon got to one knee, checking up on the knee while Manami goes on about that gruesome recalling of her fight tales. The last part was technically true. 

But the Wolf Girl caught on quite quickly and as Pyrena rose up to her feet and faced her, it wasn't an expression of someone having her game plan being caught out. But cool, steeled, calm. Sure, she figured out part of her style. 

Part.  

"Me entertaining you isn't exactly a prerequisite, remember?" The Greek would say before settling into a stance. A kickboxing stance, but not like the one found in Muay Thai, rather a pretty standard stance for it. "Plus, you're an old enough girl to find something that can excite you. I'm not here to fight a child." Curling her fingers into tight fists, looking dead straight at her over her guard.

One piece of the puzzle solved. On to the rest.

Years of underground experience had given Manami’s eye some rather keen insight to work with between the ropes. Pyrena’s relative obscurity made approaching her a somewhat difficult task, But deductive reasoning would lead the way reliably enough. That was the hope, at the very least. Something told her that wasn’t the only ace this redhead - this girl - was keeping in the hole.

There was still this giant mass of muscle and cool mystery to contend with. Part of Manami had to wonder what exactly lay just behind this woman’s fleeting present. What kind of trail of broken bodies and dusted decorations did she leave in her wake? Loathe she was to admit to herself, Pyrena had the making of a champion. She could tell that in their brief time together. Tall, lean, skilled, composed under pressure, constantly thinking two steps ahead. If it were anyone else in this ring, the outcome of this match may have already been decided.

And it was. Just not in the way Pyrena may enjoy.

“By all means. Go on believing that.” Manami chuckled and dismissed with an idle wave of her hand, The next instant, she brought her hands up and crouched low, running her tongue along the top of her lip. “I love being goaded.”

The Wolf Girl took her time on the approach this time around. She played with the distance between them as she circled the Greek warrior, tiptoeing into her range, watching for any signs of defiance behind that rudimentary stance of hers. She brought herself closer and closer, inch by inch with the care she would a cobra curled up in the middle of a desert path. Carefully, carefully…

...and then she stepped forward. A practical lunge into Pyrena’s safe space before she brought her front foot up and down with a snappy, solid, sideways slam to squish the woman’s back foot.

Well, it didn't take long for Manami to figure that one out. Smarts behind such savagery. This wouldn't be easy. Then again, Pyrena never expected this match to be easy. Far from it.

But for now, the Red Amazon was going to switch stances, going for a more simple version instead. Not that she was trying to make things less boring for the Champion, she could care less if she's bored. But to make sure she doesn't get too used to a particular style and one that Manami could counter. There were still other aspects to her style that she still has yet to use and the Greek had a feeling she was going to use all of them. But she hoped that the Wolf doesn't figure it out too quickly. Although that hope would be less in its importance. Pyrena was doing her own research and finding patterns to her style.

A potential one came up when Manami went into a crouch...but doesn't attack straight away. Going back to what she did the start of the match, it seems. Pyrena would stand pat with her own stance, not bouncing on her toes too much but her heels were raised off the floor some, doing her best to keep mobile as Manami crept closer and closer. Tensed, but ready to strike at a moment's notice. As if she was that cobra that the Japanese woman had to carefully approach.

But how will she catch her?

Well, Pyrena wouldn't wait to find out. Unlike before when Manami rushed in, Pyrena would slide in towards her, front leg extending more, with the attempt to twist her upper body to generate much torque in the twist, her fist cocked and ready to fly. And it would fire. That was until something smashed down right on top of her foot which brought out a yelp of pain out of the redhead. A stomp? Defenitely trying to take out those legs from hers. If it was barefoot then this would be even more painful. But if she was going to play that way then she was going to learn that there would be consequences for her action.

Her fist would fire straight as Manami would lunge in, with a hard, snappy right cross straight towards her face.

Oh. Pyrena had good lungs.

Not the least of what Manami was expecting when she planted her foot down. She was looking for damage, broken cartilage, maybe some nice bruising to go along the surface. She wasn’t expecting results straight away. She was playing the long game, softening her up for the kill. There were plenty of ways to butcher a carcass, but patience was a virtue no matter how one went about it.

But the yelp was a welcome addition all the same. It sung like a wonderful hymn against her ears, tickled her down to the core. A pitch higher than what she would have expected actually from that stupidly robust frame of hers, more feminine and fragile for someone that fancied themselves a proud warrior.

Of course, she wasn’t her to judge. She had an example to make.

That was the intention, at least. She was about to move in with the rest of her offense before Pyrean caught her with a solid straight. Good power, nice follow through, and the pain in her foot clearly helped. Oh yes. Muay Thai for sure. On a lesser person, that may have knocked them down for the count. Manami, however, couldn’t help but feel slightly bemused and little more beyond that. If Pyrena was expecting her to respect her space, then what came next would hopefully be a pleasant surprise for the stalwart redhead.

Manami took hold and dragged her softened cheek along the length of Pyrena’s arm with a wild tinge staining her eyes. She took advantage of the limited mobility to swing the Greek around as she stepped behind the amazon. In one smooth motion, she leapt up and trapped one arm between her legs and trapped the other arm straight with her own. Assuming she managed that, it was a simple matter of forcing her weight back and bringing Pyrena down to the canvas for a crucifix pin. She didn’t doubt the Greek’s strength or her ability to kick out...but that was all part of the fun. Tire her out. Play a bit.

Make her think she had a chance.

Crafty. Cunning.

Manami was not one to be overlooked and now had to change her approach in dealing with her. She could do without the stomp to her foot, but like the warrior she is, the Red Amazon wasn't going to let anything deter her. Sure, it stings but it could be worse. Way, way worse.

Her fist continued to fly towards the Wolf Girl and it eventually caught its target, that being square in her face. She always wanted to do that since they met and it felt good just to punish Manami's advances. At the very least, she had hoped that Manami would continue to respect her space and back away. Perhaps with a stunned look on her face.

Yeah, that didn't happen.

Rather it would be Pyrena with the stunned look on her face once Manami suddenly came behind her, latched onto her and throwing the Greek down with a crucifix pin, landing with a grunt. And the crowd was worried again, their hope to finally bring the Wolf Girl down is on the ground again. Meanwhile, Pyrena inwardly hated to admit it but she could accept that she got caught on that one.

ONE! Oh yeah, its a pin. Of course.

Gathering strength, she would kick her legs and buck out of the pin, managing to escape before the ref could even think of moving for number two. Rolling to her knees, the Red Amazon remained there, only to keep her eyes on Manami all the meanwhile.

The pinfall came and went rather fast, so fast that some of the less mentally developed aspect of the audience questioned the point of it at all. Manami thought that way too, once upon a time.

It was a tactic she’d been on the receiving end of many a time with her fabled bout against the Slamazon, Valley Doll. Part of her grand strategy seemed to be to pin her at every opportunity, get her low to the ground and force her to wear herself out the repeated involuntary bursts of energy necessary to keep the match going. It was a slow cutting knife, but one that Manami couldn’t deny the effectiveness of. She’d spent some time thinking of the ideal opponent to act as her own little experiment, and Pyrena’s candidacy seemed prime indeed.

Plus, she could take things a step further than Valley this time around. When she caught Pyrena in the crucifix, she put a bit of extra...incentive into the hold. Cranking the limbs from behind her back, testing the shoulder blades, the ligaments, tendons all up and down her arm. She’d hoped to get a lot further than she actually did.

One second was too short. The redhead kicked out, putting that extraordinary upper body strength to good use. It was a useful learning experience either way, a good way to gauge how much punishment those extremities might take and how much further she’d have to go next time to make sure the Greek warrior didn’t escape.

‘Escape’ and ‘freedom’ were to separate realities, however. Manami didn’t often let her prey get away so easily. Not a second after she kicked out, the Wolf Girl threw her hands behind her back and reeled her legs back. The second Pyrena looked up, she’d find a pair of boots sailing towards her face, a classic kangaroo kick. If that landed without incident, Manami would kick off the impact, using the opposing force to flip herself backward and land upright, crouched low to the floor in a manner befitting her alias.