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

Her arms still had strength in them, any nagging pain that she was feeling around the sockets were something she could afford to ignore. Besides, with a move like the brainbuster, it was going to be worth it in the end in terms of damage.

Dropping the champion right onto her head, the Red Amazon let her body slump onto the sandy-wodden floor, seemingly out of it for the most part. It was not the most pleasant being dropped right on your cranium on the canvas but it was even more painful on any other surfaces. She wasn't going to let that Ostrich keep her head in the sand, there was a pin attempt to be made.

First one came, which went simple enough. No early kickout there. Would have been surprised if she was able to do that but she would have been even tougher than she expected from Manami. The second came and for a moment, the Greek warrior wondered if this was going to be very simple. She would have been very disappointed if a brainbuster was all that it took to keep.her down long enough for the three count. The official's hand came down, almost about to hit the sand. Until Manami suddenly kicked out.

Shame, not going to be so simple then. However, she was the champion and there was still much to be done. Especially considering what kind of match is in the first place.

Pyrena pushed herself up, getting on one knee and then on two free as she looked around, finding something to use. A hand reached down at her head was focused on the one target that she had her sights on. The other hand would reach for the waistline of her shorts before taking a few steps forward, dragging Manami wherever she likes it or not and then attempt to throw her straight into the barricade.

Moments like these were likely the reason others so readily attributed qualities of madness and insanity to the Wolf Girl without a second thought. There she was, with a mind awash in a sea of vertigo and throbbing pain and a skull that had just narrowly avoided being caved in thanks to the slight inches of sand that covered the floorboards beneath her. Looming over her was a gold-plated titan burning brightly beneath the heavenly glow of the stage lights overhead, ready and beyond willing to dash her mortal coil into oblivion.

And Manami was smiling like a fool. That same, razor-sharp smirk on her visage that she’d adorned from the moment she stepped between the ropes. If anything, it seemed to have grown a tad wider, taken on a sickly and savage aspect to it.

Her heart beat like a jungle drum on the inside, playing to a barbaric beat. She couldn’t deny the exhilaration from being challenged, pushed to the limit. Pyrena was strong, versatile. The exact kind of opponent where one misstep could produce devastating results. She couldn’t afford to be careless, but she couldn’t resist the excitement coursing through her veins either. This was panning out rather well. Of course, she couldn’t let this get too far away from her. Her counterattack had to be deadly, and soon.

But Pyrena was a smart girl. She knew better than to let the moment pass and lament her missed chance at a swift victory. There were only a few seconds available for Manami to breath before she felt herself being yanked up from the floor on all fours and promptly thrown headfirst into the steel barricade. The clang rang out and sounded akin to a bat banging against a hollow drum.

Manami twisted and fell to her back. The shock traveling through her delayed her movements for a second, an electric current that ran down her spine and shot through her fingertips before she was allowed to move again. She brought a hand to the top of her head, gritting through her teeth as she sat up with her back to the barricade. She glared up at the redhead through one open eye.

“That hurt, you bitch.”

How could this sick fuck be smiling after that?

That was one thing that came into her mind after Pyrena drove Manami’s head to the sandy, wooden floor. The brainbuster was a brutal move even when landing on the ring canvas, done anywhere else, and the damage increased exponentially. Of course, that wouldn’t be enough to take her down. Loathe her as much as she wanted; Pyrena couldn’t deny how tough she was, even being smaller than the Greek is. She is a champion for a reason, after all.

But that sick, twisted smile. That was something else. Was she taunting her? Did she perhaps like the pain? In any case, this was bigger than before, coming from ear to ear. Maybe it could be the challenge of it all, the fight that got her excited, the Wolf Child giddy like she was opening up a Christmas present.

In any case, Pyrena wasn’t going to stand there. The Red Amazon grabbed hold of Manami, using the time well spent in action rather than something to lament. And like chucking a drunk guy out of a bar, the Golden Spartan chucked the champion straight into the steel barricade, the metallic clang where steel met flesh and bone rang nearby those that are watching in attendance.

What was funny is that this was the move that completely took the smile off her face after the rough tumble on the barricade, the Red Amazon looming over her. Coming towards Manami, staring at her one eye that glared at her. “That hurt, you bitch.” Those were the words that came out of her mouth.

Well, duh.

“Oh gee, sorry about that. I meant for that not to hurt.” Sarcasm dripping out from her lips before she fired a boot that shot out hard, seeking to drive her face into the steel barricade. At the very least, to knock some more sense into her brain, considering the stupidity that came out of Manami’s lips.

In hindsight, all of this quiet excitement for the challenge posed in front of her wasn’t doing Manami any good for her long-term plans. Why did she come this far? Why did she procure this belt? Why did she beat the last champion into a bloody stain and cast herself into a pit of ferocious serpents? What was she doing in the sand right now? Certainly not to be beaten into the dirt. Most certainly not to entertain. No, she had to do something about all of this. As soon as she regained a sense of weight inside of her cranium.

The reasons danced around in her head, flying to and fro like her faltering grasp on reality. For some reason, she couldn’t settle on any one purpose. She wanted to end this farce. She wanted all this cheering for one or the other to cease. She wanted to break apart this never-ending ladder of champions and fallen heroes. But more than anything, there was a yearning, a lingering want that tethered her by the nose like an obedient lesser to her master.

She followed that scent back into reality. Just in time to catch Pyrena’s snarky little comment. The redhead, for all Manami’s misgivings about her ideals, she had some admiration for the relentlessness she seemed fully capable of bringing to bear. She didn’t let that violence guide her, blind her from the bigger picture, but she was more than willing to give her all into each strike she delivered. Every horrible pounding that was still sending quakes through Manami’s muscles.

Or perhaps that was just from hitting the steel bars. Either way, the Wolf Girl was too stunned to stand up straight away and Pyrena was not one to let her opportunities slip by. She turned away and raised her arms to block the kick, but the Greek’s lithe legs rendered that option null. Her boot slammed into her face and rammed the side of Manami’s head into the barricade. Her body jolted from the impact and forced her predatory gaze off to one side.

That was fine. She knew where her prey was.

Manami’s leg reeled back and kicked at Pyrena’s kneecap before her kick could fully retract, fully intent on folding the woman’s thick leg in on itself. If she could get the titan to kneel, she’d reel both legs back and pop off her arms to kick the redhead straight in her chest with a sideways kangaroo kick.

A simple roll of her shoulders as Pyrena simply glared at Manami as she sat up on the barricade. She wondered if that last attack knocked a few screws loose but such a stupid comment would of course be reciprocated with a little bit of snark. Which was a rare occurrence but Pyrena is quick witted to come up with something like that. It just wouldn’t stop Pyrena from doing what needs to be done. Her purpose of coming here in Los Angeles, which is singular than the mess of thoughts running through Manami’s mind. Pyrena’s did not change, the ever-growing violence would have led her down a different path if she was a lesser human being. But she kept firm. Unmoving. Unwavering. And she strives to see the outcome that is desperately needed, to bring order to chaos.

Never relenting, Pyrena brought her boot up just to drive it straight towards the head of Manami, the Wolf Girl wasn’t howling, though that was to be expected when one’s head is driven further into the barricade. Huh. It didn’t break. For someone who doesn’t like being hit in the head, Manami sure has a strong cranium. Though amist the destruction, there was a brief moment that the Red Amazon let her guard down on Manami. Not physically, but mentally. She got comfortable. Not by a whole lot but enough.

Enough to make the regret sting much worse than the pain in the kneecap.

"Arrrrggggh!!"

A short yelp escaped her lips as the Red Amazon fell to one knee, the Greek titan brought down just as she was retracting her leg from the kick. Either the Wolf Girl had enough sense to still know where Pyrena would be or Pyrena actually knocked some sense back into her with that kick. The sand offered enough of a soft, coarse cushion rather than something much harder but she was still reminded of the searing pain on her knee. Enough to blind the kangaroo kick that this time hit its mark. Clutching her chest with one arm, the other holding her knee as she landed on the sandy floor on her back. Again.

Great.

Exploiting vulnerabilities just came natural to Manami. Vulnerabilities of the body, the mind, the heart. They were more or less the same all in the end. Weaknesses in one’s armor, innate imperfection that were made to be punished. And the toll was always extensive.

She didn’t even have to see where she was attacking to know how badly it hurt and the extent of the damage. She could feel in the way Pyrena listed. The way her leg sprung back like a slinky and the way her knee rigidly fought to the motion from start to end. No, she wasn’t going to be shaking that off any time soon.

But what she loved most was the scream. Pain, shock, surrender. It was all spelled across her face and almost palpable as the blazing redhead collapsed to one knee. It made the kicking her chest cavity in all the more satisfying as the wolf’s blood curled beneath the skin. She plopped down into a sitting position after kicking Pyrena back, sat with her hands behind her and a slasher’s smile across her lips. The pain from straining her body hadn't even registered. She wanted nothing more than to hear that wail ring out before the Greek finally toppled.

Wanted being the key word there. Her opponent was down, reeling, vulnerable, begging to ripped apart in grasp, but Manami couldn’t sink her teeth into that quarry just yet. She was still thoroughly rattled from all the trauma. Her body needed a moment or two to adjust to the ringing in the back of her head and the sudden sense of weightlessness from having the back of her head driven into the steel. Never a pleasant experience.

She just had to settle for the next best thing. Manami pushed herself into a forward roll, raising her foot in a wide arc into the air as she went and quickly brought it down, driving her heel straight into Pyrena’s exposed gut. If she couldn’t have her just yet, she could at least keep the amazon wounded. Empty.

Then they could have some fun.

Many thoughts were going through her mind as she clutched her knee, trying to bend in a way that it wasn’t supposed. It isn’t something that could be done; naturally, Pyrena wasn’t that double-jointed, that was the result of Manami kick striking her right in the knee. Between that and the kangaroo kick, it’s no wonder why Pyrena was starting to get annoyed with the Wolf Girl — annoyed that she was slightly impressed with the face of, one, how tough she is and two, how good her aim is. Many would count it as luck but any seasoned fighter would know.

So yes, Pyrena wasn’t going to shake that off anytime soon, the pain still felt as she rolled onto her back, nerves sending messages to her brain and it was hard to ignore it. She is cradling her throbbing knee. She didn’t have to see that Manami had that smile of hers. Doubtful that it would be of the cocky variety, Pyrena had turned the tables on her before and knocked that smile off her face before. No, it was more she was enjoying the pain, loving it, relishing it. The Red Amazon regretted letting out that yelp of pain, though that came naturally. Nothing much she could do. But Manami was given an inch and she was going to take a mile.

Though it wasn’t going to be soon, she was taking a while to get the engine running, stalling somewhat. As much as the Wolf Girl nailed her with those kicks, Manami took one big boot to the face that was probably the equivalent of those two kicks. A fair trade-off, something that at least kept the Wolf Girl at bay somewhat. Though not for long and with how Manami took the rug from under Pyrena, she wasn’t going to dwell in her laurels for too long. Pyrena still had her wits together. And she can still fight.

So can the emerald-clad opponent as she pushed off into a forward roll towards the Red Amazon, the Greek about to be on the receiving end of her heel driving into her gut though that is where this funny thing called “convenience” came into play.

With her hands already tending to her knee, the Red Amazon didn’t have to waste time in bringing them down. Blocking the kick wasn’t going to do much, not for someone like Manami. While her legs weren’t as lithe and strong as Pyrena’s, they did pack a lot of power in them. Rather than just stopping the kick, the Greek warrior would grab at the leg, letting one hand grab at the ankle before shifting herself so that she could wrap her legs around the one leg. If she could, the Red Titan would start to twist at her leg, looking to lock in a kneebar. It wasn’t going to be easy with her knee still niggling but something is better than nothing.

Maybe she should have gotten a little closer and aimed for the face. The idle though passed through Manami’s hazy, blood-driven thoughts as she sailed her foot through the air between them like a hammer of judgement moving to cast its weight upon the Greek’s vulnerable form. She was sorely tempted to make the rest of her pretty features match her hair, bit by bit. This could have been the first step on that long and winding path in setting her example for the rest of the federation.

Practicality spoke louder in that regard. The aim would be difficult and she wasn’t exactly in a position to focus on the cosmetic aspects of this little struggle. She had to secure her position, make sure Pyrena would stay down when she told her to and add some needed pressure when she didn’t. At the very least, a blown-out lung would make things easier for the Wolf Girl in the long run.

It was a moot point. Pyrena was a bit more lucid than Manami had calculated for. Maybe she hadn’t moved quickly enough to really capitalize on the opening she’d made, maybe she hadn’t hit the Greek hard enough in her chest. Either way, as she completed her spin and brought leg came down, the champion found it snatched away from her. Her eyes widened and before she could utter even a single word of protest- “GAH!”

A kneebar. Fucking bitch.

She set in quick with the right amount of torque, worked it good against the joints and ligaments by forcing it at an angle. Manami could tell it was far from the first time or tenth time she’d gotten someone in a hold like this. A few more seconds and a weaker soul would have submitted. Though it was hardly the only time the wolf had been in this unsightly predicament herself.

Gritting her teeth and bearing with the feeling of her leg being bent in half like a toothpick, the Wolf Girl shuffled onto her side. Manami raised her free leg high and brought it down heel first into Pyrena’s side. She did it again and again, harder each time until she either capitulated or ran out of ribs to lose.

When someone manages to give you something for free, you will take it. Pyrena thought that she kicked most of Manami's instincts with that big boot to the face, having the sense to strike her right in the knee. Though as she managed to offer up a limb, not that it was her intention, of course, Pyrena doubted that was the case. That brought some relief as soon as the Greek Titan caught her leg.

Holding on like she didn't want to let go, gritting her teeth hard, nostrils flaring as she breathed deeply. If the Red Amazon could deliver a significant amount of damage, then all of this suffering would be worth ignoring. Maybe perhaps she could make her slap her hand on the sandy ground desperate for release. The loud cry of pain was enough to motivate her in wrecking that knee. A lovely bit of justice that was coming to the Wolf Girl's way. From her calf, Manami could probably feel the heartbeat of the Greek Titan, thumping like the drums of war.

The Red Amazon had gotten something good, and she was going to make it last, pay her back for that attack on her knee, plus interest. Manami shuffled to her side and Pyrena simply following the turn and twisting further. Seeing it bend and extend past the range of comfortability, an experienced combatant would know that every passing second one remains in a leg lock, the knee is already ripping apart by the time it hurts enough to make someone tap.

Manami was risking that, and she of all people knew as much, which made sense as her heel slammed down repeatedly at her side. Grunts of pain came out of the Red Amazon, gritted teeth couldn't block the noise coming out of her lips as she took another. And another. And another. Being stubborn for too long isn't worth it when she doesn't have any ribs left. Begrudgingly, Pyrena kicked at Manami soon as she let go, rolling away to get on her hands and knees, sweat dripping down her brow and falling on the sand, taking a breath felt rough because of the stinging pain around her ribs. But Manami had to be worse off. Had to be.

Contrary to what Pyrena may have been insisting, but Manmai most definitely needed her leg. There were plenty of applications to them. She used them to go on runs, prop herself on higher places, crush throats beneath her heel. She’d have a hard time reliving those favorite past times if the Greek Gorilla decided to rip it off like her favorite tree branch.

The wolf had her own way of insisting on these delicate matters. Pyrena felt them again and again as she dug her heel again and again into the woman’s side. The warrior was tough, Manami would give her that. She knew how to bear with the pain, didn’t falter on the hold all the way until the very end. But she had to one way or another. A pierced lung was no way to win a fight.

When she finally relented, Manami moved to roll off to the side only to be met with a stiff kick to the chest, sending her onto her back. She went with the motion, rolling off her back and down onto her two legs. Then winced. A sharp pain trailed down her calf and stung at her knee. Manami went to one knee not a second after with a click of her tongue. She looked down at her inflamed extremity and slowly traced a finger along the tender spots, gaining a feel for the damage and how to work with it. Her knuckles curled and gave the side of her leg a few punches, peppering the sore areas around her knee and instilling them with some sort of feeling.

There was still a fight to be had and she had no intention of relenting to the whims of numb flesh and battered bone. It was all she could do for the moment. That...and snicker. Just loud enough for the Olympian to hear.

"Too bad. You nearly had that one.” Manami shuffled onto her back foot, making sure to keep pressure off the bad one as she leaned over to the barricade. “Next time, tuck the ankle closer to your chest. I would have snapped all of your tendons in four seconds flat.”

Manami pushed herself up with her back against the steel barricade, using use of the temporary support while she had the freedom to do so. Pyrena appeared to be about as well off as herself but she didn’t disguise any doubt about how long that would remain the case. She was tenacious and determined, perhaps more so than the last two women she’d felled along this bloody reign of hers. It made her dangerous...but also bafflingly short-sighted if she thought she could bring the Wolf Girl down so easily.

The champion cracked her neck to one side, then the next as she pushed off the divider. There was a slight stumble to her foot as she slowly stepped her way back into the fight, eyeing Pyrena the whole with an upturned smirk tinged with disgust. She stood opposite from her with one hand at her hip.

“I do have to concede...you’re a far more entertaining quarry than I’d hoped for. Is that all animosity? Did you really care for that inept excuse for a pugilist so dearly? Or do you just hate me that much? Someone who refuses to keel to this contemporary life of jesters and fools pretending to be something they aren't. You're not weak. Surely this hierarchy of idiocy doesn't go unnoticed by that 'warrior' spirit of yours.”