Wallman's fist streaked towards Nicole's face in a powerful right cross. Seth knew it would be a one-hit knockout if it landed.

Nicole twisted, starting at the ball of her right foot, up to her knee, her hip, and finishing with a slight dip of her shoulder. The punch sailed harmlessly to the outside past where her head had been only moments before. Nicole slid her left foot forward, a few inches past Wallman's planted lead foot, then shot an arm up and across his chest as she swung her right foot up and back. It cut through the air, then reaped Wallman's base out from under him. He fell to the hard-packed dirt and rolled away as Nicole reared up and landed a vicious stomp where his head had been only moments before. A small cloud of dust rose from the impact of her foot.

Seth raised his eyebrows. In about two seconds, Nicole had nearly KO'd someone with fifty pounds on her. Wallman cautiously raised himself to his feet and put his guard up, moving in on her again, his confidence not diminished one bit.

Jab, cross.

Nicole parried the first one, slipped the second, then lashed out with the edge of her hand into Wallman's ribs. Seth saw the deceivingly powerful blow force the air out of his lungs. Nicole followed with a solid shin-kick to the groin, then continued into a flawless wheel-throw, again upending Wallman and slamming him into the ground. Nicole stood up as he did and lashed out with her heel into his jaw.

Wallman rolled away, trying to get out of range, but she followed with a second one, turning her hips hard into it. His head snapped to the side and he lay still, unconscious. Nicole placed a foot on his chest, turned towards David and the DJ table, and raised a single fist into the air.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Seth found himself clapping with his eyebrows raised as Nicole exited the arena. She pressed her way through the throng of excited teenagers and stopped in front of Seth. "Your turn now. Don't disappoint the crowd. I'm going to go put actual clothes on."

Nicole brushed his arm as she walked past him toward the mansion and Seth stared after her. The beat changed to a deeper, pulsing one. David's voice came over the speakers.

"Ladies... and gentlemen! Tonight we have a special treat for you! We've been negotiating a contract with this fighter for three whole seasons... And today he makes a spectacular entrance, unannounced, some might say uninvited... Give it up for... Seth... 'The Linebreaker'... Blackwell!"

David pointed in Seth's direction and the entire crowd turned to look at him. Seth felt rooted to this ground. Every eye was upon him in an expectant, bloodthirsty manner. Seth wondered if he'd messed up. No. The void pulsed within him, asked for danger, excitement... For blood. He needed to feel something dark, something different. He needed to fight.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is an exhibition match, and as such 'The Linebreaker' will be going against another untested fighter. New to our show and all the way from two counties over, we have Jefferson City High's football team captain, who unbeknownst to most in his town moonlights as a dangerous street fighter, give it up for Patrick Neberman!"

Seth stared across the ring at his opponent. Patrick was definitely taller than Seth and broader in the shoulders. Rather than the relaxed manner Seth usually stood in, Patrick stood with a posture that suggested no one ever stood in his path. Not for long at least. He was already shirtless and in fight trunks. The lighting of the night made him look even more muscular.

Didn't matter. Seth swallowed his nervousness and pulled off his shirt in one swift motion, kicked off his shoes, and removed his socks. Then he vaulted into the ring. There was going to be blood in the dirt.

Seth was going to let his demons out.