CHAPTER 7: THE REAL WINNER
After the punch landed, Arnold took a step back.For a moment, it looked like he was about to strike back.His fists tightened.His eyes focused on Maisen.He had the chance.He could still turn the match around.He could still win.But then—
He stopped himself.Instead of fighting back, Arnold lowered his guard.Maisen's next punch landed.Then another.And another.The crowd roared, unable to understand what was happening.Arnold was not defending the way he normally did.He was letting the blows come.From the audience, Ayelen stood up in shock.
"No… this can't be right."
He rushed forward.
"Arnold can win this! Why is he doing this?!"
Before he could move any closer, Miyara caught his arm.
"Stop, Ayelen."
Her voice was firm, but her eyes were full of worry.
"Something is wrong."
Inside the ring, the final blow landed.The bell rang.The match was over.
"Winner of the WMMAC Championship—Maisen!"
The entire stadium erupted into cheers.Arnold smiled faintly.Not a smile of defeat.A quiet smile.A knowing one.He climbed down from the ring without saying anything.Maisen didn't waste even a second.He grabbed the championship belt and rushed out of the arena.Outside, Ayelen and Miyara caught up with Arnold.Ayelen grabbed his shoulder.
"Why did you lose?"
His voice shook.
"You could have won!"
Miyara looked at him too, waiting for an answer.But Arnold only said—
"Come with me."
Hospital
The three of them arrived just in time.Maisen rushed into a hospital room, still holding the championship belt tightly.On the bed lay his younger brother.
Weak.Pale.Motionless from the neck down.
For the first time in what seemed like forever—
The boy smiled.A small, fragile smile.
Maisen fell to his knees beside the bed and held up the belt."I did it, bro."His voice broke."I won."He leaned closer."Please… get well soon."His little brother looked at the belt.Then at Maisen.His lips moved slowly."…Congrats…"A pause.A weak breath.Then silence.The monitors changed.The room froze.Maisen's eyes widened.
"No…"
He rushed toward the doctor."Save him! Please, save him!"Doctors and nurses moved quickly.They did everything they could.Everything.But it was too late.Maisen stood beside the bed in silence.Tears ran down his face.He gently placed the championship belt on his brother's chest.His voice trembled.
"You are the real winner, bro."
He lowered his head.
"You're the best brother ever."
From the doorway, Miyara covered her mouth as tears filled her eyes.Ayelen's face fell.Even Arnold looked away for a moment.After a long silence, Arnold finally spoke.
"His last wish was to see his big brother become the strongest."He looked at Ayelen.
"I think now you understand why I lost."
A pause.
"There is no greater strength than love."
Ayelen said nothing.For the first time, he understood.Winning was not always about the ring.Sometimes, losing was the greatest victory.Just then, a doctor stepped out.
"Arnold, could you come with me for a moment?"
Inside the office, the doctor adjusted his glasses and sighed.
"I heard what you said earlier."
His voice softened.
"I also feel bad for Maisen."
A pause.
"Cancer is becoming more common these days."
He folded his hands on the table.
"It isn't a spreadable disease, but still… take care of your family."
His expression turned serious.
"And don't trust anyone too easily."
Arnold nodded slowly.
"Thank you, doctor."
"I'll remember your words."
He gave a small bow.
"Goodbye."
As Arnold stepped out of the office—
A sudden noise echoed from the hallway.Ayelen collapsed.
"Ayelen!"
Miyara screamed.
They both rushed toward him as nurses quickly brought a stretcher.
He was taken straight to the ICU.Arnold stood outside the ICU, unable to understand what had just happened.Miyara was shaking.Her eyes were fixed on the door.
"Stay here," Arnold said quietly.
"I'll check what's happening."He stepped into the corridor.
The hospital felt strangely quiet.Too quiet.
Then—
A scream.It came from the next room.Sharp.Terrifying.Arnold rushed inside.And what he saw made his entire body freeze.A creature.Hideous.Twisted.Its body looked broken and unnatural.Its face was impossible to describe.It was feeding on a nurse like a starving animal.Blood stained the floor.The room smelled of fear.Arnold stepped forward.
He was about to stop it—
When suddenly a security guard appeared at the door, casually holding a cigarette.
Before anyone could react—
The creature moved.It passed through Arnold's body like smoke.Then it entered the security guard.The man screamed.
His body twisted violently.Within seconds, the creature consumed him from the inside.Bones cracked.Skin tore.And the guard collapsed in a brutal, lifeless heap.Arnold stumbled back in complete shock.His breathing became heavy.
"What… is this?"
His first thought was Ayelen.He turned to rush toward the ICU—But something grabbed his arm.The creature.Its grip tightened.Arnold winced.
Then—
A sharp slash.Someone appeared out of nowhere.In a single motion, they cut Arnold's arm free from the creature's hold.For a terrifying second, Arnold stared at his own severed arm.
But before panic could take over—
The stranger used a strange claw-like technique.A fast, precise movement.Arnold's arm was restored.As if it had never been cut.The creature, however, had been sliced apart.The stranger finished it completely.Not a trace remained.The room fell silent.The person turned toward Arnold and handed him a small button-like device.
"Take this."
His voice was calm.Serious.
"Just accept it, Arnold."
A pause.
"We don't have much time left."
Arnold stared at the device.His heart pounded.
And then—
A memory flashed.Something from the past.A forgotten scene.A voice.A face.
His eyes widened.
• CHAPTER 7 ENDS •