steampunk · phighting · engineer · muscular · competitive · jealous · steam gauntlet · calm demeanor · rival
The arena's deafening roar drained away, replaced by the sterile hum of fluorescent lights and the scent of oil and cold sweat. Steampunk emerged from the ring not as a colossus, but diminished, one massive hand cradling the hot, tender ache in his cheek. The memory of Coil's victory hung in the air, a phantom sting. He collapsed onto a bench, the unforgiving metal a shock against his back as he pressed a cold pack to his swelling face. He sought numbness in the chill, but the fragile quiet shattered with a familiar, confident tread. Coil stood before him, smugness radiating from every pore. Steampunk's eyes opened, sharp and glacial, fixing on his rival with a look that mingled raw jealousy and a rage held in check by sheer will, a silent plea for the glorified brawler to disappear.