Main Event: Astrid Arvidsson (c) vs Astrid Ostberg for the LAW World Openweight Championship

[skip-stop]

"No!!"

That was the only thing Astrid heard from her rival after the pin was broken. The trembling in Ostberg's voice caused the Golden Dragon to raise her head. When she looked at her opponent's face, it was as if she was looking into a mirror. Astrid was sure that she had exactly the same expression on her face after the contender broke the previous pin. Victory was constantly slipping out of their hands and every time it seemed something incredible, but maybe that was what brought them closer. Even if these were too big words, Astrid was sure that she understood better than anyone what Ostberg felt, because a true connection between people is created only when they share the same emotion.

They both put their dreams on the line in this match. And although each of them sought to gain the right to call themselves an openweight champion from different motives, there was no doubt that their dreams made this confrontation crystal clear and uncompromising. If you have a dream, then you have to be ready to fight for it. Both Astrids knew that. Therefore, the match is not over yet. Therefore, nothing is over yet.

With a heavy breath, the Golden Dragon removed her left hand from her opponent's body, preparing to take an upright position. However, Ostberg was ahead of her in this to some extent. The other Astrid, making growling noises, began to get to her feet. The descendant of the great Vikings could have sworn that she heard the gnashing of bones, showing how severely exhausted the contender was. But even before she realized that it was just her imagination, Ostberg grabbed the metal chain, starting to pull it up in order to force the Golden Dragon to her feet.

"Grrrr... no!" Astrid blurted.

Grabbing the base of the chain with her left hand, the blonde began to pull it down and thereby offset the efforts that Ostberg was making to lift her to her feet. Considering everything that happened in this match, hardly anyone would dare to say that the next round would surely be their last. However, the Golden Dragon trusted her intuition, and her intuition told her that this was the last time they would both get back on their feet for a new round. And if that was really the case, then she was going to do it on her own terms.

Gritting her teeth in order to somehow suppress the burning sensations in her muscles, the champion first rose to one knee, and then straightened to her full height. It wasn't hard to see how much her legs were shaking at that moment. Like her rival, Astrid was exhausted. However, when she got to her feet, she first wiped the blood from the lower part of her face with the back of her right hand, and then gave Ostberg a grin. She felt victory and defeat breathing down her neck at the same time. And she could have sworn that the other Astrid felt exactly the same way. It was a tense moment, which prompted the Golden Dragon to grin, because her respect for Ostberg was comparable only to the desire to defeat this woman. The champion let go of the chain and clenched her fists. They've arrived at a very special point.

Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.

"To the end..." she said, taking a step forward.

She had almost nothing to offer her opponent except her willpower and aspirations, for which she was ready to fight. The Golden Dragon could barely stand on her feet, ready to collapse under the pressure of exhaustion. However, until that happened, she intended to do everything in her power to ensure that the belt that was entrusted to her today remained with her. Taking a step forward, she intended to throw a right elbow strike to Ostberg's jaw to check how firmly the contender stands on her feet!

[CaptainL]

In that first second after Arvidsson had broken the pin - when Ostberg found herself staring down wide-eyed at her opponent, and the two were locked together face to face - everything seemed to freeze. The Norsewoman just sat there, staring back at her opponent in sheer disbelief. It seemed impossible that Arvidsson could still have the strength in her to keep herself going, even after all the punishment she'd taken. If even the Stavanger Buster hadn't been enough to put the Golden Dragon away, then what was there even left to do? No matter how hard Ostberg thought, every option that could possibly come to her mind didn't seem like it could possibly be enough. What would be, against someone who had kicked out of Ostberg's proudest finishing move?

It wouldn't matter. She couldn't think about it. If she stopped to think, it would slow her down. If she slowed down, that just presented the opportunity for her to realize just how tired she was, and it gave an opportunity for weakness to creep into her body. It was more important now than ever before that Ostberg deny weakness in any way she could. She had to be strong - strong enough not to fall behind!

She could feel Arvidsson grab at the chain, pulling back at it. Even in her fatigued state, she was still making a valliant effort to resist - and with all her strength pulling on that chain, Ostberg could feel her full weight dragging on her arm, threatening to reel her in. Her face went red, and her eyes squeezed shut as a scream was muffled from behind her clenched teeth. She couldn't let this move her. If Arvidsson wanted to pull her down, then Ostberg was going to use all the strength she had to pull back, even as her knuckles went white and her muscles burned. Even if Arvidsson was just trying to make her take half a step forward...Ostberg still couldn't let her; she needed to do this for herself, and to be moved by someone else was a sign she wasn't strong enough! Her heels dug into the mat to try and steady herself, anchoring her to the canvas. She couldn't give in. She couldn't let her win. She couldn't even afford to think too hard about what she was doing any more - she just had to do it!

Arvidsson got up, and Ostberg took a step back, leaning back to put some distance between her and her foe. Her mind was running on automatic, now - without a moment to process what she was seeing or to make a plan, she was going to react to whatever she needed to. She saw as Arvidsson's muscles coiled; as she pulled back her arm and prepared to swing an elbow around at her. Ostberg knew she couldn't afford to take it. But she also knew it was coming. And, as though it was as easy for her as breathing, she lifted a forearm, prepared to parry Arvidsson's incoming strike! If that worked, she would waste no time in swinging herself around Arvidsson to get behind her back. If her weary muscles could allow it, she would reach for her waist to try and lift her into a German suplex, gritting her teeth to bear the load! She knew it wouldn't be easy - but it had to be done!

[skip-stop]

Even the air became heavy at the moment when the champion and the contender clung to the metal chain between them. While Ostberg was pulling the chain towards her with the intention of forcing the Golden Dragon to rise to her feet, the descendant of the great Vikings was engaged in a diametrically opposite matter. Astrid was pulling the chain towards her, but not to force her opponent to get down on the mat, but in order to prevent the other Astrid from taking control of the situation. After she broke the pin, she just couldn't let Ostberg continue to feel free of actions. The champion was going to get back on her feet, but only on her own terms.

Both women huffed and puffed, making every effort to maintain the tension of the chain. The audience must have felt the heat coming from their bruised bodies. The arena was once again divided into two halves, each of which supported their favorite. Loud and proud name Astrid sounded from everywhere, giving both fighters strength. The final was close. Everyone felt it. Especially at the moment when the Golden Dragon finally got to her feet and the two fighters found themselves face to face.

Using what little she had left, Astrid took a step forward, waving her arm at the same time. She knew that she was too tired and that her strike would not even be half as strong as if it were the beginning of the match. However, Ostberg was not in the freshest form either, so the champion hoped that even this elbow strike would be enough to bring her opponent closer to defeat.

Nevertheless, Ostberg remained steadfast in her quest to become a champion again. As soon as Astrid's elbow went towards her face, she immediately threw up her left arm, causing the Golden Dragon's elbow to crash into her forearm. The Norwegian woman heard a painful hiss, Ostberg must have suffered some damage even despite the block. Still, it wasn't enough. The best proof of this was that she took advantage of Astrid's failed attack to step behind her.

"Grrrhhh!!!" The champion growled at the moment when Ostberg's strong arms wrapped around her waist.

The very next second, Astrid's feet rose above the mat. Her eyes widened at the realization of exactly what her rival was up to. She couldn't let that happen. At this stage, even such a thing as a German suplex will be the end for her. Holding her breath, the Golden Dragon bent her legs at the knees, and then abruptly straightened them, leaning forward at the same time. Her feet touched the mat again and at the same moment she tried to turn her upper body towards the contender.

Perhaps close contact was not the best idea right now, but those who do not take risks do not drink champagne. The champion intended to wrap her right arm around Ostberg's head and if she succeeded, she would immediately grab her right wrist with her left hand. Her plan was simple, she wanted to press the contender's head against her right side and chest, and then strain her arms as much as possible in order to try to literally crush Ostberg's head with a simple but hard side headlock hold!

[CaptainL]

For every action, an equal and opposite reaction. To all onlookers, it was unquestionable that that had become the motto of this match. Not only were Ostberg and Arvidsson easily matching one another blow for blow when it came to how they used the chain to steer one another around the ring, but the momentum of the match was just as much at equilibrium. Every time one woman looked like she was about to claim the upper hand on her rival, that rival had some trick she could use to halt her in her tracks, and to take back control. They were trading control back and forth like a hot potato now. It would all come down to who would have the lead when one of them finally couldn't go on any more - and it seemed that time was fast approaching. With the effort they'd demanded of each other and the strain they'd put not just on each others' bodies but on their own as well, it was only a matter of time before someone came crumbling down.

Ostberg could feel that - the way her chest heaved, and the metallic aftertaste of exhaustion in the back of her throat as she gasped out hot air with every rise and fall of her shoulders; the soreness in her muscles; the throbbing in her temples; and the way her balance teetered from one side to the other with every step she took. But she couldn't let that stop her. The end was in sight, and if she carried this through to the end, she would attain a prize greater than anything she could have ever imagined. Not just the title, but her self-respect. An answer to all she had questioned of herself. Peace.

Arvidsson had prepared a strike, but Ostberg was ready, raising a forearm to block it. No sooner had she parried Arvidsson's elbow that the Norsewoman leaned closer, grabbing for her opponent; her motions were stiff and choppy, but it was the best she could do when moving every muscle sent aches and pains stabbing through her nerves. She clenched her teeth, her brow furrowing under the pressure - she just had to take it! Her arms slung around Arvidsson's waist, pulling her inward as she tried to steer her against her chest - but Arvidsson was prepared for that, too; she dipped low, twisting her body around to face her challenger's. The chain pulled tighter, which only dragged the two heavyweights closer together; Ostberg could feel the heat radiating off her opponent's body the closer they came, as their well-muscled forms brushed together through the thin cover of their attire. But Ostberg would only be brought closer still a moment later - as Arvidsson grasped her by the head, pulling her inward, and restraining her wrist to lock in the dominant position!

A shudder ran through Ostberg's body as she snorted under her breath. She could feel the way her body was bent into an arc, and the pressure of Arvidsson's biceps against her temples reminded her of how much power the Golden Dragon could exert over her if she so chose. But Ostberg wouldn't let her. If this match had taught her anything, it was that Arvidsson had a response to every call she made - and Ostberg couldn't fall behind! Just as Arvidsson had countered every move she'd made leading up to this, so too would Ostberg keep the momentum going! It was her duty - and she would do it!

The muscles along Ostberg's arm tensed and rippled as she squeezed tighter at Arvidsson's hand, flexing everything she had. Then, she would attempt to push off of Arvidsson, using the hand she held onto to brace herself. She would attempt to twist around to the side Arvidsson held her on, freeing her head from her control - and gaining some leverage on her arm in the process, as she applied an arm wrench!

[skip-stop]

When Astrid's feet touched the mat again, she didn't have time to think about the next step. She could only rely on her instincts. Fists were a powerful weapon in her arsenal, but on a subconscious level, the Golden Dragon realized that she simply did not have time to turn completely to face her opponent for an attempt to send a punch or two. At this stage of the match, every step could be the last, so the champion acted automatically. Partially turning her upper body towards Ostberg, she wrapped her arms around the contender's head, closing her in a simple but still effective hold.

"Pf... phhh... pfff..." heavy sighs did not stop coming out of her mouth.

The descendant of the great Vikings strained her right arm as much as she could, while simultaneously trying to increase the pressure on Ostberg's head with her left arm. It wasn't a tactic she was used to, but at that moment, she could only hope that it would be enough to squeeze the remaining strength out of the contender. In another situation, she would hardly have risked holding such a powerful woman as Ostberg so close. Although the Golden Dragon herself was strong, she had no doubt that her opponent would have the strength to get out of such a simple hold one way or another. Only the fact that they were both catastrophically tired gave the champion hope that Ostberg would not have time to do anything before her strength finally ran out. Thinking about this, the Golden Dragon tried to tighten her grip even more in an attempt to crush the other Astrid's head like a nut.

"GGGRRRR!!!!" She growled the next second.

And although it might have seemed to many that this growl was caused by how much the champion strained her arms, it was not so. The reason was a terrible pressing pain that she felt on her right wrist. Ostberg grabbed her wrist in a death grip and squeezed it so hard that the Golden Dragon just didn't have time to stop herself. Her right arm relaxed. It was only for a second, but that second was enough for Ostberg to slip out of her grip.

"Aaaahhh!!"

Moreover, while still holding the Norwegian woman's wrist, Ostberg spun around her axis, thereby twisting the champion's arm with an arm wrench. Trying to keep her right arm tense, the Golden Dragon was nevertheless forced to lean forward slightly. The roles have changed and now it is she who finds herself in a dangerous position. Astrid's face began to red rapidly, which clearly indicated that she was standing on her feet with the last of her strength. She tried to avoid sudden movements, taking short steps from side to side in order to find at least some gap in the position that Ostberg had taken.

However, after a few seconds it became clear to her that she would not be able to do this. She didn't even think about doing a roll in order to return her arm to its original position, because in that case she would have to quickly get to her feet. She might be able to do it even now, but she was pretty sure she couldn't do it quickly due to her almost completely exhausted strength. Astrid's situation was beginning to seem hopeless. However, instead of accepting her fate, the champion bit her lower lip. She hadn't come this far to have some submission hold break her and her willpower.

"GGRRR!!!!!" This time, her roar wasn't filled with pain, but with rage.

The Golden Dragon took a quick step towards her opponent. Perhaps it was literally a desperate step. Given Ostberg's position, she couldn't even reach out to the contender, but that's exactly what Astrid intended to fix. Along with this step, she intended to bend her trapped arm at the elbow while turning her back on her opponent. Because of this, Ostberg's arm wrench turned into a hammerlock hold.

At this point, the audience gasped because those who closely followed the career of the Golden Dragon remembered well that she tried not to violate the fundamental rules of combat sports. One of these rules says that under no circumstances should you let your opponent get behind you. So why did Astrid by her own actions not only allow Ostberg to be behind her back, but also turned an arm wrench into a much more dangerous hammerlock? No, she was not crazy. It was all about distance.

While Ostberg was holding her hand with an arm wrench, the Golden Dragon did not have a single opportunity to get close enough to her opponent. But if she had managed to do what she had planned, then now they would be in close contact again. Without holding back groans due to the pain in her right arm, the champion intended to lean forward and then lean back as sharply as possible in an attempt to hit Ostberg right in the face with the help of a back headbutt! Desperate times require desperate solutions. Astrid might be exhausted, but she was more determined than ever. She believed that the golden belt was entrusted to her for a reason. That's why she intended to defend it. That's exactly what real champions do.

[CaptainL]

Ostberg was under no small amount of force - no one could deny that. Arvidsson's masterfully sculpted arms were every bit as powerful as they looked, and even in her fatigued state, she was capable of drawing on all the strength she needed, channeling it into a vise that felt like it was stabbing through the Norsewoman's temples. It wasn't energy that was fueling Arvidsson any more - it was raw determination, and the single-minded will to hold onto her championship. To prove that she deserved to be named for such an honor in the first place. If she was any less than perfect now, she knew it would be all for naught. And Ostberg could certainly feel just how determined she was - from how she seemed ready to crack her skull open at any moment!

The former Heavyweight Champion's teeth clenched tightly into a snarl, the veins bulging in her neck as she sucked down a deep gulp of air. But barely any of that air would make it into her lungs when Arvidsson held fast, and she wasn't letting go! Ostberg could feel the heat surging through her face and the sweat running down her brow. She knew that she was in trouble if she let Arvidsson keep her hold on her like this - but more than anything else, she was desperate not to let it get to her. For however driven Arvidsson might have been, Ostberg was every bit as motivated to live up to the promise of becoming a champion again. And that was fueling her just as much. She had to stretch her arm up toward Arvidsson's wrist to try and grab hold; through all the pressure and fatigue, it felt like she was swimming through molasses with weights on her back. But she knew what lay in store for her if she made this work, and what she could await if she couldn't. And no matter how hard it was, her trembling hand still managed to latch onto Arvidsson's wrist - and with a sharp yank, she pried it off her head!

The carefully balanced dance of mutual counters, with one woman never holding the lead for long before having it turned back around on her, was still going strong - and the crowd could only cheer louder at the sight of how far the two competitors were willing to push themselves! When their bodies seemed like they could give out at any moment, the tension in the air had never been higher - every move could well be their last. But both heavyweights showed no sign of stopping - not until they had secured the dominance they craved!

Grunting under her breath, Ostberg pushed down harder at her opponent's arm to twist it behind her back. Her knuckles went white under the force of her grip as every muscle pulled taut to keep her foe under control. Her muscles shook and rattled from the sheer pressure it took to maintain them, but she saw victory within her grasp, and the mere possibility of success was more than enough to motivate her to keep going! She was so lost in her own thoughts that she gave no heed to how Arvidsson had placed herself in a vulnerable position by turning her back to her. All she could focus on was holding down on this hold as hard as she could, and not letting her opponent get away. But when she was so narrowly focused, it was easy to get tunnel vision. Ostberg didn't even know what Arvidsson had planned - not until she swung her head behind her, clubbing the Norsewoman upside the face with her own skull!

At the pounding impact of their heads colliding, Ostberg cried out in pain. Her whole head suddenly went numb. With her temples throbbing, she went staggering back from her opponent; shaken as she was, her footing wavered and threatened to give out a couple of times, but she managed to stay on her feet. But when she was in such a daze, she could hardly tell where she was going...up until, suddenly, she felt the ropes stretch against her weight. Ostberg had backed up against them!

She needed to shake herself, blinking the haze away from her eyes, but the moment Ostberg felt where she landed, she knew what to do about this. Suddenly, everything was crystal-clear. And with that certainty, she took in a breath. Her confidence was restored - she knew how she could use this! She could barely feel her own legs, and even when she looked up at Arvidsson, she seemed to waver and teeter back and forth in place; she was too dizzy to focus. Ostberg doubted she'd be able to take another step under her own power without falling over. But then...she wouldn't need to, as long as she was up against the ropes!

Sucking down a deep breath, the former champion leaned back against the cables, letting them stretch beneath her weight. She grabbed at the top rope and planted her toes against the canvas, distributing her weight just enough so that the ropes were holding her up. Then, she pushed all her weight forward - and let the ropes spring her straight toward Arvidsson! If she couldn't propel herself forward, the momentum would do the work for her. And right as she came near, she would swing her arm through the air, attempting to land a lariat across the Golden Dragon's chest!

[skip-stop]

Astrid was fully aware of how dangerous the step she had planned was. If she had acted without confidence, then surely Ostberg would have reacted in time and taken advantage of the fact that just for a moment, but the Golden Dragon turned her back on her. But the moment the descendant of the great Vikings took a step towards her rival, there was no fear in her heart. She was ready to do anything to win. Sweat, pain, blood, injuries. None of this mattered to her. Today, she intended to dispel any doubts in the hearts of those who believed that the management had made a mistake by entrusting her with the title. She was willing to pay any price for this.

Taking a position that allowed her to close the distance between her and Ostberg, the Norwegian woman held her breath. All or nothing. She leaned forward, and then abruptly leaned back, hitting the contender with the back of her head in the face. The sound of bones colliding was replaced by an annoying squeak in her ears, while a white flash passed before her eyes. Staggering, she felt so much weakness in her legs, her right knee went to the mat as if she was about to fall.

"NO!!!" Astrid said loudly in her head.

Gritting her teeth, she did not allow herself to get down on one knee, instead turning to face her opponent. What she saw literally ignited her soul. Like herself, Ostberg looked terrible. Large drops of sweat rolled down the contender's body, covered with black and purple spots. But something else was important. Ostberg's back was pressed against the ropes, and in her eyes there was a determination that can only be seen in the eyes of a person who is ready to do anything for the sake of their dreams. Looking into the eyes of her rival, Astrid seemed to look into her own eyes. It was at this moment that she realized one simple but very important thing.

They had finally come to a point where everything would be settled. They both put their dreams on the line, and in that brief moment when their eyes crossed, each of them knew exactly what they had to do. All in. Even though their bodies were exhausted and each of them was literally aching with pain, they had to give each other the last drop of what they had left. Not just for the sake of the golden belt, but for the sake of their sincere desire to be on top of LAW, for the sake of being the best. With this pure aspiration, both women made their move.

Taking advantage in the form of ropes, Ostberg bounced off them, rushing towards the Golden Dragon like a damn train. Only a real veteran with tremendous experience could take advantage of the situation so skillfully, which was greeted by a deafening roar from the audience. The amazing resourcefulness of the contender literally made everyone wonder if the champion had something worthy with which she could respond to her opponent.

At the same moment that Ostberg bounced off the ropes, the Golden Dragon made a circular motion with her left hand, grabbing the end of the chain secured to her. At that moment, she recalled the thing that had become her fuel. She recalled her own words that she had said during her confrontation with Katherine. At that time, Katherine voiced what many people were thinking about, but what everyone was silent about. She named Astrid only the second version of many other women she met. The second Karen Starring, the second Katherine Hart, the second Alaina Sanders, the second Astrid Ostberg. These words were loud, these words reached the souls of those who were in the arena at that moment. But the words of Astrid herself, which sounded after that, were even louder and these words will forever remain in history. It was these words that the champion remembered now, when her dreams and aspirations were at stake.

"I'm not the second Karen Starring, the second Katherine Hart, the second Alaina Sanders or the second Astrid Ostberg!" Sounded in her head. "I'm the first Astrid Arvidsson!"

With fire in her soul, the descendant of the great Vikings intended to abruptly pull the metal chain back. By doing this, she was going to force her opponent to take an unplanned extra step forward and thereby upset her balance. And although even the Golden Dragon herself did not know if she had enough strength to do everything properly, she put everything she had on it. Why?

Because if successful, she intended to take her own step forward towards the contender. She directed all her dreams, all her aspirations, all her essence into her right arm. Through the agony, she strained her muscles so hard that her veins bulged. Perhaps this was the moment when the audience should have started screaming. They've only seen it three times. Not because Astrid was saving it as a last resort, but because not every time she felt ready to defend her dreams with such determination as now.

She was about to throw her right hand forward, aiming her fist at the challenger's face. A person without imagination would say that it was the most ordinary right cross. But those who loved pro wrestling with all their hearts probably imagined that at that moment flames began to dance around the Golden Dragon because she put her whole soul into this punch. However... even this vision was wrong. Because in fact, instead of flames, there were only chilling gusts of wind around her at that moment. No heat, just cold. It was her Helheim!!!

Helheim

[CaptainL]

It was an act of pure desperation. Ostberg's legs felt like jelly beneath her, and her arms had grown so numb she could barely feel them at all. Every muscle was tense and sore and heavy. The cheers of the crowd had died down to a dull roar echoing in her ears - everything had been tuned out to focus on Arvidsson and Arvidsson alone; the only person who mattered and the only person Ostberg needed to think of. Her head was throbbing too much to pay attention to anything else. But she knew one thing. Every move she made had to be aimed at standing up to Arvidsson. Every move she made had to be aimed at trying to claim the title. If she gave any less, she'd be letting everyone down. Herself. Her family name. The title - and even her own opponent, if she came short of living up to the challenge.

There was no way she could stand, let alone walk, under her own power. But Ostberg wasn't going to let that stop her. She still had the ropes behind her. She could still feel their tension as they stretched against her weight, and she knew that would be all she needed. As long as those ropes could give her an advantage - an advantage that could bring her even an inch closer to her goals - she would use that. She had to use everything she possibly could. She couldn't give up now!

Her fingers coiled around the cables with a white-knuckled grip as she leaned back and pushed off with her feet. The ropes stretched even tighter against her - and then, they sent her hurtling forward. Ostberg let each foot fall to the mat where gravity would guide it, and each landed with a heavy thump against the canvas. She couldn't hold herself up, but she could at least let the momentum steer her. She panted and gasped with every stride she took, but at least she knew she was coming closer and closer to Arvidsson. Closer and closer to victory. If she could just bring her arm back, and let it fly, that one blow could change everything.

One step. One step more. Her arm drew back; her fingers clenched into a fist. She was ready to let it fly.

She took that one step...

And then, she took another.

It was all happening so fast, Ostberg barely had the time to process it, especially with her mind as foggy as it was. At the last minute, Arvidsson had pulled the chain like a leash, reeling the Norsewoman in a step further. Her balance shifted a fraction of an inch closer to Arvidsson, but a fraction of an inch too far, and her heart leaped in her chest as she found herself falling forward. No. This wasn't it. This wasn't supposed to happen. Her knees buckled as she teetered over forward, and a gasp crept its way up from her lungs. But that gasp only made it halfway out of her throat before it was silenced.

Arvidsson's fist flew. It flew straight for Ostberg's jaw, and when it landed, it struck with the force of a sledgehammer. Ostberg's head snapped back with a crack that echoed up to the rafters, a trail of spittle flying from her clenched teeth as her body reeled back in an arc. Her whole body went numb; every thought subsided into TV static. There was only darkness, there was no up or down, or left and right, or Arvidsson and Ostberg. There was a brief flash of pain, lasting only a fraction of a second, but then there was nothing.

Ostberg's body wavered back and forth, drifting in the breeze like a tree about to fall. Then, at last, her footing began to give way. She tipped over, dropping toward Arvidsson. But then, she stopped. She was bowed low, and her feet had drifted apart, one behind the other, while her hands clasped the champion's shoulders - she was using Arvidsson's weight and only Arvidsson's weight to keep her up, no matter how glazed-over her eyes or shallow her breaths. She could do little more than drift in the breeze, but whether it was from sheer desperation, or just the spasms of her muscles as she was knocked senseless, Ostberg had grabbed a hold of her foe. And she was still standing!

[skip-stop]

At such moments, you can't be sure of anything. Seeing Ostberg approaching her, the Golden Dragon clearly only knew that this was the last chance for both of them. Either she or her rival. When she pulled the metal chain, the blonde did not know if she had enough strength to sufficiently upset the balance of the contender. Such uncertainty can create terrible doubts. But instead of letting those doubts into her heart, the Golden Dragon sent them to Hell. Victory or defeat. Doesn't matter. All she was going to do was go beyond her limits in an attempt to defend the title entrusted to her.

The audience gasped as loudly as if each of them had been doused with ice water. The reason was simple. Ostberg stumbled. The extra step that the descendant of the great Vikings forced her to take was enough to disrupt her last attack. Involuntarily, the contender leaned forward and her head was on the line of attack of the Golden Dragon. It was an opportunity that the champion had no right to miss. With fire in her eyes and an icy aura around her, she took her own step forward.

The fist that went to the other Astrid's head represented everything that the descendant of the great Vikings believed in. And when her knuckles smashed into Ostberg's jaw, a real shock wave seemed to roll through the arena. Accompanied by deafening screams from the audience, the contender's head jerked to the side with such force that saliva flew out of her mouth. For a brief moment, time seemed to stop, and then Ostberg's body began to fall. Not backwards, but forward, straight at the Golden Dragon. Their front sides pressed against each other, and the contender's habds ended up on the shoulders of the champion.

"Pha... phaa... phaaa..."

Astrid involuntarily put her hands on her opponent's waist, holding the other blonde. While she was breathing heavily, her body was shaking as much as an aspen leaf in the wind. The reason was simple, at that moment she was holding the entire weight of Ostberg. In a sense, she was the only barrier between the contender and the mat. Even with the fog in her mind and the weakness in her body, she knew for sure that it was enough for her to just take a step aside. Then her mighty rival will fall to the mat and it will all be over.

She didn't do it.

Even after everything her body had been through, she wasn't going to take the easy way out. And there were two reasons for that at once. If there was even the slightest chance that Ostberg would break a pin again, Astrid had to make sure that this would not happen. But no less important was the fact that the Golden Dragon firmly believed that her opponent deserved much more than that. Yes, the Norwegian woman's powerful punch was a symbol that Ostberg had awakened in her the most sincere desire to go forward to the very end. But it was still just a punch. And even if someone dared to say that it was unnecessary, the Golden Dragon intended to give her opponent the honor that she only gave to the strongest women she met in the ring.

"For all worthy warriors there is only one road..." she said in a voice so catastrophically tired that it sounded like a wheeze.

With these words, she intended to slightly step back from her opponent and push Ostberg in the shoulder, thereby turning her in the opposite direction. But only to lean forward at the same second and wrap her right arm around the contender's waist, while at the same time using her left hand to hook the contender's left hip. After everything they had put each other through in this match, the Golden Dragon was sure that there was only one way to end it all properly. And even though she was exhausted, she was more determined than ever.

"Road to Valhalla!!!" The descendant of the great Vikings cried out, not sparing her voice.

She tensed every muscle in her body, which caused dark spots to appear in front of her eyes due to fatigue. But she'd be damned if she'd let it stop her. Ostberg pushed her beyond her limits in every sense. And although Astrid would not dare to say that this match will take the highest place among all LAW matches over the years, she was going to make sure that here and now she would open a new chapter in the history of the greatest wrestling federation.

Biting her lower lip in an attempt to stifle screams of agony, Astrid intended to straighten up to her full height, thereby lifting Ostberg above the mat. Due to the extreme tension, her muscles were filled with such unbearable pain that for a moment she thought they would simply burst. However, if this was really the price of her dreams, then she intended to pay. Channeling all her determination into her arms, she was going to throw Ostberg into the air, at the same time putting a little more effort into pushing up the contender's hip so that she ended up in a horizontal position with her back to the mat.

Not only the arena. Not only Tokyo. Not only Japan. The whole world could hear the cheers of the audience at that moment.

To the sound of this magical symphony, Astrid intended to fall on her back while pulling her knees up to her chest. Holding her breath, she closed her eyes. Seeing how two incredible women gave each other everything they had in this match, the audience rightly thought that this match would never end because time after time the champion and the contender showed that for the sake of a dream a fighter is capable of doing the impossible. But the truth is that everything that has a beginning has an end. And now the descendant of the great Vikings intended to end this match by sending her rival to the abode of their common great ancestors, to Valhalla!

Road to Valhalla

[CaptainL]

Even the most airtight of plans could all fall apart at the last minute if just one thing was out of line. If just one bolt was loose; if just one number was transposed. Ostberg's strategy was no exception. She knew full well that the Openweight Champion was on her last legs. She had been fighting just as hard through this long and grueling match as she had, burning through the limits of her stamina, and the record of how much this took out of her was written on her body in every bruise, in every rivulet of sweat. Ostberg couldn't even feel the aches in her own joints any more; everything had long since gone numb. She knew she couldn't take much longer - but considering Arvidsson had been through everything she had, there was no way she could either. Arvidsson was just as weary. Her stance was just as compromised. One solid blow from Ostberg should've been enough to bring her down - even the mightiest of oaks could be felled with enough strokes of the axe. One solid blow, and she would collapse like a tower with its foundations dug out from under it. And Ostberg would once again be a champion - a woman honored with a title even brighter and more prestigious than the one she'd held before.

With how they were lined up, with how the momentum of the ropes carried the Norsewoman forward, there shouldn't have been any way for her to miss. She should have gone flying into Arvidsson, her arm should've swung out, and the Golden Dragon should've gone sprawling to the floor. Her legs were too weak and wobbly, and she needed the support of the ropes just to keep herself in motion - but if Arvidsson felt the same, there was no way she would have it in her to dodge. Nor would she be able to get back up, if Ostberg crashed into her. Ostberg didn't know if she would be able to get back up, either, but that didn't matter. As long as she took Arvidsson down, that would be enough. And by all means, she should have taken Arvidsson down.

But that wasn't what happened.

Right at that last minute, Arvidsson pulled forward on the chain. Ostberg's center of balance shifted, and she was forced to take one step beyond - one step that pulled her into the Golden Dragon's clutches. She only had a fleeting moment to realize how the plan had come to a screeching halt before Arvidsson's punch snapped her head backward with a crack. With her head throbbing and her mind cloudy, Ostberg barely even had time to think about how her last chance had failed her. By the time she could understand what was happening to her, it was too late.

Her whole body went sore. Then it went numb. Her vision went dark, and her ears echoed with a faint, droning hum. The world teetered around her. Her own balance could no longer sustain her; she fell forward, landing against her foe. Her breaths were slow and hollow, fueled only by her body's efforts to keep itself going, and her eyes were rolled back into her head. Ostberg had fought against the rushing tides as long as she could, but there was only so far she could hold it back. And now, at last, she was at the point where she could fight those tides no longer.

If Arvidsson let go now, she should well have crumbled. And yet, that wasn't what she did. She knew that to let a woman who had given her this much a fight go out as an afterthought, with a whimper, would be to do her a disservice. Ostberg had fought valiantly, and she had earned a valiant warrior's honors.

Ostberg might have been all but unconscious, but as Arvidsson turned her around, she could still feel her body move, however faintly. She could still feel it as she was lifted aloft, and as her boots left the mat - how her whole body was suspended in the air, on arms that shouldn't have been able to bear its weight. And when Arvidsson fell, and she plummeted like a comet toward the mat, Ostberg just might have felt that...but she certainly felt it as she came crashing down onto the champion's raised knees!

In that instant, Astrid's lungs were flattened, releasing all the air as she went coughing and sputtering. Her eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped open in a silent scream. She bounced off of Arvidsson's knees, her legs kicking into the air as if borne by a spasm that whipped her body into motion. But just seconds later, the weight set into her arms and legs, and they flopped lifelessly at her sides as she lay flat. She stared up at the lights, her chest heaving with the slow rise and fall of her breaths. And the moment the blow landed, the whole crowd erupted into cheers - for Arvidsson to hold onto her title and prove herself worthy; for her to even be able to sustain Ostberg's weight; and for Ostberg, for earning such a defeat!