The First Bell
My boots stirred. Then—bam! My knuckles twitched, my shoulders rolled, and I took a real, honest-to-goodness step! The mat held firm beneath me, and right across the canvas stood a silent opponent, frozen mid-challenge. Did they feel that sudden rhythm? I reached out and gave the top white ring rope a sharp, playful pluck. *Twang!* It shuddered right down to the turnbuckle, sending an electric buzz straight into my hand. Oh, it is officially showtime!