Chapter 16 — The Onward Path

The next day, we all gathered after Dani said he wanted to see us, unsure what it was about.

“I wonder what it is this time,” Sunny said, glancing around.

“I’m not sure,” Rosie replied. “Maybe we’re hearing about our next matches.”

I wondered too.

Then Dani arrived, carrying something in his hands.

“Sorry I’m late,” Dani said as he stepped in.

He glanced at us, then shook his head. “And before you ask—this isn’t about the next matches or anything with the League.”

“Then what is it?” Sunny asked, leaning forward.

We all did, curiosity getting the better of us.

“Have you ever heard of the woven bracelets of Stone Petal?” Dani asked.

Most of us shook our heads.

Rosie’s eyes lit up slightly. “I’ve heard of them. It’s a tradition in Stone Petal—people weave bracelets for family or close friends. Fighters get them as good-luck charms.”

Dani nodded. “That’s exactly right.”

He held out his hands, passing each of us woven bracelets—red and yellow threads braided together.

“It took me a while to make these,” he said. “I just finished them recently.”

He looked at us, a small grin forming.

“You’re the fighters of the Spirited Grove,” Dani said. “But more importantly—you’re my fighters. And I believe you’re going to reach the top.”

Gratitude settled over us.

“Thank you, Coach,” I said, nodding as I took the bracelet.

“Yeah… thank you,” Sunny added, her voice carrying a hint of emotion.

Rosie smiled. “Thank you, Coach. We’ll reach the top.”

“I know you will,” Dani said.

He lifted his wrist, showing the worn brown and green woven bracelet already there.

We took a moment, then Dani spoke again.

“We’ll hear about the new matches soon,” he said. “But there’s a specific interview I want all of you to watch.”

We exchanged glances, then nodded.

Dani told us when it would be airing later that day. He didn’t explain why—but the way he said it made it sound important.

We split up and went about our day until it was time for the interview.

When the time came, we gathered again as Dani turned the screen on.

Lupin appeared—one of the League’s main interviewers. We’d all met him before, interviewed by him ahead of our matches.

“This is the one I wanted you all to see,” Dani said quietly.

On the screen, Lupin smiled toward the camera.

“Today, we have a featured fighter joining us,” he said.

The camera shifted.

A woman sat beside him—strong, composed, and confident.

She looked ready.

“Before we begin,” Lupin said, “we wanted to show a few highlights from your most recent match.”

The screen shifted, replaying key moments.

She moved with efficiency, never wasting a step.

Her strikes were advanced and precise, each one landing exactly where it needed to.

Every exchange felt controlled.

Then came the finish—

The way she took her opponent down, decisive and undeniable.

“Today, we have the current champion of the League here for one very important question,” Lupin said.

“That’s the champion?” Sunny asked, surprised.

“She is,” Rosie replied, her expression tightening slightly.

“She’s the fighter at the top of the League,” I said quietly.

We all leaned in as Lupin turned toward her.

“So everyone wants to know,” he said. “Right now in the League, is there any fighter you believe could challenge you—and possibly become the next champion?”

The woman took a slow breath.

When she spoke, her confidence didn’t waver.

“No,” she said. “I don’t believe there is—at least not right now.”

She paused, then continued evenly.

“But I hope that by the next championship tournament, those selected for Thorn Rank will test me.”

She reminded me of Pops in his prime.

In the way she held herself.

The way she moved.

The way she welcomed a challenge without needing to prove anything.

“You’ve heard it here from the champion’s point of view,” Lupin said. “At the moment, the champion stands unopposed.”

He turned slightly toward her.

“Of course, we do have several new fighters—and current fighters—on the rise. Many people are hoping some of them might be able to stand toe-to-toe with you.”

“Are there any names that stood out to you?” Lupin asked.

“A few,” she replied calmly. “But none that concern me.”

“No surprise there,” Lupin said with a small smile. “But I was hoping.”

He turned back to her. “Thank you for your time. We just wanted a quick moment to ask you that.”

“Thank you,” she replied. “And I truly hope all the fighters out there continue to train—grow past their current limits—and reach the summit of our top fighters.”

With that, the interview came to an end.

Dani turned the screen off and faced us.

“Now you understand why I wanted you all to see that,” he said. “I’m not expecting any of you to become champion anytime soon—but that’s the peak of the League.”

“She sounds like she’s on another level,” Sunny said quietly.

“That’s who Iris is aiming for, then,” Rosie said. “So am I—if that’s what it takes to beat her.”

I nodded once. “As I stand now, she clearly outmatches me.”

“Well, just like all of you, the champion started somewhere,” Dani said. “All great fighters who became champions did.”

He glanced at me.

“You probably know that better than anyone—being related to one.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Pops told me all the time he never knew he’d become a world champion—even though he wanted to be one.”

I looked down for a moment.

“The main thing he cared about was seeing how far he could go.”

“That’s what I want,” Dani said. “And I hope you all feel the same way.”

He looked at each of us in turn.

“I know you all have your own goals you’re striving toward. But even after you reach them, you’ll go farther than that—or even maybe find new goals along the way.”

He paused.

“I see great potential in all of you,” Dani said. “But you have to want it yourselves. You have to commit to it.”

His voice softened, but his words didn’t.

“I’ll never give up on you,” he said. “But you can’t give up on yourselves, either.”

We all took a moment to let his words sink in.

“I won’t give up—no matter how hard it gets, Coach,” Sunny said, pumping a fist into the air.

Rosie grinned. “Even after Iris, I’ll still want to get stronger, Coach.”

I stepped forward slightly. “I want to make my mark—not just as an Ironwood, but as Lilith Ironwood. I’ll go far as I can to do it, Coach.”

Dani smiled and nodded once.

“Okay,” he said, giving a firm nod.

As the night came to an end, each of us carried renewed motivation.

I woke early the next morning.

Today was my first day back in training—my body fully recovered at last.

I ate a light snack, stretched, and headed out for some roadwork to start the day.

As I ran, I thought back on everything.

I’d kept the Iron Garden afloat—but there was still a long way to go before it was truly saved.

I’d learned new skills—but I needed to learn more if I wanted to keep up.

And along this journey, I’d met people, fought rivals, and grown close to those who stood beside me.

I wasn’t the same person I’d been when I first came to the League.

I did want to see how far I could go.

After finishing my roadwork, I caught my breath and took a drink of water. Then I headed inside, grabbing my gear, and made my way to the gym.

It was time to hit the heavy bag.

I wrapped my hands and pulled on my gloves, stretching my fingers as I went.

I was ready to train again.

Ready to grow.

For a moment, it felt like Pops was watching—

not judging, just waiting to see how far I’d go.

I stood in front of the bag, eyes locked on my target.

I took a breath—then stepped in and drove my fist forward, my knuckles sinking into the bag.

I came to the League as Lilith Ironwood.

Now, I’ll stand in it as The Fierce Flower.