It had been weeks since Damon's thrilling win over Cellan Gustalam. The fight, which was now the high point of his young career, had earned him widespread recognition.
But since he didn't have any matches coming up soon, life had slowed down, giving him a chance to rest and reset.
Damon was glad for the break. He did some light training, spent time with his mother, and thought about his planned trip to Thailand during the day.
The thought of leaving home again weighed on him, but he knew it was a necessary step if he wanted to rise in the UFA ranks.
Standing in his room, Damon glanced at the neatly packed bag sitting in the corner. It contained everything he thought he'd need, clothes, training gear, and the essentials for life in a foreign country.
His passport rested on the desk, alongside a folder with his travel itinerary and information about the camp in Thailand.
Aoife had been supportive, though Damon could see the faint worry in her eyes whenever they talked about the trip.
She hid it well, always smiling and encouraging him to make the most of the opportunity. Damon appreciated her strength and promised himself he'd make it all worth it. Experience new stories on empire
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The days leading up to the trip were uneventful but productive.
Damon spent time with his friends, ensuring he'd see everyone before he left.
They joked, sparred lightly at Victor's gym, and reassured him that he'd come back stronger than ever.
Victor made sure everything was okay by being there the whole time. He talked to Damon often and gave him advice. He also reminded him to stay focused and enjoy the experience.
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The day had finally come. Damon was ready to leave as he stood in his room with his bag packed. Strangely, it was both exciting and sad at the same time.
Throughout the week, Damon hadn't allowed himself to grow stagnant.
Though his training wasn't as intense as before, he had stayed consistent, balancing recovery with progress.
Damon raised an eyebrow in surprise before breaking into a grin. "Really? They didn't have to do that."
Victor shrugged as he parked the car. "Well, they wanted to. Guess they like you or something."
Damon chuckled, shaking his head. As they stepped out of the car, Damon grabbed his bag from the trunk and looked up at the towering airport building.
It was bustling with activity, travelers moving in every direction, the sound of rolling luggage and announcements over the intercom echoing around.
Victor led the way inside, weaving through the crowd with Damon following close behind.
The moment they entered, Damon spotted them Edward, Ash, Tye, Joey, Ashley, and Svetlana standing together near a seating area.
"Look who finally showed up!" Joey called out with a wide grin, waving Damon over.
Damon couldn't help but laugh as he approached the group. "You guys didn't have to come all the way out here," he said, though the smile on his face made it clear he appreciated the gesture.
Ash crossed his arms, smirking. "Yeah, well, it's not every day one of us heads off to train halfway across the world. Besides, someone had to make sure you don't chicken out."
"Like that's ever gonna happen," Damon shot back with a playful roll of his eyes.
Ashley stepped forward, giving him a quick hug. "You're gonna kill it out there, Damon. Just don't forget about us little people when you're at the top."
"Never," Damon replied, his tone sincere.
Svetlana stood a bit to the side, her arms crossed as she watched the exchange. When Damon turned to her, she gave him a small smile. "Don't slack off while you're gone, okay? I expect you to come back even better."
Damon grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Tye clapped him on the back. "You've got this, man. Just make sure you don't turn into some Muay Thai monster and forget how to wrestle."
Damon laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
Victor checked his watch. "Alright, time's ticking. Damon's got a flight to catch."
The group exchanged final words, jokes, and well wishes, their laughter cutting through the chaotic background of the airport.
As Damon turned to head toward security, he glanced back at his friends one last time.
He raised a hand in farewell. "I'll see you all soon."
"Be careful of the women there, bro!" Joey shouted, earning a round of laughter from the group, Svetlana had a slight frown but she hid it well.