V2Ch140 New Double What

Grampus continued his tale.

"I miss her still. I made a promise to myself. I know she could never be replaced. I promised myself that I would never move on until I lost. Even then, I wouldn't accept just anyone. I want someone just as willful as her. It wouldn't feel the same with just any average person."

"No. Because she is gone. It will never feel the same no matter what you do."

He looked at me.

"Do you..."

"Speak from experience? I've lost two wives. One in battle and one to time. I'm still searching for my current wife. I was taken away by force. I'm just trying to make my way home. So much time has passed, I don't know if I will even find her there."

"But you refuse to give up."

I simply nodded.

"That warms my heart. I'm sorry about earlier. I haven't been the most reasonable person since my wife passed. Yet, you've lost two and still fight for what's right. It makes me ashamed of what I've become. I was a much better person when she was around..."

"If you found someone, do you think you could be the better you once more?"

"I... Maybe. I don't know..."

"I believe there is someone closer than you think. She seems more determined than most. She still refuses to give up, even after several years of failing. Care to know who I am speaking about?"

The announcer's voice got so loud, it was impossible to ignore.

"MINJA WAS THROWN CLEAR ACROSS THE RING ONCE MORE! Both fighters seem to be wearing down. This has been the longest match of the day, by far! Both fighters are refusing to give up! Especially Minja! She has taken all the damage of this fight so far while Saphina has been dealing out that damage! Still, Minja dodges another attack, showing her pure determination and will!"

Grampus turned and looked around the corner without standing up. He might be able to view the inner edge of the rings, but there is no guarantee that he could see the contestants.

"Saphina is unleashing a torrent of stomping attacks that Minja, who is on her back, just barely keeps dodging!"

Grampus struggled to stand. He braced himself against the wall as he moved around the corner.

"Minja is in trouble! Saphina is putting her weight down on one hoof. Minja grabbed hold and is holding that hoof up, but how long can she keep this going?"

I heard Grampus let out a grunt. I stood up to go check on him.

"What! Minja threw Saphina off of her like it was nothing! DOUBLE WHAT!!! THE WINNER IS SAPHINA! Minja just ran out of the ring toward the A-group area! She forfeited the match!"

Just as I was close enough to get a peek around the corner, I saw Grampus on the ground. Minja was running toward him. Normally I wouldn't shy away from helping but, I think I'll let Minja handle this. I sat back down on the seat closest to the hallway opening.

"Grampus! What happened? Let me help you."

He let out another grunt.

"What are you doing here? You should be resting."

"You lost the match. You've given up then?"

Grampus sounded disappointed.

"No. Far from it. If I had let you stay on the ground and done nothing, that's when I would have truly given up. She would never have won if it was anyone else here on the ground."

A moment of silence gave me a good feeling. Maybe things were going her way and perhaps he could become a better person for it.

"Let's get you to first aid, Grampus."

"My name isn't Grampus, you know. That's just a title that people started calling me. My real name, It's Aevelle."

"Aevelle? I like that much better than Grampus... Aevelle..."

Their footsteps got further and further away until I was sure I was alone again.

It wasn't long before an official came looking for me. I stood up, expecting to have to follow.

"No need to stand just yet. The next three matches will be center stage, one match at a time. Since your opponent is still unconscious, we will hold the other semi-final match first. If your opponent does not wake up when your match starts, you may be declared the winner. However, since you are the cause of his condition, the judges may rule against you as interference, crowning the winner of the current match to be the overall champion."

"Bah. Go figure."

"Do you understand what I just explained to you? I need confirmation before I can move on."

"Yes..."

The official turned and walked away. I sat back down, getting lost in thoughts of what could happen. Did I skate through the matches for no reason? I wanted to ask the ent about detecting spirits. If The Black Hunt doesn't wake up, could I be disqualified? It's not my fault that he is a dick and the referees aren't fast enough to stop a match when they should have called it earlier.

At this point, I hope he wakes up so I can fight him.

*DING*

"Apleek the orc starts out by charging Saphina the centaur! He dodges her hind kick and dishes out a body blow. With the armor on her equine half, she seems unphased even though the attack pushed her back. She leaned her body in the follow-up attack, causing Apleek to recoil! She got her arms around his neck and lifted him off of the ground! If he can't get free, this may be Apleek's final round!"

'Too soon, Executus. Too soon.'

A line from one of my favorite MMOs ran through my head. If she ends it too quickly, The Black Hunt may not be awake in time for our match.

"HE BROKE FREE! Apleek managed to get a few good kicks in which weakened her grip. He put some distance between them."

Hah! Perfect timing Apleek. Keep evading her for a while. Buy me some time.