Chapter 23 - Announcement

All over the stadium and building, speakers and monitors flashed on. To members outside of the building, notifications popped up on phones and computers as Daymond's face appeared.

Daymond: I would hope you're all tuning in and none have left the building after that match. For I have an important announcement to make.

Thong looked around, noticing the serious expressions on everyone's face. The only one that seemed as confused was Mike.

Thong's thoughts: What's going on? Daymond didn't appear in the ring during the match… Was he planning this announcement?

Daymond: First, I would like to give congratulations to The Hyena, Gonzalez Muertojos, for their one hundred and twentieth win. Not many fighters can say they have reached those heights, but you have truly displayed your proficiency as one of the highest ranked fighters.

Carrie: If this was just to congratulate him, dude should've just met him here. Talk about rude…

Theodore: Carrie Miller, silence.

Carrie jumped back as Theodore reprimanded her.

Carrie: King Terry, your highness, sir!

Mike: Quiet down already.

Daymond: But enough of the pleasantries. I am here to announce something that may peak the interest of not just the previous match winner, but the entire organization as a whole. For those who can no longer wait… I am talking about the one and only "Eclipse Grand Tournament."

Thong noticed as Theodore and Gonzalez twitched as they heard those words.

Thong's thoughts: Eclipse Grand Tournament?

Mike: What is he talking about?

Daymond: For any newcomers that have joined within the recent years after my rise to office, the Eclipse Grand Tournament is, as it sounds, a tournament. Thirty-two warriors fight to decide who will be the next head of this organization. For those of you thinking that I am stepping down, this is rather quite the opposite, for I will also be a contestant in this tournament. If any of you wish to fight me there, I gladly welcome you to. This tournament will begin in a little over a month's time. So any who wish to get their training now, I highly recommend it. This tournament will be as lawless as the previous — I wish you all a good day.

The monitor and speakers went quiet. Thong could feel a tension that one could cut with a knife. The entire build seemed to have been brought to a halt as Daymond's words were still processed. But the first to break the silence was…

Carrie: Woah, that's a pretty scary sounding tournament!

Mike: He said previous… Was there one that happened in the past?

Theodore: There was, I had participated in that one. It was the tournament where the previous head of the Eclipse was slain and Daymond took his spot as the new head.

Thong raised a hand to his chin. He remembered that Daymond had mentioned something similar.

Thong's thoughts: Did he mention a tournament then? My thoughts are clouded by that announcement and fight…

Gonzalez: I didn't expect one so soon. It's only been two years or so, right?

Theodore: Indeed. The tournament before the one two years ago was held over a decade ago. This gap between tournaments is short, shorter than ever mentioned.

Mike: So what are the plans for this one?

Theodore: I still intend to apply, I have a score to settle. Anyone else that wishes to apply may do so, it's nothing more than sport.

Thong's thoughts: Nothing more than sport? With the phrase "Grand Tournament," this seems anything but for sport! What sport would use a word like "grand" lightly?

Carrie let out a laugh as Thong shifted his attention to her.

Carrie: Maybe I should apply for that tournament! I'm pretty good on my feet.~

Theodore: Carrie Miller! You are the only one I will not allow to apply.

Carrie jumped back with a worried expression on her face.

Carrie: Why do you have to always take away my fun, Terry.

Thong tilted his head at what Carrie had called Theodore.

Mike: Ignore that, she just thinks she's all buddy buddy with the king and calls him by that nickname.

Thong looked at Theodore before noticing Theodore's shoulder cape began to rustle around before part of it lifted up. Theodore turned to the darkness under his cape with a smile.

Theodore: You must be pretty hungry, correct?

Thong heard silence from the cape yet Theodore's expression turned to one of surprise.

Theodore: You wish to apply as well? Very well, it's better for you to attempt it instead of relying on those brutish missions.

Theodore walked away, Carrie following behind him as she rubbed the back of her head. As the king walked away, many of those around Thong followed him. As the hallway emptied out, the only ones to remain were Thong and Mike. Mike stared at Thong, Thong staring at him directly.

Mike: Why exactly did you look for me?

Thong: When were you part of the Imperium? I should've known you had some connections with how easily you answered those history questions, but I can't believe it!

Mike: You don't know about my life from before college, Thong. But now the truth is out, so that's all there is to it. I was born in the Virtus Imperium, but I moved to America for some education. Not the best choice, all things considered. But I got to meet you and Tiana. Is there anything else you want to know?

Thong: Do you plan on entering that tournament?

Mike: If the king allows it, I don't see why not. He banned Carrie, not me.

Thong: Are you sure? It sounds too dangerous… Daymond is going to be there!

Mike: It doesn't matter. I'm a newer member that fights for the King's personal group, which he often calls the Brigade. Much like Daymond's Arachna or Jason's Basement, King Theodore has his Brigade. I want to show the King I'm suited for these matches and that I can make it to the top ten like he and Gonzalez did. I'll show that with this tournament.

Thong watched as Mike turned his back to him and started walking away.

Mike: If you have nothing else of importance to ask, I'll see you later. I'll probably be out training for a month, so don't bother looking for me.

Thong reached out a hand as Mike got further and further away. Thong's head dropped as he stared at the floor.

Thong's thoughts: Mike has a reason to fight, huh? What do I have?

Minh: Are you simply going to forget your family?

Thong whipped around before holding his head.

Thong's thoughts: He's right… I don't know how this tournament can make me money... But if regular matches and missions can, so can a tournament, right? I need to do it. For my family… And to reach Mike. I want to tell him so much, but I can't, not right now.

…

Daymond stood up from his desk, his breathing quickening as a smile came across his face.

Dianshi: So this is why you called me away from the Documentation Center.

???: You are a popular assistant, aren't you? You need to be present for the amount of applications you'll have coming to your station.

Dianshi looked at the opposite side of the room where a woman stood there with her arms crossed. Her eyes were covered by the reflection in her glasses, but he could tell she was staring directly at him.

Daymond: Will there be an era of change after these two years? Or will we continue to reign supreme. I truly am excited.

Dianshi's thoughts: You better keep your position, Daymond. The entire Arachna is riding on this.