Chapter 24 - What Comes Next

The image of the Virtus Imperium burned itself into Thong's mind. They were unlike any group he had met before. The idea that Mike was part of such a group was one he couldn't fully believe. He had seen it with his own eyes, but the night moved too quickly for him to accept it.

Thong returned home, his mind crowded with all the things he had seen that night. His mother and father sat at the dinner table, but Thong could not bring himself to look at them in the eyes.

Hoa: Honey, you haven't eaten with us in so long. Are you too tired? Did we do something wrong?

Thong couldn't meet his mother's worried eyes.

Thong: It's okay. I ate before I got back.

Anh didn't say anything. He glared at his son, but nothing would come to his lips. He watched as his wife attempted to convince their son to eat, but Thong would not budge. Thong entered his room, the voice of his mother being washed from his mind.

Thong's thoughts: I can't even talk to my family. There's just too much to think about. I can't look them in the face, I can't speak my mind to them.

Minh: You're beginning to isolate yourself.

Thong's thoughts: Shut up! I'm not doing this on purpose. I want to help them…

Minh: And in trying to help them, you push yourself away. Truly the hero you are, shorty.

Thong's thoughts: We're the same height… Why am I even giving you the light of day?

Minh: We are one after all. And don't forget, that tournament is within a month. If we're to come to a decision, it needs to be soon.

Thong's thoughts: Shut up… I already know that. Just leave me alone…

Minh: If you wish. I'll see you again soon…

Thong's mind became an echo chamber as the night repeated. Gonzalez's match, Carrie, Theodore's presence, Mike's commitment, the tournament announcement. It all seemed unreal. And yet, Thong was seeking a way to involve himself.

Thong's thoughts: I'm not as fast as Spencer, as experienced as Kusari, as skilled as Gonzalez, or as determined as Mike. But I need to know the world they're part of. I don't… I don't want to be left behind…

…

Two days passed, and Thong had not gotten a single message from Mike. Thong messaged and called Mike, but there has not been a single response. Thong stood looking down a bridge, the wind blowing through his hair. He looked blankly at his phone, the same one that Mike had given to him. The screen was black, waiting for the screen to light up. Letting out a sigh, Thong walked down the bridge to a vending machine, placing in a dollar before pressing a button. He crouched down, grabbing his iced coffee before standing back up.

???: Hey, I know you! … I think.

Thong whipped his head around. Looking to his right, he saw a bandaged up man pointing at him.

Thong's thoughts: Is that… Hugo?

Hugo walked up to Thong, placing a finger on his chest. Thong looked down before looking up at Hugo.

Hugo: You're that guy that beat- I mean barely won against me, right?

Thong's thoughts: Did he just try to cover for himself?

Hugo: I recognize that stupid mask anywhere.

Thong stepped back as Hugo walked forward. Hugo looked down at Thong's hand, noticing the iced coffee.

Hugo: Are you going to drink that?

Thong hid the can behind his back as Hugo let out a sigh.

Hugo: Sure you may be the quiet type, but I know you have skill. So how about you join me in that tournament thingy that's coming up. Together, we'll be undefeated!

Thong stared at Hugo with an unamused expression.

Thong: I think these matches are one-on-one…

Hugo: Are they?!

Thong watched as Hugo stepped back with a shocked expression.

Hugo: My genius plan is ruined! I was going to use you as bait so I can finish them off with my powerful strikes!

Thong sighed before holding the iced coffee out for Hugo. Hugo looked at the iced coffee before snatching it and cracking it up, sipping it as quickly as possible.

Hugo: Man, that really hit the spot. Oh yeah, what was your name again?

Thong: You don't even remember that? … The name's Thong Tran…

Hugo: Thong, I should be able to remember that. So, even though we can't team up for the tournament, how about applying?

Thong looked down, letting out a sigh. Hugo tilted his head before chugging the rest of the can. He looked down the barrel of the can.

Hugo: I see, you're pretty scared, huh?

Thong's thoughts: Can he tell?

A smile came across Hugo's face as he threw the can behind him.

Hugo: No worries. Everyone gets scared when first trying things, but with me as your master, I can whip you into shape.

Thong's thoughts: He can't tell at all!

Hugo: So come with me, young Tom, I will show you exactly what you'll need to survive the tournament!

Thong: But my name is Thong…

Hugo: Whatever you say, Travis. Work with me and your fears will be no more!

Thong's thoughts: This guy just isn't listening to me… But he has a point… in his own weird way. If I want to reach Mike, I need to stop doubting myself.

Hugo: Hey, could ya buy me another one of those drinks? I have no idea what they were, but they were good.

Thong's thoughts: Maybe I should train with someone else…

Thong followed behind Hugo as they walked through the city before landing in front of an old, run down building.

Hugo: This is my personal training ground.

Thong's thoughts: I've seen dumpsters in better condition than this… But I guess the shabby condition helps with his odd movements in combat.

Hugo: I don't have the funds to pay the electric bill at my place if I stayed there, so I spend most of my time here. Oh yeah, mind getting us some lunch. I haven't eaten for a few days.

Thong's thoughts: This guy is a mix of great and outright terrible. This month is going to last quite a while…

Thong and Hugo entered the building, Hugo pulling out his phone before throwing it on an old looking mattress. A message appeared on it with an attachment. The sender was simply named "Eclipse." Several more messages similar to this one went all over the globe to anyone connected to the Eclipse. The attachment held a recording of the speech that Daymond had made two days ago.

Thong: Did your phone just light up?

Hugo: That happens all the time, probably nothing important.

Thong's thoughts: I'm surprised this guy can even afford a phone…

Hugo: That's enough fooling around! Come at me, Timothy! We have a lot of work ahead of us!

Hugo threw off his shirt before facing Thong.

Thong's thoughts: This is going to be a long month…