Chapter 32 - Bracket
Thong stumbled as he walked up to Mike. Mike grabbed Thong's shoulders before hoisting one of Thong's arms over his shoulders.
Mike: I'm gonna walk him to the infirmary. I'll catch up with you guys later.
Abraham: Understood, we'll meet you at the dining hall.
Remy: I doubt we're going to spend all our time there. There have to be some sights around here.
Carrie: Yeah, plenty of sights. Like trees, trees, and more trees.
Angel: Were you even paying attention when we were getting here?
Carrie: Nah, I was sleeping on the ride here.
Angel: That… answers a lot of questions.
Mike walked Thong away, noticing the bruises on his arm. Mike let out a sigh as he looked ahead of him.
Mike: You won't make it very far if you're getting injuries like that.
Thong: You think so?
Mike: While I bet the guys that just won these prelims are nothing too special, the guys that were excused from the prelims are no joke. The king and the head of the Eclipse are both participants, and I heard plenty of other top ten members are going to be participating as well. I didn't hear anything about The Elites joining, however.
Thong: The Elites?
Mike: Yeah, that's what the fighters from rank eleven to twenty call themselves. They're on a level that they could possibly enter the top ten whenever they choose to, but none of them are entering this tournament. This means that plenty of us smaller guys were able to get into the tournament through these prelims, but showing difficulty here likely means we got no shot of winning this thing.
Thong's thoughts: Why does Mike seem so unsure? He was so sure of his strength in the past, but now even he's sold that he won't win… Are the top ten this scary?
Mike eventually comes to a stop before opening a closed door. On the inside, he sees a fighter placing a bandage around his arm. He greets Mike and Thong with a smile.
???: Hello there. My name's Li.
Li stood at around 178 centimeters tall, wearing a short-sleeved karate gi. The front of his hair was spiked with the back ending in a small ponytail.
Mike: You look like you've seen better days.
Li: Aw man, I guess you can say that. Looks like you two must be survivors of this preliminary match, huh?
Mike walked over to a bed, laying Thong down before turning to face Li.
Mike: Not much of a match if it's basically a free for all. With how this was handled, no wonder you got a cut on your arm.
Li: I let my guard down for a second and I got a nice cut down the arm. Pretty embarrassing if you ask me.
Mike: Yeah, it really is. I hope you don't have much hope of winning this thing.
Li: You sure aren't the nice type are you?
Thong rested in bed, listening to Mike get annoyed at Li's chill back attitude. Thong controlled his breathing, focusing his mind on letting his body rest. The pain slowly started to drift away as Mike sat in a chair next to Thong.
Mike: I hope you realize I'm not going to stay here as your caretaker. I plan on grabbing something to eat.
Thong: Maybe I should join you.
Li: I'd advise against that. Seems like you took a more serious beating than I did.
Mike: What are ya, a doctor?
Li: You're kinda hostile, did I do something to upset you?
Thong: It's okay, Mike. I'll stay here and rest. Tell Hugo that I'll meet up with him later.
Mike: I already told ya, I'm not your caretaker!
Mike looked at Thong's tired eyes before letting out a sigh.
Mike: Just know I'm not doing this for you.
Thong: Thanks…
Li: You guys seem like great friends.
Mike: You're still around?
Li and Mike walk out of the infirmary, walking through the halls with Mike mumbling to himself. They both entered a set of double doors, only to be met with a grand hall with chandeliers and pretty strewn about.
Li: This is the nicest looking place I've ever been to. The Eclipse really knows how to throw a ball, don't they?
Mike: Why are you still talking to me? You wanna get punched?
Li: Still mad, I see.
Mike's thoughts: Something about the energy this guy gives off… It just pisses me off.
Carrie: Ohhh Mikeyyyyy! What are ya doing over there?
Li: Who's that?
Mike: None of your business.
Mike and Li watched as Carrie walked over to them. She was red in the face with a wide smile.
Carrie: Where have ya been? The party was missing your pouty face.
Carrie squished Mike's cheeks with her hand, Li letting out a laugh as he watched the two interact. Remy came running over, out of breath as he stopped in front of the three.
Remy: So this is where she ran off to… She's way too much of a lightweight.
Carrie: Of course I am, ladies need to be light, and I need to be light to move around fast.
Remy: Her job makes her too annoying to catch…
Mike: So she's drunk?
Carrie: Impossible! There's no way I can be!
Carrie's face got upset as she kept trying to protect her point of view. Li looked to his side as he saw a man in full metal armor walk up to Carrie. He bowed before looking at her.
Lorisian: A fine maiden indeed! Would thou like to accompany me?
Mike: Hey walking trash can, back off. She's with my group, so don't try to make any moves.
Li: You're making it sound like you're dating her, Mikey.
Mike: I would never want to date her! And who the hell said you're allowed to call me Mikey?!
Lorisian: Thee own not that lady, doth thee? I hast full right to asketh that lady to dance.
Mike: Earth to moron, speak modern-day English. I can't speak idiot.
Remy: Hey now, let's calm down.
???: Yo Lorisian, what's going on here?
Li, Remy, and Mike all turned when they heard that voice. Jason walked up to the group, holding a plate of food in his hand.
Lorisian: Squire!
Jason: My bad if he was causing issues. He just can't stop walking up to women.
Mike: Yeah, tell your buddy to back off. We aren't gonna let a metal creep take away a drunk lady.
Jason: I doubt that was his intention, but you seemed annoyed enough as is. Let's go, Lorisian.
Lorisian: Right away, squire!
The quartet watched as Ser Lorisian and Jason walked away, Li wiping the sweat off of his forehead.
Li: I wonder how they plan to eat with those helmets on.
Remy: I think they take them off.
Li: I know, I was just trying to make a bit of a joke. I guess it didn't land well.
Remy: Oh…
Mike: I'm surrounded by idiots.
Carrie: Yeah, everyone here is an idiot except for me!
Mike turned around, putting Carrie on his back before standing straight.
Remy: Giving her a piggyback ride, great idea!
Mike: It'd be annoying if she ran away. Let's get going.
Mike, Remy, and Li walked around the hall, Carrie snoring on Mike's back as they tried to find where the rest of the Imperium was. Remy planted his flag against the ground, resting against it as he sighed.
Remy: Man, this is getting tiring.
Li: You're looking for a man with long hair, right?
Mike: Yeah, what about it?
Li: I think that's him over there.
Mike looked in the direction Li was pointing, noticing Theodore stand above the crowd.
Remy: Woah, he's right!
Mike's thoughts: Well isn't that convenient.
…
Thong sat up on his bed, rubbing his head as he felt the pain had mostly dissipated. Sitting across from him was Hugo, eating some chicken before he looked up at Thong.
Hugo: The food here is great!
Thong: I would hope so.
Thong turned around in the bed, placing both feet on the ground before standing up. Hugo continued to chew as he saw Thong stretch in place. The only sound that filled the room was Hugo's chewing before a speaker made the sound of activation.
Daymond: While I know it hasn't been more than an hour since the preliminaries have ended, but it is best to have this decided as soon as possible. Everyone who has made it past the preliminaries, please meet in the room with the light-up sign on the second floor. We have urgent business to settle before I allow you all to rest. I will see you soon.
The speaker shut off as Thong and Hugo looked at each other, Hugo slowly reaching in to take another bite of his chicken.
Thong: I guess he has a reward or something?
Hugo: I hope it's more of this food. This stuff is great.
Thong: Hehe… maybe.
Hugo and Thong both made their way out of the infirmary and up to the second floor. People were already filing into the room, Thong and Hugo both walked in, seeing the room filled with a flurry of personalities. Thong looked near the wrong, seeing Mike standing at the front with a group of other people, immediately noticing Theodore, Remy, and the passed out Carrie on his back.
Thong's thoughts: Looks like they got here with a casualty on the way, huh?
The room quieted down as Daymond appeared in front of the crowd in a purple suit. Shizu and Dianshi appeared on both sides of him, Daymond clearing his throat.
Daymond: Thank you all for coming on such short notice. From what I am aware, everyone who stands before me is a fighter that has gotten their right to fight in the main tournament.
Mike (under his breath): Everyone except this lightweight.
Daymond: I will now be explaining the way we will be ordering these fights. Every fighter here will choose which placement in the tournament they wish to appear in. The fighters will be appearing in order of their rank. As I am the highest ranked currently, I am allowed the first pick. If the second ranked fighter is here, they get to choose second. If they aren't here, we move onto the third ranked fighter, so on and so forth. I hope that much is clear to everyone here.
Theodore: I have no issue with it.
Thong's thoughts: That means I'm basically at the very end!
Dianshi pressed a button on the controller he held in his hand, a board lowering behind Daymond.
Daymond: I have already placed where I will be appearing in the tournament. I will be the first fight in Block B. Any who wish to fight me will get to choose the spot next to me. Simply choose by pressing on the spot you wish to appear in. Now, let us continue. Is rank number two here?
Thong watched as a man with a brown afro walked upfront. He stared daggers at Daymond, Daymond meeting him with a sinister smile.
Daymond: Nice to see you once again, Cero.
Cero reached over, placing his finger on the third match of Block C. He turned his attention back to Daymond, a stern look on his face.
Cero: I intend to meet you at the finals, just like he did. You better be there so I can end you with my own hands.
Cero walked away, Daymond placing a hand over his mouth before moving it away, his smile gone with it.
Daymond: Now, will rank three come forward?
Theodore: That would be me. I'll meet you right awa-
Before Theodore could make his way to the board, another fighter ran to the board, pressing the space right below Daymond's name. A frown grew on Shizu's face as the fighter stared directly at Daymond. The name under Daymond's read "Kuro Kageyama."
Kuro: That last guy seemed pretty pissed, so I'll ruin any chances he has of meeting you by crushing you in the first round myself!
Dianshi: Kuro, you violated the order of this voting! You will be punished sev-
Theodore: No, it is fine. I wish to see what the new generation of fighters has to offer.
Kuro laughed at Dianshi before leaving the room. Theodore walked over to the board, pressing a finger on the match right below Daymond's.
Theodore: If I am not meeting you in the first round, I will face you in the second round. I hope you won't fall to a youngster so easily.
Daymond: I don't intend to fall to anyone here.
Theodore walked back into the crowd, Gonzalez immediately stepping up.
Gonzalez: Guess I'm next, huh?
Gonzalez looked over the placements on the board before moving over to the bottom right of the board, selecting the final match of the tournament.
Thong's thoughts: How did he know where to press without taking off that blindfold?
Gonzalez's thoughts: I shouldn't need to face Theodore over here, so I'll be fine.
Gonzalez walked back into the crowd, only for Thong to notice an extremely tall man walk forward. Standing at around 211 centimeters tall, the fighter towered over everyone. He made his way to the front, pressing on the spot right below Cero. The fighter's name read "Ryan Magni."
Ryan: I wish to see how the supposed second rank can hold up after his disappearance.
Cero: I welcome you to try. I still intend to surpass all ahead of me.
Ryan passed by Cero, neither looking the other in the eye.
Hugo: These guys seem to make their motives pretty obvious.
Thong watched as Hugo took another bite of his chicken before looking back at the front, seeing Ryan walk into the crowd, only to be replaced by an old-looking man. He looked around the board before pressing his finger on the second match of the tournament.
Moll: Whoever is fighting me, treat me kindly! Haha!
Moll walked away, Thong watching as a familiar red-cloaked man walked forward. Jason immediately pressed on the first match of Block D.
Jason's thoughts: I won't have to deal with anyone too strong right away, best to conserve energy as early as possible.
Jason walked away as Daymond let out a cough.
Daymond: I guess there is no reason for me to call out which rank you are since you all seem so good at it.
Theodore let out a cough as his shoulder cape began to rustle. Out came a short man, standing at 165 centimeters, with messy hair and sharp nails and teeth. He was oddly enough not wearing any shoes, so the sound of his feet against the floor tiles echoed as he walked over to the board. His hand reached up, the name "Daniel Oneiroi" appearing on the slot of the second fight in Block C. Daniel walked back over to Theodore, jumping up and laying over Theodore's shoulder.
Theodore: Good boy.
Thong looked in confusion as Theodore patted Daniel's back. Following Daniel, a man walked up to the board, pressing the very first slot of the bracket. No name appeared on the board other than "The Masked Man."
Thong's thoughts: What type of name is that?
Daymond: So you still continue to hide your identity, huh? So be it.
The man nodded before heading back to the crowd. A man with a cowboy hat walked forward, a wide smile on his face.
Indica: Sorry fellers, but my fighter isn't really suitable to be in this ceremony. So I'll be choosing on his behalf.
Daymond: So be it.
Indica walked over, pressing the slot right under Gonzalez's name.
Indica's thoughts: I am mighty interested in seeing what this Gonzalez fighter has to offer. Gary won't fail me now.
Gonzalez's thoughts: Man, I thought my rank would make people not want to fight me, but it just brought them to me instead.
Indica walked away as Joseph walked forward. He stretched out his arm before pressing the spot in the second to last match of the first round. He walked away, looking satisfied with his placement.
Moll: I hope you put thought into that spot!
Joseph: Not really, just really late and I'd get a chance to sleep in a bit more.
Moll: Good enough for me.
Following Joseph, a short fighter walked forward, pushing up his glasses. He pressed a spot in the last match of Block A before turning around and walking back into the crowd. The name "Quintin Planck" being all that was left there. After him, Angel walked up to the board. He rubbed his chin before pressing a spot in the first match of Block C.
Angel's thoughts: A bit close to Daniel, but better than fighting Daymond or Theodore.
Tico passed by Angel, tilting his head as he looked at the board. He pressed a slot in the third match of Block B.
Tico's thoughts: If I have to fight Daymond or Theodore, I think they'll be tired enough to beat at this point. My daughter would be so proud to hear that her daddy won a tournament. I'll get you some great gifts Eliza.
Tico walked away from the board, Shun passing by him.
Shun: Great to see you haven't quit.
Tico: I won't be outdone by you.
Shun walked up to the board, pressing the spot right next to Tico, preparing to fight him in the first round.
Shun's thoughts: A fight with Tico right away and a chance to fight the boss in the quarterfinals. I'm pretty lucky.
Mason watched as Shun walked back into the crowd before pulling up the sleeves of his shirt before looking over all the positions open on the board.
Mason: Yo Cero, I'll try to meet you at the finals, alright? My bad if I have to crush Daymond before you do.
Cero: Choose as you wish.
Mason pressed a slot in the third match of Block A. Mason walked away from the board as Hamadeen walked up, pressing a slot on the second match of Block D.
Hamadeen's thoughts: I should be able to fight Joseph once both of us make it to the quarterfinals. So don't fail me, master.
Hamadeen walked away as another short fighter walked up to the board. The fighter pressed the slot right beneath Hamadeen, the name reading "Simon Lunaz."
Simon: I'll be sure to deal with Moll's group as quickly as possible.
Daymond: I wish you luck.
The next one to walk up is Abraham, who looked over the board before placing a finger on the slot below Joseph's.
Abraham: It does not matter where I place myself, as I intend to meet my father in the finals.
Abraham turned around, walking back into the crowd. Hugo tore off another chunk of meat before swallowing.
Hugo: Ya know, maybe I should think of a motive by the time I get up there.
The next up was the fast fighter that attempted to attack Thong in the preliminaries. He walked up to the board, placing a finger below Jason's name, with the name "Vector Haste" appearing below it.
Vector: Let's see who is truly the fastest.
Vector walked past the Imperium's group, where Remy was shaking before Theodore gave him a pat on the back.
Theodore: Trust me, you'll do fine.
Remy: Yeah, you're right…
Remy walked up to the board, looking around before placing a hand on the fourth match of Block C. Remy rejoined the Imperium's group as Arthur walked forward. He rubbed his head as he looked around the board.
Arthur's thoughts: A lot of open slots, but none seem that appealing other than…
Arthur pressed on the slot right below The Masked Man's name, appearing as the first match of the tournament.
Arthur's thoughts: I'll see if I can get this guy to reveal his name. That'll show Shun.
Arthur returned to the crowd, high fiving Yussuf who walked up to the board. Yussuf looked closely at the board, his eyes wondering before smiling and placing a finger on the board.
Yussuf: I'll be sure to take care of him for ya, boss.
Daymond: Quite the goal you have for yourself.
Yussuf: I wouldn't be one of the Ryuji brothers otherwise.
Yussuf walked into the crowd as Nupan walked up. He randomly spun his finger around and placed it right below Remy.
Nupan: I don't really know who to target, so this spot seems good. I hope the Imperium is able to let me move forward without issue.
Nupan walked back into the crowd before leaving the room entirely. Mike threw Carrie over to Gonzalez and Remy before walking up to the board. He looked around before pressing a slot in the fourth match of Block B.
Mike's thoughts: One of the few places without any other fighter. And I'll give Theodore the free win if I meet him… What am I thinking? I'm here trying to win, dammit!
Mike grumbled to himself as he walked back to the Imperium's side.
Remy: Why would you do that?
Gonzalez: Thank god she hasn't puked.
Theodore: She should've just stayed back at the capital, but she refused. Luckily the lords are keeping watch while I am away.
Another fighter walked up to the board, bowing to Daymond before placing his spot right above Angel, in the first match of Block C. The fighter's name appeared as "Magnus Kibson."
Magnus: I will attempt to leave as much of an effect as possible, sir.
Daymond: Focus on your own victory firstly.
Magnus: I will keep that in mind.
Magnus walked back to the crowd, Thong noticing the board was slowly but surely getting filled up.
Thong's thoughts: This is bad, I barely have any places for me to apply.
Hugo: You think I should say something to Daymond when I get up there?
Thong: You remember his name but not mine?!
Li: Oh dear, it seems I'm up next, Mike.
Mike: Why are you still near me? We're not friends.
Li: Are we not? I thought we had grown rather close in this last hour.
Mike: Just go up there already.
Li walked up to the board, placing his spot right above Quintin's as the fourth match of Block A. His name only appeared as "Li." Li walked back to Mike's side, a smile still on his face.
Mike: Where the hell's your last name? You're an orphan and can't even have that?
Li: How heartless you can be at times, dear Mikey.
Mike: Stop calling me that!
The next fighter passed by the two bickering, placing his name right below Daniel's as the second match of Block C. The fighter's name appeared as "Alexander Night."
Thong: I've never heard of him before…
Thong looked to Hugo, who was sadly looking at his finished piece of chicken before facing Thong.
Hugo: Don't look at me, I know nothing about him.
Lorisian: Sadly mine own nephew's opponent couldn't beest me in the first round, but I shall meeteth thee soon!
Thong saw as the knight was already up at the board, placing his name above Mason's as the third match of Block A. His name read as "Ser Lorisian."
Thong's thoughts: This board is pretty advanced to recognize each of us by touch…
Hugo and Thong looked at each other, blinking as they looked at the board. Only two places were left available. Hugo laughed at Thong before running up to the board, pressing his spot next to Moll as the second match of Block A. Hugo walked back to Thong, patting him on the shoulder.
Hugo: As your master, I don't want to deal with your affair with your friend.
Thong: You had to use "affair" of all words?
Hugo: I don't know what it means, I just heard angry women outside my base mention it all the time. Welp, I'm gonna go get more chicken, so good luck.
Hugo patted Thong on the shoulder a few more times before walking away. Thong let out a sigh as he walked up to the board, placing his final spot under Mike's name as the fourth fight in Block B. Thong turned around, meeting Mike's gaze.
Mike: I'll meet you in the ring, then.
Thong: Yeah… I guess so…
Li: I feel like I'm witnessing something I shouldn't.
Daymond: And like that, the bracket has been finalized. A more solid version will be placed around the building and sent to each of the fighters. So be prepared for your matches, people. Have a great few days of preparations and relaxation.
Thong's thoughts: This scenario is anything but relaxing…
Li: Best of luck to all of us.
Mike: I swear I'm going to punch you.