Chapter 88 - Block D Begins

Masked walked into the hall, followed closely by the white haired man whose face was covered mostly by a red scarf.

Masked: You better have a good reason to follow me, Nicholas.

Nicholas: I just need to ask, are you sure "he's" even here?

Masked: Even if "he" isn't, it's not like we're the only ones searching. Right now, members are at every important location regarding the Eclipse.

Nicholas raised an eyebrow before crossing his arms.

Nicholas: You mean like other stadiums?

Masked: More than that. Every base of operation is being monitored and searched. Since many of the major members of the organization are here, it leaves many of their bases under looser surveillance. However, many are still quite tight. Theodore's main home in the capital of the Virtus Imperium and the Basement's home location are being checked right now by some of our most undetectable members.

Nicholas' eyes wavered for a moment before shaking his head.

Nicholas: So we're on that large of a scale right now?

Masked: You should have understood this scale when Mother mentioned it. Our mission is to find "him" and we mustn't stop until we do. I'll be sure to inform the others when I see them.

Nicholas' thoughts: So he'll eventually come to interact with the others. Maybe I should keep an eye out for that…

Masked: Either way, either go enjoy the matches or stay hidden and keep searching. Doesn't matter to me what you do, as long as you don't get in anyone's way.

Nicholas: Of course. I'll continue my search.

Masked and Nicholas parted ways, Masked rubbing his shoulder.

Masked's thoughts: Those bats still hurt. Well, at least I get to recover before my next fight.

…

Nupan and Dianshi entered Bodin's infirmary, the other members of the Arachna all looking at him. Simon walked up to Nupan and placed a finger on his chest.

Simon: What the hell was that?! You lost to Remy of all people?

Yussuf: Yeah, what's up with that? You're one of our strongest. You lost way too easily. It's even more suspicious since you got up way too quickly!

Simon: Explain yourself, Shen!

Nupan looked around, an annoyed look growing on his face before Daymond raised a hand.

Daymond: I ordered him to lose.

Dianshi and Nupan looked at Daymond with wide eyes, the rest of the Arachna minus Arthur looking shocked.

Yussuf: But why, boss? He was one of the people that was the most excited to fight…

Daymond: I have something more important for him to deal with. I had Dianshi run the errand for me since I wasn't in the best condition to run along by myself.

Dianshi's thoughts: Sir…

Daymond: I will not permit any of you to badmouth his performance. I allowed him to fight, but also required him to lose. So Dianshi, Nupan, please commit to what I've asked of you.

Dianshi: O-of course. Arthur, your partner is waiting.

Arthur laughed before picking up his bats.

Arthur: You're going to send us out when he has cuts like that?

Magnus: I think there's something more important we need to point out. Simon, you're the only one left.

Everyone's attention shifted to Simon, who blinked wildly.

Simon: Oh, right, I am.

Shun: HA! Did you forget already? I guess being everyone's cheerleader made you forget you're fighting too.

Simon: Hey! I totally remembered! I was just caught up in the moment.

Shizu: And now it's time for you to focus on yourself. Unless Daymond has another request.

Daymond: I do not intend on asking Simon the same thing. The two I have asked are more than enough.

Simon: Don't worry. I'll do my best to bring honor to the Arachna!

Magnus: Best of luck out there, Simon.

Simon: Thanks. I'll show that Collective what we're made of!

…

Thong, Li, and Hugo all sat in a bench in the hallway, Hugo eating a hot dog as the other two let out a sigh.

Li: Those two big guys sure left us shaken up.

Thong: A shame that Nupan lost. He was so confident.

Li: What's up with everyone that speaks big game to you always losing?

Thong: I don't know.

Hugo: Maybe you're just bad luck.

Thong: H-hey! I'm not trying to be…

Li: Don't listen to him, Thong. His brain is probably still messed up from Moll beating him up.

Hugo: He only won cause I let him.

Li: Yeah, sure. Anyways, it looks like we're on our way to the final leg of the round. All that's left is Block D.

Hugo: We're that close to finishing already?

Thong: How exactly is this going to be handled?

Li: When you were knocked out, after today, tomorrow will be a day off for all the fighters. Then the second round will be held, followed by another day off. I don't think they explained how the quarterfinals and forwards will be handled, but that's the schedule for the first four days.

Thong: Woah, so we'll be here almost a whole week.

Hugo: They give free room and food here, so I have nothing to complain about.

Li: Yeah, this place is like a luxury resort. If it wasn't for all the damage we took, this would be an ideal place.

Thong: Yeah… So much money is being moved around as well, isn't it?

Li: Yeah. While we're not a part of it, many bids are being made on who will win their fights and who won't. While I was in the infirmary, I overheard that a few hundreds of thousands were moved over since I didn't win.

Hugo: I bet plenty of people lost millions since I didn't win.

Thong's thoughts: I find that hardly believable…

…

Remy made his way to the Imperium's personal infirmary to get his wounds cleaned up. Before he made it there, he passed by a hall, Gonzalez standing there with his arms crossed. Remy jumped back, raising his arms in the air.

Gonzalez: Don't worry, it's just me. Fighters aren't allowed to fight each other outside of the ring.

Remy: You were going to fight me?!

Gonzalez: No, you idiot. I need to tell you something. You're hardly ready to move on.

Remy: What?

Gonzalez: I noticed that in your fight, Nupan purposely let himself lose. Why did he do that? I don't know. But what I'm saying is that you're hardly prepared for a fight where someone won't do that. Especially Cero.

Remy looked down at his feet, his shoulders slumping. Gonzalez placed a hand on Remy's shoulder before walking past him.

Gonzalez: After my match, we're going to train. I don't want you to fail, cause we're friends. So make sure you show up so you can put that staff to good use.

Remy turned to face Gonzalez, who now walked down the hall. Not a single word came out, but Remy grew a smile on his face.

Remy's thoughts: Just you wait, Gonzalez. I'll show you and Nupan that I'm capable of winning. So meet me in the ring one day!

…

Indica walked through the halls before stopping in front of a solemn door. He lifted his hat, the two guards standing on either side nodding before opening the door with two different keys. The door swung open, Indica walking inside before being met with a glass wall. On the other side of the glass wall stood Gary, his casual smile still visible through all the straps that held him against an observation table.

Gary: Ah, my dear friend Mr. Patel. It's awfully rude how I'm in a less comfortable position here than I was in the prison.

Indica: C'mon, Gary, you know we can't have you roaming about. They didn't make a special unit for you in here, so we had to make sure to strap you down as much as we could.

Gary: You should know fully well that I am very well behaved. But this position has given me much time to meditate.

Indica: That's good. Very good… I know I didn't allow them to have speakers in here, so I have some great news for you. Your match is very soon!

Gary shifted his eyes to look at Indica, his smile never fading.

Gary: Soon, you say? Who is my opponent again?

Indica smiled, rubbing his goatee.

Indica: You're up against the Imperium's own Gonzalez Muertojos.

Gary: Never making it easy on me. But this sounds like it'd be a nice change of pace. Maybe he'll take longer to break than most.

Indica: I only get the best of prey for you.

Gary: Make sure to get me some nice cheese from the dining area before my match. I feel a bit peckish.

Indica: Of course. I'll be back.

Indica exits the room, Gary smiling as the door slams shut, the sounds of the locks going back into place. The room returns to darkness.

…

Vector stands in silence in his room before bringing up his fists. His hands moved like a blur, striking the punching bag before him. In a moment, the chain holding the punching bag snapped, the bag falling as sand poured out the puncture holes.

Vector: Alexander went and got himself killed, huh? A shame, he seemed like a fun guy.

Vector turned to look at the door.

Vector: Well, his fate isn't my matter anyway. People die and people lose. But I won't be one of those. I'll be the one ahead of the race. I'll be one of the most deadly out there.

Vector points his hand into the ceiling.

Vector: Just like Mercury, I'll be the one that leads the pack.

Vector opened his door before disappearing in the blink of an eye.

…

Hamadeen walked through the halls, his gaze fixated in front of him before noticing Joseph walking with his hands in his pocket. A guitar sitting on his back.

Hamadeen: Ah! Joseph!

Joseph turned around, the two figures ahead of him quickly disappearing. Hamadeen's face filled with confusion, but he brushed it off before meeting up with Joseph.

Joseph: Sup, man. Sorry I left you behind. I was just dealing with some business stuff.

Hamadeen: I should've expected as much… But I heard some great news. From what the bids are telling me, we're some of the highest bidded on fighters!

Joseph: Well, duh, that's to be expected. We're boxing legends, remember? Undefeated in the boxing world. So we'll show this tournament who rules it all. And we'll get a match between ourselves once we reach the quarterfinals.

Hamadeen: A chance to fight you would be an honor.

Joseph and Hamadeen fist bumped, before going their separate ways.

Joseph: Best of luck in your match. You're up against the Arachna, but your scary strength will show them what we're made of.

Hamadeen: Best of luck to you too. I know the Imperium is no joke, so be careful against the helmet wearing guy.

Joseph: Armor is nothing to me. So let's get going.

Hamadeen and Joseph went their separate ways, Hamadeen wearing a cheerful smile as Joseph walked away with a more sinister one.

Joseph's thoughts: I'll make money as I go through the brackets. Those Kaisuto idiots were easy pickings…

…

Zachary enters the center of the ring, raising the mic to his mouth with energy. The audience got rowdy as they all knew what was going to come…

Zachary: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! AFTER THE NUMBER OF INTENSE AND EXHILARATING MATCHES, THE ROUND IS SLOWLY COMING TO A CLOSE! BUT WORRY NOT AS WE STILL HAVE THIS FINAL BLOCK TO COVER! FOUR MATCHES REMAIN IN BLOCK D, SO LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE REMAINING FIGHTERS!!!

The audience burst into a roar of cheers, almost shaking the air in the stadium. Jason stands in one of the hallways before turning towards the ring entrance.

Jason: Guess it's finally my turn.