Chapter 108 - His Favorite Character

A group of large bodyguards walked into the heavily damaged ring carrying an elevated platform with them. They place it down, standing around it as Zachary stepped up with a mic to his mouth.

Zachary: After that climactic final match, the first round of the Eclipse Grand Tournament has come to a close!

The audience roared into a cheer. Thong, Hugo, and Li all stood up with proud looks on their faces. The cheers lightened up, Zachary raising the mic to his mouth once more.

Zachary: As many of you can clearly see, the ring has taken some heavy punishment from these matches, but worry not! We have construction workers ready to work on the ring, so for the following day visitors, and combatants alike can relax at the many luxuries we offer here! We thank you all for being such great guests, so I can't wait to see you all again in two days!

The bodyguards walked Zachary away as three of them picked up the stage, and walked out. Zenzo shook hands with the referee before heading towards the hallway to rejoin the other members of the Collective. Thong, Li, and Hugo all got up from their seats, leaving along with the audience. They walked through the halls, having finally gotten to the end of round one.

Li: There really are some crazy strong fighters here, aren't there?

Hugo: I wonder if I can train myself to do what that Gus guy did.

Thong: I'd prefer it if you didn't.

Li's thoughts: Wait… Who is Gus referring to?

As they walked through the halls, a man stopped in front of them. He looked no older than his late twenties. His face was entirely confident, so the trio came to a stop once they noticed him.

Li: Hello there. Do we know you?

Gerald: Ah, my favorite character! I was waiting for my moment to talk to you.

Hugo: Why thank you. Finally someone understa-

Gerald: I wasn't talking to you, subordinate.

Gerald's casual face turned to one of disgust when he turned to Hugo. Hugo stepped back in confusion before annoyance took over his face.

Li: Hey, that's not nice to someone who you don't even know!

Gerald: You're just dead weight, who are you to talk to me like that?

Li joined Hugo's look of annoyance. They both looked at each other, nodding before charging at Gerald. Gerald ducked below both their strikes, running forward as he struck them at their solar plexus. Both Li and Hugo gasped with pain before collapsing to the ground, Thong looked at him in shock.

Thong: Who are you?!

Gerald: I'm Gerald, Gerald Azufield. You can consider me your biggest fan.

Thong: I won't consider anyone who hurts my friends to be a fan!

Thong ran at him as Gerald let out a sigh before his confident look returned to his face. Thong threw a quick L-hook, Gerald grabbing onto Thong's wrist with only his thumb, index, and middle fingers. The hold felt as if it was sapping Thong's strength away. Gerald threw an uppercut before stepping back, Thong falling to one knee.

Gerald: I guess it isn't fair that I fought you after you were hurt this much, but this proves one thing. You aren't ready for the next round.

Thong: W… What the hell are you talking about?

Gerald: Don't you get it? You're still weak. You're lucky your friend didn't want to hurt you, or else you'd be in a coma right now. Your future opponents won't be as forgiving, so I took it upon myself to become your teacher.

Hugo: He doesn't need your help…

Li: Yeah…

Both Hugo and Li turned onto their backs, slowly picking themselves back up. The pain from Gerald's punch still hadn't gone away. Whatever that punch was, it was no ordinary punch.

Gerald: Ah! I know a way that'll convince you. What if I told you I can teach you the exact same techniques that Jason Bellthorne used in his match?

Thong: You… You know Jason?

Gerald: Somewhat. Jason's betrothed to my cousin or something, but I never really cared much for her relationships. He's a strong lad, someone who got stronger with others' help. Something you clearly need.

Thong looked down, pondering to himself. Hearing that he could use techniques similar to Jason was promising. Especially with how well he had done, but can he really trust someone who appeared out of nowhere, and attacked him and his friends?

Gerald: If you doubt my ability, I'll tell you something. I took down you and your subordinates with nothing, but Azufield techniques. Oh yeah, the moves Jason used were part of the Azufield Style. A great style if you asked me. You're no archer, but I can show you everything the martial arts side has. You'll need it for that Shun guy for sure.

Thong's eyes widened, remembering who exactly his next opponent would be. Noticing his realization, Gerald's smile widened, his lips beginning to curl. Thong looked up at Gerald, whose face returned to normal. Gerald stretched out his hand as Li, and Hugo watched Thong reach out and grab it.

Gerald: Oh yeah, your subordinates can come along too. I can't take my favorite character away from his allies.

Thong: Thanks… Am I just a character to you?

Gerald: We'll have to wait and see. As for now, you're my student.

Hugo leaned over to Li, with his annoyed face returning.

Hugo: I am so going to beat that guy up.

Li: I'm with you there.

…

Theodore and Carrie returned to Xavier's office, watching Xavier pan over the multiple x-rays while the other paramedics attempted to stabilize Abraham. His helmet was taken off with some of the broken parts of the metal mask piercing into his skin, his face was bloody and hardly recognizable. One paramedic carefully removed the metals with tweezers as Theodore's face grew grim, seeing the scars from when he first met Abraham.

Carrie: This is awful… What kind of sport even is this?

Theodore: It appears this isn't a sport anymore. I thought the champion of the boxing sport would be more merciful himself, but it appears my judgment was wrong. This organization welcomes sportsmen, but it doesn't seem to treat them kindly. With allowing fighters of the likes of Gary to participate, and the ruthlessness of others to go unhinged. It has made this become something far more dangerous than any sport as time goes on, yet I've only helped push that even further for allowing Daniel to kill Alexander.

Carrie stared at Theodore with a worried look as Xavier put on a mask and rubber gloves, sliding over to Abraham and bringing down a light on him. He glanced all over Abraham's body before grabbing a scalpel from the tray next to him. A paramedic walked up to Theodore and Carrie, pulling down his mask.

Paramedic: It appears Xavier will immediately begin the surgery. He wants to remove any bones that may be piercing his organs, and have tubes run into the organs. Any distraction could be fatal, so I will have to ask you to leave for now.

Theodore: I understand… But let this be known that if Abraham dies on his watch, I will see it through that word of this gets out. I have a medical team prepared for situations such as this, so if he refuses to let Abraham go and fails, I will have not only his, but the entire Basement's reputation exposed.

Paramedic gulped, feeling the tense air around Theodore. The king who had such a kind face, and attitude prior was now tense and serious. Even Carrie broke into a sweat, so she refused to say a word.

Paramedic: I'll be sure to tell him. We will try our best.

Theodore: I'd hope so.

Theodore turned away, and left the room as he made his way down the hall. Carrie quickly chased after him, pulling a piece of Abraham's helmet out of her pocket. She handed it to Theodore, who looked up at her.

Carrie: I grabbed it when they weren't looking. I know you noticed, but it looks like no one else did.

Theodore: Thank you, Carrie Miller. It hurts me seeing my men get hurt like this, but I know they can pull through. Gonzalez, Daniel, Michael, Remy, and Angel. They all made me proud in their efforts.

Carrie: They did really well, so I can't wait to see what comes next.

Theodore: Matches harder than the ones we just faced are coming, and I imagine we are only seeing the beginning of something far larger.

Carrie shuddered, following behind Theodore.