Chapter 112 - Round Two
The sun rose on a new day. Life around the main ring began bustling as fighters, and businessmen alike all prepared for the second round of the Eclipse Grand Tournament. Fighters that had not made it to the second round remained in their casual clothing, talking casually amongst themselves. Vector walked with his arms crossed as he watched several businessmen talk about their bids on the winner of the first round.
Vector's thoughts: I guess I'm no longer part of the equation, huh? I guess that's what happens when I'm knocked out right away.
A tapping came to his shoulder, immediately bringing Vector's attention around. Behind him stood Ryan and Mason, the two others that he had shared the infirmary with.
Ryan: Want to go with us to get some seats?
Mason: Yeah, we both got knocked out too, so we might as well get some good seats. Plus I'd rather root for Cero there.
Ryan: I doubt we'll need to worry about anyone flying into the audience today.
Both Ryan and Mason let out a hearty laugh, Vector letting out a chuckle as we looked at the two men.
Vector: Sure, beats being alone out there.
Mason: Then let's go.
Tico watched as Mason, Ryan, and Vector all walked away, chatting amongst themselves. He smiled before running over to the man he wanted to see the most. Running ahead the rest of his group, Shun sped through the crowd only to be grabbed by the shoulder by Tico. He wore a confident smile when he saw how bandaged up Tico still was.
Shun: What? Here to cheer me on?
Tico: Quite the opposite, actually. I want to see you get your ass beat. But at the same time, I don't want you losing because I'll be the next person to beat you.
Shun let out a mocking laugh before pushing a finger into Tico's chest, his spear resting on his opposite shoulder.
Shun: You better believe I won't lose. We aren't rivals for nothing, so I'll be waiting for you.
Tico and Shun both smiled at each other before going their separate ways. Tico walked away from the entrance and met up with Cero, who was followed by Bruna and Kammy.
Bruna: I-I-I-I-I'm so sorry I had to use your room, Cero.
Cero: For the last time, don't worry about it. I slept fine.
Kammy: You sure? Those bags under your eyes really say otherwise.
Tico: C'mon guys, don't give him a hard time already.
Bruna: Y-You're right!~ Cero is going to do great, so we have nothing to worry about! He's the strongest guy I know.
Kammy: After Remy's performance in the first round, I think you'll be fine, Cero.
Cero nodded his head, only to feel a hand grab onto his shoulder. Turning around, he was met with the faces of Villum and Junko. Bruna's face looked like it was moments from fainting, Kammy taken aback from the sudden appearance of these two.
Cero: So you two decided to show your faces after all. I thought you would've been gone after the first day.
Junko: We were invited by the head himself, so we couldn't miss a good show.
Villum: Plus I want to see how far you've come. That first match of yours was impressive, but left a lot to be desired.
Villum and Junko both started to make their way past Cero and the others, both wearing entirely calm expressions.
Villum: You wouldn't want to disappoint Deacon now, would you?
Cero: We're assassins, if need be, I can end this outside of the ring.
Junko: But you won't, will you? Because you share that same vision as him.
Cero: It's what he would have wanted.
Villum and Junko disappeared into the crowd, Cero's expression turning sour as he turned and faced the building himself.
Tico: Talk about upping the stakes, huh?
…
The members of the Arachna settled within a high up viewing area. The room had a large glass wall that gave it a wide view of the audience and the ring. However, they were not alone in this room. Sitting across from the Arachna sat the members of the Imperium. Shizu, Dianshi, Yussuf, Simon, Arthur, and Nupan sat on one side as Theresa, Ziyad, Angel, Veronica, and Mike all stood on the opposite side of the room. The tension between the two groups was high as their leading figures were both absent from the room. The first to break the silence in the room was none other than the queen herself.
Theresa: Oh how I wish Bipen was here. He'd share his favorite ice cream to break the ice!
Yussuf let out a small giggle, a wide smile on his mouth.
Yussuf: Haha, I get it. Ice cream, breaking the ice.
The other fighters all stared at him, Yussuf growing a worried look.
Yussuf: W-What?! It was funny!
Shizu: So it would appear we're meeting a match that will truly see who is on top.
Shizu walked forward, her arms crossed, her pose as confident as ever. Ziyad prepared to talk forward, but Theresa was the first to her feet, her arms crossed as well. Theresa stopped just before Shizu, looking down on the four-eyed woman.
Theresa: I do hope to see what show your man will show us. Because I know my dear Teddy is going to give us a show like no other!
Shizu: Is that so? Daymond won't disappoint, you know.
The tension grew stronger between the two women, who seemed moments from having their own match in the room. Ziyad took a step between them, taking his pipe out of his mouth.
Ziyad: Enough bickering. Things will be starting soon.
…
Moll picked up his sheathed sword from the corner of the room, staring at the hilt before hearing a knocking at the door.
Zenzo: Howdy howdy.
Zenzo waved as he walked in, followed closely by Hamadeen, Kuro, and Midori.
Moll: Joseph couldn't appear?
Midori: It appears he could not. His new business buddies must be keeping him quite preoccupied.
Hamadeen: Not cool bro…
Kuro: Aw suck it up, bitch! That fucker isn't worth our time anyway!
Midori: Moll, I hope you're prepared for this match. The man you're facing now is far stronger than your previous opponent. You're no longer in your prime, so don't push yourself.
Moll: Just because I'm pushing my sixties doesn't mean I'm out of the game yet, Midori. But I can tell that facing another top ten is going to be a tough match. That masked guy is a mystery and a danger.
Zenzo's watch started beeping, pointing towards the door.
Zenzo: I have to go! They're about to start the round two announcement and Zachary wants me to be prepared for the first match announcement. Good luck, Moll!
Zenzo waved before briskly leaving the room. The others all stared at Moll, who held his sword tightly.
Moll: I think I'm more than ready.
…
The stadium went dark, spotlights waving around as show girls walked around the ring with signs indicating that round two would begin soon. Smoke filled the ring, which now looked as great as it had at the beginning of round one. The spotlights came to a stop before all focusing on the center of the ring, where one man stood. He pushed up his shades, his sharp-toothed grin widening as he threw his fist into the air, a microphone up to his mouth.
Zachary: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE FIRST ROUND OF THE ECLIPSE GRAND TOURNAMENT BROUGHT MUCH EXCITEMENT TO THOSE WATCHING ON! MANY FIGHTERS FELL WHILE MANY OTHERS CLIMBED TO REACH THIS SECOND LEVEL! THE WINNERS OF THAT FIRST ROUND NOW FACE EACH OTHER TO BRING US CLOSER TO THE QUESTION OF WHO IS TRULY THE STRONGEST OF THEM ALL!
The audience let out a roar of cheers, the air shaking from all the excitement. Zachary bathed in this glory before bringing the mic up to his mouth once more.
Zachary: SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO… LET'S BEGIN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE ECLIPSE GRAND TOURNAMENT!!!
The audience began to stomp on the ground, their excited roars becoming stronger than before. Zachary swung his arm to his left, his smile as wide as ever.
Zachary: THE FIRST MAN TO REACH THE RING IS THIS MAN! HE DOMINATED HIS FIRST ROUND MATCH AND HARDLY EVEN SEEMS HURT! HE MAY SEEM OLD, BUT HE CLEARLY STILL HAS HIS SPUNK! HERE COMES "THE WANING SLASHER" MOLL SONATAAAAAA!!!
Walking into the ring with a smile, Moll waved his left hand in the air, holding his sheathed sword with his other. One changing room within the building held four men: Thong, Li, Hugo, and Gerald. Hugo wore a big smile on his face, looking like a proud father would to his child.
Hugo: He recovered well from that tough battle of ours.
Gerald: You mean that light scratch you left? I think even a toddler wouldn't be affected.
Hugo: You want to go, man?
Thong: Guys guys, calm down. We need to make sure we pay attention to these matches. I need to know how these guys work…
Gerald: Because with my training, you'll make it to the semifinals without issue.
Thong clenched his fist with pride, looking back up at the monitor. Zachary had switched hands, holding the mic with his left and stretching out his right to the opposite entrance to Moll.
Zachary: AND HIS OPPONENT IS THIS MAN! A MAN OF MYSTERY! A MAN THAT OPENED THIS TOURNAMENT WITH A POWERFUL VICTORY! WILL THIS MAN WITH NO NAME MAKE IT TO THE QUARTERFINALS? ONLY HE CAN ANSWER! HERE COMES "THE EXILED" THE MASKED MAN!!!
From the darkness, only his glowing red eyes could be seen. A figure slowly formed, showing the mysterious Masked Man walk towards the center of the ring. Hoisted over his shoulder was the large broadsword that seemed far too large for practical use. But after his performance in the first round, everyone realized the terror that Masked held in his hands. Both fighters faced each other, both nearly at eye level.
Moll: Glad to finally meet ya, youngster.
Masked: So we'll finally decide who moves on and who's truly the stronger of the top ten swordsmen.
Moll's thoughts: I think you're forgetting someone there…
Zachary: WITH BOTH FIGHTERS FINALLY HERE, THE FIRST MATCH OF THE SECOND ROUND WILL SOON BE UNDERWAY!!!
The audience let out one more loud cheer, marking the start of the second round of the Eclipse Grand Tournament.