Chapter 122 - Calm Before the Maelstrom

A plane lands on a stretch of land. A group of people leave the plane as two men in more casual attire exit. One is a bald man carrying two suitcases as the other wears a panama hat and sunglasses. A flight attendant does a slight bow.

Attendant: I hope you enjoyed your flight, sirs.

???: Of course we did. Oh, and in which direction did you say the Rio Grande National Forest was?

Attendant: Oh, that is just north of here. It is a few kilometers away, so I recommend getting a taxi.

???: Not needed. Let's go, Sudu. We're going to be late for Shun's match.

The bald man straightened his back, pointing one finger at the man in casual attire.

Sudu: Hiroto, you can't be serious about this.

Hiroto: I've already decided. Catch up whenever you can.

Sudu and the attendant watched as Hiroto walked to the open field not that far from where they had stood originally. He opened his stance before disappearing in front of their eyes. Moments later, a boom was heard which drew everyone's attention outside.

Man: Was that an explosion?!

Woman: What was that?!

Sudu let out a sigh and turned his attention to the attendant.

Sudu: Thank you for all your help. Have a great day.

Sudu left the airport in a hurry, leaving everyone in shock. The two made quick turns through the fields before entering the thickness of the forest. The grass and leaves around them bent as they ran past, seeming nothing short of a storm. Hiroto eventually came to a halt, correcting his shirt and hat. Sudu appeared a minute later, out of breath.

Hiroto: You need to train on your breathing more. That wasn't very productive.

Sudu: You… you made me… run several kilometers with luggage!

Hiroto: You could've just asked me to hold it. But that isn't important now. It's time to meet my student and the Head of the Arachna.

Sudu: I… I really… hate you sometimes…

…

Carrie sat at a table, her hands under her chin. She watched as Gonzalez exchanged blows with Remy's staff. The sound of an explosion outside caught her attention, but the sound of Gonzalez striking the staff shifted her attention once more. A devious grin grew on her face as she sat up.

Carrie: What's with all this last minute training, Remy? I thought you'd be busy writing out your will.

Remy: Not right now, Carrie.

Gonzalez landed a chop on Remy's staff, pushing him back with great force. Remy stood his ground as sweat formed on his forehead.

Carrie: Man, you're struggling with Gonzalez. How about you try not getting hit?

Remy: Carrie, please.

Gonzalez unleashed quicker strikes, Remy deflecting them with visible trouble on his face.

Carrie: On your left!

Remy's eyes darted to his left only for Gonzalez to land a strike to his right shoulder. Remy gritted his teeth and turned to Carrie with an annoyed look on his face.

Remy: Can't you just shut up! I have my match coming up soon and all you're doing is annoying me!

Carrie: Woah, where's all this coming from?

Gonzalez: Your heart is beating faster, Remy. Calm down.

Remy: No! I won't! Carrie, I tried my best to be nice, but you're only here to bully me and put me down!

Carrie: But I-

Remy: I don't care if you think it's funny or trying to lighten the mood! I'm up against someone I have little chance against… And you can't even say one good thing to me! Just get out of here and annoy someone else!

Remy clenched his fists, his eyes seeming like they were on the verge of crying. Carrie stood up, slamming her hands on the table.

Carrie: Where the hell is all this coming from?! You're yelling when all I'm doing is just making light jokes! I'm trying to fix your brooding attitude!

Remy: I never asked for your help! I never asked you to fix anything! Just get out of here!

Remy stomped his foot and turned his back to Carrie. Carrie's frown grew, her eyes growing saddened.

Carrie: Fine! I'll go! I hope Cero beats you to death, you jerk!

Carrie flung the door open and ran out of the room in a heartbeat. Gonzalez walked over to Remy and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Gonzalez: You should calm down. She likely didn't mean much by it.

Remy: I can't help it… Ever since she met me, she picks on me. Am I really that weak? Do I look like I can be picked on so easily?

Gonzalez: Yes, you do. You're a coward. But that doesn't mean you can't grow. If you couldn't, I wouldn't be here.

Remy: You're brutally honest, aren't you?

Gonzalez: There's no point in beating around the bush. I'll tell you what I see and how we can fix it. We can settle things with Carrie later. For now, let's focus on our training.

Remy: Alright…

…

Carrie continues to run with tears building up in the corners of her eyes.

Carrie: Stupid Remy… Can't he just take a joke?

She bumped into a tall man wearing a panama hat and sunglasses. He grabbed her shoulders to steady her balance. The bald man beside him squinted his eyes at him.

Sudu: Hiroto, I told you that going fast here wasn't a good idea.

Hiroto: It's alright. Sorry, lil lady. I guess my mind was too focused on meeting someone. Hope you enjoy the tournament.

The two men hurried past Carrie, who wiped her tears away with her sleeves. She rushed up the closest staircase until she finally reached the fourth floor. She walked through the halls until she found the one door she was looking for. She opened the door, being met with both members of the Arachna and the Imperium. She sulked over to the seat next to the maid and sat down.

Veronica: You don't look very good. Something the matter?

Carrie: Nothing important…

Ziyad: Good thing you came when you did. The match is going to start soon!

Angel: And it seems like those two are the most excited about it…

Angel pointed his thumb over to the center of the room. Shizu and Theresa pushed their chests up against each other. They glared an ego at one another.

Theresa: Are you truly confident that your side is going to win this bout?

Shizu: Confident? I'm certain we'll win. There isn't a single doubt in my mind.

Simon: Hey Shizu, calm down!

Nupan: I'm really not looking for a match to happen here, ya know.

Arthur: You ladies are crazy.

The members of the Arachna that stood behind Shizu tried to reason with her. But the women stood their ground, their faces wearing smirks of confidence.

Ziyad: I see no issue with this. They're proud of these next two fighters!

Carrie: Oh yeah… King Terry is up next…

Mike: Yeah, took ya long enough to realize. This is the match everyone has been waiting for.

Veronica: This is truly going to be a spectacle.

…

Daymond slammed his book close. He stood up, Shun and Magnus immediately feeling a difference in his presence.

Shun: Would you look at that? Looks like someone has kicked it into high gear.

Magnus: Even I'm getting excited by this.

Daymond: It's time for me to properly assert our dominance as a group in this match.

Shun: Oh yeah, you've never fought an Imperium fighter before.

Magnus: And the first match you'll have against one is none other than the king himself.

Magnus and Shun shared glances, smiles growing on their faces. As the excitement built in the room, the door swung open. Hiroto and Sudu walked in, Sudu slamming the suitcases on the ground.

Sudu: I am so exhausted…

Shun: Hiroto?! Sudu?!

Daymond: So you finally decided to arrive.

Hiroto: Of course. I couldn't miss two matches of some of my favorite people!

Daymond and Hiroto stared each other down before shaking hands.

Daymond: I hope you're prepared to see what me and your student are going to show you today.

Hiroto: With the opponent you have today, I expect nothing but the best. Those Virtus kings are really something, ya know?

…

Standing in a changing room, Theodore fastened his gauntlets. He stared at them before a figure formed over his shoulder.

Theodore: Daniel, you can come down from there.

Daniel wore a large grin, hopping down from Theodore's shoulder and onto the ground.

Daniel: Papa win, ya?!

Theodore smiled under his mask, crouching down and patting Daniel's head.

Theodore: Don't you worry, I'm truly prepared for this.

Daniel closed his eyes, enjoying the pat before they shot open. He looked up to Theodore, who had a new feeling around him. All Daniel could see was the strength of a king emanating from Theodore.

Daniel: Papa strong…

Theodore: Go find Gonzalez and Remy. I want you all to learn something from my match.

Theodore opened the door, his hair blowing back from the draft.

Theodore: I'll show you what it means to be a fighter.