Chapter 123 - Two Heads Collide

The lights dimmed in the ring, smoke filling the ring floor. The audience could do nothing but stomp their feet and pump their fists with excitement. Everyone in the audience knew what was coming. Chants slowly started to fill the stadium as the spotlights focused on a lone figure in the center of the ring. Zachary had his fist raised in the air, which only increased the chants further.

Zachary: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE TIME YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR IS FINALLY UPON US!

The audience broke out into a roar of cheers. One section of the audience was filled with different VIPs. Different leaders and people of power sat in this area. One man raised his wine glass, his body seeming larger than most. The CEO of TramZone, Andy Williams.

Andy: This audience is quite excited. I can't even put my drink down without fear of it tipping over!

A skinnier man beside him cracked open a can, taking a sip before pointing over to Andy. The CEO of Micron Technology, Darsh Nadella.

Darsh: It's only to be expected, correct? This is the match we've all been waiting for.

His eyes squinted as the sides of his mouth began to curl.

Darsh: The moment where we see two leaders face off in a match that may kill them.

Several other men sat around them, varying in age and excitement. The head of the Azufield family, Tolman Azufield, sat beside his daughter, Alexia. The elder of the Kaisuto Group, Warrick Kaisuto, had his hands crossed.

Warrick: It is a shame that Mr. Ulrich and Ms. Yagami couldn't join us.

Tolman: It does not matter! I know they are watching this match from wherever they are!

Alexia: Father… I heard something pretty interesting about a certain someone being here.

Tolman turned to his daughter, raising a single eyebrow. What she said next would be lost to many as Zachary continued his speech.

Zachary: TODAY IS GOING TO BE A MONUMENTAL MOMENT IN ECLIPSE HISTORY! AND THAT WILL BE CLEAR WITH THE TWO THAT WILL FIGHT HERE TODAY! WHILE THEY HAVE NO NEED FOR INTRODUCTIONS, I'M GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY! THE FIRST TO ENTER THE RING WON A HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE IN THE FIRST ROUND! HE SHOWED US TRULY WHY HE IS THE ONE IN CHARGE OF THE ECLIPSE! HERE COMES "THE HEAD SPIDER" DAYMOND THERAPHOSAAAAAA!!

Chants filled the room, people stomping their feet. All that could be heard was "Daymond" repeated over and over again. The spotlight shone on one entrance, a figure finally emerging. Daymond wore his purple pants, but his coat was nowhere in sight. His scarred left arm was left out for the world to see. He walked out with his book in hand. Zachary's eyes twitched, seeing something horrifying around Daymond. It was a pressure he couldn't quite explain. Daymond walked to the center of the ring, meeting Zachary with a warm smile.

Daymond: I'm glad to be next to you here, Zachary.

Zachary: I'm glad to see you here in action. Are you prepared for today?

Daymond: I sure am. I can feel it deep in my bones.

In a room that lies deep in the building, Cero sits with his arms crossed. Tico, Bruna, and Kammy all sit around him. Bruna tapped her fingers together nervously.

Bruna: H-H-He looks really upset!

Kammy: He's always like this when Daymond's around…

Tico: It shouldn't be surprising. His latest and second only loss was to that guy.

Cero: As much as I detest that fact, I cannot deny the truth. Daymond isn't capable of loss here.

Tico: You sound pretty certain of that.

Bruna: Y-Yeah! He's up against the king of the Virtus Imperium! W-W-Wait… Are kings usually good in combat?

Tico: You've met him before, don't forget.

Bruna: I-I don't think h-he remembers me…

Bruna dropped her head in defeat, tears building up in her eyes. Kammy ran a hand through his hair.

Kammy: This woman…

Zachary pointed into the air before bringing his arm down to point at the opposing entrance. The audience's cheers began to shift as they anticipated the upcoming fighter. Zachary noticed it immediately, his smile getting wider.

Zachary: AND HIS OPPONENT IS THIS MAN! HE DOMINATED HIS FIRST-ROUND MATCH AND SHOWED THAT THE VIRTUS IMPERIUM IS STRONG, EVEN IN ITS LEADERS! WILL THE HEAD SPIDER BE ABLE TO TAKE THIS MAN DOWN OR WILL HE BE SQUASHED?! ONLY THIS MAN CAN ANSWER SUCH A QUESTION! HERE COMES "THE KING-EMPEROR" THEODORE ONEIROIIIIIII!!!

A shiver went down Zachary's spine, feeling another intense pressure come from the opposing entrance. The spotlight shone brightly on the entrance, and a figure appearing. Theodore walked out of the ring, the air changing heavily. He strolled to the center, turning his attention to Zachary.

Theodore: Thank you for the flattering introduction.

Zachary felt crushed between the two overwhelming presences that surrounded him. These two men were nothing like he could have expected. They were simply on a level he had trouble understanding.

Theodore turned his attention to Daymond, stretching out his hand.

Theodore: Let's have a good match.

Daymond looked down at Theodore's outstretched hand. He met the king's gaze and grabbed his hand firmly. The audience burst into cheers. Theresa and Shizu shifted their attention to the match below in the observation room.

Yussuf: Man, who knew those guys would get along better than these ladies?

Mike: You say that, but they're moments away from kicking each other's asses.

Nupan: I think you mean Theodore is moments away from getting his ass kicked.

Angel: As if! Daymond is gonna taste the dirt!

Ziyad: Boys, boys! This is no time for turmoil between us. We're here to watch our leaders fight, so let's focus on their ordeal.

Shizu and Theresa sat close to the window, looking down at the fighters. They glanced at each other.

Shizu: So Miss Queen, how about a little wager?

Theresa: Oho? Trying to make a bet?

Shizu: Neither of us are doing the regular bidding like the others, so how about we have our own wager?

Theresa: And what may that be?

Shizu: Simple. The loser needs to wear a sign that admits their defeat.

Theresa: Oh my, I had no idea you were into such a thing, Nunes.

Shizu: Bold of you to assume I'd be the one wearing the sign.

Everyone in the room could have sworn they saw sparks of conflict shoot across the two women's eyes. They forced themselves to look away from the conflict and to the match below. Theodore and Daymond stood back, only for Theodore to face Daymond directly. The referee slowly made his way to the fighters.

Theodore: Daymond, there is something I must say before we fight.

Daymond: Something ailing you?

Theodore: Not particularly. I must state that I don't approve of your actions. I wasn't exactly friends with the previous head, but he and I were well acquainted. I would never and will never approve of killing, but I am well aware the match you two had was on your own terms. Both of you fought for what you believed was right.

Daymond: Don't tell me you plan on avenging him.

Theodore: Not at all. I accept his death and your victory. Instead, I will take what he and you have shown me and fight to the best of my ability. I will show you that he is not the best of us.

Daymond: Those are quite bold words of yours, Theodore Oneiroi. But I welcome this challenge. Ever since that day, I have awaited a battle that would make my body tremble. I could not ask for a better opponent than yourself.

The referee widened his stance, his eyes shifting between the fighters.

Referee: I'm happy I get the opportunity of seeing this match up close. You two are truly the most admirable icons this organization has to offer. Only a few times in my twenty years of working here have I been this excited for a match.

Daymond: You flatter me.

Theodore: Then we better not disappoint.

Referee: Without further ado… FIGHTERS! TAKE YOUR STANCES!!!

Daymond tucked his book into the wrapping around his waist. He then widened his stance, raising both hands in front of his face. Theodore widened his own, raising his left fist in front of his face. His right fist clenched beside his waist. The referee's eyes shot open as his whole body shook. The pressure these two fighters emitted was nothing he had sensed before.

Referee's thoughts: These two are entirely serious!

Daymond: This may be the last time we come to clash, Theodore. Do you accept this?

Theodore: As the king of the Virtus Imperium, I accept these conditions. However, no death will occur as long as I am involved.

Both fighters met the other's gaze, looking beyond what stood just before them. The referee broke out into a cold sweat, but he quickly regained his composure. He raised his arm high into the air, feeling every muscle tense up. With one swift motion, he brought his arm down.

Referee: BEGIIIIIIIIN!!!

The audience held their breath, every set of eyes turning to the match. Theodore and Daymond stood still, their gaze unbroken. Standing near the back wall of the stadium, Villum and Junko watched the match with amused looks.

Junko: A good sign that these two don't just run in.

Villum: They're nothing like the previous head. While he runs in, these two are analyzing each other's moves.

Junko: So you're saying what I'm thinking.

Villum: Indeed. These two are focusing their foresight to read the other's attack.

Junko: When it comes to a fight like this, the first hit could mean everything.

Villum: But how will these two approach towards that first hit?

The tension between Daymond and Theodore began to crack, both slowly moving toward one another. Both their eyes shot open as their fists flew past the other's head. They stood their ground, their fists flying. But not a single strike hit the other, their strikes filling the air between them. Daymond shifted his foot and threw a quick right hook which seemed to phase through Theodore. Theodore followed the strike with an uppercut, which missed Daymond entirely. It was clear to all that saw that these two were on equal footing with one another.

Zachary: I can't believe my eyes!

Zenzo: Their strikes that should be connecting just phase right through them! What the hell is going on?!

Their strikes refused to let up, their eyes flaring up as they searched the other deeper. The match between the Head of the Arachna and the King of the Virtus Imperium begins.