Chapter 134 - Tied Fates

Zachary: Shun has entirely face planted! Thong has taken control of the match entirely!

Zenzo: Who would've ever seen this outcome coming?!

Tico: Sure as hell not me!

Everyone turned to Tico, who now wore an expression of annoyance.

Tico's thoughts: My ability to control my opponent's power as well as my ability to limit Shun's strikes are leagues better than Thong's. Yet he's somehow dealt with it better than me!

Cero: The answer is that Thong prepared better for this match than you did.

Tico: What?!

Tico turned to Cero, who didn't bat an eye. He stared at the screen, watching Thong's strong stance.

Cero: He used what you did in your match to enhance his own skills. Without your fight, he would've been killed by the second move. His techniques aren't polished, but they get the job done when you have the timing of your opponent's attacks down.

Ryan: You can't forget that he's minimized the damage he's taken. While you were riddled with slashes all over, he has remained in a solid position so far.

Vector: That guy ain't half bad.

Mason: You have to be if you want to even stand a chance in the second round.

Shun jumped up to his feet, blood dripping from his face down onto the ground. His eyes shook as his pupils dilated. Thong shivered from just the sight of him. From where he was watching, Shun didn't even seem human. Shun ran his hand through his hair, slicking it back before turning his attention to Thong. Thong stared at Shun's face which was covered in dark crimson. Shun closed his eyes before putting on a smile. Thong flew back, his entire body flipping into the air. Shun had run past him at full speed, darting directly for the one thing he had in mind. Thong placed a hand to his face, pushing himself back up. The speed and power behind the punch were unlike anything he had felt so far. Not a single punch, kick, or throw had been as painful as that one strike. Before he could enter his stance once more, he heard a tear as blood flew into the air. Another cut appeared at the side of his abdomen. Slashes appeared all over his body, Thong feeling a searing pain overpower him. He raised his arms in defense in front of his face, unsure what to do with his now invisible opponent.

Thong's thoughts: What the hell do I do now?! He must have entered that super speed mode!

Minh: We still have that last item, but we need to grab him first!

Li, Hugo, and Mike looked at the match wide-eyed. They watched as blood began to pour from Thong's body.

Gerald: The bastard went super fast and must've picked up his scythe. Thong took too long to prevent that.

Mike: Didn't you plan to make sure that didn't happen?!

Gerald: Of course I did, but there's only so much planning I can do against this level of speed.

Thong's eyes darted left and right, trying to find the slightest sign of Shun. His pupils dilated as he saw his opponent for a moment.

Shun's thoughts: Storm Kata - Iron Typhoon

Right in between Thong's guard, Shun swung his tonfa-less scythe down. Thong's eyes could do nothing but stare in horror as he felt the blade go down his face. Everyone who could witness what happened watched with wide eyes. Thong's mask had been cut in two as blood erupted down his nose and mouth. Shun's scythe stopped just short of the ground, using the spinning motion of Flashpoint to move away from the heavily bleeding Thong. Thong's eyes whited out as Silvia, Carrie, Mike, Hugo, Li, and Gerald watched on in horror.

Shun's thoughts: And like that, you lose the will to fight on.

Thong fell down to his knees, blood pouring from his face and several slashes across his body. Shun whipped around his scythe, blood splashing before him. Yussuf and Simon watched the match with glee, Sudu and Hiroto nodding their heads in approval.

Yussuf: Let's go! Shun caused the second murder of the tournament!

Simon: We shouldn't be cheering about that, but who cares! He won!

Hiroto: I wouldn't say it's over yet, but the match is as good as decided. He even cut his opponent's signature feature.

Carrie: Thong… No…

Angel: You hardly knew him.

Veronica: That doesn't change that he was a friend of an ally. Seeing such a brutal attack can always be heartbreaking.

Minh: …I'm taking over.

Shun turned his attention, noticing Thong slowly stand up. His yellow eyes were now red, matching that of the blood that continued to stream down his face. Despite the confident smiles and smirks these red eyes usually accompanied, Shun could see this expression was one that was done playing around.

Minh's thoughts: That damage immediately shut down Thong's mind… I can't rely on his defensive measures anymore. I need to fight or we'll die…

Shun: I made sure not to strike your brain, so you should take that as a hint and step down.

Shun's own expression stopped being as playful, meeting his opponent with a cruel look.

Shun: I may not be as merciful next time.

Minh: Shut up. I'll be the one to kill you.

Shun: I only gave you a taste of Godspeed there. I limited my usage, but I won't be as generous this time.

Minh: Trying to end the match that quickly already? I guess I need to show you what I'm made of.

Shun's eyes shot open as he dashed off, raising his scythe as he ran directly at Minh. Minh's eyes furrowed, focusing everything he could on when the strike would come. Shun's speed meant it would come in less than a second, but that's all he needed. Minh's arms shot out, his right grabbing onto the handle of the scythe as shun brought it down, slashing at the side of Minh's calf. Minh gritted his teeth through the pain, pulling Shun closer.

Minh's thoughts: Azufield Style – Drag Kick

Minh's right foot tensed up significantly from the ground. Energy built up in it before he flew off the ground and directly into Shun's chin. Shun's head flew back as Minh fell to the ground. His left leg became unable to support him after the slash down its side. Both fighters fell to the ground. Blood oozed from their bodies and ran across the ground. Minh was breathing heavily, his legs feeling exhausted.

Minh's thoughts: Azufield Techniques come from a common ancestor to Wing Chun, so even a kick like that should be second nature to me. I was able to pick it up in no time… But they aren't the best in intense situations like that. I need to go back to the Tran Style…

Minh pushed himself up, getting on one knee while holding onto his other. He let out several heavy breaths before hearing the sound of something stabbing into the ground. His eyes went wide as he slowly turned his head.

Zachary: H-HE'S BACK UP!!!! SHUN REFUSES TO GO DOWN!!

Minh turned back with a frightened expression, simply seeing Shun's back face him. He was hunched over, holding onto his spear.

Minh's thoughts: He changed modes! Thong, wake up! I-I don't know if I can do this alone…

Minh tried to stand back up before flying back, Shun having successfully landed a spinning back kick. Blood flew into the air from Minh's wounds, pain taking over his face. Shun grabbed onto his spear, his eyes full of murderous intent.

Shun's thoughts: I'm done playing games. I'm going to finish this.

Shun widened his stance, watching Minh slowly regain his footing. His legs tensed up, every part of his body flowing as one.

Hiroto: He's going to kill Thong.

Yussuf: Let's goooooo!

Magnus: Not really a moment I'd cheer for since we're supposed to be the good guys.

Simon: This is an organization that doesn't ban death, there is no good or bad. All that matters is that we win.

Carrie: But can't you win without needing to kill?

Angel: Yeah, all wins except one ended with a knockout. I don't see why Shun couldn't do that as well.

Veronica: It's quite simple. Thong is just far too stubborn. Even when it looked like he was downed, he got back up immediately. He seems like the type of man that no matter how many times you knock him down, he'll keep getting back up.

Hiroto: It's as the maid says. Shun got fed up dealing with a stubborn opponent who had done nothing but play dirty. So he'll make sure he never has to deal with him again.

Sudu: A sad fate, but Shun knows that victory is more important here.

Hiroto: He had his show. So take him down, Shun.

Shun's leg flew off the ground as he charged at Minh at full speed. He thrusts his spear forward, aimed directly for Minh's solar plexus.

Shun's thoughts: Storm Kata - Thunderstorm

Minh's eyes shot open, the world seeming slow as his impending death charged at him. Shun's spear moved closer and closer, closing the distance between Minh and the weapon. Minh's eyes twitched as the spear made contact with his shirt, effortlessly piercing through it. His eyes turned a bright yellow, his left hand latching onto the spear's staff.

Thong's thoughts: Tran Style, Eclipsing Roundabout

Shun's own eyes opened wide, everyone in the audience staring with shocked expressions. Thong's right hand chopped into Shun's staff, using his left hand as a countermovement. The spearhead flew into the air, with Thong's right hand now grabbing onto the broken spear staff.

Thong's thoughts: Thanks for fighting, Minh. You are my worst half, but you let me survive this long.

Thong pulled Shun forward using his momentum. He grabbed onto the spearhead with his left hand, slamming it into Shun's shoulder. Shun let out a scream, but it could hardly reach the ears of onlookers before Thong made his next move.

Thong's thoughts: Tran Style, Ending Monolith

Thong slammed his palm into Shun's chin, simply letting the power of Shun's mad dash do all the work for him. Tico and Yussuf both had their jaws drop as they watched Shun fall to the ground, Thong's stance as stable as ever. Li, Hugo, and Mike broke out into a cheer as Gerald put on a smile.

Gerald: Not bad, broken boy.

Shun fell to the ground, Thong quickly dropping to one knee as he felt the power of Shun's run course through him.

Thong's thoughts: He's just a bit too powerful…

Thong's eyes neared a close, grabbing onto the spear in Shun's shoulder before pulling it out and throwing it to the side.

Thong's thoughts: I know how you are, so I'll make sure you can't get ahead of me again.

Thong quickly pulled a rope from under his shirt, throwing a loop around Shun's wrist then standing back up. Shun's eyes shot open as he jumped to his feet, flicking the switch on his staff once more to pop out the scythe head.

Shun: I'll beat you. I refuse to lose here.

Thong could do nothing but smile, placing out one closed fist as the other was an open palm in front of him. The gears in his mind began to move, and an image of a time long ago began to form.