"The second match has started folks. Although it doesn't look like it will present the same amount of fiery action we saw in the first match" As usual, Peter was around to present his thoughts on each match to the audience.
"The two are just looking at each other right now, no doubt checking out their opponent," Peter continued as he crowd grew impatient.
"I think that Black Hand is being a little too cautious here. He is a Predator facing off against a Thrasher, yet remains in his starting position, with no intention to make the first move." Peter stated.
"Or maybe he is trying to show respect to his opponent by giving up the rights to strike first. What do you think Maggie?"
"I think that Black Hand is a smart man and wouldn't do anything that would be detrimental to him," Maggie answered simply, but her words caused many to watch the two combatants with different expressions. For Maggie to say this surely meant that there was something else going on. However, they didn't need to wait for long, for both fighters sprang to life at the same time.
*Bang*
Their auras which had been sleeping quietly exploded powerfully, and their feet left the ground at the same time. Their auras weren't the same, but they shared a similar quality. Both their auras were powerful, but gave off the feeling of shadows than bright lights. If Black Saga's aura was like a billowing storm, Red prince's like a swift and powerful wind and Vital Orange's like a raging tempest, Black Hand's and Indigo Shadow's were like deep and boundless darkness. Their auras were just as cold as each other's, and the darkness in each just as profound.
"He was waiting for her, and his decision proved to be the right one," Maggie stated simply. Peter was a bit confused, and many others in the audience were just as baffled. But the seasoned warriors within the audience saw what she meant. It seemed that Black Hand was skeptical about Indigo Shadow's true strength, and kept watching her, waiting for her to give off a little bit of her energy. And once she did, he also struck.
"But why did he wait for her? Wouldn't it have been better than for him to strike first?" Peter asked the question that many were left wondering.
"That would have been the wrong choice," Maggie stated candidly. "Tell me, why would someone hide their true strength? It wouldn't be to their disadvantage to do so. The aim is to catch the opponent off guard and deal with them swiftly. But what happens when someone is already suspicious of you? Would they still attack carelessly? The answer is no. But the ball would still very much be in your court. Still, when someone is suspicious of your strength, the best thing for them to do is to strike at full power and aim to kill. But that is for the battlefield. The reason why Black Hand didn't strike first was because this tournament prohibits killing. If he was wrong about her true power and struck at full force, taking her off guard, she will undoubtedly die. So he couldn't do that."
Maggie's explanation enlightened the lot, and many were awed by her deep insight into these kind of situations. Of course, there were several who were already suspicious of her background and believed that there was no way she was a simple commentator, but it wasn't in their place to dwell on it.
"He didn't trust you fully. Wise choice." Hildegarde said as she watched the match.
"Indeed. To trust someone you've just met because he was right before is a stupid decision." Mane agreed. He would have been weirded out if Black Hand chose to believe him just because he was able to see through the Snake's strength back at the mansion.
"But this should prove to be an interesting match. Two Snakes feasting off each other. I wonder who would come out on top." Mane smiled and said. Then he turned to look at Lam who was watching the match intently. His friend's eyes darted across the pitch as he tried his best to follow the movements of the two Snakes. It wasn't an easy feat, since both combatants were fast with their blows and were equal in strength. Mane couldn't help the small smile that formed in his face when he saw Lam's focused expression. It was nice to see his friend so keen on learning.
"How did they know?" a refined middle aged woman stood next to Celestial Fairy with a bit of confusion on her face.
"I don't know. No one should have known that she was a Predator. As for how Black Hand was able to find out, I would like to believe that it was due to his extremely cautious nature. But something tells me that there is something more to this. Something that neither of us can seem to grasp" Celestial Fairy furrowed her brows and said. Just like her team member, she was puzzled by the fact that Black Hand could see through their friend's strength.
"Do you think The Citadel helped them?" the other Indigo Team member asked. Her question caused a small frown to appear on Celestial Fairy's face.
"I don't know. They shouldn't do so since that would be a breach of trust. And our alliance depends heavily on trust. Plus they don't value this competition highly, and that's why they never send their best. They only joined for investigative purposes." Celestial Fairy replied. The last member of the Indigo Team nodded her head in understanding.
"But those men from The Citadel are arrogant and care very little for the wellbeing of others. It wouldn't be a surprise to me if they were indeed the ones who sold us out." She added.
"You should be careful. If they know about her, then they may also know about you." Celestial Fairy advised and returned to her seat. Then she closed her eyes and completely ignored what was happening on the field. It was almost as if the results of the match meant very little to her.
*Boom*
Black Hand and Indigo Shadow clashed right at the centre of the field. Their clash brought about a torrent of energy that kicked up a dust storm. Their auras were about the same in terms of strength, and neither dominated the other.