"Now let's invite the two teams on to the field," Peter took over once the City Lord's narration was over. Seated next to him was the more reliable and astute Maggie.
"Before the teams make their entrance, it is prudent to let the people know the team news," Maggie stopped Peter from calling out the teams and said.
"Ah yes," Peter smacked his head lightly. "I almost forgot about this," he confessed, not at all offended that he had been corrected before so many witnesses.
"Both teams are missing a man. Black Ink is still out. The good news is that he is recovering rapidly, and there would be no underlying issues after his recovery. The unfortunate news is that he is unavailable for this clash."
"However, the Orange Team have their own injury problems. Black Hand, the powerful Predator who revealed such fearsome might at the end of the Semi-Finals clash between himself and Indigo Shadow is also injured. From the information we have, he is also doing well just like Black Ink. But he wasn't cleared early enough to compete in the finals. Which means both teams would be missing an important component of their team. Who do you think has been hit more by these injury issues – the Black Team or the Orange Team?" Peter enquired of his more knowledgeable commenting partner.
"That is easy. The Orange Team got the shorter end of the stick. Black Ink is a strong warrior, but in the end he is only a Thrasher. No matter how talented he is, he still wouldn't be a match for a Predator. Black Hand on the other hand is a Predator and has proven he is much stronger than the average Predator by dispatching two Predators from the Indigo Team. So obviously, the Orange Team are going to miss Black Hand more than the Black Team would miss Black Ink. In fact, I may be so bold as to suggest that the Black Team may be happier that Black Hand is injured. But the Orange Team wouldn't care that much about an injured Black Ink. Unlike Black Hand, Black Ink doesn't have the ability to sway the Finals." Maggie ended her thoughts, paying little attention to the scowling home support.
"I hate to admit it, but you are right Maggie. Although citizens of Asher City aren't happy to hear this, I doubt that none of them didn't shout in joy and jubilate internally when they heard that Black Hand was unavailable." Peter admitted.
His words had many in the audience blushing furiously, proving that his words had hit the nail right on the head. Of course they were elated to know that someone as powerful as Black Hand wasn't going to be participating. In fact, they were more than happy to trade Black Ink's absence with Black Hand's absence. They trusted the captain of the Black Team – Black Saga – but there was no way they believed that he would be able to deal with the powerful Black Hand and the strong Vital Orange all by himself.
"They are here though," Peter remarked, stunning the audience. "Both Black Hand and Black Ink are here with their teams. They wouldn't compete, but they would be allowed to be in their team's waiting area and cheer for them." Peter added.
"Now let's invite the teams onto the field."
"Up first is the team that holds the hopes of every citizen of Asher City. It is the team that has swept aside every obstacle in its path and has made its way to the Finals of the Grand Tourney for the first time since its participation. Let's welcome the Black Team!"
At Peter's words, a team of four men made its way onto the field. In the lead was the gigantic man called Black Saga. Strapped to his back was his powerful rod. Behind him were three men. Each of them was large and strong, but walking with Black Saga made them look like they were of regular build. One of the men wielded an axe; the other, a hammer. Both were dressed like their captain, fully clothed in black colored apparel. The last man was the odd one amongst them. He wasn't carrying any weapon, neither was he dressed appropriately for battle. He wore a simple shirt with large baggy trousers and had his head wrapped in a thin coat of white bandages.
"There he is folks – Black Ink is here with the Black Team!" Peter announced, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Many stood up to applaud his return and smiled gleefully seeing that one of their own was fine. Comparing his current state to his state when he was carried out of the stadium in tatters, many were overwhelmed with delight and feelings of relief. Although Peter had assured them that their man was fine, seeing him with their own eyes and confirming that he was okay was much better. As for the bandage around his head, they dismissed it. It was likely a cautionary procedure since he wasn't fully fit yet. It was very likely not there to offer any protection because bandages didn't do that, but as a marker for anyone so that they didn't touch or hit his head.
"BLACK INK"
"BLACK INK"
"BLACK INK"
"BLACK INK"
"BLACK INK"
"BLACK INK"
"BLACK INK"
"Are they chanting my name?" Black Ink asked in surprise. "Who else is called Black Ink here?" Black Saga laughed boisterously and said. "But I lost," Black Ink had a puzzled expression on his face as he listened to the people chanting his name.
"They don't care about that, and neither do we. They are just glad to see that you are alive and well. Treasure this moment." Black Saga gently patted Black Ink's back and said. Last time it was his name they were screaming. But this time it was Black Ink's, and he wasn't at all offended that the spotlight was on someone else.
The chants continued for quite a while, and it was only after Black Saga lifted his hand that it stopped, allowing Peter to do his job.
"Whew. I thought that would never end." Peter laughed and said. "The next team is the team that kicked out two favorites to reach the Finals. Not only did this team steamroll through the group stages and elimination rounds, they dispatched the Blue Team and the kicked out the reigning Champions – the Indigo Team – ensuring that we would have new Champions by the end of today. Accompanied by Black Hand, let's give it up for the Orange Team."
The crowd clapped sincerely as the Orange Team made its way onto the field. In the lead was the captain of the Orange Team, the Tiger known famously as Vital Orange. Behind him were four men – Lam, Mane and Black Hand. Mane and Lam were dressed in the uniform of the Orange Team, the only difference being that both of them had masks on their faces. Just like in the Semi-Finals, Mane had on a black mask and Lam a white one. But something was different about them – their weapons.
Strapped to Lam's waist was a sword sheathed within an elegant coat of leather. The sword head was adorned with lovely jewels, and an insignia of a dragon was engraved into the sheath. Mane had two large swords strapped to his back. Unlike Lam's elegant sheath, the sheaths that held Mane's weapons were pitch black. Rather it was the sword hilts that had an engraving on them – the dragon insignia. These weapons were gifts both teenagers had received from The Citadel. Black Hand wasn't dressed to fight. He wore a simple buttoned down shirt and a pair of tight trousers. He walked next to the team without any visible scars and a dull expression. Soon, they reached the centre of the field where the Black Team was waiting.
Both captains nodded at each other, for none thought highly of the other. After all, The Citadel and Asher City were enemies. Nodding as a form of greeting was the greatest respect they were going to get from each other.
"Good morning teams. You have already been informed of the rules so I'd get straight to it. May each captain present their team slates." Once again, Steel Fist was the reliable referee for the day. At her words, Vital Orange and Black Saga nodded their heads and presented their slates to her. Unlike with the other stages, the Finals required that the team slates be filled before entry onto the field. So there was no need to give the teams time to fill them with names. Steel Fist looked over the slates, visible surprise on her face. She turned to look at Black Saga strangely and then displayed the names on the slates to the crowd. The Record Stone picked up the names and displayed them for all to see.
"This…" Even Mane was stunned by the team slate of the Black Team.
"Black Saga"
"Black Hammer"
"Black Axe"
"White Mask"
"Black Mask"
"Vital Orange"
"What a surprise folks. Black Saga has stunned everyone here with his team order. Black Saga is fighting first!"