P.O.V: Izuki-chan
— And that's when I come face to face with Emiko's guy, frankly I have nothing against him. But the guy gave off a monstrous aura... Did Riku.
— So? I ask before taking a bite of my stew.
— So, he wants to fight him... Shun says desperately, he's hopeless, this guy, never satisfied. He's a pain in the ass.
He has such a beautiful voice. That way of being contracted is inhuman.
— Haaa, you're not interested in Sky's cousin anymore? Megumi ironically points out, on the verge of laughing.
We all tease Riku, he's so competitive that he comes up with stuff every time, and it makes us laugh. Nevertheless, you can't tell he's wrong when he admits someone is strong. He has a kind of way of doing that.
After the meal we enjoy a dessert in our sensei's flat – me and Megumi, in the heart of Tokyo this great otaku has found a real cosy nest so classy and comfortable. And I'm not talking about the decorations, I think I know why she's still single – poor thing. Between having a second home for anime and video game conventions, and being in a couple; for her the question is quickly spread.
Kira is her name, or at least the name she gave us. Sensei Kira, reconverted into a high school teacher of Japanese literature, she was a former MOBA¹ player. Then she became a coach for three years, her name is quite well known in the world of e-sport in Japan (even if Shun and Riku still don't know who she is after all the information I gave them). Megumi met him last year during a L.O.L competition where she had won the cup without any defeat, taken of administration for her, Megumi approached him and didn't get his number... The gourd!
— And as we didn't want the tournament to end before it started, I did everything I could to get in touch with her and go to her region. My friend's cousin tells us in turn. It was first to train us, and she accepted straight away.
The smile is literally on her face, it is true that the training of Kira sensei was not easy, but I was able to become much stronger than before, I was able to improve and fill my gaps. Now I feel ready to participate in the semi-final elimination this afternoon. Despite the snow and Riku's warnings, I am confident. Especially since Megumi is by my side to share this with me.
We've become quite close, she and I. To say that at the beginning of the year I didn't know her, now I can't do without her is so crazy that I often blush unconsciously.
— What did you choose? asks Riku, helping to put away the dishes.
— For what we got yesterday, you mean?
He nods.
— I took the special attack. Megumi the unique pet. I just say. What about you?
— It goes without saying that I couldn't miss the opportunity to get a new blade, so I took the artifact and Shun the battlespace.
Shortly after, Shun and Riku leave. To let us prepare, they said. But we couldn't concentrate, too happy to have arrived here. All of a sudden the door opens with violence on a brunette Kira with a little red streak on her fringes. So that's why it took her so long? Seriously?
— Girls... we're bad... well we... but rather you're bad and really bad! I don't want to worry you but I saw who your opponent was earlier...
— Yeah, it's Minhyuk and Sky. Megumi chuckles, knowing full well that he's a tough guy, one of her favourite duos after the two best friends.
— You didn't know him too well, did you?
You move your head from side to side.
— This guy, what am I saying, this damn kid is taking for the Scarlet King, he's having fun copying the way Kik'x used to play, that way of giving a semblance of a real fight to come out on top afterwards. She painfully catches her breath. Except that he looks at the clock and plays according to it.
— What does that mean? I ask, in a small voice.
— That he gives you the illusion of a fair fight, only to tear you apart with powerful blows.
— But... but, we watched all those matches and there is nothing like that sensei. Softly admits the brunette at my side.
Kira sighs loudly, clutches a glass of water, takes off her coat, then finally opens her mouth.
— I coached this kid, well it's because of him that I stopped coaching, he was so unbearable and arrogant, proud to know the real identity of Kik'x at that time, that I wanted to reframe him by playing a game against him. Which I lost, not once, but five times, and it was at the end of the last game that I realised that he'd been playing me for a sucker all along, the duels were too similar to be mere coincidence. He would dangle victory in front of me and then finish me off at the end with a bunch of combos I couldn't keep up with. I was due to retire after two years, but I didn't feel worthy of fighting anymore...
— Wait a minute, you just made that up?! Did you just make that up?! Let's be clear right now...
— I'm not kidding at all. You must have known that when your friend told you he was taking it more than seriously, right?
The blank was huge.
The pressure was even greater.
Nobody dared to speak.
No, we couldn't talk.
It was too hard to talk under those circumstances. We were quiet the whole way, it was totally unlike him not to make any noise. Mind you, between short people and chatterboxes, noise is not an ally. Even in the preparatory room I didn't even feel like having a little coke to take the edge off, let alone when they walked past us, that assurance in their steps, in their gestures. They don't intend to lose, so why should they feel any fear against some vulgar noxious people. Even if the game was released not long ago and we are all novices, they don't have the slightest intention of losing against us.
— By the way Kira, I like you.
I blush at the same time at Kira. What's that? Where did she get that?
— No, ha ha ha, I really like her, there's no need to be so red. Even though I know that...
The interested party puts a finger on the lips of the one who apparently has feelings for her.
— Don't bullshit, go do them. And when you win, you can tell Shun that you like him and you can invite me, you've been an adult for two years, so how's that?
We blush even more after his little speech.
Click*
Riku took our picture. In this extremely embarrassing position in front of his best friend's charming smile. Then they leave in the direction of the private boxes, I get up stealthily, my phone and my headphones in hand.
— I'm going to pretend I didn't know you two were together, even long before we came crashing at your place. I confess as I make my way to the stage or arena if you like.
— Wait, wait, I was going to tell you... obviously, I, I...
She stammered and could never get the order right.
The room was full, the arena was in the middle of the crowd, giant screens above our heads, four seats, a table with four plugs for our chargers (Kira told us that it's not professional to charge your phone in the middle of a competition). In front of us the duo is concentrating on their respective last minute settings, I must admit that this boy gives off a certain hora even if the way he sits reminds me a bit of Riku when he was in college. Even if this one has a more neat style than his rival who was doing three days with the same sweater and jogging trousers. And above all he walked barefoot, forgetting to put his shoes on.
Ah... my Riku has grown so much.
I'm just telling you what Shun told me one day !
Minhyuk looks at me and gives a brief chuckle before connecting to his phone again.
— Now that you're ready! Start!
"In game"
A mage, me, a black biker, black bra, bun, black stripes on feet and hands. Level Max. Nickname : Izu.
An alchemist, purple tights, big grey t—shirt, bare feet and hands, long straight brown hair. Level Max. Nickname : Raiton.
An alchemist, blue trousers and a white shirt, covered with a gold trench-coat, gold boots, gloves and the same colour hair. Level Max. Nickname: GoldenKiller.
An assassin, an old-fashioned samurai outfit with some steel tips, indigo hair. Level Max. –Nickname: Minhyuk
— Alchemist invokes: first sequences → Needle Rain. Do GoldenKiller while pointing at us with two fingers.
— Alchemist invokes: first sequences → Aluminum Body. Raiton's entire body is covered in a thin layer of aluminum and then she is propelled towards GoldenKiller's projectiles.
She dodges them with such ease, she's so fast that when she launches another attack she throws more blows per second into her opponent's face, it's so fast that I can't follow her. Even when Minhyuk intervenes in front of her ally, she remains elusive, avoiding all of the latter's blade blows, and gives him a masterful punch in the abdomen. And gets back into fighting position.
— Alchemist invokes: third sequences → Golden Rose Field. Does the latter while getting up.
But Raiton doesn't move, I can see she's hit in the middle of those golden thorns blocking her, she doesn't scream and stays in fighting position. And it's the assassin's turn to launch the attack. Without sequence, he attacks her head-on with his sword. The poor girl is propelled with just a single blow from his drawn blade. Well, it's my turn to go, I smile gently.
— Mage invokes: fifth sequences → Sacrificed Animals 3.
Three pets emerge from a magic circle, but Minhyuk slits their throats directly, before her partner makes a wave of golden needles.
— Alchemist invokes: forth sequences → Wave Of Golden Needles.
A huge wave of needles heads towards me, I too start running faster in the opposite direction.
— Is she stupid? Asks the assassin.
— Izu!
— Let's go for act one!
Their looks change when we accelerate, and we jump very high.
— Alchemist invokes: second sequences → Impact.
— Mage invokes: second sequences → Impact.
I give a powerful kick on the assassin who protects himself with his sword despite the power of the blow inflicted. The same if Raiton's side that the alchemist parries his punch thanks to a gold plate above his head. Nevertheless this doesn't stop us, we were expecting this parry from them, but we are faster and more powerful than they think. We switch in an instant to change places, my roundhouse kick into GoldenKiller's ribs is a huge success. As is the left hook into Minhyuk's ribs which is almost invisible on impact. They are both propelled far into the arena.
— How come it hurts so much? When Minhyuk killed your pets? Are you cheating? She accuses me as she stands up.
That's what I was waiting for.
— Cover me. I say to my teammate.
— Quiet. She answers me.
In a flash, I find myself face to face with the one who is accusing me, with a smile on her face. And I go :
— Mage invokes: third sequences → Sacrificed Animals 3.
It's the alchemist's turn to kill the pets I just summoned. Right jab to his face, back-kick to the chest, an almost endless kick combo follows. The trick is to block it, the more I kick the less operational it becomes. Behind me I have Raiton protecting me from the other one. After a dodging blow she moves away to take a breath, but I don't intend to let her go, she has to be down by then. We won't beat them if she's up. Despite the pressure I give her. She manages to hide in a golden egg, with her cousin as a guard in front.
— Earlier, you asked me how I do it. But it's simple, by sacrificing my pets my physical abilities increase greatly. Especially my speed and strength, so when you killed them your spell was sealed.
We're almost exhausted, keeping up this athletic pace is exhausting. Even though we are aiming for victory, these two are very tough. Their hp bar has hardly dropped (Minhyuk 76%, GoldenKiller 58%), you can feel that they've boosted it. Mine is intact, and my teammate's is only slightly touched.
— We have to go back to the charge or else...
— I admit that you're not insignificant, as Rykuo's buddies I wouldn't expect anything less from you. But from there to full hand-to-hand combat. That's impressive. Jacte the pseudo-rival by putting himself in an attack position. But you're a bit too strong for my taste.
And just before he launches himself at us. I shout:
— Mage invokes: forth sequences → Zoo.
Propelled towards us, he finds himself in the middle of several pets. And smiles, he doesn't give a fuck about all this, then starts killing them at the speed of light, it's phenomenal how fast he got away unscathed too. We've seen it all here.
— Don't you have anything more substantial? He asks in front of me, his blade in his hands.
Slowly he starts to slow down without even knowing why. It's time to execute the fucking plan, I'm hungry. And I'm going to eat him. Such a beautiful prey, as stupid as it is strong.
— Frankly, you're too stupid. I explained to you that by killing my familiars I became even stronger. And yet you killed them all.
— So what? I'm still stronger than you. That still doesn't explain why I'm so heavy. What's this now? You mage!
— An illusion.
— Huh?
— It was an illusion. The number of pets you kill converts to the number of hits I'll give you.
— And that's not all. As a bonus, your speed and strength are reduced by more than half. Let's not even talk about your meagre reflexes. Add Raiton. I'll leave him to you, I'll take care of the gold whore.
— See you emerald whore.
— You won 2356 moves. Scratch. How cool is that?
He's not talking and he's still trying to run, but hey. When you gotta go, you gotta go. Fuck all his dead people, whatever they are.
One shot.
Five shots.
18 shots.
He still hasn't understood who the prey is.
28 shots.
He's still trying to get out of it as if it were possible.
100 shots.
233 rounds.
He starts screaming, I see his hp bar starting to drop. This technique has a huge weakness though, I won't be able to use invokes for a while and that I've prepared for. This guy has to sign.
1045 hits. In his face.
1678 hits.
1789 hits.
1888 strokes.
2000 strokes.
2111 strokes.
2222 strokes.
After having been thrown away from me, I rush forward, smile in hand, I read the incomprehension in his eyes, he is not used to being mistreated. I feel for him. But I want this victory.
I get in front of him, in position for the punch without backing down.
— And 2356 punches in your face. He felt that one. And so did I.
He's going down next to his teammate.
P.O.V: Megumi (right after separating from Izuki)
— Alchemist invokes: second sequences → Golden Pups. She says as she emerges from her egg, her hp has increased, as has her mana. She doesn't have any scratches left... may she please.
I just dodge her puppet attacks, I don't have enough mana to do anything yet. While behind me, Izu's blows are multiple, I feel obliged to do the same. There's no way I'm going to stand there and do nothing. I start to run in all directions, taking advantage of the change of material². Since the beginning I have been using iron because at the beginning I have set my sors on this material, but now that the fight is so tough I have to give it my all. That's why I have to give the best of myself, to be at the level of Kira and Rykuo.
— Change of matter, emerald awakening. I say with a smile. I was looking forward to using my favourite material too. You've used up most of your great spells, while I still have plenty left up my sleeve and you're going to enjoy them.
— Alchemist invokes: third sequences → Emerald Root.
— Emerald? Not trivial. But you'd have to turn up the power. She says as she casts her wave of golden needles.
'The advantage of my roots is that some go into the ground while others stay above ground to fool the enemy.
— Don't take me for a fool. She does, flying over the ground on a golden cube. She avoided my roots so easily that I almost become administrative.
— Alchemist invokes: first sequences → Emerald Body. I shout as I jump so high that I'm at her altitude level. 'Did you think you'd escape me maybe?
I give her a huge blow to the head, shattering the cube in the process. This will make her use her last invokes. That way I'll have all the chances on my side to knock her down. So, as expected, she uses it.
— Alchemist invokes: fifth sequences → Golden Sky. she sighed.
A giant, golden replica of her appears, I'm almost starting to regret making her invoke the thing. Standing on the hands of what looks to me like a golem was about 10m at most. With a confident look on her face, I understand that I have fallen into the trap she has carefully concocted for me. No need to worry, I can handle it.
— Alchemist invokes: second sequences → Golden Pups. Shoot that self-righteous bitch.
No time to take them on one by one, since there are even more of them than last time. I avoid them carefully and very quickly with this light armor.
— Alchemist invokes: forth sequences → Modeling The Material. Even though it pumps enough of my mana, this invokes allows me to use the material summoned by the enemy.
— Tsss... No originality!
I model then, or create a huge bridge which goes from me to her. I don't have a second to lose, I won't have a second chance now.
— Alchemist invokes: first sequences → Rain Of Golden Needles
I just dodge any attacks.
— Alchemist invokes: third sequences → Golden Rose Field. She wrote as I get closer and closer to her.
How can she have so much mana with all that she creates, it's abused!
— You gesticulate too much, but your thing is hand-to-hand combat, isn't it? I just need to be well surrounded and that's it.
— Alchemist invokes: third sequences → Golden Rose Field. Even more impressive than last time, roses grow all around her as if to protect her. But now her adventure must end.
— I'm sorry little one, but you're dead!
— Huh?
— ALCHEMIST INVOKES: SPECIAL BLOW → PICHENETTE OF GODS.
The speed at which I appear before her within milliseconds of her almost-ready barrier is phenomenal, so is that a special blow? Thank you honey for teaching me that!
— Yahhhhh !!!!!! She is thrown into the arena with almost no life weight left, she collapses next to her teammate.
P.O.V: Izuki-chan
— Nice timing. I say slowly.
— The hardest part is done. We have to finish them off now.
— Yess. Look how I'm handling it. MAGE INVOKES: UNIQUE FAMILIAR → GALACTIC PANTHER. A magic circle turns my teammate into a panther, but with a coat that looks like space with stars, planets and milky ways. My panther is beautiful.
When I use this technique it is double-edged, I lose life points at the same time. But it doesn't matter, I'm sure it will work. We've got them!
— Mage invokes: first sequences → Familiar Mode Activated.
— Two or even a hundred panthers, I'm going to beat the crap out of you. Minhyuk commands as I too transform into a galactic panther. It's bad enough you spend all day with that cowardly smoke, but you think you're strong enough to take on me and GoldenKiller? Tsss... I don't know who gave you this victory, but your dreams will end here and now.
— Rykuo! Take a good look, open your eyes wide and admire the defeat of your friends. Even you, Kira, admire their defeats. He whispers the last sentence.
How does he know about Kira?
Unfortunately in this form I cannot speak, nor can I use invokes, we have to finish this. Raiton and I are going to meet this shitty kid quickly.
— GoldenKiller!
— Alchemist invokes: Generation of arena → Temple Of Scarlet King. She whispers still on the ground.
— Behold all, behold, THE RENAISSANCE OF THE SCARLET KING.
— ASSASIN INVOKES: PROTECTIVE SPIRIT → SCARLET KING.
The moment the Scarlet King's spirit appears over Minhyuk, the whole room is dazzled, cries come from everywhere. He resurrected a legend, how could he do something like that?
Inside this new map generated by his teammate, I feel heavier than before, he on the contrary has his health points restored. The swelling.
It was very brief.
Very unpleasant for the next few minutes.
The spirit first cut off our legs.
Then ended our lives as if nothing had happened.
"You lose"
"Minhyuk & GoldenKiller Win"
"End of the game"
Before I even took off my helmet, tears started to fall, the warmth of Megumi's embrace soothed me, but she was also crying. We started crying to the cheers of the audience, I'm tired, I'm sleepy, I want my bed, I want to sleep with Shun or Ayama, whoever is free...
— You girls did it. Kira said gently before hugging us. Don't worry, it's kind of a victory, I've never seen him in so much trouble. You can be proud of that.
A few moments later, Yuki and Ayama were there. They were all there except Riku and Shun.
— Where are the geeks?
— In the hospital. The twin confesses nervously.
— Damn Riku's trauma. I let go, cutting the hug short, seeing Sky running towards the exit. Let's go!
We're running towards the exit when I see Minhyuk talking to the director and two young men. They don't seem to have seen me. I continue on my way trying to reach Shun. Damn Riku hold on.
*********
Thanks for the reading.
Does the fight have you more?
Who should have won?
Your favorite fighter?
See you next Sunday.