Daymond stood at the center of a training room, the walls a pristine blue. Despite that, there were droplets of red strewn about the floor. Simon and Shun exchanged looks as blood dripped from their noses.
Simon: I thought he'd be easier to hit, but it's like he's just ignoring his injuries.
Shun: And it doesn't even look like he's using the same thing that Kuro was using. He's just doing it with a blank look on his face.
Simon: He's really trying to perfect Automatic, isn't he?
Shun: As his condition worsens against stronger opponents, he'll need Automatic to truly overcome his own mental fatigue. If he were to fight Moll or another fighter in the semifinals, he wouldn't be in his best state against Cero. If he can master Automatic, he can fight even better while also preparing plans to make use of Cero's weaknesses once more.
Simon's thoughts: What weaknesses does that ogre boast now? He's on another level to the one Daymond fought two years ago.
Daymond: Enough doubts, continue to strike me. I need to make sure I can completely ignore any distractions using my own mind in combat. Once I can do that, I will be unmatched in this world.
Shun gripped his new scythe in both hands as Simon tensed up his fingers. They charged at Daymond at full force. Simon thrusted both hands forward, cutting through the air. Shun swung his scythe at full speed as Daymond stared them both down. Shun's scythe dug into the ground as Simon only struck air as Daymond dodged the attacks effortlessly. His movements were smooth as he punched both of his teammates away. They bounced off the ground as he stood there, his eyes switching from fist to fist.
Daymond's thoughts: I made too many conscious choices. How did he manage this? It is just beyond reasoning…
Simon: At this rate… I don't think he'll need it…
Shun: But he won't stop until he does…
Shun and Simon let out groans as they struggled to stand back up.
…
Cero sat in his room, meditating while Tico looked through the several images of his daughter in his wallet. Mason rushed into the room as Vector and Bruna followed behind him.
Bruna: C-Calm down… I'm running out of breath…
Mason: Cero! Something is seriously wrong! Ryan hasn't left his room at all! He doesn't even respond no matter how much I knock!
Cero: He simply wishes to be in silence, I hardly see an issue.
Vector: I hardly believe that. He's such an outgoing guy. This type of isolation is unprecedented.
Tico: I guess that is quite odd. He approached us, so he definitely isn't someone to be shy now.
Kammy entered the room with a cooler following behind him. He looked around the room, noticing all the different people.
Kammy: Were you guys holding a meeting without me? That's pretty damn rude.
Cero: Snare, this is no joking matter. Something happened to Ryan, something that he clearly isn't telling us. He may not be a member of our group, but he is someone trustworthy. We need to discuss things with him when we can.
Mason: He won't come out of his room… It has to be pretty bad, something really bad.
Bruna: H-He was a pretty g-gentle man. Not even advising us sh-should mean something.
Cero: We won't disturb him for now. If he does not appear after my match tomorrow, I will approach him directly.
Vector: You sure you won't be too injured to do that?
Cero: My opponent may be Daniel Oneiroi, but he is hardly a threat to me. I will dominate my opponents until I can finally kill Daymond. I will also make sure to help Ryan, for your sakes.
Mason: Thanks, Cero… You're really looking out for us.
Cero: Ryan is an honest man, just like you all said. So I will help when I can. But for now, I will focus on my meditation. I need to make sure I am in my best mindset for the next fight.
Kammy's thoughts: He's finally letting himself grow more attached to others. I wonder what allowed him to do so?
…
Gerald stretched his arms as he reached a clearing. His eyes immediately locked on Thong, who had his arms up in preparation.
Gerald: Perfect, looks like he's up now.
He rushed over to Thong, only to see Thong charge forward against Theodore. He rubbed the back of his head but shrugged, running over to the fighters.
Gerald: Yo! Thong! I was looking for ya.
Gerald waved his hand, which brought Theodore and Thong to a stop. As they stopped, Daniel jumped through the air, grabbing onto Theodore's head.
Daniel: Daniel caught papa!
Thong: Gerald? What are you doing here?
Gerald: Isn't it obvious? I'm here so we can plan our next strategy against Daymond. We couldn't train for two days like I hoped, and we don't have much time tomorrow to train prior to your match, but this is great! You seem to be moving much better than I was expecting. So let's go, there's no time to waste.
Gerald reached for Thong's arm, only for Theodore to stretch his arm out in front of the boy.
Theodore: Me and young Thong here are already training. I can see you were the man mentoring him for his previous match, am I correct?
Gerald: Yup. My name is Gerald Azufield, a man who likes to keep himself entertained. It's an honor to meet you, Theodore Oneiroi. However, in this instance, you're really getting in my way.
Theodore: Getting in your way? How so? Do you simply wish to bring young Thong into another dangerous suicide mission with a half-baked attempt of having him use a fighting method he has no experience with?
Gerald: Half-baked? Suicide mission? I told him about every possibility my strategies had, and each one assured his survival and victory. He was never going to die, he was never going to fail. And it's quite funny for you to talk to me about suicide missions looking at your history, Mr. Oneiroi.
Theodore and Gerald shared intense glares, Gerald could do nothing but smirk at the concerned King.
Theodore's thoughts: This man… He reminds me of "him"... He might be more dangerous than I could expect.
Thong: Hey guys. There's no reason to fight. How about I train with both of you? I was never really a fan of weapons, so I doubt I could use those anyway…
Gerald: My new strategy never involved weapons. Daymond is too skilled and too experienced to deal with inexperienced weapon users. He would make your usage of a weapon your biggest weakness. Jason Bellthorne, Shun Ryuji, and Brook Shaws. These are all decently known combatants in the Eclipse that all use weapons that have fallen to The Head Spider. Their fights weren't even close.
Gerald pulled a piece of paper from his shirt, revealing a long list of names. Thong's eyes moved down the list, seeing a list of different matchups Daymond had had over his history in the Eclipse. Theodore looked away as he noticed his name at the very bottom.
Thong: There's easily over a hundred people here…
Gerald: And his biggest victories are the ones I highlighted here. Cero Ray LoMatta, Deacon Desperado, and now Theodore Oneiroi. These three were considered the strongest and the top of this organization. And now he has a victory over each of them. Even if he seemed to have a difficult time against each, he evolves, he grows stronger. He'll be unlike any match before. He weaves his web larger with each prey he captures.
Theodore: You're not doing much to encourage him.
Gerald: Of course, the odds are the highest they possibly can be. Daymond is not someone you can simply fight. He will match you with skills unlike his previous match. But I've made sure to study each of his evolutions and have figured out the best way to deal with him. But to do so, I also decided to look into the past of Thong here, to see how he has evolved in each of his fights.
Gerald snapped his fingers as several different fighters appeared. Hugo, Li, Silvia, Pablo, Pedro, and Mike each stood before Thong. Two fighters stood behind the group, Kusari and Colton. The group all stood before him, with Silvia waving her hand at Thong.
Pablo: Look at how you've grown, little man.
Pedro: Now we can fight you for real!
Silvia: I heard you were going to need help, so I made sure to come right along.
Kusari: I never fought this kid, but I was approached since I was talking with these two big guys here.
Colton: I never expected to have to fight this kid again, but I don't mind a rematch.
Mike walked forward, meeting Thong with a smile.
Mike: I wanted to leave you to train with Theodore, but I couldn't resist the chance to help my friend beat the Head of the Eclipse.
Thong: Mike… Tha-
Hugo: Don't worry! Your true master is here! Now, let's get this training session started!
Theodore: Not so quickly. I'm still trying to make sure he knows exactly how to fight Daymond, seeing as how I fought him myself.
Gerald: Exactly, dear King. You are the key item now that I know you're training with Thong. You'll be giving Thong the last step of evolution he needs. He's nowhere near as fast as Daniel or Daymond, but there is someone in him that can do just as well. Come out you bastard!
Thong raised his eyebrow as he heard a voice echo in his mind. It was just consistent laughter until he noticed everyone was staring at him. His eyes changed into a deep red color as he stared at Theodore and Gerald.
Minh: You damn bastard. You knew I needed to evolve to have any chance, didn't you?
Gerald: Of course. You're more aggressive, so you'll be needed to take on Daymond. Now, show the King what you're made of.
Theodore turned his head from Gerald to Minh, who charged at him with a pulled back fist. His fist tore through the air, Theodore ducking as his eyes moved down. Minh followed with a flying knee, one that Theodore stopped with his gauntlets. Everyone stared in shock as Theodore jumped back.
Theodore: He really is more aggressive than before. What happened to him?
Daniel: Daniel no like look in mask guy's eyes!
Gerald: This is the other person in Thong. The one that channels all of his aggression and bloodlust. And he is ready to fight.
Mike stared at Minh, who turned to meet him. His deep red eyes glared into Mike's eyes. Mike's nose flared as he charged at Minh with a high kick. Minh grabbed onto Mike's leg and moved in with a punch. Mike caught the punch with his hand, both fighters at a standstill.
Li: Those two sure have something to settle.
Hugo: I'd say this is our cue to help attack my student!
Silvia: I don't want to hurt Thong, but I'll do it if it will help him!
Colton: I think I can take him on my own, watch me!
Colton charged at Minh, pulling both fists back. Minh pushed Mike away and turned his attention to Colton. His hulking figure loomed over the fighter, but he watched without a look of worry in his eyes. Minh reached out and grabbed onto one of Colton's arms, planting his feet firmly on the ground.
Minh's thoughts: Tran Style, Flowing Tree
Minh spun on his heels, slamming Colton into the ground as he jumped away unharmed. He ducked as a whip flew overhead. The crack filled the air as it limped to the floor. Silvia smiled as she held the handle in her hand.
Silvia: Don't leave us out just yet.
Minh: If Daymond is as dangerous as people make him out to be, this amount of differing styles might be at least close to somewhat fighting him. So I'll play your game, Gerald.
Gerald: Please do. This is what we need to win.
The training continued throughout the rest of the day and into the night. The sky turned to a brilliant purple as the stars grew visible. The curtain closed on the day between rounds. Each party went their own ways by the end. Thong walked over to the side of the tournament building, sliding down the wall before sitting on the ground. He looked up at the night sky, the air blowing through his hair. Mike, Hugo, and Li walked over to him, each wounded from the day's training.
Li: The fact you and Daniel were at the center of most of that training and you're still standing is something else. Well, I guess you're sitting now.
Hugo: That's my student for ya!
Thong: Trust me, I'm beyond exhausted. But that somehow feels natural to me. Minh told me something that made me feel like I was meant to be constantly at the brink, that that would bring me closer to being who I should be.
Mike reached down and placed a hand on Thong's shoulder.
Mike: You're fine the way you are, man. You're my best friend, so don't worry about it. Try your best out there tomorrow, and don't go dying on me. You're way too important for that.
Thong and Mike let out a laugh that echoed in the night sky. The night passed, with the sun drifting into the sky. The day of the quarterfinals was here, and the eight combatants prepared themselves. Moll sat in a wheelchair, with Hamadeen and Kuro behind him. Ser Lorisian stood up from the seat beside Quintin. Daymond sat in an office room, looking over his book closely. Thong stood by his friends, talking casually before the round started. Cero wrapped his arms as he stared intensely at the mirror in front of him. Daniel gorged himself with a table full of food that Veronica had prepared for him. Jason stood in front of the door which slowly opened to reveal Alexia's smiling face. Gonzalez punched a punching bag with rapid strikes, sand seeping from each puncture mark he left in it. Each fighter prepared themselves in their own way for this upcoming round.
Zachary: THE DAY IS HERE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE DAY THAT WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! I HOPE EACH OF YOU ARE PREPARED FOR THE QUARTERFINALS AND THE MATCHES THAT WILL BLOW EACH OF YOU AWAY!
The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and screams. The excitement in the room was higher than it had ever been. Zachary waved his arms around before bringing the mic back to his face.
Zachary: NOW, LET'S GET READY FOR THE FIRST MATCH!