Leaving Soren on solid ground, the wizard disregarded the dark magic circle's throbbing presence and made his way slowly toward Aizel.
"You have many tricks up your sleeve," Aizel commented, buying time to recover his strength and focus.
"As do you," he chimed in. "I fight for a cause, just as you do.
"To achieve my goal, I will do whatever it takes to win this match. But you have earned my respect. My name is Yoji Elbaf."
For an instant, he lowered his head, and then he sank into a combat position.
"I hope you won't have any hard feelings after I defeat you," he further said.
"Yeah, don't worry about that. I am just getting started," Aizel replied. There was a moment of stillness as the two regarded each other, honorable rivals now revealed.
Aizel's eyes moved towards Soren for a second, who was lying on the ground and was not moving.
This idiot doesn't seem like he's knocked out," he thought.
