The sound of the crowd echoed throughout the stadium, throughout the city, throughout the nation, and throughout the world. Few were not waiting in anticipation. People filled every seat of the stadium, and a crowd flooded the streets to watch on the grand monitor.
Among the crowd, Cathy tried her best to get a glance at the monitor. Except, her fourteen year old self was only so tall.
Next to her Honey, who was in her early twenties, was not much taller. She stood out in her green summer dress, especially next to Cathy with her purple memorial t-shirt. Most wore a version of the latter. Though, Honey was not there for the event.
Seeing the struggle of her neighbour and pseudo-sister, Honey offered to carry Cathy on her shoulders.
"I'm not a little girl anymore!" argued Cathy.
"What, don't think I can carry you? Just look at these muscles," said Honey, flexing her arms.
"Fine, but you'd better not drop me."
Honey got down and allowed Cathy to climb up onto her shoulders. She huffed and gave a heave as she got back up, but she eventually settled Cathy's weight. Now Cathy could see the monitor and she joined in the excessive screaming of the crowd.
A bumble bee the size of a baseball landed on Cathy's shoulder.
"Wahoo!" shouted Buzz.
"Wahoo!" agreed Cathy.
Honey rolled her eyes at the craziness of her company.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said the announcer causing a temporary silence, "welcome to the King's Cup finale."
A burst of energy escaped the crowd. The announcer was forced to wait a few moments before continuing.
"We started this tournament with sixty-four of the world's finest summoners, and one by one they fell. Now, only two remain to claim the title of the world's greatest. So without further ado, I present to you the biggest surprise of this year. A newcomer from this very country of Estrial. The brute force that has forced her way through the competition one rival at a time. I present to you, Vin Ambruster, and of course her summoned, the one eyed army, the Battle Mech!"
Thump! Thump! Thump! The whole stadium trembled in the false rumbling. From the enormous arch a red light shone in the darkness about a dozen metres high. Soon, the source made itself visible.
The Battle Mech was a bipedal hunk of black metal armed to the teeth.
Vin Ambruster walked at a hurried pace beside her summoned. It was hard to recognise just how large and brutish the woman wearing the leather jacket and cocky snarl next to the behemoth was.
A wave of cheers greeted them as they walked out onto the pitch and took up their respective positions. Vin Ambruster, the summoner, at the edge, and the Battle Mech, the summoned, near the centre.
The lights dimmed. A spotlight swirled around the crowd following the excitement.
"And now, it is my absolute pleasure to present to you the opponent. The defending champion of three years, a legend, and one of the greatest summoners in known history. From Magope, the one, the only, Dom Miller! And, of course, his summoned, the honourable warrior, the Mute Samurai!"
A tsunami of cheers greeted the plump little man dressed in an expensive suit and glimmering jewellery. A contrast to the simple, faded armour and plain katana worn by his summoned.
They took their positions.
The Mute Samurai bowed to the Battle Mech, then signed with his hands his gratitude, his name, and a curiosity for the Battle Mech's name. Unseen to all Cathy signed her own name and a thank you which she had been practising for months. In contrast, the Battle Mech beeped confusedly.
It took an eternity for the noise to die down, to bottle up in everyone so the announcer could speak. Just a little while longer. Soon the final bout would begin and there would be a champion.
"In the wise words of the Nameless King: Victoria heros iudicat. Victory judges the hero. Who will be worthy of being this year's hero? Let us find out on the count of three. Three."
Everything was still.
"Two."
Motion yearned to be let out.
"ONE! The duel has commenced."
The reaction was instantaneous not just from the crowd, but from competitors.
Vin Ambruster called out to the Battle Mech a series of orders. Soon a barrage of bullets and missiles was upon the Mute Samurai. Though, the Mute Samurai quickly ran out of the way.
The barrage followed the Mute Samurai, exploding at his ankles. Despite the barrage, the ground was unfazed, untouched by the destructive capabilities.
It was clear that the barrage was ineffective, so Vin Ambruster opted for a different tactic. She called out to her summoned and the behemoth went to squash the Mute Samurai like a bug.
A wall of metallic fingers came at the Mute Samurai from either side.
"Is that all you got?" asked Dom Miller.
As if they were stepping stones, the Mute Samurai bounced from finger to finger, getting atop the hands before they slammed against one another. The Battle Mech's arms were like a trail leading to the head.
Hand on hilt, the Mute Samurai prepared to strike.
Before the Battle Mech could swat away the puny Mute Samurai, a blade sliced through its exposed neck. Sparks and embers exploded from the iron vein like blood and the Battle Mech began to spasm. Random shots fired in every direction exploding uselessly against the crowd.
Hastily, the Mute Samurai climbed down the Battle Mech. It was a perilous task of uncertainty. Though, the Mute Samurai made it seem as if he were leisurely climbing a jungle gym.
Kaboom! In one final explosion the Battle Mech fell, evaporating into thin air to respawn later.
"And that's why I'm champion," screamed Dom Miller.
Matching, perhaps surpassing, the explosion was the noise of the crowd. One endless chorus of cheers and delight, of fireworks and poppers, one endless party carried out throughout the stadium, throughout the city, throughout the nation, and throughout the world. Dom Miller! Dom Miller! Dom Miller! The name echoed throughout everything.
Even Honey began to chant along with her company. Though, not quite as admirably as Cathy and Buzz.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was pitch black by the time Honey and Cathy walked the suburban streets.
"That was awesome," exclaimed Cathy. Despite having left the crowds, the energy still dwelled within her spirit.
"I know," replied Buzz. "Maybe one day I can do that!"
"Keep dreaming Buzz," said Honey.
"Aw, come on Honey! Dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee. I've seen butterflies dance and I can totally sting like a bee."
"Then die and lose immediately."
A large pout crossed the bumble bee's little face.
"I believe in you, Buzz," said Cathy.
"Thanks Cathy, it's nice to know one of you cares."
They walked beneath twinkling lights on the starless night. Shadows shifted, and dark forces plotted. A cool wind disgruntled the ladies' hair and clothes.
"Hey, Honey," said Cathy, "do you think I'll be a summoner?"
There was a sadness on the edges of Cathy's clay eyes and Honey hesitated to answer, afraid to break her heart.
Cathy was already a good deal into puberty, her family had no history of being summoner's, and there seemed to be a fluctuation of summoned at the moment. The odds were not very good. Yet, Cathy looked so hopeful, so full of desire and eagerness.
Honey looked over at her own summoned, then back to Cathy.
"It's still possible."
Cathy frowned at the answer but gave no other response.
They rounded the corner and their houses came into view. Two squat brick buildings with narrow driveways and half-green lawns. Both said their farewells. Cathy unlocked her front door and Honey descended the stairs to her basement apartment.
It was hard to sleep that night.