38 Chapter 37 - Moving Action

Joseph stood across from The Masked Man, who drove his sword into the ground before meeting Joseph's gaze.

Joseph: Do you really bring that everywhere?

Masked Man: I can't ever be too careful.

Joseph: I don't even think the other sword users bring their swords everywhere. Though, maybe that knight does.

Masked Man: That's beyond the point, but I think you're aware of what this meeting is about.

Joseph: You guys finally infiltrated, huh?

Masked Man: We have. Quite a few of us are here. The main ones of note are Blake and Nicholas.

Joseph: Blake and Nicholas? They're pretty good, aren't they? Blake is pretty obvious, but why Nicholas.

Masked Man: Call it a loyalty test. Despite the fact we all came together, no one other than me and Blake knows who has come here.

Joseph: So Mother is making sure that the ones that are the most likely to let it spill are unaware.

Masked Man: However, I did decide to speak to Nicholas when we got here.

Joseph: Why the hell would you do that?

Masked Man: It's a test. Something about him isn't sitting right with me. Blake didn't care to speak to me about it, but I wouldn't doubt he feels the same.

Joseph: This is why I didn't ride with you guys. It's nothing but stupid risks.

Masked Man: That's why I'm relying on you. If I or any of the others disappear or die, you need to tell the others.

Joseph: That's a pretty big order.

Masked Man: And you're the only one I can trust to do it. Don't fail us, Joseph.

The Masked Man pulled his sword out of the ground and walked into the forest, disappearing in the trees.

Joseph's thoughts: He set up a bell to make the meeting place clear, but how is he so sure that he wasn't followed? I don't know his real name, I don't know what his face looks like, but he trusts me? What a weird guy.

Joseph started throwing jabs into the air, a smile growing on his face.

Joseph: So we finally get to do something, huh?

Joseph eventually left the forest, the moon had risen while he was in there.

Joseph: Guess I spent too long in there.

Moll: Hey Joseph! What's the holdup?

Joseph looked over to the yelling, seeing Moll wave in front of him as Hamadeen and Zenzo stood around him. Joseph let out a sigh before meeting up with them.

Joseph: Sorry guys, I was just doing a bit of training.

Moll: You getting nervous? That's a first. You even built up quite the sweat!

Zenzo: Making sure you're in your top condition, as diligent as always.

Hamadeen: You should invite me next time you train, teach.

Joseph: That's pointless, you're crazy strong as you are, Hamadeen.

Hamadeen: But…

Moll patted Hamadeen in the back, letting out a loud laugh.

Moll: Enough worrying, let's enjoy our night!

Joseph watched as The Masked Man and Ryan walked together, seemingly talking to each other about who knows what.

Joseph: Yeah, let us.

…

Thong opened his eyes, the shining of the sun peering through his blinds. Thong's eyes began to clear up, noticing that the table in the corner of the room had two people near it.

Hugo: Hey, I was gonna take that block!

Li: I had my eyes on it first!

Thong slowly sat up, rubbing his chin. Li peered over, seeing Thong sit up before knocking the blocks away, several hitting Hugo in the face. Hugo leaned back in his chair, falling over as Li ran over to Thong.

Li: Hey man, are you okay?

Thong: How long has it been?

Hugo: Could you not hit me in the face? I need to look my best for the tournament tomorrow!

Li: Yeah, it's been an entire day.

Thong: That long?!

Hugo: Yeah, you were out for a long time, Terreck.

Li: I was getting pretty concerned and we decided to check up on you this morning.

Hugo: I wasn't scared since I knew my number one pupil would never die from a simple kick. He was able to handle one of mine, after all.

Li: I think there's a large quality difference between you and Mikey, Hugo.

Hugo: Who's Mikey?

Li: You already locked him out of your memory?!

Thong rubbed his head before taking off his covers and getting out of bed.

Li: Hey, are you sure you're ready to fight tomorrow?

Thong looked at Li, a smile forming under his mask.

Thong: I feel a lot better now. Mike really helped me out again. I need to go thank him.

Li: Maybe you can before your match.

Hugo: I have no idea who you two are talking about.

…

Indica entered a dark room, tipping his hat to the guards standing outside.

Indica: Well fella, we're almost to your big day.

Gary: That sounds wondrous. I truly do wonder which opponent you selected for me.

Indica: Trust me, this guy is someone you're gonna love. He's a member of the top ten.

Gary: The ones that never seem to feel fear. Now that fight is something I truly can't wait for.

Indica: I only have one request for ya.

Gary: Oh, are you going to go on about your 'no killing' shenanigans? I thought this was a company that allowed such brutalities.

Indica: Yeah, but tell me, when was the last time you saw a top ten member kill somebody in a match? If you want to show off, you need to match their level.

Gary: Oh Indica, I think you're clearly mistaken. I have no intention of matching their level. I came here with one intention.

Indica smiled as he stared at Gary's restricted form.

Indica: Show them what your training has in store for them.

Gary: I would want nothing more.

…

Mason: Man, I'm bored. Why can't this tournament start already?

Tico had opened his wallet, looking at the pictures he had inside of himself and his daughter.

Tico: I hope her vacation is going great. Don't worry, Eliza. Daddy's going to get you a great gift.

Mason: Can you do anything other than dote on your daughter? You're pretty one-note with that.

Tico: I can't help it, she deserves the world!

Mason's thoughts: I'm really happy my dad wasn't like this guy.

Tico: But the bigger question is, who is Cero waiting for? He's been in his room all day?

Mason: I'm not sure, exactly. I heard all the secretaries are busy doing things, so I doubt he's waiting for Kammy.

Tico: It's making me a bit worried. Who would he need to talk to during this time? I thought he would've continued training.

Mason: Oh yeah, that reminds me. I heard they have training mats around this place. Let's go spar.

Tico: And just leave Cero? What if he needs us?

Mason: Something tells me that the person on that line is a lot more important than what we can give him.

Sitting in the next room over, Cero rested his chin on his fist. The screen was full of static before a voice started to come over.

???: Hey hey, can ya hear me?

Cero: Loud and clear, Noah.

Noah: That's great. Having to find a connection the Arachna isn't monitoring is pretty annoying, but their security isn't the hardest I've dealt with.

Cero: How are the others doing?

Noah: They're still high rankers in Titanomachy. Have you not been watching their matches? Oh, right, Arachna. They're really keeping a tight leash on all of you.

Cero: Have you done a rundown on all of the fighters in this tournament?

Noah: Yeah, I have. Theodore, Gonzalez, and Daniel seem as terrifying as ever. The Imperium is full of all sorts of freaks.

Cero: That much is clear, but Daymond. How about him?

Noah: Information is much more limited on him. It seems they don't keep much of him recorded on the network. Though, I am seeing interesting things regarding the Basement.

Cero: I have no need for that. My target is clear. I will defeat the Arachna, and I need Daymond to not fail at any costs.

Noah: Well, from the medical records I could find, he seems to be mostly in good health. It seems that the final blow from the last tournament still has its effects noticeable.

Cero: That's all I needed to hear.

Noah: Good. I think the connection is starting to be tracked. I wish you luck, Cero.

Cero: I wish luck to you and the others as well.

The laptop went quiet, Cero punching through the screen. He throws the broken laptop behind him, smashing what was left against the wall.

Cero: The day will soon dawn upon us. I'll be waiting, Daymond.

…

Thong stared outside his window, seeing some of the fighters and associates enjoying the several activities the sights had to offer.

Thong's thoughts: I need to fight Mike… But that kick makes it too clear how it's going to go… Was this all for nothing?

An ice cream was moved in front of Thong, Hugo holding it in front of him.

Hugo: What's with you always looking troubled? Did my training teach you anything?

Thong: Sorry, Hugo. I'm just… scared…

Hugo: There's nothing to be scared about. We're both going to do great. We trained our asses off, didn't we?

Thong: Yeah, we sure did…

Hugo: So you're fighting your friend, so what? If he's your friend, you need to match him head-on. I'll have you know I have so many friends and I face them all with respect.

Thong: Can you even name them all?

Hugo handed Thong his ice cream before looking at his open hand.

Hugo: Don't you know it's rude to talk back to your teacher?

Thong: Yeah, yeah.

Hugo: Good. Now get a good night's rest, our day is going to be a long one.

Thong: Thanks, Hugo. For everything.

Hugo: No problem… Uhhh…

Thong stared as Hugo rubbed his temple with his open index finger before turning around to look at Thong.

Hugo: Thong.

Thong's eyes opened wide, Hugo smiling wide.

Thong: Hey Hugo… One more question.

Hugo: What is it, my great student?

Thong: How do you keep getting in here?

Hugo: I broke your lock since I couldn't find a spare key.

Thong: I should've known…

Hugo: But I'll see you tomorrow. Let's do our best.

Thong: Yeah, see ya, teach.

Thong looked outside his window one last time, looking at the full moon that filled the sky.

Thong's thoughts: I'll face him with my all. That's what friends do.

…

A new dawn began to appear as the day of the tournament had finally arrived.