Chapter 43
I was onto my popcorn by the time the countdown finally hit 0. The excitement in the air within the massive space was palpable, the very air buzzing with energy as everyone looked at the arena below. I’d been surprised, albeit pleasantly, when everyone grew hushed the last minute, and then began counting down for the event to begin. As if that wasn’t enough to display just what sort of an ‘event’ this was… the moment it hit 0, an announcer, somewhere, began speaking.
“Greetings, ladies and gentleman,” the voice boomed, echoing all around the arena, which had grown deathly quiet. “And welcome, to today’s special Tier Up Event.” Cheering. The announcer waited, and the cheering died down. “I am sure I do not need to explain to anyone how exciting this match will be, and I would like to just say I am just as excited, and eager for it to begin, as all of you.” A dramatic pause. “So, without further ado, allow me to introduce to you, the Keeper of Silver Springs, Julius, the Gemstone Giant.”
On cue, a figure appeared within the arena. The screens zoomed in on him, showing a close up for all to see. It was a man who looked, age wise, to be in his sixties, his silvered hair tied back in a low-ponytail, eyes the color of steel. He wore black slacks, with a purple button up shirt tucked into it, and an opalescent vest over it, that shimmered with each breath he took. Around his neck he wore a strange pendant, in a shape that I didn’t recognize, but given it was made of gold, I figured it was important.
Other than his clothes… and the fact he looked like he definitely didn’t skip out on his fitness, the most discerning feature was his gauntlet, which was highlighted by the large monitors as he held up his left hand and waved at the crowd. Just like Sasha’s, Julius’s gauntlet had five perfect stones in the knuckles, so fine every billionaire back home would have been drooling if they saw it. And on the back of his gauntlet, in the amplifier spot, was a stone more brilliant than the Hope Diamond. If shifted colors, as if the stone itself had captured all the colors of an oil slick, and even from where I sat, I could practically feel the power the stone emanated. It was different, that was for sure, from anything I’d seen so far. Not even Sasha’s amplifier had captivated in such a way.
“Andddddd,” the announcer began, causing the cheers to turn to a murmur as he regained the crowd’s attention, “next, allow me to introduce the mysterious challenger. The man brave enough to challenge Julius for his Tier Up attempt to Tier 8. He’s not given us much to go off of, but even still, give it up for our Challenger, Mikael.”
Cheering once again, as the individual suddenly appeared within the arena, much as Julius had. It had been hard to tell earlier, but apparently, the Giant bit of Julius’s name had to do, at least in some part, to his size. Now that someone else was standing before him, it was clear that Julius was definitely over six feet, probably closer to like, seven-foot if I was being honest. A giant indeed.
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The challenger, Mikael, seemed to be really leaning into the mystery aspect of who he was. He wore the most nondescript pants I’d ever seen in my life, a pair of boots that weren’t even worth describing, and a shirt that had a freaking advertisement for Pep Step on it. Graphic tee aside, he had a cloak, an honest to god cloak, wrapped around his shoulders, the hood of which was pulled up, obscuring most of his face. I couldn’t make out his eyes, but judging by what I could see of his face… he was… in his thirties? Forties? His face was clean shaven, with a strong jaw, that much I could tell. But… past that. No idea.
His gauntlet was the one thing he couldn’t really keep hidden, though I knew full well Tamer’s could ‘unequip’ in a way their gauntlets, turning them into a stylish bracelet instead of putting the full thing on display. Meaning, after this battle, if he wanted to, he’d just hide his bracelet and disappear back into obscurity. Was it because of the cult? Was he hiding who he was out of concern for his safety? Or, was there another reason? Maybe he was just an eccentric individual? It didn’t really matter either way. What mattered, was what Muns he was bringing to this battle, and if he had what it takes to win against Julius.
“As everyone is surely aware, todays battle will be in the three versus three format. Each Tamer has selected their six Muns for the challenge, and items, as is the norm, will not be permitted. For the audience, a gentle reminder that a battle of this magnitude can, and will, be intense. Have no fear, as no matter how devastating the attacks seem, within this space, everyone, tamers and spectators, will be safe. That is, after all, one of the perks of these special arenas.”
“Oh, that’s good to know,” I said softly to myself. I’d been wondering. After all, when some of the games I’d played had moves like explosion, where creatures literally blew themselves up… I’d always questioned, safety wise, how that would go for their trainers and anyone close enough to be caught in the space of that attack. Good to know that this world, at least in these special trainer battle areas, had that covered through… uh… magic? Eh, not worth much thought. I needed all my focus for the battle ahead.
I took a sip of my half empty drink, still undecided on the flavor, and stuffed a handful of popcorn into my mouth to keep my excitement at bay. The two Tamers moved to either side of the arena.
“And now, Tamers,” the announcer said, once they’d reached their designated areas, “summon your Muns, and may the best Tamer, win.”
Julius grabbed hold of the necklace he wore with his gauntleted hand and closed his eyes. As he did, three crystals on his wrist glowed, and three Muns began to take shape in the arena before him.
Across the way, Mikael kissed his amplifier, his mouth moving slightly, as if he were whispering words to his gauntlet, before he held his fist up high, three of his crystals glowing to life as he worked to summon his own team. I stopped, mid-chew, as I took in the six shapes that formed, all thought of food and drink gone, as my mind, my full focus, was consumed by what was before me. It. Was. Time.
