There was an inversion in the air. A total tone shift. Treading the grounds, marching a step at a time, had a whole different feel to it when he was the one I was walking towards.

To the left, also to the right, there was still evidence leftover of the dual prior strewn across the battlefield. Indents in the sand, outlines of footprints leading further forward, even a few handprints littered about where somebody had taken a stumble many times over.

Wouldn't have minded them so much… if only there weren't so many of them all around, and going off by the pristine state of his attire, I don't think any one of them belonged to Leon too.

Either the other champion, Cliff, didn't know his right foot from his left, or Leon was just that arduous of an opponent. For my sake, I dearly hope it was more of the former than it was the latter.

But as our distances shortened, and I had a better, closer look… it seemed, sadly, that reality was playing to the contrary.

Leon's gaze was the epitome of confidence, the way he held himself firm and self-assured, nothing about him betrayed any sign of weaknesses… if there were even any weaknesses.

A few meters of dirt between us, I came to a stop. Y'know, come to think of it, he wasn't actually any bigger than I, and when it came to height we practically shared the same stature give or take a few millimeters winning me the slightest edge in that department.

So tell me how in spite of that, he still looked as big and vast as Nick was? Was it the cape? I'm thinking it's the cape.

"Well, well," He said, greeting me with a smile as courteous and pleasant as always. "After all this time, seems we're finally here."

I smiled right back, only not as courteous. "Guess so."

"And not without some massive developments too," He shifted his eyes to the clamoring crowd. "Seems you've earned yourself quite a few admirers to your name along the way."

I've said it once, will say it twice now. "Guess so."

"And that's me included," His bright blue eyes drifted back. "When this is all done, I wouldn't mind ending today considering you a friend of mine. In fact, I'd like that very much."

"It sounds like you've got everything planned ahead already."

"Well... you can say that, I suppose."

I eyed him straight. "So what happens next?"

Everything casual, every word nonchalant. It was as if nothing could faze him, nothing that could break that composure of his. There was never a doubt to anything he did, not even an inkling of it in the words he spoke out next, "I win."

"The time has come now, my dear fellow freaks and geeks of Astra!" Tyler paced the space of his podium with every fiber of himself louder than ever. "We suffered a few blunders along the way, some last-minute reschedulings, some dumbass and his little bro, but hey - we pulled through! Now we're finally here! And let me tell you, it's been quite a journey ladies and gents, one that went the highest highs and the lowest lows - all for this! This is what it's all about, this is what it all comes down to. This is… what the fuck is this?"

A stray hand poking out from somewhere in the stands handed Tyler another piece of parchment, one that had his brows furrowing in confusion as he hastily moved to unfurl it.

"The hell is this - a speech? You guys actually wrote a speech for me to say?" From the husky breath that rang out from the speakers, he sounded upset. "Hell nah, guys… I do my own thing, y'know that. You hand me a speech - you think I don't know my English too good to say fancy words proper? I can say fancy too. I just learned what belligerent means today, y'know? What you think about that?"

No comment.

"Wha -? Tradition again? Why you peeps keep using that as a shield, I don't even -! Fine, fine, alright! Stop telling me they insist, I'll insist your ass you little… look, I'll read the damn thing, alright? You happy? Better be…"

After having a little grumble and mumble over having his entertainment host duties micromanaged, Tyler took a deep begrudging gulp of air and slowly began to read from the script in a tone so overbearingly drawl and dull.

"My dear friends of our proud province of Astra, it is with great honor that I am here to be here alongside you all to bear witness to history in the making. At this grand moment in time, we stand before two champions. We have seen them as they struggled, cheered for them as they inevitably overcome - they have earned the worth of the title bestowed upon them and even more so."

"Alas, they can only be one that can emerge victoriously. To be declared the real champion, the true hero of our proud nation… and win the hand of the beloved princess. So now arrives their final trial, their final challenge - each other. But before they should compete, I feel it is only right, only just to hear one last time their resolve… their reasons as to why they fight."

Hear us one last time, he said. I… I don't suppose that means we have to participate in that little speech of his too, do we?

"Leon the Valiant!"

That confirms it.

"We start with you," Tyler continued to drearily monologue. "Why is it you do what you do? An individual of your stature, your influence… many would say this event is well beyond being beneath you. Rightfully so too. As the crowned winner of last year's main event and also the year prior, it more than affirms the fact that you have no more the need to prove yourself. Suddenly, you have participated once more for the third year running, and now we are all left to ponder the burning question of the day - why?"