“An opportunity?”

Mel didn’t answer, instead, she looked around, before grabbing Claire’s hand and pulling her away from the place. The sun has started to set, the skies darkening and the horizon gaining an orange-reddish hue to it. Thick clouds, yet not dark enough to be an indication of rain, hover on the skies, making it just a little bit darker.

They entered a secluded area, and Mel looked around to make sure there was nobody else around.

“Well, in short, I have all the information you will ever need about your opponent, but in exchange, I need you to work with me just this once,” Mel said, as she pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. It was in no way pristine, fold marks and tear marks marring its edges like it was treated without care.

“You see, I take bets from people interested, and from the looks of it,” Mel gestured to Fiora, “I think she is quite the strong newcomer. I’ll give you the information you need and some money if you win, but in exchange, of course you’ll have to win for me. That should be easy, right?”

Claire narrowed her eyes. There was an unspoken what if hanging in the air.

“Then what happens if we lose?”

“That most likely wouldn’t happen, but, that would also be my mistake, so I’ll have you refund a part of the money I have to spend by any means necessary. Easy, isn’t it?”

Mel’s expression twisted into a playful smirk.

Claire narrowed her eyes. Of course, that deal was much too good to be true without a significant catch. However, as much as she hated it, one thing was undeniable, she was neither experienced in battles, nor did she know much about the matches. For now, this was her best chance.

“Claire, what is your decision?” Fiora asked from behind her.

She looked at the side and stared at Fiora, “What would you do, Fiora? You’re doing the heavy lifting after all.”

“Your decision shall be mine as well, Claire, therefore, choose whichever option you deem best. But do remember that whichever you choose, I promise to get the most favorable outcome for the both of us,” she replied.

Claire has no idea of whether to take the answer as an attempt of reassurance, but there was no doubt that information would be useful, at least to make sure they weren’t like a fish out of water in the very first match. For now, what matters the most is to survive to learn the ropes enough in the first few matches, and Mel could provide just that if they were bold enough to take the risk.

Though there was no way Claire could pay whatever amount Mel forced her to, the rewards may as well outweigh the risks.

“I accept your deal, then.”

“Good,” Mel smiled, a more cordial one with less trace of malice this time, “Tell me your address, and I will explain everything.”

--

Days rolled by far too quickly to ignore. The three spent a few days planning out their moves, discussing the rules at large and the steps they should take.

Contrary to what they knew, the match was less of an actual death battle, and more winning by fulfilling either one of the two provided conditions. One is fulfilled by knocking out the opposing Incarnation, and the other is fulfilled by taking the provided crystalline pendant from the opposite pair. The pendant could be worn by either Incarnation or partner, though according to Mel, it was more often worn by the human partner for there was a rule against harming them directly.

Their opponents were a newcomer; however, from what Mel’s informants could gather, they were an A-rank at most.

The ranks were nothing official, but it was something made by those involved deeply with the matches for the sake of categorization. Most common Incarnation are either a B-rank or C-rank, with A-ranks being rarer and mostly entered by those with a plan. Incarnation that were overwhelmingly than others are placed into S-rank, but there was ever only one occurrence of an S-ranker.

It was from the first Clash of Incarnation’s last battle and the only time the founder of the event, Skylar Ferrophelas, decided to bring his own Incarnation to the fight as a final challenge.

Mel and the two went on their separate ways just before reaching the arena, and now, Claire and Fiora could only wait for their turn in the waiting room.

The room was decorated just like a lounge room, with a few of the contestants busy with their own. One man seemed to be busy scrolling something on his phone, while a muscular, white-haired man stared at the phone with a bit of curiosity. A chain was wrapped around the latter’s forearm, extending from his wrist and almost reaching up to his elbow.

Sensing her stare, the white-haired man glanced at her and waved with a smile. It was like he did not even bother hiding his status as an Incarnation.

Claire immediately looked away, and when he looked back at the guy, he was back to staring at the phone as if nothing has happened. Huh, that was strange.

“Claire?” Fiora squeezed her shoulder and called out.

“What? Oh-“

The short conversation was interrupted, as someone called for their names. Claire stood up, while Fiora followed, then walked to the direction pointed by the staff. They opened a double door to the side, leading to a dark tunnel.

Only the barest amounts of lights illuminate the tunnel leading to a massive door at the end of it. As the staff closed the waiting room door, Claire was made aware of the stark contrast between the places, like she was walking to a door to their doom.

A few moments later, the massive door standing across them creaked and vibrated before finally opening, letting the lights from outside into the dark tunnel.

Shouts and screams spilled in from the tunnel across, but the silence between the two of them was deafening. A few days have all but told Claire that Fiora was not the best conversation carrier, and as such, all she could do was be content with the silence.

Claire gripped the small, blue crystal pendant on her pocket until her knuckles turned white. The cold provided no comfort and even her heart beat a bit faster. She felt like her legs were glued to the stone floor.

“Are you afraid?”

Unexpectedly, Fiora walked in front of her and called out, snapping Claire out from her own thoughts.

“Ah, nothing, I just…” Claire sighed, “No, you’re right, I’m scared. The rewards and the whole thing with Mel aside, it’s nerve-wracking to be looked at by so many, you know.”

“Then, what do you have to be afraid of? The moment you stepped into my tower, I am able to judge that the current you are not guilty of anything. Come,”

Fiora took Claire’s hand before the latter could ask what she meant, pulling her gently yet firmly towards the light outside.

The arena was packed full, the whistles, screams, and chatter getting even louder the moment both stepped out into the field. Unperturbed, Fiora kept walking, before finally stopping just a little bit behind the provided short, white line on the arena ground.

Unlike Fiora, who seemed to possess an inhuman composure towards the upcoming battle, Claire glanced around the audience seats, internally regretting her choice to participate and take Mel’s offer on a whim. From what she knew of an Incarnation clash, there was a certain, undeniable awe to be felt from seeing the action on the comfort of the seats, but now that she was experiencing it from the other side, fear, the stakes, and expectation from the audience began weighing on her mind.

No.

Claire shook her head, trying to get rid of the intrusive thoughts. Her life, and by extension, Fiora’s, depended on this match. Yet again, her hand went on her pocket, feeling the small, crystalline pendant inside. The noises of her own mind drowned away the outside world, until Fiora shook her body and pointed across the place they stood on.

"-and now, from the other side! We have another newcomer. This charming gentleman, Reyvan, along with his equally charming companion, Trosker! A vastly different handler and Incarnation pair that has attracted the attention of many even before the competition! Will he grow into a star, beloved by many? Or will his early career fizzle out as soon as it started? Give us a round of applause!" The announcer shouted.

"Reyvan!"

"We love you, Reyvan!"

"Go, Reyvan!"

"Trosker!"

"Just when I thought this place wouldn't get any noisier…" Claire rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

"It certainly could, then." Fiora replied, her right hand tracing the chain tied on her wrist. "It will be starting soon, get ready."