Chapter 44: His Goal

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: Uptown City Area - Crystal Dome)

(Scene: The Crystal Dome Games continue to rage on as the excitement ceases to dwindle as the matches march forward through the bracket)

[Announcer]: AAALLLRRRIIIGGGHHHTTT!!! I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED THAT LAST MATCH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BECAUSE THIS NEXT MATCH IS GOING TO BE A REEEAAALLL SPECTACLE!!! HERE WE GO EVERYBODY, IT'S TIME TO INTRODUCE OUR NEXT COMBATANTS!!! After a message from our sponsors!

*A commercial begins to play on the large screens, it was Lady Akamiko’s father who was promoting the tournament.

[Kisuke Akamiko]: Good morning, everyone. You know, when I was a boy, me and my dad went to watch the Crystal Dome Games every year. He would get his favorite hotdog and an ice cold beer, and I would always order blueberry flavored cotton candy… I cherished these memories with my dad, and I hope you too, will do the same with your families and loved ones. But of course, you can’t forget why we celebrate these games every year…

[Kisuke Akamiko]: It is because of the men and women who sacrifice themselves to protect our homes and our well being, by devoting themselves to journeying across the farthest reaches of outer space in order to expand our kingdom and make a second home… A home away from home… So as you enjoy today's games, the cold brewed beers and the cotton candy treats, please remember the reason as to why we can enjoy these comforts.

[Kisuke Akamiko]: Lastly, all of the proceeds made by our beautiful venue concession stands and souvenir shops will be donated to our strong and proud military service members… This gives them the sheets and pillows to rest on those long cold nights, and the tools and resources they need in order to protect us from unforeseen threats… Let’s thank them for their service and thank you all for your endless support! Now then, let’s get back to the Crystal Dome Games!

[Millia Grendar]: After that last battle, I'm not sure if I can handle any more intensity. My heart is still racing after Lady Yamabushi's duel…

[Finn]: *Dreamily* Yeah... that battle was super-hot... Hopefully Baku gets to fight her too... That would be reeaall niiiiceee…

[Barrtio]: *Freaking out* Are you serious!? Dude, get your head out of your fetishes! Baku wouldn't stand a chance against her! Uhh... No offense, Mistress Cree…

*Nicolatrice, who just returned from the infirmary quietly takes a seat.

[Nicolatrice Cree]: ... Well... After that display, I'm sure Baku has been trained enough to manage against people like her... But... *Worried* ... Still…

[Princess Savannah]: *Smiling* Don't worry, mama! I'm sure Baku will do great regardless of who he comes across! Besides, he’s the World Guardian!

[Halenday Medellon]: Yes, we all know Lady Yamabushi is a highly acclaimed warrior. But we also must remain confident in Baku's skill and training with the prince. Who knows, he still may surprise us!

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Perhaps you're right…

[Mitsune Akamiko]: *Confused* But Yuri would still slaughter him if they came across each other in the games, right?

[Princess Savannah]: Yeah, we weren't denying that. We're just trying to help his mom feel a little better!

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Oooohhh, I get it! *Smiling* Baku will do great Misses Baku's mom!

[Nicolatrice Cree]: *Uugghh* ... My motherly instincts are kicking in hard right now…

*Meanwhile in the waiting room.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Meditating* ...........................

[Baku Cree]: Lady Yamabushi wins her match and immediately goes into meditation... Geez, don't bother her. She'll probably bite you…

[Prince Majorku]: The matches have been weeding out the weak... It will only get harder from here, Baku... Are you ready?

[Baku Cree]: *Confidently* As ready as I'll ever be! I need a real match to show everybody what I’m truly capable of!

[Prince Majorku]: Good, you would do well to remain vigilant... Hm? It seems the commercials are finally over… The announcer is going to call for the next competitors…

[Announcer]: AND WE'RE BACK AT THE CRYSTAL DOME GAMES LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!! IT'S TIME FOR OUR NEXT BOUT TO BEGIN! The next fighters are sure to put on a great show! Now, without further ado, let's bring them out! He's the commander of the 7th Division of the Crystal Kingdom's royal military! A proud warrior and a leader whose subordinates respect him with the highest of regards! Please give a big salute, to the great Captain Marcus Kleon!!!

[Crowd of people]: *Cheers loudly* YEEEAAAHHH!!!

*Captain Kleon appears in the stadium. His silky white hair falls way past his shoulders and almost to the tip of his cape that wraps around his purple and silver coated armor. His confident stride boasts a type of pride that only someone of his prestige could attain. Military members cheered extra loudly for one of their many captains by chanting an array of different cadences that shook the spectator stands.

[Baku Cree]: A royal captain! Geez, he must be a beast…

[Barrtio]: A captain, huh? So... is he like strong or something?

[Finn]: *Nonchalantly* Assuming military guys are anything like the first dude Baku fought, I'm not too worried about it…

[Millia Grendar]: I have a bad feeling Baku got really lucky, you guys... I've read that military officers go through a much more severe training than the enlisted members, so he may have a very wide skill set under his belt from his years of experience…

[Barrtio]: Yeah, but it's not like our military's gotten into a big war in the last forever, so how tough could he really be?

[Finn]: That's a good point dude. I get the whole tournament is in the name of those who sacrificed for us. But when I think about that, I imagine this is for those who go to deep space and warriors from thousands of years ago, you know what I mean? Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the guys on the home front, but still, they haven't exactly had a big battle to deal with in like, a long while.

[Millia Grendar]: *Sigh* I hear you guys... But the point still stands... He's a captain for a reason…

[Mikodo Danzer]: *Psh* So what, he's just some pretty boy with long white hair. I bet he thinks he's so cool, getting paid to do a whole lot of nothing!

[Mitsune Akamiko]: *Lovey Dovey* Oh baby, you're so funny!

[Announcer]: WELCOME TO THE FIELD, CAPTAIN! IT IS AN HONOR TO MEET YOU ONCE AGAIN! So, do you have anything to say to the crowd?

[Captain Kleon]: Yes... *Speaking into microphone* Let's all have a great day celebrating the lives of our friends and family, as well as our ancestors that fought to protect us for many generations!

[Crowd of people]: *Cheers loudly* YEEEAAAHHH!!!

[Baku Cree]: How patriotic... I bet he trains like crazy too, I can feel his Soul Energy all the way from here… But… I don’t know what’s the deal with it is… It feels... strange...

[Announcer]: ALRIGHT! LET'S NOT KEEP YOU WAITING ANYMORE FOLKS! HIS OPPONENT, A FAN FAVORITE IN THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET! A HIGHLY REVERED WARRIOR WHO IS SURE TO MAKE EVERY MAN ALIVE JEALOUS AND EVERY GIRL GO WILD!!! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, INTRODUCING, HIS ROYALTY, PRINCE MAJORKU CREEEE!!!!!!!

[Crowd of people]: *Cheers loudly* YEEEAAAHHH!!!

[Baku Cree]: *Shocked* Majorku's gonna fight him!

[Prince Majorku]: ......... *Exits waiting room headed for the arena*

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* I finally get to watch my bro fight! This is gonna be epic!

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ...............

*All of the women in the crowd scream when Prince Majorku appears on the field.

[Barrtio]: Holy crap, it's the prince’s turn to pop off!

[Finn]: This is gonna be crazy!

[Millia Grendar]: I wonder how the royal prince fights in battle?

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Alright! One hot match after another!

[Halenday Medellon]: Let's hope we get everything we want from this fight. Are you excited to watch your big brother, princess?

[Princess Savannah]: I am... but…

[Halenday Medellon]: Oh, that’s right... I totally forgot about that…

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Forgot about what?

[Halenday Medellon]: You see, madame…

[Captain Kleon]: Prince Majorku... It seems that gods of fate destined you to face me today... I trust you've been doing well?

[Prince Majorku]: Yes, that I have... And it seems they did indeed…

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* This guy’s Soul Energy is so weird... He's hiding something, but I just can’t figure out what?

[Captain Kleon]: Good, I'm glad to see you decided to make a return to the games after your display last year...

[Prince Majorku]: I always intended to participate in the event. I love a good competition, so I'd never miss an opportunity like this, seeing as it only comes once a year. Also, this go around is a little special.

[Captain Kleon]: Is it really?

[Prince Majorku]: Yes, I intended to meet someone in the finals…

[Captain Kleon]: That's assuming you make it that far.

[Prince Majorku]: I will. Because I've been training…

[Captain Kleon]: Have you now? So... do you think you will beat me... this time?

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* This time!? Wait... you don't mean…

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: How do you think our son will suffice?

[King Jeremiah Cree]: I will always believe in his strength... It is up to him to be confident with his training... I almost wish Captain Kleon wasn't his first opponent…

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: Are you afraid he will lose?

[King Jeremiah Cree]: No, the prince never fails... twice…

[Princess Savannah]: Captain Kleon is the man that defeated my brother last year in the final round of the tournament…

[Barrtio and Finn]: *Freaking out* No way!?

[Millia Grendar]: So that means the prince’s gone toe to toe with a royal captain!? He must be crazy strong if he was able to hold his own against such a seasoned warrior!

[Princess Savannah]: The defeat really changed him... It was unlike anything I've ever seen before. Watching my brother go through a depression phase like that, was sickening to say the least... He wouldn't leave the training simulator for days at a time... I just hope his training revolved around a plan to overcome the wall in him that is the 7th Division Commander…

[Halenday Medellon]: *Smiling* I'm confident that he can do it!

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Yeah, there's nothing to worry about! Besides, he has us cheering him on from here!

[Princess Savannah]: Perhaps you're right... I guess we'll just have to watch and find out…

[Captain Kleon]: So, if what you say is true… Then, your training should have prepared you for this… Re-evaluation, of sorts...Now then, are you ready to prove your worth to the mightiest military in the galaxy, Prince Majorku!?

[Prince Majorku]: ... *Equips dual arm blade attachments* ... Yes... Let's begin our rematch, shall we?

[Announcer]: ALRIGHT!!! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!!

[Crowd of people]: *Cheers loudly* YEEEAAAHHH!!!

*DING! DING! DING!

*The fight begins with the captain drawing his platinum long blade and dashes towards the prince at high speed, launching a wide slash towards Majorku. However, he catches it between the blades of his weapon with what looked like confidence and little hesitation, much to the officer's surprise it seems.

*The young warrior rapidly pummels Captain Kleon to the side of his body where his fancy armor wasn't fully covering with multiple fierce jabs with his available arm. The prince then shoves Captain Kleon off of him with a hard kick square in the chest sending him across the stage, however he lands on his feet.

[Captain Kleon]: *Intrigued* Hmm... Last time, that attacked landed... You've even managed to crack my armor with that kick, Prince Majorku! And after I just got it shined for this occassion...

*Before he can react, Majorku appears directly in front of him in a flash and begins an assault of multiple backswing cuts and slices in the form of a twirling dance, a battle style unique to his weapon choice. Captain Kleon attempts to block the attacks with his gilded blade, but the way the prince moves allows every slash to come from a different direction.

*Thus, forcing his opponent to constantly guess where to defend himself. Finally, the captain gains some footing and unleashes a spin attack that forces Majorku away from him. The prince ends his assault, planning his next move.

[Prince Majorku]: ...... *Thinking to himself* What is he doing?

[Millia Grendar]: *Amazed* The prince fights so elegantly!

[Barrtio]: Yeah, this is a real show!

[Finn]: If he keeps this up, he'll have this match in the bag!

[Baku Cree]: ... Bro…

[Halenday Medellon]: The prince is doing well so far...

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Let’s see him go all the way!

[Princess Savannah]: Hmm…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: ..........

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: .........

[Captain Kleon]: Hmm... Yes... Yes, milord! I can tell you've been training intensely since last year! How you’ve grown so much in such a short time is beyond my comprehension! This is going to be a great battle! NOW HAVE AT THEE!!!

*Captain Kleon begins a raid of rapid thrust from a long range that Majorku proceeds to dodge swiftly. However, he has trouble finding an opening to attack the military warrior.

[Baku Cree]: This guy is tough, but I still can't pin what he's hiding! If this continues, the battle will begin to tilt in its favorability…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: .........

[Announcer]: WOW! JUST LOOK AT THAT MOVEMENT COMING FROM THE PRINCE! HE'S DODGING ALL OF CAPTAIN KLEON'S ATTACKS LIKE THEY'RE COMING FROM A MILE AWAY! HOWEVER, WILL HE BE ABLE TO START HIS OWN OFFENSIVE!?

*Suddenly, Majorku manages to dash through a retracting thrust and closes in on his opponent landing a rising slice attack clear across his now exposed chest.

[Captain Kleon]: *Ugh* !!!

[Announcer]: PRINCE MAJORKU LANDS A HIT SENDING HIS OPPONENT FLYING ACROSS THE STADIUM!!!

[Baku Cree]: Haha! Nice!

[Barrtio and Finn]: *Cheering* BAAAYUUUM!!!

[Millia Grendar]: That looked like it hurt!

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Now we’re getting somewhere!

[Halenday Medellon]: Five minutes left on the clock…

[Princess Savannah]: ...

[Captain Kleon]: ............ Hm... So, I've drawn blood… That’s one instant more than you did me last time...

[Prince Majorku]: *Shouting* What are you waiting for!? I know you’re holding back on me, captain! Quit playing around and show me your true strength already!

[Captain Kleon]: ............ hehe... Hahaha!!! Prince Majorku! I'm impressed at your growth! You've truly evolved! I'm actually having a lot of fun during this rematch of ours! Aaahhh, it's been such a long time since I had a real duel! How ironic that it was you who gave me said rush!!! ... *Sigh* ... Very well then, if you insist on making me give you my full strength, then I shall... For you, my prince…

[Prince Majorku]: …

[King Jeremiah Cree]: This is it…

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: Get ready, my child…

[Princess Savannah]: It's coming…

[Millia Grendar]: What's coming?

[Halenday Medellon]: Feast your eyes, milady…

[Barrtio and Finn]: *Nervous* Uhhh…

[Captain Kleon]: Now then, let me show you how a true warrior fights!

*Suddenly, the captain reveals a pendant hidden within his armor, with a small crystal attached.

[Baku Cree]: *Shocked* What the!?

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Is that a--!?

[Princess Savannah]: Prepare yourselves…

[Captain Kleon]: NOW BEHOLD, MY CLONE-CLONE CRYSTAL!!!

*Captain Kleon begins to emits a whitish gray aura and the crystal around his neck begins to glow brightly.

[Baku Cree]: !!! His Soul Energy is rising like crazy! What the hell is going on!?

[Millia Grendar]: What is this sense I'm feeling? It's almost crushing…

[Princess Savannah]: Stay calm, Millia... It will end shortly…

[Barrtio and Finn]: *Freaking out* This is insaaaneee!!!

[Captain Kleon]: ARE YOU READY, PRINCE MAJORKU!? BE FAMILIARIZED WITH MY SOUL ENERGY!!!

*A flash of light radiates from the crystal around the captain's neck. Suddenly, a total of 10 life-like images of the military officer begin to appear surrounding the prince who is unfazed. The squadron of warriors all face Majorku, weapons drawn and eager to engage him with confident looks on their faces.

[Prince Majorku]: .........

[Baku Cree]: I can’t believe this... This dude has a freakin’ crystal!?

[Barrtio and Finn]: WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ANIME SHIT!?

[Millia Grendar]: Oh, my Goddess! He’s generated clones of himself!?

[Nicolatrice Cree]: What is this magic!?

[Princess Savannah]: This isn't magic, milady... This is what people like Baku, Yuri and the Prince refer to as Soul Energy…

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Soul Energy? So, is the crystal that man has equipped similar to Baku's?

[Princess Savannah]: Not quite... You see, I’ve been told that the crystal around Baku's neck is one of the fifteen Eternia Crystals... That set is capable of granting the user the powers of the universe... The crystal Captain Kleon is using, isn't one of those fifteen, but instead a Lesser Crystal, one of hundreds if not thousands of crystals artificially created with a special ability within it.

[Millia Grendar]: So... It's fake?

[Princess Savannah]: It is actually very real, Lady Millia. A Lesser Crystal is essentially a power source that draws strength from the users Soul Energy in order to activate its special ability. This is similar to how Baku's Aventurine Crystal works, however, they are set to a specific skill as opposed to a vast range of techniques like my little brother will be able to do... But that is not to go without saying that with years of training and experience such as a military captains, can the usage of such a crystal be a truly decisive tool in any match. That being said, I truly do hope the prince is prepared this time around to fight off Captain Kleon and his clones…

[Prince Majorku]: .........

[Captain Kleon]: *in unison* Now then, my prince... I hope you're ready... EN GARDE!!!

*All ten of Captain Kleon's clones simultaneously attack Prince Majorku with slashes and thrusts from all directions as he tries to dodge and defend himself. The prince is light on his feet as he tries to dodge the attacks successfully, by weaving through the blades.

*However, the clones offensive becomes more and more aggressive as time passes and they begin to implement trickery and false tactics into their battle strategy by feinting attacks and attempting to fake out Majorku.

[Baku Cree]: I can't believe what I'm looking at... How can a crystal like that exist and belong to someone like him!? How did he even obtain something like that!?

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: …

[Barrtio]: I still can't wrap my head around what's happening!

[Finn]: I swear, I never knew anything like this ever existed!

[Princess Savannah]: I know it may come off as mind boggling... Especially for commoners as young as you two are... But, welcome to the world we live in... These are the kind of battles Baku will have to deal with on the planet below as the World Guardian…

[Millia Grendar]: I can't believe this... I wish there was something we could do to help Baku on his adventure… *She says this as she lightly touches the stitching done on the doll's eye button*

[Nicolatrice Cree]: *Worried* .........

[Prince Majorku]: *Struggling* .........

[Captain Kleon]: *in unison* What's the matter, Prince Majorku? Are you having trouble fighting all of us!? Why don't you show us your training? We were under the impression that you've gotten better! Were we wrong!?

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: Majorku is having trouble counteracting the power of the Clone-Clone Crystal… Just as similar as the last time he was made to go against Captain Kleon...

[King Jeremiah Cree]: He'll have to figure something out, or he may face defeat again…

[Captain Kleon]: *in unison* Perhaps we should just end this right here and now! Hahaha! How disappointing! We were really hoping for a great battle! Ah well, I guess you simply aren't ready to lead me or my soldiers! You'll never be a great warrior like your father! I SUPPOSE IT'S TIME TO END THIS!!! NOW ALL AT ONCE: STRIKE FROM ALL ANGLES, AND FALL ASUNDER! MULTI- DIRECTIONAL CAVALRY SPEAR!!!

*In unison, each clone thrust powerfully straight through the prince slashing and tearing him and piercing his armor. It shattered, revealing his skin and inflicting deep wounds all over his body spilling blood all around him.

[Prince Majorku]: *UUAAGGHH* !!!!!!

[Baku Cree]: HOLY CRAP!!!

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ...!?

[Nicolatrice Cree]: *Gasp* !!!

[Halenday Medellon]: Ugh... How utterly painful that must be…

[Millia Grendar]: Ooohh... that's just gotta hurt!

[Barrtio and Finn]: IT WAS ANOTHER SUPER SPECIAL ATTACK!!!

[Princess Savannah]: It's that damned attack again... How blood curdling that scream was…

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Is he dead again?

[Halenday Medellon]: Let's see…

*The prince, still standing silently covered in blood keeps his composure. The entire crowd is shocked into quietness at the fierce battle they're watching.

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: My son…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: .........

[Prince Majorku]: ......*breathing heavily* ......... *begins to shake* ............... I... can't…

*The prince begins to fall. Everybody watches in absolute muteness.

[Baku Cree]: *Shocked* ...No... bro…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Thinking to herself* My prince! Don't you dare even think of losing! You're supposed to face me in the finals, remember!? If you go down now, I'll never forgive you!

*Suddenly, the prince stops his falling by forcing out his knee to a bend, clenching his teeth hard together.

[Prince Majorku]: !!!

[Everybody]: !!!!!!!!!

[Captain Kleon]: So, you're still standing? Hm... How interesting… Have you been training your endurance, Prince Majorku?

[Prince Majorku]: ........ I... can't... lose... I promised to meet someone in the finals... And I'd disappoint them if I lost my first match of the tournament…

[Captain Kleon]: That's admirable, I guess... But look around you... You're outnumbered and nearly dead! There's only two minutes left on the clock for this match. If you don't give up, neither of us will win! Are you that foolish as to not know when to quit!? That isn’t a good sign of a leader...

[Prince Majorku]: *Smirks* If I quit now, I'll have given up on my goal of leading my father's kingdom alongside him... I'd rather die alone and be forgotten... before I give up on my own... or anyone else's dream!

[Captain Kleon]: ...Was that your attempt at being inspirational? Hehehe… Very well then, let me grant you your wish... I'm sorry, but you still can't make the cut... Try again in about fifteen years, Prince Majorku... NOW THEN, ALL TOGETHER NOW!!! STRIKE FROM ALL ANGLES, AND DIE IN OBSCURITY!!!

*All ten clones prepare to finish the prince in a final strike coming from all directions.

[Prince Majorku]: ......... *Deeply inhales* ... Focus...Listen to the voice of the soul… And the sounds of the universe… A total of ten enemies threaten me… But I only have one to defeat… Don’t listen to the distractions… They only mislead you from your goals… I have but a single objective… And that is to be a leader! I see it now, my training has lead me to this... My target... Is you!

*The prince focuses his Soul Energy into his Dual Arm blades and observes the power coming from the clones that surround him. Majorku opens his eyes and quickly turns around facing one of the 10 warriors. He glares at Captain Kleon with eyes that looked deep into one's entire being, in a way in whoms facial expression suddenly goes from dangerously eager, to horribly frightened. The royal lunges forward in the blink of an eye and slices through one of the clones with an armor cutting slash. The rest of them with stunned looks on their faces, disappear in a flash of light.

[Captain Kleon]: *Pained* Wh-what the... H-how did... you hit m-me!?

[Prince Majorku]: You're a great warrior and leader. You're also quite the speaker... When you get caught up in your ego, you like to rant and sound as if you're the greatest officer who ever fought in my military... Which is annoying… However, your belittling of me simply let me find out which of your clones were really you, because you stopped speaking at the same time. This allowed me plenty of time to focus in on your Soul Energy, and cut it in half with a powerful attack of my own... Allowing me to land the critical blow that surprised you so well, right in that sensitive spot I created earlier with my kick. So I guess I should thank you, for being such a pain in my ass...

[Captain Kleon]: So... That was... your strategy? Or... was it just... lucky?

[Prince Majorku]: *Sigh* ...I'm not even going to lie to you... It was definitely both…

[Captain Kleon]: Hehehe... Well, I can't argue with that... *Cough* It was well deserved…

[Prince Majorku]: Next time we fight... It will be for real with no time limits or restrictions…

[Captain Kleon]: Very well then... I'll be waiting for you…*Smirks* In the barracks... *Falls to his knees.

*DING! DING! DING!

[Announcer]: *Speaking into microphone* The... The prince wins! PRINCE MAJORKU CREE DEFEATS 7TH DIVISION CAPTAIN KLEON IN A TRULY HEART GRABBING REMATCH!!!

[Crowd of people]: *Cheers loudly* YEEEAAAHHH!!!

[Baku Cree]: Alright!

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Blushing* .........

[Barrtio and Finn]: *Cheering* That was sooo awesome!

[Millia Grendar]: *Sigh* That was ridiculous…

[Halenday Medellon]: Looks like our handsome prince managed to pull it off... *Smiles flirtingly* I'm impressed…

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Now all of our friends have made it to quarter-finals!

[Princess Savannah]: *Siigghh* I'm sooo over this... My soul feels like it's going to be ripped from my chest!

[Nicolatrice Cree]: That was... incredible... Has Baku been trained to fight like that as well?

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: He did it... The prince overcame his wall…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Yes... It seems he did... However... He doesn't seem as pleased as he should…

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: *Sigh* The prince is never content with himself... He'll be training himself endlessly whether he wins this tournament or not…

*Majorku appears in the waiting room after recovering from his battle.

[Baku Cree]: Bro! That was incredible! You looked like such a beast with your arm swords and everything!

[Prince Majorku]: *Smiling* Hehe... Thanks, Baku. Though, I wish I performed a little better, my execution for a lot of my attacks were sloppy... I really shouldn't have won that one.

[Baku Cree]: Why do you monsters always sell yourselves short!? You're gods compared to me and I get happy if I pass a stinkin’ math test!

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ... Congratulations on making it to quarter-finals... Especially you, Hero Boy... I'm surprised that first wimp didn't slaughter you…

[Baku Cree]: Aw, gimme a break! I saw you struggling too!

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Annoyed* What are you talking about!? No, I wasn't!

[Prince Majorku]: Haha! Well, the important thing is now we each have a higher chance of meeting each other in battle. So now the fights will get even more interesting!

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Yes, surely I'll meet one of you two…

[Baku Cree]: Ah geez, I don't know if I'm feeling excited or nervous... I think I'm gonna get sick.

*Baku observes the screen showing the remaining contestants of the tournament. Now only 25 fighters remained.

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* The prince, Lady Yamabushi, freakin Julio, and myself. Us and a couple of jobbers are the only ones remaining before the finals. It's about to be only the best of the best very soon…