Chapter 46: Clash of Royals

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

(Scene: The Crystal Dome Games enter the second round of Quarter-Finals)

[Barrtio]: I can’t believe Baku’s made it to the finals!

[Finn]: I can’t believe Baku put Dumbass Julio Avarez out of commission! That was freakin' incredible! Unlike anything I’ve never seen before! And it’s about time too, if you ask me!

[Barrtio]: I know right!? First, he was all like, “Bam!” Then he was like, “BOSH!” And I was like, “AH!!!” And then we were like, “YAAAY!!!”

[Leonidas Quark]: … Wow… that was … absolutely… otherworldly! Is Baku really a super hero like in the comics!?

[Millia Grendar]: I’m so happy Baku’s overcome his wall… But…

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Hm? What is it, Lady Millia?

[Finn]: Yeah! Baku’s going to the final round! What is there to “but” about?

[Millia Grendar]: Well… perhaps it’s the fact that whoever wins this next round is also going to be meeting Baku in the finals…

[Barrtio]: Uhhh… Who’s fighting who?

[Announcer]: LADIEEESSS AND GENTLEMEEEEN!!! THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH WILL MEET THE WORLD GUARDIAN, BAKU CREE, IN THE FINALS OF THE TOURNAMENT!!! SO, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO! LET’S INTRODUCE OUR COMPETITORS!!! UNDEFEATED IN THE TOURNAMENT AND AT KENDO, PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR, LADY AYURIELLI YAMABUSHI!!!

[Crowd of People]: *Cheering loudly* YYYEEEAAAHHH!!!

[Yamabushi Clan]: *Cheering loudly* LET'S GO YURI!!! MAKE YOUR FAMILY PROUD!!! HUUAAHH!!!

*Ayurielli appears in the stadium as stoic as ever. Her wounds from the previous battle were healed and bandaged, and her armor was cleaned and repaired as well.

[Barrtio]: Oh crap! It’s her!?

[Finn]: Who’s she gonna fight!?

[Princess Savannah]: *Smiles flirtingly* There she is…

[Halenday Medellon]: Lady Yamabushi is just brimming with confidence! Oh, there you are Lady Akamiko. You’re just in time for the match!

[Princess Savannah]: Ready to watch our Yuri-chan fight?

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Hm? Oh… Yeah...

[Barrtio]: Lady… Akamiko…?

[Announcer]: AND NOW, LET’S INTRODUCE HER OPPONENT! DISPLAYING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SKILL AND IMPROVEMENT IN REGARD TO LAST YEAR, THE RESPECT HE DEMANDS IS UNMATCHED BY ANY OTHER IN THE KINGDOM! LADIES, MAKE SOME NOISE FOR, HIS HIGHNESS, PRINCE MAJORKU CREEEE!!!

[Crowd of People]: *Cheering loudly* YYYEEEAAAHHH!!!

*Prince Majorku appears on the stadium. He as well had bandages covering his old wounds, but his armor was replaced with a new coat of royal silver.

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

[Barrtio and Finn]: SHE’S GONNA FIGHT THE PRINCE!?!?!?

[Millia Grendar]: Oh, wow! Who would’ve saw this coming? Then again, they are some of the strongest in the kingdom!

[Halenday Medellon]: Looks like our little girl is going to have to cross blades with her love…

[Princess Savannah]: This is going to be the most exciting match of the night… And after this, the winner gets to fight Baku…

[Mitsune Akamiko]: … *Thinking to herself* … Baku…

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: This is going to be a legendary battle… How do you think the prince will fair against an undefeated warrior?

[King Jeremiah Cree]: I hope his training prepared him for the monster that is Lady Yamabushi… A duel between two fearless warriors will not end pretty and clean…

[Ms. Cardell]: *In awe* Wow... Has the prince gotten taller since he graduated from the High University?

[Mr. Yarish]: I think his muscles have gotten bigger...

[Guidance Counselor Mrs. Alina]: *Blushing* Yes... That's definitely it indeed...

[Mr. Yarish]: Whoa, Mrs. Alina! You're as red as a tomato! You feelin' okay?

[Guidance Counselor Mrs. Alina]: Wh-what do you mean? I'm fine... *Vigorously sips green tea lemonade*

[Mr. Yarish]: Uh-huh... Hey barkeep, I think we're gonna need refills for the ladies here!

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* The prince… The strongest guy I know… Going up against Lady Yamabushi… The strongest girl I know… This is going to be what a real battle looks like… I have to pay attention to every little thing that happens throughout the duration of this duel and download it, so that I can make their skills and habits my own...

[Prince Majorku]: … Lady Yamabushi…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … Prince Majorku…

[Prince Majorku]: I’m glad that our wishes were granted by meeting each other here on the battlefield… I feel like the gods of destiny truly wished for us to cross blades today… Now, we will finally find out the answer to the age old question, of which of us is the better warrior.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … I must admit, there were many instances in this tournament that I thought you wouldn’t make here…

[Prince Majorku]: *Chuckles* Yes, you are correct. I shan’t lie… My battle against Captain Kleon failed to turn out exactly as I anticipated… I almost thought that my training actually fell short of me…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ………

[Prince Majorku]: However, at the moment where I thought I was sure to fail… I heard a voice…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … Did you really…?

[Prince Majorku]: Yes, it was a familiar sounding voice… But it called to me in such a way that forced me not to fall in defeat… And allowed me to win that battle.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: That’s really nice, your majesty…

[Prince Majorku]: I’m still not sure what it was… But now I’m confident to not only win this fight. But the entire tournament as well.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … *Smiles softly* …

[Prince Majorku]: I hope you find it in you to give me your full absolute strength… Though I’m sure you will…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: That I shall…

[Prince Majorku]: Good… Then let us give the Kingdom of Xeria, along with both of our Royal Families, a truly marvelous display!

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … *Knods* … *clenches and slowly rotates katana*

[Announcer]: AAALLLRRRIIIGGGHHHTTT!!! THIS IS GONNA BE A GREAT MATCH!!! START THE TIMER AND… BEGIN!!!

[Crowd of People]: *Cheering loudly* YYYEEEAAAHHH!!!

*In a flash, the two warriors disappear and begin to move at sonic speeds while striking and countering each other with their weapons.

[Millia Grendar]: *Uugghh* They’re doing that super-fast thing again… I think I’m gonna get dizzy...

[Barrtio]: This kind of fighting is just ridiculous… Will Baku be able to do this kind of stuff?

[Finn]: I think the better question to ask is if he will even survive a fight against the winner of this match… Baku’s a tough kid, but these guys are on a different calibur entirely...

[Nicolatrice Cree]: My goodness… This duel alone is unlike anything we’ve seen all day…

[Halenday Medellon]: Lady Yamabushi has been training for this battle all year. I’m sure that she couldn’t be happier crossing blades with the one she loves.

[Princess Savannah]: She may be finding herself in intense combat with the man she admires the most in the entire kingdom… However, take a closer look… Normally, whenever Yuri-chan comes around the prince, she gets adorably flustered and lost in her emotions that she does so well to hide amongst other people… But now, the look in her eyes… It’s that of a warrior… She’s set her feelings aside and now unsheathes her blade with the intent to defeat her opponent in order to bring honor to her clan.

*The fighters continue their dance of steel as they read, predict, and anticipate each other’s movements and attacks. However, neither warrior fails to give the other an edge over them. Lady Yamabushi has yet to cut the Prince who guards himself perfectly with the defensive side of his Dual Arm blades.

*But the Prince also has failed to land a single blow on his target who counters and parry’s each of his strikes by focusing her Soul Energy to track the movements of the opposing royal.

*The battle between the two warriors remains to be at a stalemate because neither of the fighters are slowing down, but instead greatly respecting eachother by refusing to overreach in landing an attack attempt onto their opponent.

*It is like watching a game of chess, where the king and the queen was strategically conditioning their foe to make mistakes, but yet they were just as quickly adapting and learning.

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: The extremity of this battle increases by the minute… If it last too long someone might get hurt…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: I’m sure they’re aware of what’s at stake… Whether it be personal or not, I know that both of these warriors have goals they are trying very hard to achieve… This battle is simply going to boil down to who wants it more than the other…

[Announcer]: ARE YOU SEEING WHAT I’M SEEING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!? BECAUSE THESE TWO WARRIORS ARE MOVING SO FAST THAT I CAN’T SEE A THING! THIS BATTLE IS GETTING HOTTER AND HOTTER BY THE SECOND!

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* Ah geez, what the hell am I watching!? This single battle is more ridiculous than the one Lady Yamabushi had against her rival and Prince Majorku throwing it down with Captain Kleon combined! I have to fight one of these two… If this is how true warriors fight, when I get to the planet below, I have to be just as fast and instinctive as these two… This battle’s just begun… I still have no chance of telling who’s going to come out on top…

*With a loud clash of steel, the two warriors finally come to a pause as there are now 5 minutes left on the clock. The entire crowd watches in silence amazed by the acts of superhuman feats being done right before their eyes.

*Majorku begins to catch his breath, and Lady Yamabushi stares at him with barely even a sweat broken, simply waiting for him to make another move. The first battle between the royals has very well may have proven to be the most challenging of eachother lives.

[Prince Majorku]: … *pant* … *pant* …

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ………………

[Halenday Medellon]: Magnificent, isn’t it, Princess?

[Princess Savannah]: *Smiles Flirtingly* Mmhmm… I'm very impressed in my babygirl's performance...

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: How interesting…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Indeed…

[Nicolatrice Cree]: This is… incredible…

[Barrtio and Finn]: *in awe* This is sooo anime…

[Millia Grendar]: This is still far from over…

[Prince Majorku]: … Lady Yamabushi…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ……… Hm?

[Prince Majorku]: You’re not getting tired, are you?

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Of course not, your majesty… How about you?

[Prince Majorku]: Hehe… I wouldn’t dare not give you my 100%, milady! You’d never forgive me, would you?

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ……… *Smiles softly* … Yes, that is correct, milord…

[Baku Cree]: There’s that ultra-rare smile again…

[Prince Majorku]: *Sigh* … Well, it seems that it is time for us to really display to each other the fruit our separate training has harvested… And share it with the Crystal Kingdom.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … Very well then…

*Suddenly, a light purple aura begins to radiate from Lady Yamabushi and a grayish aura comes off from Prince Majorku. The ground begins to shake as the stadium and the spectators begin to get affected by the crushing Soul Energy coming from the two royals.

*Rumbling was even felt all the way in the sports bar where the teachers watched, they had to lift their drinks from the table they sat to ensure they didn't get spilt. The power is so ferocious, that broken pieces of the battlefield that was left over from previous battles began to levitate from the floor.

[Barrtio and Finn]: OOOHHH MYYY GOD!!!

[Millia Grendar]: *Ugh* This is even worse than before!

[Nicolatrice Cree]: This weight is entirely way too overwhelming!

[Halenday Medellon]: Now the real battle begins…

[Princess Savannah]: Let’s see if Lady Yamabushi has it in her to cut down her love…

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* Holy crap… They’re finally going to show off their full strength… The Soul Energy coming from them combined is massive!

[Announcer]: HOLD ONTO YOUR SEATS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THIS BATTLE HAS THREE MINUTES REMAINING AND THESE TWO BEASTS DO NOT INTEND TO LOSE!!!

[Prince Majorku]: Now then… Let’s begin.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ………..

*The two warriors once again begin to move at sonic speeds, so seemlessly that it was as if they always had the potential to. The only thing untrained viewers can see are blurs and streams of purple and gray light dashing and striking across the stage.

*Sparks of energy burst out in bright flares each time the Soul Energy charged metal of their blades make contact. However, trained warriors can very clearly see the combat that is unfolding, no matter how fast the two warriors move.

*Lady Yamabushi ferociously slashes and bashes at the perfect shield that is Prince Majorku who continues block, counter, and deflect her attacks. The royal prince, despite his better interest, is forced to duel at her pace; as the young and beautiful samurai, in her practical yet relentless assault, ensures that he cannot make a move to advance his effort.

*Her katana, gripped tightly with both hands and whose steel is sharp enough to split a thread of hair evenly, causes the stadium to quake as it clashes against twin long blades equipped to the pair of mechanical bracers secured to the opponent's muscular arms. Whom which swings with such strength that a singular blow of direct contact would greatly shift the odds. She avoids it, keeping the beast whom she loves caged in submission.

*Majorku fails again and again to cut down the battle maiden whose instinctual style of combat is always changing and adapting to the current situation. Ayurielli dances around Majorku's attacks in such a swift manner, it would look like she was mimicking the movements of water against smooth stone downstream a riverbank.

*The attacks have gotten evermore powerful and focused, searching for weak points, openings or flaws. All armor that was previously made anew is continually getting torn off as each hit lands more frequently, but neither warrior flinches.

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: Well, my king. I believe that it is safe to say that this battle now has the most impressive amount of Soul Energy dispurst throughout its length. Certainly, when compared to Baku's previous bout.

[King Jeremiah Cree]: *Knods* Indeed... But this is to be expected... We are watching the two most disciplined in the kingdom test themselves after all. This is simply a performance review... However, the battle is approaching its climax with only one minute remaining…

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: If one of the fighters don’t become announced the victor very soon… They will both be disqualified…I heavily doubt that will be the case, but…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: *Chuckles* There's just no signs of them showing fatigue.

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: *Smiles softly* Yes, exactly...

*The entire crowd continues to watch in absolute astonishment. The battle occurring before them all is the personification of the honor and tradition that the Crystal Dome Games serves to celebrate the lives of the men and women who protect the Crystal Kingdom throughout history and the across the galaxy. A testament to what it means to be strong in this world of warriors.

[Baku Cree]: *In Awe* … This is insane… Am I really supposed to be as strong as these two as the World Guardian? If that’s the case, how the hell do I get to that level!?

[Yamabushi Clan]: *Cheering Loudly* C’MON YURI!!! YURI! YURI! YURI!

[Wild Bison Yamabushi]: …Hmm…

[Princess Savannah]: *Thinking to herself* …Lady… Yamabushi…

[Prince Majorku]: *Thinking to himself* She is incredible… Lady Yamabushi refuses to slow down even a little… Wow, color me impressed… Not that I should be surprised by my little sister’s best friend and protector…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Thinking to herself* The prince is the greatest warrior in the kingdom… He is loved and respected by many, and intends to lead us into battles against enemies near and far in the future… He is also the man I love and the sibling of my closest friend… Despite all of that… My family holds more onto me… In the name of my clan, my father… and my mother… I refuse to lose this fight!

*Suddenly, the two warriors reappear becoming visible to the audience. Their clothes and armor are torn, tattered, shredded and dripping with blood and sweat. There is now less than minute remaining on the timer.

[Announcer]: *Speaking into microphone* L-ladies and gentlemen… This battle is approaching its finish… However, neither fighter is showing signs of giving up… I think they are going to keep fighting till the bitter end!

*The entire crowd stares in complete silence full of great anticipation for the result of the battle between the two royals.

[Prince Majorku]: … *panting* … *panting* …

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: ………………

[Barrtio]: This fight… It’s a lot deeper than we’re seeing, isn’t it?

[Finn]: I feel like we’re witnessing the power of gods right now…

[Millia Grendar]: I know there has to be a winner… But… At this point, after all of this time… I can’t bear to see a loser…

[Nicolatrice Cree]: ………

[Baku Cree]: *Thinking to himself* I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now… This entire battle has been nothing but 100% from the both of them for the last ten minutes… I always knew Lady Yamabushi was a beast, especially from what I’ve seen she’s capable of in gym class at school … And I had no doubt she would win every fight she came across… However, I know for a fact the Prince does nothing but train… He is literally the perfect warrior… Oh man… There’s only a minute left… Somebody has to win now…

*The entire Yamabushi clan stares in awe at the performance of their youngest sister.

[Wild Bison Yamabushi]: *Thinking to himself* … Moon Lotus… My youngest daughter… You fight and train the fiercest of all of your siblings… Your Soul Energy resembles your mothers the most out of the entire clan… Ever since she passed away, you devoted yourself to her teachings so that you may master her battle style… Your potential seems limitless as you are always evolving and aiming to improve yourself… The fighting spirit you display is never ending and your drive is matched by no other in our clan or kingdom…

[Wild Bison Yamabushi]: The honor and pride you aim to bring to your family, is a true reflection of the courageous young woman you’ve grown to be… It is this reason alone that I believe the fateful day where you met and befriended the Princess, is the day you found who you truly want to protect … This is why the royal prince was an excellent opponent for you to truly let loose and bring out the warrior that been reserved within you as you train in the dojo… You may finally prove to the kingdom whom our clan protects, that you are worthy of the title of champion and royal protector...

*Wild Bison looks up to where the King and Queen sit. The two bond brothers make eye contact with each other, smile and knod.

[Mitsune Akamiko]: *Worried* … Oh, Yuri-chan…

[Halenday Medellon]: … Lady Yamabushi…

[Princess Savannah]: *Thinking to herself* … Ayurielli… Prove that your loyalty to me goes beyond your own life, and cut down the man you love… In the name of your clan and myself…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Thinking to herself* … My brothers… My sisters… Hally… Miko… Princess… Father… and Mother… I promised that I will eliminate anyone who stands in the way of your goals, threatens your well being and poses as a block in my quest to become the strongest warrior in the clan and the kingdom… Unfortunately, the wall that faces me today is the man I love… My prince… I’m sorry, but it is my destiny that I defeat you today… I hope you forgive me… But this battle ends here…

[Prince Majorku]: *Deeply inhales* This is the last of my energy… I will use it to win this fight… Lady Yamabushi, you were an excellent opponent… You deserve nothing less than my absolute respect… But now, if one of us don’t submit… Then we both shall lose this battle… However, I refuse to lose this fight, as do you as well… So, let’s put all of our strength on the table… in one final attack…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … As you wish…

*Suddenly, the Soul Energy radiating from both warriors begins to increase rapidly and is felt by everybody in the stadium.

[Baku Cree]: This is it…

[Barrtio and Finn]: Oh man…

[Millia Grendar]: Brace yourselves…

[Nicolatrice Cree]: ………

[Halenday Medellon]: Be careful, milady…

[Mitsune Akamiko]: Please, Yuri-chan… I know you can do it...

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: This was a duel worthy to be written in history…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: The battle will end here… Good luck to you, Wild Bison…

[Wild Bison Yamabushi]: She’s going to attempt her secret technique… Yamabushi clan, give your sister your energy!

[Yamabushi Clan]: *Cheering Loudly* C’MON YURI!!! WIN THIS FIGHT!!!

[Princess Savannah]: *Thinking to herself* Do it, Yuri… Defeat my brother in the name of me, and your mother…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Thinking to herself* Yes, Princess… I shall decimate my opponent for you… regardless of whom it may be… *Deeply inhales* Witness my mother’s attack… *clenches katana* Moonlight Tiger…

*Suddenly, a bright white aura begins to shroud Ayurielli in a cloak of light. Her black katana is charged up with Soul Energy, causing its steel to gleam with the glow of the moon, doubling in length as the hilt begins to shake and growl as if it's become alive. Yuri's mother, who was legendarily called Crescentmoon Monsoon, famously trained many in their clans' dojo. However, there was one lesson that was kept a secret even to her own family and husband, until in her will was revealed to gift them once she passed.

*For she believed the ancient technique she mastered was far more powerful than she intended it to be, so she proclaimed that this attack may only be awakened when the living planet needed it most for its protection. It was hidden away in a sealed scroll and left to her bestfriend in the royal family, in which she swore to protect until the bitter end, Queen Anastasia Cree.

*The queen gave the Yamabushi clan their rightfully owned scroll, and upon reading it, saw that the text was written in a language they did not understand. So, they spent many years deciphering the passage of words in order to learn the final lesson, their mother left them. Only to find out that it was a poem, a story told in the form of a riddle. Finally, after fifteen years, many failed attempts resulting in broken arms and legs, and training vigorously with her older brothers and sisters...

*The youngest daughter, Ayurielli Feng-Song Yamabushi, by studying her mother's lessons day in and out, mastered the attack. And with it, determined that she will use it to gain the ultimate honor. The crowd stares in fear at the sight of this attack as a blinding light overtakes the stadium. Ten seconds remain on the clock as the Prince takes his stance, preparing an attack of his own.

[Prince Majorku]: *Deeply inhales* Six great kings slain six great demons… This attack contains the corrupted Soul Energy of the of all twelve…

*Prince Majorku’s grayish aura suddenly becomes a scarlet red. The energy coming from the prince warps and distorts his dual arm blades where they become shaped and curved like claws, and also take on the color of blood. He opens his eyes, after a moment of intense concentration, and reveals they've become a demonic purple, like a beast whose entire life has been entirely bloodshed, hatred and war.

*Majorku has been pushed to a point so far that he'd rather win by any means necessary to achieve his goal, than to come short of it, yet again. This is what his depression last year harnessed within him when the 19 year-old locked himself in the training simulator for weeks and months at a time. Avoiding his family whom he tricked himself into thinking he disappointed. Distancing himself from friends and acquaintances he grew up with. Starving himself as punishment and finding his own food to survive because he thought he didn't deserve royal luxuries. He birthed a hatred to failure. Anything that tarnished his image, he despised. This is what was hidden beneath his cool, calm and collected persona.

*A psychotic need to prove himself worthy, twisted his own mind into his greatest enemy. Not for his father or mother's acceptance, but for his own. The shame, the embarrassment, all of it accumulating into an essence that consumed him whole. A self-loathing fear that manifested itself into a demon that looked man yet barred its fangs at the royal prince. Laughing at him, taunting him, torturing him.

*All of his insecurities and pressures that were self induced had been brought before him in reflection. He locked himself in a cage, was forced to fight it, until the creature was no longer preventing him to continue his journey of physical, mental and spiritual improvement. He made the creature his own pet and now has complete control over it. By conquering himself, he realized there was no limit to what his potential could achieve... Even if it meant giving up what made him human to begin with...

[Baku Cree]: *Shocked* What the hell is this power coming from the Prince!? I’ve never seen anything like this before, and definitely never expected it from him!

*The two warriors unleash their attacks at the same time.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Moonlight Tiger: Heavenly Light Slice!!!

[Prince Majorku]: Roar of the Oni! Ripping Claw Cross Slash!!!

*Lady Yamabushi unsheathes her katana, revealing a blinding light, the image of a white tiger embodying Holy Soul Energy appears beside her. It flashes its razor sharp fangs and lunges forward. GRROOOWWLLL!!!

*The prince, fueled with Unholy Soul Energy, launches his attack at Lady Yamabushi letting off an “X” shaped slash, the blood of war leads the charge with carnage. RRROOOAAARRR!!!

*CLANG!!!

*The two warriors' slice through each other. Silence covers the arena as the Soul Energy that was shaking the arena disappears. Everyone watches waiting for the result of two powerful attacks.

*DING! DING! DING!

[Announcer]: *Stunned* …………..

[Crowd of people]: *Shocked* …………..

[Everybody]: *Worried* …………….

[Prince Majorku and Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *panting*… *Exhausted*… *Smiling* … Excellent… as always… I expected no less coming from you… Let’s duel each other again… In the future…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Give Hero Boy a good battle for me…

[Prince Majorku]: Don’t worry… I will…

*Lady Yamabushi falls to her knees. Her families armor falls apart, and her gi torn to shreds underneath was also soaked with blood and sweat as it revealed her chest and back.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Crying* *Shaking* I’m sorry everybody… I’m sorry Princess, Father, and Mother… I wasn’t strong enough to bring honor to you or prove my loyalty to you… I’m… unworthy…

*Lady Yamabushi begins to collapse to the floor. However, Prince Majorku swiftly catches her before she falls.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Gasp* !!! *Surprised* My prince!

[Prince Majorku]: Don’t cry Lady Yamabushi, you’ve shown strength great enough to not only bring honor to your family, but also pride to the entire kingdom… It was a pleasure dueling you for the very first time…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … *Shyly* … *Blushing* … Likewise…

[Announcer]: *Speaking into microphone* L-LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!! IN A TRULY HEART POUNDING MATCH THAT LASTED ALL THE WAY TO THE LAST SECOND! PRINCE MAJORKU DEFEATS LADY YAMABUSHI AND MOVES ON TO FINALS!!!

[Crowd of people]: *Cheering Loudly* YYYEEEAAAHHH!!!

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Shyly* *Blushing* Y-You better not lose…

[Prince Majorku]: I’ll try my best… Will you be watching me?

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Of course, I will! And I won’t forgive you if you’re defeated by the World Guardian! You’re taking my place, after all…

[Prince Majorku]: Baku’s gonna be a special case because I trained him personally. I won’t make it easy for him. But I promise you’ll be impressed by his performance.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Hmph* We shall see…

*Medics arrive to take Lady Yamabushi to the infirmary.

[Barrtio and Finn]: *in unison* THAT FIGHT WAS SOOOO AWESOME!!!

[Millia Grendar]: You can say that again! I can’t believe anything I just watched for the last ten minutes for even a second!

[Nicolatrice Cree]: And now Baku will face the Prince in the Finals… How will he fair after witnessing that display of strength?

[Halenday Medellon]: Poor Yuri… She trained so hard all year, yet it still wasn’t enough to defeat her prince…

[Princess Savannah]: Ayurielli unleashed her full strength against the one she loved the most, and he returned the favor… I have a feeling she felt truly alive, and because of that, isn’t broken spirited… Yet, she may have to wait a little longer to bring her family the honor she so desires…

[Yamabushi Clan]: *Cheering Loudly* GOOD JOB, YURI!!! YOU DID GREAT!!! WE’RE PROUD OF YOU!!!

[Wild Bison Yamabushi]: Moon Lotus… That was a truly spectacular display of skill… Your mother and I are proud of you… Our youngest daughter…

[Queen Anastasia Cree]: So, both of our sons will be appearing in the finals… Who do you think will win?

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Well, after that last match, it will simply be up to how much Soul Energy the prince was able to recover compared to Baku… However, that’s not to say that the prince isn’t trained to fight past any limits he may have pre-established. Baku will have to reach deep within himself if he wants to defeat his brother, need that be the case…

*Meanwhile in the waiting room.

[Baku Cree]: Geez, that was ridiculous… Huh? There’s Lady Yamabushi…

*Medics appear on their way to bringing Ayurielli to be healed.

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: … Wait… Hero Boy…

[Baku Cree]: What’s up, milady?

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Do you have it in you to defeat the Prince?

[Baku Cree]: I guess we’ll find out in due time…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Just stay confident and remember your training… When was the last time you meditated?

[Baku Cree]: Probably a couple days ago before the games began. Why?

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Meditation is a good way to clear your mind before a big event… Perhaps you should take the time to… Anyways, good luck…

[Baku Cree]: Yeah, I’ll need it…

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: *Smiles softly* With skill… Maybe you won’t…

[Baku Cree]: Thanks, Lady Yamabushi. Rest easy, okay?

[Ayurielli Yamabushi]: Thank you… I’ll see you later…

*The medics take Lady Yamabushi to the infirmary.

[Announcer]: *Speaking into microphone* AAALLLRRRIIIGGGHHHTTT!!! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!! THE NEXT MATCH IS THE FINAL ROUND BETWEEN PRINCE MAJORKU AND BAKU CREE!!! WE WILL GET RIGHT INTO IT AFTER THIS 30 MINUTE INTERMISSION!!!

[Baku Cree]: I should take this chance to meditate one last time before my match against my bro… *Thinking to himself* … I’ve gotten this far… It’s time to bring it back home!