Zack remained a silent sentinel, his gaze fixed on Tusk's still form sprawled on the bloodied sand. The weight of the unexpected victory seemed to settle heavily upon him. Then, Azreal rose, his voice resonating through the hushed arena as he declared, "The winner of the final match of the quarter-finals is Zack!" A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd, a stark contrast to the preceding tension.
Before the arena guards could reach Tusk to carry him towards the medical center, a figure burst from its entrance, a whirlwind of bandages and raw determination. "Tusk!!!!!!!" Rebel's anguished cry echoed through the arena as he limped towards the ring, his every step a testament to his own recent injuries.
Enshou, who had been wrestling with the unsettling nature of his own victory and a gnawing worry for Rebel's well-being, snapped his head up at the familiar voice. His eyes widened in relief as he saw Rebel, battered but seemingly alright. "Re-Rebel?" he murmured under his breath, a weight lifting from his shoulders.
Guards rushed to intercept Rebel, their voices firm. "You haven't fully recovered! You need to return to the medical center!" But Rebel was deaf to their pleas, his focus solely on his fallen brother. He reached the ring, his breath coming in ragged gasps, and with a surge of adrenaline, he hauled Zack up by his battle tunic, his eyes blazing with fury. "If you ever utter another word about our family again," Rebel hissed, his voice trembling with barely suppressed rage, "I swear I will kill you myself. Know your place."
Zack, his expression unreadable, offered no resistance, his gaze fixed on Rebel's furious face. Rebel, seeing his silence, dropped him unceremoniously onto the sand and turned to his brother. He gently scooped Tusk into his arms, cradling him close. Tusk, stirred by the familiar warmth, mumbled, "Brother…"
Rebel's grip tightened. "Yes, it's me. Please, don't speak. You need to rest." He began to carry Tusk out of the tournament ring, casting one final, venomous glance at Zack before disappearing into the medical center.
As they moved away from the roaring crowd, Tusk's voice, weak and laced with anguish, broke the silence. "I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to disappoint you. I couldn't win the tournament for us… I'm a failure. The only time I could have been useful to you… and I blew it. I am no big brother from now on… I…"
"Shut up!" Rebel's voice, thick with unshed tears, cut through Tusk's self-recriminations. He stumbled slightly but held Tusk tighter. "You only lose control when I'm in trouble. That shows how much you love me, how much you protect me. And that's all you ever need to do to be the best big brother. The fight doesn't end here, Tusk. With or without the Red Katana, we are going to make Dextin pay for what he did to us, for our parents. So please… don't throw away your responsibility."
Tusk, his face buried in Rebel's shoulder, nodded weakly. They continued their slow journey towards the medical center, the weight of their shared grief and unwavering determination hanging heavy in the air.
Back in the arena, the rhythmic beat of the drums resumed, signaling the next stage of the tournament. Azreal's voice boomed once more, addressing the remaining semi-finalists. "Enshou, Tanker, Zack, and Bianca, you four have fought valiantly and earned your place in the semi-finals. Once you have been checked by the medics, please return to the arena to draw your positions for the next round."
He then turned his attention to the fallen contenders, his voice carrying a note of respect. "Valen, Tusk, Rebel, and Kael… you may not be here, and perhaps you cannot hear me, but if you are in the medical center, then my voice should reach you. You fought with incredible heart and skill. You defended your honor, and I know some of you may be regretting your decisions, thinking 'I should have moved faster,' 'I wasn't strong enough.' But I want you to know that you are all great warriors. Losing here does not diminish your worth. Please, continue to hone your skills, for we will undoubtedly need them in the fight against Dextin. We thank you for your participation."
A wave of applause rippled through the arena. In the quiet confines of the medical center, Valen, Rebel, Tusk, and Kael all heard Azreal's words, and the distant sound of the crowd's appreciation. A new resolve hardened their expressions. Valen, his voice firm, broke the silence. "You heard him. Now, let's get ourselves to a hundred percent and train harder than ever. We will take down Dextin." A chorus of agreement echoed through the room.
Up in the pavilion, Aingo watched as the crowds began to disperse. "We should go now, Rider. We'll be back before the semi-finals start." But Rider remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground, lost in his own thoughts. Aingo sighed heavily. "If you're thinking of going to see Bianca again, I'm afraid I can't…"
"Let's go," Rider interrupted, his voice surprisingly firm. He stood up, his earlier indecision replaced by a newfound resolve. "Everyone is doing their best to prepare for Dextin's return. I can't be the only one standing still. I'm coming with you. I need to train, to get stronger."
Aingo looked at him, his expression devoid of emotion. "Good," he said simply, turning to leave. Rider glanced back towards the contenders' area, catching a glimpse of Bianca entering, before following Aingo out of the pavilion.
In the royal chamber, Azreal prepared to depart, but King Neon's voice stopped him. "So, where are you rushing off to?"
Azreal hesitated, then replied, "I… I'll be back before the semi-finals. I just need to check on something."
A small smirk played on King Neon's lips. "So, who is Bianca to you, Azreal? Like a daughter?"
Azreal's head snapped around, his face etched with shock. "How did you…?"
King Neon chuckled softly. "I could tell by your expression every time Bianca fights, every time she's injured. You care deeply for her. You know you can't hide these things from me, Azreal. We've walked this path together for years."
Azreal bowed his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I feared you would think she was interfering with my duties. Bianca… Bianca is my daughter. She entered this tournament without my knowledge, without her mother's knowledge. I was just hoping her mother wouldn't find out. Now that you know…"
King Neon's laughter boomed through the chamber. "Don't worry, my friend. Your secret is safe with me. Go see your daughter, Azreal. A father's concern is never a distraction."
Relief washed over Azreal. "Thank you, Your Majesty." He bowed deeply once more before hurrying out of the chamber, his mind filled with concern for Bianca.