"He's fast, that's for sure, but he's careless." Masaru thought to himself, The battle between Sereth and Dragok was a high speed start to the tournament, and after their encounter at sign-ups, Masaru was curious to see what Sereth was all about. And he was impressed.
"If he is partaking in this tournament, then surely there must be something more to his abilities. But what is it?"
Masaru hunched over and leaned his hand on his fist. He couldn't wrap his head around what made Sereth so special. Was there some sort of thing that had to do with his increasing speed?
Sereth had managed to continuously increase how fast he was going, with every step he took, he got faster and faster, Dragok was starting to be quickly overwhelmed, because Sereth was moving so quickly, his flame armor didn't even have time to burn him.
Sereth was now a literal blur and the crowd could hardly see him, he resembled a red and white blur, he was laying down a series of rapid fire strikes all around Dragok, and he was being completely overtaken. a hyper speed punch connected to his jaw, and Dragok fell to the ground, and the crowd roared up.
"So noisy... He is too reckless, he could be killed by a more capable opponent." Masaru thought as he watched Sereth prepare his finishing move.
"Tenrai Shougeki!" Sereth called out, and a white energy blast fired from his palm, and decimated a hole in Dragok, and the crowed roared up.
"We have a winner!!! Sereth Vaelwyn is the victor!"
Masaru stood up and left the bustling stadium, meanwhile Sereth bowed to the crowd in his own flamboyant way, before the Creature emerged from a golden gate and he left with him.
Masaru exited the stadium and looked around. He hadn't really gotten a chance to see what was outside the warrior's quarters, or the stadium, because he had taken a Hyperspace Gate[1] in order to get to registration.
It was somewhat underwhelming. There were some buildings and signs, but nothing breathtaking. The city was gray. Masaru decided that he ought to find a place for some tea, to calm his mind after that adrenaline rush of a battle. He found a small shop tucked away in an alley after passing the occasional pedestrian, it had a neon blue sign that simply read "Steeping leaves", so he decided this was probably the best he would find.
"Hello?" He asked, "Is anyone here?"
Upon hearing his voice, an old woman came to the dusty counter, and greeted him.
"Why, hello young man... What can I get for you?"
"Just some green tea."
"Of course, dearie"
Masaru took his seat at one of the dusty tables, and looked around. The shop was deserted and dilapidated, and he was surprised at the woman working there, he wondered why she hadn't cleaned it or gotten anybody to help.
Just as he was becoming lost in thought, he heard a voice.
"Have you come here before?" Aeon said in a remote tone.
Masaru was surprised, he didn't see the boy enter, or hear the door creak or anything, but he tried not to let his surprise show.
"No, I haven't. I didn't hear you come in, when did you arrive?"
"I've been here for a while..."
Just as Masaru was about to respond, the woman came with his tea, he thanked her and took a sip, it was delicious, but scalding hot. But he drank it anyway, because what kind of samurai would he be if he didn't willingly scald his tongue?
"You were watching him. In the tournament." Aeon stated.
Masaru's eyes fixated on the boy. his hand slowly gravitated toward his sword, never touching, but getting close. The shop began to feel smaller to Masaru after Aeon said this.
"I like him," Aeon continued, "He's the type to charge ahead and never look back. I'd say that's admirable."
Masaru took another sip of tea before responding.
"I would say it's a dangerous trait."
"Maybe it's both."
Masaru now began to really examine the child. His orange hair, the hoodie that had sleeves that were simply too big for him, He looked like he was fixated on the stars above, and this conversation meant nothing.
"Who are you?" he asked in a sharp, but composed tone.
"Me? Aeon. Aeon Kairos. Don't worry introducing yourself, Masaru Kagemori."
This comment only provoked Masaru even more. His eyes narrowed, wondering if he could be trusted. But Aeon didn't mind. Some conversations would be better left unfinished.
Especially ones that hadn't started.
There was a long pause between the two, before Masaru spoke up again.
"You speak in riddles," his eyes scanning for any hidden intent, "But you watch like a strategist."
Aeon watched the steam rise from the cup of tea seated in front of him, and how it swirled into the air before replying.
"Everybody has all the time in the world to say things wrong."
Another pause. The tension grew, but at the same time, it began to relax. This time, Aeon was the one to speak up.
"You can see something in him," Still not naming Sereth, "He has tremendous potential."
"That kind of power leads to recklessness." Masaru replied.
"That kind of power... leads to change."
When Aeon said that, something stirred deep in Masaru's soul. Like a lost memory that was just recovered. Aeon turned to him, his gaze clearer now.
"You don't like him yet, but you will"
"I don't like anybody." He said coldly.
"You'll need to."
"And why is that?"
Aeon paused for a moment, looking down into his tea,
"Just because the tournaments end, doesn't mean the fights will."
The air shifted in that moment. A light breeze blew through the ancient window.
"I'll see you around, Masaru." He said with a light smile, "Or maybe I already have."
He drifted out the door, never making a sound when he walked, like a character in a dream.
Masaru sat alone again, and for the first time in a long while, was unsettled.
[1] A Hyperspace Gate is like a regular gate, but a lot bigger, and can take you way farther