The sun dipped past the horizon. Dante stepped out of the stadium, Chris's words still echoing in his mind.
'He has…transcended.'
Dante sighed and strolled forward. Rush city came to life once again. Neon lights lit up every corner, billboards floated above, advertising products of various companies.
'It's good that he transcended but…which pillar did he choose to climb…if it's what I'm thinking, then…'
He dared not say the final words that wished to come out of his mind. Those were to be better left unchecked that to worry about a possibility that would bother him all night. Right then, his phone rang. He rushed to pull it out of his pocket. He glanced at his screen and sighed, realizing who it was. He picked up the call and put it against his ear.
"Yes, Isabella?"
Another voice came from the other side of the call.
"Hey~, babe. I just watched the livestream for the tournament. Nice, job with the commentating."
"Thanks – Thanks." Dante replied in an awkward voice. "Though I'm not sure if I did my best."
"You did do your best!" Isabella exclaimed. "Be proud of it.
"Okay, I will~" Dante stated.
"Anyways, when are you going to visit? It's been ages since I saw you." Isabella asked in a somber tone.
"My schedule is mostly cleared up so…probably after the tournament? If something happens, I'll tell you but I don't think anything will ruin it." Dante continued walking.
"Great! I'll be waiting. By the way…how's Missio?"
"Eh – he's still the same. Tired, lazy and quite hollow."
"Aren't you going to help him at least?"
"Don't you think I've tried? I can also get tired. Besides, sometimes people have to get up on their own."
"But, he's your brother…"
"So? I've got my own responsibilities. I can't just take care of him like Lilla does. I don't have the time. I wish I could help but nothing's getting him outta that rabbit hole."
"Not even you?"
"Not even me…Maybe me…" Dante sighed.
"It's okay, babe. You can definitely make him better." Isabella encouraged.
"I don't know…he seems more depressed lately."
"Really?"
"Yeah, he's reacting less to the world around him…I'm worried."
"You're his older brother. Of course, you'll be worried."
Dante paused, processing Isabella's words. Then, he smiled and opened his mouth.
"I guess so… Anyways, I'll catch you later. I'm going to sleep."
"Okay, then. Good night!"
"Good night." Isabella cut the call.
Dante tucked the phone back into his pocket and cracked his neck. He shook his wrist and checked the time. The mechanical watch on his hand showed 7 o'clock. He put his hands in his pocket and continued to stroll. Right then, in the corner of his eye, he saw a young man training. He stopped and looked at him for a moment.
It was Janus – the kid from the Paragonia who had fought in the first match.
He threw punches, kicked the air and shadow boxed. As he trained, Taylor – the other participant from the same nation approached him. Dante flashed behind a tree, wanting to overhear their conversation.
'I don't like violating people's privacy but…this looks interesting.'
Then, the drama began as he cheekily smirked.
"Hey! What are you doing here so late?" Taylor asked.
Janus placed his feet on the ground. "Training."
"You need to get some rest at least! I was extremely worried about you." Taylor exclaimed.
"You were?" Janus replied, surprised. "That's new."
"T-That's not new." Taylor hissed.
"I think it is."
"Anyways, get some rest. Why are training this late while your body is hurt? Have you been affected by the loss to Yuri today? He's a genius, you couldn't hope to beat him."
Janus nodded and threw another kick.
"I understand you but that's not the reason I'm training. I'm not sad about losing. In fact, it was part of my plan."
"Huh?" Dante blurted.
Janus and Taylor snapped their heads in Dante's direction. Dante covered his mouth and held his breath. He prayed to God that he hadn't been noticed.
'This damn mouth almost gets me caught every damn time!'
After a few seconds of staring, Janus turned to his friend.
"Did you hear anything?" Janus asked.
"Nah, maybe it's a bug or something." Taylor replied.
Janus locked eyes with Taylor.
"Anyways…I think it'll be better if I show you what I'm doing."
He began to shadow box. He threw a punch, following it up with another. Then, a roundabout kick which he followed into a duck. As he continued his session, Taylor frowned.
"The hell are you doing?"
But Janus shut her up.
"Look closely." He stated.
Taylor raised a brow and looked more closely. She began to see that Janus was recreating his battle with Yuri by shadow boxing. Mapping all possibilities and checking whether there were better moves be could've made.
"It's like could this work instead of this…" Janus whispered.
He clenched his fist and threw a hook.
"What else could I have done? Would it have worked?" Janus stated.
"Can't you do this in a simulation?" Taylor inquired.
"This feels more natural." Janus replied.
"Then?" Taylor spoke up. "What's you 'plan'? That involved losing?"
"That Involves…" Janus paused.
Before Janus could finish his sentence, Dante flashed away. He stepped onto the streets of Rush city with a smile on his face.
"I don't like really spoilers…" He muttered. "Let's see what you have up your sleeve, Janus."
Then, he headed off to his room as the neon lights of Rush city streamed throughout each building and even underneath his very feet. Multiple individuals passed him as lost himself in the crowd. The full moon hovered above the horizon as night finally befell the city of the future.