The next day…
February 16th of the year 2984 of the Modern Age.
The stadium at the center of Rush city filled more quickly than before. Employees rushed to give the fans food and water. In the stands, all previous competitors sat with patience. Taylor, Adam, Kairos, Mia, Aarush, Apollo, Adira, Priscus, James, Saul – all of them were present. All of Rush city had gathered in one place. In VIP room, Chris and Hadrian sat in silence, seemingly waiting for someone. Suddenly, the doors opened and a person's steps echoed throughout the room.
"Has the match started yet?" Dante asked.
"No." Chris replied.
"Good, I thought I was gonna be late." Dante sat down in his chair beside the emperor.
Just then, Mack's voice rang throughout the stadium. As soon as the audience heard him, they burst into cheers. Mack's smirked, speaking into his mic.
"LADIES AND GENTS!" His voice echoed. "Today, on February sixteenth of the year 2984 AD, the 1000th Golden Hour tournament's Unarmed league is about to wrap uppppp!!!"
Hyping the crowd up, Mack spoke further, standing up as the crowd shook the arena. The screen shifted, displaying the finals contestants of the Unarmed league.
"Please welcome our two finalists – Yuri Akito and Janus Gates!!"
From opposite sides of the stadium, two teenagers stepped out. A brazen young man with purple hair and dark eyes who wore all white with red accents strode confidently. On the other hand, a cold teen with black hair and eyes who wore all blue stepped out. The arena rumbled as the two approached one another – their faces couldn't help but smile. Both's heart shook with excitement as they locked eyes.
"Get ready!" The ref shouted.
Yuri and Janus activated their attributes, planning on going all out from the start. The referee stood at the edge – hands raised and gripping the whistle. Time slowed down as the referee swung his hand. The color of the landscape shifted to purple, then to green, then to red and blue in a fraction of a second and then…
The whistle sounded. All held their breaths. Yuri and Janus disappeared as massive gale pushed the audience back. Figures zipped past their eyes like falcons. For fractions of a seconds, they appeared and disappeared from sight. Suddenly, Yuri and Janus appeared back in the middle – out of breath.
"So, you did have me fully adapted." Yuri muttered.
"Didn't you think so?" Janus asked, resuming his position.
"I did." Yuri resumed his stance as well.
They rushed at each other again. Travelling across the massive arena at sub-sonic speed, they terrified the fans. Janus threw a punch. Yuri dodged and gripped his arm, throwing him at the wall. Janus landed and crouched. Bursting off and shattering the wall, he threw a kick. Yuri blocked and circled the arena with him. They slid across the ground. Then, they stepped on the walls and flew off. Rising higher and higher, they threw barrage of punches at sub-sonic velocity.
They past the peak of the stadium and slowed down. Janus gained the high ground and drop-kicked Yuri. Yuri gasped. The people looked but, seeing Yuri falling. Then, as he neared the ground, he flipped over and landed on his feet. He burst up once more, causing the fans to cheer like wild animals. As Yuri and Janus were about to collide, Yuri drew a sharp breath and screamed like never before. A deafening sound resounded that could be heard for miles.
Yet, Janus was unaffected. He lunged at Yuri. Yuri panicked and tried to dodged. Janus caught his leg and brought him down.
Mack stared in amazement at the two teens landed once again. The arena looked nothing like before. Cracks and debris spread across it as if an earthquake had passed. Then, both participants started to bleed from their nose. They glanced at it once and wiped it away.
"Are they really Teens…?" Mack whispered to himself.
Yuri spun around and kicked. Janus blocked. His fist shot forward the next second. Yuri twirled around it. Striking Janus in the head with his other leg, he landed. Janus froze and then, quickly recovered, turning towards hie rival. But what met him was Yuri's fist. He panicked and side-stepped. But that was the mistake. Yuri flashed to the side ad swept Janus off his two feet. Yuri utilized that moment. He activated his attribute and kneed Janus to oblivion.
Janus gasped as he flew up in the air. Passing the peak of the stadium, he panted heavily. Pain surged throughout his body. After a few seconds, he began falling down. After using that time to recover, he shot forward like jet. He attacked his opponent with his knee but it was caught. Yuri grappled Janus's leg and dragged him against the floor. Cuts and bruises formed on his opponents face as he screeched in pain.
Then, Yuri threw him away. Janus landed, touching his face. He flinched from the pain. Yuri leapt forward, winding his fist back. Janus lifted his head. The sight of Yuri caught him by surprise. He gritted his teeth and lunged forward. His skull struck Yuri's chest, breaking his ribcage. His rival backed off. Both fighters collapsed to their knees. Blood foamed on Yuri mouth as his breathing became ragged.
"Feeling it yet?" Janus asked.
Yuri chuckled, wiping the blood. "I'm feelin nothing."
Both knew the fight was nearing its end. So, they decided to go full throttle once more. As both their attributes turned on. A fire rose in both their eyes. They remembered the conversation they had yesterday but that only made the fire burn more. The fans cheers filtered out. They shot forward, throwing punches at sub-sonic velocity. Circling the arena, they fractured the floor even more. Janus threw a punch. Yuri tilted his head and rotated.
He threw another kick which his rival blocked easily. Then, they broke off, circling the arena individually. Both curled their fists as their broke the sound barrier. Mythos detected the danger and the barrier rose. The people stood up, gazing beyond the rails.
'This is the finale…' Janus thought as he accelerated.
'Time to end this.' Yuri thought, increasing his speed.
As they reached Mach 1, they both had the same thought.
'Thanks, Yuri. I truly enjoyed this fight.'
'Thanks, Janus. I truly enjoyed this fight.'
They neared one another. Winding up their punches, they locked onto each other. Time slowed down for a moment as a spark in both their eyes. Yuri – bursting with adrenaline, threw the first punch. Janus anticipated this and lowered himself. Passing his opponent's attack, his fist escaped as well. Landing squarely on Yuri stomach, the blow shook the stadium. Janus's hand fractured and muscles tore as Yuri crashed against the wall.
He slowed down, sliding across the ground. The barrier lowered. The audience's gazes were on one man – Yuri. As the dust settled, a shocking sight greeted them. The unconscious Yuri leaned against the wall, head bleeding. His head fell forward. Then…the ref blew the whistle. The match ended – Janus won. The people cheered loudly. Some even began jumping down to celebrate with the winner.
Fortunately, black ops stopped them. Janus looked at the sky for one last time. Then, he fell unconscious as well.
"AND THE WINNER OF THE UNARMED LEAGUE IS JANUS GATESSSS!!!" Mack screamed.
The medic rushed out. They picked up both participants and took them away on stretchers. Missio and company pushed the invaders back. After the people were forced back to their seats, the black ops dispersed once again. Adam and Taylor celebrated their friend's victory.
"Hell yeah!" They shouted.
In the VIP room, Dante jumped around the excitement.
"That was the greatest match I have ever seen in my life!" He exclaimed.
"This year's incarnates are amazing!" Hadrian exclaimed. in disbelief.