The sound of heavy breathing echoed throughout the giant room somewhat muffled out by the sound of the droplets hitting the ground in the world outside.
"Haah hah haah... can we take a small break?"
"...Fine, overdoing it won't do you any good either."
Finally able to catch his breath Ash sat down on the tatami floor, his hand feeling the unique texture.
"How long do you think the rain's gonna last?"
These were the words that left Ash's mouth the moment he had time to catch his breath.
"I don't know it's the rainy season, I wouldn't expect it to let up anytime soon."
Stacy looked in Ash's direction before asking a question.
"Why does it matter anyways, I quite like the rain myself. I wouldn't mind if it stuck around a bit longer."
"It's just... I would prefer the rain not fall during the finale... I mean the place is open air."
Stacy listened to Ash before speaking up with a serious tone.
"That's all the more reason be prepared, come, get up."
...
Walking through the rain Ash thoughts wandered.
There were a few things he had his mind occupied with.
Things like the upcoming finale, his training sessions with Stacy, his upcoming life at the academy.
There were many, and in a way this rainy weather was the perfect occasion to be so deeply engrossed in one's own thoughts.
Still these thoughts, despite the time he spent thinking through them they remained mostly the same throughout all the days of thinking.
Complaints about the training's difficulty, fear of the upcoming finale and a resolve to better himself for his time at the academy.
Soon the sounds of droplets were driven out by the sound of the limousine's arrival.
"It's time Young Master."
'The rain didn't let up at all, huh?'
...
The limousine arrived before The Arena which was by now buzzing with a crowd unlike the ones from the matches prior. The reach was truly massive.
As today's performer Ash made his way inside, where faces he was much to familiar with welcomed him.
One belonged to a man of many names. Boss, Caesar and more recently "Father". His aura as both the organizer and boss of the local mafia distinguished him from the crowd. And if not for that his fashion sense certainly did.
While the one standing next to him was a shabby looking old man, though in a form much better than during their first meeting.
"Well if it isn't today's star!"
"It's good to see you too Caesar."
The old man also stepped forward welcoming Ash.
"It's been a while Ash, with how busy you've been for the past few weeks it was difficult to get a hold of you."
"It's good to see you here nonetheless Old Bill."
The old man nodded agreeing with the words Ash spoke.
"It indeed is, while staying at the mansion was nice being here and witnessing your skills is something I think I'll enjoy even more."
"Well we can talk after the match, but now I need to go."
Hearing Ash Caesar came forward placing his hand on Ash's shoulder.
"I'll go with you to the changing room."
"You really don't need to..."
"No. I'm coming with you. Uhm... Bill you can just wait for me at the VIP area my boys will escort you."
Bill was soon taken away by two men while the "father-son" duo headed for the changing room.
"Is there a reason why you're coming with me."
"A reason?"
Caesar looked at Ash thoroughly.
"To cheer you on... calm you down."
"Calm me down... what do you..."
That was when Ash noticed himself shaking, like physically shaking. He was anxious.
'To think that I'm shaking. Hah – I showed no fear when I headed for my own death countless times in Blackheart and yet now I'm shaking like some child. I...'
"I believe in you Ash!"
"Huh?"
Caesar placed both his hands on Ash gripping him.
"You'll be fine, you'll beat this guy no problem."
Ash's eyes were still somewhat unfocused.
Caesar looked into Ash's eyes before continuing.
"You've improved a lot in the last week, the you from then can't even compare to the you of now. You have no reason to be so anxious."
"But..."
"No buts, you can do it just believe in yourself I for one certainly do."
'But this is my only chance...'
He didn't say it, he already felt like he was an unnecessary burden Caesar imposed on himself. He couldn't say that he was scared he won't get to go to Icarus, because he felt like Caesar would ease the conditions, because he was like that.
So he chose to hold it in not trying to impose on his adoptive father any further.
"Well then... good luck."
As they arrived by the changing room Ceasar departed.
Slowly opening the door Ash was surprised to see another person in the changing room.
"Oh sorry the other room was closed, hope you don't mind."
The person sitting remarked while slowly turning to face Ash.
The person was wearing a mask, and even their voice was weirdly distorted. Even their gender was impossible to distinguish, though from their build Ash guessed that they were probably male.
"...Are you my opponent?"
Hearing this the person became slightly flustered.
"Ouch, so you didn't watch any of my matches. That's kind of disappointing, it almost makes me think that you are underestimating me."
Ash had nothing to say in answer. It's not that he didn't care about his opponent it was simply that training was more his priority.
Still this did not mean Ash knew nothing. No, he actually knew quite a lot... it's simply that their appearence was the one thing he was never informed on.
"I was preoccupied with my training... so I couldn't watch the matches. I still studied up."
The figure shook their head as if disagreeing, and walked past Ash.
"Words can only tell you so much about how one fights, in that sense you still lacked preperation."
The conversation ended as the door to the changing room closed as the figure left.
...
The time has arrived, it was time for the finale of The Arena Seasonal Tournament.
The whole place echoed with the voices of all the onlookers. Some faces were familiar while most were strangers, still they were there watching with expectations for the match they'll be seeing today.
Some were cheering for Ash, while others were cheering for his opponent The Slasher and there were also those who only came seeking entertainment without any preferance for who wins.
"Who do you think's gonna win."
"It's gotta be The Slasher, Ash showed some potential as a newcomer, but his skills are just not refined."
"I think it could go either way..."
Many such discussions were going on throughout the viewing area.
"Hey Caesar, do you think the kid's gonna be fine?"
"Are you concerned Bill? Don't worry Ash can do it, he's been training a lot for the last week."
"Can a single week really make such a difference?"
Caesar looked towards the arena grounds as Ash was entering before answering Bill's question.
"Maybe for most it wouldn't have, but Ash didn't need too much refinement, he already had talent, he just lacked technique. At the very least it will be enough for something like this."
...
Entering the grounds Ash moved as the raindrops fell endlessly on him, drenching his fresh outfit instantly.
'The rain didn't stop.'
With him, the opponent The Slasher also entered, they slowly looked around the arena before their eyes eventually landed on Ash.
The two now stood there in the muddy arena facing each other.
There were no words exchanged, no banter or provocation. They were both just waiting, waiting for the fight to start.
"Ladies and Gentlemen we've gathered here today to witness the finale of The Arena Seasonal Tournament."
"On one side stands the now renowned champion of both the winter and spring tournament, THE SLASHER!"
"While the on the other side stands a newcomer who fought his way all the way to this finale through newer before seen speed, ASH!"
The crowd cheered, it was clear that the fight would soon begin.
"With this I declare the beginning of the Finale."
"START!!!"
It didn't even take a second for the two contestants to instantly jump at each other with their swords.
The two swords met and a loud clanging sound instantly resounded across the whole arena.
Both parties followed this action by retreating back a few steps.
Now that there was distance between them Ash ran his finger across the sword, coating it in his dark aura.
Seeing this opening The Slasher rushed in instantly, but Ash was quick to block the oncoming strike.
'Their fighting style is similiar to mine.'
Ash noted, and used the moment to try striking back, without much result.
The strikes kept on coming, both of them seemingly coming at the same time, aiming for the same places with similiar technique.
'Slashes.'
They were in a deadlock, both were quick enough to react to the other's strikes. In the end they were unable to deliver any decisive blows.
'How can I break break through him/them?'
This was what both of them were thinking.