The Ranch

Newcomers Tournament p.II (5)

As the crowd starts to mope, thinking about the money they're about to lose, a couple people in the crowd start speaking up.

"Wait Wait! It's not over just yet! Look over there!" The audience looks towards where they're pointing.

The announcer also starts his commentary on the fight between Victor and Basile," An intense battle between two Capoeira artists! Smooth but fast moves that are hard to follow because of their unpredictability! Skills way above any child their age and probably older! This fight looks like a match between two masters!"

"That's right! We still have those two!"

"Yeah! Look at those amazing skills! Those fast reflexes and unpredictable movements. The way they dodge each other's attacks!"

"There's no way either of them could lose to that other child, I don't think that child has even learned an art!"

"Oh yeah? What martial art did he join?"

Recalling that Tih hasn't actually used any techniques or stances, some people look into the basic information of the contestants.

"This...the only class he enrolled in is Parkour."

"Parkour? Can that even be counted as an art?"

"It has no attacking moves right? So, as long as his opponent doesn't get caught by him, they can beat him with Capoeira!"

Hope ignites within them as they start denouncing Tih. Most of their words are out of desperation. Many placed money on Victor winning. Money holds a significant importance on this island, losing even a single kquil hurts the soul. They're trying to trick themselves into thinking that Tih's not as strong, that Victor or Basile can beat him, and it's working. The fact that the entire audience are trying to coerce themselves as a group, also makes it easier to believe it as the truth.

As Victor believes it's been long enough and believes he's shown off enough, he decides to end their spar. Victor and Basile are in the same class and have become at the bare minimum, aquatinted. They often practice with each other and because of this, both have a solid understanding of which one is stronger.

Once Victor gets serious and turns it up a couple levels, Basile inevitably loses, only shrugging at the loss before the both leave the stage. Basile chews on a corn dog on his way down.

There is actually one more round before the finals. For the first time, Tih wasn't paired with Victor, the last ace.

After watching their performances, Tih and victors opponents withdrew from the tournament, letting the two advance to the finales without a fight.

Once Victor starts walking into the arena with Tih waddling behind him, loud cheering erupts throughout the colosseum. Most rooting for Victor's success and some booing Tih for entertainment.

Soon enough, the two are on stage. Victor starts swaying around, the movements that should look unnatural look completely natural when he's doing them. He quickly closes in on Tih, who's just staring at him with no emotions. Victor looks into Tih eyes to try to discern his next movements. He sees an eerie indifference, unlike his own. Tih's has less...no emotion, which makes his indifference look fake in comparison.

Unnerved, he aims a lightning fast kick towards Tih's leg. Tih dodges, then reaches for Victor's leg like he's grabbing something from a shelf in a grocery store, with no sense of urgency, but unnatural speed.

Victor hurriedly dodges his hand before shooting another attack at the composed child that looks to be around ten. Tih dodges once more.

Accepting that his speed isn't high enough to beat Tih, Victor goes full-throttle. His image flickers before a leg appears next to Tih's head. Thinking he's finally got the boy, Victor relaxes slightly, putting his full force into the kick.

*slap*

That's the sound of Victor's ankle hitting Tih's palm. Tih catches Victor's leg that was flying towards him, mitigating all its power. Using the caught leg, Tih swings Victor around and like all the others, simply tosses him off the stage.

Silence.

Silence engulfs the colosseum. It engulfs the resting area. It engulfs the meeting room designated to observe the tournament in headquarters.

"That...didn't just happen right?"

"No..what, what actually just happened."

"It was so fast."

"Did he just beat four of the five aces without attacking once?!"

The crowd goes into an uproar, many people convincing themselves it was a fluke or pure luck, but a few in the crowd are not as blind.

"See, Shifu? I told you he was interesting. I promise itll be worth it, so please use it." Phillip stares at Tih and whispers.

"Hmm. okay." The person next him nods.

Phillip turns to his teacher," What do you think, Shifu?"

"... impossible." The man stares, wide-eyed, at the child below.

"What do you see?" Phillip is curious.

"This... is incredible. It's bottomless. I can't see an end to his potential." The Instructor stares into pitch black fog encompassing the boy, overlooking the small red swirl swimming through its denseness.

"COWARD!" A shout sounds from beneath the stage. With gritted teeth, a slightly disheveled Victor appears on stage once more. "Fight me for real! An actual fight! I do not believe you can beat be without throwing me out of bounds!" More than losing, the embarrassment from the way he lost is what angers Victor. If it was a fair battle, he would have been frustrated but accepted that he's weaker than the other party, but in this scenario, he's unwilling to admit defeat.

Listening to his words, many in the audience agrees. Everyone waits to see what the "winner" will do, including the people that have realized the truth, wanting a deeper understanding of Tih's character.