The matches were drawn and all eyes focused on the schedule. Liam and his friends stood together, their hearts tense. Cyclone balled her fists, praying for her friends.
Finally, the tournament tree was displayed, shining gloriously in a golden light.
"Ah! Something's happening!", exclaimed Cyclone.
"The light is dying down. Look, look."
"The matches are being displayed!"
"Look, Mirage and Acacia are at the top. Their opponents aren't too strong!"
Silver Blade pointed towards the schedule, letting out a sigh of relief. However, Quickstep next to her frowned, speaking in a solemn tone:
"I'm up against Damned and Curse. That might not be easy. Unlucky."
"You got this, babe! We'll see each other in the final match!"
Encouraged by her boyfriend Quickstep couldn't help but chuckle:
"Did you forget about Mirage?"
"Do you think Mirage can stop us? If it comes down to it, we'll just ask C to let us fight in a two versus one!"
Silent Acacia drew laughter from his friends. Liam smiled as well but sadly he had to suffocate Silent Acacia's dreams in the bud:
"Sorry, guys. But I'm determined to take first place this time."
"Yes, he promised me!", added Serena with a broad grin.
The friends looked at Serena, understanding dawning in their eyes. Suddenly Quickstep sighed with a joking voice:
"If that's the case I guess we won't have a chance. You probably won't break a promise to Serena for us."
Seeing Liam nod the friends continued joking around, making it clear that there was no hope for anyone to take first place.
After a while it was finally time for the matches to start. Liam was participating in the very first match, entering the spotlight.
Everyone wanted to gauge Liam's limits. Unfortunately, his opponent was not skilled enough to bring Liam under pressure. The veteran won beautifully. His fans were joyful, becoming more and more certain that Liam would definitely take the championship.
Yet the same could be said about everyone who advanced to the next round. They were all famous players with loyal fans who believed in their heroes.
Silent Acacia also won his match and was rewarded with a massive show of support. He felt extremely great seeing so many people still cheering for him.
When Silent Acacia was kicked off TCTT, his fans also endured a lot of scorn online. Those who still defended him were called delusional. For them it was also refreshing to see that their trust in Silent Acacia wasn't misplaced.
As the fights went on there were no big surprises and finally it was Quickstep's turn in the last match of the round.
She entered the arena, facing the pale-skinned Damned and Cursed. The two women stared each other with undisguised hatred.
"You again...", sneered Damned and Cursed.
"Of course."
"Can't you stay in your backwater planet? Why come and embarrass yourself?"
"Tsk. Whom of us got embarrassed the last time we fought against each other?"
"Just a fluke! In the guild contest you weren't even qualified to face us!"
Quickstep gritted her teeth, unable to answer. She gripped her sword tightly.
Focus!
Warning herself Quickstep adjusted her mind, chasing away all distracting thoughts. At that moment the battlefield changed, and the caster took over:
"A broad road has been chosen as the battlefield, quite rare! Does anyone still remember those old western movies? Haha, never mind! I know you are waiting for the battle to start so I will stop joking around! Let's start in 3, 2, 1... GO!
Quickstep immediately starts moving! Watch how her additional resource storm gradually fills! Damned and Curse knows she can't let Quickstep act freely. She also dashes forward, firing the first attack!
Beautiful dodge by Quickstep. That magic went nowhere. And Quickstep keeps moving. But now Damned and Cursed has reached her! The two women enter melee combat!
Damned and Cursed wisely adjusted her strategy against Quickstep. In other fights we have seen that she prefers fighting from a distance but now she proves that her melee skills are just as strong! Such is the advantage of a hybrid character!
Quickstep is under pressure now! She isn't using her storm yet. She keeps moving to gather more but with Damned and Cursed forcing her into a fight Quickstep can't escape!
Now Dammed and Cursed begins using her skills. Two eerier, ghostly swords appear silently. Quickstep is being attacked from three sides. What can she do?
Ouh, she dodges into Damned and Curse on purpose. Dammed and Cursed's sword pierces her stomach but at least she escapes the other two attacks!
However, Quickstep has lost HP and stance while Damned and Cursed remains unscathed. It is obvious who has the advantage now!
And it seems that Damned and Cursed is determined to end this fight quickly. She raises her hand. You can see it in Quickstep's eyes, she recognizes this move.
Indeed, Damned and Cursed unleashes her ultimate skill 'tragedy of ghosts'. What a piercing, ghostly wail! This even hurt my ears! One can only imagine what Quickstep is feeling right now. She is stunned by the skill and won't be able to escape Damned and Cursed's next skill.
Oh, what a strange sight. Damned and Cursed's body turns intangible, and she passes right through Quickstep. Another 3000 points of damage! Quickstep needs to do something if she still wants to win this!
Quickstep is freed from the stun! She abruptly turns around. Damned and Cursed still stands with her back to her opponent! It is time for Quickstep's counterattack.
A small sphere with surging winds brews in the air. It quickly erupts into a tornado. As soon as Quickstep moves, she uses her ultimate skill [Storm of Blades]!
Damned and Cursed has no chance to escape. She is thrown around by the tornado! That landing looked painful!
Quickstep quickly chases after her opponent. It seems she still wants to build up more storm. Damned and Cursed takes the opportunity and swiftly gets back on her feet. She holds out her hand, shooting another magical attack.
Great dodge by Quickstep! Running left and right she makes herself a difficult target. Finally, the two clash again. This time it is Quickstep who takes the initiative to close the distance, is she prepared for a final showdown?
It does seem so! Quickstep activates her [Aspect of the Storm]! Dear audience, this skill has already achieved great fame! In case some of you don't know it takes away the limitation on attack speed!
Quickstep's swords flicker as if it weren't just two but two thousand! Damned and Cursed is on the defensive. With one sabre against two swords, she is clearly struggling at the brink of defeat!
Unbelievable! Under these conditions Damned and Cursed actually managed to pull off a flash step! Can she escape Quickstep's fangs?
NO! Quickstep turned into a sword surging with storms, instantly chasing after her opponent. She doesn't give Damned and Cursed any chance to catch her breath.
A relentless assault! Aspect of Storm is truly a perfect skill for such battles! Damned and Cursed is constantly forced to defend herself.
Finally, the skill runs out, but we can see no sign of joy on Damned and Cursed's face. She has no stance left and only about 10.000HP.
Now it is time for the final showdown. Both combatants are unleashing their skills. A whirlwind brimming with sharp blades engulfs Damned and Cursed!
Quickstep dodges a nightmarish, ghostly claw! This might just be the deciding factor. Quickstep still has enough stance to dodge one attack while Damned and Cursed is forced to tank the damage.
Both fighters swing their swords! No one dodges! And this is it! Dear audience, cheer for the victorious Quuiicksteep!"
Quickstep stood in the arena breathing laboriously, staring at the spot where her opponent disappeared. Suddenly the billowing cheers reached her ears. She straightened her body, and a brilliant smile found its way on her lips.
A moment later she was back in the audience stands with her friends who expressed their joy about the satisfying win.
The audience around them didn't stop shouting and screaming. With Quickstep's win Hotpot managed to get three people into the top 16, amazing all their fans.
Silent Acacia and Quickstep were overjoyed as well but they held themselves back. It wasn't yet the time to celebrate. They were still separated from the championship by four battles.
The next round of matches was revealed. Suddenly Liam and his friends fell silent.
"Acacia is up against Apollo... who should I cheer for?", whispered Cyclone. But her friends still heard her, rolling their eyes at her.
Cyclone smiled sheepishly.
"You know I was just joking. Of course I want Silent Acacia to win..."
"Acacia has indeed met a terrifying opponent but at this point there are not really any easy matches left.", said Bleary Mirage.
Silver Blade nodded, adding with a solemn expression:
"Yeah. You are up against Hydra. In Leo's Pride she is not far behind Apollo. And Quickstep will actually fight Conter."
"This time we can really prove ourselves..."