Quickstep was brimming with happiness. She had indeed done it, reaching the tournament finals! The warrior waved in all directions, enjoying the admiration of the audience before being sent back to her friends.
"Babe, you are awesome!"
"Nicely done, Quickstep!"
Immediately the guild members praised her joyfully. With Quickstep and Bleary Mirage in the final match, the entire guild was profiting from their prestige.
The two friends caused a sensation all over the federation. The news that the finalists belonged to the same guild was understandably shocking. Especially if this guild wasn't named Leo's Pride or Kings and Queens but rather Dream Avenue.
Many players converted to become Dream Avenue's and Hotpot's fans, cheering loudly in anticipation for the upcoming match.
Unfortunately, the tournament didn't continue immediately. First there was another musical performance, serving to raise the tension to its peak.
The moving orchestral music steered everyone's emotions. Finally, it quietened down, and everyone's eyes fell on Maycos who had silently appeared at some point.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! What a journey we went through together! But now it is finally time. Our two finalists have been selected! Please welcome Quicksteeeep and Bleary Mirageeee!"
Brandishing cheers erupted. Suddenly Quickstep's and Bleary Mirage's bodies were teleported. When Liam shook off his momentary dizziness he looked around and found himself standing next to Maycos, with Quickstep appearing at the host's other side.
Looking around Liam could see the audience stands changing every few seconds as he seemingly travelled through the arenas, able to observe the endless number of spectators.
Even Liam had never experienced such a shocking scene and was momentarily speechless until Maycos continued to talk:
"Dear audience. I want to hear you scream for our two finalists! Give it your all for Quickstep and Bleary Mirage!"
Maycos fanned the flames, and the audience reached a new peak, their voices causing the world to shake. Bleary Mirage and Quickstep felt so minuscule before the scene, yet the crowd's energy seemed capable of gifting them endless power.
It took a while for the audience to calm down. Finally, Maycos continued to talk:
"This is it! What an unprecedented scene in our federation. It is my honour to experience all of this. But I know you are not here for me. Why don't we hear from our finalists?
Bleary Mirage, you have made it all the way towards the final match, cheered on by billions. Do you have anything to say to your fans?"
Liam was taken aback for a moment. He didn't expect to suddenly hold an interview. However, his training swiftly kicked in. He masked his thoughts behind a polite smile, answering with a warm voice:
"Of course! I am very grateful to all those people cheering for me. You give me a lot of strength to make it even through the most difficult fights. Especially those who believed in me from the first minute on!"
"This is great to hear. So, you would say your journey wasn't easy?"
"Naturally. This tournament is packed with the greatest talents of the federation. Every fight demanded my utmost. Even if it looked easy, I always gave it my all."
"Very commendable. It is great to hear the respect you have for your opponents."
In the audience Liam's friends stared at the arena with twitching eyes.
"How can he lie like that?", asked Cyclone with big eyes.
"Right. I don't think Mirage struggled during a single match."
"This sounds like such standardized answers."
"Did he get media training?"
Many in the audience couldn't help but snicker. They remembered Liam's past matches. Where were his difficulties when he struck down his opponent with a fishing rod?
Simultaneously others looked at Liam with appreciation. They were fans of the great players who lost against Liam, glad to hear the man show so much respect, were filled with admiration.
The only one who didn't react strongly was Maycos. With her experience she was used to hearing answers like Liam's. She smiled while turning towards her other interview partner:
"Quickstep, do you share Mirage's opinion, or do you want to add something?"
"Yes, of course I am extremely grateful towards my fans as well. Especially those who supported me through ups and downs!"
"Right. After a disappointing season this tournament could be considered your comeback. What do you think has changed to enable your success?"
"Oh, I wouldn't consider this a comeback. It is so much more than that! When has the federation's gaming scene ever seen such a spectacle? As for what enabled me, I think it is definitely the great atmosphere in Dream Avenue and Hotpot, which is very conductive to our growth."
Instantly murmurs spread through the audience. Who didn't know about Quickstep's past? Her last sentence was definitely a jab towards TCTT.
Sneaking glances at the prominent team one could see the faces of their members, but especially their managers, turn sour.
At least their name didn't fall in the interview as Maycos continued:
"This is amazing to hear. Your team, Hotpot, is incredibly successful as well. Do you think it all boils down to the atmosphere?"
"No that's just one aspect of it. But mainly it is due to Mirage's guidance."
"Oh, such high praise for Mirage?"
"Of course! Without him I wouldn't be standing here now!"
"Really? What do you say to that, Bleary Mirage?"
"Quickstep is too humble. Everyone in Hotpot is a talent in their own right. I am far from the decisive factor."
The spectators, especially Hotpot's fans listened with rapt attention. They were happy to hear that the team is that harmonious.
However, the interview remained somewhat boring to others. Maycos continued for a bit but none of her questions garnered any provocative answers. Soon she wrapped up the interview.
"Dear audience. Now that you got to know your finalists a bit better, I hope you can cheer even harder. Now, let us not talk any longer. It is time to start the final match!"
As soon as Maycos was done, the arena changed. A vast, pristinely white castle suddenly appeared. It had huge spires and colourful windows. A garden surrounded it, inviting one to dream. The castle emitted a magical air, making it appear right out of a fairy tale.
However, there were no signs of Quickstep and Bleary Mirage.
Suddenly the scene zoomed in towards the castle's centre. The walls faded and revealed the two finalists. They stood in a spacious room. Below their feet was a red carpet and far above their heads was a high ceiling supported by towering pillars.
The carpet ended at a throne, its luxury even outshining the paintings and weaponry hanging from the walls.
Yet Bleary Mirage and Quickstep had no eyes for the luxury around them, focusing only on each other.
The next moment Maycos appeared on a balcony above the throne. She didn't talk any more and began to count down.
"Good luck."
"You too."
Right then Maycos shouted the number zero. Bleary Mirage instantly shot towards Quickstep. He didn't underestimate her at all, trying to stop her from building up storm.
Yet Quickstep naturally knew this as well. She was light on her toes, keeping her distance. But Bleary Mirage quickly came closer. His movement speed was only two points higher, but those two points now made a big difference.
Quickstep frowned, knowing that she couldn't allow Liam to come close. With a swift step she darted behind a pillar, using it to keep Liam away.
Suddenly Liam's speed advantage was neutralized. He had to find a way to make Quickstep face him! Just then his eyes fell on the pillar blocking his way. Judging from his experience an idea instantly came to his mind.
Without hesitation Liam swung his sword with all his power, cutting deeply into the solid pillar.
Dong!
[-2000!]
The audience watched Liam's action with puzzlement.
"What is he doing?"
"Trying to scare Quickstep?"
However, a few sharp-eyed players suddenly noticed a change:
"Now, look! It's breaking!"
Shocked exclamations ran through the audience as they all stared at the pillar. And indeed, cracks ran along the pillar, accompanied by spraying dust.
Liam took a few steps back, watching the pillar confidently. In his eyes its HP quickly reached zero.
Boom!
With an ominous sound the pillar suddenly broke apart. Quickstep felt her chest tighten, jumping backwards as head-sized rocks turned into a dreadful and dangerous rain.
However, Quickstep hadn't escaped from danger yet. Losing the pillar's support the ceiling shockingly gave in! A piece the size of a small room broke out, crashing towards the ground.
"Damn, you can do that?"
"I have seen videos of people breaking the environment, but they took half a day. I never thought you could use it in a match!"
"We can really learn a lot from Mirage…"
From a spectator's perspective Quickstep would've surely admired Liam's move as well. But as she was the one on the receiving end, she only felt a terrible pressure.
Common players might have frozen out of fear, but Quickstep showed great reaction. As the piece of the ceiling came for her head she reacted instinctively, evading it with a sudden jump.
She took a deep breath, watching in horror as the ceiling slammed into the floor. However, her instincts told her that the danger was still not over!