Chapter 548 - Day MMCXXXII, Part I

The day started quite nervous, some people clearly didn't sleep at all. Hailwic was the easiest of examples. She was clearly worried about Martin, but his decision was adamant. He was a great fighter with an unbreakable spirit, so he wanted to test his skills, since the chances of our little tournament resuming, were now quite slim.

For her, it was a gamble. Nobody knew what type of alien could be released to fight our giant, and Zor'xal already proved that he has plenty of tricks hidden in his sleeves. Yesterday's fight was the most obvious example.

Then there was also the fact that we were kinda forced to live all together in that stupid waiting room. There was enough space there for everybody, and we clearly were used to a much harsher environment, but the fact that we constantly were in such a crowd was simply annoying for some of us. I was in that group.

The beginning of the day for us was a moment when AI announced that we have a period of tho hours before the whole thing will restart, and the chosen fighter should prepare.

I immediately looked at Gavriil, but he was still lying on the sofa, not showing even the slightest desire to enter the arena. Although we didn't have to announce our participant, if he didn't come out, it would be considered as him giving up. There was a slight element of surprise in us changing our fighters like that, but I doubted that it would give us much of an advantage.

Martin, quite fresh and energetic, picked himself up from the ground, where he was laying down, and started the day with breakfast, using the supplies brought by me. Then he stepped outside, to the washing room we learned about from the AI to clean up a bit.

Hailwic observed his every move in the waiting room, not losing sight of his giant frame even for a second. The concern painted all over her face was too obvious.

I wasn't the only one who saw it. The first person who decided to go and talk to her was Boris. He engaged her in conversation as Martin was washing up.

I found myself suddenly joined by Gavriil, who brought a chair with him, placed it next to me, and sat down.

- This doesn't look good - he pointed out. - You people look like your friend is going out to be executed. Thet's a wrong attitude, even if he is a weakling. Which he is not. I saw him fighting.

- Why are you suddenly interested in other people? - I asked him, raising my eyebrows.

He snorted, then looked away, and lastly shrugged his shoulders. He clearly didn't know the answer to this question himself.

- You know... I wasn't always a bad guy - he finally confided to me.

Which took me by surprise, even more than his sudden appearance next to me. I was just puzzled for a second before I returned with some biting remark.

- So you are finally losing your murderous, maniacal shell and revealing nice and warm insides?

- My insides are definitely warm, despite my vampiric appearance - he responded, not hiding his annoyance. - I came to discuss matters that seemed important for the survival of Earth, but I guess it was a stupid decision.

With those words, he stood up and grabbed the chair he brought.

- Wait... Fine, let's talk - I gave up.

This caused him to sit back down.

- So... I beat your ass and you decide that it was a good reason to come to me? - I attempted to restart the conversation.

- No. You didn't kill me when you could, which I would definitely do if the roles were switched. That was my reason.

I nodded slowly.

- You know that you were the first to do that since... Never mind - he continued. - Let's talk about the thing that matters. You cant show your friend your worries. You need to hype him up. You can't let him get out there with pictures of you scared of his life in his head, because if all he thinks about is death, he will die.

- I know. Just... That thing you fought yesterday was strong. I'm not sure if he can deal with something like that on his own.

- If he can, or if he can't, will be decided out there, in the arena. Here you should be adamant about his victory no matter what will he have to face. That's all I wanted to say - he got back ok his feet, grabbed the chair, and left.

I was kinda puzzled. He was not the maniac I thought he was. He had a different side to himself. I slowly started to think that all this time he was wearing a mask, to hide his true self. Which led to me wondering about what caused him to be like this. There was definitely some backstory there.

Just as I dug into those thoughts, Martin came back to the waiting room. I immediately jumped to action, and headed straight to Will, to give him a sign to follow me. Then the two of us swung by Sanders, who was also a great person to do what I had in mind, and took the man with us.

The whole group headed to Martin, who was on his way to the armory, and we blocked his path.

- What's going on, guys? - he asked us.

- We just came to tell you, that you have to go there, and smash whatever weakling this fucking alien will send at you - I started.

- No, no, no, no - Nil interrupted me, as he immediately caught what I was planning to do. - We don't need to tell him that. He knows this. Come on, Peter. What he doesn't know is that the style matters. Martin...

He attempted to put his arm around the giant but quickly gave up.

- You have to be like a pro golfer - he continued, extending his hand like he was showing Martin something. - Stylish, disciplined, and precise. Stright to the mark. After all, you are from Arc, and you are holding our brand.

- And that brand is important - Will joined in. - That's why we will only accept a smashing victory.

The giant nodded, with a serious face.

- Smashing victory, noted. I'll win quickly and efficiently. You can count on me.

- That's my body! - shouted Will, and slapped his ass.

Martin then walked off to the armory, waving to us before he vanished behind the door.