Chapter 415 - Angel Vs Demon

"Come one come all to the last and most awaited quarter-final match! Today has been a rather long day, but I'm sure none of us are complaining right!!" The announcer lifted his hands up in the air, and the packed crowds returned his energy with widespread, boisterous cheering that echoed to all ends of this white void. 

"ALRIGHT!! Seems like everyone else is excited as I am!! Once again, it is an honour to be your announcer and commentator for this match. I would like to thank every single one of you for showing up! And I would also like to thank all that are watching from home!! And a special thanks to our lovely group of judges looking out towards us as well! None of this would be possible without you!" The crowd cheered once again, their sights now at the canopy above where the six figures sat, some silent, cold as ice while others smiled and waved back towards the cheering crowds.

"This final match of the quarter-finals might as well be the most exciting! Both fighters have pushed thus far showing little to no effort! They had yet to even reveal their spirit modes! And now we will see what happens when two such freaks of nature fight! But despite their amazing show of strength today, there can only be one victor who will move on! So without further ado, allow me to introduce both combatants!" 

The announcer waved both hands, and the two gates barring the entrances lifted open with that now all too familiar sound of rolling chains. 

Over to my right, there is a man with a piercing lion-like gaze! His will and skill are a sight to behold, and his drive for victory could be seen from his every step! A fire-wielding demon! Regrit Oswald!!"

The crowds applauded, and Regrit stepped into the light, slowly yet not so gracefully. The two katanas sheathed upon his waist glistened under the bright void, yet what shined even brighter were his keen, reddish eyes hidden under his scruffy orange hair that he quickly parted to the side. 

His strut was deliberate, his hands casually held his waist and the smile on his face was far from hidden. Yet despite its presence, it did not scream overconfidence or arrogance, no, it was clear excitement and pure adrenaline that rushed through his virtual, empty veins. 

"And from my left is no nobleman! Yet his noble elegance and masterful air is undeniable! For being someone so unknown, he might quite the debut this tournament, and I'm certain many in the crowds kept a close eye on him! And that man is of course Artorias Kalameet!"

As soon as a semblance of movement was seen from the dark entrance, the crowd absolutely exploded, far more than that for Regrit. It was like comparing the sound of a running car to that of a roaring jet engine. 

As he confidently strode into the open he did not hesitate nor bat an eye at all the sound. In fact, his eyes of entrancing gold were closed under his calm, silver brows. Unlike almost every other combatant, he bore no weapon on his body. It was not concealed, that was proved by many of his earlier matches. His flowing, silky smooth silver hair hung slightly over his still, snow-white face, and his shoulders were out broad as he continued his march towards the stage. And only when he reached his destination did he take his first breath and opened his eyes to calmly meet that of his opponents before glancing over to his side where the announcer stood.

"I didn't think it would be like this… But seems like this is what fate had in store for us…" Artorias sighed. 

"Huh?" Regrit raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't believe in fate!"

"I most certainly don't,"

"Then what? You scared that I'm gonna beat your ass in front of so many people?" He laughed. 

"If you believe that to be the case then I'm not stopping you. But if I were you, I'd try acting dignified. You're no longer a child you know...Now, you're just making a fool out of yourself." 

"I'll do whatever I want! You're not my mother!"

"Quite observant of you… Indeed I am not… But I believe your mother is indeed watching this match unfold…" Artorias commented. 

"..." 

Suddenly, Regrit went silent, and for that moment even Artorias could not help be taken aback.

"Yeah… You're right… She is… You hear me, mom!" He lifted his head and pointed directly at the cameras. "I'm gonna win this match just for you! JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE!! HE'S GONNA BE CRYING ON THE GROUND BEGGING FOR MERCY WHEN I'M DONE WITH HIM!!"

However, that moment of calmness did not last for long, and Regrit laughed returning back to what he did best.

Although Artorias smiled and felt rather indifferent, the same thing could not be said for others. From how Regrit acted, it was clear that he had already made many enemies from the crowds. Yet, he paid them no heed. That was how it was his entire life… And nothing he did was going to change that fact… it was not now that he began acting like someone who he was not.

"Aha! I see that both fighters are already excited to fight! And who am I to stop them from proving which of them is superior!? Now, if both fighters are ready, I'll count you down!" And as soon as he spoke, the announcer immediately received that very same confirmation he sought, a clear look and a nod from both fighters. 

"ALRIGHT!!" The announcer giddily lifted one finger up into the sky with a grin from ear to ear. "I see both fighters are ready to get at it! So without further ado! Allow me to count down!" The announcer did a swift backflip from his position on the stage, landing swiftly onto the outside grass where he would be relatively safe.

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

"START!!"