It was obvious that any distraction would be an issue right now, but he couldn't shake the anxiety from Lance's question. He exhaled the little breath he had before drawing in another. Get in the zone. He didn't want the distraction to become painfully obvious. He looked at the tall lean man across the ring from him. Jack couldn't see his eyes clearly, but the posture and head movement told him that his opponent didn't carry such a distraction, and the slight shift of the wisps told him that this could be very painful.

It was a brown-haired show girl circling the ring. Her hand gestures matching the few words Jack did catch from the amplified voice. Deep breath. The low vibration of a collective cheer shook Jack's stomach. The sensory feelings only telling him that time is near. He needed to focus on his opponent as much as possible. Only a few seconds left.

Jack noticed the man standing with closed feet. He must naturally lean towards being a striker, not habitually staying low to the ground. His intense focus means that the crowd was out of his head. The experience clear in his entire posture; the lack of swaying, no nerves; the easy way his lead foot found a place; good gauge of distance; the slight bend and pointing of his elbow; plan of attack. The last was the thick brown leather straps wrapped from his forearm into a singular glove that covered his entire hand. The back and the knuckles containing bits of metal. He wasn't even hiding the fact that he was a berserker. Why would he, he is a legend so everyone should know. But Jack didn't because he was distracted. Distracted all the time, like now. Again. He wasn't like this, he enjoyed preparing, but now he is facing a legendary berserker in his arena without knowing anything about h—

Damnit! Jack heard the go, but his body only reacted when he saw the large man flying forward. The most impressive first step he witnessed. Green raced to Jack's palm and erupted just in time to push him slightly to the left. His opponents fist pushed enough wind to take his hearing for now. More green and a few hops had Jack floating in the air. Quick dashes and air brakes made him dart just out of reach, only holding a position for a split second. He didn't plan to fight like this, but his instincts took over, as he narrowly dodged the aggressive onslaught of attacks. Jack knew his movements were effective, and at the very worst, his opponents would take paces to get used to it, but not now. Iris was slower than when he started, but it was like he knew the best paths to take and placed himself there in time with Jack's movement. The boy dashed back and called blue as quickly as he could, pushing it from his palm, just enough to ease the impact of the fist that ploughed into his chest.

Jack rolled onto his knees the first chance he got, his right-hand hovering over the stone, a wave of yellow flowing in the gap. He dispersed the spell when he noticed Iris walking slowly. The white teeth informing him that he was being tested and told the crowd it was time to cheer. Jack couldn't help but smile. That first step was a taste of a berserkers might. His first fight against one, or against a good one. It is going to take a lot to survive, the distance in level felt visible, but the slight excitement felt nostalgic.

The first step was quicker this time. Jack Wind Walked to intercept. Ace told him the disadvantage of their speed. The trust in their leap distance. Jack scattered green to stop, gather solid base, and now all the force he can generate to drive a punch into a moving icon. Iris's path changed and his boot dragged on the ground before skating on his shoulder for a couple of tiles. He took his time to get to his feet, but it wasn't from damage, it looked like he was giving the crowd time to acknowledge his opponent's move.

Jack wanted to rush forward, but he was concerned with the pain pulsing through his hand. It felt like he just hit a falling boulder without any mana. It didn't make any sense. Is that the level of mana that a berserker has flowing throughout their body? Is durability the real draw of sacrificing mimics. What can he do? More mana?

Iris burst forward, but no longer taking a single leap. Shorter steps were less quick but direction changing stride brought more consideration. Jack could see the steps clearly, but he would no longer be able to catch the Flower floating. Jack rushed mana to his heels and pushed his body away, but the big guy caught up to his short retreating steps. The leather wrapped hand aimed for Jack's guard. Less force than he imagined but enough to twist his protection, exposing his side. Iris moved forward with an elbow and when parried, his body drove his shoulder at Jack. Any stumble through the flurry and a knee would follow an airborne Hummingbird. Jack called green and dashed away. Iris's speed was deadly. Jack was proud of his mana movement and natural speed, but he might need to use mimics to escape a berserker's strengthening advantage, and not only that. Iris just did a combination with one arm. Amazing.

A wind spell took him to the next exchange, he didn't wait for his opponent to find a rhythm again. Jack floated in any airspace he thought would take the longest to react to, and his instincts were close, the warrior hesitating before spinning his body. Seeing an opening towards the ribs, he whipped his feet at the target, but hesitation resulted in barely tapping the spot. He called as much mana as he could to his fist to catch the newly opened spot of the twisting chest, but the hesitation of his kick allowed for a forearm to catch his shoulder after his impact.

Both men jumped away soaking in their wound. Jack barely felt the shoulder hit, but his fist was pulsing again. Iris must have used the mana to protect his chest more than strike back. His opponent's mana control was next level. Jack drew in a breath and curled his lips. He was glad to have held back his kick, if his legs hurt then he won't be able to move away. A small chuckle escaped the smile. He wasn't sure if the laugh was despair at the situation or self-praise for narrowly avoiding it, but whatever the case, he had to figure out a way to hit this moving building.

Jack dodged as much as he could, but Iris was slowly upping his speed. Maybe for the spectacle or as a means of cautiously approaching his opponent, nonetheless Jack hesitated to do anything besides dodge. A grab by The Wildflower let Jack grab onto his hand and used his frame as a springboard away from the pocket. Ice swords would have been nice, or a dark arsenal. Any of the special skills from his team members would be appreciated in this situation, even Tana's kindness could probably save him from the beating, or at least get the crowd on his side. Jack sighed and looked at his opponent, what he would give for those leather gloves, or...

Jack reached behind his head when he looked up to thousands, just realising that his stage fright never arrived today. Looking at his opponent, he didn't have much time to worry about anyone else. Jack knew that his own reason for strength wavered, but he couldn't deny the power from this man adored by the spectators. Maybe that was enough. Jack removed the monkey emblem from the headband he just unfastened. Tiger tucked safe into his pocket.

"You doing something there, Ed?" Iris asked.

"Yea, I need some protection for my hands. You are built like a tower. It feels like I am actually punching bricks." Jack tied the black cloth around his right knuckles and wrist. Careful to leave his palm free of any fabric. A few red orbs for confirmation. "It might just be a confidence boost more than anything."

"I like the idea, and your movements are interesting. I haven't fought many that can move like that. Adaptive."

"Yea, well I haven't met many that can keep up right away. Ready?"

"Whenever you are."

***

"It looks like their talking is done and they are taking stance. It has been pretty even thus far, but let's see if Ed's trick will do anything. Wait can he see through that hair?" The kingdom's voice brought on a few chuckles in the crowd. Stella's temperance was a byproduct of her focus. She studied her friend's every motion and imagined any expression on his face. She wasn't sure but she was hoping the arena would do something special. Bring something that might be missing.

"Stel...Lande." Tana stole her focus with a soft shoulder touch. "Your friend, how is he?"

"He is fine. The doctors told him to rest there for the day, and I think he has a lot of mana so he should recover quickly. Ugh, he is just so difficult, like his mom was so nervous to see him, and I see why. Ren?"

"He was way too nervous. He wanted to watch the match from the tunnels to get a feel for his. Wait! His mom? You knew his mom?" Tana asked.

"I only met her this morning, and apparently, she followed her son here without him knowing. He kicked up a fuss when seeing her, I guess from embarrassment. He is too annoying."

"Ori, are you working here today?" Ace approached from the lower stairs, his box of sandwiches hanging from his chest and a former mercenary hanging from his back.

"Besides that! Are you organising the stuff we talked about." Ophelia shouldered Ace.

"Mo said that they didn't have anything for me right now. I just have to swing by an afternoon party for sponsors when the matches are over, but they say it is just an appearance. And yea Ophy, I think we are good to go." Tana's smile opened into a wicked chuckle along with her cohort. Her glow and the swelling smell of the sandwiches drew eyes to their huddle on the stairs. Stella couldn't help but glance at the box until she saw Luna's eyes piercing her again.

"I will sell soon, but I want to focus on the match." Stella's tantrum gained no mercy from the violet glare.

"How is our boy doing?" Tana asked.

"Looks good to me, especially against someone like Iris," Ophelia said.

Stella looked down to see brown hair swishing past his opponent. His steps were as sharp as ever, but it only presented him the option of dodging for now. She felt a knot in her stomach. It wasn't worry, but anticipation. Anticipation on something she wasn't sure to happen, but something she felt like she was craving. That was her leader down there. This is her team. She wants him to show everyone that they are unstoppable. She wanted the world to recognise that they are special. They won't be walked over.

"What's it like to fight a berserker?" Stella asked. The hesitation of an answer made her turn to the only one she assumed could give an answer, but his eyes staring at the clouded sky.

"It feels impossible honestly. Berserkers are the worst, killing them is more likely than beating one in a fight, well a strong one." Ace's face grimaced. "Ugh, and when one of them wears armour and runs around like its nothing, it really gets to me."

"So what's the plan?" Stella tempo showed a panic that didn't register to her mind.

"The same as always, you just have to hit them hard. They still feel pain, and get hurt like everyone else, it is just that their defence feels unbreakable. It works like passive strengthening, but instead of our body naturally taking an uncontrollable amount when we are using mimics, berserker's bodies passively take all the mana it isn't using to strengthen other parts. It feels like fighting against a mountain, especially at the beginning when their mana is high. Remember how you didn't punch into castle in Kofka, he needs to use spells if he isn't confident in his mana strengthening."

"Sounds like fighting a bear, but I hear its worst. Animals' passive mana still doesn't cycle quite like a berserker. I guess Mystical's can be different?" Ophelia looked to Tenny who replied with a shrug.

"The Thunderbird is sent flying back. Will Iris be able to pounce?" the announcer announced.

"Why isn't he using spells then?" Tana asked this time.

"Iris is fast," Tenny replaced his friend. "Using a spell that can be dodged easily feels discouraging because more mana he uses, the weaker his strengthening will be."

"Berserkers rarely worry about that, since their mana circles in their body, it is surprising effective," Ace took over, "Iris can probably fight at a high output for the entire hour if his mana isn't defending attacks against strong attacks. That is why it can feel easier to kill a strong one than take him down and killing one is no easy feat itself."

Luna stretched her hand in front of Ace and a small dark blade formed in her hand and scattered just as quickly.

"Yea, unless you have one of those, it can be crazy hard." Ace laughed.

"I don't like this. It sounds like his odds are terrible, and he has been in a slump recently." Stella sighed.

"Since you lost your friend?" Ophelia was answered with the smallest of nods.

"Don't worry," Tenny chippered, "I think he is just learning right now. He has a huge smile on his face."

"You can see that from up here?" Stella asked.

"Duh, it's me. I think he is ready."

Stella looked over but it seemed like he was dashing to dodge as normal. His body might be lower but...yellow. A pillar shot out of the ground, narrowly missing his target, but she could see his anticipation. He leapt into the air along the pillar, using green pause to a float, long enough for his hand to pull yellow from the pillar to attack from a different direction. This time it crashed into a shoulder. It was his normal annoying flutter, but a web of yellow chased his flight, ensnaring The Wildflower. Paths cut off, the yellow crashed against Iris, until his elbow shattered the first pillar created. The rest shattering like yellow shards of glass.

"The Thunderbird surprises us again with his dual casting ability. This qualifier had an ice specialist, a dark weapon rookie, and the impregnable turtle. Now we have head belly magic fighting against a champion berserker. It doesn't get better than this. What is our home hero going to do?"

"Head belly?" Tana turned to Ace.

"It is just a funny way of saying a dual casting. It is tricky for someone to use two different elements on different hands at the same time. Some mage a while ago said it is like rubbing your head with one hand and patting your belly with the other." Tana's hands immediately recreated the imagery. A smile formed only to be stolen when Tenny told her to try switching hands.

"Oh you are too cute." Ophelia took a pinchful of Tana's cheeks.

"How does he look to you?" Stella said while the others were still practising. "Excited right? Like when we first started. It looks like he can't even hear the commentator."

Ace raised his moustache. "I can definitely see it. It looks like he is having fun."

***

This is terrible. Jack felt his chest lock inwards while floating in the air. Still able to pull the yellow pillar towards his enemy but it was shattered by a return punch. Jack touched the ground and immediately launched another, trying to draw a breath, but Iris caught the emergence in his palm and shattered it in no time. Jack rolled away but a kick was still waiting to send him across the stage. This time his quick roll and yellow prep was met by the rushing warrior. The clash met with an exchange of fist after the dodging of the yellow. A clash where Jack carefully used his left, and haphazardly swung his right.

The combatants stayed close together now, The Wildflower was not relenting. Jack's smile still present through the exchange. This rush of energy every time the fist narrowly dodged him and the softening of the stone skin through the battle. It was more like punching painted wood now. He can punch wood, that means that winning is a possibility. Iris can be defeated. That is only if Jack could get his breath under control, and maybe not feel this tired.

Iris finally caught a hold of his shirt and used it to drag him across his body like a ragdoll, only to pull him back into a knee. Jack's feet floating in the air while the immense pain trying to ground him, but it was the back of the forearm smashing against his shoulder that took him to the floor. Iris stepped back, and Jack crawled to his knees. That one really hurt.

Why was he fighting so hard? He felt beat, but he knew there was a chance of winning. If this wasn't a match, could he afford to take his time right now? Why fight so hard if this is just a match? Jack locked eyes with the brown ones waiting. Why was Jack fighting anyone in the first place? Fighting just takes things away.

Iris moved in after Jack stabilised, and all thoughts turned to vapour. Tight twist avoided impacts and parried returns were their counters. They traded blows, but none were enough to send the other flying. Just chipping at their exhaustion, the mentality, the time. An intimidation came with the short burst of pain. Who would stop first?

Jack leapt back and created some distance. Thoughts couldn't form fully, but he knew he didn't want to lose. The boot crashed against his guard, but he remained upright through the slide back. Still holding a subtle smile. This hurts. This is terrible. But he wants to win. No real reason. No thought about Null Metal, or another match. He just wanted to give everything he has and know it can overcome this mountain. The same mountain smiling at him right now.

Iris's amazing first step had become just familiar enough for Jack to lob a red orb over his head. The distraction was enough for The Hummingbird to crouch in front of him unnoticed. A large earth pillar blasted into the man, taking him into the falling red orb. A yell from the surprise explosion on his back, but Jack was already running on the pillar. Iris just peeled off the end falling at least 10 feet to the ground when Jack was above him. Two hands behind his head as if he was swinging the world's longest sword, but instead a massive red orb whipped across the icon and ploughed him into the stone. A crater present under his body, as Jack stood at the edge. He took his time to regain his breath and look at the warrior sit up in the newly formed cavity. A grin on both competitors. Maybe the difference in level wasn't as clear as he thought.

"Fun right?" Iris placed his hand on his hip.

"Huh?" Jack felt wrong ideas fly into his head. Fun? Was he fighting for fun? All this time? Is it okay to fight for fun?

"I am saying that this is a really fun fight! I haven't fought a match like this in a while, and definitely not against a rookie. I had a good feeling when I met you guys."

Jack felt the wood burn in his pocket. His mind couldn't stop racing through a fight in the snow. Did his desperation turn into fun? Is that okay? "You are right. It is fun! You are crazy strong. I was hoping my last attack would have stopped you."

"Berserker's benefits. Let's go?"

"Whenever you are ready."

It was faster. Every step, every strike, every recovery all increased in frequency. Their boots only touching the floor for quick exchanges before they leapt after the other. The entire stage trampled in their dance of blows and blocks. Iris had the lead.

Jack could feel the combinations working, but he couldn't overcome the heaviness that his limbs were picking up. He felt like he was striking faster than before, but it was getting harder and harder, each exchanging taking more concentration for connection. Iris landed one on Jack's cheek, dropping him onto his shoulder. The fallen slid on his back with green as an aid and dashed back in. Only a few connecting punches caused the tower to retreat slightly, but only one punch ripped into Jack's stomach and sent him almost out of the ring.

Jack coughed whatever filled his mouth into the sand off the edge. His hands supporting his body, he looked at the defeat inches away. His head turned to the fighter dashing towards him. Wait. Iris can't dash, at least not in the air. Jack quickly took to his feet. He had to get the timing perfect, just...perfe...He blasted green from his palms to circle around the charging bull, his hands floating just above the ground after his feet controlled the balance. As broad as he can make it. No room for Iris to dodge, Jack swung his hand immediately with the turn as a commodious yellow rectangle tore from the ground, angled to push...where was he?

"You think no one has tried to knock me off the edge?" Jack heard the voice creep into his ear. Jack's neck tried to twist but a hand gripped onto the back of his head. "Looks like it's over. It was a good fight."

It felt like every pore in Jack's face imploded. His forehead the epicentre. The instant lack of air from his pinned nose caused all the experiences to wash like a wave. It was the sensation of no air that made him realise he could see the sound of his face crashing through his closed eyelids. It looked like a flash of white light hurriedly shifting to red then back to black. He could hear nothing, but he was sure it was ringing, but nothing could possibly ring at the moment. He was in a match, what could...oh, the match. Was. It should be over now. What would the sky look like now as the loser?

Jack pried his eyes open, but only the right made significant progress. He could feel the thick flow of blood over the next one, and the one capable of catching light only did it lazily. The loser's sky looked like a blurred Iris. Jack felt his legs buckle under him. They were under him. His hands felt more comfortable in the air above his face with his elbows tucked to his body and pointing at the ground. It was a stunned look Iris was wearing when Jack's eyes focused. He exhaled and slid his feet forward a fraction of an inch. That's the furthest he could step. Iris would have to come to him now.

And so he did. The Wildflower rushed forward, but Jack was able to parry the punch. It was either poorly thrown, or Jack was returning to his senses. Feeling more alert, he slipped pass the one arm adaptive combination and throw a flurry of his own, only to be blasted into the wall by an elbow. His knee caught his body from crashing into the tile, and his bloodied, frictionless fingers clawed at the yellow spell to get up. He inched to his feet and used his back to meet the wall so his hands can hold up his guard again. Waiting on his opponent until the spell dispersed into thousands of tiny yellow orbs. It felt like a wake-up shock. He had to get up quicker, and without anything. He couldn't let his opponent know how hurt he was. His wobbling legs raised him, but refused to stay stationary, but it didn't matter. It would just take one good hit. One good hit and he can win.

***

"Why, why, why!" Tana gripped onto Ace's jacket. Her silver eyes wavered when looking at him, but his and all other eyes were glued to the stage. "It's too much right? It's too much! Why is he still fighting?"

Stella opened her mouth, but she had no words. No true answer came from her head, but a feeling from her stomach that she knew exactly how he felt. No logical explanation of how his feet find themselves under him again, just faith that they would.

"I have no idea, but whatever his reason. It looks important to him. If it is worth it to him, then we should hear him out." Ace turned to her and smile, but it did nothing to the apprehension rightfully consuming her countenance.

"That's not righ—" The arena came under assault of millions of water droplets. Tana turned to dash for cover like many in the crowd, but two steps up and she paused. Many dashed, but most were like her friends, focused on the warrior wiping the blood from his face with aiding rainfall. She walked back to stand beside her friends. The rhythm of the rain accelerating her heartbeat but cooling her mind. She looked onwards at Jack barely shifting punches. His fist only tapping the man in front of him. She was watching, but she knew that she didn't understand the feelings of the others watching.

"Luna, you should get out of the rain. You can get sick," Ace said over his shoulder. Tana turned to only see the little one grip tighter. "Okay, but don't blame me."

"But you can't really blame anyone either." Tenny had shrunk to half his size, dripping on Ophelia's shoulder. "He is giving his all."

"Was he always like this? Since you knew him, moustache," Ophelia asked.

"I don't know. He was just a good kid. I wanted to help him accomplish what he wanted. I thought it was just seeing the world. I don't know if things changed, or if he was always this way, but he continues to go beyond my expectations. What about you second-in-command? Is it what you were looking for?"

"No way," Stella blurted. Tana looked to her, but the water running down her lips before diving in front of the soft smile, made her feel uneasy. Her violet eyes sharp. "I want a leader that wins, and definitely not an idiot that enjoys abuse. But...beggars can't be choosers, so I think I will follow him around for a bit longer."

Tana turned back to the platform and gripped her own hand. She was 100% sure she wasn't feeling like the others.

***

Iris looked between the drops at the boy beaten on the floor. Red running from his body like a spell leaking outwards onto the cracks on the tile. A deep breath to calm his nerves. Nerves that arose every time the boy did. How much can he take? Iris looked to the edge spectators wall, the large hourglass holding a quarter of its sand left. He could wait until Lance made a decision. He needed Ed to stay down. Stay down!

His stomach turned when he saw the faint yellow glow under Ed's hand. A pillar barely smaller than his chest, erected from the stonework and held the boy up. He twisted to face Iris, with his back against the newly formed pillar. His unruly brown hair stuck to parts of his face with hardened blood that not even the pouring rain released, but enough strands fell to hide the half-glazed orange eyes.

"I get it. We all can see how much heart you have, but it is enough. Why do you keep standing up? I never fought someone like you, but all this for a show? How do you keep getting up?" Iris sighed.

"Cause it isn't fun to lose. I don't want to lose." Ed smiled at him. As much as his lips could curl. His voice only going as fast as it the same lips allowed.

"This is too much now. We win some and we lose some. Stay down. Fight another day." Iris walked closer.

"I don't think I can. I know it sounds stupid, but if I give up here then I feel like I can always give up in the future. If I have that option then it feels like I should have given up a long time ago, and I am scared of that. I don't know what I am fighting for right now, but I feel like I need to have the right to fight, so you are going to have to take me down. I won't give up."

The words beat into Iris's head like the rain above him. His eyes opened as wide as he could after a what he felt like he needed to hear. Giving up can become easier. "It looks like I will have to, indeed."

Iris raised his left arm above his hip and away from Ed. He tensioned his muscles from the bottom of his ear, down his neck and to each finger digging into his flesh. Hopefully the warrior will fly out of the ring with this one. Hopefully it won't leave too much damage, but he deserves the respect of a good finish. The spectacle deserved an epic ending.

The ground rattled under Iris's feet, enough so that Ed had to wrap around the support pillar. Chunks of stone crashed to the ground. Iris only noticing that they were ripped away after the landing of the former general. The old man locked eyes with him, the green stare removing most of the tension from loaded punch, but not enough to return it to his side. It was when his hand took the punch and raised it in the air, Iris's confusion peaked. What was Lance doing here? His grey hair pinned to his head and his suit collecting buckets of water. The old man summoned green to the other hand but kept it to his side for the time being.

"That was a hell of a match, Iris. I haven't seen you fight seriously in ages. It is good to see a champion remembering they are a champion." The old man smiled at him, then raised the green to his mouth. "I am sorry to step in a match like this, but the judges have deemed this match over! For the safety of our rookie that fought valiantly against our legend, we have decided that our winner is Iris!"

The fans erupted. Mixture of names called from all around them. Iris still looking at the old man as he placed Ed on his back. A sigh released from the winner, and he raised his hand to the crowd once again, and immediately the mixture was a distilled to a clear cheer for the former champion. The sounds bathed him as much as the rain. A moment he felt like he had forgotten.

Cheers to be proud of felt amazing.