The thirty-two remaining combatants marched down to the main arena where the critical stage battles occurred. “I can scarcely believe we survived the preliminary groups,” uttered Kiyoshi. “Nay, we cannot believe you survived the groups,” retorted Lionel. “What meaning lies in your words?” questioned Kiyoshi. “We imply pride in your advancement,” explained Felix diplomatically. “I favor his description better,” Kiyoshi said, nodding. “Then you ought gaze upon the bracket ahead in this land of thirty-two,” advised Jax. “How gracious of you to arrive after the groups ended,” jabbed Felix. “Apologies, I was engaged vanquishing the simpletons in my group,” boasted Jax. “I’ll wager you were thus occupied,” Lionel said dryly. “I wonder who fate decrees I battle next,” mused Kiyoshi as they reached the resting area adjoining the stage. All dashed to scrutinize the board displaying the matchups.

Match 1: Isabel Kuiper vs. Jared Aldo.

Match 2: Pancrazio Aliprandio vs Yenny Wolff.

Match 3: Rosa Bokor vs. Xanthos Stankovic.

Match 4: Felix Warner vs. Aatos Yoxall.

Match 5: Noriko Pan vs. Nuno Watt.

Match 6: Hevel Tane vs. Lionel Feret.

Match 7: Morris Perrot vs. Adrianna Proulx.

Match 8: Vincent Tufano vs. Cloven Norwood.

Match 9 Tokido Mitsuko vs. Vilma Pavlov.

Match 10: Jun-Ho Forest vs. Yishai Winfield.

Match 11: Wiley McGee vs. Murithi Windriver.

Match 12: Hugo Perry vs. Jax Mitsuko.

Match 13: Evie Platt vs. Miyako Sasaki.

Match 14: Ralph Vegas vs. Kiyoshi Hamasaki.

Match 15: Alecto Hideyoshi vs. Elissa Provence.

Match 16: Jose Clark vs. Leopold Shvets.

“What, I'm paired with this bumbling fighter?” Kiyoshi bellowed in dismay. “Underestimate no one,” cautioned Lionel sagely. “I'll beat the clumsiness out of him and breeze into the top eight,” Kiyoshi declared, clenching his fist. Jax, Lionel, and Felix collectively facepalmed at his arrogance. “Such confidence he has in victory,” remarked Jax wryly. “He knows not his opponent's skill,” added Felix. “Nor that sheer luck preserved him when Sekel severed his arm,” Lionel reminded. "I believe the crowd stirs," observed Jax, cocking his head. "Hmm?" Lionel and Felix murmured in surprise. "I may become ill from stage fright," confessed Felix, his face turning lime green. "You'll fare well with the crowd," Lionel reassured, patting his back. "Howdy partners," hailed Wiley, ambling over. "Hello," returned Jax politely. Alecto swooped down from above. "Where is Kiyoshi?" he inquired. The others glanced around uncertainly. “I know not,” Lionel finally admitted. “I hoped to wish him fortune and vow our rivalry unfinished, that we may both reach the top eight,” explained Alecto. “I'll relay the message when he returns,” promised Lionel. “My thanks, I must focus to triumph in my next bout against a formidable foe,” Alecto said, waving farewell as he departed. "How far do you foresee advancing in the tournament?" Wiley asked Jax. “I harbor hope, chiefly seeking revenge on my brother Tokido for wounding my eye,” confessed Jax, indicating his bandaged eye. “And you?” "With fortune I'll face you again in round two,” said Wiley. “I would welcome such a rematch,” Jax agreed. “As would I,” Wiley concurred. “Well, good luck to you friend,” he said, tipping his hat and ambling off. The announcer entered the waiting area. "May I have everyone's attention please," he requested. The thirty-two assembled fighters turned expectantly towards him. "Firstly, congratulations on advancing this far in such a grueling tournament," he praised. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Hiroko Sato," he said with a slight bow. "Wait, he hosted the Kung Fu League for twenty years straight!" exclaimed Nuno in awe. "Indeed I did," Hiroko confirmed graciously. Hiroko had slanted steel-grey eyes peering out from behind dark shades. His luxuriant curly white-blonde hair framed his wrinkled face. He stood tall amongst the fighters. His pale skin contrasted with his jet black suit, save for a golden rose pinned to his lapel. "I wish you all fortune in your upcoming bouts," Hiroko said, departing as the crowd's anticipation reached a fever pitch. He stepped into the arena to further excite the audience. "With thirty-two ferocious fighters thirsty for victory, grip your seats as we commence the first match!" Hiroko bellowed into the microphone. The crowd roared thunderously in response. "As always, the ring shall randomly generate treacherous environments to challenge the combatants," Hiroko reminded them. "Now, let's begin match number one - Isabel Kuiper versus Jared Aldo!" The combatants emerged to deafening cheers. “Let’s discover what landscape the ring conjures first,” said Hiroko, brimming with excitement. The ring shimmered and transformed into a pond dotted with lily pads. "Let the match commence!" Hiroko shouted. Isabel and Jared bowed respectfully towards each other before adopting fighting stances. Isabel's piercing scarlet eyes contrasted strikingly with her cobalt hair cascading just past her shoulders in a sleek style. She stood tall and slender, with smooth light brown skin. Her small pink lips were pursed in concentration. A silver gi with a red belt cinched around her narrow waist, two stars adorning the belt. A bobcat emblem was emblazoned across her back. Jared initiated the match by volleying lightning bolts from his palms onto the water. Isabel transformed into her spirit guardian, intoning “I am Milo, the forceful bobcat!” Cupping her hands, she formed an orb of energy and thrust it towards Jared, crying “Take this!” But Jared deftly floated above the blast and retaliated with a thunderbolt that cracked through the water towards Isabel. “The simplest fighter I've ever faced,” Jared scoffed. “Special Move: Yellow Thunder Flash Strike!” Jared bellowed. A piercing wyvern shriek preceded a searing yellow beam erupting from Jared's hands, electrifying the water and shocking Isabel into unconsciousness. "What a dazzling thunder strike to commence the round of thirty-two!" marveled Hiroko. "Isabel appears incapacitated, making Jared Aldo the victor!" The crowd's cheers shook the arena as the ring reverted to normal. As Isabel regained consciousness, both bowed respectfully to conclude the honorable match. "I'm not yet prepared to claim the trophy," Isabel acknowledged. "Let's applaud their tremendous effort!" Hiroko urged, the audience erupting into applause. "Next up is Pancrazio Aliprandio versus Yenny Wolff!" "I told you Jared would be victorious," Felix reminded the others, leaping down to congratulate his friend. "We're no longer friends, prepare to face me soon," Jared responded coldly, stalking off. "What ails him?" mused Jax, perplexed by his abrupt change in demeanor. "I know not," Felix sighed. "If you get the chance, strike him down with all your might," Lionel advised fiercely. "Come forth Yenny Wolff and Pancrazio Aliprandio!" Hiroko summoned. The opponents emerged from opposite tunnels and approached the ring. After bowing respectfully, they dropped into fighting stances. Yenny's elegant violet eyes reminded one of fine wine. Her lustrous azure hair cascaded down her back in flawless waves. Average in height and weight, hints of muscle rippled beneath her fair skin. A prominent chin balanced her petite stature. An icy blue gi hugged her frame, a pastel pink belt with three stars cinched at her waist. A phoenix emblem adorned her back. Pancrazio's light green eyes were round and piercing. His long stark white hair was tightly bound in a severe tail. He was diminutive in height but slender and spry. His tan skin seemed to glow against his sunny yellow gi fastened with a purple three-star belt. A tiger emblem marked his back. Neither wasted time activating their spirit guardians. "I am Flake the Ice Phoenix!" Yenny proclaimed, morphing into a hybrid phoenix-woman. "I am Lennox the Star Tiger!" Pancrazio answered, shifting into a tiger-man hybrid. "The ring transforms into a grassy field!" Hiroko announced. The opponents charged, Yenny unleashing an icy aerial kick. Pancrazio blocked the blow and countered with a fist to her torso, knocking her back. Yenny rolled to her feet swiftly and Pancrazio pressed his advantage. Sensing his impending punch, Yenny side-stepped it and froze his arm with an icy gust. Unable to move his frozen limb, Pancrazio was further immobilized by icy breaths freezing his legs."Yenny has rendered Pancrazio unable to maneuver!" Hiroko commentated excitedly. "Ultra Move: Frozen Ice Flame!!!" Yenny bellowed. An arctic flame erupted from her mouth, encasing Pancrazio wholly in ice. She followed with a powerful kick, shattering the icy prison and ejecting Pancrazio outside the ring. "Yenny is the winner by ring-out!" Hiroko announced. "What an outstanding match from these two!" Xanthos Stankic versus Rosa Bokor followed. Xanthos’ chocolate eyes were almond-shaped and keen. His fine curly brown hair was cropped short, framing his slender build and fair skin. His small hands were calloused from years of training. Rosa’s deep-set green eyes contrasted with her ash-gray waves rippling down her back. Though short and stout, she moved with unexpected grace. Her brown skin glowed against her sunny yellow gi, cinched with a two-star white belt. An eagle emblem adorned her back. Their battle raged fiercely until Xanthos felled Rosa with his special move. "Xanthos Stankic is the victor!" Hiroko proclaimed. Next was the fated match between Felix Warner and Aatos Yoxall. Aatos' round crimson eyes were unsettling. His ivory hair was intricately styled, the severe look accentuating his diminutive but muscular frame and fair complexion. Thick brows furrowed over his intense gaze. His metal grey gi matched his three-star silver belt. A sphinx marked his back. Felix struck first with a moon punch, but Aatos nimbly dodged and rebounded the blow against Felix's face, knocking him off-balance. As Felix regained his footing, Aatos' hands morphed into metallic claws. He slashed ruthlessly, shredding Felix’s gi as he frantically cartwheeled away. Aatos persisted, finally landing a slash across Felix's body. Felix collapsed, clutching his wound. As Aatos moved in for a finishing blow, Felix ensnared his arm and flipped overhead, wrenching free. "Special Move: Moon Typhoon!" Felix shouted. A concentrated orb erupted from his palm, vaporizing Aatos upon impact. "Felix Warner is the victor in a close match!" Hiroko proclaimed in relief. In the next bout, Noriko Pan rapidly dominated Nuno Watt with her superior skill and strength. "Noriko Pan wins decisively!" Hiroko announced. "Next is the showdown between Hevel Tane and Lionel Feret!" Hevel's droopy blue eyes stood out against his perfectly coifed purple hair. Though tall and slender, he moved with uncanny grace. His tan skin appeared bronze under the lights. Lionel wasted no time attacking as they entered the ring. Hevel transformed into a hulking blue minotaur while Lionel became a neon pink penguin. Hevel charged with his deadly horns, but Lionel dodged aside, landing at the ring's edge. As Hevel spun around, Lionel unleashed a blinding neon flash, easily ejecting massive Hevel out of bounds. "Lionel Feret is the winner by ring-out!" Hiroko declared. "Absurd rules!" Hevel spat furiously. "You exited the ring, hence a ring-out," Hiroko explained calmly into the microphone. Enraged, Hevel hurled a bench at Hiroko, who barely ducked the projectile. Security swarmed to remove the disqualified Hevel from the premises. "Nearly took my head off there folks!" Hiroko said with a nervous chuckle. "Nevertheless, the matches continue!" In the next bout, Morris Perrot rapidly overwhelmed Adriana Proulx with a blinding combination of strikes. "Morris decisively conquers Adriana!" Hiroko proclaimed. "Vincent Tufano and Cloven Norwood will duel next!" Vincent confronted Cloven angrily. "You put my friend Lucas in the medical wing," he accused. "I did, he was pathetic against me," Cloven sneered arrogantly. "I'll make you regret those words," Vincent threatened. "Perhaps you should forfeit before joining Lucas there," Cloven taunted. They glared fiercely, poised to attack. At Hiroko's summons they reluctantly entered the ring. After terse bows, they immediately exchanged blows. Cloven's strike proved far stronger, blasting Vincent to the ring's edge. "Inferno Combo!" Cloven bellowed, raining fiery blows upon Vincent relentlessly. Vincent attempted to shield himself but the onslaught proved too much. Realizing defeat inevitable, Vincent hastily leapt from the ring before Cloven could intensify his assault. "Some friend, can't even avenge his fallen comrade," Cloven scoffed derisively at the cowering Vincent. "Cloven Norwood is the victor!" Hiroko announced as medical staff carried away the groaning Vincent. "Let's hope he recovers swiftly!" On the tournament's other side, Tokido Mitsuko wore down Vilma Pavlov with rapid attacks before finishing her with a colossal punch. Jun-Ho Forest unnerved Yishai Winfield with illusory tricks, goading him into misstepping out of bounds. Wiley McGee rampaged towards victory, goring Murithi Windriver with his signature Bullhorn move. Jax Mitsuko mimicked his brother's strategy, pummeling Evie Platt into submission. "Miyako Sasaki bounces Evie Platt out of contention with remarkable acrobatics!" Hiroko commented. The final match of the round pitted Alecto Hideyoshi against Jose Clark. Their battle raged late into the night, the ring glowing radiantly to illuminate the action. Jose's flaming kicks overcame Alecto's metallic assaults however, sealing victory. "Jose Clark clinches the final top eight position after a heartbreaking defeat for Alecto!" Hiroko concluded solemnly. "The top eight will commence tomorrow folks, so rest up tonight!"

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