> Power emboldened, emotion raw. Feel within; the great power undeterred
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Windful kept his eye fixed onto Watch as he floated before and above him, shutting his eyes while now with spines and fur in a golden yellow tone, auras of similar color, and his exposed stomach now with a darker tone.
《A golden form…》 《One of the cosmos…》
Watch opened his eyes, revealing his irides to have turned a maroon shade, looking onto his adversary, and readied for the next phase of the contest.
《One of the Void…》
"Well, I'll be…" Windful uttered, in sort of awe at the same time. "I do get to fight against a legendary Superfied."
Watch scoffed rather dismissively in reply. "Please. Legends tend to get overrated anyway…"
However, he was slowly consumed by a wave of curiosity, a desire to learn more. It turned him to avert his eyes in an attempt to dissipate that thirst, all to no avail.
He then turned back to his fellow speedster, asking a simple question. "Just…what do those legends say?"
Windful stared in disbelief at the question.
Finally, he exploded, in hearty, jestful laughter.
It was to the unflattered frown of Watch however, though Windful's howls could still be heard.
The human’s span of laughing would end afterwards. "Oh, I apologize. You really are as the legends say.”
"Likewise, Windful. Likewise. Or should I say…” Watch spoke in a bold response, bringing himself forward with the intent to share a whisper between himself and his counterpart.
“Nate Monday?" Watch finished, whispering with a small smirk.
Windful's facial expression dulled to one of shock and confusion upon Watch’s statement.
"So you know. How, though?" He questioned, calmer than before.
"I may be free-spirited, but I'm no moron. Apparently, I have genius-level intellect. (Something learnt over a bet at that…)" Watch answered, looking away in reminiscence and leaving his opponent even more perplexed.
"And two…I've done well to keep notes on many speedsters of the Cosmic Soil. So yeah, ‘course I know ya."
Windful stepped back for a moment, still gathering himself. "Yeah, it’s a tad creepy, I know. But it is for good reason I do that. So, uhh…the benefit of the doubt?"
Windful sighed alongside a soft smile.
"Did anyone on the outside hear it?" "Few, maybe."
"Alright. From the top?" The human speedster asked, taking a pose ready to sprint, as he combined his hands behind himself, stretching his arms in that direction.
Watch grinned. "You bet!"
Once again, the dyad began darting at each other, even more intensely and arduous than any previous time.
The platform’s length would to become a number of paranormal spheres.
《This, just for this collision of velocity…》
They crashed into each other, procuring a shockwave that rippled through the fabrics of the lengths of these places.
And with their speed and power, continued to indulge in a vaster defiance of naturality, acting in motions of seeming endlessnesses.
《A blended clash in rapidity. Rapidity of different sources. For Watch’s, it was simply being born “special”, atypical to whatever standards he was held to.》
Intertwining pure electro energy, the Endless technique and telekinetically enhanced physical capabilities all from his Meridian, and the gifts of the Swift Source, Windful went at Watch, in the hopes all combined would aid to to fight on equal ground.
《But…Nate Monday’s case was different. Involved in a near-fatal lab accident involving electric charge of all types and chemicals, he would awaken to uncover new gifts from something otherworldly…》
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He threw vivaciously an enhanced electrical charge at Watch, prompting a swift act of easy maneuvering from the latter in a quick burst after strengthening his golden auras.
《The Swift Source. The ultimate representation of motion throughout the omniverse…》
《A place; a force; a swirl that pushes movement and pace in their totality.》 《And through various circumstances, it inputs its energy into direct conduits…》
Windful smiled of a visible highness in spirits and an enjoyment of the ongoing battle.
《And Nate…is one…》
Watch proceeded to swiftly stop time as David would, in tandem with the formation of a barrage of large golden energy fists in search for a definitive strike.
But Windful was able to withstand and remain unaffected by the stoppage, proceeding to evade the attacks, and continued heading towards his opponent who was also moving.
He charged the purplish energy once again, sending it towards Watch at the speeds which they moved.
But Watch parried through it, utterly nullifying its effects, which surprised Windful to a great degree.
And from its dispersion, the hedgehog would act to begin absorbing "light".
"Prepare for the grand finale!!!" Watch exclaimed with a confident grin.
Windful began to ready his own charge, standing in place and vehemently vibrating himself and all his molecular makeup.
And when they finished it was clear, Watch being completely immersed in light and with glorious shine, and Windful's usual yellowish-white electricity now a pure white, also seeming to have transmogrified into “energy” as well, and with charge and swirls of purple about both his forearms.
Then their eyes of the greatest determination met, and it truly was clear.
“AAAAAAAHHH!!!” They ferociously screamed, proceeding at their final charge, with Watch charging forward as a pure beam of radiance, and Windful coming forth with an unearthly afterimage streak.
And suddenly, as the brace began motions of sheer warping, undefined rapidity superlative to all relativity and causality in that one space, the crowds could only see them mere moments before they charged at each other.
《Time…》
Only for the projection to display the violent flattening of the spheres, completely gaining the attention and emotions of the vast majority. Emotions of shock, amazement, bewilderment, surprise of all forms, and so on.
《Time.》
Eventually, all came to a halt, amidst the platform’s return to its usual form.
On the ground laid the two, seemingly out of it, though completely conscious and with heavy breaths.
"That...was something,” said Watch with a wide stare, still catching his breath. "Yeah, uh, don't…don't think I can get up again after that.” Windful responded, nearly motionless.
"Well…I can. And I'll also heal you, so don't worry too much." "With magic spit? No thanks." "Hey! That's a big misconception!" Watch exclaimed as he sat up, the two engaging in more friendly banter.
"Can thou behold what lay before thee? Two, though withal few alikeness…" Tōmii orated with joy in his heart, his words directed at Dgiag. "Hm. Yes. If only…"
"Prim not to dwell upon such things for long. For thoust be the coming honors.”
Dgiag smiled in response.
And went on to announce Watch the winner.
《Victor: Watch.》
With little delay did the next battle commence, one between two All-Meridians, Wok, and Nakito.
《Ran Wok.》 《Nakito Solo.》
At the very beginning Nakito would mock Hether for losing to him in the prior round, which enraged Wok who had come to form a close bond with her throughout the entire investigation.
And as a result lead to the battle being one of high intensity and high tempers, where the two involved, where the involved would do all they could with their powers, wits and skills to prevent their rival from getting even a momentary peek of glory. An endless flurry of a variety of Meridian powers, even going deep into metaphysical attacks of all sorts.
But at the end of it all, Wok was left as the last man standing.
《Victor: Ranthee Wok.》
The next battle was between a male Stralean, the infamous Dragon King, and a male Manarett called Karrē.
《Dragon King.》 《Karre.》
It was a close battle, an archetype of an intense contest if there ever was one. But its length was short, and the vile and devilish Dragon King stood victorious, leaving Karrē near death's door.
《Victor: Dragon King.》
That which then followed was contested between Noot and the Viosi called Sugo.
《Noot.》 《Sugo.》
However, at the beginning of the battle, Noot used his greater speed and pre-prepared equipment, including a long ivory rope with earphone jack-like ends at each end, as well as a few minimal materials from around the platform to build an ultrasonic sound amplifier system, specifically for dealing with this race of beings.
It was a system that amplified sound to the most debilitating of frequencies, added with its effect that simulated "a hellish burn".
This nearly completely took out Sugo, leaving the symbiote just a blobbing pool of viscous semi-liquid, and temporarily inducing sleep onto its human host.
Noot then placed a small containment box before him, with a suction that drew the Viosi into it, concreting his spot as that contest's victor.
《Victor: Noot/The Polymath.》
But it was a relatively controversial conclusion, due mostly to the haste Noot made.
And once again, the wheels were spun, to determine he who was next to go on, or go out…
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