Sunday morning came along. It wasn't too cold. But it wasn't very warm, either. And it was cloudy. Not that I was going to complain about it; there was no rain, after all. But it was windy. It was a pretty strong wind, too, but at least it wasn't bitingly cold. We went to church, as usual, and then after church we headed out to lunch for a change. Upon returning home, dad crashed in his chair, as usual, and mom went to her little office to deal with some paperwork that one of her subordinates had somehow fudged. I went to my room and read a book for a change until about three in the afternoon, and then I headed out to the store as I had promised Rachel in-game last night.

“Ya got lucky today, kid,” the mustached proprietor told me. “This is the very last one of that kind for the day. They sold like crazy earlier.”

“H-heh...?” I returned, pulling out the money-card I had for such purposes.

“'Give ya a tip: reservations, boyo, reservations!” he grinned as he set the carefully packaged cheesecake in a carry bag and handed it to me as the money-card came through.

“I'll try and remember,” I nodded back.

“Good on ya--and have a nice day!” he grinned as I took the bag, giving him a wave in reply as I continued on my way to Rachel's--Andrea's?--to the Summers' house.

When I got there I knocked on the door, and a voice told me to hang on a moment. Then the door opened, and Andrea peeped from behind the door almost bashfully.

“Ahh! Sean! Rachel told me you were coming over... hang on!” she said, and then after a moment the door opened more fully. “Tell you what, just head to the kitchen; turn left, and then it's the room on the right.”

“Ah, sure... you okay?” I asked her as I slowly came in.

“Ah-ha-ha, my parents went out with my uncle for the day, so I was getting an early shower, and then Rachel jumped in with me--”

“Hyeck--!! Got it!! Straight to the kitchen, ma'am!!” I interrupted her, marching like a wooden soldier in exactly the direction she had told me.

But Sean, you've seen their avis--

Okay. The game is the game, and real life is real life. They don't cross over any more than they have to. I heard a sound of snickering as I made my way to the kitchen, and then the sound of feet rushing back up the stairs. There was a shriek, followed by giggles, and then the upstairs went quiet. Wh-what kind of stereotypical shenanigan is this??

A few minutes later they both came down, their hair mostly dried, each of them wearing clothes that clearly said not-going-anywhere-else-today. Rachel gave me a hug, sitting next to me at the counter, and Andrea set a pot of coffee on for us.

“You dodged that bullet -- or did you miss the show?” the older girl said to me.

“Guhyeck!” I froze.

“Andri, you're starting to sound like Ellie.” Rachel told her.

“Ahhhh!! You're right!! Ugh, that girl...” the other groaned, and I sighed in relief.

“Although...” Rachel innocently remarked, giving me a subtle look.

“A-a-are you trying to have me put on our parents' hit-list?” I asked her with a concerned smile. She smirked back, and laid her head on my shoulder.

“Teasing. Mostly.” she said softly, and I gulped.

“Don't worry, kiddo. We'll stop.” Andrea said, and I sighed in relief for a second time.

“Good thing Ellie isn't here.” Rachel smiled.

“Exactly.” Andrea nodded. “She has no filter in her house or mine, and she'd probably suggest some pretty outrageous somethings.”

“Sh-she's unfiltered enough...” I said.

“Pffffft!” Rachel began laughing, and Andrea cackled with delight.

“Right?!” the red-haired girl said. “Anyway; coffee should be done in five. You want cream or sugar, Sean?”

“Heh? Ahh, creamer. Maybe a bit of sugar.”

“Gotcha.” she nodded, getting a sugar jar out and browsing their smaller fridge to dig out a creamer. “Hazelnut, French Vanilla, Cinnamon, Chocolate, or Irish Cream?”

“Ooh, I'm going with hazelnut this time.” Rachel said immediately.

“Hrrmm... same.” I said, and she pulled that one out, along with the cinnamon creamer.

“And this one for me,” Andrea said, setting them on the counter and sitting down across from us while the coffee brewed. We got the cheesecake out of the back and lifted off the lid, taking a deep whiff of the scent it gave off.

“I love this kind.” Rachel said happily.

“It's definitely good.” Andrea nodded.

“Right?” I agreed.

A few minutes later, we were sipping on good coffee and taking our time with the delectable dessert before us, talking about school and all the things we had to do for at least twenty minutes before we turned to Panarena. Tonight was going to be round two of the official matches.

“And then tomorrow will be the final day for the line-ups picked by the GMs.” Andrea said. “According to what I read, those who finish their fights first in the third round will get priority in their choices.”

“Hmm... I guess that's fair.” I said as I thought about it.

“Kind of. But then those who come later in the day might have something to say about that.” she shrugged.

“Can't make us all happy,” I said with a soft grin.

“And there's no guarantee you'll get your targets for the bet, either.” Rachel said.

“That's true. Heh,” I then said with a look of amusement, “If I get past Ty, I'll have Ironsides to fight. That'll be two on my list.”

“Ooh, nice.” my girlfriend nodded. “Think Sandy'll beat you to any of them?”

“Who? Huh? Oh!!” I suddenly realized. “You've gotta stop shortening her name,” I said with a bemused look, and they giggled back. “Well I can think of at least one she'll definitely try to jump me on...” I then said more seriously, and the two of them nodded back.

“Myanihia.” Andrea said.

“They give off a seriously mysterious vibe, don't they?” Rachel said.

“It's their thing, I guess.” I shrugged.

“I super want to find out if they're a boy or a girl character before the tournament ends...” Andrea remarked with unusual fervor.

“Now there's something we don't want to say in front of Ellie.” I smiled back, and we all laughed.

By the time the cheesecake was gone and the coffee drank, it was almost five-thirty. Andrea gathered the dishes and such to wash them, and then gave me a soft hug before letting Rachel take me to the door.

“Be safe going home,” Rachel said to me.

“Of course,” I replied.

“We'll have to do this again sometime, with some of the others as well!” she smiled.

“Definitely!” I agreed, and she pulled me down for a kiss, in which we stayed for several eternal moments until she let go and looked at me with a smile, sighing happily.

“See you tonight... Lana.” she whispered softly. I smirked back, gently poking her nose, and headed out as she giggled back.

When I got home, dinner was ready, and after this was eaten I went upstairs to my room. I dressed down at last, lying on my bed for a few moments to space out a bit before bringing my thoughts in line again. I cast a gaze to the Dream Machine, grinning with delight. I was sure he was doing something similar. Ty, that is. Tonight, we would finish what we had put off for a couple years in probably the most spectacular fashion we ever could.

No teachers... no principals... no parents... no rules, I recounted for myself, getting way too fired up. I put on the Dream Machine, and turned it on to log in to Panarena for the night. Here we go!!

***

I found myself in the room near the arena moments later, and browsed through the schedule, ending up with a grumpy pout on my face as I discovered that Tyman and I weren't due on the stage until later. In fact, we were the last fight scheduled for the day.

“Blehhh!” I whined, flopping back upon a nearby bed.

“Oh, Lana?” Belle's voice came, and she flew in to sit near my head. “I thought so! What's up?” she asked me.

“Not much... apparently my fight is the last fight for the day.” I said with a pout.

“Hmm... that's the way it goes, sometimes!” she said cheerily, and I sat up. She then hopped over as I cupped my hands, holding her up so she could sit and talk with me.

“You're definitely more mature about it than even Lysandra,” I remarked.

“I ought to be! Girl to girl, I turned twenty-two this year.” she told me.

“Congrats!” I smiled back.

“Thankees! What about you, hon?” Belle then asked.

“Fifteen.” I replied.

“Ehhh?! Fifteen!?” she squeaked.

“W-what?”

“I was gonna say seventeen, at least,” she shrugged.

“Ah-heh,” I smiled uncertainly.

“Well that explains a bit more, honestly,” Belle then said with a wry grin. “All those deep emotions and stuff.”

“I-I guess so,” I replied.

“I know so! I'm studying psychology and sociology in college, you know... teenage years are very formative and informative for young girls. You've got to take care of yourself!”

“I am, trust me!” I replied as honestly as I could to her insistence. F-for young boys, too, but hey... advice is advice...

“And don't be afraid to ask other girls for help, especially once that time comes along.” she nodded professionally. I sat there blankly for about five seconds before I put the pieces together.

“R-right,” I then returned.

“Ah! Too much?” Belle worried.

“I-it's fine, really, I appreciate the advice.” I told her genuinely, smiling to reassure her.

“Good!” she smiled back. “How about that bath last night, though? I didn't think Lizzy was ever gonna stop tormenting you,” she then said with a mischievously amused look on her face.

“It's her thing,” I said with a weary sigh. And no, I'm not elaborating. We then heard the sound of the others logging in, and I stood up, Belle in hand, to head out of the side-room so we could greet them.

“Ah! There you are!” Heali said as we emerged. “Hey Belle!” she smiled.

“Hiyas!” the pixie girl said, launching herself out of my hand to hover near the others.

“So where's our hangout for tonight gonna be?” Lizzy asked.

“As long as it's nowhere near a bathhouse, I'm good,” I remarked sardonically, and our halberdier affected as evil a grin as she could muster -- which was quite a devilish grin, I have to say.

“What's the matter, Lana?” she asked sarcastically.

“All right, all right... Lizzy! Heel!” Healina ordered, and the other girl froze in place for a moment before turning to our healer.

“Wh-wh-wh-what's the big idea saying heel to me?!” she spluttered indignantly. The rest of us laughed heartily at her reaction. “Uuugghhh. Lo-sers.” she softly griped, and then grinned.

“Wasn't there something like a Greek or Italian restaurant in the Market District?” I then said, looking over at Belle.

“Hm? Oh, the Pompeni place,” the pixie girl remembered. “I forgot what it was called, but I remember the way!”

“Sweet!” Lizzy clapped her hands. “Pasta again tonight!”

“Maybe,” Heali said with a grin.

We made our way to the Market District, heading deep into the place this time. We found the place in question on a thoroughfare that wound its way through several major plazas before ending at the east gates of the innermost district. Those gates were about an hour away by walking at least, but they loomed before us even in the distance.

Anyhow. We made our way inside the establishment, “Papagino's”, and settled in a booth to order an early breakfast-brunch. Fresh loaves of bread, butter and cream, fruits, cheeses, sparkling water, and soothing tea. It was delightfully different from yesterday, as Maryn put it. I wonder what an actual Mediterranean breakfast would be like? I wondered as I happily, and greedily, devoured one of the loaves of bread. Idly I looked over at the timepiece atop the mantle. There were thirty minutes until the eight o'clock start of the tournament, Panarena time.

And I won't see the stage until maybe eleven or so, I mused to myself. Lysandra turned up then, ordering a coffee and pulling up a chair nearby. Lizzy offered her a plate, and a faint smile crossed her face as she accepted.

“No question that you're all set for your match, huh?” the blonde girl remarked.

“No disrespect to your friend Wildeye, but I fully intend to win.” the werewolf girl calmly said in reply.

“Niiice.” Lizzy said. “Always so aloof about everything; can we keep her, Lana?” she asked me with a cheesy grin.

“Sure!” I grinned back, earning a soft, teasing punch from Lysandra.

“Only if you win the wager.” she returned.

“Ah-heh,” I softly giggled back.

“And of course my fight ended up as one of the early ones,” the older girl sighed.

“Lana ended up in the very last position.” Maryn said with a soft smirk.

“Did you?” the other girl remarked with a faint laugh.

“Hrrmm... though I guess Tyman might enjoy being the final spectacle of the day,” I had to admit.

“Of course he would; it's been two years or so since you two last scuffled, after all.” Healina reminded me.

“Hmm.” I nodded back.

“Lana! You get into fights with boys?!” Belle said with surprise.

“She's surprisingly tomboyish, isn't she?” Ariana said, patting me on the head as usual.

“Nothing wrong with that.” Lysandra shrugged.

“You too, huh?” Belle sighed.

“Sometimes you gotta give them the knuckles.” the werewolf girl grinned. Belle smiled resignedly, but the rest of us laughed at the quip pretty hard. “Anyway,” she continued, her plate surprisingly empty, “Thanks... just wanted to see your faces before the matches. Have fun out there,” she said to us, and then headed out again.

“See you next time!” Ari called, and she held up a hand to wave as she kept walking. “Hmm... something about her really makes me want to cuddle her.”

“Eh?!” I looked back at Ari in alarm. “Sh-she doesn't seem very cuddly sometimes,” I said to her with a nervous giggle.

“True! But still,” my partner returned.

“I get you.” Belle nodded.

“Let's finish up here and head for the stadiums this time... I want to see the action live this turn around!” Lizzy then said.

“Definite agree!” Heali nodded. It didn't take long for the rest of us to agree as well, and we made quick work of what was left of our game-meal before heading on over to the stadium, where Belle, Maryn, Anhe, and myself went to wait in the contestants' lounge while the others went to find seats in the audience. Ari and I shared a quick hug, and then we parted ways for the time being.

The four of us sat together on one of the side benches. In the opposite corner I could see Lysandra, grimly staring up at the pre-game show, a band from Hollyland. Another corner saw Mad Dog, Magisteria, and Wildeye conversing with one another. And, in a corner that everyone seemed to avoid, I saw Myanihia Black. They sat motionless in their little part of the room, giving off an empty sort of aura. There was nothing threatening about it and nothing encouraging either; it just was... or maybe wasn't, more like.

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“There they are, huh?” Anhe said to me, and I nodded back. I then looked around for the line-ups for the day.

“Wh-whoa... good luck, Magisteria.” I said as I caught sight of her name paired with theirs.

“Hmm... there's Ravenwing.” Maryn said, and we turned to see a player wearing a bird-like cloak of black feathers. His bow was strapped to his back at the moment, and he had a quiver of arrows over his shoulder and one on his right hip also.

“He's definitely taking no chances with you.” Belle quipped.

“Who are you fighting today, Belle?” I then wondered.

“Hm? What was the name again... it was so absurd looking I almost blanked it out...” she remarked.

“Oobahdoobahdoo?” Maryn read from the screens, then burst out laughing, as did the rest of us.

“Seriously?!” I cackled, and she pointed it out to me. We continued laughing for at least four minutes more, reaching that wheezy, silent, clapping laugh stage where you gasp for breath whenever you can.

“Ahh... that was a good laugh!” Anhe said, clearing her throat as she recovered herself.

“Seriously, though... if he looks like either a sophisticated caveman or a nineteen-fifties rock-star, I might get logged out by the system's health monitor,” I struggled to say.

“Oh Gawd, don't! I might too!” Maryn laughed back, and the giggling resumed for another minute before we finally calmed down.

“Oh! The announcers are on... five minutes until showtime, then.” Belle then said. Just then a figure in plate armor passed by us, taking a look at Anhe as he passed by and giving her a salute. She rose to her feet, bowing back as he continued on his way, and then sat back down.

“Your opponent for the day?” I asked her as the announcers kept talking.

“He is. Luke Strongarm; he prefers mounted combat with a lance, from what I have heard, but he is equally deadly with a sword.” she told us.

“I remember him from a player-held tournament in the Aldholt,” Maryn nodded.

“He's been in a couple other player tourneys in Kingsmark and Bretony as well,” Belle added. “Level one-hundred and four. Good luck, kiddo!” our pixie ally said as she alighted on Anhe's shoulder.

“Thank you!” the younger girl replied.

“And now,” Forseti began, “Let's begin with the second round of the Grand Tournament! Let the battles commence!” he said, his voice reverberating around the arena as wild applause, adorations, and the chanting of names kicked off with the next round of combat matches.

Lysandra and Wildeye were practically the first fight, the wily Mountain Tigers' guild leader unfazed by the subtly ferocious werewolf girl with her sword. Her usual tricks would not work on him and she knew it. The battle was one of pure combat skill from the very beginning, our gallant and wise friend holding his own against the girl in black for several long but tense minutes. At this point I wasn't going to be surprised no matter who won or lost, but I also knew I would feel bad for the same reason.

“Don't know who to root for, huh?” Belle asked me gently. I nodded back. “Not exactly sure myself, either. Let's just see what happens.” she said, and I nodded again, reaching up my hand to where she was sitting, on my shoulder.

It was definitely one of the longer fights thus far. There would be a period of intense blows and swift maneuvers almost too fast for the eye to see, and then they would be circling each other like a couple of wild beasts, gauging the other and watching for an opening -- or seeking to create one. A couple of feints were suddenly exchanged, and then they were back at it once more.

“And there's another werewolf, that one less subtle.” Maryn observed as a fight with Mad Dog came on one of the other screens. He was busy tearing up yet another vic--I mean, opponent.

“Didn't that fight just start?” Belle said with amazement.

“Pretty much,” Maryn nodded.

“Good grief,” the pixie shook her head.

“Ahh! The other fight!” Anhe said, and we turned back to see Wildeye get thrown off balance by a trick-feint from Lysandra, who immediately lunged in and then slashed him twice before running him through. But even in defeat, he grinned at her, nodding in resignation as his avatar disintegrated.

“Aw,” Maryn said.

“Poor guy.” I agreed.

“She didn't even go wolf on him.” Belle noted. “Ah! I'm up! See you after a while!” she then said, vanishing in a teleport.

About two minutes later, she reappeared on one of the arena stages. Her opponent wore a black and orange garment that came down to his knees, along with some sort of blue kerchief, and he had a huge club made of bone. The three of us looked at each other, our faces rapidly melting into amusement as we burst out laughing helplessly for a second time.

***

Belle won out against her flamboyant neanderthal opponent in very little time at all, and was then teleported out of the arena, messaging us to say she would go and sit with the others. Maryn went up against her opponent next, taking the rapid-fire Ravenwing's shots on her tower-shield as she slowly but surely moved towards him, making sure he drained both his quivers dry. He caught her off guard by pulling out a reserve third, but soon he had emptied that one too without so much as budging her health, and Maryn was then able to make short work of him.

Another fight that Anhe and I watched intensely was Magisteria and Myanihia's. This time, I was at least ninety-percent positive from the outset that the latter would go down, despite my growing desire to fight them. A plan was fomenting in my head about how that kind of fight would play out, but I shoved it aside, hoping Magisteria might bring the wily assassin to heel. It soon showed itself to be a pitched battle, but Myanihia was definitely not coming out unscathed.

“Damn, that assassin's good.” Tyman said as he came over to sit with us.

“I have to agree,” Anhe nodded. “I can see why they are ranked third in that category here.”

“Are they?” the Memphite claw-wielder wondered. “Damn. Well if I knock you out, Lans, I'll get 'em for you.”

“Right back at you.” I grinned back, as did he.

“You two are such good friends!” Anhe smiled.

“Eh-heh, I guess we are,” I said with a laugh, and Tyman did something he probably would never do in real life, putting his arm around me as he smiled.

“'Course! Lans and I go way back, yo! And today's the day we get to settle which one of us would've won that old fight!” he said to her. I felt my cheeks turning red, and I looked back up at the screen to hide it a bit.

“I look forward to seeing your skill against Lana's,” Anhe replied with a bow.

“Sure thing!” he returned.

“Ahh!” I then exclaimed, and the other two returned their attention to the display as well.

“Yo, Magis, wha's up with that?” Tyman said as he saw the leader of Words and Sorcery fall to her knees from some sort of status ailment.

Just then Myanihia entered Shadow World, and without ceremony they used that incredible one-shot technique. Magisteria went down, and Myanihia emerged the victor. Tyman let out a low whistle, removing his one arm from me and crossing both of them across his chest.

“Dayum, girl, you let that ghosty thing beat you?” he shook his head.

“Ghosty, huh?” I remarked.

“Ain't another word I'd use to describe them, Lans.”

“I can understand why,” I agreed.

Anhe was the next to be transported out. She was then placed on the center stage with her opponent, Luke Strongarm. The gallant knight drew out his longsword as the countdown began, saluting her with it. Anhe did not take out her staff, but she did do a battle-dance to activate a special aura of defense that had a three-percent reflect chance.

“Hmm? The hell? Doesn't she use a stick to fight?” Tyman wondered.

“Sometimes, but I guess she's going for pure offense right now. Anhe's a real martial arts student, and she uses those skills in the game alongside her auras.”

“Oohhh... damn, I might've picked the wrong Silvernight Queen to fight,” he remarked.

“Maybe!” I smiled.

The fight then began, and the knight rushed at Anhe, sword held high for a downward slice. To everyone's astonishment, Anhe did not move, but she did catch the blade in her hands, swiftly jerking it to once side and using a knee-kick to further unbalance the already surprised knight before lightly spinning away and then returning to land a series of hefty kicks on his backside before he recovered.

“Ho-ly--!” I exclaimed in surprise.

“You got that right,” my companion nodded in dumbfounded amazement.

This fight managed to captivate everyone's attention for its entire fifteen minute duration. Anhe did not take her staff out once, keeping him at bay with precise moves and eventually batting his sword away from him, forcing him to either brawl her or leap for his sword and expose himself to a possible finishing move. He chose the former, and for the remaining six minutes of that duel he managed to fend her off surprisingly well--but the lightly armored Anhe was much faster than he was, and eventually she went into a nearly sonic series of maneuvers that Strongarm could not keep up with, overwhelming him to the point of defeat. Anhe clinched her victory with a flying axe-kick to the head, shattering his helmet before the rest of him disintegrated.

“Ouch.” I remarked, and Tyman guffawed.

“Damn right.” he agreed.

One of the other matches I saw was Ironsides' second fight; I watched this one closely as well, since he was likely to be my third opponent, should I overcome the guy standing next to me. As I expected, the person basically reflected themselves to death on him, but they did show me some interesting scenes that I burned into memory to think about them later.

“That guy's gonna be a pain to fight. You got any ideas, sister-man?” Tyman turned to me.

“Maybe. I have to think more about it later, though.” I replied.

“Right on,” he nodded back.

The waiting area was practically empty now. It had been a little over two hours since the battles started. There were maybe twelve others left besides us. Pair by pair, they disappeared to fight in the arena, until only Tyman and I were left. As the second to last fight ended, we heard that odd little twinkling sound, and then turned to each other nodding and shaking hands.

“Here's to a good fight!” Tyman grinned.

“To a good fight!” I replied in agreement, and we were whooshed from the main waiting area to the next. A couple minutes more, and we were facing each other in the arena.

“And now our final entry of the day!” Wandreada announced.

“We've kept them waiting long enough, I'd say,” Lumpstein remarked.

“At least it wasn't yesterday's wait!” Athena quipped, and the audience laughed.

“That's right!” the dwarf GM agreed. “So now... without further ado...!”

“The final fight of the second round: Lana Windstrider versus Tyman!” Wandreada exclaimed, and the stadiums erupted in applause.

Tyman readied his bagh nakh, and I drew out my daggers. There was going to be no time for any sort of ranged attack. He crossed his wrists in front of his chest like that old superhero, the tips of his claws gleaming in the light, and I got into a springing position. The countdown was chanted by the audience for the final time that day. As the word “zero” rang out across the crowds and the fanfare sounded, the two of us leapt towards the other.

He opened up with an overhead swipe from the right; I countered by swerving and meeting his claw with my dagger, twirling the arm around and trying to score a hit with my left hand, which he blocked with his other claw. I then swiftly disengaged and back-flipped away before he could swipe again, running low to the ground towards him in Shadow Speed and lightly slicing his leg as I continued past him like a dark comet. Or at least I tried to continue past him.

Tyman spun around on his left leg and kicked me with the right, sending me sprawling backwards. A gasp of astonishment went up from the audience. I quickly righted myself, choosing to switch to my bow anyway as he came after me again and then shot twice at him while taking off around the stage. He whacked both of my arrows to the ground as they came near. A third one landed in his other leg, however, but he simply yanked it out and kept right on after me. I reverted to my daggers, and spun around to engage him in a melee.

The both of us were revved up, and it was showing on our faces with an extreme delight. Back and forth we drove each other, occasionally scoring a hit on the other but mostly catching on the other's weapons of choice. After a couple minutes more of this, he jumped back, and I used the brief pause to ready myself again. Then he grinned, and put away the claws. I took his meaning at once, and gladly put away my daggers and bow, along with the arrows.

“Wh-what's going on here?” Athena exclaimed in wonder.

“They seem to have quietly consented to a hand-to-hand,” Forseti remarked.

“Why?!” Lumpstein wondered grumpily. “Lana clearly had the advantage with those daggers, even though Tyman's claws are nothing to sneeze at, either!”

“Who knows,” Wandreada said. She seemed to be observing us carefully.

You ready, girl? Tyman silently mouthed to me, and I nodded back.

This time, we engaged each other in a fist to fist brawl, just as we had done those couple of years ago. This was the knockdown, drag-out fight that we were really looking forward to -- not a contest of fancy skills or exotic weapons, just a plain old tumble. A loud chorus of raucous cheering broke out from the onlookers. I could hear my friends shouting encouragement towards me, and I could hear the Mountain Tigers doing the same for Ty.

“Hmmrrrgh, this is fine and all, but someone tell those two to settle it in twenty-four minutes or they'll end up in a draw.” Lumpstein remarked as the two of us wailed away on each other.

“If it gets to that point, we can always use the hitpoints rule.” Athena reminded him.

“Oh? We should have done that in the prelims, too, I guess; but let's do it now for sure if all else fails!” the Dwarf agreed. “Now hear this, you scrawny brats! If you don't finish each other off before time's up, the one with the most health left at the end of the match wins!!” he called out to us.

“Heard that!!” Tyman said as he neatly dodged one of my punches, only to get snagged by a kick a split second later.

“You're on!!” I cried out.

I don't remember every second of that fight. What I do remember is that it was the most fun I had in my life. Several times one of us got the other in a headlock, only to wriggle out or bust out of it near the last possible moment to scramble to our feet once more and continue the fight. Shortly after the GMs' declaration it wasn't really about winning or losing for us any more. It was just fun to brawl. And if half a million people were entertained by it, we weren't gonna complain. Besides, this way, neither of us really gets hurt.

And boy were we letting each other have it. I'm not gonna go blow-by-blow here, but there were several times I thought I actually might die. Fortunately my virtual reflexes were faster than my normal ones, allowing me to evade or escape demise at several key points. At least five times I managed to knock him silly with an unarmed Thousand Needle Strike, using my fists instead of my daggers, and several times he managed to knock me silly in turn with an unarmed Double-Swipe followed up by a kick.

When the clock began ticking down the final five minutes, even the crowd got more intense, to say nothing of us. Neither of us had been wiped out by the other as of yet, and neither of us was going to surrender. Tyman came at he with an overhead double-fisted strike, which I blocked with one arm while spinning around to jab him in the side with an elbow. It knocked the wind out of him real good, and I followed it up with a jumping snap-kick to the jaw, which rattled him further, and he stumbled about.

“Oooohh!! This could be it, this could be it!!” Lumpstein said excitedly.

Both of us were panting heavily, covered in blood, bruises, and several cuts from the first couple minutes of our fight. I was tottering a bit too, but I managed to keep my footing somehow or another. Our health-bars were low. Mine was at five percent, and Tyman's was at four-point-five. So we had pretty much thrashed each other in equal measure. Slowly he came back to his senses. There was now just over four minutes left. Tyman shook off the dizziness, and readied himself again.

“'Aight, I'mma give you that one, that was good,” he told me.

“I just barely deflected you, to be honest,” I replied with a wry grin.

“I could tell that much!” he grinned back. “Let's make it the last blow, Lans!” he then said, gritting himself for one final blow.

“You got it, Ty,” I nodded back.

“Looks like they're trying to make this the final strike, one way or the other!” Ricklelopes observed.

“It's about time!” the grumpy Dwarf remarked.

I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. A perfect calm settled over me. Tyman looked just as calm, quietly poised to strike. He made the first move, barreling towards me like a freight train. I stood there, waiting, watching. He's gonna try and do a spinning punch. I can tell now. He did that a few minutes ago and I wasn't prepared for it. But now...

As soon as Tyman got into range, he began doing exactly as I predicted, at the same terrifying speed he had done it at last time. This time, however, I quickly tumbled down to the right, using my legs to give him a swift and sharp kick in the side, sending him sprawling across the stage. As soon as he hit the floor again I jumped to my feet, readying myself for the next charge. But it never came. Tyman turned over, and grinned at me, breathing heavily.

“Damn, girl.” he said, and then his health went to zero. Tyman disintegrated, and after a three second silence the arena burst into applause. I fell to my knees, raising a fist in triumph. After all that time of waiting, we had finally settled the debate.

***

“Ugghh, you are such a mess!” Ariana said as she and I bathed together later that day in-game. I had also gotten lectured by the others, especially Belle -- who severely scolded me for acting very unlady-like -- and then Ariana had shooed them out to a place a few other guilds had agreed on for a gathering after the fights.

“I'm not even going to argue.” I replied as I leaned back on her as she daubed my face. Unlike the real world, my superficial damage could be healed rapidly by doing things like this, which is a big reason why things like spas and baths exist in Panarena.

“Still... I think I completely expected that of you two.” she smiled at me, and I weakly smiled back.

“I guess so.” I said.

“You're still this winded?” Ari gently laughed.

“Pretty much,” I laughed back softly.

She then continued tending to me for another fifteen minutes before she was satisfied, and then kissed me. I kissed her back, and we then got out to dress ourselves again so we could meet up with the others at a large tavern nearby called The Merry Stag. As soon as we got there, Tyman himself, fully recovered as well, hoisted me on to his shoulders as the entire gathering cheered for me.

“W-wah, wahh!! Ty! Skirt, skirt!!” I squeaked, and he set me back down with a laugh.

“Good fight, yo!” he said, grabbing my hand for a shake as I recovered from the brief moment of indignity.

“S-same to you,” I replied.

“Right!” Lizzy called out. “Time to party: to the victors!”

“To the victors!” the others called out.

“And to those who made a good showing!” Jannie added.

“To the runners-up!” someone else said, and the cheer was taken up again as we toasted the day's events. A lively music started playing, and several trays of warm and delicious smelling food were then served. It made me wonder how hard the partying would be on Saturday after the final match.

If we're still around for it, at least, I mused. Several people broke out into dancing, by ones, by twos, or by groups, and eventually Ariana and I got caught up in a dancing circle as well. After a couple times around the room, I decided to subtly escape the ring (with a wink from Ari) and return to my spot. Lysandra was sitting nearby, giving me a smile as I sat back down.

“Tired already?” she said.

“Again, actually,” I replied.

“I can understand. That was quite the fight.” the older girl said to me.

“You're telling me,” I said, “But... ah-heh, it was worth it.” I said with a grin.

“Oh I bet.” she nodded. A moment passed, and then she came closer. “So... h-how did it feel? I mean, I get this vibe that you've had some real-side scraps with that guy, even if you are on friendlier terms, now... how does it feel to finally beat him?” she asked me.

“Hmm...” I wondered, thinking myself about that very question. “I mean, I don't feel like I'm better, or something dumb like that. It's possible he'll beat me next tournament or so, too. If anything... I feel... content, settled. We said one day we would do this, and we did it, fair and square.” I then told her, and she slowly nodded.

“Hmm.” she softly mused, gazing towards the fire. I looked at her curiously, thinking back to my conversation with Myanihia.

Lysandra wants to fight you also.

I know. She's never... let go. Not really.

Of the beta guild?

You can help her. You can save her. I can't.

Why not?

I can push her to you... but you must be the one to help her.

I don't really get it, but okay, I guess.

I frowned, and then I placed my hand on her hand.

“H-hey... Lysandra... does... is this about... Myanihia?” I asked her. Her dark eyes flashed for a moment, and then she looked over at me calmly.

“What if it does?” she asked me in her usual, disinterested tone of voice.

“Th-they said something a couple days ago... about--” I started, but she then placed a finger on my lips.

“Come on.” she said, and led me to the upstairs of the tavern, where we went to stand outside on a balcony overlooking a side-street. “Now say it.” she said gently.

“Hrrmm... it was confusing, but they said that you couldn't let go of something,” I said to her. She said nothing for about thirty seconds, and then sighed.

“So you do think about it...” she muttered softly.

“S-Sandra?” I asked in a cautious tone. She turned to me, giving me a rare gentle smile, and came over to hug me.

“I'm not ready. But I promise, when I am...” the werewolf girl trailed off, and I hugged her back.

“I'll be here.” I promised in return. She then let go, and headed downstairs again as I sat down at a table to collect my thoughts. Ariana came out with Belle and Maryn a few minutes later.

“All okay?” my partner asked me.

“Mm, yeah, just a little heart-to-heart.” I said honestly.

“Not a confession, was it?” she asked me with a devious smirk.

“N-not a chance!” I returned at once.

“Teasing.” Ari replied, leaning her head on my shoulder. “If I had to guess... I'd say Myanihia was the topic.” she then said, and I twitched in my seat. “Thought so.”

“You're getting too good at this,” I said, and she giggled.

“Ready for your third matches, you two?” Belle asked me and Maryn.

“I think so,” I nodded.

“I'm not sure.” Maryn sighed.

“Why not?” Ari asked her. Maryn replied by opening a schedule-panel, and zooming in on her name. The three of us nearly fell out of our seats when we saw whose name was next to it.

Maryn -- Myanihia.