He stood there confidently as the light shined off of the bronze his limbs and mask were made of.
"When I asked for the three of you, I meant for the three of you to come at me at once! So, you two get down here!"
Phobos could be seen smiling, as it was the only position his mouth was ever in. Sheeva was grinning at the angered teacher, as it now just seemed a part of her personality to naturally do so. Sheeva brushed her hair out of her right eye before responding.
"Yes, it is true that you asked for the three of us, but you wouldn't be able to handle it."
She snickered to herself as she looked down at Velerouge. She was pissed. Her face boiled red with rage, as if she had truly been sent over the edge with Sheeva's disrespect.
"Little girl, did you not just witness me defeat the other shrimps? And not to be so rude, but they have powers and you guys don't! So don't go thinking just one of you could take me down!"
Her focus then altered from Sheeva to Ronan. She charged a left jab with her gauntlet and threw it at him. He didn't try to dodge in any sort of way. As the fist connected with him, it carried him into the wall with the many craters. It wasn't enough for her. Velerouge then began to pummel the sand clouded Ronan the same she did with Mackoy and me. She continued to do so for a solid minute before stopping to take a breath.
"You thought that was enough to stop me!?" Velerouge paused. "Think again, missy!"
A burst of steam was then released from the pummeled area, dispersing the sand. Emerging from the steam was Ronan, unscathed and unharmed. He continued to walk forward a bit before stopping and releasing more steam from the vents on his calves and forearms. Once the steam finished coming out of his limbs, he cracked his neck.
*Crack*
"My turn."
He suddenly dropped low to the ground; arms spread out like that of a birds' wings preparing to take flight. He then dashed forward, arms now hanging behind him as he ran. Velerouge was still stunned by the fact he was undamaged, causing a bit of delay in getting into stance. As Ronan neared the halfway point, he began to circle around her as if he was looking for an opening. After circling about halfway, he stopped again for a moment before leaping into the air towards Velerouge. He was high into the air, twirling with finesse as he reached the apex of his jump. Once he began to descend down onto Velerouge, he began to perform the same maneuver I did earlier in my fight, frame by frame. Except, he was barreling faster and with more accuracy. As Velerouge winded a gauntlet up to counter the barreling Ronan.
*CRASH*
Sand had suddenly covered the area, veiling the event that had transpired.
*Clap-clap-clap*
"I commend you Valor, it seems that this year you managed to actually not cause any mortal wounds."
A familiar voice entered the building. As my eyes were still fixated on the fight, the sand settled. A Spear could be seen in between the two fighters; it was the same spear which the director used to pierce Logdra's hand with during his tantrum. I turned around and found myself facing the director. He wore his black suit with pride, making the white streaks in his slick backed black hair pop out more. He didn't seem angry or disappointed, rather he seemed kind of pleased with himself, as if he knew we were here.
"Students at ease, I am merely here to prevent this yearly tradition your teacher has from continuing any further."
Velerouge looked up from the pit, no longer invested in her fight with mechanical limbed fighter. Her gauntlets glowed a bright yellow before they seemed to fade into nothingness. She then levitated from the pit into the stands. She stood in front of her boss with an angry look on her face.
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"You haven't changed a bit, Valor."
"Tch! The same goes for you, Belrogue"
Their distaste for each other was noticeable for miles. From the two just merely exchanging some words, the air filled with intensity. It almost felt as if they were going to duke it out right then and there.
"Valor, I don't suppose you remember where my office is don't you?"
Belrogue asked as if he was teasing her.
"Shut up already damnit! I'll see you there."
Ms. Velerouge then left the room with not a scratch on her. She knew we were out of her league, yet still chose to beatdown on us. As she walked away, I couldn't help but admire her strength. Despite her size and physique, she still pushed us to our limit and destroyed us. Just showing how Stats truly make you not want to judge someone based on mere appearances.
"I'm sorry you had to see that. She has a... 'unique'... personality"
Belrogue looked around at the class of wounded students, then turned his eyes down at the now isolated Ronan.
"You can come up now."
Ronan leapt from the bottom of the battlefield up onto the ledges railing. Belrogue looked up at him with a smile.
"Did you have a good fight?"
"No. You interrupted it."
Ronan spoke in an emotionless tone
"Well how very unlucky for you, but I assure you there are more people where that came from."
"But she was strong."
"There are stronger."
Ronan faced Belrogue and stepped off of the railing. As he did, he began to make his way towards his other two mates who were already walking towards him. Belrogue watched him walk away, muttering to himself
"How interesting."
I looked at the director with awe. He spoke to Ronan with familiarity, yet they could have only known each other for a brief while. He carried no ill intent towards the three descenders as everyone else had already displayed. Once he had finished checking on us, he then turned away and started walking towards the exit before making a final statement.
"Your class has the unfortunate news of being cancelled for the rest of the day, so use this time to get fixed up at the clinic."
Once Belrogue was at the doorway, he snapped his fingers. The spear in the center of pit flew into the air and towards him. The director then caught the spear, and it began to disperse into light blue particles. He smiled, turned around, and closed the stadiums doors on his way out. I turned over to look at Ronan. Sheeva was talking to him about something, but I couldn't make out what it was. Blitz walked up from behind me and gripped my shoulder.
"See that? He's unscathed! Dudes a fucking monster man, hell I can't tell if he's even human after that. Ms. Velrouge crushed every single person down there, the only ones who gave her a tough time were you and Henry. So, when someone like him comes along, who has no Stats, it makes you wonder what is it that they're really doing up there?"
I looked at Blitz dead in the eye. Everything he said was true, there was no denying it at this point. Ronan clearly has more going on with his body that just having bronze for his arms. So, what was it? Genetic enhancements? I was too curious at this point to ignore it any longer.
"Then why don't we ask."
"WHAT!? Your joking, right? It's not like they would actually just expose their secrets like that! Pus, I mean, its them."
"It doesn't hurt to ask, besides it's not like being from the Mesosphere is that big of a deal."
I tugged away from Blitz's grip and began walking towards them. He groaned before franticly trying to block me off from them.
"Come on Hugo! Let's save this question for another day, can't we?"
I glared at him with intensity. I wanted to know what was up with them and their bodies. As I continued to glare at Blitz, he gave in. I walked past him, he then started to follow me in a mopey fashion. I guess he was curious after all as well. When we got closer to the three Phobos turned his head towards us.
"Wooow, fancy this! Hugo has come over to talk to us three misfits! By the way, 'Vanrouw', that was an amazing display you performed out there! Teach that to me one day will ya."
The faceless Phobos was speaking with joy. It was like he had been given a great gift on Christmas Day. I felt nervous all of the sudden, how was I supposed to ask them my desired question? There was no better way than to just be blunt.
"I was-"
"You want to know if we're genetically enhanced humans created to take on the gifted Stat humans? Well seek no further because I have the answers! Ba-ha-ha!"
Phobos's laugh sounded similar to that of Ms. Velerouge's. His raspy voice made what sounded like what was supposed to be fun into something chilling. He smiled his pearly white at me before continuing.
"But, Stat gifted Hugo, I have a request!"
"What is it?"
"Take us out to eat! And bring your friend standing behind you!"
"Where do you want to eat then?"
"Take me somewhere with Italian!"
He paused for a moment before leaning in close to me. The tone of his voice changed into something menacing for his next words. As I felt his freezing breath blow past my ear he whispered.
"Or I'll kill you"