The competition continued to heat up as Loser's Bracket Round 2 approached its final two matches. With Chloe Choi and Preston Montgomery securing their spots, two crucial battles remained:
Olivier Leclerc vs. Madison Thompson
Jake Harada vs. Javier Morales
Whoever stood victorious would advance to Round 3, joining Chloe and Preston in the next stage of the bracket.
In the audience, Carter, Luna, and Akane sat eagerly, their excitement building as their close friends Maddie and Jake prepared to compete. They cheered loudly, wishing them the best of luck.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/37/Olivier_Leclerc_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/Versus.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/36/Madison_Thompson_Profile.png]
"We're heading into our next match—Olivier Leclerc vs. Madison Thompson!" Pat's voice boomed over the speakers, hyping up the crowd as he always did.
"This should be an interesting one," Samantha chimed in. "Olivier Leclerc, representing combat sports, is still a bit of a mystery. In his last match, he forfeited without even stepping onto the battlefield, and his intentions remain unclear. On the other hand, Madison Thompson has shown strong form, especially in Loser's Round 1, where she showcased her mastery of the ringette stick against Natalia Ivanova. Her athletic prowess and fun-loving personality make her a fan favorite. Let's see how this unfolds in the arena!"
As the LED screen lit up with the competitors' names, signaling the next match, something felt off. Only one competitor emerged from the tunnel and marched into the arena—Olivier Leclerc.
There was no sign of Madison Thompson.
"Where's Maddie?" Carter frowned, glancing at Akane and Luna, who sat beside him. They exchanged puzzled looks, equally unsure of what was happening.
The commentators whispered amongst themselves, waiting for direction from the producers on how to handle the strange situation. Finally, Pat's voice crackled over the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we seem to have a situation," Pat announced to the crowd. "One of the participants, Madison Thompson, is currently missing. Please bear with us for the next 10 minutes as we attempt to locate her. If she does not appear within that time, she will be disqualified."
In the arena, Olivier tilted his head slightly, visibly confused. Shrugging it off, he continued shadowboxing with his épée, keeping his focus sharp and his movements fluid.
From the audience, Carter's unease deepened as he watched the situation unfold. "Akane, Luna... I'm heading backstage to look for Maddie. This doesn't feel right."
Akane gave a small nod, sensing his concern. Luna, though tense, flashed a quick thumbs-up. "Yeah, let us know what's going on."
Without wasting another moment, Carter rose from his seat, weaving through the crowd and slipping into the tunnel leading backstage. With only 10 minutes left, he knew he had to find Maddie fast—before she was disqualified.
Walking through the backstage area, Carter spotted Jake preparing for his upcoming match. Unaware of Maddie's situation, Jake smiled and waved casually.
"Hey Carter, what brings you here?" Jake asked, but his expression shifted as he noticed the seriousness on Carter's face.
"Jake, have you seen Maddie around the backstage?" Carter's tone was urgent.
Jake frowned, confused. "Isn't Maddie already supposed to be out there competing?"
"SHE'S MISSING!" Carter blurted, unable to contain his worry. "She has five minutes left to show up, or she'll be disqualified!"
Jake's eyes widened in shock, but he kept his composure. "Calm down, Carter! Maddie and I came backstage together. We only split up when we headed to our separate locker rooms. She should still be there."
"I need to check now. I feel like something's wrong," Carter said, already heading towards the women's locker room.
As they arrived, they saw staff members frantically searching the area. Maddie's ringette stick was still in her locker, but she was nowhere to be found.
"Did you find Maddie?" Carter asked one of the staff members.
The staffer shook his head. "No sign of her. We don't want to end the match on a forfeit, but if she doesn't show up soon, we'll have no choice."
"Dammit!" Carter slammed his fist against a locker in frustration.
"Relax, bro," Jake said, placing a hand on Carter's shoulder. "Let's check somewhere else. We still have time."
Knowing standing around wouldn't solve anything, Carter nodded, and the two rushed through the backstage corridors.
As they hurried down the hall, they noticed a woman struggling with the handle of a restroom door. The handle shook violently from the inside, as if someone was trapped.
"What's going on here?!" Carter asked.
"I was about to use the restroom when I noticed it was locked," the woman replied. "I think someone's stuck inside."
Carter's eyes narrowed. "Maddie?" He sensed a chance this could be her.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/9d/Slapshot_Smash.png]
"Stand back!" Carter ordered. He gripped his hockey stick tightly and performed a Slapshot Smash—delivering a powerful, high-speed strike to the door handle. The lock shattered, and the door swung open to reveal Maddie inside.
"Maddie! What happened?" Jake asked, concerned.
"I tried to leave, but the door wouldn't budge. I didn't have my ringette stick to force it open," Maddie explained, clearly rattled.
"There's no time to waste!" Carter said urgently. "Get your stick and get out there—if you don't show up in the next few minutes, you're done!"
Maddie's eyes widened as she nodded quickly. She sprinted to the locker room, grabbed her ringette stick, and bolted toward the arena tunnel, racing against time.
Maddie's eyes widened as she nodded quickly. She sprinted to the locker room, grabbed her ringette stick, and bolted toward the arena tunnel, racing against time.
But just as she neared the exit, Samantha's voice echoed through the speakers.
"Unfortunately, Madison Thompson did not appear on time for the competition. We have to reward the win to Olivier Leclerc."
The crowd erupted in jeers and boos, voicing their frustration at missing the match they had come to see. Samantha's tone carried disappointment as well, while Pat tried to salvage the mood.
"This means the tournament run ends here for Madison Thompson," Pat added, sighing. "But please stay tuned for the next competition!"
Down in the arena, Olivier waved at the crowd, unbothered by their reaction. His smirk revealed he didn't mind claiming a victory by default. A win was a win.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/88/Maddie_with_a_sad_expression%2C_equipped_with_her_ringette_stick.png]
Maddie froze in the dark tunnel, lowering her ringette stick slowly. Alone in the shadows, her heart sank as disappointment settled in. The tournament had been meant for fun—win or lose—but this ending left a bitter taste.
Taking a deep breath, Maddie cupped her hands around her face and gave her cheeks a light slap, trying to shake off the frustration. She forced a faint smile, though her eyes betrayed her true feelings, and began the slow walk back to the backstage area.
As Maddie stepped into the backstage area, she spotted Jake and Carter waiting for her. Their expressions mirrored disappointment and quiet frustration, reflecting the weight of her unexpected disqualification.
"Maddie…" Jake called softly, but the words to comfort her didn't come. His eyes flickered with sympathy, yet he struggled to say more.
Carter stood silently beside him, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The tension in his posture spoke louder than words.
Maddie felt the heaviness in the air but forced a smile as she approached them. "Relax, guys. I guess I'm out of the competition!" she said with forced cheer, flashing a grin. Her voice was light, but the sadness beneath it lingered just out of reach. For Maddie, bringing happiness to those around her felt more important than dwelling on her own disappointment.
Carter's silence lingered, his gaze locked to the floor—until a staff member passed by.
Without warning, Carter grabbed the staff member by the collar and shoved him hard against the wall. His voice erupted with anger. "How could you disqualify her like that? It's not fair! You know it wasn't her fault!"
"Stop, Carter!" Jake rushed to his side, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. "This isn't going to fix anything!"
"Carter… please."
Maddie's voice was soft as she tugged gently at the sleeve of his shirt. Her eyes met his—calm, but pleading. She didn't want to see Carter jeopardize his own place in the tournament for her sake.
Carter's grip loosened as he let the staff member go, stepping back with clenched fists. His shoulders sagged, and he exhaled sharply, locking eyes with Maddie. She gave him a small nod of gratitude, silently asking him to let it go.
Just then, Olivier entered the backstage area, fresh from his walk around Maxwell Coliseum after the no-contest. Spotting the group, his eyes widened slightly with surprise as he noticed Maddie standing with Jake and Carter.
He approached, his usual confident demeanor softening. "Maddie? You're here? What happened out there? Why didn't you make it to the arena?" Olivier asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Maddie shifted uncomfortably, offering an awkward smile. "Something… unlucky happened, I guess. Congrats on your win, though." Her voice wavered slightly, but she managed to keep it light out of courtesy.
Olivier placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his expression sympathetic. "I was looking forward to a fair match, but I suppose fate had other plans. I hope things turn around for you, Maddie. Take care of yourself, alright?"
With a final nod, Olivier gave her a friendly wave and disappeared down the corridor, leaving Maddie standing quietly with Jake and Carter.
A beat of silence hung in the air.
"Carter… can I borrow your shoulder for a bit?" Maddie asked softly.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/6c/Maddie_crying.png]
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Before Carter could answer, Maddie leaned in, resting her head gently against his shoulder. Her breathing hitched, and though she tried to hold it back, the emotions she'd bottled up finally spilled over. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
Carter froze for a moment, then placed his hand gently on her head, stroking her hair in a comforting rhythm. "It's okay, Maddie… it's okay," he murmured, his voice calm and steady.
At Maxwell Coliseum, the mood was drastically different at the front stage as the announcers worked hard to reignite the energy in the arena. They were determined to avoid another match ending in forfeit.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/75/Javier_Morale_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/Versus.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/e/eb/Jake_Harada%2C_Athenaeum_Games_profile.png]
"The next match promises fast-paced action and plenty of excitement!" Pat's voice boomed with enthusiasm, injecting life back into the crowd. "That's right, Pat. Up next, we have Javier Morales vs. Jake Harada—a battle between athletic ability, strategic minds, and innovative padel techniques, clashing against the resourcefulness, agility, and tactical style of baseball combat. This is one match you won't want to miss." Samantha chimed in, her tone brimming with anticipation as the LED screen lit up, displaying the names of the competitors. The audience responded with cheers, ready for the next spectacle.
As Javier and Jake marched into the arena, the announcers exhaled in relief—this match was going forward as planned.
Javier held his padel racket confidently, his stance relaxed but ready. Across from him stood Jake, gripping his baseball tightly, eyes locked on his opponent. The referee performed a quick check on both fighters, then raised his hand. With a sharp downward motion, the whistle blew, signaling the start of the match.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/61/Jake_Harada_performs_Curveball_Confound_as_he_throws_an_object_that_curves_unpredictably%2C_disorienting_his_opponent..png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/0b/Racket_Guard.png]
Jake wasted no time, opting to test the waters with a projectile move. Scooping up a nearby tennis ball, he performed Curveball Confound—launching the ball in a deceptive arc that curved unpredictably toward Javier. Javier reacted calmly, raising his racket with perfect timing. With Racket Guard, he deflected the ball effortlessly, watching as it bounced harmlessly away. Without breaking stride, he lifted his hand, curling his fingers in a taunting gesture.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/b4/Javier_performing_Patience_Punisher_understandsing_the_power_of_patience%2C_calmly_wait_for_his_opponent%27s_mistakes%2C_exploiting_any_weaknesses_in_their_game_with_a_well-timed_counterattack.png]
"Come on, Harada. Let's see what you've got," Javier's smirk widened as he signaled Jake to close the distance. Jake remained unfazed by the taunt but knew he had no choice—Javier wasn't making any moves. What Jake didn't realize was that Javier had already shifted into Patience Punisher, biding his time and waiting for Jake to make the first mistake.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/91/Stealing_Bases.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d6/Spin_Shot.png]
With no other options, Jake initiated Stealing Bases, dashing forward with swift, calculated footwork to sneak up on Javier. His movements were fluid, but the moment he entered striking range, Javier's patience snapped into action. With a sudden flick of his wrist, Javier unleashed Spin Shot—a strike enhanced by rapid spinning momentum, amplifying both power and unpredictability. Jake barely saw it coming as the padel racket slammed into his midsection, forcing him to his knees.
"Javier lands the first hit! This guy means business!" Pat's voice boomed through the arena.
"Absolutely, Pat. Javier's patience paid off. By activating Patience Punisher, he avoided the aggressive approach we saw in his last match," Samantha added. "He waited for Jake to close the gap, and the moment he did, Javier countered with Spin Shot—a sudden, spinning strike that Jake couldn't react to in time. Taking a hit this early could spell trouble for Jake. Can he turn this around?"
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/62/Bunt_Block.png]
Jake gritted his teeth, still able to fight despite the pain surging through his midsection. As he looked up, he saw Javier flashing a wide, almost taunting smile while preparing a delicate drop shot. Reacting swiftly, Jake executed Bunt Block, using his bat to deflect the incoming strike with a quick, precise bunt.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/2e/Smiling_Drop_Shot.png]
However, as his bat connected, Jake felt an unexpected force slam into his side. His eyes widened—Javier's drop shot had been a feint. In reality, Javier had performed Smiling Drop Shot, masking his true attack behind that signature grin. The disguised strike delivered a crippling blow, sending Jake flying across the arena, skidding across the floor.
"Jake!" Luna's voice rang out from the audience, her face etched with concern. Carter, Maddie and Akane sat tensely beside her, their eyes locked on their friend as he struggled to stand.
Despite the consecutive hits, Jake wasn't out of the competition yet. His grip on the baseball bat remained firm, and his gaze hardened with resolve. Javier had the upper hand, but Jake knew he couldn't let this momentum snowball any further—he had to find a way to turn the tide before it was too late.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/8f/Net_Charge.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/01/Fielder%27s_Choice.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/14/Home_Run_Swing.png]
Javier wasn't about to let his advantage slip away. With Net Charge, he lunged forward in a swift, powerful motion—his padel racket aimed directly at Jake, this time with the intent to disarm him and end the match decisively. Jake, however, wasn't ready to go down without a fight. Realizing that dodging would only prolong the inevitable, he activated Fielder's Choice, making a split-second decision to alter his combat strategy—just like a fielder deciding which base to throw to. Instead of evading, Jake chose to meet Javier head-on. Tightening his grip on the bat, he unleashed Home Run Swing, pouring every ounce of strength into a powerful, precise strike.
"Damn!" Javier's eyes flickered with alarm as he realized his mistake, but it was too late—his momentum carried him straight into the path of Jake's bat. With a resounding crack, the bat connected, sending Javier sprawling to the ground. The crowd erupted as Jake staggered slightly, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. In one decisive moment, the tables had turned.
"What a turn of events this is! Jake has turned the tables around!" Pat exclaimed, his voice rising with excitement at the back-and-forth action.
"Javier had the upper hand in the early stage, landing consecutive hits on Jake," Samantha chimed in, analyzing the moment. "But that aggressive Net Charge may have been his downfall. Javier rushed to end the match too soon, giving Jake the chance to activate Fielder's Choice. Instead of staying defensive, Jake opted for offense—meeting Javier head-on with a Home Run Swing that connected hard. It's not over yet, though. Javier is still standing, and he hasn't been disarmed."
Javier dusted himself off, standing once more with his padel racket gripped tightly. He was surprised Jake had managed to counterattack after taking two consecutive hits. His eyes narrowed as he realized Jake wasn’t an opponent to underestimate.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/83/Patience_Punisher.png]
"You think that’s enough to take me down? Come at me again!" Javier taunted, masking his frustration with a cocky smirk. He stood calmly, once again relying on Patience Punisher, hoping to bait Jake into making a mistake.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/1e/Jake_performing_Fastball_Flick%2C_sending_a_barrage_of_small_objects_flying_at_high_speed_towards_his_enemies.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/0b/Racket_Guard.png]
But Jake had other plans. Rather than rush in head-on, he shifted tactics. Scanning the arena, he picked up random sports balls scattered around and launched them in a relentless barrage using Fastball Flick—hurling small objects at high speed like a pitcher throwing fastballs. Javier reacted quickly, raising his padel racket for Racket Guard, swatting away the projectiles. But as the sheer volume of balls overwhelmed him, a few managed to slip past his defense, striking him across the chest and legs. He winced but held his ground.
"You want to play the projectile game? Let’s see how you handle this!" Javier’s frustration boiled over. Deciding to end it, he reached for his ultimate—a move he hadn’t unleashed in his previous matches. Scooping up a cluster of padel balls from the ground, Javier locked eyes with Jake.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/97/Meteor_Smash.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/fb/Jake_Harada_performing_Batter%27s_Intuition%2C_allowing_him_to_read_his_opponents%27_movements%2C_giving_him_the_ability_to_react_swiftly_and_strike_with_precision.png]
With a powerful swing, he activated Meteor Smash, channeling all his strength to launch a rapid succession of padel balls. Each strike created a high-velocity projectile that streaked across the arena, showering toward Jake like a meteor storm. Jake's heart pounded as he assessed the incoming barrage. There was no way to dodge on the ground—Meteor Smash spread across the entire arena. But Jake’s instincts kicked in. Activating Batter’s Intuition, his keen eye read Javier’s movement and the pattern of the attack.
"Here goes nothing!" Jake shouted, giving it his all. With a powerful leap, he soared high, clearing the deadly arc of projectiles.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/67/Jake_harada_performing_Grand_Slam%2C_powerful_leaping_swing%2C_bringing_his_bat_down_in_an_arc_that_deals_heavy_damage_to_anything_in_its_path.png]
Suspended mid-air, he spotted his chance. Jake twisted his body and activated his own ultimate—Grand Slam. Raising his bat, he brought it crashing down in a devastating arc aimed directly at Javier.
Javier’s eyes widened in shock. "What?!" he gasped as Jake’s bat connected with his shoulder, the force sending Javier crashing to the ground. His padel racket clattered away from his hand, spinning out of reach.
The arena fell silent for a moment before the sharp sound of the referee's whistle echoed through the air. Jake landed softly, gripping his bat as he steadied his breath, eyes fixed on Javier sprawled across the ground, his padel racket lying just out of reach.
A second passed—then the crowd erupted into cheers, the energy surging back into the coliseum.
"Let’s go, Jake!" Carter’s voice rang out, filled with excitement, his earlier frustration over Maddie momentarily pushed aside. Maddie, still shaken from the earlier ordeal, joined in the cheering, her smile slowly returning as the excitement of Jake’s victory began to lift her spirits. Luna’s enthusiastic cheers filled the air, while Akane clapped softly, her quiet pride evident in the subtle warmth of her expression.
Jake glanced toward the stands, catching sight of his friends. He raised his bat in acknowledgment, flashing a small but grateful grin. Despite the intense match and the weight of Maddie’s disqualification hanging over them, the victory was a bright spot—a reminder that the competition still carried moments worth celebrating.
"What a closing match! I honestly thought Javier had it in the bag with that stunning ultimate—it looked like a meteor shower!" Pat exclaimed, his excitement still lingering.
"I agree, Pat," Samantha chimed in. "Javier's Meteor Smash was visually spectacular. Projectiles spread across the entire arena, and normally, avoiding them would be nearly impossible. But Jake's quick thinking and use of Batter's Intuition allowed him to react just in time. His leap through the air and counter with Grand Slam was the perfect response, disarming Javier and sealing the win."
Pat nodded, his tone softening slightly. "Javier gave a valiant performance, but Jake was exceptional today. This might be the end of the road for Javier, but I have no doubt he'll come back stronger."
As the paramedics checked on Javier, Jake walked over, his concern genuine rather than boastful. "Are you alright?" he asked, offering his hand.
Javier looked up, surprised by the gesture. Competitors rarely approached each other after a hard-fought match, but seeing Jake’s outstretched hand, he smiled and accepted the help. Jake pulled him to his feet.
"That was a great fight," Javier admitted, dusting himself off. "Your strategy really got the best of me."
Jake rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I think luck had something to do with it. Your patience game was tough—I had a hard time getting close."
Javier grinned. "Regardless, Jake, it was an honor to face someone like you. I hope you make it to the finals." He patted Jake’s shoulder in camaraderie. "And hey, if you ever come to Mexico, look me up. We’ll hang out."
"Sounds like a plan," Jake replied, smiling warmly. "It’s great getting to know you."
With their match concluded, the Loser’s Round 2 bracket wrapped up. Pat and Samantha began tabulating the results for the next stage.
Pat stepped in first, his voice filling the arena. "Alright folks, the results are in! The competitors advancing to Loser’s Round 3 are:
Preston Montgomery, Olivier Leclerc, Chloe Choi Soo-Min, and Jake Harada!"
Samantha followed, her tone more solemn. "Unfortunately, the journey ends here for:
Lukas Müller, Veronica Hart, Madison Thompson, and Javier Morales."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/dc/Pat_Samson_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/39/Samantha_White_Profile.png]
Pat smiled, tipping his headset slightly. "It’s been one heck of a round. My name’s Pat Samson—"
"And I’m Samantha White," Samantha added smoothly.
"And that’s a wrap from Maxwell Coliseum! We’ll catch you all during Winner’s Round 3. Until then, stay sharp and stay tuned!"
With that, the screen cut to black, officially closing out another intense day at the Atheneum Games.