“If there are no further complaints,” Fari said, her expression daring someone to speak up… “Then the next fighters should prepare for the last match!” She then turned, going over to where her clan member was already preparing himself.

  Across the basin, Tirr frowned as he listened, turning in confusion towards Dun next to him… “You said we just needed to win four out of the six matches, right? Didn’t we win already?”

  The former mercenary was still filled with exhilaration at having won his bet and turned towards the child god with a laugh. “Yeah, we won! At this point, the last match is just a formality… It’s a tradition for all the matches to be carried out regardless of the result.”

  “Do we have to participate? Can’t we just give up at the start or something?” Tirr asked thinking… In his mind, there were better things to spend their time on.

  “You could, but it’s never happened before.” Dun explained calmly, “Most wouldn’t avoid the fight because even though you won, you still have to deal with the others the next day, right? The Clangang is good for settling an issue but not for settling feelings…”

  “Taking part in the last fight helps you make a solid show of strength, meaning it's less likely for others to mess with you afterward. And even losing the last match can do a lot to assuage some of the bad feelings a Clangang can cause.”

  “Ahh,” Tirr nodded in understanding. Behind him, Lin had already brought up her fellow disciple. A young woman that chosen to help fill the numbers, though that didn’t mean Tirr thought she would lose… None of Tirr’s honor guards were weak, most just didn’t stick out as much as Lin and Iesa.

  Tirr watched her head down at about the same time Havo sent out their fighter. He was an older man, his body lined with scars to prove his experience... Both took their places quickly, yet as Fari proceeded with the starting checks, the crowd had none of the energy of the previous matches. Most didn’t know what to do with their misery or anger, though all stayed behind to watch and see if Havo could claim another win and gain more face for the tribe.

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  Yet the match itself would only prove a further disappointment. It started normally with both contestants closing in on each other, but as they clashed and began to fight, it was clearly lacking in excitement and drama as compared to before.

  The Havo warrior fought bravely, doing his best to restrict and break through the water disciple's defense. Yet even without Lin’s exemplary skill, the water disciple held on easily. The two fought back and forth for several minutes before the water disciple started to gain an advantage bit by bit. It wasn’t long after that that the Havo warrior was forced to give up, bringing an end to the competition.

  As Fari announced that the Clangang was finished and repeated the result, those watching from around the Basin soon broke into two sides. The members of Waythe and Fui around Tirr hooted happily, praising those fighters that had gone up as they began to celebrate. Surprisingly, even some of Clan Havo came to congratulate them, each of them showing respect for the strength Tirr’s side had shown as they made introductions and joined the celebration…

  The other side was made up of those who were against Tirr’s joining from the beginning, and each now wore heavy expressions as they absorbed the humiliating defeat. The worst were those among Jacta and Krawl, where their utter disgust and anger were left with nowhere to go.

  Many, upon seeing some of Havo going to greet the newcomers, wanted to blame Havo for the loss… They muttered to themselves that Fari had been biased or that Havo had been on Tirr’s side from the beginning…. But these sounded like baseless complaints even to themselves… After all, Havo was the only one who had even managed to get a win.

  Finally, Rev, unable to stand the sight of those celebrating, called for his Clan to leave. He glared one last time towards the young boy who sat amongst the celebration before he and his clan left the lakebed behind with quick steps. On the other side of the basin, Tirr watched as Krawl and Jacta left, his expression complicated.

  “Should we be worried about that?” He asked Dun his voice cutting through the cheering and dancing people around them...

  “No, he’ll be furious for sure, but it's done… There’s nothing he can do to change it.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, before shaking his head. “Fari’s got a brain on her, so Havo won’t stand for any trouble after all that.” He smiled again, clapping Tirr on the back before helping him up, “Now come on… Tonight we celebrate! Tomorrow, you meet with the Tribe as Clan Tirr for the first time…”