A dreary, grey sky hovers Strand city. Nora, Faith, and Javier step on to the already busy VBL courtyard. Nora is sporting her favorite black hoodie adorned with a cute bunny face on the chest, paired with blue faded jeans and black sneakers. Faith dons a flowing white blouse with an outer corset, complemented by black leather pants, and heels. Last but not least, Javier wears a black KINGS GYM shirt that accentuates his muscular build along with white pants, and white and black sneakers. Faith and Nora are astonished by the number of people at the premises. The VBL building was accustomed to crowds, but the courtyard alone was currently hosting a few hundred people. Adults, teenagers and even a few children accompanied by their guardians filled the space. Calling it a mixed bag wouldn’t do justice; it was more like a melting pot of people.

“Holy crap!” Nora screamed.

“Are all these people here for the tournament?!” Faith asked.

“Well, I’m sure most of them are. Don’t tell me you didn’t expect this.” Javier exclaimed.

“Of course not, how could I? The previous year’s videos didn’t really focus on the crowd. Hang on. There’s no way this many people can even fit in the built-in stadium.” Nora remarked.

“Correct. Most of these people will be forced to watch the matches out here in the courtyard or inside in the lobby. Luckily for you girls, I thought ahead.” Javier uttered.

“Funny running into you two here.”

The trio turns to see Desmond strutting towards them. Making his way through the loud and bumptious crowd. Wearing a red zippered jacket, a red shirt, red pants, and red sneakers.

“Oh, it’s you.” Nora uttered. Realizing that she did not remember his name, but she remembered beating him in the two v. two match.

“Have we met?” Javier asked Desmond.

“Not formally, but I’ve seen some of your matches in the past. Your Javier, the gauntlet user.” Desmond replied. “The man that fights against the meta by solely using weak gauntlet weapons.”

“Hey now, they aren’t so weak anymore, are they? That new update has done wonders for the gauntlet performances.” Javier points out.

“Spoken like a true martial arts freak – wait.” Desmond stops himself as he finally acknowledges Faith. “I’m sorry beauty, I didn’t see you there. What was your name?”

“Gross.” Nora murmured.

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“The man couldn’t even be bothered to finish insulting me before he started simping for Faith” Javier added.

“Oh, um. Faith Storm. A pleasure to meet you.” Faith stated.

“The pleasure is all mine!”

Maximillion Skying (Wearing a tight black shirt, a tactical desert scarf, grey sweatpants, and slip on sneakers) screams while suddenly jumping in the middle of the group. Almost completely knocking Desmond over.

“Hey dude, watch it!” Desmond screams.

Nora grows more anxious while Faith’s jaw drops, while Javier looks stressed.

“I saw my man Javier over here, so I wanted to say what’s up!” Maximillion exclaimed while smiling and giving the entire group a thumbs up.

“What are you doing here Skyking?” Javier asks coldly asks.

“That’s an interesting way for you to greet your rival.” Maximillion declared “More importantly I came to warn you. The sign-up line is crazy backed up right now, so you better hurry up.”

“You’re not even going to acknowledge me?!” Desmond yells.

“Oh yeah, who is the guy cosplaying Kaneda? Do you have the bike too?” Maximillion asks Desmond.

“I’m not cosplaying! I just chose to wear all red today!” Desmond yells.

“Why is it always loud near you?”

Nora looks to her left just in time to see Jin strut up to the group. He’s wearing a white hoodie, with his long chain dangling down to his lower chest. Black, ripped jeans and white sneakers.

“Jin?!” Nora uttered.

Maximillion, Javier and Desmond all quickly set their gaze to Jin, who instantly notices this.

“Yeah, what’s up?” Jin asks.

“You scared me. Don’t do that.” Nora demands. “To be honest I don’t know. I seem to attract loud people.”

“You’re Jin? I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet you.” Faith expresses while holding her hand out.

Jin casually keeps his hands in his pockets. Which causes Faith to shoot him a pouty face.

“Sorry I won’t be able to chill with you Javier. A bigger fish showed up.” Maximillion declares.

“Down boy, I’m more of a gator.” Jin replied.

“How fitting. You two being fish. I guess that makes me the bear.” Javier Stated.

“Great one liner guys, but we seriously have to sing up or else no one is fighting anyone.” Faith said.

“The lady has a point. Do you see how crowded this place already is? It’s only going to get worse.” Nora pointed out.

“I see what you mean.” Jin agrees.

At this point, it seemed like the ramblings and conversations of the surrounding crowds seemed to have elevated as everyone attempted to talk over each other. Nora’s anxiety was beginning to flare up. Faith notices this and grabs Nora’s left hand. Nora understands Faith’s intentions and shares a smile with her friend.

**

Faith, Nora, Javier, Jin and Maximillion all walk out of the hallway with their newly acquired competitor lanyards. As Maximillion and Nora are observing their lanyards, Javier and Faith notice that there seemed to be something parting through the sea of people. As row after row of people begin to move aside, it eventually becomes apparent what everyone is whispering about.

“It’s Takeshi.” Faith exclaimed.

Everyone turned to see the current defending champion quietly walking past the crowd. His eyes were dry and red, and his buttoned shirt was more disheveled than casually wrinkled. His usual proper posture was replaced by a hunched back and arms dangling in front of him. There were still a few unrelated conversations being had amongst the crowd but most of the attention was being directed at Takeshi and how he resembled a corpse.

Nora’s inner thoughts: Is that really Takeshi? What happened to him?

Jin’s inner thoughts: I’ve seen that look before. No doubt about it. That’s a man well past his limit. That’s a man that is broken.