Chains Of Pride

"What just happened?" This was the question in everyone's mind. Was this the same Dominating Captain Magenai from before?

Sure the current Lanzo impressive, but for a full reversal to take place? Was there no chance for a comeback? Could this be how it ended? In complete domination?

There was a reason why the crowd was misunderstanding the current situation. Seeing the increase in Tamashi's power from before overwhelming Lanzo in full. They thought they would be more or less even, so the present scene was a bit too much to take in.

However, they were not to be fully blamed, people more or less reacted to what they could perceive rather than couldn't.

Lanzo's current power reached such a degree that Tamashi was unable to allow the audience to see just how daunting God's Code had become. They were incapable of the tyrannical power hidden in the pitch-black Armis and its contrasting luminous glow.

Tamashi's will, much like Inferno's ignition, started to dim. That punch alone severely damaged the self-confidence the Captain built up for so long.

Captain Tamashi lost to Lanzo before, and of course won some back in return, though all the Sequences ended up in Proelius's win due to the points in the end. The matches between Tamashi and Lanzo were always close, a match where no one knew who'd win until it all played out.

It was never one-sided...until now.

"Damn it! Is he this far away?! Was I chasing after his back this entire time?!"

Tamashi's mind was in disarray, the Captain's body tensed up and then slightly relaxed, a reflection of the fighter's current state of mind.

A small gesture that went unnoticed among most, but not the Captain's fiercest rival, not the Savage One, not Lanzo, oh no, he sighted it immediately and moved to react as he saw fit.

"Harden your resolve Tamashi!" A voice, loud and resolute resounded through the arena. "Look upon the figures of our teammates who are embroiled in their brawls!" A figure clad in a black Armis stepped out of the high-speed void and marching onwards to the immobile Tamashi.

The Captain's figure faintly trembled at the sound of his voice.

"Turn that pain you're feeling into a balled-up fist and strike me!! You owe me that much, and you owe it yourself!" Lanzo's previous calm self was no longer anywhere to be seen, as he wouldn't allow Captain Magenai to regress, they had come too far.

When his voice reverberated for everyone to hear, all fighting stopped once more, while the crowd quieted down and lent their ears to his words.

He now stood a few feet from seemingly broken Armis, Ignition was no longer in use. Being battered as it was, it was no surprise that that taxing condition could no longer be maintained. However, that stir from before prompted Lanzo to continue.

With a thought, the helmet that hid his face receded to show his handsome features. A lone, dried bloodstain at the side of his mouth, the only medal he's had of the battle thus far. Still, it was far from enough.

"I asked you this question once, why do you go so far to fight me? However, I will tell you this once, if this is where our fight ends, with a wavering fist in the face of power, then I have no interest in the answer you hold!"

Lanzo's expression darkened as he said this, his voice turning severe as it did so.

"Get your a.s.s out of the wall and stand before me once more to conclude this match!"

His final words he let echo and linger in the air. His intentions clear as ever, and now everyone turned their heads to the darkened hole in the arena wall.

"Urgh, what...who is that?" Tamashi's mind began to stir once more.

"Oh, that stupid idiot is calling me, and here I am, crucified on the inside of an arena wall of all things. Damn it! My whole body's numb, well, in this case, I guess that's a good thing."

"I can feel him, he's standing in front of me, guess I must respond in kind. But can I move this battered body of mine? Well, my legs aren't broken, well, even if they were, I'd still walk right up to him hehe- ow." Tamashi's body began to shake as the rocks started to loosen all around the Crimson Armis.

A shadow fell from the hole and dropped knee first to the ground. The silence that descended on the arena grounds was not only one of surprise, but of awe and reverence.

Tamashi shakily stood up, and step by step, Inferno walked up to the resplendent God's Code in front.

Each step was distinct, every advance significant, and it was not clear who started, but a clap started in beat to the steps. It eventually turned into an applause that sped up to keep up with the quickening pace of the Captain, transforming into a thunderous cheer when they couldn't keep up with the advance any longer.

"Yeah! Get him! Let him know your answer is something to work for!"

"I like Lanzo, but I respect that Captain Magenai too, fight it out you two! Make it a fight for the ages!"

Different comments flooded the arena as everyone's blood started to boil, feeling the resolve of the struggling Captain. And whose blood better to boil than the remaining combatants who had paused their skirmishes earlier.

After a short while, though the number was much less than earlier, the fights were back in full swing as mostly the elites were left at this point. The word motly is used loosely here as even Pelerion was doing his best to hold on, employing several moves on his combatant.

"Thank you, Lanzo, I nearly lost myself back there. Now allow me to express my gratitude in full! Oh, and my condolences!"

The now sprinting Tamashi was only a step or two from Lanzo, who flashed a grin after seeing that his speech had the d.e.s.i.r.ed effect, his face however then twisted in confusion.

"Condolences? I'm not grieving over anything." stated the bewildered Ace.

"Oh you will be, once I beat you to sickness, you'll be grieving for some time over the shattered remains of your pride oh savage one!" Tamashi stated with undisguised glee.

A smirk could be seen as Lanzo's lips slightly curled upwards.

"Is that so, you think yourself worthy enough to break my pride? I have a lot of respect for you Tamshi but sorry to say. You're not even qualified to come close to breathe away the dust that may settle upon it, much less break it."

The helmet that had receded not long ago started to cover the entirety of his face once more as he entered combat mode.

"You'll have an easier time trying to break my body, so come at me, that engine of yours is still revving up a storm right?!" the last words to leave his mouth before he put up a guard to block the incoming blow.

Boom!

An ear-shattering explosion resounded as Inferno fired off a punch on God's Code, "Ooh hot damn, that was heavy! Seems your punches got a whole lot more life in em, I expect no less from my rival!" Lanzo's laugh filled Tamashi's ears eliciting a smile from the latter.

A multitude of blows was being exchanged between the two, an onslaught within a sea of onslaught! The resplendent God's Code took several full-body blows in the form of kicks, punches, even headbutts were being levied, Inferno spared no opportunity to land a blow.

But Lanzo was not just suffering from the impacts of the attacks launched by Captain Magenai, for every blow landed he would return one of his own. The cracks that wrapped the Crimson Armis started to look like spider webs.

'Sighs.'

"Looks like Inferno isn't able to keep up with your spirit, it's a shame, our fight is nearing its end …Tamashi." Lanzo spotted the acc.u.mulating damage and couldn't help commenting with a melancholic tone.

Boom! Bam!!

"Oh, shut up!." Captain Magenai in the middle of dishing out and blocking another flurry of punches.

"At most, Inferno can last another 15, no, 10 minutes, but before it runs its course." As the Captain thought of this and made some swift calculations, a final decision was made. Soon enough, a distinct amount of steam could be seen rising from the battered Armis.

That unmistakeable red glow that dimmed before, now breathing new life into the battered Armis.

"Ignition!!"

The steam rushing out, spread all over the arena washing the arena in its heat. When Lanzo saw this, his eyes lit up in delight, before it turned into irritation.

"Urkh!! I-I know what y-you're thinking, that this fight will last e-even shorter, but best to make it short and sweet t-than longer and drawn out, so come at me."

The pain rendered even coherent speech an onerous task, and yet, there was glee hidden within somewhere.

In truth, the suit was nearing its limit after the damaging blows by God's Code. Using Ignition now was near madness, the life left in Inferno dropped from 10 mins to 5...no, 3 minutes tops before it faced total ruin.

The Crimson Armis ebbed and flowed within the steam akin to a ghost in the night. "Then when they see your best, I'll take you down in front of them."

Lanzo felt the provocation and played along, "Then what are you waiting for? An invitation?! Come over here and fail in breaking my pride! Hahaha!!"