It was painful to watch. Tihana just couldn't win. She didn't have the strength or any hidden ace in her sleeve which would work on her opponent. The guy bested her at the game of speed and had plenty of good cards to play, which he still didn't use.

To me it was obvious.

They clashed again, exchanging blows, striking sparks, but only for a dozen seconds, or so, before the second scimitar went flying. This time closer to the wall, away from the trap. Yet again he was first to get to the weapon. Tihana was about to pull something from her armory to keep on going, but she was barely able to stand.

Suddenly Will appeared behind her, placing his arms on her shoulders. She turned around ready to punch him, but almost fell over her own feet. He grabbed her at the last second, preventing that.

- And like this, we have an intervention from the boss himself. Ladies and gentlemen, mister William - Bruce announced.

- This is a clear victory on the side of Satoshi Tanaka. Although Tihana didn't give up until the last moment. You have to commend her fighting spirit. - Matthew added.historical

- Yes, you do. Unfortunately for her, Satoshi Tanaka seemed to have an answer for her every move.

- Yes, he did. What an incredible warrior he is. We could see a full display of his skills in this passionate duel. Game of speed I would call it.

- And the winner of this game is the king of speed - said Bruce. - What a duel!

- Fuck! - John cursed loudly, then stormed out of the room.

Will in the meantime was escorting Tihana out of the arena. Satoshi Tanaka reminded there for longer, celebrating in front of his screaming fans, before he also headed back, making space for the cleaning team to prepare the sandpit for the next duel.

- She is going to be devastated - Celestine pointed out.

- She lost fair and square - Leonel said.

- Yes - I agreed. - We still should support her. She did her best to win.

After my words, the whole room became awkwardly quiet. It lasted for a long time. A bit too long for me.

"She is not coming back here ", I thought to myself looking at the door. Then I switched my attention back to the TV screen.

- You are correct Bruce, and that's why I'm so intrigued by him, but let's switch the topic to say a few words about the other participant. Aaden.

- Another very famous figure. Especially, because of his last appearance in the French hit 'Chasseur solitaire', where he played the lead role of Léo Allard the titled hunter. It brought him immense fame in the country of cheese and wine, and yet he is not even French - Matthew said.

- But he is fluent in the language, and the European country is very important to him. It is his second home, right after Somalia. Where he was born but decided to emigrate from to chase his dream of becoming an actor.

- And he achieved it! First-grade performer, and first-grade hunter. What a man! I don't want to say that I'm biased, but if I were to bet, I would put my money on him.

- Well, there is a rumor that his skills are on par with Satoshi Tanaka, who just won. Judging by that, I would also put my money on him. That doesn't mean Leonel doesn't have a chance. He already showed incredible skills in his first official duel, and I bet he only grew stronger from there - Bruce replied. - I'm expecting a good fight.

As he finished speaking knocking on the door to our room averted my attention.

- Participant Leonel. Please prepare yourself and come out. Your fight is next. I'll wait for you in the corridor. Your equipment is already waiting for you.

Without hesitation, my son stood up. I looked at him, and our eyes met briefly. I didn't say a thing, but I bet he knew that he had all my support. He ended up slightly nodding, before coming out of the room.

Celestine sighed after he was already out. She noticed me looking at her.

- I'm worried. Tihana just lost, and she didn't come back - she explained herself.

- She refused my help in the preparation for this. She wanted to win on her own, despite me telling her that this whole event will be rigged. That guy Satoshi Tanaka... There is no way he was this strong just by hunting himself and buying the crystals. He got much more of them. His body was too strong - I told her.

- Then is Leonel also going to lose? - Carmelita asked. - They said this guy Aaden, is on par with that Japanese man.

- I doubt that. I personally think he was the best of them all - I argued.

- Hopefully, you are right - Celestine said. - If he was to lose he would be just as devastated as his sister.

- He wouldn't. He would accept his failure because he knows that you can't always win - I pointed out.

Then we switched our attention to the TV since music started to be blasted through the speakers, and the audience went wild. The door opened for one of the participants and Aaden walked out, waving to the people in the stands, which made them go crazy.

It was some catchy french song, which I decided to ask Will for later because It sounded quite nice.

The man had a kevlar, completely black, armor with few metal elements. For example the gauntlets on his forearms, and the shoulder pads. On his other hand, he was carrying a fancy spear with a wide blade.

He greeted his fans but stopped when the music got turned off before it switched into a solo on the violin. Leonel's favorite instrument.

The door on the opposite side opened, and my son stepped out in full gear. He still was carrying the shield on his back, and the sword by his side.

To my surprise, quite a few people greeted him from the stands, waving and screaming his name.