Moot

I paced the arena slowly, watching Karasu closely. He kicked off towards me and gracefully brushed his hand down my back before I realized what was going on.

"Shame you don't seem to be that much of a warm-up." He stepped away and I heard a series of popping noises. My back hurt a bit, I spun my head to look and spotted a couple of light burns.

"The hell was that?"

"I underestimated you, I apologize. To be barely wounded by those bombs, you must be a strong demon."

"I'm not a demon!"

"Could you at least have your head on straight before you say that!" Jato yelled into the ring.

"Oh, right. I forgot." I pulled my head off and corrected myself. "Like I said, I'm not a demon! I'M HUMAN!" Somehow the arena became really quiet.

"C-can we just start the next match?" Jato asked the referee. Karasu broke into a slight chuckle.

"Interesting. I'm sorry, but you've made me happy. I'm going to have to kill you; be you human or demon." I felt a tremor run up my arm. Another explosion. But other than the light and heat generated by the blast, most of the damage was shrugged off by my shield.

"I'm not really sure what kind of attack you're using, but I guess I better get this over with." I drew out my weapon and started spinning the chain to get a good speed when another explosion interrupted the chain, forcing it to the ground.

I reeled in the scythe blade and decided to charge in close. Again there were explosions, but again my shield soaked them up as I approached Karasu. He maneuvered out of my attack and struck me back. At close quarters the two of us began trading blows, but every time he pushed my punches or slashes out of the way there was another explosion.

Eventually my shield started to deteriorate, my energy draining away as he kept up his relentless assault. I had barely hit him. I had maybe cut his suit, a little. With one solid hit I collapsed backwards, my stamina drained.

"Now the finale." He said as he stroked my face. My vision was clouded by another explosion as the referee's countdown ended.

"The match is over! Victory goes to Karasu!"

Jato

This was ridiculous. Such an absolute defeat by someone not even working with Avarus. I gulped as my turn was now up. I got up on stage, ready to face the giant Bui.

"The last of the warm-up fights, newcomer Jato versus Bui!"

"You don't need to come out and say these are warm-ups!" I yelled.

"Even if it's true?" The referee returned. I sighed.

"Right, right, let's just get this over with." My opponent had already created a huge battle ax and was swinging it lightly. I could tell by the heft and swing that despite its weight he had absolutely no problems using it.

"Start!" He charged in on me with blinding speed. I blocked the first blow, barely. The second knocked me off my feet. Both happened before I could blink. I was hoping to uncover something about how this guy fought, but already I could tell he wasn't going to have to use much more than those insane swings to beat me to exhaustion.

While I was thinking a third blow knocked me right out of the ring. Rather than get up and keep fighting, I decided to stay put and start thinking of how to set up an ambush for that General.

I was still thinking after being released from the medical facilities. I wandered to the hotel when someone caught my eye. I turned to follow a red haired young man as he walked out.

After a few minutes he paused.

"I saw your match today." He said suddenly, and I jumped. I had forgotten how perceptive Kurama tended to be. "What do you hope to accomplish by following me? Revenge?"

"Actually no... You just remind me of a friend."