The Return to Phantomile
~ VISION 1-10: The Dream Arena, Part 5 ~
It's been about half an hour since the last match... As Huepow and Klonoa were back in their own room eating, Huepow noticed that while taking a piece of bread after having finished another, that Klonoa has barely even really eaten anything yet, seemingly just staring down at the table while thinking to himself. Huepow stopped eating for a moment and then spoke up.
Huepow: Klonoa... what's wrong?
Klonoa then frightfully snapped back to it, as if he was really deeply thinking to himself.
Klonoa: O-orre?! Oh... Uh... N-nothing important. It's just that last battle really had me thinking for a moment.
Huepow then leaned back a bit in his chair.
Huepow: How come? It was just another nightmare monster we usually fought, right?
Klonoa: Well... yeah, but... Something felt off about it. Same with the Moo's back at the camp.
Klonoa then thought a bit for a moment to himself again.
Klonoa: My mind still feels a bit foggy, but... i can clearly remember that almost all Moo's up until my return here were actually friendly. For the most part, at least...
Huepow: May i ask, what exactly do you mean when you refer to a 'Moo'? You've been saying that for a while, but i still am confused about it.
Klonoa: It's those common little round nightmare monsters we had been fighting back in the day, as well as those appearing now.
Huepow raised a bit of an eyebrow after hearing Klonoa's knowledge about the Moos.
Huepow: How do you know that about them though?
Klonoa: Oh, right... it's just something i've learned while i was in Lunatea. It seemed like they're more common there than in this world.
Huepow: I see. Interesting to know they actually have a name.
Klonoa: But that aside... it feels like they're deliberately hunting us down this time. Or...
Klonoa then went a bit silent for a moment, and softly said...
Klonoa: Just to hunt me down...? Those Nighty-Knights said they'd specifically hunt me down if i didn't surrender to them...
Huepow: Klonoa...
Huepow seemed concerned. Klonoa then shrugged his head a bit.
Klonoa: ...Nevermind any of this. I won't give in to anyone trying to stand in my way.
Huepow then softly smiled as he stood up from his chair and patted Klonoa on the back after walking to him.
Huepow: That's the spirit. With me to power your ring, we got nothing to fear, regardless of what we're up against.
Klonoa looked up to Huepow, as he also smiled a bit. Klonoa then looked back at the door in the hall after that and pointed at it.
Klonoa: Say... how about we go and check out if we're fighting the Water Dragon next?
Huepow: Oh yeah, that's right! We should make sure if he didnt lose prior to us.
Klonoa and Huepow then stood up and began to run on over the hallway to check up on the bracket... As the board was already updated, the two of them saw that only four opponents remained on the bracket in the following order from top to bottom: The Water Dragon, The Child of the Wind, The Water Warrior and The Wild Bear. Klonoa began to grin out of excitement, knowing the Water Dragon is their next opponent.
Klonoa: Heehee... We're finally getting close!
Huepow then also laughed a bit.
Huepow: Even if this one may not be it, there's a half percent chance we'll finally get the right one during the finals.
Klonoa: Right. We should probably prepare ourselves for our next fight. But... i'm not even sure how i'll be able to really prepare for it...
After the two were a bit lost in thought, something then suddenly snapped to Huepow as he looks directly back at Klonoa.
Huepow: I got it!
Klonoa: Huh?
Huepow: I noticed your sword-fighting technique is still a bit lacking. We can definitely work on that while we still have time.
Klonoa: W-wait, what do you mean lacking?!
Huepow: No time to explain that, i'll show you!
Huepow then started to push Klonoa against his will back to their room...
As a few minutes pass, Klonoa stood alone in his own room as he had the Wind Sword activated with Huepow powering it... just holding his regular stance, although a bit adjusted. Huepow was heard to be talking from the Wind Ring.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Your left foot should be a bit more to the front!
Klonoa: To the front?! But... if i do that i may not have as much balance in my stance!
Huepow (Wind Ring): It's not really about the balance. It's more about properly guarding yourself.
Klonoa still seemed a bit confused, but decided to just shrug it off and go along with it, putting his left foot a bit more forward.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Now hold up the Wind Sword.
Klonoa then held up his sword with his right arm as he usually did when fighting.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Not enough. A bit higher!
Klonoa: But why though? This ring is heavy!
Huepow (Wind Ring): Simply put, you want to be able to protect your body and quickly get to actually attacking. Just holding up the sword low means you have to raise it a bit every time when you have to block a strike. That is precious time that could be used to strike back.
Klonoa: I... I see...
Klonoa then slowly lifted his right arm a bit higher. Klonoa seemed a bit wobbly to this adjusted stance, but he actually kept this position well.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Perfect! Now attempt to pull a swing or a stab.
Klonoa then slided his left foot a bit more forward as he stabbed, and then goes for a sideward swing, making his left foot rotate a bit along with it for a stronger swing... Klonoa then got out of his stance and stared a bit at the Wind Sword.
Klonoa: It does feel a bit better though...
Klonoa then smiled a bit.
Klonoa: Thank you, Huepow. How do you know about these things?
Huepow (Wind Ring): Hehe... well... i've had my practice with swords after you left Phantomile...
Then the bell suddenly started to ring in his room, as the teleporter pad in front of them lighted up.
Klonoa: Well, time to go.
Klonoa then began to step up onto the teleporter pad and was warped to the battleground within a flash...
When Klonoa arrived onto the sandy battleground with the late morning shining up on the colosseum, his opponent, the Water Dragon, also appeared on the opposite side. It was a tall, blue dragon with yellow scales running from his jaw up over the front of his torso and then downward until the other end of his giant tail. He also had black eyes, sharp claws on both his feet, blue/yellow fins, and wore large iron shoulder pads as well as leather sandals. Aside from that, he also carried two regular iron swords on both sides of his hips in scabbards, and a larger two-handed steel sword in a scabbard on his back, which were all attached with a belt that held up and connected these three swords in their scabbards. The Water Dragon just had his arms crossed as he stared at Klonoa a bit. Meanwhile the audience were chanting all kinds of things in the background.
Announcer: Welcome everyone, to the first match of the semifinals! At long last, the four best fighters are now in a pinch to reach for the final match! Within our left corner, we have the infamous dragon from the depths of Jugpot itself, the Water Dragon! !
The audience went wild. The Water Dragon then briefly looked around the audience a bit while he still had his arms crossed.
Announcer: As for our right, we have the young teen who has struck his way through the tournament using a myterious ring to throw his enemies away... the one and only, Child of the Wind! !
The entire audience then loudly cheered for the both of them.
Announcer: And now as for the match, place your bets before it starts! In twenty...
As the better behind the desk saw Kio heading for his desk, he sighed and leaned with his fist against his face while his elbow was on the table. When Kio arrived, he made way of the surrounding people and slammed down his pouch of 160 golden coins to the better's desk with a smug grin, as the surrounding betters just watched.
Kio: All on the Child of the Wind.
Then another one of the betters yelled at Kio from a distance as he walked up to him.
Random Better: YO YOU!
Kio confusingly turned his head towards the better.
Random Better: How come you on a winnin' streak by bettin' only on the same guy every time?!
Kio then looked a bit more smug again and said...
Kio: Because i know where to put my money on.
Random Better: How d'we not know you ain't spittin' BS?
Kio then turned his head a bit back to the direction of the battlegrounds.
Kio: Just watch...
Announcer: Sixteen...
Meanwhile on the battleground, Klonoa then looked directly at the Water Dragon, and then a bit nervously back at the Wind Ring.
Klonoa: T-that must be the person we're looking for, right...? He seems way too well-packed for this...!
Huepow (Wind Ring): I don't know, you should try to ask.
Klonoa then cleared his throat and yelled.
Klonoa: Hey Water Dragon! !
The Water Dragon then looked a bit confused at Klonoa, as Klonoa started to walk on over to him up close.
Klonoa: Are you by any chance a high-ranking Jugpot soldier?
Water Dragon: I'm a Jugpot soldier, but one of regular class.
Klonoa: Oh... i see... I'm sorry to bother you.
The Water Dragon smiled up a bit.
Water Dragon: Hey, no worries. You must be looking for the Water Warrior in that case, right? He's a high-ranking Jugpot soldier after all.
Klonoa: Wait... you know him?!
The Water Dragon then politely stuck out his hand for a handshake, as he said...
Water Dragon: I will let you in on all the information you need to know. That is, if you beat me in a fair fight.
Klonoa stared a bit before he then smiled up and shook hands with him.
Klonoa (Thinking): Wow, he's actually really kind compared to all the other opponents...
Klonoa: Thank you, Water Dragon-sir.
Suiryu: Call me Suiryu. Who are you, kid?
Klonoa: I'm Klonoa.
Suiryu: Klonoa, hmm...
Announcer: Six... Five...
Suiryu closed his eyes a bit, and then opened them again to look directly at Klonoa again.
Suiryu: I'd easily let you win if I could, Klonoa, but... I have my own reason to move to the finals. I really want to take it on against the Water Warrior myself.
Klonoa: No kidding? Well, one thing's for sure in that case. I'm going to give it my all!
Suiryu: Likewise. Ehehe...
The two laughed a bit, as the announcer got close to the end...
Announcer: Three... Two... One... Let the match of...
The Water Dragon VERSUS The Child of the Wind...
Then at the same time, Klonoa and Suiryu said the following lines, as they immediately glared right at each other in seriousness while saying...
Klonoa: I'm not going to lose to you! !
Suiryu: The real fight starts now...
BEGIN! ! ! !
The two then quickly released each other from their handshake, as they both jumped backwards away from each other, with Klonoa immediately getting in his sword stance as Suiryu kept his left hand close to his back next to the steel sword. The two stood in their positions for a few seconds until Klonoa finally said something.
Klonoa: What is he doing?
Huepow (Wind Ring): He seems to have a third sword on his back... Maybe he's using this position to quickly reach out for this specific sword. Plus with him standing still, it seems like he's waiting for our move first.
Klonoa: I see... I should use that opportunity as best as i can!
Huepow (Wind Ring): Wait! Hold on a-
But before Klonoa could listen to Huepow, he already had began to run on over to Suiryu. As Suiryu saw this, he immediately reacted by grabbing his right iron sword, and fiercely throws it at Klonoa.
Klonoa: W-what?!
As the iron sword headed right for Klonoa's face, he parried the sword by using the Wind Sword's blade at the perfect timing, sending the sword flying for a bit as it started to fiercely spin in circles before landing on the tip and getting stuck in the sandy ground. The both of them looked back at the iron sword stuck in the ground as they got nervous.
Suiryu: Wha... how did he do that?!
Klonoa: Whew...! That was close...
Huepow (Wind Ring): For him to be throwing regular swords as knives?! That's really overdoing it...!
Then they both turned their head backwards towards each other as Suiryu switches his right hand for the giant steel sword on his back, and the left hand to grab his iron sword... With Suiryu immediately throwing his other iron sword right for Klonoa again, which Klonoa swiftly dodges by sliding to the side, with the iron sword sliding over the sandy ground as a bit of dust arose from it.
Suiryu: Ngh...!
Suiryu in a bit of a pinch, then started to reach out for his giant steel sword on his back with his right hand. Meanwhile, Klonoa came swinging with both a click and a sword slash from the left side. Klonoa and Suiryu's legs clashed, as Suiryu managed to barely block the sword strike by blocking the ring's momentum with his left hand before the blade could hit him... The two fiercely stared at each other as they both clasped their teeth, as Suiryu eventually stopped and smirked a bit.
Suiryu: Hmph... What you make up in speed, you lack in defense!
Suiryu then pushed back to the Wind Ring with his left hand, which causes Klonoa to accidentally let go of the Wind Ring, falling down to the sandy ground away from Klonoa. While still in the Wind Ring, Huepow seemed concerned about the situation.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Oh no! !
Klonoa seemed a bit concerned, as Suiryu then started to use both arms to pull out the giant steel sword.
Suiryu: Now it's time to show you my-
But before Suiryu could pull it out, Klonoa immediately just punches Suiryu right in the face with his right fist as Suiryu's guard was down for that split second when pulling out the sword. This caused Suiryu to close his eyes and cover his face a bit while stepping back, as Klonoa landed back to the ground with his feet. Suiryu then carefully opened his eyes a bit, as he seemed a tiny bit frustrated.
Suiryu: ...Ow?!
Klonoa then innocently grinned a bit.
Klonoa: Hehe, sorry, i just got too carried away in the opportunity.
Klonoa then looks back at his hand as he realised the Wind Ring was gone.
Klonoa: W-what?! My ring! ! Where is it?!
Klonoa then quickly looked around as he tried to find where the Wind Ring was... but before he could even find it anywhere on the ground, he suddenly was knocked down harshly to the ground due to Suiryu's large tail less than a second later!
Suiryu: Sorry, i saw the opportunity to knock you down.
Suiryu then reached with both hands for the giant steel sword on his back, as he then pulled out the steel sword and attempts to harshly slash Klonoa as he was down on the ground from top to bottom... Klonoa immediately rolled away to the side and swiftly got back up to dodge his harsh slash. Then as soon as he got back up, Suiryu attempts to slash him again, but from the side... To which Klonoa immediately jumps up into a backwards jump dive as his body barely misses the blade. Landing back on his feet and behind Suiryu's back, and spotting the Wind Ring to the left, Klonoa immediately uses this opportunity to run back to it and grab the Wind Ring again. As he does, he quickly gets back into position again, as the two face off against each other. Klonoa looks a bit serious, while Suiryu just grins.
Suiryu: Hmph... You've got some skill, Klonoa.
Klonoa: Thanks. But don't appreciate me for that just yet!
Then Klonoa openly rushed for Suiryu, as was he while holding up the giant steel sword. To which Klonoa started to try and break through the steel sword's defense. Meanwhile as Suiryu seemed a bit concerned as Klonoa just kept going.
Suiryu: What i make up for in speed, i lack in defense though... Hnrgh... This is my first foe that actually combats my weakness.
Suiryu then looked around as he noticed his regular iron swords in the distance... He then started to hold up his giant steel sword with his left hand, as he uses his right hand to make subtle and small hand gestures towards the direction from the swords to him, as a bit of energy sparked from the fingers in his right hand... Then a small wave of water arose in the battlegrounds, and washed the two iron swords to him... Meanwhile, as Klonoa currently clashed with the steel sword, he also noticed the little tide, and was caught off-guard.
Klonoa: Hold on, what is-
Then Suiryu punches Klonoa in the face to make him back off, as he rubbed his cheek in a bit of pain.
Klonoa: ...Magya?!
Suiryu smirked, as he put back his steel sword and grabbed a hold of his two regular iron swords with both swords, holding a dual-wield stance. Klonoa just stared in shock.
Suiryu: It's time to switch my stance! Now we're even on speed!
Klonoa: Two swords simultaneously?!
Huepow (Wind Ring): He's not making this easy, i can already tell...
Suiryu then spins both iron swords around, and then goes for a cross-slash with both iron swords at Klonoa... Klonoa barely manages to block and clash with both iron swords at the same time, as he pushed on with their clash and then jumped over Suiryu... Then immediately tries to strike Suiryu with the Wind Sword from the back, but Suiryu was quick enough to turn around and block with his left iron sword... Then uses his right one to slash Klonoa from the side, as the iron sword cuts him in the left arm when Klonoa tried to dodge, causing some blood to spill onto the ground.
Klonoa: Nghh...!
Suiryu then kicks Klonoa as he's sent sliding back a bit. Looking back at the cut wound and at the Wind Ring.
Klonoa: Huepow, switch forms and charge the Wind Bullet... I have to get one good hit into him.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Right!
The Wind Ring then switched out of the Wind Sword form as the green crystal started to glow. Meanwhile as Suiryu then began to run for Klonoa, he starts to run straight for him as well. Just as Suiryu tried to slash Klonoa with both swords, he swiftly slides inbetween his legs and tail. As the two then looked back at each other, Suiryu seemed displeased at Klonoa.
Suiryu: ...What is this now? Are you just trying to flee?
Klonoa then grinned a bit towards Suiryu.
Klonoa: No... It's all a part of a greater strategy.
Suiryu then seemed a bit more tense and focussed, as he starts to wildly run and attempt to strike Klonoa... All Klonoa does is jump to the side for a while, and roll away. He was getting a bit more frustrated with him.
Suiryu: You... little... stop dodging...!
As Klonoa then got behind Suiryu, but then got harshly smacked by Suiryu's tail again and knock him down.
Suiryu: I finally got you!
Suiryu then slowly faces towards the downed Klonoa... in the meantime, Klonoa noticed the Fully Charged Wind Bullet was now ready... As Suiryu tries to stab Klonoa with his right iron sword, he boldly tries to block the attempted stabbing by kicking with his left left. Although it was enough to parry the attack, it also cut Klonoa's left leg, as some more blood poured.
Klonoa: Arghh! !
Klonoa then uses his right leg to harshly kick Suiryu in the jaw and back off for a bit. Klonoa uses this moment to get back up and jump away from Suiryu, as he points the Wind Ring at him when getting into position...
Klonoa: Okay... here goes! ! FULLY CHARGED WIND BULLET! ! !
With Suiryu still recovering from that forceful kick, he noticed the Wind Ring pointed at him, as Klonoa then fired the Fully Charged Wind Bullet at Suiryu... When Suiryu sees this heading straight for him, he immediately tries to defend himself using his two iron swords. But the Fully Charged Wind Bullet's force was so powerful, it broke off nearly the entire blade of both iron swords and then sends Suiryu sliding and crashing nearly against the wall of the battlegrounds, as the Fully Charged Wind Bullet hit him in the head. Suiryu was a bit shaken up, as he dropped both broken iron swords onto the ground.
Suiryu: W-what-
Klonoa: HuaaAAAARGH! ! !
Then Klonoa came rushing as Suiryu with the Wind Sword after changing forms, and tries to sideward strike him in the head. Suiryu, only having enough time to defend using his arms, tries to put them up. But then Klonoa went in for a sideward strike and slashed him sidewards in the face...
The audience gasped. A cut opened up with some blood pouring out of Suiryu's face... Suiryu, astounded and even a bit nervous, pulled back a bit from Klonoa, as he walked away from him. Meanwhile, Klonoa got back up after his strike, and faces towards Suiryu while leaving out a big sigh.
Klonoa: Whooo...
Suiryu covered the wound with his right hand, and looked at the blood of his hand that just kept dripping from his face. He seemed to be getting a bit more upset.
Suiryu: My... my first blood... Nghh...!
Suiryu then pulled away his hand, calmed himself for a moment, and then looked back at Klonoa in the distance as he grinned a tiny bit.
Suiryu: Hmph... You've got some skill, Klonoa. You managed to overcome my dual wielding stance, and even landed a painful blow onto me... You're without any doubt, the toughest opponent i have faced so far.
Klonoa: Thanks. There's still more where that came from, so don't appreciate me for that just yet!
Suiryu: Oh, i feel it is necessary after what i'm going to pull off next...
Suiryu then released his belt from his body, as it dropped to the ground. Klonoa just stared in shock.
Klonoa: Huh? Wait, what are you planning to do?
Suiryu then also took off his iron shoulder pads, as he stretched out both his arms and then clasped two fingers of each arm together next to each other, while starting to concentrate. Energy started to arise from the fingernails, the area all around them started to rumble, and the audience started to turn more quiet from the sight of this. Even the announcer seemed a bit concerned.
Announcer: Wow! ! This is a first for the Dragon Warrior to shed his armor and weapons! What more could the Dragon Warrior have in store?!
Suiryu then spoke up to Klonoa from a distance.
Suiryu: I have to reveal something to you, Child of the Wind. I'm an ancient dragon... I've lived for hundreds of years and trained beyond what any regular people can handle. I've hidden my true power for a while, but... you... Klonoa, you finally pushed me to give it my all. To unshackle my own powers, and give it my all to triumph.
Klonoa: Huh?! But, why now?!
Suiryu: Because now... i sensed your true potential... It's frightening. It is the first real obstacle i've found in this entire tournament... and with my pride, i cannot have any possibility of losing. Even if it means bringing some trouble to the audience! !
Huepow (Wind Ring): Hold up, isn't he supposed to be a knight of Jugpot?
Klonoa: What of all the people here though?!
Suiryu: This isn't in Jugpot... so anything goes. Unless you yield and let me move on to the finals, that is.
Klonoa: W-what?! No! I will never! !
Suiryu then devilishly smirked after hearing that.
Suiryu: I see... In that case... Prepare yourself for this! !
Suiryu then released his hands away from each other, and yelled...
Suiryu: DRAGONS FLOOD! ! ! !
Suiryu then immediately released the energy tip from his fingers, as the entire colosseum started to quickly get flooded up from the center of the battleground, all the way up until the very top of the building. The audience screamed, as Klonoa was really shocked from the water that quickly got to them all.
Klonoa: W-water-?!
Before Klonoa could even prepare himself aside from closing his eyes and covering his face, the risen flood already has taken him. Everything went black for a moment...
Klonoa (Thinking): Magya... W...What happened...?
As Klonoa came to be, he slowly pulled away his arm from covering himself as he then opened his eyes... His body was very slowly drifting upwards a bit while in the water, now hanging above the submerged battlegrounds. Despite the morning sun shining brightly, the water was still very dark with only one stroke of light shining out of it to the center. The Wind Ring had reverted back to its original form, as Huepow seemed to try and loudly talk to Klonoa, but due to the water the noise was inaudible.
Klonoa (Thinking): Oh... Right... the water... I can't even hear Huepow over it anymore...
When Klonoa looked a bit around while holding his breath, he spotted nearly everyone else in the audience above him within the water. Some audience members tried to swim up to the top as quickly as they could, while some couldnt even do anything at all because they couldn't stop or just didn't have the energy to try to do it. Kio in the farther distance seemed to be having some trouble even trying to swim up due to the heavy stuff he was still carrying with him.
Klonoa (Thinking): Even Kio... he really put the audience in danger just to try and make me drown...?
Klonoa then looked down and saw Suiryu just standing smoothly swimming along through the building to keep a bit of a current going, eventually landing back up on the center of the battlegrounds below. He seemed to try and heavily catch up with his own breath, and then said to himself while in the water...
Suiryu: Hm... I've inevitably won this fight.
Klonoa then looked a bit upwards, as he saw the surface rather far away, really concerned but also determined.
Klonoa (Thinking): Ngh... I know i can't swim, but... i really got to at least make it up there. I can't faint now! I need to find the Water Warrior!
Klonoa then tries to swim his way up to the surface of the water as hard as he could, but can't.
Klonoa (Thinking): Oh no... Nothing to be a 'wuss' about this time, Popka. I'm losing my actual breath here in the water! I can't make it! !
Klonoa kept struggling... his eyes started to get a bit more weary, and his head began to feel foggy. But he tried to reach out for the really far away surface as he could while still trying.
Klonoa (Thinking): I... I can't breathe... I can't hold on...
Klonoa still struggled, but eventually just... gave in. His body began to sink a bit, as Klonoa's head started to get a bit more foggy.
Klonoa (Thinking): If only... i could be one with the wind... If... Only...
Klonoa slowly closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate... But then, something awoke in Klonoa's heart, as he felt a breeze passing by... When Klonoa faintly came to be, he noticed the green emerald of the Wind Ring was brightly shining just a few seconds before going to drown... As Klonoa faintly looked upon it no time to waste, Klonoa used his last bit of energy, and threw whatever attack the Wind Ring had by swinging the ring... When he did, a giant and fierce tornado surrounded Klonoa, and took in nearly the entire pool of water and was send upwards outside of the colosseum which the tornado was sticking out of. Suiryu's eyes suddenly widened out of surprise from this, while still panting from trying to catch up with himself.
Suiryu: What...?!
As the water was mostly being thrown out and evaporated by the tornado, the entire audience all went falling down harshly back to the spectators seats. The tornado vanished with the wind. Klonoa then landed back on the ground and nearly onto his knees, heavily breathing, and coughing out some water. After that, he deeply sighed and slowly got back up.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Klonoa! Are you okay?!
Klonoa: Nrrrghh... Y-yeah... Thank you for helping with that attack, Huepow. I hate the water so much. Drowning is my worst fear...
Huepow (Wind Ring): What do you mean?! That attack from the Wind Ring didn't come from me at all!
Klonoa: W...Wait, really...?
Huepow (Wind Ring): Yeah! The emerald started to just glow while drowning, and then you threw a giant tornado out of the Wind Ring all by yourself! Granted i was able to control the tornado to keep the people safe, but... it came from you! You actually awakened it!
Klonoa: Strange... I actually threw a tornado...?
Klonoa seemed to be roaming a bit in his thoughts for a few seconds as it was still very silent.
Klonoa: Hmmm... an attack like a tornado...
Klonoa then snapped his finger a bit as he smiled while looking back at the Wind Ring with Huepow in it.
Klonoa: Heh... since it's my own special move, i'm calling it the Tornado Attack!
Huepow (Wind Ring): That sounds a bit too... regular. But at least it works.
Meanwhile Suiryu just kept staring in shock and awe, still trying to catch up with his breath. Klonoa then faced back to Suiryu with a more serious look.
Suiryu: T...This is the end for me...!
Then the narrator also crashed down back to his usual seating spot, and grabs the microphone, tapping it two times before speaking up.
Announcer: ...Um... What just happened?
The audience, as they all very slowly and clumsily got back to their own spots, didn't even really cheer or make any noise. They just stared out of tension at the two of them, as they were facing each other, and both seemed rather serious and very tired... Klonoa then tried to speak up, as was Suiryu.
Klonoa: I... I will fight-
Suiryu: I yield...
Klonoa stopped mid-sentence, and then stared a bit out of confusion.
Klonoa: ...Huh?
Huepow (Wind Ring): Wait, what? He actually yields...?!
Meanwhile the audience began to slowly cheer more and more, realising the match was finally over.
Announcer: O-oh, uhhhh... Apparently the match is over! I dunno what exactly happened here, but the Water Dragon yielded after that sudden flood!
The Child of the Wind has reigned victorious and will be moving to the finals! ! !
Kio was back over at the somewhat messy better's desk, and smirked as the better just sighed and handed two pouches, containing 320 golden coins in total. He took both of them, and then looked off back to the random better. Kio just smirked.
Kio: See? What did i tell you.
Random Better: ...Next match imma just be bettin' along with u. Los' me too many of deez dorees.
As the audience started to cheer, Suiryu then slowly dropped to his knees a bit, as Klonoa seemed concerned and ran on up over to him.
Klonoa: H-hey! Are you alright?!
Suiryu grinned a bit.
Suiryu: ...Yeah, i'm okay. Just put too much energy into this.
Klonoa then reaches out his hand for Suiryu, shaking hands... as he then also helped him to stand back up.
Klonoa: I'm sorry about your face, Suiryu... I didn't mean to leave a scar on there...
Suiryu just casually shrugged a bit.
Suiryu: Eh, no need to worry. It will definitely heal with time. Besides, i'm not even mad that i lost. Because i got to fight an out-of-the-box opponent like you.
Klonoa then laughed a little bit, as did Suiryu.
Klonoa: Ehehe... That's great to hear.
Suiryu: Well... a promise is a promise. You needed to know anything about the high-ranking Jugpot soldier known as the Water Warrior, correct? Ask away.
Klonoa: Oh yeah, right... Hmmm... What is the Water Warrior's real identity?
Suiryu: I don't personally know the soldier, but i hear he's going by the name of Clawford.
Klonoa: So it's Clawford... i see. And how do i personally get to him? Like... get him to open up about himself.
Suiryu: Personally get to him? Well... despite him being more of a silent person, he seems to really open his true self if anyone states to directly come there for him.
Klonoa: For him?
Suiryu: Yeah... must have something to do with a past trauma, i figured. I wanted to try to get him to open up using that myself.
Klonoa: Ah, i see...
Huepow (Wind Ring): Ooh, i just remembered an important one. Ask if there's anything to look out for!
Klonoa: Last question. Is there anything to look out for if we are to engage in a fight?
Suiryu: Yes. He wields an incredibly rare blade known as the Water Sword. It controls the element of water and ice itself, at the will to the wielder's potential. And if the rumors serve correct, Clawford is to truly be feared with these two mastered elements.
Klonoa then politely bowed to Suiryu and then turned back around.
Klonoa: Thank you so much for the info, Suiryu.
Suiryu: Wait! One more thing!
Klonoa turned back around to Suiryu, as Suiryu then spoke up.
Suiryu: If you don't mind me asking... Why exactly are you looking for a dangerous fighter such as Clawford?
Klonoa then slowly smiled again while holding up the Wind Ring, and said...
Klonoa: I am just searching for someone who can help me save the world. That's all.
Suiryu: ...I see.
Suiryu smiled a bit as well, and then gets teleported out of the arena... a few seconds later, Klonoa was teleported out of the arena too.