The Return to Phantomile
~ VISION 1-11: The Dream Arena Finale ~
It's been only an hour since the last fight... The food table appeared to be mostly empty. Klonoa, now with his cuts having been healed by Huepow, just sat on the edge of his bed, waiting for the bell to go off. As was Huepow next to him. The two seemed pretty silent for most of it.
Klonoa: ...One more fight left...
Huepow: Should we... check the brackets out while we still have some time?
Klonoa: No. This is the final match. It's either that the Water Warrior will be there, or he won't.
Huepow: I see...
They waited for a few more minutes, until finally, the bell off in their room, and the teleporter pad lighted up... Klonoa with a determined look, slowly stood up and stepped forward towards the teleporter.
Huepow: Wait, Klonoa!
As Huepow spoke up to Klonoa, he stopped walking, and turned back around to Huepow out of confusion, as Huepow then got up looks directly at Klonoa up close.
Huepow: Umm... I... I just want you to know... if it gets too dangerous, i will not hesitate to protect you.
Klonoa: W-wha? Where did that suddenly come from?
Huepow: Well... i wanted to fight The Count myself and just jump right out of the ring, but... since we were trying to find the Water Warrior, i couldn't...
Huepow began to tear up.
Huepow: And after that, you just kept geting into more danger. Nearly drowning, broken bones... And... And i couldn't do anything. I couldn't risk getting you disqualified until we found him... I was too worried that you wouldn't make it from all of that, and... I... I still cannot just forgive myself for the harm you've constantly went through...!
Klonoa: Oh... I see...
Klonoa then gently put both hands on Huepow's shoulders while he was tearing up as Klonoa smiled.
Klonoa: Don't worry, Huepow... we're in this together. If it wasn't for you, i would've probably never made it up to here.
Huepow then wiped his tears away as he then tightly hugged Klonoa.
Huepow: R...Right... Now, let's convince that soldier to help us out.
Klonoa: Right. Let's go... Our final match awaits!
Huepow then released Klonoa from their hug and then transformed back into his ring spirit form as he entered the Wind Ring... Klonoa then turned back to the teleporter pad and steps up onto it...
It was now in the afternoon, with the sun shining out from above... Klonoa arrived in the battlegrounds first. Klonoa just looked at the audience which was going wild... also a somewhat menacing but also grand intro fanfare started to play. Then he also saw someone else just teleporting in... It was what seemed like a Jugpot resident with darkgray claw hands, a spiky tail, and green eyes. He was wearing a dark-purple soldier outfit with yellow shoes, a dark purple and yellow helmet that had three yellow stripes it, and a belt that had a scabbard with a sword in it to his right. Although Klonoa couldn't fully see the sword, he knew that this Jugpot Soldier seemed different. The two just looked at each other, while the resident from Jugpot emotionlessly glared over at Klonoa. Meanwhile, Klonoa looks back at the Wind Ring to talk with Huepow.
Klonoa: That must be him...
Huepow (Wind Ring): Mm... He certainly sticks out from the other soldiers we've met before.
The fanfare then stopped, as the announcer's voice arose. The audience turned quiet for a moment.
Announcer: Llllladies and gentlemeeeeennn! ! ! We like to give you a warm welcome to our final contestants of this years Annual Champ Tournament! My, how we're in for an absolute treat this finale... A newcomer going by the name of the Child of the Wind climbed his way to the top, ever to finally clash with the unknown Water Warrior, who has been on a streak for three years! AND RIGHT NOW, THEY WILL FINALLY SETTLE IT, FOR THIS YEARS TREASURE! !
The audience then started to loudly cheer for the both of them again.
Announcer: Our final countdown for this year starts now! You can all make your bets on who will reign as the winner this year! ! In twenty... nineteen...
Klonoa and the Water Warrior just kept staring at each other while the counting was going down.
Meanwhile over at the better's desk, all the other betters just directly stared at Kio as he slowly walked on over to the desk, while time was running out... Kio just nervously looked on over to Klonoa and the Jugpot soldier in the distance, as he then stopped in front of the desk.
Kio: Wait... then that must be him, isn't it?!
Kio then looked back and very slowly put the two pouches containing 320 gold on the desk. The better behind the desk just seemed visibly tired.
Kio: ...One last time. All on the Child of the Wind.
Then the better behind the desk just bumps his head on the table. Then all the other betters who looked at Kio immediately began to run on over to the better's desk themselves and harshly bet on the Child of the Wind themselves. Kio almost gets squashed by this.
Kio: H-hey! Wait guys! Whoa! !
Announcer: Two! One! And... bets are now closed. Let the final match of this tournament, that being our remaining two contestants...
The Child of the Wind, VERSUS, The Water Warrior...
BEEEEEGIIIIINNNN! ! ! ! !
The Water Warrior prepared to draw his sword, but Klonoa held out his hand and yelled, saying...
Klonoa: Stop!
The Water Warrior then stopped drawing his sword, and with a blank stare, just looked at him.
Klonoa: You! You must be Clawford, right?
Clawford's eyes then arose a bit, but he still kept his serious look.
Clawford: ...How do you know that?
Klonoa: Please just answer my question. Are you, by any chance, Clawford the high-ranking Jugpot Soldier?
Clawford: ...Yes. But...
Clawford then stood his guard, almost ready to draw his sword again, while Klonoa smirked a bit.
Clawford: How exactly do you know about me, long-ears?
Klonoa: Let's just say that i've been looking to meet you.
Clawford seemed to be a bit in shock from hearing that directly stated at him, and dropped silent for a moment.
Clawford: ...!
Klonoa: I'm not here to win, so... just drop the sword, and let's talk it all out. Okay?
Clawford then snapped back to it, and seemed to be getting a bit more frustrated, as Klonoa noticed this and got a little bit worried.
Clawford: What would i have to talk about with you?! I don't even know you! Besides, i know your type...
Klonoa: Huh? What are you talking abou-
Clawford: You all come to visit me personally just to finish me off... All for my true powers, and my sword...
Klonoa: H-hold up! What do you mean?! I never even would-
Clawford then just furiously yelled.
Clawford: Don't fool me! I've been fighting all you dogs off ever since i was a child! ! And I WILL NOT LET YOU GET ANYWHERE NEAR ME AGAIN! ! !
Clawford then pulled out his sword from his scabbard, as it's revealed to be the Water Sword... a sharp steel katana with a dark blue hilt, surrounded by a mystical watery aura flowing around the blade, while Clawford immediately got into his sword stance. To which Klonoa switched his Wind Ring to the Wind Sword form after, and got into position himself.
Huepow (Wind Ring): I don't like the direction this is heading...!
Clawford then held up the Water Sword, as it quickly charged an energy beam created out of water, and then threw it from his sword right at Klonoa as it came flying at him, full speed...
Klonoa: Whoa-!
Klonoa barely dodges, and turns around... the water-energy beam cuts right through the wall of the battlegrounds and underneath the audience seat. A bit of sweat dropped from Klonoa's face.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Sword beams?! This guy is crazy...!
Klonoa: Magya... This could not get any worse...
Clawford then throws another. Klonoa quickly turned back around.
Klonoa: Tch...!
As it headed right for Klonoa, he swings the Wind Sword at it, to which the water-energy beam splits into two and the water splits into two parts, making it fall down to the ground and evaporate. Then Clawford himself swiftly rushes at Klonoa and tries to strike him overhead, to which Klonoa barely is able to block the strike with the Wind Sword. The two are clashing, with Clawford having the upper hand.
Clawford: You want my powers?! Well, take it by force if you can! I dare you! !
Klonoa: But that's not what i'm here fo-
Clawford then pushes on through and swiftly roundhouse-kicks Klonoa to send him crashing against the wall, making him cough out a bit of blood from the impact to his body, as Klonoa drops nearly drops down to the ground, on one leg. Clawford just fiercely watches over him.
Clawford: Yield. Now. And never come back.
Klonoa: W...Will you just listen to what i want to tell you?! Please! !
Clawford: No. I don't even care if you are royalty from Cress, from Forlock, or even from Jugpot itself. I distanced myself from all of you because none of you are worth trusting anymore! Now get out...
Klonoa: Not... not worth trusting...?
Huepow (Wind Ring): What is this guy on about?!
Klonoa then got back up, as Clawford held his Water Sword close to him.
Klonoa: Can you please just open up a bit more about yourself? Maybe i can help you out with whatever you had to-
Clawford: Hrrghh...!
Clawford then came running with his Water Sword close to him, and when he did, he tried to do a spinning sword attack...
Clawford: Water... SPIN! ! ! !
Klonoa: W-whoa-!
Then a huge stream of water went flowing around Clawford while spinning with his Water Sword. Klonoa barely dodged by recklessly jumping as far away as he could, and recovering with a roll to get back on his feet. Then, when Clawford stopped, the stream of water dissolved. He turned towards Klonoa, as did he.
Clawford: You coward! Face me like those other heartless monsters!
Huepow (Wind Ring): Who's he calling a coward?!
Klonoa: Look...! Whatever happened in the past... it's in the past! Please believe me... I don't know what you had to endure, but i'm not with them!
Clawford then seemed a bit surprised and dropped quiet again... before softly speaking up again...
Clawford: You heartless monsters disguised as 'people' wouldn't understand... YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT I HAD TO ENDURE BECAUSE OF YOU! ! !
Clawford then held out the Water Sword and quickly created a sharp piece ice using the watery aura around it, and then threw it right at Klonoa's head... Klonoa weakly drops to both knees onto the ground, almost fully to the floor. His body was getting really worn.
Klonoa: Because... of me...? B-but what about the rules...?
Clawford then held out the Water Sword, as it generated multiple sharp pieces of ice...
Clawford: I DONT CARE ABOUT THE RULES! NOW DIE MONSTER! ICE... SHARD! ! ! !
Clawford then threw the ice shards right at Klonoa, as he could only watch his fate... The audience all gasped, Kio gasped, Huepow screaming out from the Wind Ring.
Huepow (Wind Ring): KLONOAAAA! ! !
Then everything turned white in a flash...
As Klonoa came to be... he found that Huepow, in his true form, has jumped right out of the Wind Ring before Klonoa could be impaled! He currently stood right in front of Klonoa with his back turned to him, while holding up his green Energy Rapier, as a few cuts and a couple of ice shards are stabbed into his body, with a bit of blood surrounding the respective areas... Huepow just looked back furiously at Clawford, and grunted a bit from the pain.
Huepow: Nrggghh...!
Clawford gasped when he noticed Huepow, as did the audience.
Clawford: What...?
Announcer: What is this...?! Another fighter showed up from the Child of the Wind? Is that even allowed?! E-urmm... we will get back on that later.
Then as Klonoa caught up with himself, suddenly seemed a bit worried.
Klonoa: Huepow? What are you doing?!
Huepow looks back to Klonoa from behind, as he smiled a bit.
Huepow: I don't care about the rules anymore either... All i care about, is that my friend was left to die. And i will never ever let that happen.
Klonoa: Huepow...
Klonoa then nodded to Huepow, as Huepow looks back at Clawford and seemed a bit frustrated right at him. Meanwhile, Clawford just seemed stunned.
Huepow: What is wrong with you, Clawford? You're a knight of Jugpot! Why are you so distrustful to literally everyone around you?!
Clawford: The Prince of Cress? But... How?! You're siding with them to take me out too? ! ?
Clawford then raised his Water Sword again as Huepow just groaned.
Huepow: Uurghh... Are you really that crazy to believe i'm brainwashed? To which i'd then fight together with the nightmare monsters or something?
Clawford: What else could you believe?!
Huepow: Goodness gracious. I really thought you would finally come to your senses with the Dream Traveler directly talking to you, but you were a lost cause from the start...
Huepow then harshly pulled out one of the ice shards, specifically one that was stuck in his left shoulder, to freely move his arm. Despite the wound starting to bleed, Huepow just pointed the Energy Rapier right at Clawford and devilishly grinned.
Huepow: Let's settle this now, angsty Water Warrior. Sword to sword!
Clawford clenched his teeth in frustration, as Huepow got into his fencing stance.
Clawford: Hrgh... Well, if you insist to share your fate with him soon enough! !
As Clawford then got into his own stance, the two rushed right at each other with Huepow slightly levitating while dashing... Then the two clashed blades with Clawford taking the lead, and released... Then Huepow clashed, and they released... Then they clashed again... And again... They seemed to be on exact equal terms. Huepow seemed to keep his cool, while Clawford was getting more and more on edge. Then the two eventually got stuck on one clash.
Clawford: Why... Why are you so strong? ! ?
Huepow: Because i have a friend worth fighting over...
Clawford: Ngh-! Don't you dare to even-
Huepow: A friend who trusts me. Something you won't understand.
Clawford: Stop SAYING THAAAATTT! ! !
Clawford then pushed on through from their clash and fully spins around the Water Sword with his Water Spin attack, hitting Huepow with the stream of water... The water was sharp enough that it cut Huepow in the stomach sidewards. Huepow held his right hand on his stomach to try and ease the pain.
Huepow: Krch...!
Clawford then heavily breathed in and out after he got done spinning, and the water dissolved...
Clawford: Pant... Pant.. Pant...!
Huepow then chuckled a little bit.
Huepow: W...What's wrong? Out of energy? Or are you just so stressed out you can't keep up?
Clawford noticed his claw-hands began to tremble a bit.
Clawford: No...! I... I'm supposed to be a proud knight of Jugpot! I cannot ever lose! Not even against you! ! !
Clawford then tried to firmly hold the Water Sword and charge right for Huepow, clashing with him again using the Energy Rapier. But this time... the mystical water aura had disappeared from the Water Sword. Clawford dropped in awe, as Huepow just glares on over to him. Powerless, Clawford could only just stare... he dropped dead-silent.
Huepow: I am going to tell you the truth only once. We two were just looking for a high-ranking Jugpot soldier who could help us. And we thought you would be willing to help us maybe save the world. But if you are so insisted to decline our request...
Clawford: ...! !
Klonoa stared in awe... as was the audience.
Huepow: ...We'll just search for another soldier.
Huepow then pushed on through, pulls out ice shard piece, crushes off the sharp piece and throws it right at Clawford to the head to make him drop down to the ground... Clawford was almost starting to cry, with tears slowly dropping.
Clawford: This is it then... This is going to be the end of me... i will go down as the disgrace and downfall of the Water Sword's lineage...!
Before gracefully jumping backwards as his long black cape soared with him through the air... Then after landing back up, he grabs a hold of his Energy Rapier one more time, and starts to dash on over to the nearly knocked down Clawford.
Clawford: I failed my ancestors... I failed my kingdom... I failed them all...! !
Huepow: HaaaaAAAAAAARRGHHH! ! !
Huepow then finally approaches Clawford and within a flash, seems to attack Clawford with a single stroke using the Energy Rapier... then in a flash of a second, Huepow passes by Clawford while fiercely leaning during his stroke, and everything turned quiet for a few seconds... the Energy Rapier disappears into thin air... Clawford drops the Water Sword and unconsciously falls to the ground, almost like a corpse... Everybody, including Kio, briefly gasped. As Klonoa's eyes widened from the shock.
Huepow then gets back up from his leaning, wipes his dark-brown hair that stuck out of the way, and then turns towards the audience, yelling the following...
Huepow: Do not worry, everyone! I just knocked him unconscious!
Klonoa's face then lighted up, as the Announcer's voice rose up as well.
Announcer: That... was beyond anything that we would have all ever expected this year. Who knew that the Child of the Wind actually had another fighter as a part of his main weapon? Where did he learn to pull that off?!
Huepow then carefully helped Klonoa get back up by giving him a hand. Klonoa just smiled up, as did Huepow.
Klonoa: Hehe... Good thing they believe you're a part of the Wind Ring.
Huepow: Even if they didn't, i wouldn't mind us getting disqualified...
Announcer: Well, with the tables having been turned... Only one has reigned victorious in the end. One who went like a breeze with the wind and climbed the top.
The declared winner, of this year's Annual Champ Tournament...
Is none other than...
...
THE CHILD OF THE WIND! ! ! !
The audience started to loudly cheer for both Klonoa and Huepow in the battleground. Kio shouted really loud along with them out of happiness. Then a victorious fanfare started to kick in, as everyone began to chant along with it. Klonoa and Huepow looked around, waving at the audience.
Then after a while, Huepow and Klonoa both looked back at the fully unconscious Clawford lying down on the ground in the distance, as Klonoa just sighed and seemed disappointed.
Klonoa: Man... I thought that he would be our one ticket. I really just wanted to talk to him...
Huepow: Hey, no worries. We will definitely find another high-ranking soldier elsewhere.
Klonoa: Really? Where do we even find another of them?
Huepow: I am not so sure yet. But we can at least try.
Klonoa then chuckled a little bit.
Klonoa: Ehehe... You're right.
Then as the fanfare finally stopped, two Nagapoko's flew onto the battleground and dropped a iron chest right into the center of the arena, before quickly flying off. Klonoa and Huepow both turned their heads towards it out of confusion.
Klonoa: Huh?
Announcer: We like to congratulate our Child of the Wind's thriumph with our mysterious and legendary treasure. And we like to see every one of you next year! ! !
Klonoa and Huepow then were both warped out of the battleground back into their own room...
A few minutes later, Clawford slowly seemed to regain a bit of consciousness... when he opened his eyes, he found himself onto the floor of the battleground, alone, as the audience members were slowly getting up and ready to leave.
Clawford: What... What happened...?
Half an hour has passed. It was now in the middle of the evening, as the orange light of the sun shined through the windows near the entrance doors. Back over at the reception, Woux was cleaning his desk, as Kio sat down at one of the chairs near the right wall, until Klonoa and Huepow finally showed up from the left corridor where they first entered. Their wounds seemed to have been fully restored. Kio immediately stood up and excitingly waved at the two before running over to them.
Kio: Ahahaha! You two were AMAZING! ! I've never seen anyone fight so strong before! No wonder you two easily broke that trapped bubble back then!
Klonoa innocently grinned towards Kio when looking at him.
Klonoa: I-It was nothing.
Huepow: Wait... a trapped bubble?
Klonoa: Oh, right... Huepow, maybe you remember this a bit better than I did, but apparently Kio is one of those people who were trapped in a bubble. We broke him out around the time we went out to venture to Bell Hill...
Huepow: Really?
Huepow after hearing that, stepped up and then looked a bit closer at Kio.
Huepow: Hmmm... not that i remember him specifically, but... i can take your word for it. We saved more than several of them so i lost count...
Kio: Really?! Oh, thank you two so much for back then...! You don't know how grateful i am for the two of you!
Huepow grinned a bit, putting one arm behind his head.
Huepow: Well, it's what we had to do.
Slowly, Klonoa gets a bit more lost in thought, deeply thinking to himself, onto the past... Meanwhile, Huepow and Kio went on with their conversation.
Huepow: What were you doing exactly on that day though?
Kio: Well... I was only seven, so... i don't remember that much. However, i vaguely remember i went to visit the windmill with the blue roof. And right when i got onto what seemed like a wooden elevator, those red nightmare monsters surrounded me!
Huepow: Oh really? Huh... I can imagine how terrifying that must've been...
Klonoa (Thinking): Hrmmm... The Wind Ring's powers aside... what happened to me? I don't remember ever pulling off a kick like that... or a punch... I know i've gotten pretty atlethic since i was a kid, as i loved to venture the world even then. But... actual physical strength? That doesn't make sense...
Klonoa then thought back to the Indecision Pass in Lunatea, at the time when Klonoa had nobody to even power the Wind Ring, and he couldn't fend for himself when fighting against Polonte on the Air Board.
Klonoa (Thinking): It doesn't make sense at all... Am i...
Then Klonoa thinks back onto all his fights back in the arena... Kicking Diglo with all that he had, disarming Anemon from her scimitar, knocking down Zweegle, throwing Gomeroth skyward while the Wind Bullet was attached to the fishing hook, cutting through the Golden Knight's armor, and finally, when nearly drowning by Suiryu's Dragons Flood, throwing his first Tornado Attack to evaporate and throw out all the water.
Klonoa (Thinking): Am i actually growing stronger?
And at last, his fight in the tournament against Clawford, with Klonoa nearly dropping down to his knees as Clawford was preparing the Ice Shard attack.
Klonoa (Thinking): Or have i always been weak...?
Then as Klonoa snapped back to it, Huepow and Kio were silently staring at him, seemingly confused. Klonoa seemed to get a bit more sad.
Huepow: Are you okay, Klonoa?
Klonoa: ...Oh... It's nothing for you to worry about. I was just... Wondering if i ever really changed... I couldn't even
Huepow: You have... You kept pushing on to reach your goal. Your kicks and Tornado Attack were no joke. Plus, you make for a great swordsman. Even if Clawford may have been stronger than nearly the both of us, your true potential is still far from unreached, Klonoa. I just know it is.
Klonoa's eyes widened a bit when hearing that from Huepow... afterwards, he then seemed to lighten up a little bit.
Klonoa: Really...? I... I see...
Kio: Speaking of that fight, what was going on? Couldnt the Water Warrior be convinced? I had no idea what happened.
Huepow: Yeah... he seemed to think we, and almost nearly everyone else who dared to approach him personally, were out to kill him.
Kio: Oh... Well that really sucks. I hoped we would find a good soldier here, as there were so many fighters out here and all...
Huepow: It's okay though. We can just find another high ranking soldier elsewhere.
Klonoa: What about you though, Kio? Did you not get bored while waiting for us?
Kio: Oh no, no no no no no.
Kio then held up four pouches of gold he had with him. Klonoa seemed confused as Huepow was just utterly shocked. Kio smirked to the two of them.
Kio: Hehe... I got more than enough enjoyment out of this.
Klonoa: Wait, you actually bet?
Huepow: What?! How much is in there?!
Kio: 640 gold, baby. Only from betting on you guys!
Huepow: Wow, that's almost as much as we paid to get in!
Kio then lowered the four pouches he held up.
Kio: Should i give the gold to you though, Klonoa? I mean you two did pay to get in and also for a ticket...
Klonoa: Oh no, that is okay. You can keep the money for yourself.
Kio then shook his fist out of happiness as his face got filled with complete glee.
Kio: Yesss! Nothing but meat for the rest of my peaceful days in Breezegale! !
Huepow then looked back to the iron chest that Klonoa was carrying with him, and then back to Klonoa.
Huepow: I have been wondering though... what exactly is in that chest they gave us?
Kio: Same... You worked your butt off just to make it to the end, so we gotta know!
Klonoa: Oh. Right...
Klonoa then put down the treasure chest.
Klonoa: Oomph! That thing was heavy to carry around...
Klonoa then kneels down and pulls on the lid, opening the treasure chest... He discovers there were two items in it, although kinda hard to see due to the lighting. Klonoa reached out for the first one. When he pulls it out and holds up the first item, it's revealed to be a somewhat large golden-cup trophy, with the engraved text on the piece stone that the golden cup was attached to saying the following:
"The Child of the Wind, Champion of the Annual Champ Tournament"
The three of them gasped in awe when looking upon the trophy.
Kio: Whoaaaaa... that is so cooolll...!
Klonoa then handed the trophy to Huepow.
Klonoa: Can you put this one in the Wind Ring for me? I want to keep it as a memento for today.
Huepow: Oh, sure.
Huepow then jumped into the Wind Ring, and came back out with the trophy out of his hands.
Kio: So, what's the next one?
Klonoa then kneeled down to the treasure chest again, and carefully reached out... When he did, he suddenly felt a quite a bit of heat coming from his fingers as he pulled back just in time before fully burning himself.
Klonoa: Magya-! That is hot...!
Huepow: Hm? What is hot?
Klonoa: I... I don't know... But it feels like something's almost burning in there...
Klonoa then carefully reached out until he found a safe way to grab onto whatever item was inside... When he pulled out the second item, it is revealed to be a double-edged steel axe, with an iron chain attached to the wooden handle. Meanwhile, a couple of flames erupted from both edges of the axe while Klonoa held onto it. Klonoa seemed a bit surprised, while Huepow and Kio were just shocked to look at it.
Huepow: Whoa! !
Kio: An axe on fire?! That thing's freaky...!
Meanwhile, Klonoa carefully examined the Fire Axe up close without getting near the flames. After that, Klonoa did a couple of test swings to get more of a proper feeling for the weapon.
Huepow: I see... So in a similar way like the Water Sword, this axe wields an element into head. But for this weapon, the element is fire. And also it seems there is a chain that makes the weapon easier to retract the axe when thrown from a distance. Interesting...
Kio: No wonder the entrance fee costed so much. I mean, fighting a tournament to win a wild prize like that?!
Klonoa then focussed at the axe one more time looking close to the head... before he abruptly just shrugs.
Klonoa: Eh, it's all yours Kio.
Klonoa then immediately throws the Fire Axe towards Kio while walking off to the exit door of the colosseum, as Kio clumsily catches it. He just seemed absolutely baffled while standing still.
Kio: Wha- Really?! Just like that you throw your rare, well-earned prize to someone like me?!
Klonoa: I already got the Wind Ring! Besides, it's not really my style!
Huepow chuckled a bit while this all happened before looking towards Kio.
Huepow: Hey, at least he wants you to be able to properly defend yourself.
Huepow then began walking forward to the exit as well to follow Klonoa. Kio just confusingly scratched his head and let out a big sigh.
Kio: Sigh... First time i've ever seen anybody pass up on a deadly flaming axe, but... i guess i'll take it...
Kio then also walked on ahead to follow the other two, going right for the exit.
When Klonoa, Huepow and Kio were walking down the huge stone stairs that lead them to the colosseum, somebody yelled at them back from above.
Voice: Hey! ! !
When the three of them turned around and looked back up from where the voice came from, it appeared to be Clawford. He was leaning with his hand against one of the pillars at the top, looking at them from down below while he seemed a bit silent. Clawford then directly looked at both Klonoa and Huepow next to each other.
Clawford: ...Why didn't you finish me off?
Klonoa: What?!
Clawford: I had accepted my fate as the failure of the Water Warrior, and was prepared to die with honor. So...
Huepow: Die with honor? Come on, you were crying your eyes out.
Klonoa: Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on... You really thought we came here to kill you?!
Clawford then looked down upon his scabbard with the Water Sword in it, attached to his belt.
Clawford: Honestly, with all the people who come to just get me for my sword for so many years... it's a given. You two wanted to see me just for that too, right? To forcefully rip it right out of my hands too...
Klonoa: No, no!
Clawford: I- Hm?
Clawford then calmly raised an eyebrow before he could go even further into his speech.
Clawford: ...You... didn't, come here for my sword?
Klonoa: No! I mean... obviously it's a great weapon, but... i've been trying to tell you that the entire time.
Klonoa then pointed at Clawford directly.
Klonoa: We came here for you. Because you, are a high-ranking Jugpot soldier. And we need your help to speak with the king of Jugpot!
Clawford: ...That was what you were trying to tell me the whole time? I... I see...
Clawford then carefully stepped down upon the steps, closer to the three of them, and then gently bowed down to Klonoa and Huepow.
Clawford: I apologise for my rude behaviour. You too, Prince of Cress.
Huepow: I-it's okay. Just call me Prince Huepow... What made you go all out against us though?
Clawford then got up from bowing down and put his right hand behind his back.
Clawford: Well... I just jumped to conclusions... I may have driven myself a bit crazy at that moment.
Klonoa: Oh... I see.
Klonoa then tried to put his hand on Clawford's shoulder... But before he could do that, Clawford seemed really paranoid and almost pulled his Water Sword from the scabbard out of reflex. Klonoa, Huepow and Kio got a bit startled from this... As Clawford then just stood still, deeply sighed, and released his hand away from his sword, sliding back into the scabbard.
Clawford: ...I really am just a disgrace, aren't i, long-ears?
Klonoa: Hey now...
Klonoa then gently put his hand on Clawford's shoulder again.
Klonoa: It's all okay. You can stick with us if you want. But that is up to you.
Clawford: ...Really? I mean... What are you even here for? Why do you need me?
Klonoa then smiled a bit, and started to speak up a bit.
Klonoa: ...I am the Dream Traveler they speak of. Here to figure out what's happening in Phantomile, and save the land. But we weren't able to get into Seadoph's palace anymore.
Clawford was surprised to hear that, as a tear rolled slowly rolled down Clawford's face.
Clawford: T-The legendary Dream Traveler... from the tales...? You're asking me for help?
Klonoa: Mm... We thought you would've been of great help overall, to actually fight for something worthy hence why we searched for you in the tournament.
Clawford wiped his tear away, as he then nodded a bit with a faint smile.
Clawford: Of... Of course i will help. But i want to ask you something...
Klonoa: Hm?
Clawford: ...Please help me to trust you guys more. I want to actually feel comfortable going along with you all.
Kio smirked, as Huepow smiled in a regular way.
Kio: Don't worry bro, you'll feel right at home in no time.
A sweatdrop form Clawford's head dropped as he seemed a bit awkward.
Clawford: That's... going a bit too fast, isn't it?
Huepow and Klonoa laughed a bit, as did Kio.
Klonoa: Well, we should get moving to Jugpot.
Huepow: Right. King Seadoph is waiting for us.
Klonoa then raised his Wind Ring towards the sun in the distance, as Huepow transformed back into his Ring Spirit form, and then entered the Wind Ring, as he smiled.
Klonoa: Rupurudu! !
Klonoa and Clawford began to run down the stairs with Kio following a bit behind due to hauling the heavy supplies. After getting off the stone steps, they then got back onto the dirt path and as quickly as possible went northwest on the road that would follow the mountain back up to Jugpot. The sun was slowly setting.