Chapter 13: The ultimate warrior
Hael recalled Anthanasia's words just before the match began. She had warned him not to underestimate Damas, despite his effortless victory in the earlier rounds. "That slap was impressive," she had said, "but you still need to be careful with Damas. He's known for using dirty tricks."
She also told him that while she wasn't concerned about his strength, the crowd was.
"There are a lot of eyes on you, Hael. It's important to give the people a show, make them happy."
Hael wasn't particularly thrilled with the idea. He wasn't a showman by nature, and the thought of putting on a spectacle didn't appeal to him. But Anthanasia had reassured him, "You don't need to perform theatrics, just give your opponent a good fight. At least five moves to get the crowd excited, then you can knock him out. Trust me, Hael, the people will love it. The winner gets the reward, but this fight, and the festival, are about showing the people you appreciate them. Making them happy is the top priority."
Hael nodded, understanding her reasoning. He decided to take her advice to heart.
Standing across from Damas, he tried to size him up, looking for any advantages he could use to his benefit.
As soon as the horn sounded, Damas wasted no time. He kicked his feet high into the air with such force that a cloud of sand was whipped up around him. The sand swirled in the air, creating a makeshift wall that, aided by the wind, obstructed Hael's vision and hindered his movement.
The crowd murmured in confusion. Damas was known for using his infamous wall of sand, but he typically reserved it for the later stages of a fight. Everyone wondered why he had chosen to use it so early in the match.
Anemone, who had been watching the match intently, couldn't help but comment on the unexpected turn of events. "I see that he recognizes this white-haired fellow as a strong opponent, potentially a threat. Using his strongest card right at the start," he muttered, observing Damas' strategy.