Re: Incarnation Death Match 15 Reduced

Luna gave the chain back to Venefica, and the witch reverted back into her childlike form, aqua hair disappearing into black, while her aqua eyes remain the same. Similar to the golem, the spear and witch attire disappeared into white motes of light, leaving a small girl with boyish-cut black hair and wearing a simple white dress behind.

Fiora walked back to Claire's side while holding the necklace. She gave the necklace to Claire and received the chain back, her gauntlets and armor disappearing under the influence of the chain. The small crystals holding up her hair into twintails disappeared along with her attire, and she returned into the form of the gray-eyed girl Claire felt more familiar with.

"That was an intense groundbreaking battle!"

Claire winced at the choice of pun.

"Give a round of applause to both sides, they gave it everything they had! Venefica and Luna pushed back their opponent with all they have, and even the Divine-rank Fiora, along with her partner, were pushed to the edge! Congratulations to the winner, Claire and Fiora! A reward of 100 thousand points have been deposited to Claire's card, and 30 thousand points-"

Claire tuned out the announcement, and looked at Fiora.

"What exactly did you do behind me, Fiora?" Claire asked right after the Incarnation returned into her normal form. Her tone carried a slight, accusatory edge.

Fiora shook her head. "Nothing too drastic, Claire. There was no cause of concern as they merely requested my aid. Yesterday, several minutes before the fight you witnessed began in earnest, they approached your place with the intent of asking for my help. I was about to refuse, however, the scale tipped in their favor with the untimely arrival of Deci and Oscar, and I have judged that the best course of action is to accept their offer."

"What is this offer exactly?"

"That I would become their ally, in exchange for their aid against Oscar and Deci on the incident several days ago, and a victory in the Death Match."

Claire sighed and rubbed her forehead, chiding herself for not giving too much thought to the Death Match-related information. She relied on Ronan for that, and most likely he a.s.sumed that Claire has at least looked up some information about the battles.

"Count me in, I'll help as well." Claire nodded at Fiora and looked at Luna and Venefica's general direction. "After all you did, I'll feel guilty. Thanks a lot, by the way."

"Thanks a lot, as well." Luna nodded. "I'll contact you later."

Without giving Claire and Fiora a chance to reply, the two disappeared, leaving the scent of citrus and several flower petals in their wake. Claire decided to go back through the hallway and get out from the place. After all the running, her legs felt like they could collapse on themselves at any moment, and as the adrenaline rush cooled down, the stinging in her arm felt worse by the minute.

The two of them rested near the entrance to the arena, and before long, they saw Ivanna and Ronan walking out. When they saw Claire and Fiora waiting, Ivanna ran as fast as she could, while Ronan approached them with calmer strides.

"Congrats, you two! You won the second round!" Ivanna shouted while running, and flashed a giddy smile towards the two.

Ronan patted Claire's shoulders and smiled. "Thank you. That battle was awesome."

"You're welcome, both of you." Claire smiled. "I'm glad you liked it. As usual, we'll share the winning on the agreed rates, alright?"

The two nodded.

"Claire, you look like you just ran from a pack of lions or something." Ronan said. "Let's grab a drink from around here."

"That's not too far from the truth and you know that... But sure. Consider it a celebration of sorts. Let's find a place to relax, my treat." Claire smiled. "I haven't thanked you guys yet for the help here and there, anyway."

"Come on, Claire!" Ivanna gave her friend a playful elbow to the ribs. "You act like we're holding a gun to yout throat. Pay us, or else!"

"Don't we, technically? I mean, without my information…" Ronan flashed a mischievous smirk.

"Ronan!"

"Ow! You don't need to hit it that hard! I was just messing around!"

The mirthful feeling dancing around the three of them was clear, a mix of relief from making it out in one piece, and joy for the chance to compete again in the next round. Even Fiora, with her unchanging expression and gaze, watched the banter with something resembling interest.

The sun has started to dip towards the west from atop the sky, and retreated behind a blanket of thick clouds, giving way to the refres.h.i.+ng breeze of the afternoon. The breeze helped dry off and cool Claire's drenched clothes, while her sopping wet hair stubbornly stayed put.

Ivanna and Ronan walked in front of Fiora and Claire, chatting about what they saw while laughing. Meanwhile, Claire glanced at Fiora, who is busy looking around the crowded streets.

The ashen girl made a poor conversation partner, her odd lack of enthusiasm, combined with lacking memories doesn't do her any favors. With the chain safely tucked beneath her long-sleeved white hoodie, she looked like an ordinary teenager.

It was certain that the anonymity worked in their favor. As far as they know, the world's att.i.tude towards Incarnation ranges from hostile to overzealous admiration-

"I don't have any money to give! Get away from me!"

The man's angered voice sounded clear and shrill, causing those around them to look at its source with curiosity. A middle-aged man was shooing away a figure that looked like a young man wearing a tattered brown cloak.

The young man did not put up his hood, giving the four, along with everyone in the vicinity a clear view of his face.

The young man looked gaunt and malnourished, his cheekbones visible and both eyes sunken, while his gray hair were cut in an odd angle in several spots, as if someone grabbed and pulled clumps of his hair and called it a haircut. Were the man in a better condition, his soft blue eyes along with his gray hair would make him look striking.

"No! Wait! I'm not asking for your money!"

"We shouldn't linger here." Ronan said, glancing back at Claire and Fiora. "If someone discovers her true nature, we might get swarmed, or worse, stalked."

"You're right, the scene has attracted too much attention." Claire looked away, and started walking closer to her friends.

"Fiora?"

Fiora stared at the young man, unperturbed even as the crowds banded together to pull away the enraged middle-aged man. Her gaze looked far more expressive than usual, a fixation mixed with curiosity and…

Apprehension?

"Fiora?" Claire called out for the second time, tapping the ashen girl's shoulder in an attempt to gain her attention.
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After the crowds started to disperse, and Claire called out for the third time, Fiora finally looked away, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts before responding and staring at Claire with her gray eyes.

"Yes, Claire?"

"Something wrong? You seem fixated with him." Claire asked. "You never saw homeless people before?"

The question sounded odd, however, considering Fiora's condition, it was hard to blame the ashen girl for being so clueless. Fiora shook her head in response.

"Nothing in particular, please disregard my earlier actions." Fiora answered and glanced at the man one more time, before taking Claire's hand and dragging her behind, while running towards the direction Ivanna and Ronan disappeared to.