Zabar watched the ball explode down below him as he began to fall back toward the arena below. The brilliant light that shot out as the ball slammed against metal filled the arena briefly and the shockwave knocked Zabar backward as he fell further.
A ringing filled Zabar's ears as he fell, only broken by the sound of a sickening
thud as Zabar landed directly on his back. Pain shot through him, through his head, his chest, his legs. He clenched his teeth and lifted his head toward the direction of the explosion, toward the direction of where Nathan was. He raised right arm up slowly, straining against the weight of the gauntlet, and opened his palm, ready to strike with one last ditch effort.
The arm fell with a loud
clang when Zabar quickly glanced at the aura gauges set up around the arena. 4% to 29%. He let out a long held breath and dropped his head back down against the cold metal. A smile crept along his lips as a feint laugh escaped them. "
Half above red... but no energy to move... not sure if Dustin'll be proud or... angry..." He spoke in labored breaths quietly so that none but himself could hear him. He took one last look at the sun high above the stadium before closing his eyes and finally getting a well deserved rest.
A great silence followed the explosion and as the smoke cleared and Nathan was seen falling down off of the side of the arena with Zabar landing directly in the center of the circle, and the aura gauges adjusted, a cheer louder than any before in the year's tournament bracket erupted onto the scene. Celebratory ribbons and confetti fell down from the stands, drinks were toasted, names were cursed, bet money was taken and given, but most of all Vulco's voice boomed.
The crackle of the loudspeaker could be heard throughout the arena as it switched on. "
AND THERRRRRRRRRRRRE WE HAVE IT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE DEFINITIVE WINNER OF THE FORTIETH BIANNUAL VYTAL TOURNAMENT, FIRST YEAR BRACKET! THE VACUAN TAKES IT! THE ONLY VACUAN TAKES IT! A SAD DAY FOR VALE, BUT FOR THOSE HOME IN THE SANDY WASTELAND, A GREAT F ҉ ҉ KING DAY!" As his voiced filled the stadium, the arena below leveled itself out, returning to the plain flat circle it had started as, and began lowering back toward the ground floor where medical staff waited patiently.
Far below, just as Nathan was about to slam headfirst into the ground and snap his neck in two, a deep blue aura surrounded the boy and his descent began to gradually slow down. From up in the stands, surrounded by cheering and confetti, Fleetwood gave Graviton a side eye as he took a break from the celebration and focused his semblance into one fine point down below.
[
Aura: 29%]
[Fall Damage: -10%]