Battlefront

37- Battlefield Championship

The crowd was small and silent. Nobody was cheering for either pair of fighters. Why? Because Black and Shadow were still known as the King's fighters and the people were not happy when the king acquired them. And because the other pair of fighters were known for being bullies. Mr. & Mrs. Huri were the other pair. They were a married couple and both huge (about seven feet in height, at least) and ripped. And Xandros knew how these two fight. They relied on their strength but they're not very fast. And they played dirty.

"This is like the lamest championship ever. Parang namatayan lang ang crowd ah," komento ni Xandros. Nasa waiting room sila at mula sa mga screen na naroon ay nakikita nila ang ring at ang crowd.

"Maybe they're nervous kung sino ang mananalo. You know many of them bet their last cash," sagot naman ni Tiana na halos sa kawalan lang nakatingin.

"Or maybe they just don't like us anymore since we fight for the king," nakangiting sagot ni Xandros. He bent to kiss Tiana's hair just because he couldn't resist it.

And he thought that maybe she needed to feel that she was loved.

"Are you okay?" tanong niya sabay kabig nito at niyakap n'ya ang dalaga nang mahigpit. Akala siguro nito ay hindi niya napapansin ang matamlay nitong mood simula pa kahapon.

"Yeah. Why?" patay-malisya na sagot naman ni Tiana na hindi pumalag. Gumanti pa nga ito ng yakap sa may beywang n'ya.

"Well, something is up and you're not telling me," lakas-loob niyang sabi. He wanted to help her. Or at least make her feel better.

"Nothing is up," she replied saka ito kumalas sa pagkakayakap n'ya. And he was hurt. Aaminin n'ya na nasaktan s'ya na hindi pala ito nagtitiwala sa kanya. But he would never say it out loud. May dinaramdam na ito at hindi niya iyun dadagdagan pa ng kanyang pansariling drama.

Huminga ng malalim si Xandros para mabawasan ang bigat sa kanyang dibdib. "Alright, then. Let's be ready. They will call us any time now."

For some reason, Tiana looked at him gratefully. Dahil siguro sa hindi n'ya pagiging pushy.

"Let's win this thing and get this over and done with, okay?" nakangiti niyang sabi rito.

"Yes. Let's do that. I miss winning something," sagot naman nito.

Hindi nga nagtagal ay tinawag na sila ng host kasabay ng mahinang palakpakan.

—-

Paika-ikang pumasok si Nemorah sa box kung saan naroon ang hari, ang lima nitong generals (including Elca) at ang advisers nito. Sa likuran ni Nemorah ay nakatayo sina Keira, Bryce at anim na mga tauhan ni Xandros na mga ex-Sentries (iyung mga naunang nagpunta sa Blackbourne kasama ang mga pamilya ng mga ito).

"Lady Nemorah, I didn't expect you could join us," nakangiti man ang hari ay makikitaang hindi nito nagustuhan ang pagdating nila.

"My king, I may not like you that much but I still get a seat here. I am still a vital part of this continent. You know, as a member of the old noble family of Nemiah. And please, allow my friends to be here as well," Nemorah said grinning.

The king didn't answer pero hinayaan sila nitong pumasok at pumuwesto sa likuran nito.

The other generals studied them before looking at the glass wall where they could see the game.

"Oh, this is going to be fun. You know, watching my ex-fighters who were stolen from me," malakas na sabi ni Nemorah saka pinindot ang isang itim na button na nasa malapit na end table ng hari. Hindi nagtagal ay may pumasok na lalaking naka-uniporme ng pang-waiter (white long sleeves and red vest, and black trousers).