Chapitre 17: The Final Round
Ryo and Hana sit on the edge of the arena, their bodies aching from the previous battles. The other Scrapers around them are murmuring amongst themselves, watching with wary eyes. The atmosphere is tense, anticipation hanging heavy in the air.
"Ryo," Hana says softly, breaking the silence. "What are we going to do? If this is just another part of the Crap Field… how do we fight back?"
Ryo clenches his fists, his mind racing. They've been through so much already, and now, knowing that the city is just another trap, he feels the weight of it pressing down on him. But he also knows they can't give up. Not now.
"We have to get through this last round," Ryo says, his voice steady. "Then we'll figure out what to do. We need more information, more allies. If we can find others who want to fight back—"
Before he can finish, a loud horn blares across the arena, silencing the crowd. The man with the mechanical arm steps forward, his expression stern.
"Attention, Scrapers! The final round is about to begin!" he announces, his voice booming. "This is your last chance to prove yourselves worthy of the Guardian Trials. Only the strongest will survive."
The crowd falls silent, every eye turned toward the center of the arena. The ground begins to tremble, and Ryo feels a sense of dread wash over him. Whatever's coming, it's going to be worse than anything they've faced before.
The ground in the center of the arena splits open, and a massive platform rises up, carrying with it a figure clad in dark, heavy armor. The figure's face is hidden behind a mask, and a massive, two-handed sword rests across their back.
"Your final opponent," the man with the mechanical arm says, his voice reverberating through the arena. "The Black Knight. Defeat him, and you will earn your place in the Guardian Trials."
The Black Knight steps forward, his movements slow and deliberate. Ryo can feel the power radiating from him, a dark, oppressive aura that fills the air. He exchanges a quick glance with Hana. This is it. Their final test.
The Black Knight draws his sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light. Ryo swallows hard, his body tensing. They've fought powerful opponents before, but this… this feels different. This isn't just a fight. It's a battle for their very survival.
"Stay close," Ryo says, his voice low. "We have to work together."
Hana nods, her face set with determination. "Right."
The Black Knight raises his sword, the air around them seeming to grow colder, darker. Ryo can feel his heart pounding in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins. They've come too far to fail now.
The fight begins.
The Black Knight moves with surprising speed, his massive sword swinging down toward Ryo with a force that makes the air shudder. Ryo leaps back, narrowly avoiding the blow, but the shockwave from the impact sends him stumbling.
Hana darts forward, aiming a quick strike at the Knight's side, but he moves with a fluid grace, deflecting her attack with ease. His movements are precise, controlled — not the brutish strength of the hulking Scraper or the wild speed of the serpentine fighter. This is a warrior, skilled and deadly.
Ryo tries to flank the Knight, swinging his branch around to strike at the back of the Knight's knee, but the Black Knight anticipates the move. He pivots sharply, the heavy blade flashing in a deadly arc. Ryo barely manages to throw himself to the side, the blade missing him by inches. He hits the ground hard, rolling to his feet, heart pounding.
The Knight turns his attention back to Hana, who's already moving, trying to get behind him. She slashes at his exposed side with the blade she took from their previous opponent, but the Knight shifts his stance, his armor absorbing the blow. Hana leaps back, her eyes wide with frustration.
"He's too well-armored!" she shouts, her voice strained. "We need to find a weak spot!"
Ryo nods, his mind racing. The Black Knight's movements are deliberate, almost methodical, and his armor is almost impenetrable. They need to slow him down, to disrupt his rhythm, but how?
The Knight charges at them, his sword raised high. Ryo darts to the left, Hana to the right, and the blade slams into the ground between them, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the stone floor. Ryo's eyes widen as he sees the Knight's blade stuck for a split second, wedged in the cracked ground.
An idea strikes him.
"His legs!" Ryo shouts to Hana. "We need to take out his legs!"
Hana's eyes widen in understanding. She nods, and they both lunge forward simultaneously, aiming for the back of the Knight's knees. The Knight pulls his sword free just in time to deflect Ryo's attack, but Hana's blade strikes true, slashing at the back of his knee.
The Knight grunts, the strike clearly hurting him. He stumbles, his leg buckling slightly, but he recovers quickly, turning with a snarl and swinging his sword in a wide arc. Ryo and Hana are forced to retreat, the deadly blade keeping them at bay.
But Ryo sees it now — the way the Knight's movements are slightly off, the subtle limp in his stride. Hana's strike did some damage, however minor. They have a chance.
Ryo grits his teeth, pushing through the fear and exhaustion. "Again!" he yells, his voice hoarse. "We can't let up!"
Hana nods, determination burning in her eyes. They circle the Knight, their movements coordinated, watching for an opening. The Knight's gaze flicks between them, his breathing heavy, his stance more guarded now.
Ryo feints to the left, drawing the Knight's attention, and Hana seizes the opportunity. She darts forward, slashing at the Knight's injured leg. The blade bites deep, and the Knight roars in pain, stumbling again.
"Now!" Ryo shouts, charging in.
With the Knight off-balance, Ryo swings his branch with all his strength, aiming for the back of the Knight's head. The branch cracks against the helmet, the impact jarring through Ryo's arms. The Knight staggers, his sword dropping from his grasp, clattering to the ground.
Hana doesn't hesitate. She lunges forward, driving her blade into the gap between the Knight's helmet and breastplate. The blade sinks in, and the Knight lets out a choked gasp, his body convulsing.
Ryo watches, his breath held, as the Knight crumples to the ground, Hana's blade still embedded in his neck. The arena falls silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of Ryo and Hana as they stand over their fallen opponent.
They've won.
For a moment, Ryo can hardly believe it. The Black Knight, this unstoppable force, is lying defeated at their feet. He looks at Hana, her face pale and sweat-soaked, but her eyes are bright with the fire of victory.
"We did it," Ryo says, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Hana nods, her hands still trembling from the effort of the fight. "Yeah… we did."
The crowd around the arena erupts into cheers and applause, the noise almost deafening. Ryo feels a strange mix of relief and exhaustion wash over him. They've made it through the final round. They've earned their place in the Guardian Trials.
The man with the mechanical arm steps forward, a rare smile on his face. "Well done, Scrapers. You've proven yourselves worthy. Welcome to the Guardian Trials."
Ryo and Hana exchange a look, a silent understanding passing between them. They've come this far, but their journey is far from over. Whatever the Guardian Trials hold, they'll face it together.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone