"You run too fast!" Yoru shouted as he trailed behind Stelle's dashing form. "Shouldn't you take in the sights too?"
"Nah. I need to win," Stelle replied, a one track mind on winning. "I can always look afterwards!"
Running across the sidewalk, cars drove by on the streets. Dancing boards were everywhere, walking behind other visitors of the Golden Hour.
Turning the corner, Yoru found Stelle already waiting at the Dreamscape Sales Store. And he also found the giant eyeball.
"Beat you," Stelle said with a grin. "That's 1-0."
"Whatever," Yoru sighed out. "Why are you so competitive?"
"I'm proving my dominance for being the best newest addition to the Express."
Yoru sighed. He would have given up that title if she just asked.
"Trailblazers from the Astral Express — Welcome to the Dreamscape Sales Store!" The giant eyeball spoke, even though it had no mouth.
"Who's talking to us?" Stelle said, looking around.
"it's me, the Dreamscape Sales Store," the eyeball said, prompting Stelle to turn and look. "I also go by the name of Dr. Edward, and I'm happy to be at your service!"
"So... what do you do?" Stelle asked.
"He probably sells Dreamscapes," Yoru replied. "Its in the name."
"Yes," Dr. Edward said. "You get to experience all sorts of fascinating dreamscapes, from the top-notch productions of Clock Studios to private donations, we have it all!"
Dr. Edward's gaze looked between the two.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is your first visit to Penacony, isn't it?"
The eyeball blinked. One blink. Two blink.
"It is! Please rest assured that Dr. Edward will provide the best service you can find in helping you purchase your first—"
"Do you have a duel?" Yoru asked.
"A... er... yes?" Dr. Edward replied.
Yoru slowly turned to Stelle, to which his gaze was promptly returned back.
"You choose one side, I choose the other. Whoever chose the winner wins this competition."
"Ha. I never lose my 50/50's," Stelle replied with a challenging glint in her eyes.
"No, you definitely do."
"Well, Trailblazers..." Dr. Edward said, breaking the friendly tension. "Please close your eyes and rest your forehead against the dream bubble."
"Wait," Stelle paused, looking at Dr. Edward. "Are we allowed to enact the memory instead?"
"Not a bad idea. It is called a dream bubble anyway."
"Hm. I suppose you could but—" Dr. Edward said before getting cut off.
"Let us duel each other in the dream bubble then."
"You sure?" Yoru said. "I may not be technical in actual fights, but we're in a dream. I'd kick you into the stratosphere."
"Yeah, yeah," Stelle waved him off with a lazy expression. "You may have theory, but I have experience!"
"Don't you have amnesia?"
"Doesn't mean my body doesn't remember!"
"O-kay. If you say so."
"The changes have been made," Dr. Edward announced. "Please rest your head on the dream bubble. Since this is a test of skill, you two have just been assigned your 'character.'"
The two trailblazers rested their heads on the two dream bubbles in front of them.
Yoru saw the world around him go dark, before he was put into the memory.
[You are currently enacting: 'Large City Showdown']
"Who came up with that name?" Yoru thought.
"It was Clockwork Studios," Dr. Edward's voice comes in from the blue, answering Yoru's question. "Dreamscape Sales Store has nothing to do with the choosing of the name."
[You are playing: Monarch of Hexes]
[Skills: Distance Cut, Touch Cut, Paper Cut, Space Cut, Evil Building, My Secret Treasure, My Other Treasure, Healing, Equivalent Exchange]
[Passive: 'I don't care about your technique I'm going to hit you']
Yoru opened his eyes. He was standing on a roof, in the middle of a large city. It looked reminiscent of a city from Earth. Somewhere like Japan.
Looking across from him, he saw another person, Stelle, standing on an opposing rooftop.
"Who're you?" Yoru called out from across the distance.
"I'm the 'Venerate One.'"
"... wow! this sure doesn't sound familiar."
Suddenly, Stelle lifted her hand. In a quick motion, she flicked a finger towards Yoru. "It's over for you. My skillset is GOATED."
"What do you—"
Suddenly, a large ball of green hurled itself at Yoru's building. He quickly threw his hands up, taking the giant explosion, a large bout of smoking now coming from the building.
Stelle leaped down from her building, landing on the street. She walked towards the building that Yoru was at.
Yoru emerged from the smoke, his lost hand healing itself fully. The limb was healed, as if nothing had happened.
"What a sneak attack," Yoru said. "Shouldn't we have counted down?"
"You must be mistaken... so let me set things straight," Stelle said, a large grin on her face. "You're the challenger here."
"Fine," Yoru said. "Just because I'm the challenger doesn't mean you won't lose."
"Nah, I'd win," Stelle quipped back. "I'm quite literally... invincible."
"If you're invincible why can I see you?"
"Wrong word, moron!"
Stelle launched towards Yoru, an aura of blue surrounding her hand.
Yoru jumped back, before pushing forward, a punch aimed directly at her own. He activated 'Touch Cut', the name most likely not doing the move justice.
The two clash, the punch sending Yoru flying backwards.
Yoru's punch left large, gaping wounds on Stelle's arm, which was quickly healed.
"Why can you bypass my OP passive, 'No Touchie'?"
"I have a passive called, 'I don't care about your technique I'm going to hit you'."
Stelle gave a prompt nod of agreement. If this was a known duel, then obviously, the OP abilities that each fighter had should be negligible.
"I'm going to end this in one strike," Stelle announced, a hand pointing up towards the sky. "Prepare to be fillet."
"Shouldn't I be saying that?"
Stelle clasped her hands together, before pointing towards Yoru. A green energy emitted from her body.
A sphere of green energy is formed—before it's fired towards Yoru.
BOOM!
Smoke covered the battlefield. Stelle stands there, looking towards where Yoru last stood, a smile plastered on her face.
"I win."