HMDoom, as he was known in the Dreamscape, was not a stranger to providing commentary on memorable Dreamscape tournaments or even fan submissions of their own swordsmanship. So how could he possibly miss out on the opportunity to commentate on two of the hottest stars on the scene so far?
The Nameless Vagabond was a character, slightly charismatic and absolutely domineering with his fluid prosthetics. It was apparently part of his aspect, and some people went as far as to consider it of possibly the Supreme Rank. This was only further confirmed as numerous Awakened who had attended the Awakened Academy as Sleepers mentioned someone with the true name "Full Metal". The Nameless Vagabonds actual Dreamscape name was Omnissiah. A fitting name for his aspect.
Mongrel, meanwhile, well, who didn't know Mongrel? He was the biggest and baddest rookie to break out onto the scene. He currently has 955 victories and 0 defeats. His method of defeating his opponents with their own battle arts was striking on both foe and spectator alike. One moment, he was on the defensive, and you think you might have a chance to win, the next, he's killing you with your own move. However, the Nameless Vagabond was not flesh anymore; he was fluid metal, constantly changing, constantly evolving.
"Tell me, Awakened Sasha, how do you think this fight will turn out?"
Awakened Sasha, otherwise known as Sasha1324 in the Dreamscape, was HMDoom's co-commentator and a frequent guest on his commentary streams.
"Well, Doom, I have to be honest... The Nameless Vagabond will certainly meet his match here. His combat style may be fluid and inhuman, but now he's facing an even more inhuman opponent."
Doom and Sasha watched as the battle began, and the exchange between Omnissiah and Mongrel happened.
"Omnissiah really doesn't seem intimidated; in fact, he seems elated," Sasha muttered.
Then the clash happened, and the crowd began to chant
"Mongrel! Mongrel! Mongrel!"
The two fighters then pushed each other away.
"This is going to be a good fight!" Sasha cheered as he watched intently.
***
Milo wanted to desummon his helmet and show the entire tournament his maniacal grin; this was just too damn fun. Milo wouldn't go out of his way to say he enjoyed fighting; in fact, that was far from the truth. However, in the Dreamscape, he loved fighting. He would always ask classmates for duels, usually resulting in his defeat, yet he didn't stop.
Milo was reliving that same glory, that same feeling of imminent defeat.
'Mongrel... you're... you're so incredibly strong!'
The two were circling each other. Milo knew Mongrel was trying to get a good impression of his battle art.
"Good luck copying this, Mongrel."
Milo surged forward, his prosthetic changing into a myriad of weapons. Milo swung downwards with a graceful war hammer, then the next second, a devastating sideways slash from a sabre, which transitioned into a powerful thrust by a rapier. Each attack was a mimicry of Mongrel, whose weapon was as fluid as a changing shadow.
Mongrel seemed to welcome the challenge, and the crowd cheered as the two duelists were in a clash of constantly changing weapons. Milo witnessed as Mongrel used the battle arts of those before him. At one point, his weapon had entirely disappeared. Milo grimaced as the sharp tips of Mongrel's gauntlets left a deep scratch on his chest. Milo slightly flew back, gliding against the ground and coming to a fashionable stop. Looking down, part of his chest had been ripped open. The hydraulics and wires of his mechanical body now lay bare.
Mongrel didn't take the opportunity to press on; he instead stared at Milo. Milo grinned under his helmet, allowing Carmen's Masterpiece to enhance his voice. The crowd held its breath as Milo's voice carried throughout the scenic arena.
"What's wrong, Mongrel? First time facing an inhuman opponent?"
Mongrel stared on a bit longer, then shrugged
"You are more human than anyone else here."
Milo chuckled, raising himself, his body whirring almost to a deafening degree. The metal exterior seemed to grow orange from the sheer effort of the mechanics.
'Overclock, it's only one augmentation.'
Mongrel charged forward, and in a moment's notice, Milo was standing to his side. Mongrel barely managed to bring his arms up, blocking a devastating overhand that would've certainly crushed his head
***
Sunny grimaced as he felt Milo's punch nearly break through his arm.
'At this rate... I might actually lose!'
Sunny didn't really mind losing, after all, second place would also receive a prize, no doubt. However, something deep in his chest told him.
'Win! No matter the cost!'
Sunny growled. This was just some fake tournament. Why did he feel so ashamed of losing?
***
Milo was quite pleased with himself; however, his pleasure quickly turned to sheer befuddlement as Mongrel growled. It was so unhuman Milo actually believed Mongrel had been holding back a grotesque form and was only now letting loose.
That was not the case; instead, Mongrel's rather voluptuous and fabulous white hair had just become a bit more lusterless, and his already black odachi somehow became darker.
***
Nephis hadn't been interested in the internet in general; however, she had heard that Mongrel was participating in the recent Dreamscape tournament. The same Mongrel who had shared heroic words and stood his ground for thirteen minutes at a category three gate. She simply could not miss the sight.
She watched on her communicator as the fight commenced, recognising Mongrel's opponent.
'It's Milo'
However, Nephis was much more interested in Mongrel's weapon.
'It... has a shadow augmentation, just like Sunny did in our fight.'
Nephis froze for a few moments, setting the communicator aside. Her ears grew slightly red, and she hid her face in her hands
'How... How did I fall for that cockroach twice!'
One of the many Firekeepers that lived in the now rebuilt Immortal Flame manor was shocked to see Nephis in such an embarrassed state. Before Nephis could see him, he sped off. Eventually stopping at Cassia's room and office, she would love the good news of Nephis showing more emotion.
***
Milo was suddenly struggling to keep up, despite his single augmentation; Mongrel seemed to have also become stronger.
'Did this bastard... seriously copy my augmentation?'
Milo narrowly dodged the tip of a spear, before its tip turned into a heavy two-headed battle axe, nearly chopping Milo's head right off his body.
'This has to end'
Milo allowed another augmentation to stack on his body. His technology was now running at a staggering 300% capacity. The once grey and black metal was now a light orange, and even turned white in some parts.
"Let's end this, Mongrel"
"Let's not, I want to keep fighting you"
Mongrel's armour seemed to grow even more lusterless and void of colour. Another augmentation, Milo noted it. He was still on equal ground with Milo, how unfair
Milo and Mongrel met in another clash, this time, none of their weapons changed. Their once elusive and flowing battle arts had now turned rigid and solid. A pure display of power and force from both sides, a bladed whip and sword versus an insidious odachi.
Milo managed to set up a trap for Mongrel. Mongrel's odachi was now caught in the bladed whip's grip. Milo pulled Mongrel forward, his left arm suddenly dropping the Prototype. In the next second, it had turned into the barrel of a coil gun
"This is checkmate!"
A supersonic boom rang throughout the arena, along with dust and even some debris from the ground. The crowd waited. Sasha and Doom had stopped their commentary long ago, watching silently with intent. Nephis could not take her eyes off her communicator.
Milo's family cheered on at home, and even Eva, who couldn't help but find the situation humorous, had lost her grin; instead a excited smile was on her face.
The dust slightly cleared, and Mongrel was revealed; his entire left arm was gone. Milo's family jumped up in celebration, and Eva let out a sigh of relief.
"Sasha! Do you see this? Mongrel has lost!"
"No, he hasn't! Look!"
More dust settled, and Mongrel's odachi was directly poised at the neck of the Nameless Vagabond. Ready to pierce through and end the fight at any moment. Milo let out a chuckle
"It was fun, Mongrel"
"It certainly was not", Mongrel replied with recognition in his voice. His odachi struck true, and the Dreamscape Announced
"Challenger Omnissiah was eliminated. Glory to the victor! The champion of the annual Dream Tournament is..."
The eccentric Saint didn't get to finish the announcement. The crowd was cheering the name
"Mongrel! Mongrel! Mongrel!"