The Grand Melee - Part 2
Etheric Industrial Stadium, Beauxer, Republic of Usona
Rui
Rui was waiting on the bench for her match to begin when Quynh tapped her on the shoulder.
"Pill time," she informed her, offering a cup of water.
Rui sighed, extracting her supplement from the pack she'd brought with her, and downed one of the little black spheres. The water helped, as whatever whisper of flavor she got - and it was terrible - was taken away, leaving her sitting with the feeling of a small lump in her gut.
The timer above the stage read two minutes until the start, and all around the ring, contenders were already standing. Some of them were shadowboxing, showing off moves that would have impressed Rui if she was sixteen and still begging Zai to train her.