Division

When did Deanne fall? Leo must have looked away. It was barely a moment. From her claiming victory, to face down like she had been struck in the back of the head. When did Harvey hit her? Did he even hit her? Something bigger was at play–something beyond even the supernatural. Or maybe he was just being dramatic. After all, Raphael seemed to pick up that something strange was happening just moments before, and that look was like from those comic book villains who had set a trap for the unsuspecting hero. Except that Harvey wasn't a villain, and Leo could swear there was no trap set up. He wanted to push himself and try to work it out. Maybe Harvey would be even more impressed if he could work out the trick one of the strongest bronze rankers couldn't.

He decided to review what he'd seen whilst the arena went wild over the apparent shift in winning combatant. The two of them had exchanged blow after blow, only switching things up to activate their Ruh. But there was nothing laid by Harvey to suggest a physical trap. When did the fight get strange? After Deanne's first strike. Then did Harvey manage a blow there? No, but that had to be the point where he retaliated. Maybe he had something on his leg. Fine tranquiliser quills on his hip? No, that was stupid and far too niche of a defence. Something like that wouldn't take effect quickly unless it was a special power from a sponsor. It also wouldn't explain the random claim to victory Deanne seemed to have seconds before she fell. None of it made sense. Nothing connected.

'And Deanne is back up! What in Heaven and Hell was all that?' The caster leapt up and down from a podium at the side of the arena. She had one hand on her head, and the other adjusting the mic attached to her headset. 'Did we just witness some kind of taunt from Deanne? If so, how will Harvey respond? He already has some serious-looking damage to his left hip. Is this the end?'

'Either the caster is blind,' Raphael began.

'Or she's lying to make Harvey look more like the underdog.' Tiam hugged themself harder than before. 'I don't understand what's going on down there. Spectacular.'

Harvey limped into combat with Deanne again, but this time, her movements were slower. She seemed more drunken and that simple smile from before had slackened like all of her face aside from her eyes fell asleep. Their blows were swapped, and Harvey didn't budge an inch. Deanne kept just out of reach, striking first in every single exchange. Her idea to keep her distance didn't work, however. Harvey maintained a solid stance while Deanne only grew slower. Any second and the perfect opportunity to win would arise.

Leo was literally on the edge of his seat, praying that his friend would pull through despite his handicap. Deanne could probably easily end the fight if she just pulled herself together. If she was smart, all she needed to do was take a moment to compose herself. But she never did. Her eyes swam like she was fighting three opponents at once and her feet shuffled as if staying still meant she would sink into the battlefield. Leo could practically hear the sound of her thoughts racing, like she was sending them out to ask anyone for help. And yet there was Harvey, completely calm despite still being at a disadvantage.

It took a second for Deanne to fall again. This time, she ducked from an invisible blow that escaped Leo's eyes. Maybe Harvey was just really fast? If that was the case, Leo would need to do some vision training or something. Deanne leapt away from another invisible strike, but this time landed in the worst situation yet. Somehow those invisible blows had driven her to Harvey's weak side. As it turned out, he had been feigning the pain the entire time. Harvey cocked his leg and struck out in a wide arc that met Deanne's temple as she moved toward it. The blow sent a visible shockwave flaying through the air that split the ground beneath their feet and sent Deanne tumbling across the landscape. She rolled and slammed the floor in a mess of blood and loud clicks that couldn't be anything less than breaking bones.

'Incredible!' the caster cried, diving onto the field to check on Deanne. The mysterious and famous fighter lay limp. The battle was over, and Harvey's hands didn't even leave his pockets. He smiled at Leo again, and Leo gave a cheer back to him. That was indescribably impressive.

'Ew,' said Tiam.

'Not good.' Raphael rose from his seat and tried to usher for Leo to leave. 'Let's go.'

Leo didn't understand. He'd just witnessed one of the most interesting fights he'd seen in the colosseum, and his friends just wanted to leave? He moved out of their way, but searched for the right words to approach them with.

'Yes, before we have to talk to him.' Tiam patted Leo's shoulder and shook their head. 'Your friend is… worrying.'

'Sorry?'

'It's not that he seems like he's a bad guy,' Raphael stated. He paused before continuing, like his next words had to be the most carefully selected in his life. 'He just seems… dirty, you know? You may remain and catch up with him, but the two of us are headed back home for the evening. Something doesn't sit right with that man.'

Leo wanted to scoff. He needed to defend his friend. Harvey was a good guy, truly. Sure, he was a bit snarky in his fight, but who wouldn't be when they wielded some incredible secret power like that?

'Fine,' was all Leo managed. He watched his friends leave and made a choice. That choice was to find Harvey and congratulate him. Harvey was a loyal friend, and Leo would be damned to Hell before ever ruining that bond.