Take a break.

As your party starts to split apart, Niki grabs your arm, and although she isn't looking you in the eyes, she seems like she doesn't want to give you a lot of choice in the matter. You're going wherever she's going. She starts dragging you towards one of the food booths and says nothing until you finally speak up.

"Hey, I'll come with you. Just stop tugging," you say.

She releases you. "Sorry. I just... don't want to be alone right now. And in this state, I don't feel comfortable with anyone else. All right?"

"I'll stay with you, Niki. Don't worry."

"Th-Thanks. Let's get something to eat."

You line up at one of the stalls and wait. "So what do they have here?" you ask her.

"Something tasty I really missed." When it's your turn, Niki reaches into her pocket and places down a couple coins. "I'll get you this time. But you owe me."

"Wait, what?"

She turns with a grin and snickers. "By giving me a good fight in the final round."

The two of you sit at a table, each with a mug of water and a tiny basket of brown, crunchy chips. They have a strong flavour and are incredibly crispy. Though most of all, they're spicy. She seems to enjoy them quite a lot, as by the time you've made it halfway through, hers are long gone. She chugs down the rest of her water and lets out a booming sigh of relief.

"So how are you feeling?" you ask.

"Frustrated..." she mumbles. "But excited for my next fight. I'll keep going no matter the obstacles."

I wouldn't want to fight a tournament with blue balls either. She's a tough cookie.

After awhile, your rest is greeting by the echo of the announcer shouting from his balcony beside the tournament brackets yet again. Just like before, they're completely covered by a sheet. "The battles will continue in ten minutes! Competitors. Please refer to the next phase, as if you're late to your fight, you know the consequences. Gaze upon them! These will be the final matches before the last!"

He pulls the sheet off and reveals your fate.

Round 1: Niki Vakila vs. Umi
Round 2: Hedi Vakila vs. Falcon
Exempt: Kyle Warren

The numbers are odd, so someone gets to skip these rounds. Finally some luck. I'll get some rest in, and I'll be able to scout out my opponents this time.

The audience is pooling back into the bleachers. Meanwhile, Niki stands at the entrance, ready to once again be first to fight. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to see what this foe is capable of either, but she did defeat that hulking mass of armour. Anything can happen. What'll be most interesting is Hedi's fight. It worries you greatly.

Niki hands you the backpack for the time being.

You and your friends then gather up in the competitor seats, though The Edge is nowhere to be seen. The pack is heavy, so you rest it at your feet and then reach inside to find that book you took earlier, but you're greeted by the sensation of warm Jell-O and a surprised feminine gasp.

"Sorry, Jelly. I just need that book," you explain.

"H-Here you go," she replies. A hand reaches up from the slime holding the book in question.

You take it and begin reading through it--flipping through the pages in hopes of finding something that makes sense to you. Meanwhile, Niki and her opponent have gathered in the ring below. Your eyes move away from Niki, and you inspect this Umi girl you've only heard about. She's a catfolk, like you've heard, and she definitely doesn't look strong enough to take down Crusher. You of all people know best that looks are deceiving, however.

Her neck-length black hair is tied up into buns with blue ribbons behind her fluffy feline ears with white fur inside. The bottom half of her face is covered by a tight-fitting black mask, so all you can make out is her emerald eyes. From around her neck, down between her legs, she wears what looks like a one piece bathing suit that presses tight against her skin, really showing the curves of her medium bust and the dip of her belly button. Though around her hips, a deep blue fabric hangs down almost like a skirt, which covers her thighs and ass that look like they would otherwise be quite visible. She has matching boots that reach up past her knees as well, padded with armour, and said protecting wraps around her wrists and elbows as well.

Her black tail--tip white--swings left and right through a hole cut into the back of her attire. You can also see a number of daggers hanging off a belt strapped around her waist, as well as a few pouches and what appear to be shurikens.

You can't help but wonder what Snow is doing right now.

"It seems that our competitors have already gathered!" the announcer says. "Niki Vakila. Umi. Prepare yourselves for battle."

As you flip through the book, your eyes catch the word, "Zakira", and you immediately begin to read. It seems to be a list of spies sent for this mission. First, it implies an individual without outright saying a name. It then lists Zakira Qurasha, and after her name is Umi. There are no others. You look down into the ring at the catfolk a second time and clench your teeth. "Oh no," you mutter.

"What's up?" Tom asks.

"Umi works for the Demon King too."

The announcer's voice booms through the sky. "Let the fight begin!"