The semifinal platform was repaired after Jinhu and Ilho's battle. The crowd was silent, anticipating the next match to be as thrilling as the last. From the tunnel the two fighters took their positions on the platform.
Ryul looked over at Blue. "He's strong. Stronger than some nobody should be. So why does Uncle Yeol favor him. Why does Wu Cheng hover near him like a dear disciple. What makes this kid so damn special."
Ryul shook the thoughts out of his head and took a deep breath. He unsheathed his sword. No more questions. If there were answers he would cut them out of Blue.
Across the stage Blue watched Ryul lost in thought. He titled his head. His hair shifted in the wind. He stared at his brother, calm, quiet. He thought to himself. "Your blade is sharper than I ever thought it could be baby brother. But can it cut through the truth? Can you shoulder the weight of the answers you're chasing?"
Their eyes locked. The elder of the Alliance raised his hand. They both moved before the gong had rang. The fight between brothers was on.
Ryul lunged, his qi burst forward. Wudang's techniques followed. Elegant but controlled sword arcs sliced through the air. Blue moved and met him. Flowing Steel gliding across the stone. He didn’t block Ryul, he flowed. He slid inside of Ryul's reach and out of it in one motion.
He turned. Their swords met again.
CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.
Steel met steel, and neither pushed to far. Both were testing. They danced around the platform, each swing probing the other.
As they danced Ryul realized it. "He's not struggling at all. He's reading my movements. Like he knows me."
Ryul stepped back, shifted his stance. Wudangs seven petals sweep. Blue sidestepped the first strike, parried the second with an upward flick of his jian. Ryul struck again, this time a feint left, then right. "I got him." Ryul thought. That last feint turned into a real swing towards Blue's neck. It was met with a jian and a smile from Blue.
Ryul met his smile with words. "Why does Uncle Yeol favor you?"
Blue shoved Ryul to make space.
"Why does old man Cheng watch you like a favorite son? Ryul yelled.
CLANG.
Ryul dashed in again. Blue met his questions with his blade. He twisted his body, Ryul stumbled and reset.
"Why wont you fight me seriously? Is this pity? Or am I not worthy of your blade." Ryul cried out.
In the stands So-Yeon watched as she clenched her fists. "Why is Ryul hesitating."
Across the way Namgung Gyeom looked at Cheng and Yeol confused. "That footwork... it looks like... Yoryeons."
"A keen eye old friend. He has mastered what we could not." Cheng said softly. Yeol nodded.
Back on the platform Ryul's breath grew ragged as his frustrations bled into each strike.
"Why won't you speak?! What makes you so damn special?"
Blue finally answered with speed. He surged forward, Flowing Steel carried him like the wind, he appeared behind Ryul's guard. He swept his brother's legs. Ryul barely avoided it. A second strike, Whispering Gale, lashed upward. It forced Ryul to pivot with a knee bent to avoid it.
Ryul's eyes grew larger as a thought came to him. "That footwork. So-Yeon showed it to me a few times. It's... grandfather's."
Ryul gritted his teeth and pushed off the floor with a blast of qi. Blue met him as they clashed midair. Once. Twice. Then a blur of ten strikes in rapid succession. Sparks flew in every direction from their swords.
They landed and Ryul roared. "Answer me, damn it!"
Again Blue said nothing. He let the silence carry the weight. Once Ryul settles he pushed. His sword no longer probed Ryul, it pressed.
Each strike landed with intent. No longer did he keep rhythm with Ryul, he was punishing him. Ryul backpedaled, eyes wide. Blue pushed him into forced parries and bad angles. Ryul had no room to breath between strikes. His breatj grew heavy, his arms ached more each time their blades met. But he kept going.
Ryul went for a counter, Blue slipped passed he planted on foot behind Ryul and shoved. Ryul staggered off balance and fell.
Blue's blade fell, not for a slash, but a tap.
CLANG.
Blue hit Ryul's forehead with the hilt of his blade. Just enough to get his attention. The other hand grasped the back of Ryul's head and brought it close to his own. He whispered just low enough only the two of them could hear the words.
"You want answers huh? Ask your uncle... little brother." Blue stood. Ryul froze in place. His blade slipped from his hand. He tried to stand but his body gave way as his knees hit the stone.
"Little brother?"
His mind couldn't catch up. The words echoed in his mind.
He locked eyes with Blue. "I... Yield." Ryul said as he hung his head.
The arena broke into murmurs.
In the stands So-Yeon stood, arms crossed. "What happened to Ryul. He just gave up? And that Blue kid. Theres more to him that I thought."
On the central platform the Alliance leader scoffed. "A disappointment. Blue has made a mockery of this tournament. If he does that again in the finals, I will have to teach Wu Jin a lesson in respect."
Blue made his way into the tunnel as Ryul stayed knelt down on the platform. As he approached the tunnel two figures waited in the shadows.
Wu Cheng leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Yeol stood in the middle of the walkway, hands behind his back. Cheng kicked himself off the wall. "Satisfied?"
Blue exhaled, then smiled. "For now."
"Good. There is someone who wishes to meet you."
Yeol stepped forward. "Brother. Eight o clock. Back entrance. Try not to draw any attention to yourself okay?"
Blue nodded and walked off without a word.
Behind him Ryul finally came walking into the tunnel. Cheng smiled. "You did wonderful boy. Much stronger than when I first brought you to Wudang."
Ryul looked up ignoring Cheng. He looked at Yeol. "That boy... he called me... little brother."
Yeol sighed and looked at Cheng who hung his head. "In due time, nephew. In due time. For now, go rest."
Befire Ryul could respond both elders turned and vanished into the tunnel.
Back on the platform the Alliance elder took the stage. "By order of the Martial Alliance Leader. The finals shall be delayed by three days.!"
Shock and whispers filled the crowd.
"It is the wish of Namgung Hyeon that both finalists fight at full strength. As Ilho of Silent Edge collapsed after his victory, he will be given time to recover. Let the finals reflect skill and will. Not a contest of who remains standing by accident."
The crowd rose to their feet and clapped. Two words echoed throughout the crowd. "SILENT EDGE. SILENT EDGE. SILENT EDGE."