Scenario:A Thousand Reasons - Chapter 1: 1st Bout - Episode 1

A Thousand Reasons - Chapter 1: 1st Bout - Episode 1

The first match pits Soriz against Vanzza. Since weapons and magic are not allowed, the two decide to limit themselves to kicks. When Vanzza reflexively pulls out his tonfas to defend himself, Soriz exploits the moment of confusion to knock Vanzza out of the ring and win the match.

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Albion Citadel, Phantagrande Skydom.

The streets of this imposing military town thrum with unprecedented excitement.

Commentator: Are you ready, gentlefolk? The Grandsky Rumble tournament is about to begin!

Fight Fan 1: Whooo! Let's get it ooon!

Fight Fan 2: Start already! Yeeeah!

Commentator: Okay, okay, everyone! I know you're raring to go.

Commentator: So without further ado, let's see who our first two contestants are!

Commentator: Vanzza!

Commentator: Soriz!

Soriz: Oof! Another grim-lookin' lug.

Commentator: Quite the intimidating duo we have here!

Commentator: Especially Rockfisted Soriz, who you all know from his long record of tournament victories! You won't want to look away from this match for a second!

Soriz: You're not exactly my type, Tall, Dark, and Broody.

Soriz: But I'll do whatever it takes for my ticket to paradise! Don't expect me to go easy on ya!

Vanzza: I don't. My reasons are just as good as yours. I won't back down.

Commentator: The sparks are flying already! Yyyow! Can you feel the heat!

Commentator: I might be standing too close—I'm gonna get burned!

Soriz: By the way... It's no skin off my nose either way, but...

Soriz: Ain't weapons against the rules?

Soriz wags a finger at the tonfas grasped in Vanzza's hands.

Commentator: Rockfisted Soriz has a point! Sounds like a good opportunity to review the rules of this tournament!

Commentator: The Grandsky Rumble is meant to be a test of your combat prowess using your body alone.

Commentator: Use of weapons or tools of any kind is strictly prohibited. That goes for magic too!

Commentator: From round one onward, matches are one-on-one, conducted in the colosseum's central ring.

Commentator: If you step out of the ring, or are knocked down and can't get back up within the count of ten, you lose!

Commentator: You can also choose to forfeit. Just say, "I give up"!

Commentator: A total of twelve competitors have qualified for round one!

Commentator: Of course, you know that the victor of the final round will receive a huge cash prize! But they will also have one wish granted. Anything they ask!

Vanzza: ...

Soriz: Any wish, huh? Fishy as all get-out, if y'ask me, but the money's incentive enough!

Commentator: Well, you'll have to take that up with the tournament's executive committee... if you win!

Commentator: Back to the matter at hand. Weapons are against the rules.

Vanzza: Rest assured. I won't use my tonfas.

Vanzza: I'll restrict myself to kicking.

Soriz: Then why're you walkin' around with that kindling strapped to your arms?

Soriz: Well, to each his own. I accept your terms!

Vanzza: What do you mean? You also plan to use only your legs?

Soriz: Sure! It should make for a fun bout!

Commentator: It seems our contestants are giving themselves a lot of extra restrictions. But there's no rule against that!

Commentator: Let's get started! You're not here to duel with words, gentlemen!

Fight Fan 1: Finally! Let's see some action!

Commentator: All right! Round one, Soriz vs. Vanzza! Ready...

Commentator: Fight!

Vanzza: Here I come!

Soriz: Hn! That's not a bad kick you got there! Hngh!

Vanzza: Too slow!

Soriz: Hahaha! Now we're cookin'!

Commentator: An unusual match we have before us, ladies and gents, with these two dynamos denying themselves the use of those powerful arms!

Soriz: Ora ora ora!

Vanzza: Hngh! Ngaaah!

Commentator: Whoa! The wind Vanzza kicked up nearly knocked me off my feet!

Commentator: With attacks this powerful, you'd never guess that neither contestant is using his favored style!

Vanzza: Haaah...

Vanzza: Tonfa Kick!

Soriz: Whoooah there. What kinda "tonfa kick" doesn't use a tonfa?

Soriz: Heh. Not a bad kick though, even without! I didn't give you enough credit!

Vanzza: What's wrong? Why are your movements so inefficient?

Soriz: Oh? You can tell, huh?

Soriz: Those things are pretty distracting...

Soriz nods toward the tonfas in Vanzza's hands.

Soriz: I know you're not gonna use 'em, but every time they catch my eye, my body just reacts, ya know?

Soriz: More importantly... They're gettin' in your way too, aren't they?

Vanzza: Hunh.

Vanzza: I never used to be any good with tonfas.

Soriz: Oh?

Vanzza: So I can fight perfectly well without them.

Vanzza: Don't feel you have to refrain from using your fists either.

Soriz: Huh? You're not makin' a lotta sense, pal...

Soriz: But since you're bein' so generous, guess I'll take you up on it!

Soriz: Here goes!

Vanzza: !

Soriz draws back his fist and Vanzza—ever so slightly—flinches.

In that moment, his body reflexively shifts into an oft-practiced defensive stance.

Commentator: Ohhh! Looks like Vanzza unconsciously raised his tonfa!

Vanzza: Urgh!

Vanzza snatches back his weapons, drawing away from his opponent.

Soriz: Haha!

Vanzza: Gwaaah!

Soriz seizes the opportunity. Withdrawing his fists, he darts in and lands a staggering kick.

Commentator: A fisticuff feint followed by a kick!

Commentator: And what a kick! Right to the breadbasket at full force!

Vanzza: Ugh...

Commentator: Vanzza was knocked clear out of the ring! Which means...

Commentator: The victor of match 1 iiis...
Soriz!