Having reached their vicinity, Maria Rosa Devlin flashed a bright smile.
"Hello!" The couple responded in unison, their enthusiasm evident.
Two cameras captured the moment—one focused on Maria Rosa, while the second zeroed in on the overly zealous pair.
"My name is Maria Rosa Devlin," she introduced herself, though she knew they were well aware of who she was. "Could you please share your names?"
"Annemarie Johnson," the young woman said first.
"And I am Brandon Rudega," her companion followed.
Maria Rosa gave a nod of approval. "Let's start with the basics—how much did you pay to attend this event?"
"Five thousand coins each," Annemarie said excitedly. "We bought them from someone who couldn't afford to attend. When we tried to purchase our own, they were already sold out."
"Actually, it was more than six thousand coins initially," Brandon added. "We had to do a lot of bargaining to get a fair deal."
Maria Rosa raised her eyebrows. "Oh my goodness! So people definitely exploited the hype surrounding this fight, didn't they?"
"Yep!" Annemarie confirmed without hesitation. "And when you have no other option, you play by their rules."
Maria Rosa chuckled before pushing forward. "Now, tell me—what are your expectations for tonight?"
"We just want to be entertained," Annemarie said, her excitement bubbling over. "We haven't had anything like this in two years! This event is a fresh breath of air for everyone."
Maria Rosa then turned her attention to Brandon. "And you?"
Despite his ever-present smile—one that hinted at introversion—he responded with firm certainty.
"We've been waiting for this day for so long," he said. "It's thrilling to finally be here and witness it live."
Maria Rosa leaned in slightly, her expression sharp and investigative. "And who do you think will win this fight?"
Brandon hesitated before giving his answer. "It's hard to predict," he admitted. "Most people are saying Cathy Williams will win. But honestly? If Shanazer accepted the challenge or was the one who initiated it… she must be a heavyweight."
Maria Rosa nodded, absorbing his analysis with interest.
"Thank you so much for sharing your views. I hope you continue to enjoy the event!" Maria Rosa Devlin wrapped up her interview with a warm smile before shifting her focus to another spectator she had spotted in the crowd.
Beyond the television crews setting up the electrifying atmosphere for the impending duel, millions of viewers tuned in across various streaming platforms. The fight between Shanazer and Cathy Williams had gripped the bustling city of Ventrander like an unshakable fever—it was as if nothing else existed at the moment. Conversations, debates, and speculations revolved entirely around this one showdown.
The arena had been cleared of all other activities, signaling the imminent commencement of the main event. The crowd hushed as a well-dressed man strode confidently to the center of the stadium, a microphone in hand.
Taking a moment to steady himself, he lifted the mic.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, young and old!" his voice boomed across the arena. "My name is Alex Graham, and I will be officiating tonight's match between Shanazer Athens and Cathy Williams!"
Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"The purpose of this fight is to settle the dispute that has arisen between Shanazer Athens and Cathy Williams," Graham continued. "As per the longstanding tradition of Selena Campus, when words fail and fists are exchanged, the final resolve must be settled right here—on this very arena. And, since both competitors are martial artists, this is the only acceptable path forward."
The energy in the stadium intensified as Graham's announcement reached its peak.
"And so," he declared, "the moment we've all been waiting for has arrived. I now welcome, to the side of this arena, none other than Shanazer Athens!"
The gates opened smoothly in a butterfly formation, revealing Shanazer as she stepped forward. Her purple martial arts attire was crisp, and a white belt tied firmly around her waist signaled an understated authority.
Behind her, Tairen Exon and Anna walked side by side, accompanying her to the floor before splitting toward the sheltered couches on either side of the arena. Shanazer, however, moved with quiet purpose toward the center of the ring.
To the middle of the two shelters stood the medical team, their kits and water bottles at the ready—prepared for whatever the match would bring.
Reaching the referee, Shanazer extended a firm handshake, her expression composed and unwavering.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen," Graham continued, his tone swelling with dramatic enthusiasm, "allow me to introduce our city's pride—the reigning forerunner of the world championship for the young generation tournament. A seven-time gold title winner. Ventrander's very own—Cathy Williams!"
A deafening round of applause erupted.
From the northern gate, Cathy Williams entered, jogging onto the arena floor with effortless confidence. Her movements exuded certainty, drawing frenzied cheers from the crowd. The stadium roared with excitement, the anticipation thick enough to feel in the air.
The difference between the two fighters was undeniable. Cathy Williams was famous, adored, and supported by nearly everyone. It was only natural that the crowd held her in such high esteem.
Draped in pristine white robes with a black belt, Cathy stepped forward, exchanging a brief handshake with the referee, her lips curling into a faint smile.
Now, face to face, the two fighters stood ready, waiting for the referee to lay out the ground rules.
"The purpose of this fight is to settle the grudges between you two," the referee announced, his voice firm yet impartial. "If the match exceeds what I deem acceptable, I will bring it to an immediate stop." He paused before continuing. "You may now shake hands."
Without hesitation, Shanazer stretched her hand forward.
Unexpectedly, Cathy withheld hers.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
The referee tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting to Cathy. "Miss Williams, we cannot begin without you two shaking hands," he reminded her. "The choice is yours."
The air grew tense, anticipation thickening between them as the moment hung in suspension.