"Next Match: Nara of the Snare, of the Puppet Walker Clan… versus Jin Kessho of the Mountain Ghost Sect!" I perked up at the name. I'd seen Nara during the introductions—her wide grin, the black fox shadow paint under her eyes, and the wild glint that never left her. She wore a flexible leather harness bristling with talismans, Her qi was a foggy white color that she condensed into two Marionette Controllers: One in each hand.
From her black bag she pulled out a miniature four-armed puppet, that she lovingly called Gordo—a four armed monster looking puppet, with jagged armor plating, and steam vents whistling from its back like a bull before a charge. "Awight, Gordo!" Nara yelled, tightening her headband. "We're up, babycakes! Time to dance like your life depends on it!"
Jin Kessho, her opponent, looked confused. His spiritual body trembled.
GONG!
The arena shimmered with white pristine Animus—a grid of glowing wires erupted from the floor as Nara whipped her Marionette Controllers, dragging Snares, Trip Threads, and Bear Traps out of the dirt like sprouting weeds. "Try not to blink!" she yelled. "BOOM! SPOOLISH! ZAP!"
Jin moved fast—vaulting off a trap with a thunderous kick—but a mine detonated mid-air! His flight path was skewed. Nara manipulated the Marionette Controllers and Gordo lunged with a roar—Nara flung her arms wide like a dance pose.
"Three Ring Circus!"
The puppet's four arms spun in a blur, mimicking her exact movements! Fist, elbow, knee, stomp—each blow was accompanied by Nara's own ridiculous sound effects:
"BOOM—BAP—KERCHOW—HYYYYAAHH!!"
I watched, stunned. She wasn't just controlling it—she was immersed in it. She fought like she was inside the puppet. Faeluxe giggled. "She's unhinged. I like her."
The final blow was a windmill spin that sent Jin flying into a qi tripwire—he was jolted, tripped, and slammed face-first into a qi bear trap construct that clamped his spiritual aura, nullifying movement!
"Yield," Nara said sweetly, bouncing on her heels.
"Or the next mine goes SPLOOSH right in your beast crystal!"
Jin groaned.
"I yield! I yield, for the love of the heavens!"
"Victory: Nara of the Snare!"
The crowd exploded with laughter and awe. Nara raised her hands and high-fived Gordo—who clumsily mimicked the motion with a steam-powered clap. "GOOD JOB, BABYCAKES! MVP AGAIN!"
She twirled out of the ring, waving to the audience and making fart noises with her mouth for no reason at all. I couldn't help but grin. She's insane… but smart. Every trap was linked to her qi thread array. Even her puppet had used real martial techniques. I'll need to prep anti-puppet counters if I ever face her.