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"What you want from Tik Tik?" I asked him, digging my fingers under the chain to try to pry myself free.

Through pouting eyes, Maram responded. "Me? You're the one who took me from my home and brought me here. You're the one that made me fight and lose against so many others in so many embarrassing ways. Can you believe the stuff I had to do?" He hid his face in his hands, shuddering. “If only you freed me, then I could live with having to deal with all that embarrassment. Instead, you endlessly tease me by keeping me as your slave."

"Tik Tik heard you were meanie spirit. That it would be bad if let free."

"Well, then," he said, peering out from between open fingers. "I guess that just means that you have no choice but to take me with you."

“Take you!? Tik Tik going on adventure. Tik Tik going learn new thing. Why Tik Tik take Maram?"

"Because either you let me go, or you can't go too far from me. You could get around the city easy enough without any problems, but you're transporting yourself across the world. You can't expect to be tethered to me with a leash that long."

Grumbling, I realized that I was stuck with a choice. And it was a choice I was pretty worried about, but also quite intrigued with. Gripping the medallion, I nodded. "Alright, Maram. Tik Tik take you with her." I tapped the portal that I formed, and it flashed into a different scene, of stone and of libraries of great size and collection. "But Tik Tik take you back home to Maram's old master and give Maram back."

The spirit shrugged, picking himself up. His soft bare feet slid across the floor as he walked up behind me, looming over me, a toothy grin spreading over his face. "So, Tik Tik the powerful wizard is abandoning her Tournament and traveling across the world to be with me?"

I grabbed hold of his robe and led him through the portal, keeping my eyes forward because I knew that if I gazed upon his skin, I would be enamored by him. He is a dangerous companion to have, but I suppose I will travel with him, if even for a little bit.

The Anteronian Arena still had many people cheering for the victorious Izon. While the kobold had been lifted up by some unseen force, ostensibly to meet the divine pantheon, the dragon in second place was there to accept the adulation of the more mortal crowd.

When the angel appeared in front of Draykan, the blue dragon smirked.

"Oh, hey, Tik's plan already happening? Couldn't have given me time to relax first?"

"Plan? What is the meaning of this? Doesn't she realize I can follow her trail? If this stop is a distraction it's not going to-wha?!"

Bandages shoot up from the ground, grabbing the angel's arms and legs. The Mummy that owned them chuckled. "Sorry, honey, but the herald told us she had a sneaking suspicion about this Tournament. And I kinda like that little lizard."

"You'll pay for this blasphemy!" Hanioc struggled against the bandages, two other angelic forms appearing from the masks around the being, seeking to claw and tear the wrappings away.

Luza and Liza jumped into the ring, grabbing the two in synchronized holds.

"Not so fast!" said one.

"We got ya, and you're not getting away until Tik Tik is safe from you!" said the other.

Tybalt, the paladin of Love, stepped into the ring, and stared at the angel with burning orange eyes, his green hair flowing. "Together, we shall make the greatest show as the celestial emissary desires."

The Tournament of Pleasure was nothing but a show—a spectacle for an inscrutable audience of divine beings interested in watching my exploits. It was not them that brought on the troubles I endured during its run, but rather it was all Hanioc's doing. The angel thought that they could stroke my ego and then send me for a ride, all to increase the pleasure of those watching.

Perhaps Hanioc was right. Through all the dark times in my mind, I came to realize many things Hanioc had done benefited me in the end. Elicia's attempts at revenge were satisfied. My queen found herself a purpose through breeding. My greatest mistake, the demon Zelbia, had been reduced to a mere nuisance.

For all the things that Hanioc had done for me, they deserved a reward. For all the things Hanioc put me through, they deserved punishment. I stole the Stick of Champions, knowing fully that the angel would be able to find me no matter where I went, so I had another plan set up just in case.

I, Tik Tik, am a Herald of the Tournament of Pleasure. I have brought together fighters from around my world to have fun and face each other, and the most fun, then, shall be had in this final encounter.

Hanioc responded to the challenge with a soft chuckle. "A good show, is it? Well, Tik Tik, you've certainly devised an interesting finale."

With Hanioc distracted, Tybalt turned toward Draykan, patting his fellow paladin on the side. "'Tis good to stand side-by-side with you, my companion. I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet on making it to the grand finale. With as many competitors as there are, that was no simple task."

"Yeah, well, even if I didn't get to win, at least I get to be a part of this showstopper."

"But Draykan," the half-elf said, a playful twinge in his voice, "Are you inclined to face a foe of male persuasion?"

"I can make do," Draykan said, hands upon his hips.

An angelic mask floated from the sky towards the two men. From it emerged a feminine form with matronly curves dressed in armor that covered only the most tantalizing of features. She descended down towards the two men, tilting her head and speaking in Hanioc's many-layered voice. "You won't have to. I can take you both on… and the rest of you, at that!"