Second Round Results

"Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing."
~Vince Lombardi

The biggest shockwave that passes through the players and the stadium before the second round of the knockout round starts is the fact that Death is Yonder has withdrawn from the tournament. DiY had been experiencing time issues for a few rounds now, but was always able to fulfill his duties as a contestant. However, after the close of the previous day's matches, DiY informed tournament officials that he would no longer be able to participate. Thus, Stildawn gets another day off and a free pass to the semi-finals.

The other six contestants, though, have all showed up and are ready for action, so there will still be some exciting Rock/Paper/Scissors matches today. The tension in the audience is palpable as the remaining players take their places.

It ratchets up a few more notches as the referee enters the stadium, acknowledges the contestants, and raises his arm in the air.

"Rock... paper... scissors... shoot!"

#1 Centurion1 vs. #11 Yaseikhaan
khaan, in the span of one round, has turned himself into an unpredictable player and the single most dangerous opponent in the tournament with the breaking of his all-rock pattern last round against Sasaki. Now armed with quite literally one round's worth of relevant data against his opponent, any chance that Centurion has of winning will come from a shot in the dark. However, it is here that Centurion proves that he has earned his #1 seed. Throwing Rock, Centurion shouts in triumph when he sees that khaan has thrown Scissors. With khaan out of the way, Centurion can move on to facing opponents that he has more data on.
Centurion1 advances

#2 Sigurd vs. #8 CountArach
This is certainly a familiar matchup. These two longtime foes have met thrice before, and once in a pressure-packed situation where CA defeated Sigurd in an epic duel to advance to the finals. However, this was last year, where Sigurd was Mr. Inconsistent and CA was in the middle of his run. This year, Sigurd has been rock-solid and the Count has been unable to string much of anything together. Still, he is defending champion and has always been able to rise to the occasion at the right moments. "You've had a good run, Count," Sigurd says, "but now I get my revenge." Roaring with a voice imbued by the Norse gods of old, Sigurd throws Scissors. The stadium goes into bedlam when they see CA's throw: Paper. At last, the champion has been dethroned. He takes it quite well, bowing to his conqueror and saluting the crowd before exiting the stadium. Tomorrow will be the first time CountArach ever watches the playoffs without a stake. Sigurd, meanwhile, has more work to do.
Sigurd advances

#3 Stildawn vs. #7 Death is Yonder
DiY's withdrawal means that Stildawn gets another day off.
Stildawn advances

#4 Thermal Mercury vs. #5 Csargo
In the last match of the day, Csargo is listed as the slight favorite despite Thermal's higher seeding, mainly having to do with his defeat of Thermal on Day 7 of the round robin. Besides, Csargo is officially the hottest player left in the tournament, having not lost since Day 9. Thermal is unfazed, however. He's picked his spots in this tournament and won when he's had to. That #4 seed he earned was not a fluke. He proves it here now by throwing Rock, which triumph's over Csar's Scissors. Thermal pumps his fist in celebration while Csargo goes off to console The Ichigo Fan Club, who are all crying in each other's arms after their hero's defeat.
Thermal Mercury advances

Interestingly enough, the chalk has prevailed in each match of Round 2, setting up for a power-packed finale. Will Stildawn, having made his way into the semis with literally no opposition, prove that he deserves his spot? Will Thermal continue his unlikely run and defeat Centurion for an unthinkable second time in the tournament? Or will Centurion1 and Sigurd be allowed to continue their collision course for a rematch of their Day 1 draw? All will be answered tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is now the semi-finals!

Matchups:
#1 Centurion1 vs. #4 Thermal Mercury
#2 Sigurd vs. #3 Stildawn