The gates opened once more as the Thunder God and SeeD stepped onto the field.

"The next battle is between Orlandu and Squall! BEGIN!"

Squall drew his gunblade and aimed it at Orlandu, firing twice.

Orlandu dodged to the side, energy crackling upon his sword. Raising it, he thrust at Squall.

"Hellcry Punch!"

A massive surge of energy burst from his sword. Squall jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding it.

Righting himself, Orlandu thrust his sword at Squall once more.

"Crush Punch!"

Squall raised his hands and his eyes glowed red. As the energy from Orlandu's attack sped towards Squall, a demonic creature appeared, wreathed in flames, it's arms wrapped around Squall protectively. Jumping in front of him, the creature was impaled upon the attack, and dissipated into red fragments.

Orlandu dashed in and unleashed a vicious horizontal slash at Squall, who barely managed to bring his gunblade down in time to block it. Orlandu gripped his sword in both hands, pushing heavily against Squall's blade.

Squall's legs buckled from under him as he gripped his gunblade in both hands, but the added strength was not sufficient to stop Orlandu. Desperately, Squall pushed upwards with his blade with all his strength, knocking Orlandu back slightly. Using this chance, he drew back and aimed his balde at Orlandu, preparing to fire.

"Holy Explosion!"

A beam of white light descended from the heavens and engulfed Squall. When it passed, he kneeled upon the ground, panting heavily.

"Night Sword!" Orlandu yelled, thrusting at Squall. Squall glared at him with yellow eyes as a massive birdlike creature appeared and was impaled upon Orlandu's attack, it, too, dissipating.

In the wake of the attack, Orlandu sped forward and slashed at Squall's gunblade, knocking it to the side. He then took his sword and pointed it at Squall's throat, the blade glowing with gathered energy.

Squall faced down the blade for a moment, before lowering his head.

23rd Match: Squall vs. Orlandu

Victory: Orlandu

Current Accounts:
Doom: 12,000
Starlight Angel: 12,500
Necronopticous: 900,000
Mercen-X: 1,000,000
Rase: 7,000
Del Murder: 3,000
abrojtm: 0
Kyono: 0
Turkslayer: 10,500
Eternal Essence: 2,500
Takara: 6,000
raskerino: 0
Masamune1600: 14,500
Strawberryman: 5,500

The final is between Emeralda and Orlandu. Betting officially closes tomorrow, but I may not have time to update until Saturday or Sunday.