The two stood opposite one another, sizing each other up in silence as the crowd's anticipation built. Raiden, Zohar, and Kaito watched from their chambers, captivated by the contrast between the two fighters. Raiden leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied their stances.
"She looks light on her feet," Kaito muttered, taking in her poised but ready posture. "Bet she's fast."
Zohar nodded in agreement. "But the guy... look at him. He's built like a wall. That's not going to be easy to get through."
The girl raised her fists, her eyes never leaving her opponent. With a nod from the all mighty in his grand throne, a signal was given, and the battle began.
The blonde warrior moved first, charging forward with powerful strides that seemed to shake the ground beneath him. But the girl was quick, sidestepping his initial assault with a dancer's fluidity, her eyes locked on his every move. She darted around him, her hands glowing faintly as she summoned her own divine energy. Her feet barely touched the ground as she launched herself into a rapid flurry of strikes, targeting his joints and weak points with precision.
The man's movements were slower but controlled, each swing of his fist or dodge showing his seasoned battle instincts. He blocked her strikes with his forearms, the sound echoing as flesh met energy. Then, in a blur, he spun, catching her off guard with a knee aimed at her midsection. She barely managed to twist out of the way, but his follow-up punch grazed her shoulder, sending her stumbling back.
Watching from his chamber, Raiden's hands balled into fists. He felt the raw intensity of the match, every move a lesson, every strike a reminder of the kind of power they would soon face.
Just as the blonde warrior lunged again, the girl grinned and whispered something to herself. Her eyes flashed, her brown-purple gaze deepening, and with a swift, fluid motion, she vaulted over his shoulder, spinning mid-air. She landed with her fists charged, driving a powerful blow straight into his back, forcing him down to one knee.
The crowd went wild, cheering and shouting for both fighters as they continued their relentless exchange, each moment a pulse of tension and power. The boys watched, knowing that soon, they too would be stepping into the arena.
As the towering warrior knelt, the girl seized her chance, her leg snapping into a swift side kick aimed right at his face. But with a quick reflex, he grabbed her shin mid-air, yanking her down to the ground. She barely had a moment to react before his fist came crashing down, landing blow after heavy blow to her face. He then grabbed her by the hair, her once tidy bun unraveling as he dragged her roughly across the sandy ground. In one powerful motion, he slammed her back-first against the stone wall of the arena.
With an unsettling calm, he leaned in close, his voice a chilling murmur. "You know, they wouldn't really care if I killed you right here. It'd just prove my strength, show them what I bring to this war."
Instead of fear, she looked up at him with a slight smile, even chuckling as if to mock him. He scowled, pulling back to lift his boot and aim for a brutal stomp to her head. But in the fraction of a second before his foot came down, she moved—a blur of motion that kicked up a cloud of dust and sand, blinding him momentarily.
Darting out of his line of sight, she reappeared behind him, fists charged with energy as she unleashed a rapid succession of strikes to his throat, chest, and face. The strikes landed with precision and ferocity, each one breaking down his defenses. Staggering, he struggled to regain his balance, only to see her spinning mid-air, her leg whipping around with a final, powerful kick to his knee.
A sickening snap echoed across the coliseum as his knee shattered, forcing him to the ground. The crowd roared, their cheers filling the arena as she stood over him, victorious, breathing heavily but composed.
The All Mighty raises his voice, echoing across the coliseum. "We didn't even get to the weapons! Well done, Zofia!" He claps, a gesture that reverberates with power, and waves to the soldiers to open the next gate.
As it creaks open, Connor steps out, shirtless, his powerful frame emanating a dark, almost tangible aura that hangs around him like a shadow. The crowd murmurs in awe and anticipation, feeling the heavy, dangerous energy radiating from him. With a subtle thumbs-up from the All Mighty, the signal to start is given.
Zofia wastes no time, darting forward with the same lightning speed she used to defeat her last opponent. But Connor stands still, watching her approach with an unyielding gaze. Then, as she comes within reach, he moves—swift as a flash. His fist rockets upward in a brutal uppercut, catching Zofia off-guard and sending her spinning mid-air. Before she can even hit the ground, his other fist slams into her chest, the force of the blow sending her skidding across the sand.
Dust rises as she tumbles, struggling to gather herself after the raw power of his attack. The crowd gasps, seeing Zofia—one of the most promising Chosen—momentarily at a loss against Connor's strength. He remains calm, waiting for her next move, a dark gleam in his eye as he watches her recover with unshaken composure.
Connor strides forward, a dark determination in his eyes. "Don't take this personally," he says in a thick Irish accent, his voice carrying an unsettling calm. "You did great against the last guy."
Before he can finish, Zofia attempts her same swift maneuver, hoping to catch him off guard. But Connor anticipates her move, his hand shooting out to catch her wrist mid-strike. His grip tightens, and with a sudden, brutal twist, he breaks her hand, a sickening crack resonating across the coliseum.
In the split second of pain and shock, she tries to pull back, but Connor closes the distance, his forehead colliding with hers in a vicious headbutt. Zofia's eyes flutter, and she collapses, unconscious, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
The crowd is silent for a moment, absorbing the raw display of strength. Then, cheers and gasps fill the coliseum, as they realize the ferocity Connor has brought to the arena. The All Mighty gives a slight nod, acknowledging both the power of his Chosen and the chilling intensity Connor commands.