City Hall – Human Rebellion Headquarters
Meeting of Top Officials, Commanders, and Generals
Otto scanned the room, his face brightening into a satisfied smile as he observed the hardened, seasoned warriors seated around the long table. Their uniforms, now marked with rank and decoration, testified to their battlefield exploits.
"So," Otto began warmly, "how is everyone today?"
Bruno Hartmann leaned back in his chair with a cocky grin, polishing his fingernails casually against his chest. "Personally? I'm doing fantastic. I've killed so many of those demi-human bastards lately, I'm starting to feel like a God of Death."
A ripple of laughter filled the room, easing some of the lingering tension from the weeks of constant combat.
Riese rose slowly from his seat, his massive frame casting a shadow over the table, instantly silencing the laughter. He folded his thick arms across his broad chest, the muscles beneath straining visibly.
"That's interesting," he rumbled, voice deep and authoritative. "I actually counted how many I killed in the last battle. I doubt anyone here—except maybe Battalion 9—can match my number: 347 confirmed kills."
A collective gasp and murmurs of awe filled the room.
Bruno's smile vanished instantly, replaced by an irritated glare. "Trying to take my glory, huh?"
Riese raised an eyebrow mockingly. "Take?" he echoed, his voice dripping with amused disdain. "It was never yours to begin with." He tilted his head back and let out a booming laugh.
Bruno's face reddened, his fist clenched tight on the table. "You son of a—" He stopped abruptly, took a deep breath, leaned back in his chair, and raised one finger, regaining his arrogant smirk. "Now that I think about it, I've earned more merit and glory than you anyway, so it's all good."
Riese's gaze lowered slowly onto Bruno—not angry, merely amused and slightly pitying. "You honestly think a puny human like you can match up to a giant?"
Bruno flashed a devilish grin. "This 'puny human' could easily kick those shiny muscles right off your oversized body."
"You dare?"
Bruno stood suddenly, knocking his chair backward. "Of course. Let's settle this outside, tough guy!"
Riese's laughter echoed once more, a deep, rumbling sound of genuine amusement. "Alright, little man. Let's go."
Everyone around the table glanced at each other, eyebrows raised in surprise at the sudden escalation. Then, unexpectedly, Wilhelm Drossen's voice boomed out:
"I've got three bottles of wine on Bruno!"
All eyes shifted toward Wilhelm. Officer Durango immediately sprang up. "Are you blind, General? Do you not see the giant standing before you, or is your brain finally going senile?"
Wilhelm simply shrugged, stroking his gray beard with calm confidence. "And you're dumber than a sack of rocks if you think Riese can beat Bruno."
Durango flushed angrily. "What did you just say?"
Otto rose quickly, raising his hands placatingly. "Ladies, ladies—calm yourselves. It's painfully obvious Bruno will win."
Virella von Weiss stood abruptly, her glowing blue eyes sparkling defiantly. "Otto, you're an idiot. Riese will absolutely crush Bruno."
Suddenly, bets began to fly. Gold crowns clinked onto the table, bottles of fine wine stacked up alongside silver coins as the commanders feverishly wagered on their champions.
Then, the heavy door swung open.
Instant silence gripped the room.
The Führer stepped inside, his presence alone commanding immediate respect and attention.
"Why so quiet all of a sudden?" he asked calmly, eyes scanning the frozen officers. "If you all want to fight, then fight. But I have a proposal: I'll reward the victor handsomely—ten bottles of my personal finest wine, a golden rifle, and your retirement pension doubled."
Bruno immediately perked up, his earlier bravado intensifying. "Retirement pension?"
Hitler nodded seriously. "Yes. When you retire, the government will ensure you receive a steady paycheck as recognition for your dedicated service."
Bruno's arrogant grin widened further. "Oh, that pension's already mine."
Riese cracked his knuckles, his towering frame shifting in anticipation. "We'll see about that."
The Führer smiled knowingly and motioned toward the streets outside. "You two will fight in the public square. Let the loser experience the humiliation and cheers of the crowd. Do we have an agreement?"
Both Riese and Bruno nodded firmly, their rivalry now intensified by stakes higher than mere pride.
Hitler clasped his hands behind his back, satisfaction radiating from his expression. "Excellent. Then let's put on a show."
With that, the generals, commanders, and officers surged to their feet in excitement, filing out eagerly to witness the spectacle about to unfold in the streets.
As the Führer emerged from City Hall, sunlight washed over the bustling town square. The people milling about stopped in their tracks, eyes widening in shock and awe at the sudden appearance of their leader and the famed commanders at his side.
"Is that the Führer?" whispered a woman clutching a basket of fresh vegetables. She was no longer dressed in rags; her clothes were clean and sturdy—a stark reminder of how much their lives had improved.
"Yes! It's him!" a young boy shouted excitedly. Cheers erupted spontaneously, quickly spreading through the crowd.
"Long live the Führer!"
"He freed us all!"
Smiling warmly, Hitler raised a hand, waving to his people, acknowledging their enthusiasm. Guards quickly moved forward, gently but firmly guiding the excited civilians aside to clear a large space at the center of the town square. Several other guards stood protectively around the Führer, hands resting lightly on their weapons, alert and professional. A line of soldiers calmly managed crowd control, ensuring everyone remained at a safe distance.
The murmurs intensified, excitement mingling with confusion:
"Is he going to give a speech?"
"Another announcement? Could it be another war?"
"Wait, look!" a man called out, pointing. "Is that... a giant?"
Eyes turned to the two figures now stepping confidently into the cleared space: the towering Riese and the fearless Bruno Hartmann.
"Are they about to fight?" someone asked incredulously.
Whispers swirled through the growing crowd. "Look at the size of him—this isn't even fair!"
Riese flexed his massive shoulders, casting a shadow over Bruno, who stood undaunted, grinning confidently as he cracked his knuckles.
Virella stepped forward gracefully, taking her place at the very center of the impromptu arena. Her striking figure and glowing blue eyes captured immediate attention.
"Listen carefully," she called out clearly, silencing the murmurs instantly. "This match will have rules."
She motioned swiftly, and two guards hurried over, quickly wrapping the fighters' hands tightly in sturdy white cloth. Bruno smirked as the cloth tightened, staring defiantly into Riese's eyes, who chuckled dismissively.
Virella continued, her voice echoing clearly through the square. "The rules are simple: once you are knocked down, you have ten seconds to rise. If you fail to stand, your opponent wins. If you seem unable to fight you will be eliminated. We will have rounds; if after three rounds both fighters remain standing, I shall conclude the match myself with my replay magic."
Confusion rippled through the crowd. "Replay magic? What's she mean?"
She raised a delicate hand upward. "The entire battle will be shown clearly for everyone—on the screen above us."
The crowd looked upward as one, and gasps erupted throughout the square.
Above their heads, stretching vividly across the blue sky, appeared a massive, shimmering screen made of magical blue light. The enormous projection displayed a crystal-clear view of the entire town square—every face, every expression.
"Hey, that's me!" a man shouted excitedly, waving at himself on the mystical screen, triggering waves of amazed laughter and astonishment.
"Incredible..." an elderly woman whispered reverently. "She truly is magical."
Virella stepped back, giving the two fighters space. "When you hear the gunshot, you may begin."
The guards swiftly formed a tight circle around Bruno and Riese, creating an impenetrable barrier to prevent any overly eager spectators from getting too close.
As they waited, Bruno leaned in slightly, a cocky grin across his face. "Last chance, big guy. Wouldn't want you embarrassed in front of all these people."
Riese laughed deeply, rolling his shoulders again. "I'll try not to break too many of your tiny bones, little man. Might ruin my reputation as gentle."
Bruno scoffed. "You couldn't break me if you tried."
Riese's smile widened dangerously. "We'll see about that."
The two men stood face-to-face, tension crackling visibly. The crowd grew utterly silent, anticipation thick in the air as everyone watched, breathless, waiting for the sharp crack of the starting shot.
A deafening boom cracked through the air, echoing through the streets and shivering the windows of nearby buildings. Immediately, Bruno charged forward, fearless determination burning in his eyes.
Riese stood his ground, his enormous figure casting an intimidating shadow. Bruno launched himself into the air, swinging a powerful right hook toward Riese's jaw—but the giant effortlessly blocked it with a massive arm, smirking at the smaller man's feeble attempt.
"Oh, you'll have to do better than that," Riese chuckled, pushing Bruno back with a casual shove that sent him tumbling to the cobblestone street.
The crowd erupted, shouts and gasps rippling through the packed square. Onlookers pressed closer, stretching onto rooftops and balconies to witness the unfolding spectacle.
"Come on, Bruno!" yelled General Wilhelm, waving an encouraging fist from the sidelines. But Wilhelm scoffed, folding his arms confidently.
"Told you—he's going down," Durango smirked, eliciting laughter from the spectators around him.
Bruno leaped back to his feet, shaking the dust off his uniform. He steadied himself, circling cautiously around Riese, who merely watched with patient amusement.
Bruno surged forward again, feinting left, then spinning swiftly to the right. He landed a rapid jab to Riese's side, but the giant barely flinched. Riese's laughter boomed, ringing mockingly in Bruno's ears.
"You punch like a child!"
Bruno's temper flared. He unleashed a flurry of blows, fists flying at lightning speed—but each punch was met with a solid wall of muscle, doing nothing more than reddening Riese's thick, unyielding skin.
Suddenly, Riese's massive fist shot out, slamming into Bruno's chest with the force of a battering ram. Bruno gasped, pain radiating through his body, air knocked from his lungs. He staggered backward, dizzy, eyes wide with shock.
"Stay down," Riese warned, raising one giant foot, preparing to crush Bruno's resistance.
But Bruno refused, scrambling desperately back to his feet.
The crowd erupted again, emotions rising like a stormy sea.
"Come on, Bruno, get him!" a woman shouted from the rooftop, her voice full of worry.
"Finish him, Riese!" countered another man, pounding his chest enthusiastically.
Riese charged, quicker than anyone anticipated. Bruno dodged just in time, narrowly avoiding the giant's crushing arms—but he stumbled over his own feet, landing heavily on his back.
Riese pounced, pinning Bruno down with one enormous knee. He raised a fist, ready to end the match, but Bruno twisted desperately beneath him, managing to avoid the crushing blow by mere inches. Bruno kicked wildly, breaking free and scrambling back.
Sweat poured down his face, eyes wild with adrenaline. Riese chuckled, enjoying the challenge.
But Bruno was slowing, panting with exhaustion. Riese noticed, eyes glinting with triumph. He charged again, this time landing a massive blow directly into Bruno's stomach. Bruno doubled over, coughing violently, collapsing helplessly onto the cobblestone.
The crowd gasped, falling silent, leaning forward with wide-eyed horror. The referee, Virella, began counting loudly, her voice echoing:
"One... two... three..."
"Get up, Bruno!" shouted Wilhelm, desperation coloring his voice. "Don't embarrass yourself like this!"
"Four... five... six..."
Bruno lay motionless, eyes glazed. Memories flashed through his mind—his comrades, the Führer's expectations, his own stubborn pride. He couldn't lose. Not now. Not ever.
"Seven... eight..."
The crowd grew frenzied, urging him on.
"Get up, Bruno! Come on, fight!"
"Nine—"
With a defiant roar, Bruno surged upward, muscles trembling, eyes blazing fiercely. He stood shakily, fists raised in weak defiance. Cheers exploded throughout the square, deafening and ecstatic.
Virella's voice rang clear: "Time! Round one is finished. Fighters, thirty-second break!"
Bruno staggered toward his corner, Wilhelm and Otto quickly rushing forward, dousing him with water, offering encouragement.
"You're getting slaughtered out there," Otto whispered urgently. "Find his weak spot."
"I'm trying," Bruno panted heavily. "He's built like a tank."
Across the ring, Riese grinned, barely sweating. He waved casually to the roaring crowd, earning cheers from his supporters, who shouted his name enthusiastically.
"Riese! Riese! Riese!"
But a rival chant began growing, louder, determined:
"Bruno! Bruno! Bruno!"
The two chants clashed, shaking the very foundations of the square, creating a passionate rivalry amongst the spectators.
The whistle blew, signaling round two. Bruno's breathing steadied, eyes focused, now calculating and cold. Riese approached leisurely, clearly believing victory was already his.
"You ready for more pain, little man?" Riese sneered.
Bruno grinned suddenly, fierce determination in his eyes.
"Bring it."
Riese lunged, but this time Bruno anticipated his movement. He ducked smoothly, slipping beneath the giant's arm, landing swift, sharp blows against Riese's ribs—striking the same spot again and again with brutal accuracy.
Riese grunted in surprise, irritation crossing his features. He swung wildly, missing Bruno completely as the smaller man dodged expertly.
The crowd erupted with wild excitement, sensing the change in momentum.
"Go, Bruno! Take him down!"
Bruno continued his relentless assault, dancing around Riese, his strikes precise and ruthless. Each blow weakened the giant further. For the first time, Riese faltered, staggering slightly.
Seizing his moment, Bruno leaped, landing a devastating uppercut directly beneath Riese's jaw. The giant staggered, eyes widening with shock. Bruno spun quickly, following up with a powerful right cross to Riese's temple.
Riese stumbled back, the ground shaking beneath his feet. With a mighty roar, Bruno pressed his advantage, fists flying like thunderbolts, delivering blow after punishing blow.
The crowd's excitement reached fever pitch, their voices shaking the rooftops.
"Finish him, Bruno!"
Riese swayed, barely conscious. Bruno drew back one final time, channeling every ounce of strength he had left into a single decisive punch.
His fist crashed into Riese's jaw with the force of a cannonball, snapping the giant's head back. Riese's knees buckled, and with an earth-shaking thud, the mighty warrior toppled backward, landing heavily, sprawled unconscious across the cobblestone street.
Silence filled the square, awe washing over the crowd.
Virella immediately flew gracefully into the ring, landing softly beside the fallen giant. Raising her arms, magic pulsed from her fingertips, magnifying her voice through the massive, glowing screen above.
"We have a winner!" she announced dramatically. "Bruno Hartmann!"
The square erupted into pure pandemonium. Cheers exploded from every direction, a deafening celebration filling the streets. Bruno raised his fists triumphantly, panting heavily, sweat pouring down his victorious face.
From rooftops and balconies, chants rang through the city:
"Bruno! Bruno! Bruno!"
Wilhelm laughed loudly, clapping his hands enthusiastically, nudging Officer Durango sharply. "You owe me three bottles of wine, my friend!"
Durango groaned good-naturedly, shaking his head with reluctant admiration. "I don't know how he did it."
Bruno stood tall, basking in the crowd's passionate cheers, his heart swelling with pride. Civilians waved banners and scarves, faces radiant with joy and amazement at the spectacle they had witnessed.
Riese stirred, slowly rising, dazed but unharmed. He shook his head, regaining consciousness and looked up at Bruno with newfound respect.
"Well fought," Riese admitted with surprising humility. "You've earned this victory."
Bruno offered his hand, smiling warmly. "You nearly had me, big guy."
Riese laughed, shaking Bruno's hand firmly. "Next time, perhaps."
The crowd applauded loudly at this unexpected sportsmanship, their cheers growing louder still.
From his position atop the steps, the Führer raised his hands, silencing the crowd gently.
"You have witnessed bravery, strength, and camaraderie," Hitler declared, his voice powerful and resonant. "Both these men exemplify what makes us great."
The crowd erupted again, chanting louder, embracing their heroes, proud and joyful.
"Bruno! Bruno! Bruno!"
With the city echoing his name, Bruno Hartmann stood victorious—a living symbol of human strength, determination, and resilience.
The day's spectacle had become legend, forever etched into the hearts and minds of everyone who had witnessed it.