The arena was enormous, its floor scarred from years of tournaments. Smoke curled from cracks, the remnants of battles past, while the Kezino floated above, observing with impassive eyes.
The whistle blew. The first round began.
Jin Kazama vs. Mei Ling.
Mei Ling's fan gleamed, deadly and precise. The ice dragon coiled behind her, gems along its head catching the light.
"You're going to die here," Mei Ling said softly, almost pleasantly, as if savoring the thought.
Jin's eyes narrowed. Night vision flickered in his sight, catching every subtle movement. He darted forward, strength coiling in his fists. The dragon lunged, teeth glinting, claws slicing through the air. Jin ducked, rolled, and kicked the creature's tail, sending it crashing into a wall of ice spikes.
Time seemed to slow as he closed in, exploiting a small crack in the dragon's armor. A single strike shattered the gem. The dragon roared, a sound that would haunt the arena long after its body fell.
Mei Ling sank to her knees, rage painting her features. "This… isn't over, Jin Kazama."
Chapter 4 – Fire and Ice
Across the arenas, battles erupted simultaneously. The crowd, both human and alien, held its collective breath.
Aditya floated effortlessly above the ground, Sun Blade in hand, a mischievous grin on his face. His opponent, Julia Moreau, struck with precision, her twin swords flashing with light. But Aditya's gravity powers let him twist and dodge midair, barely touching the floor.
"This is… fun," Aditya said, laughing, spinning in a perfect arc. Julia scowled, frustration flashing across her face. Every attack she launched seemed to miss by inches.
Finally, with a deft flick, Aditya caught her swords on his blade and sent a controlled heat-ray pulse across the arena. Julia barely avoided it, stumbling backward. He hovered, unshaken, and gave her a cheeky salute.
"You're amazing," Julia admitted, panting. "I've never seen anyone fight like this… ever."
Aditya grinned, brushing back a lock of black hair. "Guess I'll just have to get better."
Across the arena, spectators whispered. "That boy… he's dangerous."
Chapter 5 – Steel and Strategy
In the next arena, Jekob faced Ava Sinclair. Her rapier moved like water, elegant and precise, each strike aimed to test his reflexes.
"You move too predictably," Ava said coolly, sidestepping a lightning-fast strike. "You're strong… but strategy matters more than speed."
Jekob gritted his teeth, spinning his dual blades with a blur of motion. "Then let's see whose strategy survives."
They clashed, sparks flying, neither willing to yield. Jekob's speed countered Ava's tactics; Ava's precision forced him to adapt constantly. It was a duel of minds as much as bodies. By the end, Jekob managed a narrow opening, slicing the tip of her rapier and forcing her to concede.
Ava's eyes softened slightly. "Not bad… Jekob. Not bad at all."