The sky above the Colosseum, which had once shimmered softly, now rumbled once more. Clouds drifted rapidly across the heavens, as though the sky itself wished to witness the first duel that would decide the fate of the world.
Amid the suffocating silence, the gigantic monitors in every corner of the grandstands began spinning once again. Silver letters swirled chaotically, as if searching for the perfect name worthy of appearing before finally coming to a halt.
The screen displayed a name printed boldly. A woman whose name was known by many across Earth.
[REPRESENTATIVE OF HUMANITY : DR. ELAINA VOSS — THE MIND WEAVER]
The moment the name appeared, the human stands erupted.
Not with cheers of joy.
But with murmurs, whispers, and bitter laughter from those who recognized the name.
A sinister-looking man seated in the lower rows, shackles still wrapped around his wrists — one of the prisoners allowed to witness the tournament as a form of redemption — smirked crookedly.
"Heh… so it's her?" he muttered bitterly.
"The fox spirit really got herself a fitting opponent."
From another side of the stands, a former politician now condemned as a corrupt criminal let out a short laugh while staring at the screen.
"Hehehe…" he muttered. "I was imprisoned because of that woman's brilliance. She exposed every case I spent years covering perfectly. What irony… for her to appear at a time like this. Or perhaps… I should feel honored?"
Admiration, bitter laughter, and nervous whispers blended into one strange sound echoing through the air.
Dr. Elaina Voss was not merely a name.
She was a legend among humanity.
From the human side of the arena, the sound of heels striking the stone floor echoed steadily. Rhythmic. Confident. Completely fearless.
She walked through the shadows of the stands before slowly revealing herself to the entire Colosseum.
The woman wore an elegant black suit with neatly pressed trousers, a high-collared white shirt, and a perfectly tied bow tie around her neck. Her dark brown hair was brushed neatly backward, giving her a professional appearance.
But her eyes — deep gray eyes — carried a gaze impossible to decipher.
When she reached the center of the arena, she stopped.
Her eyes locked directly onto Huli Jing standing across from her.
Two beautiful women from different worlds.
Yet both equally dangerous in their own ways.
Huli Jing smiled softly, her nine tails swaying gently as though assessing her prey.
"Ah… so the human who will dance with me is you, woman of logic?" she purred, her voice like honeyed whispers.
Elaina gave a faint smile. Calm. Piercing.
"Interesting," Elaina said quietly. "Your ears have been moving faster ever since I arrived."
Huli Jing fell silent for a fraction of a second.
Elaina continued, her gaze never leaving the fox spirit.
"On Earth, deer move their ears like that when they hear a threat approaching from somewhere they cannot yet see."
She stepped a little closer.
"And rabbits…" her voice lowered softly, "raise their ears when they realize a predator is nearby."
Elaina's faint smile widened ever so slightly.
"So now I'm curious, Huli Jing…"
Her eyes pierced straight into the gaze of the nine-tailed fox.
"Which one of us is truly hunting?"
Huli Jing's smile did not fade.
Yet one of her tails moved slower than before.
"Not bad, Human…" she whispered softly.
"It's been a very long time since a human tried to read me. Usually, they die before they even have the chance."
That sentence caused the human audience to erupt. Some in admiration. Others in nervous fear.
Libra, standing at the center of the arena as judge, observed them both with eyes full of curiosity. Her golden scales trembled lightly.
The Ancient One leaned back upon his throne, his wings folding slowly.
"A battle between mind and illusion…" he murmured heavily. "This world will learn that not every war is won through brute strength."
Libra slowly raised her hand.
Light descended from the heavens, illuminating the two figures now standing face-to-face in the center of the Colosseum.
The air turned cold.
Time itself seemed to stop.
And the world held its breath.
"The first battle…"
Libra's beautiful voice echoed throughout the arena.
"Between Huli Jing, the Shadow Deceiver… and Dr. Elaina Voss, the Mind Weaver."
Her golden scales rose high into the air, radiating light that touched both heaven and earth.
"Fight with honor… and let truth find its own path."
A gentle explosion of light burst between them.
Illusion and logic now prepared to test one another.
Deception against truth.
Dreams against awareness.
The light between them slowly froze.
But several hours before the two women stood within the arena…
An important decision had already been made upon the thrones of the heavens.
The Ancient One slowly flicked one of his golden claws.
A spark of light appeared, transforming into a scroll adorned with ancient glowing letters.
He placed it upon the stone table.
"Within this scroll are the names of our representatives. Those who shall fight for the honor of the mythological races," The Ancient One declared in a deep and authoritative voice.
The President gestured toward Johan — his assistant and personal bodyguard — to step forward and retrieve the scroll.
The parchment felt warm, as though it still carried the magical energy of the giant garuda's hand.
When Johan opened it, glowing words appeared one after another.
Like stars igniting in a dark sky.
"Medusa. Centaur. Siren."
The names alone made the atmosphere feel heavier.
Johan looked toward the President with a tense expression before respectfully handing over the scroll.
The President took it and read quietly, his lips trembling unconsciously.
"For Medusa and the Centaur… perhaps I should send General Markus and Lieutenant Nakamura," he muttered softly.
"And for the Siren, we have the finest submarine sonar operator we've ever trained. But…"
He stopped, staring at the very first name on the list.
"This creature… Huli Jing, the deceiver. Who could possibly face something like her?"
The President slowly rubbed his face, his mind racing for answers.
"Perhaps a war veteran immune to fear… or someone incapable of being deceived by memories…" he whispered uncertainly.
From his right side, Johan — who had been silently observing all along — finally spoke.
"Are you certain, Mr. President? About sending out all the greatest people humanity has to offer immediately?"
He paused briefly.
"Remember. Not everything must be fought with strength."
The President turned toward him, exhaustion visible in his eyes.
Johan continued calmly, yet with unwavering conviction.
"We may be weak. We do not possess wings, fangs, or steel-like scales."
"But there is still one thing humanity possesses that they do not."
"Science."
That single word echoed like burning embers inside the President's chest.
He fell silent for several moments before slowly rising from his throne.
The exhaustion in his eyes transformed into determination.
"You're right, Johan. Humanity still has another way to survive."
He extended his hand.
"Bring me my phone. I'm going to call her."
"I believe she can face that creature of illusion."
Johan smiled faintly.
"I'll do it immediately, sir."
"And perhaps… she is already among the audience."
Several minutes passed.
Amid the noisy human stands, a cellphone suddenly rang.
A sharp-faced woman in a black suit stared at her screen — then instantly froze.
The name displayed there caused her heart to pound violently.
"Mr. President?" she whispered, nearly unable to believe it.
From the other side came a heavy, gentle voice.
"Elaina… of all the tasks I have ever entrusted to anyone, this is the heaviest."
"But I know you are the only one capable of doing it."
The woman slowly turned her gaze toward the arena, her breathing gradually stabilizing.
"It is an honor, Mr. President."
"And a tremendous responsibility."
"Because this time… I do not represent merely a nation."
"I represent all of humanity."
"I pray you succeed out there, Elaina," the President answered softly.
"I am placing great hope in you."