He stepped forward, crossing the threshold. As he emerged, he heard several hundred voices cheering excitedly. Lights flickered everywhere, forcing his single eye to stay open. He covered his face with his hand as he entered the Arena. Finally, he could see what all of this was about.
'This place… it's enormous.'
A vast circular area, with rectangular pillars positioned in strategic locations, stretched all the way to the massive cybernetic walls that enclosed the Arena. Above those walls, hundreds of thousands of aliens screamed from the stands—some booed, others celebrated, and a few remained silent. Every single one of them had their attention fixed on the Crimson Blood who had just entered the scene.
'What kind of madness did I get myself into? This is too much. Do I still have a chance to just die back in that prison?'
Seeing so many wildly different creatures awakened the most primal instinct within him. Nervous, he gripped the hilt of his sword as he walked toward the center. He glanced up at the sky for a few moments, only to feel deeply disappointed when he didn't find it.
Above this senseless place loomed an immense ceiling of concrete and metal, held together by a massive metallic structure.
Floating through the air, large spherical lights with small thrusters on their sides moved like drones among the crowd. There were also massive holographic screens dancing in the air, displaying different angles of the Arena.
'How many Aberrations are here? A hundred thousand?'
The exact number was unclear, but one thing was certain: if all those monsters were to rush him at once, there would be no way to survive.
Suddenly, a shadow passed near Nova's feet. Without taking his eye off the ceiling, he nearly collided with a flying being with large red membranous wings gliding over the Arena. Everyone looked toward the stranger, who possessed a mysterious elegance and the natural charm of a television show host.
The creature had dark red skin, two large curved black horns as sharp as razors protruding from his head, and a long pointed tail extending from his lower back. Over his humanoid frame, he wore an elegant black suit that contrasted sharply with his skin.
Smiling as he looked at Nova, the Winged Man spread his arms as if embracing the world. Then, without losing that smile, he said:
"Creatures from every corner of the galaxy!"
Euphoric screams exploded as the creatures—aliens—raised their limbs in excitement.
"Welcome tonight to the Grand Coliseum of Aria on our humble planet, Cypher!"
As the cheers continued unabated, Nova tightened his grip on the sword while glancing to the sides, analyzing where his opponent might come from.
The Winged Man shouted in a cheerful, eloquent tone:
"Are you ready for the clashes of this beautiful evening?!"
The crowd answered, euphoric.
"Yes!"
Nova swallowed hard. Cold sweat ran down his forehead.
'What the hell is this? Why can I understand what everyone is saying?'
The voices echoed inside his mind, making him slightly dizzy. It felt as if his brain were processing too much at once, as though hundreds of thousands of memories were crashing together, one after another, threatening to tear his mind apart.
"I see you're all very excited. I won't lie—I am too!" he said, flapping his wings as he drifted across the Coliseum. "It's been a long time since we've had a human in this place, so tonight is a night of great joy. Aren't you excited, little one?"
The creature addressed Nova directly. Nova answered by glaring at him.
"Wow! Easy there, wild beast. Save that for your opponent tonight!"
With a gesture of his hand—black, sharp nails adjusting his long gray hair—the Winged Man pointed toward the opposite door on the far side of the Arena.
"Presenting to you, thinking creatures, from the ominous planet Canhiasephar IV: Manto of the Lycan!"
The vertical door opened with a creak. A few seconds later, two glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness of the corridor, radiating a terrifying bloodlust. A discordant growl silenced the entire Coliseum, and a laugh spread fear among those who heard it.
Nova took a step back and slowly drew his sword. He frowned, preparing himself to also reach for the pistol. He was now ready to activate both of his Spectrums.
After the silence, whispers rippled through the spectators.
Manto emerged from the shadows, finally revealing his canine snout filled with sharp, yellowed teeth, smiling with excitement. His entire anthropomorphic body was covered in messy jet-black fur. His clothing was similar to Nova's, though adapted to his biology. Unlike the human boy, however, this being wore no boots—his canine legs, armed with massive, powerful claws, made that impossible.
As if to display his power upon entering the Arena, Manto dug the claws of his hind legs into the concrete, cracking it like fragile glass. Some spectators gasped in fear at the sight.
"It's been years since I last saw a human alive," Manto said in a deep, raspy voice. Unable to hide his excitement, his fluffy tail wagged from side to side. "Tonight's dinner will be magnificent."
A chill ran down Nova's spine. On his home planet, there were people with similar traits, but they still looked human—they weren't nearly as savage or terrifying as this nocturnal canine creature.
The so-called host of this massacre pointed at Nova. His strangely handsome face wore an arrogant little smile.
"Manto has made his appearance. Now, can you tell us what we should call you, human? It's quite sad for someone to be called just 'human,' don't you think?" he waved his hand, urging Nova on. "It's like calling a Desmostundus by its species name. Sounds offensive, doesn't it?"
Everyone in the stadium responded with a booming:
"Yes!"
Feeling pressured, Nova looked at the Winged Man, who smiled at him as if forcing him to speak.
'I'm not a circus animal…'
Even if he wasn't, he was being treated like one. Rebelling in this situation would be an utterly stupid decision.
Resigned, he sighed and said:
"Nova Asmodai."
The host tilted his head, confused.
"That's quite a grand name for such a small human. However," he said confidently as he turned to the spectators, "to all species present, I give you—Nova Asmodai!"
The Coliseum erupted into euphoric screams. All the creatures' eyes locked onto Nova. He hunched his shoulders, feeling those gazes like a hurricane swirling around him. Unconsciously, his Spectrum of Serenity activated once more—perhaps because he felt fear, or perhaps because he was angry at himself for becoming a spectacle for the very creatures his people had been killing for the past millennium.