"Yes!" they both shouted.
"Begin!"
For a moment, both boys stood still.
Poison blinked, and Kibo was suddenly gone.
He spun around just in time to get struck in the face.
"You were so quiet I couldn't even hear you," Poison said, wiping blood from his mouth. "Is that part of your power?"
Kibo smirked. "Who knows? What are you even talking about?"
Poison's expression sharpened. "You know why we're here. Don't play dumb."
The Pharaoh watched with mild interest. "That boy is quite knowledgeable."
"Indeed, my lord," the general answered.
Poison charged, mist slowly seeping from his body. He threw a punch. Kibo blocked it.
Poison followed with an uppercut, but Kibo caught his arm and swung back with his free hand.
To Kibo's shock, Poison caught the blow with his mouth.
"What the hell?" Kibo snapped.
Poison tightened his grip. "Let go, weirdo."
Kibo yanked free, but blood dripped from his wrist. A moment later, he staggered, dizzy and clutching his head.
Poison licked the blood from his lips and grinned. "You lost the moment you inhaled my mist. The cut on your hand just confirmed it."
Kibo's knees buckled before he could answer, and he collapsed unconscious.
"Who knows…" Poison muttered.
Kibo was carried off to the infirmary, and Saijew addressed the others.
"Poison will be placed on Squad Two for winning. Kibo will be on Squad One. That's how this works."
"So the winners and losers are separated?" Matthew asked, adjusting his glasses. "Based on performance?"
"That is correct," the general said. "Those who lose receive less attention and training than the winners."
Some of the children looked shocked. Others looked pleased with themselves.
"But that's not fair," Abraham said.
The general turned on him with a glare. "Fair? This isn't a daycare where children get hugs and toys. This is the military—no mercy, no comfort, only death and fighting. Now be silent."
Magnolia and Ren stepped forward as Abraham shrank back.
Ren slid off the table he had been sitting on. Magnolia rose from his chair, the general's words sinking deeply into him as they walked to the center of the room.
"Begin!"
Magnolia was still lost in thought when Ren's fist slammed into his face and sent him flying.
Magnolia got to his feet, dazed and bruised. I wasn't ready!
Ren sneered. "What, am I supposed to wait for you on the battlefield?"
He rushed forward and drove a punch into Magnolia's stomach. Then another fist aimed for his face.
By luck alone, Magnolia dodged it.
Ren's eyes widened.
Magnolia grabbed the arm that was still pressing into his stomach and twisted, throwing Ren to the ground.
What the hell? How did I do that?
Ren tore free and kicked Magnolia away. He stood up with a scowl. "That was luck. It won't happen again."
He attacked again, faking a punch and catching Magnolia off guard. The next kick slammed into Magnolia's chest and sent him flying back.
Magnolia caught himself just in time.
His head lowered.
Then his right arm began to smoke, turning bright orange.
When he looked up, his expression had changed.
Ren smiled for the first time.
Now this fight is getting somewhere, Ren thought.
This time, Magnolia surged forward first.
His flaming arm cracked into Ren's defense, burning through it. Ren tried to retaliate, but Magnolia kept pressing, relentless now, his burning strikes forcing Ren back.
It looked as though the fight had turned.
How am I this good at combat? Magnolia wondered. Does Ren not have a power like everyone else?
Ren dropped to one knee.
Magnolia paused.
That hesitation was enough.
Ren's kick struck the side of his head, and Magnolia collapsed.
Ren stood over him as the winner.
Then Magnolia's body flashed with orange light before he lost consciousness.
The general looked on, slightly amused. "Now look at that. The sun shines… partially."
He lifted Magnolia and vanished, reappearing beside the Pharaoh with the boy in his arms.
The Pharaoh nodded once before the general returned to the arena.
"Now, Round 3: Valentina versus Luna," the general announced.
The two girls stepped forward and took their places.
"Begin!"
Valentina lunged first, driving her fist straight into Luna's face.
Luna didn't even flinch.
She stared back at Valentina with a hollow, empty expression.
"Are you just going to stand there?" Valentina demanded.
Then she looked down.
Her fist was bleeding.
Valentina's eyes widened.
How did she do that? I didn't feel anything.
Alarmed, she quickly backed away and wiped at the blood on her hand, circling Luna warily.
But Luna moved first.
She closed the distance in an instant and struck Valentina hard in the skull, sending her crashing to the floor.
Blood poured down Valentina's face.
Luna looked down at her and whispered, "I will win." Valentina stands up with confidence and points her fist at Luna, her hand beginning to turn a light shade of blue.
Magnolia, now awake, says, "Her too?"
Valentina rushes toward Luna and connects with a body shot, causing Luna to cough up blood. Luna retaliates by headbutting Valentina and then slamming her head into the ground.
"Look away..." Luna says as she summons a small orb and throws it at Valentina's head, ending the fight.
"Since Valentina is unable to continue, Luna is the winner!"
Luna is taken to the infirmary with Kibo, and Saijew begins to speak.