One night Nova was startled. He went into the basement and saw something
that startled him beyond belief. It looked like Qayyim but she had an eyepatch and a
mechanical arm. "Father," she said. "The leap worked after all. I thought I wouldn't make
it to warn all of you." Nova startled and said: "Qayyim, did you travel from the future
pack to the past." Qayyim was shocked: "Yes, how did you know that?" Nova replied:
"Because you did this to warn about these aliens that we'll be coming in another 10
years." Qayyim responded: "No, those things were stopped by some far-off warrior-god
two years ago before they flooded our world. I'm here to stop this giant beast that will
completely destroy this planet in three year's time." Nova fell back in his chair: "Great,
2⁄3 (two out of three) times I see my daughter, she tells me that she's here to stop the end
of the world. I guess that's my fault... I chose to be a scientific genius." Qayyim shouted:
"We need to get everyone together tomorrow. I know this is inconvenient, but we need to
talk."
The next day, everyone was introduced to the new Qayyim. Everyone was beyond
perplexed now there were three Qayims. A 10 year old one, a 30 year old, and apparently
a 35 year old one. Sarai cried out: "We have 6 more days to train for this tournament, and
now we have to deal with this." Ungar walked forward, his cape flowing in the wind, "So
3 years from now there's going to be a giant beast that will kill everyone here except me,
any deities here and you." Qayyim nodded: "That's why I came in the time machine to
stop this calamity. I didn't realize there's another Qayyim that took the leap. In my
timeline the creatures never struck so this is the first time any Qayyim ever leaped back, I
guess that wasn't the case in this world." Nova sighed: "I suppose not, because we have
three." Barabbas and Demi both thought to themselves: "great we have to possibly deal
with Abraxtos and if we stop him, this creature's waiting a mere three years from now,
terrific." As the echoes of Qayyim's warning settled over the gathering, an uneasy silence
took hold. The weight of her words pressed against them like an unrelenting force. For
years, they had fought gods, demons, and cosmic forces beyond comprehension—yet
here they stood again, staring into the abyss of an uncertain future.
Ungar folded his arms, his crimson metaphysical eyes narrowed. "Alright, time
traveler, you say this beast is coming in three years. What else do we know?" Future
Qayyim took a deep breath. "It's called Nyxoth—a being older than time itself. It doesn't
just destroy; it devours the very fabric of reality, time and space. When it arrives, the
strongest among you will fall first." She cast a glance at Talus, Zaiyal, and Narcis. "In my
timeline, none of you made it past the first day." Talus scoffed, "Great pep talk, really
boosting morale here, honestly we're trying to train for a tournament here." "But,"
Qayyim continued, "there's still a chance to stop it before it fully manifests. And it starts
with the tournament." Zaiyal narrowed his eyes. "How? What does the tournament have
to do with this thing?" A wave of realization spread through the group. It was a chance to
grow stronger in just 7 days and then push it even further the next three years following
the tournament. Qayyim smiled: "There's exceedingly good news, for one thing the
creature will get here in at least three years it takes time to devour the cosmic fabric that
will propel it here, but more importantly from what I heard from father (Nova) Daniel
who's coming back in just six days for this tournament has gained the power of a god,
maybe King Yama will allow to return 3 years from now again, Zaiyal has achieved the
Ghost form which my husband hadn't gotten close too in my timeline, Talus has achieved
no less than 25 incredible forms himself, Talus you only achieved two forms in my time
and Tatu has returned as a Golden Cicada no less. We have a great start but we have just
three years to grow stronger. So that's the good news." Hermes smiled: "If this thing
comes I'll put it down, its my job as the Prophet to do this." Everyone smiled except for
Talus and Ungar. The current Qayyim asked: "This isn't like when I imagined Karen had
returned, this is another real time traveller right?" Everyone nodded. Qayyim sighed:
"Then we need to listen to her." Ungar patted Hermes on the shoulder: "Now you're
finally coming to yourself, the newest of the world's Holy Prophets of Qadia." Scott said
quickly: "Well we have three Qayyims, we have two Daniels and we settled on Daniel
and Daniel 02. Now we have Qayyim, Q, and Qayyim again. What should we call the
third Qayyim?" The third Qayyim said: "Call me Jawziyya or J, my father named me
after Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya (d. 1350 C.E.) after all." Nova nodded: "That's
right."
After this everyone continued to train until the faithful day arrived. 6 days had
passed. And everyone arrived on a small island off the coast of a river in City F. Beyond
the sprawling metropolis of City F, across the shimmering Azure Delta, stood
Archeonis—a city unlike any other. Built atop the remnants of an ancient civilization, it
rose from the ocean like a gleaming monolith, a fusion of history and innovation.
Towering spires of obsidian and crystal reached toward the sky, their surfaces
shimmering with the reflected neon glow of the city's countless digital billboards. The
streets were a maze of floating platforms, interconnected by transparent bridges and
energy-driven rail systems, weaving through cascading waterfalls and bioluminescent
gardens. The city itself was a marvel—ancient stone temples from a forgotten age stood
side by side with hyper-modern skyscrapers, a testament to the seamless blending of past
and future. The air was thick with the scent of salt and exotic spices, and the streets
buzzed with activity—merchants selling advanced weaponry and arcane artifacts,
cyber-monks meditating mid-air, and intergalactic travelers exchanging cryptic messages
in a hundred different languages. This was Archeonis—the last city before the open
ocean, a place where warriors, scholars, and outlaws alike sought refuge, enlightenment,
or power. And tonight, it was the gathering point for the strongest warriors in the cosmos.
As the warriors descended onto the island via speeders, teleportation glyphs, and even
celestial beasts, the tension was palpable. They had trained relentlessly for six days, but
now the moment was upon them.
Talus, ever unimpressed, cracked his knuckles and glanced around. "So this is the
so-called warrior's paradise, huh? Looks like a tourist trap to me." Zaiyal smirked. "Give
it a chance, Talus. There's history in these streets. This was once the battlefield of the
War of a Thousand Suns—every step you take here is on sacred ground." Hermes
inhaled deeply, feeling the divine energy coursing through the very air. "This place is...
different. It's not just the history, there's something watching us here." Future Qayyim,
adjusting her mechanical arm, muttered, "That's because Archeonis sits at a cosmic
crossroads. Powerful forces are always drawn here. And if we're not careful, we might
just attract the wrong kind of attention." Ungar looked around: "Where is he?! Has
anyone seen Daniel and the others from the Other World yet?" Everyone looked around but they couldn't find them anywhere.
"Damnit, we need to sign up for the tournament
we don't have much time left?" said Zaiyal. A cheerful voice behind them said: "Boy
then we need to sign up." Underneath an umbrella was Daniel, Athena, Aquarius,
Luna, Oliver and Atil. Everyone screamed with joy, excited to see Daniel. Zaiyal said:
"It's been some time, the Other World's been good to you." Daniel chuckled: "Yeah I
can't complain, there's a lot of people here they look extremely powerful." Talus
smirked: "You're telling me everyone here looks crazy strong. But elf tell me this, is it
true of what you said you achieved in the Other World." Daniel laughed: "I guess you'll
just have to find out Talus." Talus turned from happy to violently angry: "Well you better
up a good fight, I've been waiting for 10 years for a real challenge. Ungar, Wukong,
Tatu or any of these warrior gods won't give me what I desire, if this fight kills me you
better still give it you're all. If you're holding back on it, I swear to go..." Daniel startled,
holding his hands out swaying his palms: "I got, I got, it'll be a fight to the death like I
promised all those years ago." Talus huffed: "You better." Talus marched off. Sarai spoke
up: "You better give him what he wants, that never ceases to bug us." Daniel laughed and
then the children stepped forward. "Zaiyal are those your kids???!!" Zaiyal smirked:
"they sure are, kids step forward." Daniel picked up Q and Athena began to giggle with
her, "Oh my god, you're such a cutie." Q said: "You're just like my mommy, my
future-me." Cicero jumped into Daniel's arm while Zaiyal Jr. walked forward with his
flame like dark hair rustling in the breeze, "Is it true that you're even stronger than my
dad? My dad said you could best him in battle." Daniel grinned: "No way, your pops was
just being nice, to tell you the truth your father out-paced me long ago." Jr. jumped
towards his dad, "I knew it, you're too nice dad. I knew you had to be the strongest."
Luna ran towards Tatu. Luna began to cry, "I'm sorry Tatu, I'm sorry you sacrificed
yourself for me, I didn't have the right." Tatu shook his head and wiped a tear from her
cheek, "No it was my choice, just like I chose to adopt you as my daughter, the best
choice I ever made, I chose to defend the honor of my race (the Wasp race) and my
(adopted elf) daughter from Lord Tep's destruction. It's not your fault at all, and I'm sorry
that you falsely held on to that guilt." Luna hugged Tatu, "I love you dad." Sarai and Atil
got together, "It's been too long," said Atil." Sarai responded: "Why not follow me to the
sign up table and then we can catch up, it's never too late to catch up." Finally Aquarius
saw Qayyim and greeted her, "It's so nice to see you in person, oh and here are the little
ones." Aquarius looked over, "I thought there were only two of you, there are three?" As
she noticed the third Qayyim with the eyepatch. Daniel noticed her as well after
Aquarius's comment, "Yeah who is that?" said Daniel. Zaiyal and Qayyim explained the
situation truthfully. Daniel responded: "Well look on the bright side, that means God
loves you so much he wasn't satisfied he needed two and three of you."
An announcement was heard: "ALRIGHT TOURNAMENT-GOERS THE SIGN UP
PERIOD IS ALMOST OVER! HEAD OVER THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!" Zaiyal
smirked: "You heard them let's go." Daniel nodded.
The Tournament Begins
The sun hung low over Archeonis (Helios), casting long shadows across the
Obsidian Plaza. The air buzzed with anticipation, warriors of all species and backgrounds
gathering in droves, some boasting their battle histories, others meditating in silent
preparation. The time had finally come—the tournament was about to begin. Talus paced
impatiently, cracking his knuckles as his golden, battle-worn cloak billowed behind him.
"Enough talking," he growled. "We sign up, we fight. Simple as that." Daniel chuckled,
still carrying Cicero on one shoulder. "Still the same old Talus. You really need to enjoy
life more." Talus shot him a sharp glare. "I enjoy fighting. And this tournament is gonna
be my masterpiece." Scott Greer and the Iron Sikh approached, the latter's heavy boots
making a rhythmic thud against the ancient stone pathway. "Then let's get this over with,"
the Iron Sikh said with a grin, adjusting his turban. "We'll see if all your talk holds
weight in battle." Future Qayyim—Jawziyya—remained quiet, watching the warriors
interact. She had seen all of this before. In her timeline, the tournament had gone
differently. Some of them had died here. Would things change this time?
The Registration Hall
The sign-up area was located inside the Temple of the Hundred Hands, a grand,
ancient structure rumored to have been built by a celestial warlord who had fought a
hundred battles in a single day. Statues of mighty warriors lined the halls, each frozen in
dynamic battle stances, their weapons seemingly poised to strike. A large, red-skinned
Oni clerk sat behind the registration desk, his four muscular arms stamping documents,
adjusting holographic screens, and handling the influx of applicants. His voice was deep
and gravelly. "State your name, species, and martial discipline."
Talus slammed his fist down on the counter. "Talus (Species: Demon). Spirit
Wolf Martial Arts." The Oni clerk barely looked up, his many hands working in unison.
"Approved. Next." Zaiyal stepped forward. "Zaiyal IV (Species: Solarian). Ghost Form
Combat and Void Techniques." The Oni raised an eyebrow. "Ghost Form, huh? Haven't
seen that in a while." He stamped the approval. "Next."One by one, the warriors
registered. Ungar, Hermes, Sarai, and even Narcis. As Daniel stepped forward, the Oni
paused, his glowing eyes narrowing. "Wait a minute... Daniel?" Daniel blinked. "Uh...
yeah?" The Oni leaned forward, rubbing his chin. "You're that guy from the Other World, aren't you? Word's already spreading about you." Daniel laughed nervously. "I mean, I
get around." The Oni grunted, stamping his form. "Good luck, 'Other Worlder.' You'll
need it."
The Arena Reveal
As the last of the warriors signed up, a deafening gong rang throughout Archeonis.
A massive holographic display lit up the sky, showing an intricate bracket system,
listing the names of every competitor. Then, the ground beneath them rumbled. The
Obsidian Plaza suddenly began to split apart, revealing a colossal underground
structure. The ground moved like shifting puzzle pieces, revealing a vast arena hidden
beneath the city. Talus grinned. "Now we're talking." The Announcer, a sleek robotic
figure with glowing blue eyes, floated above the arena, its voice booming across the
entire city.
"WELCOME, WARRIORS, TO THE GRAND INTERGALACTIC MARTIAL
ARTS TOURNAMENT! THE STRONGEST BEINGS FROM ACROSS THE
COSMOS HAVE GATHERED TO PROVE THEIR STRENGTH! WHO WILL
RISE? WHO WILL FALL? LET THE BATTLES BEGIN!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as flames ignited along the battlefield, banners of
different factions waving proudly. The first matchups were about to be announced. Ungar
muttered under his breath, "Let's see what we're really up against."
The massive holographic screen flickered, then displayed the first matchups in bold,
golden letters, hovering over the grand underground arena. The names were randomized,
shifting like puzzle pieces before finally settling into place.
🔹 Match 1: Zaiyal IV vs. The Infernal Knight
🔹 Match 2: Hermes vs. Utagos the Titan Monk
🔹 Match 3: Talus vs. Orion the Void Slayer
🔹 Match 4: Daniel vs. Sovereign K'hul
🔹 Match 5: Ungar vs. The Primordial Beast Rukhmar
🔹 Match 6: Sarai (the Wolf Alien) vs. Lady Vortessa of the Black Star
🔹 Match 7: Narcis (the Light Elf and Martreya Buddha)vs. The Laughing Demon
🔹 Match 8: Iron Sikh vs. Baron Lux Malakar
Each name glowed brightly before vanishing, leaving a stunned silence. The
crowd erupted into thunderous cheers, the tension in the air growing electric. Talus
grinned, his eyes flashing with feral excitement. "Orion the Void Slayer, huh? Sounds
fancy. Wonder if he screams when he loses." Zaiyal, arms crossed, nodded thoughtfully.
"The Infernal Knight... I've heard of him. They say he fought the celestial armies of the
Omega Realm and lived to tell the tale." Daniel exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Sovereign
K'hul... I know that name. He's a warlord from the Obsidian Empire. This won't be
easy." Hermes cracked his knuckles. "Utagos the Titan Monk... now that sounds fun. I
hope he can actually land a hit." Ungar, however, remained silent. The Primordial
Beast Rukhmar was no ordinary opponent. It was said to be as old as the first dying
stars, a creature that had devoured civilizations. His crimson metaphysical eyes flickered
with an unreadable expression. Future Qayyim—Jawziyya—stepped forward. "Be
careful. In my timeline, some of these warriors weren't just competitors... some were
assassins, spies, or worse—servants of Nyxoth." The group stiffened at her words.
"You're saying some of these fighters might already be working for the entity that will
destroy our reality?" asked Zaiyal. Jawziyya nodded. "Yes. And if they are... this
tournament could become a battlefield long before Nyxoth ever arrives." The warning
lingered in the air. But none of them backed down. The Infernal Knight was a towering
hulking figure with red eyes, he sort of looked like the Black Knight from Arthurian
Legend or like Ungar without a cape he like Ungar was no less than seven feet tall and a
massive iron sword. Utagos the Titan Monk looked like a Chinese Shaolin Buddhist
monk mixed with an ogre, he had an emblem of the Buddha on the back of his Gi, he had
six dots on his bald head and razor sharp teeth, Orion the Void Slayer was a young dark
hair elf with a sharp katana and a no-nonsense attitude, calm in demeanor. Sovereign
K'hul was a giant minotaur with a ring in his nose and bright red eyes. The Primordial
Beast Rukhmar was a giant cyclops looking creature who was demonic in nature. Lady
Vortessa of the Black Star was a large breasted woman, with light skin, long black hair
and goat horns, The Laughing Demon was a giant red demon with big horns a hooked
nose with a big happy grin and razor-sharp teeth, Baron Lux Malakar looked like a 19th
century European nobleman, with a curled up handle-bar mustache, feminine eyelashes
and was always seen holding a rose and wearing makeup.
The Arena Unveiled
With another thunderous rumble, the ground beneath them continued to shift. A
massive arena of obsidian and silver revealed itself, an architectural marvel buried
beneath Archeonis for centuries. Colossal statues of long-forgotten champions lined
the edges, their carved weapons pointing toward the battlefield as if ready to join the
fight. At the center of the arena, a floating ring of energy crackled to life, an ethereal
force that would contain each battle within its boundaries. The Announcer Drone
descended once more, its glowing blue eyes flashing.
"PREPARE YOURSELVES! MATCH 1 BEGINS NOW! COMPETITORS,
ENTER THE RING!"
The crowd exploded in cheers as Zaiyal VI and The Infernal Knight stepped
forward. The first fight was about to begin. In the audience Qayyim brushed her son's
hair: "I'm sorry you didn't qualify." But Jr. simply said with glee: "There's always next
year mom, I can't wait to see how strong dad is. GO DAD, I KNOW YOU'LL BEAT
THIS CLOWN!! YOU'RE THE BEST DAD!!" The atmosphere in the waiting chamber
was thick with tension. The combatants stood in different corners, some sizing up their
opponents, others meditating or going through pre-battle rituals. Talus, ever the
provocateur, stretched his arms before cracking his knuckles, his sharp grin never fading.
"Orion the Void Slayer, huh?" He turned to face the stoic elf, tilting his head mockingly.
"Tell me, Slayer, are you actually good at slaying things, or is that just a title to scare
children?" Orion, sitting cross-legged with his katana resting against his shoulder, barely
glanced at him. "Titles mean nothing in battle. You'll find out soon enough." Talus
chuckled. "I like that. But I'll warn you—losing to me isn't an 'if,' it's a 'when.'" Across
the chamber, Daniel and Zaiyal stood side by side, watching the interactions unfold. "You
know," Daniel muttered, rolling his shoulders, "I've faced warlords before. But Sovereign
K'hul? That thing is a mountain with horns. Any advice?" Zaiyal, ever the strategist,
didn't answer immediately. "Minotaurs are powerful, but they can be outmaneuvered.
He'll want to overpower you early. Make him chase you, force him to waste his strength."
Daniel smirked. "So, hit and run. Good plan. I'll try not to get impaled." Nearby, Hermes
stretched her arms behind his head, eyeing Utagos the Titan Monk with intrigue. The
massive monk stood in silent meditation, hands pressed together, his breathing slow and
methodical. Hermes sauntered up to him, his usual cocky grin in place. "So, Titan Monk,
huh? You gonna float around and chant, or do you actually hit?" Utagos slowly opened
his eyes, revealing their golden glow. His deep, rumbling voice carried weight. "To strike
is simple. To land the strike... is the true test." Hermes blinked, then laughed. "Oh-ho, I
like you already. Let's see if that philosophy holds up when I'm punching you into the
next dimension." Across the room, Ungar was silent, staring at the name carved into the
stone walls: Rukhmar. The Primordial Beast. A living relic of destruction. His
metaphysical eyes burned as he replayed every legend he had ever heard. The beast that
consumed suns. The monster that erased civilizations. A voice pulled him from his
thoughts. Jawziyya. "You're thinking about how to kill it, aren't you?" Ungar exhaled
sharply.
"I'm thinking about whether it can be killed at all, much like myself." Jawziyya's expression was unreadable. "In my timeline, it wasn't." Ungar's jaw eyes narrowed again,
but his resolve did not waver. "Then I'll make sure history changes." A slow, eerie
chuckle echoed through the chamber. The Laughing Demon, towering and monstrous,
grinned wildly, his hooked nose flaring as his sharp teeth glistened. "Ohhh, the tension,
the anticipation! I do love tournaments. So much fear, so much hope... all about to be
crushed into delicious despair." Narcis, his opponent, leaned lazily against the wall,
inspecting his nails. "You talk too much. I prefer my battles with a little more... elegance,
you may not know, but I am the Martreya Buddha, the Awaited One, soon if necessary
you'll be cleansed of your sins." The Laughing Demon's grin only widened. "Then I shall
savor breaking you." Before anyone could respond, the loudspeakers crackled to life.
"COMBATANTS, PREPARE YOURSELVES! THE FIRST MATCH BEGINS IN
FIVE MINUTES!"
The warriors tensed, some cracking their knuckles, others exhaling deeply. The
moment of battle was upon them. Zaiyal stepped forward, adjusting his gloves. "Alright.
Let's see who really deserves to be here." The doors to the grand underground arena
rumbled open, revealing the battleground bathed in golden light. The crowd's roars shook
the walls. The tournament had begun.
Match 1: Zaiyal IV vs. The Infernal Knight
The colossal arena thrummed with anticipation as Zaiyal IV and The Infernal
Knight stepped into the ring, their figures illuminated by the crackling energy barrier
surrounding the battlefield. The air was thick with tension, the crowd roaring in
excitement, banners of intergalactic factions waving like cosmic tides. The Infernal
Knight stood motionless, his massive iron sword resting on one shoulder. His glowing
crimson eyes locked onto Zaiyal with an unwavering, unreadable gaze. The dark armor
encasing his body seemed to absorb the very light around him, as if forged from the abyss
itself. Zaiyal cracked his knuckles, rolling his shoulders as he studied his opponent. He
had heard the stories—the Infernal Knight had fought against celestial armies, torn
through legions of warriors, and survived battles that should have reduced him to dust.
But Zaiyal was no ordinary fighter. He had conquered star-faring warlords, battled
against time-warping assassins, and emerged victorious against foes who defied the laws
of reality. He smirked, adrenaline already surging through his veins.
The Announcer Drone descended from above, its glowing eyes scanning both
fighters.
"BEGIN!"
The Infernal Knight moved first, despite his massive frame, surging forward like a
war engine in motion. His iron sword swung in a brutal arc, slicing through the air with a
force that made the very ground tremble. Zaiyal barely managed to sidestep in time,
feeling the sheer pressure of the blade slicing past him, the wind alone threatening to
knock him off balance. Zaiyal countered instantly, twisting his body and delivering a
devastating elbow strike toward the knight's exposed ribs. The impact rang like a hammer
striking a bell, but the Infernal Knight did not even flinch. Instead, his left gauntlet shot
forward like a piston, slamming into Zaiyal's torso with bone-crushing force. The crowd
gasped as Zaiyal was launched across the battlefield, his body skidding against the arena
floor. He coughed, shaking off the impact, but before he could regain his stance, the
knight was already upon him. A downward strike came like an executioner's blade.
Zaiyal rolled to the side just in time, the sword crashing into the ground with an
explosion of force, sending cracks spider-webbing across the arena floor. Zaiyal sprang
up, pivoting on his heel, his fists glowing with energy. He launched forward, delivering a
rapid combination of strikes—punches, knee strikes, spinning kicks—all targeting the
weak points in the knight's armor. Sparks flew as his attacks connected, but the Infernal
Knight absorbed them with an eerie resilience.
Then, with a chilling silence, the knight's free hand shot forward, grabbing Zaiyal
by the throat. Zaiyal's eyes widened as he was lifted off the ground, the knight's grip
tightening like a vice. The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps as the Infernal
Knight pulled back his sword, preparing to impale Zaiyal midair.
"Tch... not yet."
Zaiyal's hands ignited with a surge of cosmic energy. With a roar, he unleashed a
concussive blast point-blank, forcing the knight to release his grip. Zaiyal landed hard but
rebounded instantly, now moving faster than before. His movements became
unpredictable, weaving in and out of the knight's sword range. With a well-timed feint,
Zaiyal ducked under a horizontal slash and drove his fist into the knight's chest—this
time with full force. The impact finally sent the Infernal Knight stumbling backward, his
armor dented from the blow. The crowd exploded in cheers. But the knight did not fall.
Instead, he slowly straightened, rolling his neck as a deep, rumbling laugh escaped him.
For the first time, he spoke.
"Good. You are worthy of battle."
The temperature in the arena shifted. A dark aura began to radiate from the
Infernal Knight, the air growing heavy with an ominous pressure. His sword burned with
a blackened flame, eldritch and unnatural. Zaiyal wiped the blood from his lip and
smirked. "Well, it was about to get boring." The battle was far from over. Zaiyal then
teleported behind the Infernal Knight knocking him out in one strike. The battlefield was
still vibrating from the clash between Zaiyal IV and the Infernal Knight, but the crowd
barely had time to catch its breath before the Announcer Drone's voice rang through the
arena once more. Zaiyal Jr. screamed: "GO DAD!! THAT'S MY DAD!!"
"MATCH 2: HERMES VS. UTAGOS THE TITAN MONK! COMPETITORS,
ENTER THE RING!"
The anticipation was palpable as Hermes strode onto the battlefield, her signature
cocky calm demenor showed that he was truly a Prophetic figure. Her toned, athletic
feminine physique moved with the ease of a seasoned warrior, his golden-trimmed
combat suit glinting under the arena lights. Her white hair tied in a knot and her piercing
blue eyes gave him an air of innocence, but beneath this peaceful nature was a fighter
whose speed and reflexes were legendary. Opposite her, Utagos the Titan Monk entered
the ring with deliberate, measured steps. Towering over Hermes, he was a behemoth of
muscle and discipline. His ochre gi, adorned with the sacred emblem of the Buddha,
barely concealed his monstrous, ogre-like physique. The six dots on his bald head glowed
faintly, signifying his enlightenment, while his sharp teeth peeked out from his calm yet
fearsome expression. Hermes rolled his shoulders, smirking. "Wow, your a big one huh?"
Utagos simply bowed, his voice deep and unwavering. "Strength means nothing if it
cannot strike." Hermes laughed. "Good. I'd hate for this to be too easy."
"BEGIN!"
The moment the Announcer Drone's words echoed, Hermes vanished. A blur of
movement—faster than the eye could track—rushed toward Utagos. In less than a
second, Hermes was behind him, fist aimed at the base of the monk's spine.
WHAM!
The impact was like striking a mountain. Hermes' fist barely made Utagos shift
forward an inch. "...Oh," Hermes muttered. Utagos turned his head slightly. "Speed is
meaningless without wisdom." Then, with motion as smooth as flowing water, Utagos
pivoted and delivered a single palm strike toward Hermes' chest. The air boomed.
Hermes barely managed to cross her arms in time before the sheer force of the blow sent her careening backward. Her feet skidded across the arena floor, sparks flying from the
friction. She stopped just before slamming into the barrier, exhaling sharply. Her arms
trembled. That wasn't just brute force—it was a perfectly controlled force, concentrated
at the exact moment of impact. Hermes grinned, despite herself. "Oh-ho, okay, now I'm
having fun." She launched forward again, this time zig-zagging unpredictably, her speed
accelerating until she became a streak of motion. Her attacks came from all angles—rapid
punches, lightning-fast kicks, feints, reversals. Utagos stood his ground, his body moving
with a grace that defied his size. Every strike that came his way was met with a calculated
block, a redirection of energy. Hermes' fists would connect—only for Utagos to shift just
enough to dissipate the force, making each blow feel like hitting air. Finally, Utagos saw
an opening. Hermes overextended on a spinning kick, and in that instant, Utagos caught
her ankle mid-air. With a mighty whirl, Utagos spun on his heel and hurled Hermes like a
meteor across the arena. Hermes twisted mid-air, using the momentum to flip and land on
her feet, but the moment she touched the ground, Utagos was already in front of her. A
devastating knee strike slammed into Hermes' stomach, sending shockwaves through her
body.
BOOM!
The sheer impact cratered the ground beneath them. Hermes choked, gasping for
air as the force nearly made her black out. Ungar shouted from the audience: "What are
you doing kid, tap out!!" Utagos didn't relent. His hands moved in a blur, striking
Hermes' pressure points with pinpoint precision, disrupting her flow of energy and
slowing his movements. Hermes' legendary speed was now fading. The crowd roared,
sensing that the Titan Monk had taken control of the fight. But Hermes, coughing up
blood, grinned. "Hah... I see what you're doing," she wheezed. "You think I rely too
much on my speed... so you're slowing me down." She spit blood to the side and wiped
his mouth. "Alright. Then I'll just fight you normally." Her eyes gleamed as golden
energy surged around her body. Utagos arched an eyebrow as Hermes took a deep
breath—then moved forward not with speed, but with precision. Hermes' fists connected
in a way they hadn't before—her strikes were cleaner, sharper, her movements refined.
Every time Utagos blocked, Hermes adapted, flowing around his defenses like a river. A
straight punch to the ribs. A hook to the jaw. A low kick to destabilize his stance. The
crowd exploded. For the first time, Utagos staggered back. Hermes exhaled, rolling her
shoulders. "Tch. Looks like I can land a hit." Utagos regarded him for a long moment.
Then, he smiled. "A lesson well learned."
The two warriors lowered their stances once more. Utagos uttered two words: "I
concede." Hermes as well as everyone was shocked. The announcer screamed:
"Unbelievable, Utagos has given up, who would have seen that coming?" Utagos said:
"You are indeed a great warrior, I'd rather teach a young one with potential than win any
worldly thing." Upon saying this Utagos bowed and Hermes bowed as well. Utagos
jumped out of the arena, the ground shaking as he landed and walked away. Hermes
asked: "What happened?" Narcis responded: "A true Buddhist Bhikksu lives to enlighten
others not to win worldly goods." Hermes turned around and smirked.
Match 3: Talus vs. Orion the Void Slayer
The energy barrier flickered as the arena reset itself, erasing the scars left by the previous
battle. The crowd was still buzzing from the brutal clash between Hermes and Utagos,
but now, their focus shifted to the next two warriors stepping into the ring.
"MATCH 3: TALUS VS. ORION THE VOID SLAYER! COMPETITORS, ENTER
THE RING!"
From the east gate, Talus emerged, his presence alone igniting cheers and
murmurs. He was a warrior built for battle—lean, powerful, his every step radiating
predatory confidence. His black wife beater was lined with his veins popping off of his
chest, an extension of his body rather than mere projection in a sense. His sharp fangs,
white hair, pointy ears and spiky white hair all were more than visible in the arena. Truly
a member of the demon clan. He cracked his neck, grinning, his sharp canines gleaming
under the arena lights. His fingers twitched with anticipation, ready to carve his name
into the tournament's history. From the west gate, Orion the Void Slayer strode forward
in contrast—silent, disciplined, cold. His jet-black tunic and armored greaves moved with
seamless efficiency. Short, dark hair framed his elven features, his piercing violet eyes
betraying neither emotion nor hesitation. At his side, a katana forged from the abyss
itself hummed faintly, the runes along its blade pulsing with an eerie, otherworldly glow.
The crowd hushed, sensing the gravity of this match. Unlike the last fight's clash of raw
speed and strength, this would be something different. A duel of skill. A battle of killers.
Talus smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Void Slayer, huh? Sounds dramatic. Hope you live
up to it. But let's be honest, you don't stand a chance against me." Orion said nothing. He
simply unsheathed his katana in one smooth motion. Talus' grin widened. "Alright. Let's
dance."
"BEGIN!"
The moment the Announcer Drone gave the signal, the two warriors moved—and
vanished.
CLANG!
A shockwave erupted as Orion's blades and Talus's claws met in midair, neither
warrior having wasted a fraction of a second. Sparks flew as Talus' curved his claws and
clashed against Orion's abyssal katana. The sheer speed of their movements made it
impossible for the average spectator to follow—their strikes were surgical, weaving
between feints, counters, and death blows in a deadly ballet. Orion pressed forward with
flawless precision. Every strike of his katana was designed to kill in a single blow, and
yet Talus—grinning wildly—was dodging by the barest of margins. He twisted,
ducked, and weaved between Orion's blade like a shadow in the wind. Talus pulled out
two small blades that he held in reserve. Then, in a flicker of movement, Talus' dagger
shot forward—aiming for Orion's throat.
SHNK!
A split second before impact, Orion parried the attack, redirecting the blade mere
inches away from his jugular. With a swift counter, he slashed downward. Talus barely
twisted away, but not fast enough—his shoulder tanktop split open, a thin line of crimson
appearing beneath. The first blood had been drawn. Talus chuckled, wiping the blood
with the back of his hand. "Heh. Guess you do live up to the name." Orion didn't
respond. He simply adjusted his grip, his eyes cold, calculating. Talus' grin twisted into
something more feral. "Good." With a burst of energy, Talus vanished again, this time
moving even faster. He didn't just dodge—he phased between attacks, his movements
erratic, unpredictable. Orion's katana sliced the air where Talus should have been.
Instead— Talus appeared behind him. SLASH! deep cut tore through Orion's side as
Talus' dagger found its mark. But even as blood sprayed, Orion didn't flinch. In a single
fluid motion, he twisted—his katana cutting through the space between dimensions itself.
Talus barely dodged, but the aftershock of the blade sent him flying across the arena. He
twisted midair, landing in a crouch, his grin never fading. Orion exhaled slowly, touching
his wound. It was shallow, but it was the first time in years anyone had drawn his blood.
The Void Slayer finally spoke.
"...Interesting."
Talus wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart pounding. This was it. This was
what I live for. The crowd was on its feet, screaming, roaring for more. Both warriors
reset their stances. This match was far from over.