The Coliseum falls silent as the All-Mighty rises from his throne, his golden armor gleaming under the heavenly lights. He claps his hands, the sound reverberating through the arena, demanding everyone's attention.
"Stand!" he commands, his voice booming with authority. The chosen ones in their chambers rise to their feet, their gazes fixed on the imposing figure above them. Zohar, standing in the middle of the arena, tilts his head slightly, his hammer resting at his side, his blue eyes locked on the All-Mighty.
The All-Mighty smirks, his gaze shifting to Zohar. "You've shown us true power, young one. Your skill, your resilience... they are remarkable. But I say we truly put you to the test."
Zohar doesn't respond, his expression unchanging, though his body remains tense. The other chosen ones, including Connor, Raiden, and Kaito, watch intently from their chambers, their curiosity piqued.
The All-Mighty spreads his arms wide, addressing everyone. "Instead of the usual one-on-one battles, I propose something far more... entertaining. A change of rules. A free-for-all!"
The crowd gasps and murmurs ripple through the arena. Even the chosen ones seem taken aback, exchanging uneasy glances through the bars of their chambers.
The All-Mighty grins, his voice rising with excitement. "Whether you choose to team up or fight alone, the challenge remains the same—there will be only one winner by the end of this trial!"
Zohar narrows his eyes, gripping his hammer tightly. Raiden and Kaito look at each other, their faces a mix of concern and determination.
"Doesn't this guy ever get tired of making things harder for us?" Raiden mutters, sparks of electricity flickering in his hands.
Kaito sighs. "Free-for-all, huh? Guess we've got to adapt. But this changes everything."
The All-Mighty steps forward, his gaze sweeping over the arena and its competitors. "So, with that said... let the challenge begin!"
A loud horn sounds, and the crowd erupts into cheers, their excitement palpable. The gates to the chambers creak open, releasing all the chosen ones into the arena simultaneously.
Zohar takes a deep breath, his eyes scanning the other competitors as they step onto the battlefield. Connor emerges from his chamber, his armor gleaming under the lights, his bear-like claws ready for combat. Raiden and Kaito exchange a quick nod before stepping out together, their movements in sync as if prepared to watch each other's backs.
The arena's atmosphere shifts, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Some of the chosen eye one another cautiously, while others seem eager to jump into the fray.
Zohar raises his hammer, electricity crackling around it as he mutters to himself, "Guess we'll see who really wants it."
Connor lets out a low growl, his eyes locking onto Zohar. "Hope you're ready for round two, lightning boy," he mutters under his breath, cracking his neck.
Raiden smirks, sparks dancing between his fingers. "Well, this just got interesting."
The free-for-all has begun. The chosen ones circle each other, alliances forming and breaking in an instant as the battle for supremacy in the Coliseum truly begins.
On the far side of the arena, Feiyu emerges from his chamber, his gates slamming open with a metallic clang. His red and gold armor glows faintly under the arena lights, and his white hair flows like fire in the wind. Determined anger burns in his orange eyes as he stares directly at Connor across the expanse, his fists clenched.
In the back of his mind, Wukong's voice echoes like a whisper carried on the breeze.
"Remember, Feiyu," the Monkey King begins, his tone both calm and cautionary. "Victory is nothing without self-control. Connor's broken down, weakened. You can beat him—but do not kill him. It'll change you, boy. I'm sure of it."
Feiyu's brow furrows, his jaw tightening as he shifts his gaze from Connor to the others spread across the battlefield. His eyes scan the arena, landing briefly on Zofia, who stands tall and menacing with a blade in each hand; Zohar, his armor faintly glowing with Thor's lightning; and Raiden and Kaito, who stand shoulder to shoulder like a synchronized duo. Beyond them, a sea of 100 more chosen ones fan out across the arena, each exuding a unique energy of their own.
Feiyu smirks slightly, cracking his knuckles. "Don't worry, old man," he mutters under his breath. "I might not have to finish him off. With those odds, he's one in ten at best. Someone else will take care of him for me."
He stretches his arms, flames sparking at his fingertips as he readies himself for the chaos about to unfold. For a moment, his fiery confidence falters, and he glances down at his clenched fists. Deep within, the words of his mentor echo again. Victory means nothing without self-control.
Feiyu sighs, shaking the thought away. The horn blares again, signaling the full start of the free-for-all. The ground rumbles under the weight of hundreds of steps as the chosen ones charge forward. Feiyu stays still, his eyes locked on Connor as the battlefield descends into utter chaos around them.
Zohar, Raiden, and Kaito naturally converge in the chaos, falling into formation without a word. They stand in a dart-shaped defensive stance amidst the storm of clashing chosen ones. Around them, shouts, sparks, and steel reverberate through the air, but the trio remains composed, their synergy apparent even in the bedlam.
Raiden takes the right flank, his split-colored hair whipping as he ducks, weaves, and counters attacks with well-timed punches. His movements are swift and precise, electric sparks crackling around his fists. "This is nuts!" he shouts, slipping past a spear thrust and countering with a shock-powered uppercut. "Are we seriously doing this?"
On the left, Kaito sweeps the ground with a wide arc of his powers, a ripple of energy flowing from his hands to trip and disable opponents. "What choice do we have?" he replies, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos. He dodges a blade aimed at his head and retaliates with a focused burst, sending the attacker sprawling. "You can't exactly sit this one out, Raiden."
Zohar stands at the point of their formation, his eyes blazing with determination. "Focus up, both of you," he says, charging a powerful punch. As an enemy approaches, he slams his fist into the ground, releasing a shockwave of lightning that pushes back everyone in their vicinity. The ground trembles, a burst of light illuminating the area. "We don't have time to chat. Stay sharp!"
As they continue to fend off attackers, the trio speaks in short bursts, their words barely audible over the battle.
Raiden grins, sidestepping another attack. "Honestly, Zohar, I thought this would be harder for you after your last fight. You sure you're good to go?"
Zohar smirks, taking down another opponent with a spinning kick. "I'm fine. You two just keep up."
Kaito shakes his head, sweeping another wave of enemies. "Classic Zohar. Even when he's half-dead, he's still showing off."
Raiden chuckles, sparking his fists. "Let's hope that attitude lasts when we're the last ones standing."
Their banter continues as they hold their ground, the battle raging on around them. More challengers fall to their combined might, their teamwork proving to be an unbreakable wall in the chaos.
On the left side of the arena, Connor stands battered but unrelenting, his muscles straining with every movement. His armor, cracked and scorched, still clings to him as he tears through the reckless chosen ones. With a mighty roar, he grabs his seventh opponent, slamming them into the ground with such force that the nearby dust rises in a cloud.
But his momentary triumph is short-lived. A team of four chosen ones, each wielding a unique elemental power, closes in.
"Looks like your luck's run out, Bear," one of them sneers as they hurl their combined attacks.
Fireballs scorch his shoulder plates, ice shards pierce the gaps in his armor, and molten rays sizzle against his skin. Connor growls in pain as the onslaught forces him to his knees, the ground beneath him cracking from the weight of their strikes.
"Where's all that strength now, huh?" another chosen mocks, stepping closer as Connor struggles to rise. "I thought you were supposed to be the one to beat after what you did to Zohar. Guess not."
Connor spits blood, his teeth bared in defiance, but he's unable to move fast enough as the leader of the group raises a weapon for the finishing blow.
Then, like a flash of divine intervention, the attackers are struck down simultaneously. A bolt of lightning arcs across the arena, throwing one into the air. A blast of energy from Kaito sends another flying backward, while Zohar barrels into the last two with a full-speed tackle, leaving them sprawled across the dirt.
Raiden, Zohar, and Kaito regroup in front of Connor, standing protectively over him as he groans and tries to rise.
Raiden glances back at Connor, sparks dancing across his fists. "Looks like you owe us one, big guy."
Zohar stands ready, his axe crackling with lightning energy. "Focus on getting back up. We'll handle these fools."
Kaito, his eyes glowing with controlled power, smirks. "Looks like our little formation is growing."
Connor coughs, finally managing to rise to one knee. His gaze locks with Zohar's for a brief moment, and he mutters, "Don't think I needed the help..."
Raiden laughs, stepping forward. "Sure you didn't. Just don't forget who saved your hide."
The group readies themselves as more challengers close in, the temporary alliance setting the stage for a new round of chaos in the arena.
In the chaos of the battle, Zofia moves like an artist on a deadly stage, her dual blades slicing through her opponents with precision. She leaps and twists through the air, her acrobatics almost poetic as she outmaneuvers and dismantles her foes. Her movements are fluid and mesmerizing, leaving those who dare approach her disoriented and defeated.
Amidst her graceful carnage, she lands softly, her blades glinting in the dim arena light. From across the battlefield, Feiyu steps forward, his fiery aura flickering like a storm barely contained.
Their eyes meet, and the crowd seems to fade into the background.
"So," Zofia says, her blades raised in cautious defense, "you want to test your luck with me?"
Feiyu smirks, his voice calm but laced with intensity. "Luck has nothing to do with it. You and I have something in common."
Zofia tilts her head, her stance unwavering. "And what would that be?"
Feiyu's gaze shifts momentarily, locking onto Connor in the distance. The towering fighter stands with Zohar, Raiden, and Kaito, their temporary alliance holding strong against the waves of challengers.
"He humiliated us," Feiyu says, his voice sharp with resentment. "He made a mockery of me in the last battle, and from what I've seen, he's done the same to you."
Zofia's grip tightens on her blades, her jaw clenching at the memory of her previous defeat at Connor's hands. Her pride still stings, though she masks it well.
"And what do you suggest?" she asks, her tone cold.
Feiyu's expression darkens, the flicker of flames in his eyes mirroring his simmering anger. "We punish him. Together. Bring him down so he knows what it feels like to be crushed."
Zofia hesitates for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she considers his words. She glances over at Connor, standing strong despite his injuries, surrounded by his newfound allies.
"Interesting proposal," she finally says, lowering her blades slightly. "But tell me, Feiyu, what happens when he's out of the way? Are you planning to stab me in the back next?"
Feiyu chuckles, shaking his head. "I don't need to. Once he's gone, it's every chosen for themselves. But for now, we have a common enemy."
Zofia smirks faintly, spinning her blades with ease. "Fine. But don't get in my way, or you'll be next."
Feiyu nods, his flames flaring as he readies himself. "Deal."
The two warriors stand side by side, their unspoken alliance solidified as they set their sights on Connor and his group. The tides of the battle begin to shift, their shared grudge sparking a dangerous new dynamic in the arena.
Amid the swirling chaos of the arena, Connor, Zohar, Raiden, and Kaito finish off a group of chosen ones with a seamless, dynamic combo. Zohar kicks it off by electrifying his fists and charging into the fray, landing a devastating uppercut on one opponent that sends them spiraling into the air. As the opponent descends, Raiden steps in, pivoting sharply and delivering a precise spinning back kick that sends them hurtling toward Kaito.
Kaito, with a wave of his hand, conjures a torrent of wind that lifts the opponent even higher, swirling them alongside two others who tried to flank him. Connor, taking the opportunity, leaps into the air with astonishing strength, his bear-like claws glowing faintly as he slashes through the air in a massive arc. The combined force of their attacks sends the defeated chosen ones crashing into the ground in unison, leaving the four of them standing tall amid the dust and debris.
As the adrenaline settles for a brief moment, the group gathers together, their breathing heavy but spirits still sharp.
"That was intense," Raiden mutters, shaking off the electricity still crackling around his arms.
Zohar, still catching his breath, looks at Connor with a slight frown. "Hey...about earlier. I'm sorry for how rough I was during our fight. I guess I let the moment get the better of me."
Connor brushes him off with a shrug, his tone gruff but calm. "It's fine. You were doing what you had to do to win. Don't dwell on it—we're in the middle of a warzone."
As Connor scans the battlefield, his gaze locks onto Feiyu and Zofia standing together on the opposite side, their eyes burning with determination as they prepare to strike. He narrows his eyes slightly before turning back to the group.
"You guys remember when I fought those two earlier?" Connor asks.
Raiden smirks, catching on. "Oh yeah. You took down that girl real quick, right after the all mighty hyped her up. And that kid—what was his name again? Feiyu? You beat him, even though he looked like he had the power to give you a real fight."
Connor nods, his expression remaining serious. "Exactly. I can tell they're looking for revenge. You see the way they're watching us? That's not just a battle stance—it's personal now."
Kaito, curious, tilts his head. "Why do you think that? I mean, it's just a competition, right?"
Connor lets out a dry chuckle, his eyes never leaving Feiyu and Zofia. "Pride," he replies simply. "I embarrassed them in front of everyone. People like them don't let that go. Trust me, they're coming, and they're coming hard."
Zohar tightens his grip on his axe, a faint crackle of electricity running up its handle. "Then we'll deal with them like we've dealt with everyone else."
Connor glances at Zohar, Raiden, and Kaito, his tone firm but calm. "Stick together. If they're working as a team, they'll try to split us up. Don't let them."
The group nods in agreement, their focus sharpening as they prepare for the next wave of combat. Across the arena, Feiyu and Zofia begin to move, their combined presence radiating danger as the battle shifts once more.