Chapter 45: The Arena of Destiny (Part 2: The Last Selection Begins)
The Overseer AI placed a hand over its chest, feigning sympathy.
"You all look so serious. So determined. Like you just realized life isn't a fairytale."
It paused, scanning the competitors.
"Oh, wait—did I break your confidence? Did I ruin your main character moment? Tsk, tsk. My bad."
The grin on its face said otherwise.
Some warriors clenched their fists. Others kept their expressions neutral.
Kael remained still, his golden eyes watching the AI's every move.
Orion's stance was relaxed but razor-sharp.
Lyra's daggers spun in her hands, light reflecting off their deadly edges.
Jaxon cracked his knuckles.
"Let's see if you can keep up," he muttered.
Seinna adjusted her stance, her energy coiling like a serpent.
Rina stood tall, her calm aura hiding the storm underneath.
The AI suddenly clapped its hands.
"Well, no time for self-reflection! Let's get this show on the road."
It snapped its fingers.
A pulse of energy erupted, washing over everyone like an invisible wave.
Exhaustion vanished. Minds cleared. Strength returned.
"A little time magic! Consider it a gift. No excuses, no fatigue, no whining."
It pointed at a few competitors randomly.
"Yes, I'm talking to you—the one sweating buckets. And you, the one who was about to collapse five minutes ago. You're welcome."
Some muttered under their breath. Others looked relieved.
The AI paced slowly, tapping its chin.
"Now, why aren't we starting the trial yet? Hmmm… Oh, right! I just wanted to say one last thing."
Its voice dropped into a dramatic whisper.
"You've all been through many trials, right? Some terrifying, some that made you question everything. And now—boom! You were teleported here, just like that."
It grinned.
"Let me break it to you—none of that matters if you don't show your strength now."
The ground rumbled.
The sky fractured, revealing a swirling void above.
The barren land morphed, split, and reshaped itself.
One moment, they stood in an endless coliseum.
The next—they were scattered across multiple battle zones.
Some found themselves in ancient battlefields, where the remains of titanic creatures lay.
Others were placed in high-tech arenas, buzzing with neon symbols.
Some stood at the edge of a bottomless abyss, where gravity itself was unstable.
A few ended up in illusionary realms, where space twisted in impossible ways.
The AI's voice boomed across the shifting landscapes.
"Welcome to the Arena of Destiny!"
It laughed, floating above them like a theatrical ringmaster.
"Here, you will fight. Here, you will struggle. Here, you will prove yourselves."
It paused. Then, smirking—
"Or, if you fail spectacularly, at least you'll give the audience something to laugh about."
A few competitors gritted their teeth.
"Strength is everything. Your goals? Your dreams? They mean nothing if you can't back them up."
The AI raised its hand.
"Now—begin!"
A deafening chime rang out.
---
[10]
Kael exhaled slowly. His opponent stood before him.
[9]
Orion rolled his shoulders. He was ready.
[8]
Jaxon cracked his knuckles, flashing a grin.
[7]
Lyra spun her daggers. She was faster. She knew it.
[6]
Seinna's gaze locked onto her opponent.
[5]
Rina's calm exterior hid a storm.
[4]
The weight of the moment pressed down on them all.
[3]
No second chances.
[2]
No do-overs.
[1]
The battlefield was set.
"BEGIN!"
The Trial of Strength had begun.