The streets of the capital were alive with anticipation. A vast crowd moved as one, flowing toward the colossal coliseum at the city's heart, nestled beneath the sprawling branches of the legendary Great Tree. Today was the Promised Day, when warriors from every corner of the world would clash in battle, each vying for the coveted title of the world's strongest.
Excitement buzzed through the air, mingling with the scents of street food and the metallic tang of sharpened weapons. Merchants hawked their wares, eager to sell charms for good fortune or finely crafted armor to last-minute entrants. Young and old spectators chattered about their favorite fighters, debating who would triumph and who would fall.
Amidst the sea of eager faces, a seventeen-year-old boy walked with hesitant steps. His lean frame tensed with every cheer and chant, his fingers clenching and unclenching at his sides. Unlike the seasoned warriors around him, he lacked the hardened confidence that came with years of battle. His heart pounded against his ribs, the weight of the moment pressing heavily upon him.
"There are more people than I thought. This makes me kind of nervous," Sumit said, glancing at the massive crowd.
"A piece of advice: ignore the crowd and just focus on the opponent in front of you," Jack replied with a grin. "Come on, let's see who you're fighting."
"Wow, I didn't know an idiot like you could give such good advice," Leo teased.
"Who are you calling an idiot?" Jack snapped. "Anyway, let's check the match board."
The group made their way toward the match board.
The board was divided into five blocks, each containing eight matches.
"Kid, what token number did you get from the priestess?" Jack asked.
Sumit took out the token he had received from the Priestess of Life after registering for the tournament. A small silver eagle was engraved on it.
"It's an eagle," Sumit said.
"Ah, so you're in the Eagle Block. Let's see... Ah, there you are — at the bottom."
"Shouldn't it be at the top?"
"Why?"
"I mean… it flies… so… never mind. Let's just see who I'm up against," Sumit sighed, noticing the mischievous smile on Jack's face.
"Uh… where's my name?"
Jack smirked. "It's right there — 'Kali Billi.'"
Sumit's eye twitched. "Oh… right. I'm up against Raph."
"WHAT!?" Jack leaned closer. "Oh no, you've got some bad luck."
"What do you mean? Is he strong?"
"Not just strong — Raph is one of the fighters everyone's watching. He's from the Rhino Clan, famous for their high defensive power. But their weakness is speed — except Raph. He's got the defense of his clan and high speed, making him the strongest of his generation."
"So he's fast and strong?"
"Yeah."
Sumit's shoulders sagged. "You've got to be kidding me."
...….
"Welcome to everyone present here! I, Sushant the Snake, will be your commentator for this year's tournament!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"As we all know, today we'll witness the rise of the strongest warrior! So tell me… are you ready?!"
"YEAH!!"
"I can't hear you!"
"YEAHHHH!!!"
"Excellent! Without further delay, let's call out our first competitors — Bulu from the Bull Clan and Ishita from the Leopard Clan! Now, let the tournament… BEGIN!!"
The arena pulsed with tension, the air thick with dust and the scent of sweat. Torches flickered along the edges of the pit, casting jagged shadows on the rough stone walls. The crowd's roar was deafening, a primal chant of violence and bloodlust.
Two figures stood at the center of the pit.
Bulu stood like a fortress, nearly seven feet tall with shoulders broad enough to blot out the torchlight behind him. His dark brown fur was crisscrossed with faded scars, and steam curled from his flared nostrils with each breath. His crimson eyes glowed beneath the heavy curve of his horns. A dark red aura shimmered around his body, flickering like wildfire. His massive hands clenched into fists, jagged crimson energy crackling around them.
Across from him, Ishita crouched low, her golden eyes narrowed beneath her spotted brow. Sleek and toned, her lean frame pulsed with a deep violet aura that wrapped around her limbs like smoke. Her claws flexed, shimmering with sharpened violet light. Her spotted tail swayed behind her, low and steady.
The horn sounded.
Bulu charged.
His red aura surged, wrapping around his legs and chest. The ground trembled beneath his hooves as he closed the distance in three thundering strides. His right arm swung outward, a massive fist wrapped in burning crimson.
Ishita's eyes sharpened. Her violet aura flared around her legs — and she vanished in a burst of motion.
Bulu's fist struck the ground where she had been standing, creating a deafening shockwave that cracked the arena floor. Dust and stone erupted into the air.
A blur of violet flickered behind him.
She struck.
Her claws, now lengthened by sharpened aura, flashed toward his exposed back. Bulu twisted at the last second — his red aura surged over his back, hardening into armor. Her claws scraped against the hardened energy with a piercing shriek.
He spun, his massive elbow — coated with spiked crimson aura — slamming toward her.
Ishita ducked, but the shockwave from the blow sent her skidding across the dirt. She rolled to a stop, crouched and breathing hard. Blood dripped from her lip.
Bulu snorted, steam curling from his nostrils.
"Fast," he growled. "But not fast enough."
Ishita smiled, wiping the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand.
"We'll see."
Bulu charged again, slower this time. His red aura condensed over his arms, forming jagged, armor-like patterns along his muscles. His horns elongated, energy twisting into spear-like points.
Ishita's aura darkened, sinking into her legs and forearms. Violet tendrils curled around her hands, lengthening her claws into shimmering daggers.
Bulu's left hook came first. Ishita sidestepped — but the follow-up knee shot upward toward her ribs.
She twisted, her violet aura snapping around her waist, and avoided the blow by a hair's breadth. Her tail flicked out, charged with aura, and struck Bulu's leg. His knee buckled.
She darted forward — claws flashing toward his throat.
Bulu's red aura surged upward, hardening into a protective shell around his neck and chest. Her claws glanced off the energy armor.
His hand shot out, wrapping around her wrist.
He grinned.
"Got you."
His aura flared, red energy spiking around his arm as he swung her like a rag doll.
Ishita twisted mid-air, violet aura flaring around her limbs. Her claws shot outward, latching onto his forearm. Her aura pulsed.
Bulu's hardened red armor cracked.
His eyes widened — and then she pulled.
A burst of violet light erupted between them as her claws dug into his arm, slicing through the aura-reinforced muscle beneath. Blood sprayed across the ground.
Bulu roared and ripped his arm back. His aura pulsed chaotically, trying to repair the damage. He stumbled, holding his arm as red light flickered and dimmed.
Ishita landed on all fours, panting. Her golden eyes gleamed.
"Strength means nothing," she purred, "if you can't keep up."
Bulu's red aura surged again, wild and unstable. His horns darkened, the jagged tips of red light pulsing dangerously.
"You talk too much."
He charged — but this time, his movements were sloppier. Slower. His injured arm dragged at his side.
Ishita smiled and darted toward him.
Violet aura gathered around her legs and arms, condensing into sharp tendrils. She leapt upward, twisting through the air as his horns swept beneath her. Her claws extended, glowing violet as they flashed downward.
She landed on his back, claws digging into his shoulders. Her aura poured into his wounds, tearing through his protective energy.
Bulu stumbled, knees hitting the ground. His red aura flickered — then shattered.
He roared and swung wildly — but Ishita was already gone.
She appeared at his side, claws flashing toward his ribs. Bulu twisted — but his injured arm slowed him.
Her claws struck true. His red aura collapsed.
Bulu gasped, his eyes wide. He staggered, his breath ragged.
Ishita crouched in front of him, claws pressed against his throat. Her violet aura curled around his neck.
"Yield," she whispered.
Bulu growled, his chest heaving. His hand twitched — but his body betrayed him. His strength was gone.
Bulu's eyes flashed with defiance. His jaw clenched. His body shook under the weight of exhaustion — but he didn't speak.
Instead, he lifted his hand — one last swing.
Ishita's eyes narrowed.
Her aura flared.
She blurred — and appeared behind him. Her claws struck the back of his head, the impact laced with a surge of violet energy.
Bulu's eyes widened. His massive body swayed. His breath hitched — then slowed.
His knees buckled. His aura flickered, the crimson glow fading.
And then he collapsed forward with a thunderous crash, his horns digging into the dirt. His chest rose and fell slowly — unconscious, but breathing.
Ishita stood over him, her claws fading as her violet aura dissolved into smoke.
She flicked blood from her claws and smiled.
"Fast enough."
The crowd erupted into chaos.
Ishita rolled her shoulders, stretching her limbs. Behind her, Bulu's chest rose and fell steadily.
He fought until the very end.
But in the end…
Speed beat strength.