I stood in the darkness, surrounded by a strange, shimmering atmosphere that made me feel as if I were floating in a dream. *Where am I?* The questions in my head shot through my thoughts like arrows. The memories of the battle against the Titans were fresh, as if I had just been there, but now I was in a completely different world.
The voice that had welcomed me was gone, and I was alone with my thoughts. After a few minutes of wandering and searching for orientation, the darkness around me began to blur, and I could make out vague outlines. *What is happening here?*
Suddenly, the light grew brighter, and I found myself in a large, open arena. The walls were made of sparkling crystal, and glowing orbs floated above me, radiating a gentle, soothing warmth. I stumbled forward and saw that the arena was filled with people standing in various groups, engaged in conversation. *Are they others like me?*
Some wore strange armor and weapons, while others were dressed in simple robes. They seemed to respect each other, but I sensed a certain nervousness in the air. *What are they doing here?*
"New here, huh?" I heard a voice behind me. I turned around and saw a young man in plain armor smiling at me. "I'm Rylan. Welcome to the Arena of Worlds."
"Arena of Worlds? What is that?" I asked, confused.
"It's a place where fighters from different realities come together to test their skills and challenge one another," Rylan explained. "You're not the first to be teleported here, and you won't be the last. Everyone has their own goal and reason for being here."
I thought of the Titans and the battle I had just faced. *So I'm not here to rest, but to fight?* "I'm here because... I want to go back. I left my friends and my fight behind."
Rylan nodded understandingly. "I get that. But in this arena, there are no easy answers. To return, you must prove your strength and develop your skills. You must face the challenges that come your way."
"Challenges?" I asked, feeling my heart race. *What does that mean?*
"Every fighter in this arena has their own story, and you must face them to find your place," Rylan explained. "It's up to you to discover your strength and learn what you are truly capable of."
His words echoed in my mind. *This is my chance. If I fight here, maybe I can develop the skills I need to return.* "How does it work?"
"You need to join the queue for the battles," said Rylan, pointing to a line of fighters forming up. "Each of us has the opportunity to showcase our abilities. You fight against another fighter, and the better you perform, the more recognition you gain."
I looked at the other fighters, and a feeling of determination washed over me. *I have nothing to lose. I have to try.*
"Thank you, Rylan. I will give it a shot," I said and made my way to the line. As I queued up, I felt my nerves rising. *What if I'm not strong enough?*
Time passed, and I watched the battles taking place in the arena. Fighters faced off against each other, and the air was filled with the sounds of clashing blades and the cheers of the spectators. *It's impressive. There are so many talented fighters here.*
When it was finally my turn, I felt my heart race. *This is it. The moment I can show what I've learned.* I stepped into the arena, and the light fell upon me as the audience began to clap and cheer.
My opponent was a muscular fighter clad in magnificent armor wielding a large sword. He looked at me with a challenging gaze, and I felt the fear rising within me. *I'm not ready for this!*
"Ready?" the referee called out, and I nodded, even though I wasn't sure if I really was. "Go!"
The fight began, and I felt my adrenaline spike. The opponent charged at me, and I hastily dodged to the side to avoid his attack. *Come on, Kael! Focus!*
I knew I couldn't give up, so I gathered all my courage and threw myself into the fight. I used the techniques I had learned in my previous world and tried to read the movements of my opponent. But he was strong and fast, and I struggled to keep up.
Blows collided, and I felt the exhaustion in my muscles. *I can't give up! I must keep fighting!* With each attack I blocked, I felt hope dwindling. *What if I don't win?*
Suddenly, I found myself in a difficult position. My opponent had cornered me, and I could hardly evade anymore. "This is the end for you!" he shouted as he swung his sword.
In that moment of despair, I remembered the Titans, the fight, and the people I wanted to protect. *I can't give up!*
With one last surge of energy, I gathered all my strength and leaped forward. I dodged his attack and tried to strike my opponent from the side. But I was too slow. His sword struck me, and I felt the sharp pain shoot through my body.
"NO!" I screamed as I fell to the ground. The pain was overwhelming, and I felt the darkness rising around me again. *This can't be the end!*
At that moment, as I lay on the ground and the pain overwhelmed me, I felt that familiar pulling within me once more. It was as if an invisible force was reaching for me and pulling me away from the arena. *Not again!*
"Kael!" I heard Rylan call, but the darkness consumed me. "Hold on!"
And then I felt myself being drawn into the void as I plunged into the darkness. *I can't give up! I will return!*
As I lost consciousness, I knew that I was not at the end. I hadn't given everything I could give, and I would keep fighting, no matter what world I landed in.
As the darkness enveloped me once again, I was sure that I would find a way to return and continue my battles. *I will not give up.*