The Colosseum was packed with energy as Rudra and Ray faced each other in the center of the arena. Dust kicked up from the ground as the two prepared to engage. The crowd of 60 students, including their friends Akiro, Astha, and Elif, watched in awe, anticipating the battle that would set the tone for their academy journey.
Rudra stood tall, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck, ready to unleash the power he had trained so hard to control. His cheetah and eagle forms hummed beneath his skin, begging to be released. Ray, on the other hand, stood calm and composed, his mask hiding any emotion. He didn't need forms—his strength, speed, and sheer combat ability were more than enough.
Akiro leaned in close to Astha and Elif, analyzing the standoff. "Ray's always tricky. I've watched him. He waits for the perfect moment, always calculating," he said quietly, his mind already anticipating how the battle might unfold.
Astha, ever the jokester, grinned. "Yeah, well, Rudra's got cheetah speed and eagle wings. What's Ray got? A mask and attitude?" She elbowed Akiro, but Akiro just shook his head.
"Don't underestimate Ray. He's unpredictable."
The battle began with a sudden rush. Rudra was the first to move, transforming into his cheetah form mid-sprint. His body elongated and grew sleek, fur rippling with muscle. In an instant, he closed the distance between them, claws extended, aiming for Ray's midsection.
But Ray was faster than anyone expected.
Without shifting forms or drawing any weapons, Ray sidestepped at the last moment, his movements precise and efficient. The crowd gasped as Rudra's attack barely missed. Ray's hand shot out, delivering a quick strike to Rudra's side, forcing him to stumble back.
"That was close!" Elif muttered, leaning forward on the edge of her seat. "Rudra's got to step it up."
Akiro nodded, his eyes narrowed. "Ray's not playing around. He's too calm. There's something we don't know yet."
Rudra recovered quickly, launching himself back into action. This time, he shifted into his eagle form, his body rippling as powerful wings burst from his back. He took to the sky with a single mighty flap, hovering high above Ray, casting a long shadow over the arena.
"Nice move," Astha called out, grinning. "Let's see Ray counter that one!"
From above, Rudra dived with incredible speed, talons extended as he aimed directly for Ray. The sheer force of his descent caused the wind to whip around the arena, stirring up dust and debris. Ray looked up, unmoving, as if waiting for something.
As Rudra closed in, the moment of impact was upon them. But Ray, with uncanny precision, sidestepped again at the last possible second. He leapt backward, allowing Rudra's talons (curved claws) to slam into the ground where Ray had stood only moments before. The force of the strike sent shockwaves through the Colosseum floor.
"Ray's got insane reflexes," Akiro muttered to himself, impressed. "He's dodging with pinpoint accuracy."
Rudra growled in frustration, his body shifting back to human form as he circled Ray, assessing his next move. It was time to push his limits.
In the stands, the students were growing more excited. Some were cheering for Rudra, others murmuring in awe at Ray's calm and calculated counters.
"Ray's not even sweating," one student whispered.
"Rudra's got this, though," another countered. "Just wait till he goes hybrid."
Rudra, as if hearing the murmurs of the crowd, decided it was time to stop holding back. His body rippled and morphed as he unleashed his hybrid form—a powerful fusion of his cheetah's agility and eagle's strength. His body grew muscular, his legs resembling the powerful limbs of a cheetah while enormous eagle wings unfurled from his back. His arms ended in deadly sharp talons, and his eyes gleamed with the keen vision of a predator hunting its prey.
The crowd fell silent for a moment, in awe of the transformation.
Ray didn't move. He simply stood there, watching, waiting with the folded hands.
"Now we're talking!" Astha shouted, punching the air. "Rudra's in beast mode!"
With a powerful flap of his wings, Rudra shot into the sky, higher and higher until he disappeared above the clouds. The students gasped, shielding their eyes as they tried to follow his movement.
"What's he doing?" Elif asked, her heart racing.
Akiro's eyes widened in realization. "He's going for his special attack. He's going to strike from above with cheetah's speed and eagle's vision. Ray won't be able to see him coming."
Above the clouds, Rudra prepared his move. His hybrid form was built for this—combining the stamina of the cheetah with the aerial agility of the eagle. He could see everything below with crystal clarity, and from this height, he could build up momentum for a devastating strike.
With one final burst of speed, Rudra dived. The world blurred around him as he tore through the air faster than a bullet, faster than any normal eye could track. His target: Ray.
Ray watched the sky, his stance unwavering. As Rudra's form vanished from sight, the students held their breath, waiting for the impact.
Then, in a split second, Ray moved. His body blurred as he dashed to the side, timing his movement with such precision that Rudra's attack missed by mere inches. The force of Rudra's strike shattered the ground where Ray had stood, sending debris flying in every direction. The shockwave rippled through the Colosseum, causing the audience to gasp in awe.
"He dodged it!" Elif exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"Not just dodged," Akiro muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. "He anticipated it. Ray's reading Rudra like a book."
Rudra landed in a crouch position, breathing heavily, his wings folding behind him. Despite his best efforts, Ray had countered every attack, using nothing but raw speed and instinct.
"You've gotten stronger," Ray said, his voice calm as ever. "But you're not there yet."
Rudra grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I guess I'll just have to keep pushing then."