The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays illuminating the arena as the sounds of cheering fans echoed from every corner as the battle stage had ended . The announcer stepped forward to the edge of the massive platform, his voice booming through magically amplified speakers, carrying excitement and anticipation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have officially concluded the Battle Stage!" The crowd erupted into cheers, banners waving wildly in the stands. The energy in the air was electric, every spectator on the edge of their seat.
"And now, for the results!" The announcer paused dramatically, grinning as the arena fell silent in anticipation. "In first place, with an incredible score of 12 points give it up for Unit Zero!"
The crowd roared as the camera feeds zoomed in on Unit Zero. Josuke stood front and center, his arms crossed, a smug grin on his face. Arthur stood next to him, stoic and focused, while Silver sat nonchalantly on the edge of the stage, his mask obscuring his expression. Lily waved cheerfully to the crowd, clearly enjoying the attention, while Hinata tried her best to hide behind her teammates, her face flushed red.
The announcer continued, "In second place, we have Unit Six, with 9 points ! Following close behind is Unit Four with 5 points , Unit Two with 3 points, and finally, Unit Eight with 3 points!"
Applause and chants for the different units filled the arena, though the loudest cheers still belonged to Unit Zero. In the stands, the commanders watched with interest, exchanging looks of rivalry. Kyle Morningstar smirked smugly, clearly proud of his unit's lead. Selene, commander of Unit Six, shot him a teasing glare, while Commander August frowned in frustration. Commander John simply watched quietly, though his stern gaze carried an unspoken challenge.
As the noise began to settle, the announcer raised his hand, signaling the audience to quiet down. "And now, we move to the Second Stage of the event!"
The holographic screens above the arena shifted, revealing a massive island surrounded by cliffs and mist. The map displayed lush forests, hills, and streams, with the focus zooming in on a glowing orb perched atop a pedestal at the center. The crowd's murmurs grew louder as the announcer spoke.
"This stage is called 'Collect'! Here's how it works: Each unit will be divided into four groups with one support member assigned to each team. Together, they will be transported to the island, where they must retrieve the orb from the center and return it to the stage!"
A cheer erupted again, but the hologram shifted, revealing a dark, monstrous figure guarding the pedestal. Its spider-like body twitched ominously, its shadowy legs massive, and its glistening fangs dripping poison. The audience gasped in shock.
"But beware!" the announcer added, his voice laced with dramatic flair. "The orb is protected by a monstrous Gene Spider—a beast with an indestructible body and a very bad temper! It will not allow anyone to take the orb easily!"
The screens flickered to life, displaying different views of the island and zooming in on the waiting participants. The tension was palpable as the teams gathered at the portal that would transport them into forest battleground.
"And here we have the teams ready to enter!" the announcer exclaimed.
Unit Zero's group stood in formation near the portal. Josuke cracked his knuckles with a confident smirk. "Piece of cake," he muttered, earning an unimpressed glare from Arthur.
"Don't get cocky," Arthur replied flatly. "We're going to have enough trouble dealing with that thing."
Silver remained silent, his golden eyes glimmering faintly beneath his mask as he surveyed their surroundings. Lily practically bounced on her heels, grinning as she nudged Hinata. "Stick close to us, hina ! This'll be fun!"
Hinata fidgeted nervously, clutching the strap of her support gear bag. "R-right… I'll do my best!"
The tension only grew as the portal began to hum, its swirling light intensifying as it prepared to transport the participants. The other units stood nearby, their groups equally tense and focused. Each member was poised to sprint the moment the signal was given.
The announcer lifted his hand once more. "Competitors! On your mark…!"
The arena fell silent, the crowd holding their breath in collective anticipation. The portal pulsed brighter, its energy rippling like waves across the stage.
"Get set…!"
Josuke crouched slightly, his muscles tensing as if he were coiled to strike. Arthur and the others followed suit, their gazes fixed on the shimmering light ahead.
"GO!"
The word exploded through the air like a cannon blast. The competitors surged forward, dashing into the portal as it flashed with a blinding light. The crowd erupted into cheers as the giant screens overhead flickered to life, displaying the unfolding action on the other side of the portal.
The scene revealed a dense, sprawling forest, its trees towering overhead and thick fog curling around the underbrush. The ground was uneven and littered with roots, making the terrain difficult to traverse.
Unit Zero emerged from the portal first, breaking into the forest with Josuke leading the way. "Move it!" he barked, his voice cutting through the silence. He slashed through low-hanging branches as Arthur followed closely behind, moving with calculated precision.
"Slow down, idiot," Arthur said, glancing at the map that appeared on his wrist communicator. "There's no point running blind. The orb is to the north, near the center."
"I know what I'm doing," Josuke shot back, though he didn't slow his pace.
Silver moved silently, his shadow stretching unnaturally through the mist as he surveyed their surroundings. Lily bounded after them, a grin on her face as she called over her shoulder. "You good back there, Hinata?"
"I-I'm fine!" Hinata called back, though she stumbled slightly as she tried to keep up. Her hands were tightly wrapped around her bag, the healer determined not to be a burden to her team.
The other units scattered in various directions, each group taking their own path through the island. The holographic screens above the arena split into multiple views, allowing the crowd to watch the chaos unfold.
The announcer's voice boomed once again, narrating the action. "Unit Zero takes the lead, heading straight for the center! But will they reach the orb before the other teams? And more importantly—how will they deal with the Gene Spider waiting for them?"
In the distance, the camera feed focused on the heart of the island, where the glowing orb sat atop its pedestal. The Gene Spider loomed nearby, its massive body twitching with unnatural movements. Its many eyes glowed faintly in the mist, and its razor-sharp legs dug into the ground.
The crowd watched in silence, unable to tear their eyes away from the screen as the teams ventured deeper into the forest, the looming danger of the beast drawing ever closer.
And so, the race had begun.
End of Chapter.