Rajiv stood in the waiting area, his fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt of his sword. The tension in the air was suffocating. The first round had been brutal, but the second round… this was going to be a different kind of challenge.
The announcer's voice echoed across the arena.
"Welcome, warriors, to the second round! This will be a team battle! Only the strongest, most coordinated fighters will move forward!"
Rajiv glanced at his teammates—two English boys and a Korean girl. They had made it through the first round together, but this would test their ability to fight as a unit.
Across the field, Rajiv spotted Yokudo. His team stood beside him, their expressions unreadable.
Then, at the far end of the arena, Rajiv's eyes landed on Anil. He was different. His presence was sharper, his stance more confident. But something else was off. His energy—it felt… unnatural.
The announcer continued, "Each team will face off in a battle royale! You must work together to survive. The last teams standing will move to the final round!"
A gong sounded. The battle had begun.
Chaos Unleashed
Rajiv barely had time to react before an enemy team rushed them. His instincts kicked in, and he deflected an incoming sword strike, stepping back as his teammates engaged in combat.
The English boy, William, fought with precision, his strikes fast and calculated. The other, Arthur, used brute force, overpowering opponents with sheer strength. The Korean girl, Hana, was the fastest among them, weaving through enemies with deadly efficiency.
Rajiv focused on defense, covering his teammates whenever they were in danger. They were holding their ground—until Anil entered the battlefield.
Anil's movements were different. Faster. Stronger. His energy crackled unnaturally as he struck down opponents effortlessly. His eyes gleamed with something sinister.
Rajiv gritted his teeth. "That energy… where did you get it?"
Anil smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Then, he disappeared.
Rajiv barely saw the blur before pain exploded in his ribs. He flew backward, crashing into the ground. His teammates turned, shocked.
"Rajiv!" Hana shouted.
He struggled to his feet, breathing hard. Anil appeared in front of him, his sword glowing with dark energy. "You're not the same weakling from before, are you?"
Rajiv clenched his fists. He didn't have time to think. He had to fight.
The Unseen Power
Anil struck again, his speed unnatural. Rajiv dodged, barely avoiding a fatal hit. His instincts screamed at him—this wasn't just raw talent. Something was amplifying Anil's power.
Rajiv's team fought desperately, but Anil was too fast. Too strong.
Rajiv exhaled. He needed to tap into his own strength.
Closing his eyes for just a moment, he let everything else fade away. The arena, the shouts, the clashing of swords.
Focus. Feel.
Then, something inside him clicked.
Golden energy flickered around his body. It was unstable, but it was there. His teammates saw it, their eyes widening.
Anil's smirk faltered. "What…?"
Rajiv's grip tightened on his sword. He wasn't going to lose.
Not here.
Not now.
The real battle had just begun.