Chapter 16:The Arena of Beasts

The Revolutionary Stars' Doubt

As Mri walked into The Arena, his friends—Ayang and the Revolutionary Stars—stood in the shadows, watching.

They weren't fools. They knew this wasn't just a simple challenge. Why had Mri accepted Dipangkar's invitation?

Ayang, arms crossed, narrowed his eyes. "Something's off. What the hell is he planning?"

One of the Revolutionary Stars, a sharp-eyed fighter named Varun, scoffed. "Does it matter? He's walking straight into a trap."

But Ayang wasn't so sure. He knew Mri better than anyone.

This wasn't recklessness. This was strategy.

And that terrified him even more.

Mri's Resolve

Mri stood in the middle of the cage, his heartbeat steady, his breathing controlled.

This wasn't about survival.

This wasn't about proving himself.

This was about dominance.

He had stayed in the shadows long enough, watching, waiting. But not anymore.

Tonight, they would see who he really was.

Dipangkar smirked from his throne, his voice cutting through the cheers.

"Your opponent—Rezar 'The Blue Phantom.'"

The crowd roared as a massive man stepped forward. Rezar was a monster in human form—at least 6'5", built like a tank, his muscles thick with power. His aura—a fierce, glowing blue—surged around him like lightning.

Mri rolled his shoulders, unfazed.

He wouldn't use his aura.

Just his bare hands.

The Battle Begins

Rezar cracked his knuckles, his voice a low growl. "You don't stand a chance."

Mri simply smirked. "Then come and prove it."

BOOM!

Rezar exploded forward with terrifying speed, his fist cutting through the air like a cannonball.

But Mri was already gone.

A blur—he sidestepped effortlessly, the punch missing by a hair.

Rezar's eyes widened. Fast.

But Mri didn't stop there.

With a single pivot, he twisted his body and drove his fist into Rezar's ribs.

CRACK!

Rezar grunted, stumbling back, his blue aura flickering from the impact.

The crowd gasped.

No one had ever pushed Rezar back before.

The Beast Awakens

Rezar growled, wiping blood from his mouth. His aura flared, his veins glowing blue.

"Alright. No more playing."

He lunged again—but this time, faster, deadlier.

A hook aimed for Mri's head.

Dodge.

A knee flying toward his ribs.

Sidestep.

A spinning backfist.

Lean back.

Mri didn't block.

He didn't counter immediately.

He simply moved, his speed overwhelming, his instincts razor-sharp.

The crowd watched in stunned silence.

How was he dodging everything?

But Rezar was far from finished. He slammed his foot into the ground, sending a shockwave through the arena. Mri had to shift his weight for a fraction of a second—

And that's when Rezar struck.

BAM!

A brutal uppercut connected with Mri's ribs, lifting him off the ground for a split second.

Mri landed on one knee, coughing slightly.

Rezar grinned. "Got you."

Mri exhaled, slowly standing up. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, eyes locked on Rezar.

Then—

He smirked.

"Is that all?"

The Endgame

Rezar roared, rushing in for the final strike.

Mri vanished.

One second he was there—the next, gone.

Before Rezar could react, a fist crashed into his stomach with thunderous force.

The air left his lungs instantly. His blue aura flickered—shattered.

And then—

BANG!

Mri's palm struck his chin, sending him flying backwards. He crashed against the cage wall, unconscious before he even hit the ground.

The arena went silent.

One hit.

One devastating hit.

Mri cracked his knuckles, exhaling slowly.

He had held back.

And still—Rezar never stood a chance.

The Aftermath

Dipangkar's eyes gleamed with interest. He leaned forward slightly.

Jasmine, watching from the sidelines, felt a shiver down her spine.

This wasn't the same Mri they had known.

This was someone else.

Someone dangerous.

Dipangkar chuckled. "Interesting."

The fight was over.

But Mri's war had just begun.