Defying the Gods

As the Arena cheered and screamed, we stood there just staring forward. Kaelen was doing his usual thing he does he just stood there looking like he was just not interested and kept hostage to stay there, on the other hand Ravien smiled , chuckled as he talked how every single of our enemies could die a gory death, for example he said we could split a guys skull open and then throw it at his teammates. He talked while Selena just ignored him, or well tried to. She crouched as she stared deep into their eyes already calling them out giving them their best moments from their lives just flashing them. Silas was getting eady, he observed everyone and he told us this time we can't rely on the Void because he's still tired a not even a day after.

The countdown started

10.. The whole arena exploded as they counted.

9.. 8... 7.. We all took our positions as all of us just stared at the person that was infront of us. 6.. 5.. 4.. The closer the countdown was, more nervousness was on the line.

3... 2... 1...

The gong struck, and in that instant, the battlefield came alive with motion.

Selena was the first to act. She crouched low, her eyes locking onto her chosen opponent. A flicker of something unseen passed between them then the enemy staggered, clutching their head. The memories she had pulled forth were too much, too vivid. Their best moments, their worst, their regrets, their triumphs flashing before them in a relentless storm. Their body trembled, muscles tensed as if frozen in time. That hesitation was all Ravien needed. He darted past, barely a blur as he closed the gap between them. His blade, sharp and eager, found its mark ripping through their side. A scream cut through the noise, but Ravien had already moved on, laughing as he disappeared into the battlefield. 'That was my opponent,you Clown!" Selena roared her eyes glowing while looking at Ravien, he just gave her a smirk as he disappeared.

Kaelen? He didn't even move at first. He simply stood there, watching. His opponent hesitated, gripping their weapon tighter, unsure whether to strike first. It was always the same Kaelen's presence was an anomaly, something unnatural. Even without making a move, he controlled the fight.Then, a step forward. A slow, deliberate movement. His opponent flinched. Then another step. Kaelen tilted his head ever so slightly, as if studying something beneath his interest. The moment they took a breath, he acted. A flick of his wrist, a shift in his stance and their weapon was gone, disarmed in a blink. Before they could react, Kaelen drove his fist into their stomach with a force that sent them hurtling backward, crashing into the now city like terrain. We fought in a big city simulating the fights that are ambushed on our planet, trying to defeat the invaders.

Silas, standing at my side, cracked his knuckles. His fingers twitched, like they always did before he called upon the Void, but this time, he restrained himself. He had told us already—"I can't rely on it this time." But I could tell it was instinct for him, like breathing.

Instead, he vanished into the treeline, his speed unnatural even without his powers.

His opponent barely had time to react before Silas was on them. No theatrics, no wasted movements—just cold, efficient brutality. A low sweep took their legs out from under them, and before they could recover, his knee slammed into their ribcage. They gasped, struggling to get air back into their lungs, but Silas was already moving again.

And then there was me. My opponent had charged at me the moment the gong rang, screaming something unintelligible. They came fast, their weapon arcing through the air in a clean, practiced strike. I met it without hesitation, parrying hard enough to send sparks flying. Our weapons clashed again, again, and again, each impact echoing through the battlefield. The moment their blade crashed against mine, the force rattled through my arms. They were strong, stronger than I expected. But strength alone wasn't enough. I let my feet slide back slightly, absorbing the impact instead of resisting it. A test. A measure of what I was up against.

They snarled, shoving forward, trying to overpower me. I let them push. Let them believe I was struggling. My boots skidded against the dirt, but my grip never wavered. Their confidence grew. That was my first advantage.

Then, I shifted.

A small, precise twist of my wrist sent their blade sliding off mine, throwing them off-balance for just a second. I saw the flicker of panic in their eyes. They recovered fast good. This wouldn't be too easy. They came at me again, faster this time, slashing in a quick, calculated rhythm. One strike. Another. Then a feint. I read it, ducking under the real attack that followed, feeling the air shift as their blade whistled just above my head. "You fight like a machine," my opponent muttered, frustration creeping into their voice. "No wasted movement, no hesitation." I exhaled slowly. "And you fight like someone who's trying too hard." Their scowl deepened, and they lunged. That was a mistake.

I stepped into their charge, letting their momentum work against them. At the last second, I twisted, bringing my knee up into their stomach. The impact sent a sharp breath from their lungs, and I felt their body seize up for a split second. Not enough to take them out of the fight, but enough.I pressed forward. My blade came up, slamming against theirs in a brutal downward arc. They gritted their teeth, straining to hold their guard. Sweat beaded at their temple. Their strength was wearing down.

"You're losing," I said, my voice even. Their eyes flickered, not with fear something else. Desperation. They shifted suddenly, abandoning strength for speed. They twisted to the side, slipping under my guard, aiming a sharp strike toward my ribs. I barely caught it in time, our blades scraping together as I redirected the attack. "Not bad," I admitted. They huffed, chest rising and falling rapidly. "Shut up."

Another attack. I met it. Then another. We circled, trading blows, neither of us giving ground. Across the battlefield, I caught a glimpse of Kaelen. He still hadn't drawn a weapon. He didn't need to. His opponent was already hesitant, barely making a move. Kaelen just watched them, tilting his head slightly, as if waiting for them to do something interesting. A scream cut through the air. Ravien. Laughing. He had just torn through someone's defenses, his blade dripping as he turned toward his next target.

Selena's opponent was on their knees, hands gripping their head, face twisted in agony. Whatever memories she had forced upon them were consuming them whole.

Silas was moving through the street and buildings, barely visible, like a shadow slipping between the gaps in the light. He wasn't using the Void, but even without it, he was dangerous. Lethal.My opponent took advantage of my split-second distraction.

They swung, a quick, ruthless strike aimed right at my throat. I barely managed to deflect it, the edge of their blade grazing my shoulder. Pain flared, but I didn't let it slow me.I gritted my teeth, stepping forward. Our weapons locked. I could see the exhaustion in their eyes now, the wavering grip. This was ending soon.And I would make sure I was the one still standing.