Chapter 23

Fort Eisenhower – 12 Hours Until the Fight

Orion sat in his private training chamber, bathed in the dim, artificial glow of overhead lights. The world outside buzzed with speculation, theories, and mounting anticipation, but in here—it was quiet.

He liked the quiet.

It gave him time to think.

His fingers absently traced over his knuckles as he exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of everything that was about to happen.

This was his second fight.

The first had been about proving he belonged. A battle fought with hesitation, with careful calculation, with the underlying fear that he could lose.

But now?

Now, that fear was gone.

Something had changed inside him after Bakari. His power felt closer, more responsive. The world around him no longer felt like something he had to manipulate with effort—it felt like something that moved the way he wanted it to.

And tomorrow, when he stepped into that arena again, he would make sure the world understood.

A knock echoed against the steel door.

Orion barely looked up.

"Yeah?"

The door slid open, and Monroe strode in, arms crossed, tablet in hand. She had ditched the press conference formality and returned to her usual tactical, no-nonsense look. Fitted black jacket, combat boots, dark hair neatly tied back. She looked like someone who belonged in the shadows, handling problems before they started.

She gave him a once-over. "You good?"

Orion raised a brow. "You think I wouldn't be?"

Monroe smirked, setting the tablet down. "No. But you are about to fight another enhanced freak in front of the entire planet. Figured I'd check in before you go full demigod mode."

Orion chuckled. "Honestly? I feel great."

She studied him for a second, then shook her head. "You know, you're really starting to enjoy this, huh?"

Orion tilted his head. "Maybe."

Monroe sighed, scrolling through her tablet. "We still don't know who you're facing yet."

"Doesn't matter," Orion replied.

She looked up. "No?"

He leaned back, exhaling. "Whoever it is, they're not ready."

Monroe whistled. "Wow. That press conference really got to your head, huh?"

Orion smirked. "Not my head. Just the truth."

Elsewhere in the World – Other Champions Prepare

While Orion sat in his chamber, others prepared in their own ways.

Some spent the final hours training—knowing that soon, they would either rise or be erased.

Some meditated, mentally preparing for battle.

Some were watching footage of their possible opponents, learning everything they could.

But one thing was universal.

The waiting was the worst part.

Because once the Voice spoke?

There was no turning back.

–4 Hours Until the Fight –

As the countdown ticked closer, the entire planet sat on edge.

Social media exploded.

@FightAnalysis: "Less than 4 hours until Orion Graves steps back into the ring. Will he dominate again, or will he finally meet someone at his level?"

@TournamentInsider: "The Voice is unpredictable. No one knows who's fighting who. But one thing is certain—this next round is going to be brutal."

@WorldNewsLive: "With champions from every nation still in the tournament, speculation runs wild. Who will Orion face? What new abilities will be revealed?"

Military analysts, strategists, and even former champions from Earth's past tournaments were locked into the moment.

And then—

At exactly 6 A.M. UTC—

The Voice spoke.

"The next matchups have been selected."

Just like before, the announcement didn't come through speakers, radios, or screens.

It bypassed technology completely, embedding itself into the minds of every human being on Earth.

"All champions, prepare yourselves."

In an instant, the tournament bracket appeared.

Every fighter. Every matchup. Every fate, sealed.

And there, listed under the second fight of the tournament—

"Orion Graves (USA) vs. Santiago Velásquez (Colombia)."

– Fort Eisenhower –

Monroe's tablet buzzed, flashing the updated brackets.

She stared at the name next to Orion's.

Santiago Velásquez.

Orion raised an eyebrow. "Colombia, huh?"

Monroe exhaled, scrolling through Santiago's limited files. "Interesting pick."

Orion cracked his knuckles. "He's been hiding his power, right?"

"Yeah," Monroe confirmed. "No one knows what he can do. Which means he either has nothing special… or he's been playing this smart."

Orion's lips curled into a grin.

"I hope it's the second one."

The announcement shattered the internet.

@FightWorld: "COLOMBIA VS. USA! Orion Graves vs. Santiago Velásquez! Finally, we get to see what Santiago is capable of!"

@GravesFanClub: "It doesn't matter who it is. Orion is about to body this dude."

@TournamentUpdates: "Santiago is a complete mystery. Could he be the first real challenge to Orion's dominance?"

Some believed this was going to be another easy win.

Others thought Santiago had been hiding something dangerous.

But there was one universal truth.

This fight would decide everything.

Colombia – Santiago's Pov

In a secure military facility in Bogotá, Santiago Velásquez sat in front of a screen, watching the updated brackets.

He saw his name next to Orion's.

He smiled.

"So… they gave me the monster."

His instructor stood nearby, arms crossed. "We've reviewed the footage of his last fight. Imperium is… complicated."

Santiago nodded. "No kidding."

He knew what he was up against.

A fighter who didn't follow the rules of physics.

A champion who didn't win with brute force, but by rewriting reality itself.

Someone who had no known limits.

But Santiago wasn't afraid.

He had spent years preparing for impossible fights.

He was built for adaptability.

And tomorrow, he would force Orion to show him what he was really capable of.

-The Last Hours Before Battle-

At Fort Eisenhower, the mood had shifted.

The strategists scrambled to gather intel on Santiago.

The government prepared for the global reaction.

Monroe made final preparations, ensuring Orion was focused.

And Orion?

Orion did nothing.

He wasn't stressed.

He wasn't anxious.

He was just waiting.

Waiting for the moment he would step into the arena again.

Waiting to see what Santiago would bring.

And most of all—

Waiting to remind the world why they should fear him.

1 Hour Until the Fight.

To Be Continued…