Chapter 24

Neutral Arena – 1 Hour Until Orion's Fight

The battlefield was a ruined cityscape, skyscrapers reduced to jagged skeletons, streets cracked and littered with debris. The sun hung low, casting elongated shadows through the shattered remains of civilization.

Standing amidst the wreckage, two figures faced each other.

On one side: Wei Zhen, China's champion. Clad in dark combat gear, his stance was relaxed, but his eyes burned with unshakable resolve. His ability, Titan's Fortitude, was a nightmare for any opponent—the more damage he took, the stronger he became.

Opposite him: Dimitri Volkov, Russia's representative. A walking executioner, his presence alone carried the weight of inevitable destruction. His ability, Iron Executioner, was a slow, methodical build-up of power. Every second he remained in the fight, his strength, durability, and sheer destructive force multiplied. If left unchecked, he would become unstoppable.

There was no audience. No commentators.

Only the Voice.

"Begin."

The words barely finished echoing before Dimitri moved.

A blur of raw force, he closed the distance in an instant, a fist the size of a wrecking ball swinging toward Wei's skull.

Wei ducked—

BOOM.

The air detonated as Dimitri's punch obliterated the building behind them, sending chunks of concrete raining down. A second later, Wei countered, driving his knee into Dimitri's ribs.

A dull thud.

Dimitri didn't flinch.

Wei clicked his tongue. Too soon.

Dimitri's ability hadn't ramped up yet. Right now, he was still manageable.

But not for long.

Wei pivoted, spinning into a roundhouse kick—

Dimitri caught his ankle mid-air.

Wei's eyes widened.

Then Dimitri swung him like a ragdoll, slamming him through a derelict bus. The metal frame crumpled under the impact, glass exploding outward.

Wei coughed, spitting dust.

He could already feel it.

The heat burning in his core.

His strength surging.

Titan's Fortitude had activated.

Dimitri strode forward, his muscles bulging, his presence growing heavier by the second. He cracked his knuckles, exhaling slowly.

"You're tough," he admitted. "Good."

Wei pushed himself up, rolling his shoulders. His wounds were already fading. His strength had doubled.

He smirked. "You'll regret that throw."

Dimitri charged.

Wei met him head-on.

Fist to fist, the street ruptured beneath them.

Dimitri slid back a step.

Wei didn't move.

Stronger.

Faster.

His smirk widened. "That all you got?"

Dimitri exhaled.

Then he grinned.

"Not even close."

The ground beneath him fractured.

His Iron Executioner had reached the next stage.

And now?

Now he was done holding back.

Dimitri vanished—not with speed, but with sheer momentum, his movement like a freight train teleporting forward. His fist connected with Wei's chest.

Wei felt his ribs crack.

The force sent him hurtling through two buildings, crashing through support beams before finally rolling to a stop in the rubble.

Wei groaned.

Then he grinned.

Titan's Fortitude surged again.

His bones snapped back into place, his strength tripling.

Wei exploded forward.

His punch landed square in Dimitri's face—

BOOM.

Dimitri actually staggered.

Blood trickled from his nose.

Wei cracked his knuckles. "Feels different now, huh?"

Dimitri wiped the blood away. His Iron Executioner was still climbing.

He chuckled. "Just getting started."

And then—

They collided again.

The city couldn't handle them anymore.

Every punch shattered windows in a ten-block radius. Shockwaves tore through asphalt, sending cars flipping. Crumbling towers collapsed around them, reduced to dust as they fought faster, harder, stronger.

Wei took the damage—grew stronger.

Dimitri endured the time—grew deadlier.

Neither could afford to stop.

Neither could afford to slow down.

One punch.

Another.

A knee to the ribs.

An elbow to the jaw.

Blood sprayed across the ruins.

The fight had reached a breaking point.

Wei panted, his entire body radiating raw power.

Dimitri exhaled, his presence now unbearable—like standing in front of a nuclear reactor about to detonate.

"Last hit," Dimitri muttered.

Wei rolled his shoulders. "Agreed."

They moved.

A final clash.

Wei's fist met Dimitri's palm.

A detonation of pure force.

The entire arena collapsed.

Everything—

Gone.

When the dust settled, only one was still standing.

The Voice spoke.

"Victor: Dimitri Volkov."

Fort Eisenhower – Orion's POV

Orion watched the fight in silence.

The destruction. The raw power.

Monroe glanced at him. "They're insane."

Orion smirked. "Not bad."

The tablet buzzed.

Monroe's expression hardened.

She looked at the screen.

Then at Orion.

"It's time."

The world blinked.

And Orion was gone.

TO BE CONTINUED…