Chapter 19: Spicing Things Up

The Coliseum falls silent as the All-Mighty rises from his throne, his golden armor gleaming under the heavenly lights. He claps his hands, the sound reverberating through the arena, demanding everyone's attention.

"Stand!" he commands, his voice booming with authority. The chosen ones in their chambers rise to their feet, their gazes fixed on the imposing figure above them. Zohar, standing in the middle of the arena, tilts his head slightly, his hammer resting at his side, his blue eyes locked on the All-Mighty.

The All-Mighty smirks, his gaze shifting to Zohar. "You've shown us true power, young one. Your skill, your resilience... they are remarkable. But I say we truly put you to the test."

Zohar doesn't respond, his expression unchanging, though his body remains tense. The other chosen ones, including Connor, Raiden, and Kaito, watch intently from their chambers, their curiosity piqued.

The All-Mighty spreads his arms wide, addressing everyone. "Instead of the usual one-on-one battles, I propose something far more... entertaining. A change of rules. A free-for-all!"

The crowd gasps and murmurs ripple through the arena. Even the chosen ones seem taken aback, exchanging uneasy glances through the bars of their chambers.

The All-Mighty grins, his voice rising with excitement. "Whether you choose to team up or fight alone, the challenge remains the same—there will be only one winner by the end of this trial!"

Zohar narrows his eyes, gripping his hammer tightly. Raiden and Kaito look at each other, their faces a mix of concern and determination.

"Doesn't this guy ever get tired of making things harder for us?" Raiden mutters, sparks of electricity flickering in his hands.

Kaito sighs. "Free-for-all, huh? Guess we've got to adapt. But this changes everything."

The All-Mighty steps forward, his gaze sweeping over the arena and its competitors. "So, with that said... let the challenge begin!"

A loud horn sounds, and the crowd erupts into cheers, their excitement palpable. The gates to the chambers creak open, releasing all the chosen ones into the arena simultaneously.

Zohar takes a deep breath, his eyes scanning the other competitors as they step onto the battlefield. Connor emerges from his chamber, his armor gleaming under the lights, his bear-like claws ready for combat. Raiden and Kaito exchange a quick nod before stepping out together, their movements in sync as if prepared to watch each other's backs.

The arena's atmosphere shifts, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Some of the chosen eye one another cautiously, while others seem eager to jump into the fray.

Zohar raises his hammer, electricity crackling around it as he mutters to himself, "Guess we'll see who really wants it."

Connor lets out a low growl, his eyes locking onto Zohar. "Hope you're ready for round two, lightning boy," he mutters under his breath, cracking his neck.

Raiden smirks, sparks dancing between his fingers. "Well, this just got interesting."

The free-for-all has begun. The chosen ones circle each other, alliances forming and breaking in an instant as the battle for supremacy in the Coliseum truly begins.

On the far side of the arena, Feiyu emerges from his chamber, his gates slamming open with a metallic clang. His red and gold armor glows faintly under the arena lights, and his white hair flows like fire in the wind. Determined anger burns in his orange eyes as he stares directly at Connor across the expanse, his fists clenched.

In the back of his mind, Wukong's voice echoes like a whisper carried on the breeze.

"Remember, Feiyu," the Monkey King begins, his tone both calm and cautionary. "Victory is nothing without self-control. Connor's broken down, weakened. You can beat him—but do not kill him. It'll change you, boy. I'm sure of it."

Feiyu's brow furrows, his jaw tightening as he shifts his gaze from Connor to the others spread across the battlefield. His eyes scan the arena, landing briefly on Zofia, who stands tall and menacing with a blade in each hand; Zohar, his armor faintly glowing with Thor's lightning; and Raiden and Kaito, who stand shoulder to shoulder like a synchronized duo. Beyond them, a sea of 100 more chosen ones fan out across the arena, each exuding a unique energy of their own.

Feiyu smirks slightly, cracking his knuckles. "Don't worry, old man," he mutters under his breath. "I might not have to finish him off. With those odds, he's one in ten at best. Someone else will take care of him for me."

He stretches his arms, flames sparking at his fingertips as he readies himself for the chaos about to unfold. For a moment, his fiery confidence falters, and he glances down at his clenched fists. Deep within, the words of his mentor echo again. Victory means nothing without self-control.

Feiyu sighs, shaking the thought away. The horn blares again, signaling the full start of the free-for-all. The ground rumbles under the weight of hundreds of steps as the chosen ones charge forward. Feiyu stays still, his eyes locked on Connor as the battlefield descends into utter chaos around them.

Zohar, Raiden, and Kaito naturally converge in the chaos, falling into formation without a word. They stand in a dart-shaped defensive stance amidst the storm of clashing chosen ones. Around them, shouts, sparks, and steel reverberate through the air, but the trio remains composed, their synergy apparent even in the bedlam.

Raiden takes the right flank, his split-colored hair whipping as he ducks, weaves, and counters attacks with well-timed punches. His movements are swift and precise, electric sparks crackling around his fists. "This is nuts!" he shouts, slipping past a spear thrust and countering with a shock-powered uppercut. "Are we seriously doing this?"

On the left, Kaito sweeps the ground with a wide arc of his powers, a ripple of energy flowing from his hands to trip and disable opponents. "What choice do we have?" he replies, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos. He dodges a blade aimed at his head and retaliates with a focused burst, sending the attacker sprawling. "You can't exactly sit this one out, Raiden."

Zohar stands at the point of their formation, his eyes blazing with determination. "Focus up, both of you," he says, charging a powerful punch. As an enemy approaches, he slams his fist into the ground, releasing a shockwave of lightning that pushes back everyone in their vicinity. The ground trembles, a burst of light illuminating the area. "We don't have time to chat. Stay sharp!"

As they continue to fend off attackers, the trio speaks in short bursts, their words barely audible over the battle.