The Colosseum was packed with spectators, their voices merging into an overwhelming roar of anticipation. Today was the semi-final match, the battle that would decide who would advance to the final round.
Jun stepped forward, his voice echoing across the arena. "The first semi-final match! Mon Tsukigiri of the Moon Mist Clan versus Touwa Raijin of the Thunder God Clan!"
Excitement surged through the audience as the two warriors stepped onto the battlefield.
Mon Tsukigiri, the enigmatic prodigy of the Moon Mist Clan, stood with an air of quiet confidence. His silver hair gleamed under the sunlight, his pale blue eyes emotionless as he observed his opponent. Opposite him stood Touwa Raijin, the pride of the Thunder God Clan, his tall, muscular frame radiating power. His golden eyes burned with determination as he prepared for battle.
Jun raised his hand. "Begin!"
The instant the words left his lips, Mon raised his index finger, pointing directly at Touwa.
Before anyone could react, Touwa vanished.
In the next heartbeat—
BAM!
Mon staggered forward as a devastating punch slammed into his back, sending him skidding across the battlefield. A cloud of dust rose around him as he came to a stop.
From behind, Touwa smirked. "Too slow."
Mon exhaled, wiping a trickle of blood from his mouth. "What a wonderful power."
Touwa cracked his knuckles. "Speed means nothing if your instincts can't keep up."
Mon's lips curved into a smile. "Then let's change that."
He raised both hands to the sky, and the world shifted.
A strange, heavy stillness settled over the battlefield. The air grew thick, as if time itself had slowed.
"Awaken."
The sky darkened. The sun was swallowed by shadows, replaced by a blood-red moon. A deep, unnatural chill settled in the hearts of those watching.
Kyoko's breath hitched. "This… isn't normal."
Jun's eyes widened as he checked the power levels. "His energy just spiked to 80,000!"
Sho clenched his fists. "Something is… wrong."
Suddenly—Mon disappeared.
Or rather, he moved faster than the eye could see.
He reappeared in front of Touwa, his fist aiming for his opponent's chest.
But Touwa dodged.
His voice was calm, unwavering. "Even with insane speed, even with your instincts… you'll never catch me."
Mon's gaze sharpened. "Are you sure?"
Touwa's body tensed. Something was wrong.
Then—Mon stopped moving.
Stillness.
Silence.
Mon slowly raised his index finger again, pointing directly at Touwa.
Touwa's instincts screamed at him. He launched himself backward, trying to escape.
It was too late.
"Bye, Touwa Raijin."
A beam of red light fell from the crimson moon, enveloping Touwa in its eerie glow.
The crowd gasped as the moon began to change, shifting its form, twisting unnaturally.
Slowly, it descended—taking shape.
The crimson moon transformed into a humanoid figure.
A red-skinned being with four glowing eyes stood where the moon had once been. Its presence was suffocating, like an ancient force awakening from slumber.
Kyoko's hands trembled. "What… what is that thing?"
Sho's body refused to move. Fear paralyzed him.
Jun, usually composed, stood speechless, sweat dripping down his face.
Touwa looked up at the four-eyed figure, his breathing ragged. He had no words.
Then—
His head was gone.
The entire Colosseum fell into dead silence.
Touwa Raijin's headless body collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.
Sho's heart pounded violently in his chest. He didn't even see what happened.
Mon stood calmly, watching the lifeless body of his opponent. Behind him, the four-eyed figure loomed, its aura pulsing with immeasurable power.
Jun swallowed hard, his hands trembling. "…The match is over."
Mon turned slightly, his eyes empty. "Did I win?"
Jun forced himself to nod. "…Yes. You won."
No one cheered.
No one clapped.
The entire Colosseum was frozen in fear.
Even the strongest warriors present felt a deep, primal terror in the presence of the entity that had appeared.
Tenmu Raijin, the elder of the Thunder God Clan, clenched his fists. His strongest warrior was gone—his clan's future erased in an instant.
Kyoko's lips quivered. She quickly checked her energy sensors. "That thing… its power level is 100,000."
Sho stared at the four-eyed being, his mind racing. "What… what did we just witness?"
This wasn't just a fight.
This was something far beyond them.