The air in the coliseum buzzed with expectation.
"Welcome one and all!" the announcer boomed over the crowd's roar. "For the next match in Round Three of the Arena Games... introducing first, the ever-feared, ever-fiery champions of the battlefield--Team FLAMMA!"
Brant stepped onto the stone of the arena, his sword drawn at his side. Solira followed, fiery eyes narrowed. Veltra, poised and focused, spun her staff once in her hand. Orin stepped forward, shield in hand and jaw clenched, while Lysa adjusted her sniper, checking the magazine and making sure it's loaded as she walked into the rear with readiness and precision.
The screen above the arena flickered, shifting to show their opponents.
"And now, facing them... from the World Leader's elite forces... give it up for Team WL3--Nite, Vir, Magnus, Virgo, and Bidus!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. But something was off.
No footsteps echoed across the other side of the arena.
No smoke effects. No flare. No entrance. No silhouettes.
Silence.
Brant stepped forward slightly, squinting his eyes in confusion. The crowd's roar slowly dimmed into murmurs.
A moment passed before the announcer returned, with their tone uncertain. "Uh... we've just received word from the officials that WL3 has... forfeited the match."
The entire stadium went quiet.
"Huh?" Veltra muttered, lowering her staff.
Orin glanced to the announcer box, baffled. "You're joking..."
Even the opposing gates remained closed.
A giant red stamp appeared across the digital scoreboard: FLAMMA - Victorious
The crowd erupted into a confused mix of cheers and boos.
Inside the NTG box, Abstra stood quickly from the couch.
"Oh no," she said aloud. "Bidus doesn't just forfeit."
LuLu glanced over. "Yeah, something's definitely up."
Tyrant walked in front of the TV, eyes narrowing at the screen. "Something's gonna happen soon, I can feel it"
Abstra nodded, stepping out into the corridor. "We need to figure out what's going on."
Tyrant and LuLu followed without hesitation.
Soon, the teams that had already been eliminated or healed enough to walk began organizing themselves.
They fanned out across the complex, each heading in a different direction.
West Wing: LuLu, Tyrant, Kayma, Kuddle, and Zamy
East Wing: Rez, Kai, Kuro, Gem, and Ceri
South Wing: Ina, Casa, Loth, Beau, and Hoshina
North Wing: Toku, Yunoi, Mek, Abstra, and Davie
Whatever was going on, they weren't going to leave it alone.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the coliseum, the field reset.
The announcer's voice returned, steadier now. "While that match may have ended in a mystery, our next fight... may very well define the legacy of the Games. as previous victors now stand across from each other!"
A golden flame lit around the Arena as the two teams entered.
"This may not be the final battle, but it will be remembered, for as long as time can remember."
Spotlights converged on two gates.
"Representing NTG1... Rikushi, Valentine, Kaide, Para, and Rumoto!"
The gate hissed open.
Rikushi stepped out first, his blade resting on his back, his rifle letting out a feint glow on his side, with his rings glimmering with Magic, as his eyes sharpen beneath the red glow of the pale-orange and red sky.
Valentine followed close behind, his fists clenched and his knuckles are already cracking with anticipation as his artifacts crafted just to fit his hands reflect the setting sun, creating a slight glow upon the shiny metal.
Kaide's Relica-Blade hung behind him as he walked with an eerie calm, having a sane yet 'urging for fun' vibe radiating from him.
Para walked in, standing tall as his Light Magic circulated around his arms, just waiting to be used to its full potential.
Rumoto dragged his feet, as he pulled his newly reforged and obtained axe along with his trusty Glacial Tundra, as an Icey Aura flowed around him.
Across the field, the opposing gate opened.
"Now entering... NTG5... Blaidd, Glonk, Jin, Musi, and TLK!"
Blaidd emerged with his unforgettable Icey, as icicles trail on the ground behind him, while his blades start to freeze with cold and anticipation.
Glonk cracked his knuckles, upholding his calm and serious attitude but this time with a slight grin escaping his 'firm' attitude.
Jin walked onto the field, but this time not emptyhanded, as he seemed to be carrying a sword of some type, never seen by anyone else other than his team.
Musi, a replacement for Rez, held her staff she received for her birthday with her eyes glowing softly, like she's ready to put her life on the line for others.
TLK had his Halo hovering in his hand, with it starting to spin faster and faster as a golden glow emits from it.
The crowd erupted into a roar that shook the coliseum.
Valentine exhaled. "This is it, this is what it's all about."
Kaide smirked. "You all ready?"
Para gave a slight nod. "Always."
Valentine replied by leaning forward, getting ready to spring forward with anticipation and excitement.
Blaidd narrowed his eyes. "No holding back."
Jin smiled, wit his sword in hand. "We're all going to remember this, as this will be an fight."
Glonk slammed his fists together. "Let's make this fun and exciting."
Rumoto held his Glacial Tundra in both of his hands, whilst having the other axe equipped onto his back.
Rikushi stepped forward, his aura already sparking faintly with fire and arcanic energy.
No false gods. No dumb forfeits. No more distractions.
This fight--this moment--would be carved into the memory of Nova Terra forever.
The announcer gave them a moment.
And then--
"BEGIN!"