We were back in that same blinding white room where it had all begun. The chameleon humanoid was there again, clutching his megaphone. A mix of humans, beast-kin, and bizarre-looking creatures filled the room. This time, though, something new stood before us—a massive board, almost like a wall, draped in a white cloth. On each side of the board stood the white-furred and skin-furred dog-faced humanoids.
I yawned loudly.
I didn't sleep last night. I was just thinking about her the whole night. I really need to work on this unhealthy obsession of mine.
"You sure should work on it," Rizu whispered in my ear.
I looked at him with an annoyed glare.
"I'm really excited for this," Rudransh said, practically bouncing on his heels. "Back in our world, I loved watching all kinds of fighting championships on TV. Now I get to live it."
"Yeah, but those fights were between regular humans, not monsters," Ayush replied.
"And they didn't have superpowers like we do," Rudransh countered. "We'll be fine."
"Don't be overconfident," Shon warned. "We don't even know who our enemies are yet."
"We didn't have much time to train for this first round," Riri added. "But we should make sure to train seriously before the next one."
"What was the interval between the rounds they told earlier?" Rizu asked.
"One week between each round," Riri answered.
"That's a short gap for a tournament," Jatin noted.
"The king ordered it," Riri said. "He wants the tournament completed quickly. Other kingdoms in Northern Pangea are finishing theirs fast too."
"Other kingdoms are also conducting these tournaments?" I asked.
"Yes. It's like a race between them to strengthen ties with the southern region."
"Why are they all so obsessed with Southern Pangea?" Rizu asked.
"Only they know," Riri said. "They must have a valid reason."
Or maybe an evil one, Rizu thought.
The chameleon with the megaphone stepped forward.
"Now I will announce the names of the fighters for today's round."
Both the white-furred and skin-furred dog humanoids pulled the cloth from the board, revealing strange engravings in a language we couldn't understand.
"You have to teach us your language after this round," Rizu told Riri.
"Sure," she nodded.
"First match: Kirono vs. Ruka," the chameleon announced.
"Second match: Thoueris vs. Ayush."
"Third match: Shiro vs. Chloe."
"Me? First day? Are you kidding me?"
Ayush muttered.
"You have thirty minutes. All others, please leave this room. Only the fighters should remain," the chameleon instructed.
"I haven't prepared for this fight, damn it," Ayush said.
"No choice, bro," Jatin whispered.
"Not the time for jokes," Ayush said. "I'm getting scared thinking about my opponent."
"Have faith in yourself," Riri said softly. "You're strong."
"Thanks," Ayush smiled. "I'll do my best."
"Good luck," Rudransh and Shon said together.
"You have thirty minutes. All others, please leave this room. Only the fighters should remain," the chameleon instructed.
We all exited the white room and made our way to the amphitheater seating. I sat to Riri's left, while Rudransh sat on her right, followed by Shon. Jatin and Rizu were sitting just behind us.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the chameleon's voice echoed.
"He forgot to say creatures, monsters, and demons," Rizu muttered.
"First up, Kirono from Team Vipers!" the chameleon called.
The huge gate opened, revealing a humanoid with a cobra head and dark skin. He wore a flowing black chlamys with silver patterns coiling across it like scales, a rope belt at his waist, and a dark cloak trailing behind him.
My stomach flipped. I suddenly clutched my mouth and vomited.
All my brothers and Riri looked at me with worry.
"You have any other thing to do other than vomiting?" Rudransh muttered sharply.
"Last time you did it, we ended up in this world."
"Calm down, bro," Jatin said from behind.
A giant talking hen sitting behind us squawked, "Don't you have manners? That's disgusting."
Riri bowed apologetically to the hen. Shon handed me his handkerchief.
"Thanks," I mumbled, covering my face.
The cobra-faced guy looked back and smiled. I felt like he was smirking at me on purpose.
"Now entering, Ruka from Team ---!" the chameleon called.
A giant grey-furred wolf twice the size of an elephant roared as it entered.
"Fight starts in five... four... three... two... one!"
They charged at each other.
The wolf snapped its jaws at Kirono, but the cobra dodged with an eight-foot leap and landed on the wolf's neck, biting it hard. The wolf yelped and whipped its head to throw him off.
Kirono flipped, landing gracefully.
The wolf tried stomping him, but the cobra dodged again, dashed under its belly, grabbed its tail, and bit hard. The wolf howled, collapsing.
"He's strong," Rudransh whispered. "I want to fight someone like him."
The cobra landed in front of the downed wolf, his back turned arrogantly.
The wolf didn't rise.
"YEAHHHH! FINISH HIM! NOOOO RUKA!!!"
Rizu clutched his ears. "That's louder than their thoughts."
"Check if he's alive," the chameleon said.
Two elephant-headed humanoids arrived and inspected Ruka. One gave a thumbs-up.
"Kirono wins! Team Vipers gains 20 points!"
The black-furred dog humanoid etched the score into the board.
Applause erupted like a thunderclap across the arena.
"Next match in thirty minutes. Fighters, report to the announcement room."
Inside the announcement room, Ayush gasped, "Only thirty minutes?"
Sitting in the amphitheater, I thought to myself, Good luck, bro. I know you'll win. I have high hopes in all my brothers.