The sharp sunlight beat down on us like needles — no, spikes — stabbing into our skin with every second. I squinted, shielding my eyes. Sweat trickled down Rizu's forehead as he muttered, "Aren't there any air conditioners in this damn place?"
"We can't even have sunscreen," I replied, covering my face with my hand.
Rudransh scoffed. "Why do you act like a girl? Boys don't need sunscreen. They should be rough and tough — able to handle any situation, whether it's extreme heat or cold."
I sighed internally.
This bastard again… I'm tired of all the poison he spreads around against me.
On the field, the hippo-faced warrior grinned. "Is that all you got?"
Ayush muttered under his breath, "I'm screwed."
With a thunderous bellow, the Thoueris lunged forward. His massive fist swung like a wrecking ball toward Ayush's face.
Ayush crossed his arms, rock gauntlets bracing against the blow.
BOOM!
The impact rang out like a thunderclap. Ayush went flying, tumbling across the battleground, crashing into the ground flat on his back.
Before he could even breathe, the hippo was already charging again. Fists ready. Determined to crush him.
"He's gone for sure," someone in the audience said.
"There's no chance for this kid to win," another voice joined in.
Ayush got on his knees, hands pressing against the ground.
His eyes widened in fear. "No—he's gonna kill me!"
Reflex. Desperation.
He slammed his palm to the earth. The ground cracked — and a stone pillar exploded beneath him, launching him high into the air just as Thoueris punch missed by a hair.
Ayush blinked. "Wait… did I just do that?"
"YEAHHH!" the crowd erupted.
"Looks like this kid's got some real moves!"
Rudransh grinned. "Now that's what I call a great move."
Riri exhaled in relief beside him. "Looks like he subconsciously did that in fear… but that was really close."
Down below, the Thoueris eyes followed Ayush with a scowl. Roaring, he punched the pillar — cracks formed across it as the whole structure shook violently.
Ayush started losing his balance, his hair falling down over his forehead.
"Woah—" he flailed, barely keeping upright. "Okay… think fast…"
While thinking, he ran his hand through his hair, settling it back into his usual style.
He scanned the area. I'm not stronger than him, he thought, but there has to be a way.
His lips curled into a grin. "I've got an idea."
Another pillar shot up beneath him, catching his fall from the first. He leapt again, then again — each time a new stone column rose to catch his landing.
He danced across the sky, jumping from pillar to pillar in a growing circle around the hippo.
"What is he doing?" the hippo muttered in confusion, spinning to keep track of him.
Finally, Ayush returned to the starting pillar. With a smirk, he let it sink into the earth and landed gracefully on the arena floor.
He raised his arms in challenge, beckoning his palm.
"Show me what you've got," Ayush mouthed.
Roaring with rage, the hippo charged straight at him.
Okay, now it's like a circle, Ayush thought to himself.
At that moment, Thoueris reached the center of the formation — surrounded by towering stone pillars.
Ayush's fists clenched — and with a thunderous crack, every pillar crumbled at the base.
The hippo glanced up.
"No—" he said in horror.
Ayush smirked. "And now, my friend… this is what we call geometry in my world."
"Wow, he actually used a math concept in battle!" Rizu said, eyes sparkling. "He's smart," Shon added with a proud smile.
The massive stones fell inward — collapsing in perfect synchrony like a stone avalanche.
CRASH.
A colossal slam. Dust exploded. Silence.
As the dust settled, only the hippo's unconscious face was visible from beneath the pile of jagged rocks.
Ayush lowered his hands, chest heaving.
"Looks like we have a winner!" the chameleon creature with the megaphone declared.
Two elephant-faced humanoids rushed in. After inspecting the hippo, one gave a confident thumbs-up.
The audience erupted in cheers and applause. My brothers clapped wildly. Ritvik and Riri pumped their fists in excitement, while Rudransh grinned with both fists raised, his eyes sparkling with joy.
Ayush raised his arms and laughed. "I finally won!"
"The team Brothers Forever gets 20 points," the chameleon called out. The dark-furred dog-faced humanoid etched our score onto the large white slate board.
Scene change.
Now, two human warriors stood in the arena — both in traditional Greek garb. One was tall, bald, and muscular with deep bronze skin. The other was lanky, with long curly hair.
The skinny guy summoned a fireball and hurled it toward the muscular one — but the bald man dodged easily and countered with a jaw-shattering punch.
The skinny one went flying.
Boom.
Unconscious.
"Yeahhh!" the audience roared.
Rudransh chuckled. "I need a popcorn for this."
"Me too, bro," Rizu said, leaning back.
"And the winner is Shiro!" the chameleon declared.
"With this, team Dynatós gets 20 points."
"All the winners, please come to the battleground!"
Ayush and Kirono stepped out from the gate, standing beside Shiro.
"Everyone, please give a warm round of applause to today's winners!" the chameleon announcer shouted, his voice echoing through the amphitheater. One of them might one day enter the Forest of Darkness—or even marry our Princess Liliana!"
The audience erupted in cheers and applause.
"Hey," Rizu leaned toward the group with a mischievous grin, "what if that snake guy or the bald muscle-head ends up marrying Liliana?"
"She can choose from the winners, remember?" Jatin replied, chuckling.
Shon listened quietly, eyes fixed on the battleground. Me, Riri, and Rudransh exchanged quick glances, making sure he didn't notice their reaction.
"We'll meet again after one week for even more intense battles!"
I looked at Ayush from afar.
He did a great job today…
I raised my fists with a determined grin, energy surging through me. My eyes glowed blue with unwavering determination, ready to face whatever came next.
I want to prove myself too. I'll train harder. I'll get stronger — I'll rise to the expectations of my brothers.
I raised my fists with a determined grin. My eyes glowed blue with unwavering determination, ready to face whatever came next.
Riri looked at me with a teasing smile.
"You look fully motivated," she said.
I froze — still in my goofy pose with raised fists and a silly grin.
All my brothers and Riri burst out laughing.
I felt my face heat up in embarrassment.
Rudransh chuckled. "Looks like he's daydreaming again, just like always."
Damn…