CHAPTER 48: THE LUNARIS (10) GOVIC

Minutes had passed since the arrival of the Lunaris. At the center of the arena, the chosen representatives of each race had gathered, their expressions calm yet filled with quiet tension.

The morning wind drifted gently across the field, carrying a faint scent of dust and steel. Rays of sunlight spilled across the competitors, glinting on their armor and weapons. Marlon and Drever stood beside each other, surrounded by eight others roughly around their age.

In total, there were eight boys and two girls who were twin from Northwind Nation. They looked identical in every way but carried completely different auras that made them easy to tell apart.

A few meters opposite them stood the Lunaris youths. Their posture was sharp and composed, their black, flexible armor hugging their bodies perfectly, crafted for both speed and precision. Their cold gazes and silent presence filled the air with invisible weight, carrying a pressure that made the atmosphere grow heavier by the second.

Though the Lunaris appeared intimidating with their tall builds and dark armor, Marlon and the others found a spark of reassurance in the words of the high-ranking hunters. After several analyses, the hunters had concluded that both sides were evenly matched in strength. Knowing this, the human side felt a flicker of confidence. As long as the fight remained fair, victory was not impossible.

Up above, Gigaman watched the young representatives for a brief moment before his deep voice thundered through the arena.

"With the contestants now selected, we shall proceed to the rules."

The arena fell completely silent.

"The rules for this contest are simple," Gigaman began, his voice echoing across the vast space. "Each battle will be fought one-on-one. A contestant loses once they surrender, fall unconscious, or are no longer able to continue. Killing your opponent is strictly forbidden unless explicitly permitted."

He paused, scanning the faces of both sides before continuing. "Weapons and natural abilities unique to your race are allowed. However, the use of external artifacts or outside interference will lead to immediate disqualification. Each victory earns one point for your side. The team with the most points after all ten duels will be declared the winner."

He raised his voice slightly, letting his words ring through every corner of the arena. "Let this be a fair contest. Remember, this is not only a test of strength, but a measure of pride and discipline between the Lunaris and the people of Arden!"

The echo of his words faded, leaving the arena wrapped in silence once again.

The eyes of the human representatives gleamed with determination, while the Lunaris youths stared back with cool disdain.

"With that said, let preparations begin," Gigaman announced. "Each side, choose your first representative. You have thirty seconds."

"I’ll go first," said one of the twins who had earlier introduced herself as Fierra.

She looked around nineteen years old and stood close to six feet tall. Her black battle suit contrasted sharply with her twin, Fiona, who wore white. Both had blonde hair, but Fierra’s was tied neatly in a ponytail. Her black eyes glinted sharply with hatred and determination—the kind that came from countless hours of training.

Marlon studied her for a brief moment. She looked confident, fearless even. Someone who had spent her whole life preparing for moments like this.

But does she truly have what it takes? he wondered silently. Even if she doesn’t, her match will show me how strong the Lunaris really are.

Without hesitation, he gave a short nod. Drever did the same beside him.

"We’re fine with that," Marlon said calmly.

"The Weststone representatives agree," another voice followed.

"Same here," someone else added.

"Give those Lunaris brats hell, Fierra!" another shouted with a grin, earning a few chuckles.

Fierra gave a small nod and walked forward, her steps steady and confident.

At the same time, the Lunaris side also made their choice. Their representative was the shortest among them but still stood a few inches taller than Fierra. In his hand, he carried a black steel weapon shaped like a hammer, with thick black chains coiling around the handle and clattering as he moved.

"I am Govic, and I’ll be going first for my team," he said with a grin that revealed sharp white teeth.

Fierra met his gaze coolly. "Fierra Hargraves," she introduced herself, her voice calm but cold.

From above, Gigaman nodded as he took note of their names. "The first fighters have been selected. The rest of you, step back and give them space."

The others quickly moved to the sides of the arena, taking positions near the spectator area. Once the field was cleared, Gigaman raised his arm.

"The first round... begins now!"

The instant his words faded, Fierra’s body exploded forward like a released arrow.

"Heh..." Govic’s grin widened as he charged as well, each of his heavy steps leaving dents in the ground.

"A human woman as my first opponent? How insulting," he sneered, his voice carrying across the arena. "Let me show you what it means to face a Lunaris warrior. Witness the might of my Doom Hammer!"

Fierra ignored the taunt completely. Her gaze stayed locked on him, her breathing steady as dark mist began coiling around her fists. The air thickened, and the sunlight dimmed around her as her dark-elemental energy surged to life.

Govic’s eyes gleamed with excitement. He spun his hammer once, the heavy chains rattling violently before he disappeared in a blur.

Fast! Fierra’s eyes widened. Before she could adjust, a rush of air swept beside her — he had already closed the distance.

The metallic clatter of the chains warned her just in time.

Her instincts kicked in just before Govic’s hammer could crash into her and she quickly activated the appropriate skill. Darkness surged out of her body in thick waves, swallowing her whole in an instant.

BOOM!

The hammer slammed into the ground where she had stood, splitting the dirt apart.

But she was gone.

Govic’s grin stretched wider as he scanned the field. Fast... not bad. He turned sharply—and there she was, sprinting behind him. Her entire figure was wrapped in dark mist, and that same darkness condensed around her hand, forming a shadowy gauntlet over her clenched fist.

Her speed surprised him. Faster than he had expected but still, it was not enough to match his.

Fierra lunged, her dark aura boosting both her strength and speed. The force behind her punch sent the air whirling around her.

"Such a flashy move," Govic sneered, his grin twisting with mockery. "You actually think that punch can reach me?"

To him, her strike was laughably slow and predictable. He didn’t even bother using his weapon.

He dropped his hammer to the ground with a dull thud and shot both arms forward.

A thunderous clap echoed as his massive hands caught her fist midair. The impact rippled outward, but it was weak—barely more than a breeze.

"Got you," he said, grinning down at her.

Fierra’s eyes burned coldly. The hatred she had bore towards them for killing her mother twenty years ago was revealed in her gaze.

She tried to pull her hand free, twisting and pushing with all her strength, but his grip was iron.

"Still struggling?" Govic taunted, tilting his head. "What’s the matter? Not ready to give up yet, or do you enjoy the pain?"

Fierra gritted her teeth, the darkness around her arm pulsing harder. She tried again, but his hold didn’t loosen in the slightest.

"Fine," Govic said with a faint smirk. "If you won’t forfeit, then I’ll make you."

His muscles tensed. With terrifying ease, he swung her off the ground and hurled her across the arena.

Her body slammed into the dirt and rolled violently, dust and debris exploding in her wake.

But before she could even finish tumbling, Govic vanished and reappeared ahead of her trajectory. As she came flying toward him, he kicked her midair, sending her body crashing back in the opposite direction.

The sheer brutality of it made the entire audience freeze. Even those watching from home through their screens gasped.

"The first round is over!" Gigaman’s voice boomed before Govic could strike again. "Victory goes to the Lunaris by knockout!"

The arena fell into dead silence.

On the human side, faces darkened with worry. The hunters from different nations exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the danger wasn’t just about winning or losing anymore — it was about survival.

Norian folded his arms, his expression unreadable, though his mind raced as he observed the field. Fierra lay motionless, barely hanging onto consciousness.

Things looked grim.

Beside him, crimson eyes scanned the wrecked arena before settling on Marlon. He stood still, studying every move, every impact, his gaze sharp and calculating.

She wondered silently if he’d be able to stand his ground when his turn came.

"They’re terrifyingly strong..." Drever muttered, exhaling heavily.

"They crushed her like nothing," another said quietly.

"Can we really fight them?" a third whispered.

"Fierra!" Fiona’s voice cracked as she sprinted across the field. She dropped to her knees beside her twin and placed glowing hands over her battered body, activating her healing ability.

Marlon watched quietly, the faintest grin tugging at his lips. His blood boiled, not from fear, but excitement. His entire body trembled in anticipation for his own match.

But it wasn’t his turn yet.

A broad-shouldered young man, a representative of Southstone nation, had already stepped forward for the second round. The Lunaris side also sent their next representative forward without hesitation.

Gigaman raised his arm once more. "Round two—begin!"

The fight started fast and ended faster. Within two minutes, the human was down.

Another victory for the Lunaris. Another defeat for humanity.

The realization spread like wildfire, reaching far beyond the coliseum walls. From the stands to every home watching across the globe, people held their breath.

Could humans really win this?

From the first two fights, the answer was clear.

They couldn’t.

And that truth sent a cold wave of fear through everyone.

If only they knew the full terms of this competition... they would have been far more terrified.