"Ladies and gentlemen!"
The chameleon's voice boomed across the amphitheater through his crystal megaphone.
"Now entering — Rizu, from Team Brothers Forever!"
Rizu stepped out of the gate with a confident grin, stretching his arms.
"Let's go, baby!" he said, cracking his neck.
We sat together in the audience — Riri, Rudransh, Shon, Ayush, Jatin, and me — watching him swagger toward the battlefield like he owned it.
"Next, from Team Diabolos — Kapela!"
A warrior emerged from the opposite gate.
She was short — barely five-foot-three — but her presence was anything but small. Bronze armor gleamed under the sunlight, a crimson plume waving proudly from her helmet. Her green hair framed a sharp, fierce face, and in her hands rested a massive spiked mace that looked heavier than she was.
"Wait, that's cheating!" Rizu shouted. "Armor and weapons are allowed!?"
Kapela smirked.
"Haven't you read the guide, buddy?"
From the stands, Ayush leaned forward. "So we can use weapons too!?"
Riri crossed her arms. "Yes — but only if you actually know how to use them. Most magic users don't need them. You guys already have powers, so I didn't mention it earlier."
Shon frowned. "But what about Rizu? His power doesn't give him much defense. Shouldn't he have armor at least?"
Riri looked guilty. "I… I'm sure Master Demetrius trained him well. He'll be fine."
Kapela tilted her head. "You're kinda cute."
Rizu stared at her. "Are you flirting right now?"
"Just being honest. Anyway, you're gonna lose, kiddo."
"Look at yourself before talking, shorty," Rizu shot back.
The chameleon announcer raised his hand.
"Battle starts in… FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE! — FIGHT!"
Kapela roared and charged, mace raised high.
Rizu pressed two fingers from each hand against his temples — and vanished.
Kapela skidded to a halt. "What—!? Where did he go!?"
The crowd erupted:
"He disappeared!"
"What just happened!?"
I blinked. "Did he just… teleport?"
Riri smiled proudly. "Told you. Master Demetrius must have taught him this. I trust his training."
Suddenly—
BAM!
A punch slammed straight into Kapela's nose.
She staggered, rubbed it, then smirked. "That your punch? Feels like a pillow."
"Shut up!" Rizu's voice echoed.
The moment he spoke, Kapela pinpointed him — and swung.
WHAM!
Her fist connected cleanly. Rizu flickered into visibility mid-air before crashing to the ground.
"Rizu!" we all shouted.
Kapela grinned, picked up her mace, and charged again.
Rizu groaned, barely lifting his head. The mace descended—
"Empódio!"
An orange barrier burst around his body just before impact.
BOOM! The mace rebounded.
I leaned forward. "He formed a barrier!?"
Kapela's eyes narrowed. "So, you know magic too?"
Rizu smirked weakly. "My teacher taught me a few tricks for tight spots."
Kapela slammed the mace again.
BOOM! BOOM!
Cracks spiderwebbed across the shield.
"It won't last forever," she warned.
The crowd murmured:
"He's done for…"
"No way he survives this!"
Rizu clenched his fists.
What should I do!? Think, Rizu! You can't win without attacking…
The barrier trembled — then CRASHED into glowing fragments.
Kapela stepped forward slowly.
"You tried your best, kid. But it's not enough."
"…Tch. Rage bait it is," Rizu muttered.
He smirked. "You might win today, shorty — but you'll always be a midget."
Kapela froze.
"…What did you just say?"
"You heard me. Midget."
Her eye twitched.
"You've got some nerve."
She threw her mace aside.
Then she removed her helmet and tossed it to the ground as well.
Clenched her fists.
Closed her eyes.
"Aaaaaaaarrrrrrhhhhhh!"
Her body trembled—
Then began to grow.
"W—WHAT THE—!?" Rizu stammered as she towered over him.
Her armor stretched and warped, muscles bulging, horns curling from her forehead. Within seconds, she stood like a giant beast.
"Holy… moly…" Rizu whispered.
We all stared.
Jatin leaned toward Riri. "What's going on!?"
"She's likely from the Demon Race," Riri replied calmly.
"Demon race!?" I exclaimed.
"Yes. Just like I'm from the Elven Race — she's a Demon. When enraged, they transform."
Jatin sighed. "Honestly, everyone in this world looks like a demon to me."
"Look!" Ayush shouted.
Kapela, now towering like a dinosaur, roared with fury. The ground trembled beneath her steps.
Rizu's face drained of color.
"H–Holy moly…"
The air shook as the massive demon warrior stepped closer.
The real fight —
was about to begin.