Chapter 2: The Morning of Battle
The sun had barely risen over Nexus City, yet the ground-level lobby of the stadium already pulsed with energy. The space stretched endlessly, polished floors reflecting thousands of feet moving in every direction. Holographic banners floated overhead, shimmering with emblems of participating schools, elemental symbols, and competitor numbers.
Anay stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened. Whoa… this is insane! His jaw practically dropped. Hundreds—maybe thousands—of students were here, each one radiating their own unique energy. Some were whispering strategies, others sizing up potential rivals, while a few simply laughed nervously, trying to hide the tremor of anticipation in their hearts.
This… this is huge! Way bigger than I imagined! he thought, his heart hammering like a drum. His gaze swept across the lobby, every corner revealing clusters of powerful, confident students. It's like… a whole world of warriors packed into one place! How am I supposed to keep track of all of them?
A nearby group of boys had gathered around a girl, attempting the usual arrogant banter.
"Hey, why don't you team up with us?" one of them said, voice dripping with forced charm. "We'd be unstoppable together!"
The girl shook her head calmly, and the boys faltered, unsure how to respond. A hush spread through the nearby competitors watching the exchange, curiosity mingling with amusement.
Before the awkwardness could escalate, a commanding voice rang out through the lobby, amplified by the stadium's speakers.
"Attention, all competitors!" The voice boomed, clear and authoritative. Hritik Rao, the tournament manager, appeared on a raised platform, his presence demanding silence immediately. "Today, each of you will fight individually. And—listen carefully—all battles will occur simultaneously. That's right! Everyone will fight at the same time! This is one vs all ,There will be no waiting. Stay alert. Move to the battlefield promptly!"
Gasps and murmurs erupted across the lobby. Shocked expressions, wide eyes, and whispered comments bounced through the air. Some students exchanged frantic looks, trying to process the magnitude of it. Solo battles… all at once… the sheer chaos of it was almost incomprehensible.
Anay's heart leapt. A grin spread across his face, a spark igniting in his eyes. Yes! This… this is amazing! His mind raced as adrenaline surged. All battles at the same time? That's insane… this is exactly what I wanted! It's gonna be so epic! He practically bounced on ground due to excitement, the excitement bubbling up like a live wire in his chest.
The crowd began moving toward the massive doors leading to the battlefield. Anay's eyes darted around, taking in every detail—the floating banners, the gleaming floors, the faint shimmer of energy from so many competitors. Every sense was on overdrive.
This… this is like stepping into the heart of a storm of power! I can't wait!
Inside the arena, Kael and Liora were already seated, watching from the stands. Kael leaned forward, eyes sharp, taking in every approaching figure. Liora's hands rested neatly in her lap, her expression calm, yet the faintest smile betrayed her anticipation. Both radiated quiet confidence, observing as the competitors surged toward the arena.
Anay took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of excitement inside him, though his grin never faded. Each step toward the battlefield made his chest tighten with exhilaration. I've trained for this. All the running, sparring, meditation… now it counts. Now it all matters!
The massive doors opened, and a wave of competitors surged forward like a living torrent. Each step reverberated through the polished floor. Some ran, some floated effortlessly, others strode with purpose, all heading for the battlefield ahead.
"Move quickly!" Hritik Rao's voice echoed once more, cutting through the roar of footsteps and energy. "The battles begin now! Remember—simultaneous fights! Every competitor is on their own!"
Anay's pulse raced. His eyes sparkled with pure excitement. Yes! This is exactly what I was waiting for! I can't wait to see who I fight first! Every match, every opponent… it's gonna be insane!
He exhaled sharply, letting the thrill settle into focus. The lobby blurred around him as his gaze locked on the massive arena ahead, shimmering faintly in the rising sun. Each step forward carried him closer to the unknown, to the first of many battles that would test skill, instinct, and courage.
And with a final bounce in his step, a grin still plastered across his face, Anay moved forward. The Yuddha Tournament had begun, and every second promised a storm of power he could hardly wait to dive into.