The battleground shimmered beneath the high dome of the arena, the crowd silent with anticipation. Above, the holographic names of both units glowed in gold: UNIT 06 vs UNIT 08. Energy crackled in the air. The moment everyone had waited for had arrived.
Commander Voyla's voice echoed through the stadium. "Let the first match of the Freshers Tournament begin!"
Unit 06 stepped forward, each member steady, each pulse determined. Kayden led the front, his hammer resting over his shoulder, storm energy flickering along the handle. Elliot, eyes low beneath his silver strands, cracked his knuckles. Zane and Devin nodded at each other while Kira flexed her fingers, mist curling around them. Henry cracked a joke that only he laughed at.
Across them, Unit 08 stepped out with a confident strut. Their leader, Gorim, was a towering figure with boulder-sized fists and an even bigger mace strapped to his back. His team spread around him: Lysa, a dual-blade wielder with green eyes and wind curling around her; Rhaz, lean and deadly with fire dancing around his fists; Vin, wild-eyed and fast, crackling with lightning.
Leo and Travis sat at the inspector lounge, watching through the high lens. Travis smirked. "Let's see how long your kids last."
Leo didn't respond. He simply folded his arms, eyes trained on the field.
---
The Battle Begins
As the whistle blew, Unit 08 wasted no time. Gorim charged first, stomping into the field and slamming his mace.
"Stone Bastion!" he roared. His body was instantly covered in Earth Soul Armor, and the impact of his mace sent a shockwave across the arena.
Henry and Devin leapt sideways, barely dodging.
"Yikes! He's got a whole landslide packed in that swing!" Henry yelled.
Kayden met Gorim head-on. "Let's see if your rock can break a storm!" He activated Storm Hammer, lightning wreathing his weapon. Their weapons clashed with a deafening crack.
Meanwhile, Lysa dashed toward Devin and Kira.
"Whirl Shred!" she cried, becoming a spinning cyclone of green light. Devin rolled away, taking aim.
"Perfect Shot." His bolt of energy hit her at the center of her spin, knocking her balance. Kira followed up with Frost Arrow, freezing her blade and locking her foot to the ground.
"Got her!" Kira shouted.
On the far flank, Rhaz hurled flaming chains at Elliot.
"Infernal Chains!"
Elliot vanished into the shadows, appearing behind Rhaz. "Too slow."
His Shadow Slash tore through the air, disabling Rhaz in one blow.
Zane blocked Vin's Thunder Javelin with his Scorch Fang, fire and lightning colliding in a blinding explosion.
"Back off, bug zapper!" Zane shouted.
Henry moved like a gust, launching with Wind Dance, spinning and knocking down a member who tried to sneak up on Zane.
---
Final Push
With only Gorim still standing, bruised and furious, he roared and slammed his fists.
"You'll fall like the rest!"
He charged again, but Unit 06 surrounded him in perfect synchronization. Kayden's hammer cracked his armor. Elliot's shadow slash hit the exposed spot. Zane's fire ignited the fracture. Devin shot the final stun bolt.
Gorim fell. The match was over.
UNIT 06 WINS.
The crowd roared. Up in the lounge, Leo glanced at Travis.
Travis said nothing. His smirk was gone.
Leo smiled faintly. "They're just getting started."