CHRONOS SYSTEM

Kealin walked through the dimly lit corridors of the underground arena, the sounds of clashing steel and cheering crowds echoing through the air. The place had an almost magnetic pull to it—something about the raw energy and the promise of real competition made his blood sing. He'd been drawn to this place like a moth to a flame, unable to resist the curiosity that had been gnawing at him since Lena first mentioned it.

He watched a group of fighters take the stage, their movements a blur of speed and agility that made him both impressed and nervous. These weren't schoolyard scuffles—this was real martial arts, raw and unfiltered.

"Damn," he muttered under his breath, watching a particularly brutal combination that ended with one fighter being thrown across the ring.

"Hey, Kea-kun! Over here!"

Turning to his right, Kealin spotted Max and Lena waving him over from their spot near the edge of the stage. He made his way through the small crowd, feeling a bit out of place in his school uniform among all these hardened fighters.

"Hi guys," he said as he reached them, trying to sound casual despite his racing heart.

"Looks like you made it just in time," Max said with that laid-back grin of his. "C'mon, I wanna introduce you to someone." He started walking toward the front of the stage, with Lena and Kealin following behind.

The match they'd been watching came to an end with a decisive victory, and as the fighters shook hands, a red-haired teenage boy with an impressive muscular build and sharp, calculating eyes approached their little group.

"Yo, Max! Long time no see," the redhead said, grabbing a towel from around his neck and wiping the sweat from his face.

"Konnichiwa," Max replied as carefree as ever, completely unfazed by the intense atmosphere around them.

"It's been a while, Axel," Lena said politely, extending her hand for a handshake.

"Indeed," Axel said, taking her hand with a respectful nod. "And who's your friend here?"

"Kea, this is Axel. Axel—Kea," Lena introduced them properly.

"Nice to meet you, Kea," Axel said with a genuine smile, offering his hand. There was something about his demeanor that suggested he was used to sizing people up, but his handshake was firm without being intimidating.

"You too," Kealin replied, shaking his hand and immediately feeling like he was being evaluated.

Axel gestured for them to sit on the edge of the stage, where they could watch the next match while talking. The metal bleachers were cold beneath them, but Kealin was too excited to notice.

"So what brings you to the arena, Kealin?" Axel asked, genuinely curious. "Most high schoolers wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this."

Kealin shifted uncomfortably, aware that he was definitely out of his element. "Oh, you know... just looking for a challenge, I guess," he answered, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

Axel's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, and Kealin could practically feel the wheels turning in his head. There was something almost predatory about the way he studied him, but not in a threatening way—more like someone who was constantly assessing potential opponents.

Finally, Axel's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Well, I might have a challenge for you," he said slowly, as if weighing his words carefully.

The way he said it made Kealin's stomach do a little flip. This was exactly what he'd been looking for, but now that it was actually happening, he wasn't sure if he was ready for it.

******

The underground arena was like nothing Kealin had ever seen before—a sprawling maze of tunnels and chambers, each one filled with fighters honing their skills in various ways. Some practiced forms, others sparred intensely, and there was even a sector filled with stalls selling everything from protein bars to medical supplies for fighters.

Kealin followed Axel through the winding passages, with Lena and Max trailing behind them. The further they went, the more intense the atmosphere became. He could feel his excitement building with each step, his heart pounding harder with every turn.

"This place is incredible," he murmured, unable to hide his amazement at the underground city they'd stumbled into.

"You should see it on a Saturday night," Axel chuckled. "The energy is absolutely electric."

As they finally reached the main chamber, Kealin's eyes widened in pure awe. The arena was massive, easily three times the size of their school gym, with fighters clashing in the center ring while spectators crowded around the edges. The air was thick with anticipation and adrenaline, and he could feel it all the way down to his bones.

"Holy crap," Max breathed beside him, equally impressed.

"This is the main arena," Axel said proudly, leading them to a good spot at the edge of the ring where they could get a clear view. "Pretty cool, right?"

Kealin could only nod, still taking it all in. The fighters in the ring moved with a grace and power that was almost hypnotic to watch.

"And this is Marcus," Axel continued, gesturing toward a tall, imposing figure who was currently stretching near the ring. "He's one of the arena's top fighters. Been undefeated for six months now."

Marcus was built like a tank—broad shoulders, defined muscles, and the kind of presence that made people naturally move out of his way. When he turned to look at them, his eyes were sharp and calculating, taking in each of them with a single glance.

Marcus eyed Kealin for a moment before looking back at Axel. "Hey, Alex, you said you had a challenge for me, but all I see is a shrimp in a school uniform," he said with a smirk that suggested he was more amused than threatened.

Axel's smile didn't waver. "Don't judge a book by its cover," he replied smoothly, clearly enjoying the tension building between the two.

Marcus's gaze shifted back to Kealin, and suddenly the atmosphere felt much heavier. "So, shrimp, you think you've got what it takes to fight here?" he said, his voice carrying just enough mockery to make it clear he wasn't taking this seriously.

Sweat began to bead on Kealin's forehead, and he could feel his heart hammering against his ribs. 'I said I wanted a challenge, but this is way more than I bargained for,' he thought to himself, cursing his big mouth.

"Um..." he started, but his voice came out as barely more than a squeak.

"Of course he does," Max cut in, giving Kealin a reassuring pat on the back. "Mock him all you want, but don't come crying back after he kicks your ass."

The comment earned a few chuckles from Lena and Axel, but Marcus just smiled wider, clearly enjoying the banter.

"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Marcus said, rolling his shoulders and stepping toward the ring. "Let's get the show on the road."