The Lost Kingdom | Nova Terra Chronicles

The dust from the last battle had barely settled before the next wave of tension swept across the colossal stadium.

From all across the lounges, infirmary chambers, and spectating-seats of Eagle City's sprawling Arena, the NTG teams gathered--bandaged, bruised, and breathless from prior fights--but eager. Watching and waiting.

Because this was NTG5's turn.

The broadcast camera panned as five shadows walked forward, stepping onto the blazing white sands of the battlefield:

Blaidd, wings of frost and fury already unfurled in his ArchAngel form, two glowing blue daggers sheathed at his back and his katana on his hip.

Glonk, already ticking his necklace's timer--his body bulking with each passing second, magic swirling around him like a clock with no mercy.

Rez, surrounded by his hovering crystals, each pulsing with color and rage.

Jin, calm and composed, the Runic Sigils across his hand glowing as faint trails of yellow energy spiraled into the air.

TLK, angel-birthed halo spinning above him like a divine turbine, light flickering at his feet.

The opposing team, GD1, stood at the opposite end--gods reborn in the Arena's sand:

Walrus, a grim reaper-like figure, with a massive obsidian scythe dragging behind.

Luna, glowing with a mystic silver veil, stars orbiting her staff.

Minerva, shield and spear held high, her armor sparkling with dedication and light.

Bellona, a bruiser, iron sword and shield clanking as she cracked her knuckles.

Hercules, roaring and bare-chested, holding an earth-shattering club of divine wood.

"TLK. Rez. Work together," Blaidd commanded coolly, eyes cold with power.

Rez crossed his arms.

"I don't follow boring orders--"

Blaidd turned, eyes glowing a piercing blue as the air dropped ten degrees.

"...Do you want to live?"

Rez hesitated--then nodded.

Jin grinned from the back.

"I'll support. Try not to get hit."

The Bell Rang.

Glonk and Blaidd charged.

Glonk moved like a tank, each step rumbling the sand. He barreled straight into Minerva and Bellona, both swinging at once--but he didn't even flinch.

"Immovable Fortress."

A dome of sheer force cloaked him. His body shimmered with defense-enhancing sigils. The two warrior goddesses pounded against him to no effect.

Just as they prepared to shift tactics--Glonk's voice echoed:

"Gravity Singularity."

A miniature black orb formed at his feet, yanking their bodies violently back toward Glonk like gravity itself betrayed them.

His timer ticked to zero.

"Event Horizon."

The sand quaked as Glonk punched the ground, summoning a dark spiral of void energy beneath them. Bellona and Minerva's footing failed, just as a second Singularity formed.

They screamed for help--but their voices didn't escape the vacuum of what felt like space, dragging them into oblivion.

As the black hole's edge touched them, their bodies were pulled inward and annihilated, consumed in a whirling gravitational death.

Two gods down.

Elsewhere--

Blaidd clashed with Walrus, the scythe spinning at terrifying speed.

But Blaidd was faster.

"Frozen Requiem."

Ice erupted from the sand in a flash-freeze wave, spreading across the battlefield. Walrus' speed dropped instantly as frost clung to his god-flesh.

Blaidd smirked.

Drawing his katana, he whispered:

"Glacial Ember."

His blade ignited in a burning cold flame--ice and fire twisted into one--and in a single strike, he dashed across the battlefield, slicing Walrus cleanly in half.

The frozen husk shattered, scattering like brittle glass.

Meanwhile...

TLK floated just above the sand, gathering divine energy in a beam of light, hurling it toward Rez.

Rez grinned.

"About time."

The beam passed through each of his gems--amplifying with each bounce.

He redirected it, the final crystal spinning in sync.

The beam hit Luna like a cannonball of starlight--piercing through her chest.

Her body faded into constellation dust.

Hercules roared.

His rage boiled. Sand lifted around him. He charged straight for Rez, club raised--

But a portal opened above Rez, and with a thundering crash--

Glonk dropped in front, intercepting the attack.

"Titan's Embrace."

Hercules' club hit Glonk--and he didn't budge.

The divine warrior's attack bounced back, throwing Hercules off-balance.

"Now."

Glonk grabbed Hercules by the collar with one hand, and Void Magic building in his fist of his other hand.

BOOM!

He slammed a punch into Hercules' gut as--

Blaidd appeared behind, slashing across Hercules' back.

A crossfire attack.

Hercules' body fell to the ground, twitching—then stopped moving altogether.

The battlefield stood silent.

All five gods... defeated.

Without any casualties on the NTG5 Team.

In the lounge, Valentine whistled.

"That's our boys."

Ceri raised an eyebrow.

"They didn't even warm up."

Glonk cracked his neck and muttered,

"That was the warm-up."

Rez crossed his arms, nodding at Blaidd.

"You're following my orders next time, Icey"

Jin opened a portal and stepped through lazily.

"Oh... Everyone's here."

The crowd roared--deafening any other noise in the City.

NTG5 had made their mark.