The Lost Kingdom | Nova Terra Chronicles

Round 2 of the Arena Games, FLAMMA vs GD5

The announcer's voice rang out across the roaring arena:

"Welcome to Round Two of the Arena Games! In this corner, the blazing warriors of FLAMMA: Brant, Solira, Veltra, Orin, and Lysa! And facing them, the divine might of GD5: Juno, Mars, Neptune, Pluto, and Jupiter!"

A seismic buzz filled the colosseum as both teams emerged onto the battlefield.

FLAMMA formed up fast. Brant and Orin took the front line, Veltra a step behind with her glowing staff. Solira and Lysa flanked the rear, their eyes readied to assist at a moment's notice.

The bell rang.

Mars stormed forward like a cannonball. Orin braced his shield, but the sheer pressure made him tremble. Brant dashed to flank. Veltra, elegant and calculated, spun her staff like a cyclone, sweeping Mars off his path just long enough for Brant to intercept.

Brant and Orin rushed Mars, striking as a unit. Meanwhile, Veltra pivoted toward the rest of GD5. Lysa fired precise rounds from her sniper, covering her advance.

Solira hurled fireballs at Juno and Jupiter. Jupiter's divine shield absorbed the barrage, protecting Juno behind him. But when the shield lowered for a moment, Veltra slammed her staff into Jupiter's side.

The celestial giant raised his fist--only for Lysa's sniper round to punch through it.

"Hah. Gotcha." Lysa grinned.

A follow-up fireball from Solira hit Juno, but the goddess calmly waved it off like brushing off a feather.

Mars, undeterred, locked onto Brant.

Brant leapt over Mars in a fluid arc, sword in hand, as Orin intercepted again with his shield. But Mars's strength was too immense. Orin was flung back, his armor scraping across the sand.

Brant landed and stabbed downward--only for Mars to block the blow effortlessly with his sword.

"Damn it, everyone regroup!" Brant yelled.

Veltra retreated. Lysa and Solira regrouped. The gods were marching closer: Mars, Jupiter, and Neptune, forming a divine front line.

"We need a plan," Veltra said, breathless. "They're too strong to fight head-on."

"Then we strike smarter," Brant nodded.

Mars and Orin clashed once again. This time Orin's shield began to glow, swelling in size. He gritted his teeth and held his ground.

Veltra swept Mars's leg with her staff, making him drop to one knee. Brant swung his sword and brought it down with full force. But again, Mars's indestructible shield blocked the strike.

Before Brant could react, a bolt of lightning crackled through the air--striking him in the side.

"Bran!" Solira cried.

He collapsed. Lysa and Veltra rushed to him. Solira dropped beside him, cradling his head.

"Stay with me... they can heal you...We can just surrender..."

Brant's skin turned pale.

"I-I can still hear you," he whispered.

Orin screamed in fury, shield glowing brighter than ever. He slammed into Mars with everything he had, not to win--but to hold him back.

"Go! Get him out of here!"

For unknown reasons, the fight wasn't called off when they tried to surrender, almost like the Gods wanted them to keep fighting.

Lysa fired nonstop at Mars, trying to pierce through his divine defenses. Sparks bounced off.

Veltra conjured waves of heat, coating the air in mirage.

Solira gripped Brant's hand tighter. Her tears turned to flame.

But Mars kept pushing forward. Jupiter's shield gleamed behind him. Juno prepared her divine incantation.

Brant smiled weakly.

"You guys can do this... I know y'all can."

The battle wasn't just for glory now. It was for Brant's life.