Tournament Arena - Ryujin Island - Morning
Drums thundered. Fireworks cracked across the sky. The sacred arena of Ryujin Temple—an ancient coliseum carved into the very stone of the mountain—roared with anticipation. The crowd, a mix of wealthy elites, martial arts masters, press, and international spectators, screamed with electricity.
At the center, 25 fighters stood in silence on the polished obsidian stone. Each wore their own colors, emblems, and focus.
Blaze Kuronuma cracked his knuckles, flames dancing on his shoulders. Xao Min Feng's calm eyes scanned the ring. Erik Janzen grinned with folded arms. Genji Takashima stood like a blade unsheathed—ready, quiet, seething.
A hush fell as spotlights shone down.
Then came him.
Shin Mishima, owner of G-Cooperation, descended from a golden aircraft that hovered above the coliseum. Draped in a black suit with a blood-red tie and silver gloves, he walked with a serpentine grace to the platform.
A microphone floated toward him. He didn't take off his sunglasses.
"Today," Shin began, voice cold and charismatic, "you will etch your names into history—or vanish beneath it."
The crowd erupted.
He raised a hand. Silence returned.
"You are the 25 selected warriors. Fighters of chi, muscle, and blood. But let me be clear. This is not a child's sport. This is not a fantasy. This is the G.O.D Tournament—where gods die."
Murmurs shot through the air.
Shin continued: "To win here is to be more than human. To lose... is to be reminded you were never anything but meat."
He gestured to the far gate.
"But before we begin, allow me to reveal the apex predators in this coliseum."
The giant doors creaked open. Ten figures emerged, each casting shadows longer than life.
"THE ELITE TEN," announced Mini's voice over the speakers.
One by one, their names burned across the sky on digital screens:
1. Juliet Carls – The Rose Assassin. Elegant, pale, dressed in black thorns. Eyes dead. Fingers twitching for blood.
2. James Kick – The Kangaroo. A wild, barefoot Aussie with spring-enhanced boots and a crazy laugh.
3. AD-Robo – An AI-built humanoid with titanium fists and neural prediction combat. Glowing red sensors locked on every fighter.
4. Panda – Literally a bipedal panda in monk robes. Gentle face. Terrifying chi.
5. Shaniqua Blade – The Chicago slasher. Dual machetes. Moves like a dance.
6. Egor Yulovich – Russian grappler. Shirtless. Bearded. Storm tattooed across his chest.
7. Rei Shinkawa – Former child soldier from the East. Uses steel wires and pressure point strikes.
8. "Saint" Miguel Dominguez – Priest turned killer. Cross scars on his fists. Preaches as he punches.
9. Goro Mantis – Six-armed genetic freak with bladed elbows.
10. Fuu Sawatari – Ninja dancer. Moves faster than the eye. Smiles during kills.
Gasps filled the arena.
Chris Navarro whistled. "Damn. These aren't fighters. They're demons."
Asumi whispered, "This just became something else."
Kazuya narrowed his eyes. "That Juliet girl… she killed ten men during a trial match last year. She shouldn't be alive."
The Elite Ten lined up opposite the 25. Calm. Cold. Trained monsters.
Shin Mishima smiled cruelly.
"In this tournament, the Elite Ten will fight alongside the regular roster. If you meet them, pray to your ancestors."
---
Fight One – Arena Selection: Diego Ramirez vs Juliet Carls
Mini's voice echoed like thunder.
"Match One! In the white corner, we have —DIEGO RAMIREZZZZ!"
A wave of cheers rose. Diego jogged in, smiling, wearing his orange gi. He bowed, spun, and pointed both fingers at the sky.
"And in the red corner… JULIET. CARLS."
A whisper. Then a chill.
Juliet stepped out in heels. Dressed in a dark violet bodysuit, blades attached to her gloves. Her pale face held no emotion.
Diego grinned. "Alright, baby! Let's keep it funky."
The gong rang.
Juliet didn't move.
Diego bounced on his feet, darted in, aiming a spinning low kick.
Juliet dodged like mist. Her leg snapped—backwards—and caught his in midair, twisting it with inhuman torque.
CRACK.
He screamed.
She didn't let go.
Instead, she flipped him by the leg and stomped on his knee.
Another crack. Bone through skin.
The crowd gasped. Blaze's flames dimmed.
Juliet calmly walked forward and stabbed her fingers into Diego's shoulder, slicing through the tendons.
He tried to punch with his other hand. She caught it, kissed his knuckles…
…and crushed it with a knee.
The bell rang—Mini screaming, "STOP! STOP! FIGHTER DOWN! MEDIC TEAM, MOVE!"
Juliet turned. Bowed once. Walked away.
Silence.
Diego Ramirez didn't move.
Chris Navarro cursed under his breath.
Even Erik looked stunned. "Holy... she just... broke him."
Genji's eyes glowed faint green for a second. Rage? No—focus.
---
Medical Tent
Diego was taken away, his limbs in splints. Mishima's assistant marked him: "Retired. Unfit to continue."
---
Backstage – Fighter's Lounge
Juliet sipped tea. Not a drop of blood on her outfit.
AD-Robo looked at her. "Impressive efficiency."
Panda sighed. "She went too far."
James Kick laughed. "Nah mate, she went just far enough."
---
Arena - Evening Approaches
Mini announced: "MATCH TWO WILL BEGIN IN FIFTEEN MINUTES. ALL FIGHTERS PREPARE!"
Asumi stepped beside Genji. "You're up soon."
He nodded. "I know."
Chris stood behind him. "We saw what Juliet did. You ready for that level?"
Genji didn't blink. "I've been ready since the day since I was born ."
The sky turned red as sun dipped below the horizon.
And the G.O.D Tournament had only just begun…
To Be Continued.