The arena was alive with anticipation.
Crimson banners fluttered in the wind, and the crowd buzzed with excitement as the fourth round of the Bloodmoon Queen Tournament was about to begin.
The obsidian floor shimmered with arcane energy.
They were ready to bear witness to another clash of titans.
From the northern gate, two imposing figures emerged.
Ban Nakajima, 15th in command to Izuki Remioka, the Monarch of Steel.
His skeletal frame was reinforced with gleaming dragon-forged metal, each step echoing like a war drum.
Ban Nakajima's eyes burned with molten gold, his gauntlets pulsed with raw metallic energy.
Yoi Ohara, 14th in command, his skeletal form wrapped in a tattered oni cloak, exuding a sickly green aura.
Poison magic seeped from his fingertips, hissing as it touched the ground.
They stood at the centre of the arena, poised and ready.
Announcer's Voice Boomed Across the Arena, "Ladies and gentlemen! Prepare yourselves for the fourth match of the participant round! Representing the Steel Dominion, Ban Nakajima, and Yoi Ohara!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Facing them today will be—" A pause. A murmur rippled through the stands.
"…Correction. We have just received word from the tournament officials. The opposing team has officially forfeited their match."
Gasps and confusion spread through the arena.
"The reason remains undisclosed, but the result is clear: Ban Nakajima and Yoi Ohara advance to the next round by default!"
Ban crossed his arms, unimpressed. Yoi smirked, a trail of poison curling from his lips. "Tch. Cowards," he muttered.
Ban nodded. "Let them run. We will crush whoever is next."
***
Meanwhile, at the cosmic base, tension crackled through the air like static.
The remaining cosmic soldiers watched the fierce battle unfold between Rika Satoshi and Izumi Morning Star versus Riku Masusa and Rajin.
Eyes locked on the screen, hearts pounding, they could feel the tide turning.
Excitement surged through the ranks, they knew that if Riku and Rajin stayed true to their relentless rhythm, victory was within reach.
Yuki Fujimoto stood with arms crossed, a rare smile tugging at his lips.
Beside him, Kuro Momiji leaned against the console, smirking with quiet confidence.
Their faith in the duo was unwavering.
Across the room, Hiro animatedly discussed the fight with Minako Kanamoto.
She listened intently, her eyes gleaming, not just with admiration for the battle, but with hope.
The leader's mission was progressing, and the prospect of Akagi accepting his proposal to unite through marriage through the Bloodmoon Queen Tournament and expand the cosmic empire felt closer than ever.
Now, all eyes turned to Paulo Satoshi.
His next move would shape the semifinals.
The weight of strategy, timing, and trust rested on his shoulders.
If he made the right call, the path to cosmic dominance would be wide open.
***
The air shimmered with radiation as Paulo, stood before his elite cosmic soldiers at the waiting room in the Bloodmoon Kingdom.
Riku, now reborn as a vampire, and Rajin, his storm-eyed Tengu tactician.
The chamber pulsed with cosmic energy; its walls etched with starlit runes and glowing constellations.
Paulo's gaze swept over his warriors, calculating, calm.
The preliminaries were over.
The semi-finals loomed.
Riku leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, fangs glinting beneath a smirk, "So, who are we up against, Paulo?"
Paulo's lips curled into a knowing grin, "Eris Maita and Stun Kikuchi. The 14th and 15th of Rayan Andre's Nature Dominion. Bone magic and decay."
Rajin chuckled, his aura crackling with static, "We have got Riku now. Vampire blood changes the game."
Riku nodded, his eyes glowing faintly crimson.
"We have got time. Our match is in the second round of the semi-finals," He exhaled slowly, the weight of the upcoming battle settling in.
Rajin's tone shifted, serious now, "Who's fighting first?"
Paulo turned toward the celestial map hovering in the centre of the chamber.
"Kane Eguchi and Sai Fukuda of Ghostface. They are up against Ban Nakajima and Yoi Ohara from the Steel Dominion," His voice was calm, but his eyes burned with anticipation.
The map then pulsed, marking the countdown: 10 days until the semi-finals.
Paulo stepped forward, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Rest. Train. Study their magic. When our time comes, we do not just win, we dominate."
The stars above flickered in agreement.