781 Checking the Colosseum
{We will be taking a one-hour break to assess the Colosseum’s structural integrity before resuming,} the AI referee announced, immediately initiating a thorough diagnostic of every corner andponent. Its analysis focused on identifying any damage that couldpromise the Arena’s safety or functionality. Wherever damage was detected, the AI determined if repairs were necessary or if backups could seamlessly recepromised parts, ensuring minimal downtime.
The break served as a breather for viewers witnessing an extraordinary, high-stakes fight—the likes of which they had never seen before. Typically, wars between civilizations either end swiftly or drag on as wars of attrition until one side surrenders or a ceasefire is reached. But here, events had unexpectedly spiraled into a one-on-one showdown between representatives of both sides.
This situation was something entirely unique, born from a rarebination of circumstances that couldn’t have aligned if even one factor had been different. This
The Astral Conve arrived with powerful fleets, but due to the mana oath, they were forced to act within a strict timeline. This constraint limited their ability to assemble all avable forces in one ce for coordinated wormhole travel. As a result, they couldn’t bring their full power to bear, setting the stage for a more even confrontation than they had anticipated.
The discovery of mana stones added urgency to the Astral Conve''s actions. They feared that if they dyed to gather more forces, other civilizations might reach the star system first, iming territories—and with them, control over the mana stones. This would force them to either remain buyers or face challenging battles against other powerful civilizations, a scenario that didn’t sit well with anyone in their ranks. N?v(el)B\\jnn
The ckhole bomb was another pivotal factor, as it revealed the Empire''s ability to destroy them, no matter how strong they were. This revtion not only instilled fear but also fueled a deep desire within the Astral Conve to acquire such a weapon, granting them the same power to ensure their survival and dominance.
The Empire''s defense and its capacity to hold its ground without relying on ckhole bombs further pushed the Conve toward their decision. It was a rare and significant moment, one that they believed would give them the upper hand. They trusted in the diversity and strength of their abilities, confident that they could prevail in a direct confrontation.
All of these factors culminated in what the citizens of both sides had once envisioned as a "dream scenario." Instead of the leadership sending their soldiers to face certain death, they now found themselves forced to fight personally. This unprecedented shift in strategy turned the conflict into a spectacle. The fight was also being broadcast to both the entire Astral Conve and the Terran Empire, where it was watched by countless spectators as though it were nothing more than an entertainment event, rather than the defining war that would shape the future rtions between the two civilizations.
During this break, the referee AI yed reys of the previous fights from multiple angles, allowing viewers to fully grasp the gravity of the situation. As they watched, it became clear that the decision made by the Conve''s leadership was the worst possible choice. What had started as an agreement that assured their win quickly turned into a series of defeats, leaving the Conve facing an unexpected losing streak—something no one had ever anticipated would ur in their lifetimes.
It took only forty minutes for the Arena to be dered fully restored, but the referee AI decided to wait for the remaining twenty minutes before calling for the next fighter: a Shadari, a warrior from a civilization renowned as masters of stealth.
However, despite their known and proven ability, no one in the Conve had any hope left. Every time they had allowed themselves to believe that victory was within reach, the emperor had swiftly crushed those hopes. Now, the viewers watched, not in anticipation of a potential win, but simply to see how the emperor would end the fight this time. The air was thick with resignation as the Conve''s once-unshakable confidence had been shattered by each of Aron''s victories.
………….
{I don’t have to remind you, but they are one of the most dangerous people to fight against,} Nova said. {We still don’t know if they can also do what their bombs, which can go through anything, can.} She reminded Aron, unwilling to let him forget, no matter how improbable it seemed. Operating on the ethos that if something goes without saying, it still needs to be said, she wanted to ensure he was fully aware of the threat.
"I know. If there is nothing I can do, I will just surrender," Aron said, acknowledging the risks of the current situation. His tone, however, was not one of resignation, but one that conveyed a resolve to give his best effort before considering surrender. He made it clear that, while he recognized the odds, he would fight until the was no other way, knowing the Empire had already won the majority.
Despite the fight not starting, He was already struggling to pinpoint the exact location of the enemy. Although the opponent wasn''t moving at all, Aron could have sworn that the enemy kept appearing in different ces, sometimes vanishing entirely before reappearing momentster. This unsettling behavior was raising the level of caution in Aron, as it hinted at something far more dangerous waiting to unfold.
"It’s going to be a difficult one," he muttered, followed by closing his eyes. His vision was only a hindrance now, as whatever the Shadari fighter was wearing or doing was directly interfering with the light itself, not just creating an illusion. Even the camera feed was struggling with the same distortion, showing fragmented and unreliable images. Aron knew that relying on sight in this situation would be pointless; he would have to depend on other senses and instincts if he were to stand a chance.
"Nova, thanks for the help ahead of time," Aron said, his voice steady as he focused on the approaching fight. The seconds ticked away, each one bringing him closer to the inevitable sh.