Later at the grid colosseum on los angles, Nara, the amazon pretorian of Zion, stepped into the arena with her trademark wicked smile. "Oh wow, long time no see, darling~" she greeted Frema, a woman in a suit with striking purple hair.
Frema grinned back, her voice dripping with nonchalance. "Hey, Nara! What are you up to?"
"Oh, you know how it is. Recruiting more gladiators, same old same old. But I always have time for you, darling~" Frema replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Nara smirked and rolled her eyes playfully. "You're such a flatterer, you know that?"
"I can't help it when I'm around you. You just bring out the flirt in me," Frema teased, tilting her head with a playful eyebrow raise.
Nara chuckled, shaking her head in mock disapproval. "Typical Frema, always making the ladies swoon."
As the announcer began his speech, the giant monitor displayed the Grid Colosseum, filled with countless spectators eagerly awaiting the action. Frema glanced up, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Showtime, darling."
"You ready to put on a show for the folks?" Nara asked, stretching her arms above her head, her muscles straining under her gladiator attire, excitement glinting in her eyes.
"Always," Frema replied, cracking her knuckles with determination. "Let's give these spectators a show they won't forget~"
"I'm down for that, darling. Let's give them one hell of a performance," Nara said, flexing her muscles with a cocky smirk, the anticipation of the upcoming fight igniting a fire within her.
Frema watched as Nara walked into the arena, a mix of anticipation and excitement coursing through her veins. "Good luck out there, darling," she called softly, her voice tinged with worry.
"Don't you worry about me~" Nara replied, throwing a carefree wink over her shoulder as she strode confidently into the arena, her eyes scanning the stands for any signs of danger. The energy in the air was electric, and the audience's anticipation grew with each passing moment.
The announcer's voice boomed, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Grid Colosseum!" The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, echoing throughout the stadium.
"We have a special treat for you today! Our first contestant is none other than the legendary Nara!" the announcer continued, and the crowd went wild, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. Frema smirked, knowing her friend was more than capable of handling anything the Colosseum threw at her.
"And for this round, Nara will be competing in the Steel Pit!" the announcer declared, and the audience roared, sensing the brutal spectacle about to unfold.
Nara stepped to the center of the Steel Pit, her eyes locked on the surrounding cage that encircled the arena. The tension was palpable, and the audience could feel it in their bones as they waited for the action to begin.
As the sound of a horn echoed, signaling the start of the round, the audience fell silent. The seconds felt like minutes as the two opponents circled each other, studying each other's movements. Finally, Nara struck first, her fist flying toward her opponent's face in a powerful swing.
The impact sent her opponent stumbling backward, clutching their face in pain. "Too slow, sweetheart," she taunted, taking advantage of the opportunity and rushing forward to deliver another blow.
The tension built as Nara closed the distance, her muscles taut and her eyes focused. She followed up with a swift punch aimed straight at their stomach, then a knee to the face.
After easily defeating her first two opponents, a massive monster truck rolled into the arena, circling the area. Behind it, steel pipes dropped, creating potential weapons for future fights. Inside the truck was a giant man with tribal tattoos, taunting and screaming as he hit the gas and jumped toward Nara.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Let's greet our favorite warrior... the Ball Crusher! Fredrick!" the announcer shouted as the giant man flexed his muscles, ripping his t-shirt to reveal a steel implant on his chest.
The crowd cheered and applauded as Fredrick flexed, the air filled with excitement and anticipation. Nara smirked, her eyes glinting with determination as she sized up her new opponent. "Bring it on, big boy," she taunted, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.
The giant man smirked, his eyes fixed on Nara like a predator locking onto its prey. He circled her slowly, muscles rippling under his skin, exuding power and danger. Nara kept a close eye on him, calculating her next move. She had dealt with bigger opponents before, but this guy was in a league of his own.
"What's taking you so long, big boy? Don't tell me you're afraid?" Nara feigned a yawn, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
The man's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening at her taunt. He let out a deep growl and charged forward, his massive frame moving with surprising speed. Nara sprang into action, timing her dodge perfectly and sidestepping at the last second, allowing him to barrel past her.
The crowd gasped in surprise as Nara deftly dodged the giant man's charge. Frema smiled, impressed by her friend's quick reflexes and agility. The battle was just beginning, and Nara was ready to show everyone what she was made of.
Fredrick picked up an iron pipe and hurled it at Nara. She dodged just in time, the metal narrowly missing her head and sending a shockwave through her body.
"Damn, that was close!" she exclaimed, leaping back to create some distance between herself and the giant man, assessing the situation.
The crowd inhaled sharply, a wave of anticipation washing over them as Nara narrowly avoided Fredrick's attack. Frema bit her lip, her heart racing as she silently prayed for Nara's safety.
"You're gonna have to do better than that, big guy," Nara retorted, her tone dripping with confidence. She was a skilled fighter and refused to be intimidated. Taking a moment to analyze Fredrick's attack pattern, she prepared for his next move.
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Fredrick growled in irritation, clearly annoyed by Nara's unwavering confidence. He swung the iron pipe again, this time in a wide arc, trying to catch her off guard.
Nara easily dodged the swing, her reflexes honed from countless battles. A grin spread across her face as adrenaline surged through her. "Is that all you got, big guy? I'm barely breaking a sweat here!"
The crowd cheered, clearly enjoying Nara's display of skill. Frema felt a pang of envy—she wished she could be as fearless and badass as her friend.
Fredrick gritted his teeth, his expression darkening at Nara's taunts. He charged again, swinging the iron pipe wildly, his movements growing more erratic and desperate.
Nara saw his frustration and exploited it, sidestepping his wild swings with ease. "You're getting sloppy, big boy," she taunted, her smirk widening as she watched him grow more enraged.
Dancing around his swings, Nara moved like a blur, toying with Fredrick and enjoying the power dynamic. "Come on, give me a challenge!" she laughed, her tone a mix of confidence and mockery.
But then Fredrick kicked up dust and swung the pipe, landing a solid hit on Nara's chest. The impact sent her flying a few meters back, but her gladiator bodysuit absorbed most of the blow.
"Oof! Damn, that was a good swing," she wheezed, feeling the sting of the hit.
The crowd gasped as Fredrick landed a solid blow. Frema gripped the railings, her heart racing as she watched Nara go down, silently praying for her friend's safety.
Fredrick grinned, satisfied with his hit, and moved toward Nara, his iron pipe ready for another strike. Nara groaned as she forced herself up, touching her bruised chest but relieved that nothing was broken. She glared at Fredrick, annoyance and determination etched on her face. Wiping a trickle of blood from her mouth, she smirked.
"Lucky shot, big boy. But I'm not done yet," she declared, rolling her shoulders and preparing for the next round.
The crowd watched with bated breath, their excitement reaching a peak as they sensed the fight was about to escalate.
Nara took her stance as Fredrick aimed another swing at her head. In a swift backflip, she dodged the attack and grabbed a nearby rock from the monster truck. She hurled it at him, but he blocked it effortlessly.
With a quick motion, Nara aimed for his jaw, landing a punch to his chest that struck his steel implant. The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps as Nara turned the tables, showcasing her skill and agility.
"Damn, Nara's got some moves!" Frema exclaimed, her admiration evident.
But then Fredrick caught Nara in a crushing bear hug, lifting her off the ground. The crowd gasped in shock as Frema gripped the railing tighter, her heart racing as she watched her friend struggle.
"Ack! Let go... you big... oaf!" Nara gasped, fighting against the man's grip. She could feel her ribs protesting under the pressure, her lungs struggling for air.
"You're crushing me... you idiot..." she managed to say, clawing at his arms in a desperate attempt to escape.
Frema watched, her heart in her throat, urging Nara silently to break free. "Come on, Nara, get out of there!" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart.
Nara continued to struggle, her face turning red from the lack of oxygen. She could feel the man's grip tightening, but her determination burned bright. "Damn... big... guy... let... me go..." she gasped, refusing to give in.
Nara made a desperate move, spitting in the man's eyes. The crowd gasped, then erupted in cheers as he momentarily staggered, stunned by the unexpected attack. Seizing the opportunity, Nara slammed her head into his forehead, creating a loud thud that echoed through the arena.
"Aagh... damn!" she exclaimed, feeling the force reverberate through her skull. For a moment, the world went fuzzy, pain shooting through her head as the crowd roared with excitement.
Now locked in a brutal brawl, Nara and the man exchanged hit after hit. Their breathing was ragged, sweat mingling with bruises and cuts on their faces. But neither seemed to care about the pain; they kept attacking, fists flying faster and harder with each punch, kicks and knees striking at any opening. It was a raw, ugly fight, devoid of finesse or technique.
Nara finally landed a punch on the man's chest implant, causing it to malfunction. He staggered back, trembling and smoking from the electric shock.
"AAAGH! It hurts! Make it... stop!" he screamed, collapsing to the ground, convulsing and groaning in agony.
The announcer's voice boomed throughout the colosseum, adding to the drama. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a situation! The fight seems to be taking a dramatic turn!"
The crowd gasped and murmured, their eyes darting between the fallen man and Nara, anticipation building. As the man continued to convulse, the announcer's voice filled the arena again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it appears we have a winner! Nara, the gladiator, has emerged victorious!"
Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd, some cheering for the fallen man, others for the victorious Nara. She took a moment to catch her breath, her chest heaving as she looked down at the man below her, feeling a mix of satisfaction and relief at her victory.
The sound of the crowd's cheers filled her ears like a sweet symphony. But her attention was immediately drawn to Frema, who watched with wide eyes, a mix of awe and pride on her face.
Frema saw the man's convulsions slow and finally stop, taking a moment to process what had just happened before breaking into a wide smile. "Gods, that was intense... you okay, Nara?"
She made her way toward the edge of the arena, worry still etched on her face as she looked up at her friend.
Nara wiped a trickle of blood from her mouth and grinned weakly. "I'm fine... just a few bruises and scratches. Nothing major," she replied, her voice a little raspy from the battle. Despite her nonchalance, there was a hint of exhaustion in her eyes.
Later, as Nara left the arena, the music for the next show began to play. She was taken to the med bay for treatment, and while there, she caught sight of the monitor displaying the announcer boasting about the impending World War IV, claiming the Red Nation would emerge victorious in the so-called holy war. The recruitment ads flashed across the screen, and Nara felt a wave of disgust wash over her.
"More propaganda..." she muttered, her voice dripping with skepticism.
Frema, watching the screens intently, frowned at the announcement. "Damn, I hate it when they start this nonsense. But hey, that's how it works."
Nara clenched her fists, anger and frustration bubbling inside her. "They always promise victory like it's some grand prize. But they never show the cost of war—the devastation and suffering..."
She shot a hard glance at Frema. "The lives and innocence lost... all for power and greed."
Just then, the med crew finished treating Nara with impressive speed, thanks to their advanced technology that dried her wounds quickly with laser devices. She watched in awe as the medics worked, feeling the pain and soreness fade away.
"This tech... it's amazing. It gets better and faster every year," she said, her eyes wide as she looked down at her nearly healed body.
Frema grinned, impressed. "You should see it on deeper wounds. They can regrow lost limbs and bring people back from the brink of death. It's almost like magic."
Nara's eyes widened in disbelief. "Seriously? They can regrow limbs? That's... insane!"
She glanced down at her healed body again, her mind racing with the implications of such technology. "It almost seems too good to be true. I've seen a lot of tech before, but this... it's like they're playing gods."
Frema nodded, a bitter edge to her voice. "That's exactly what they're doing. Playing gods, manipulating life and death. It sounds good in theory, but the reality is far more twisted. They do nothing without an agenda, and more often than not, it's self-serving or downright sinister."
She looked at the medics working on Nara, her expression hardening. "They have the power to do so much good, but most of the time, they choose not to. It's maddening..."
Nara stood up and put on her gladiator suit, which had been damaged in the earlier fight. She looked in the mirror, her mind swirling with mixed emotions.
Meanwhile, among the spectators in the Grid Colosseum, a Wanderer spy lurked in the shadows, eyes keenly scanning the arena. They were waiting for the perfect moment to make their move, ready to tip the scales in this chaotic game.
After the roar of the crowd subsided and the arena emptied, Nara returned to her duties as Zion's Amazonian Praetorian bodyguard. But the thrill of the fight, the fleeting sense of control, couldn't mask the underlying emptiness. Her days became a monotonous cycle: exercise, virtual world, repeat.
The virtual world was a common escape for Red Nation citizens, the closest thing to freedom they could afford. It was quick, simple, accessible—to those who could pay the price. Nara invested heavily, crafting avatars, becoming a hero in simulated adventures, even reliving her school days as a virtual gang member. Yet, none of it filled the void. In the cold light of reality, she remained a puppet, a feeling that clung to her like a second skin. Joining the Bastard Brigade, becoming a full-fledged soldier, felt like a step too far… for now. So, she remained a gladiator, a star in a spectacle, waiting for something to change.
One day, within the digital confines of a virtual paradise, Nara encountered Svat in his usual persona. “Hey, Svat. Long time no see. What you do now?” Nara spoke first, her avatar a graceful princess.
Svat, his avatar a burly humanoid bull, simply shrugged. “Ehh nothing. Just living.”
Nara chuckled. “Yeah. Of course. You lazy ass.”
Svat frowned, the expression somehow translating even through the bovine features of his avatar. “Don’t be like that. Everyone had own pace.”
Nara rolled her eyes. “Hah. Sure. Perhaps it’s because of your Khagan heritage, isn’t it? You guys just drunk, fight and fight. Hehe.”
Svat crossed his virtual arms. “It’s nothing to do with my heritage. That kinda racist, you know… thinking all same, just because some Khaganate soldier do warcrime is not like all of us warmonger.”
Nara feigned a yawn. “Sure… anyway. Let’s do something, Bull.”
Svat nodded. “That’s more like it.”
They dove into simulated racing games, then embarked on a virtual adventure reminiscent of classic Zelda games. After a while, Nara stretched her arms, her princess avatar mirroring the action. “Ahh. I think that’s that fun. But I must go… you know. I had a job.” Nara winked. “So I can’t just play all day.”
Svat brushed it off. “Sure, a job. Smashing people in the arena. See you later.”
Nara logged off, leaving Svat alone in the virtual paradise. He lingered for a moment, then, with a few keystrokes, transformed the idyllic landscape into a brutal battle server. The server's name materialized in bold letters: “Legacy of Genghis Khan.” Almost instantly, the virtual world filled with avatars of Blood Khaganate warriors, clad in simulated Mongol armor, their voices rising in a chorus of throat singing.