Back to the sky that was painted with hues of swirling purple and blue as the towering figure of the Asura girl hovered above thend, her celestial form glowing with otherworldly light.
Her long, silver hair flowed like molten mercury, cascading down her back as her crimson eyes surveyed the various tribes, ns, and families assembled across the Absorbed Worlds.
She exuded an air of regal authority, a grand spectacle in a cosmic game that had brought together the most powerful and dangerous creatures from different realities.
Lyerin stood in silence, watching her from atop the symbolic statue of his Stonehooves Tribe, the faint smirk never leaving his face.
Corora clung to him, her fear and awe palpable as she stared wide-eyed at the Asura girl, her heart racing with every word that echoed across the sky.
The Asura girl lifted her hands, and her voice boomed with authority.
"Wee again, warriors and survivors of the Absorbed Worlds!" Her voice was melodic, yet powerful, resonating through the air like the tolling of a bell.
"You have all been chosen, your races represented by the strongest among you, the spirit manifestations of your tribes, families, and brotherhoods. Each of you will fight for your world''s survival, and only the strongest shall remain."
Corora shivered against Lyerin, her grip tightening as her gaze flitted from the Asura girl to the floating screens that had begun to appear in the sky.
Each screen depicted the representatives of the various races, their forms flickering into view one by one.
The Asura girl raised her hand, and with a sweeping motion, she gestured to the first screen.
"From the world of Zordrix, the race known as the Jaldir, we have the Skyw Brotherhood—an elite group of warriors who dominate the skies with their magnificent wings and unmatched speed.
"Their leader, Velros Skybreaker, stands as their representative, his spirit manifesting in the form of a great winged beast, the embodiment of his people''s freedom."
On the screen, Velros Skybreaker appeared—a tall, muscr Jaldir with golden wings that glowed in the sunlight. His eyes burned with a fierce determination, and the spirit manifestation behind him was a colossal bird of prey with razor-sharp talons.
Corora''s breath hitched in her throat, her fingers curling into Lyerin''s skin. "They can fly," she whispered, her voice trembling. "They look so powerful."
Lyerin''s smirk grew wider. "This is just the beginning," he said, his voice low and filled with amusement.
The Asura girl continued, her voice echoing through the heavens.
"From the world of Kaeloris, we have the Greenveil Family of the Olerai—a race deeply connected to nature, able to bend the very forests to their will. Their representative, ndra Leafshadow,mands the ancient power of the trees, her spirit manifesting as a towering oak with roots that stretch deep into the earth."
On the screen, ndra Leafshadow appeared—a tall, graceful Olerai with skin the color of bark and leaves woven into her hair.
Behind her, the image of a massive tree spirit loomed, its branches crackling with energy.
Corora''s eyes widened. "They can control the forest?" she muttered, her fear growing with each revtion.
Lyerin chuckled softly. "It seems every world has its tricks."
The Asura girl moved on, her voice unwavering. "From the world of Treneron, we have the Tidalde n of the Sevarin—a race that thrives beneath the waves. Their representative, Marinus Tidecaller, controls the ocean''s fury, his spirit manifesting as a leviathan capable of summoning tsunamis."
The screen disyed Marinus Tidecaller—a Sevarin with scaled skin and webbed hands, his body adorned with seashells and coral.
Behind him, the image of a titanic sea monster loomed, its eyes glowing with a deep, menacing blue.
Corora swallowed hard, her fear now mixed with awe. "They control the ocean… What kind of creatures are we up against?"
Lyerin''s eyes gleamed with interest, though he said nothing, watching the screens as if they were pieces on a chessboard.
The Asura girl moved to the next race.
"From the world of Vortan, we have the Moltenfist Tribe of the Volcaris—a race born from the molten core of their world. Their representative, Ignar meheart,mands the power of fire, his spirit manifesting as a volcano capable of raining down destruction."
Ignar meheart appeared on the screen—a Volcaris with skin of molten rock and eyes that glowed likeva. Behind him, the image of a volcanic eruption took form, spewing fire and ash into the sky.
Corora shuddered. "Fire… they''re made of fire…"
Lyerin''s smirk never faltered. "Good. Let them burn."
The Asura girl continued without pause.
"From the world of Darrok, we have the Ironmaul n of the Brutarians—massive, four-armed humanoids known for their brute strength. Their representative, Gorn Ironmaul, manifests the spirit of an ancient war titan, a creature of unstoppable force."
Gorn Ironmaul was a towering Brutarian, his four arms thick with muscle, his eyes glowing with a cold, calcting rage.
Behind him, the spirit of a war titan loomed—a colossal figure of metal and stone.
Corora''s grip tightened even further. "They''re huge…"
Lyerin nced at her, his expression unreadable. "Size isn''t everything."
The Asura girl''s voice rose again. "From the world of Malvaros, we have the Mindspire Circle of the Thrylos—a race known for their heightened mental abilities.
Their representative, Vetrax Mindbender, manifests the spirit of a psionic entity, capable of bending reality to his will."
Vetrax Mindbender appeared on the screen—his elongated skull and glowing eyes a clear indication of his immense mental power.
Behind him, a swirling vortex of energy formed, distorting the space around it.
Corora''s voice was barely a whisper. "They can… control minds?"
Lyerin chuckled darkly. "Let''s hope they don''t try that on me."
The Asura girl''s voice took on a more ominous tone. "From the world of Keros, we have the Shadoww Syndicate of the Seraphians—a race that thrives in darkness. Their representative, Nerith Shadowfang, manifests the spirit of a shadow wraith, able to move unseen and strike without warning."
Nerith Shadowfang was a shadowy figure, barely visible even on the screen.
His eyes glowed with a sinister light, and behind him, the spirit of a wraith drifted silently, its form shrouded in darkness.
Corora shivered. "They… they''re terrifying…"
Lyerin''s grin widened. "Now that is interesting."
The Asura girl continued, unphased by the growing tension in the audience.
"From the world of Yvarka, we have the Deepwater Legion of the Zygron—a race of aquatic warriors. Their representative, Sirena Deepwater,mands the ocean''s depths, her spirit manifesting as a kraken, a creature of untold power."
Sirena Deepwater appeared on the screen, her body sleek and covered in scales. Behind her, the image of a kraken loomed, its tentacles writhing in the depths.
Corora could barely speak. "So many…"
Lyerin remained silent, his eyes fixed on the screens, his mind working through each representative''s strengths and weaknesses.
Finally, the Asura girl''s voice grew softer, almost reverent. "And now, from the world of Pherin, we have the Webweaver Coterie of the Araknae—a race of spider-like humanoids. Their representative, Sylkis Webweaver, manifests the spirit of an ancient spider queen, her webs capable of trapping even the mightiest of foes."
Sylkis Webweaver appeared on the screen, her body a grotesquebination of human and spider, her eyes glinting with malice.
Behind her, the spirit of a massive spider queen towered over the battlefield.
Corora''s voice trembled. "I… I can''t…"
Lyerin gently ced a hand on her arm. "Calm yourself. We haven''t even been introduced yet."
And then, the Asura girl paused. The screen flickered, and a moment of tension hung in the air. She turned to the final screen, her eyes narrowing.
"And finally… from the world of Earth…"
Corora''s heart stopped in her chest. She could feel Lyerin''s gaze shift toward the screen as well, a dark anticipation building in the air.
"The representative of the Stonehooves Tribe…"
The Asura girl froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she stared at the screen. Her voice faltered for the first time, and she let out a small, disbelieving sound.
"Eh?"
A shocked silence followed her exmation, the entire sky seeming to hold its breath.