The Colosseum fell into a hush.
The sky dimmed as though the heavens themselves leaned in to witness what was about to unfold. High above the arena, the floating runes announced the match that had everyone on edge:
Quarterfinal Match: Raghav Pandit vs. Vaikunth Varna
The moment Raghav stepped onto the sacred platform of the Divine Dais, he could feel the sheer pressure radiating from his opponent. Vaikunth stood calm, arms crossed, with eyes as still as a glacier. Behind him, Kaalraksh, the obsidian bull, snorted—its breath cracking the stone beneath its hooves.
Raghav held his staff firm. Beside him, Nyra growled low, her golden-red fur bristling, and blue eyes locked onto Vaikunth with primal intensity.
Master Arvind raised his hand. "Begin."
In the blink of an eye, Vaikunth vanished.
Raghav barely managed to spin his staff, blocking a strike that sent him skidding back across the platform. Vaikunth appeared behind him instantly—teleporting with sheer mental force—and slammed a psi-blast into his chest. Raghav flew into the air, coughing blood.
"Already disappointing," Vaikunth said softly.
He raised a hand—and the entire arena trembled. Kaalraksh began to glow, and with a roar, fused with Vaikunth in a brilliant flash of black crystal and violet aura.
What emerged was no longer human.
A Beast-Fused Titan. Vaikunth now towered with a crystalline exoskeleton, massive horns, and glowing runes pulsing across his arms. His mind and beast were perfectly synced—Bond Integration at Tier III, an art thought unreachable without divine blessing.
The crowd gasped.
Raghav rose slowly, blood on his lips. Nyra stepped forward, snarling—but was struck by a psychic wave so strong it knocked her unconscious instantly.
"Too weak," Vaikunth murmured again. "Let me end your suffering."
He rushed forward. A punch shattered the stone platform and crushed into Raghav's ribs. The boy collapsed. His vision blurred. Blood soaked the divine circle beneath him. The world dimmed.
Then—silence.
And in that silence, a light opened in the heavens.
"Child of Balance… you are not done."
From the clouds above, Lord Shiva's eye opened—a cosmic gaze that pierced the battlefield. The divine mark on Raghav's chest ignited. The Trishula flared, blinding the audience.
Nyra's eyes opened, golden with divine flame.
The two merged in an explosion of light.
Feathers of red, gold, and flame circled Raghav's body. His staff transformed into a radiant Trishula. His hair shimmered like silver moonlight, and his eyes—now glowing blue—held the calm of ancient gods.
Divine Bond Integration — Awakened Form.
Vaikunth took a step back. "What… is this?"
Raghav raised the Trishula.
"This is the will of Dominion."
And the real battle began.