Battle Royale I – Opening Chaos

The marble beneath Kazuo's feet still pulsed faintly with the activation rune — and yet, he was already moving.

No hesitation.

He launched forward.

Black hair whipped behind him, fists tight, boots scraping sparks as he sprinted across the circle — straight at Aoi.

The crowd gasped as one, the shock of someone daring to move first sweeping through the stands.

Aoi didn't flinch. He turned at the last instant, scarf drifting with the motion, Kazuo's fist cutting air where his chest had been.

Aoi's forearm snapped up, colliding with Kazuo's in a perfect block. No wasted strength. No wasted movement.

For half a heartbeat they were locked, muscle against muscle.

"So you really do hate me," Aoi murmured, almost amused.

Kazuo ground his teeth. "I need to eliminate the biggest threat."

Aoi blinked once, slow, like he hadn't expected such honesty. Then his palm shoved — sharp and precise.

Kazuo stumbled two steps back but planted his boots, regaining balance. All around, eyes turned toward him.

He'd made himself the first target.

Rulthan cracked his knuckles. Kaya shifted her stance.

"You know I'm not the only threat here," Aoi said calmly.

Kazuo's breath caught. He could feel it — the circle tightening.

And then — a blur of mist moved.

Yuki. Silent as snowfall, sliding into Aoi's blind spot. His leg swept low, a fluid arc aimed for Aoi's ankles.

Aoi hopped just enough to avoid it, but Yuki was already pivoting, elbow and fist striking in quick succession. Precise.

Aoi batted both aside with effortless rhythm. "You too?" he asked, resigned.

Yuki didn't answer. He slipped back into stillness.

Kazuo's eyes darted — too late.

A thunder of steps behind him.

Rhakka. The beast charged with claws wide, grinning like it was playtime.

Kazuo ducked under the first swipe, blocked the next — a hook that cracked against his arms so hard it numbed them.

Before he could reset, a shadow cut in from the side — Sylvain. A high kick arcing like a blade toward Kazuo's jaw.

Kazuo caught it on his forearm, pain sparking sharp.

Then Rhakka again. Then Sylvain. Strike after strike — claw, kick, elbow.

Kazuo blocked one. Dodged another. The next landed clean. His body rocked, breath torn from his chest. He couldn't cover every angle.

They were pressing him back — step by step, blow by blow.

And then, at the edge of his vision, a flash — Kaien went flying across the ring, crashing against the marble.

Kazuo hadn't even seen who threw him.

I can't see everything. I can't keep up.

Another hit rattled his ribs. Another slammed his shoulder. He staggered, boots scraping for grip.

They were herding him.

They're trying to force me out already!?

Panic clawed at his chest.

Not like this. Not in the first damn minute!

Kazuo ducked under Rhakka's claw and countered, fist hammering the beast's ribs. For a breath, space opened — but only for a breath.

Sylvain closed in. With dancer's grace, he planted a hand on Rhakka's shoulder, vaulted high, and snapped both boots into Kazuo's gut.

The impact was thunder. Air ripped from his lungs as his body rocketed backward, lifted clean off the marble. The ring spun — stone, banners, crowd, fire — all smearing into streaks. The edge rushed toward him.

No—!

He flailed for balance, but there was nothing to brace against, no grip, no chance. He was flying straight out of the ring.

And then—

A hand.

Iron fingers clamped onto his collar, halting his momentum with a violent jerk. His body whipped sideways, spine rattling as he was yanked out of the air and slammed down onto solid stone.

Kazuo hit the platform hard, rolled once, twice, and came to a stop near the center. Chest heaving. Vision swimming. Still inside the ring. Barely.

Silence rippled through the coliseum.

Kazuo lifted his head, breath ragged.

Boots. Heavy. Scarred.

Rulthan stood over him.

Sora's hands clawed at the railing, eyes wide. Tetsu blinked like he hadn't seen it right.

Up in the Captains' Gallery, Setsuna leaned forward — just slightly. Idris flicked his gaze sideways at him, then back down.

Kazuo looked up.

Those eyes weren't concern. They weren't asking if Kazuo was alive. They judged him.

His breath hitched.

Rulthan exhaled through his nose, steady and low.

And for Kazuo, the message was clear.

This wasn't rescue.

It was a debt he now owed