Battle Royale III – The Enemy of My Enemy

Kazuo’s breath hitched. His eyes flicked between them — Kaya steadying her stance, Aoi already sliding into motion.

"Well… this is certainly bad."

And then he moved.

He bolted left — a split-second escape route. Let them give chase. Maybe they’d break formation.

But Aoi was already there.

A step ahead.

Kazuo veered sharply — only for Aoi’s palm to slam into his chest.

He reeled back a step, teeth clenched.

Kaya lunged from the side, her leg slicing up in a rising arc.

Kazuo ducked — barely — then shot forward.

His hand caught her ankle.

Her eyes widened — too late.

With a spin, he twisted his hips and hurled her straight into Aoi’s path.

A blur of limbs, both colliding in a tangle.

Kazuo didn’t wait.

He dashed.

One breath.

Then—

A sharp crack.

His head snapped sideways.

Yuki’s fist met his cheek mid-run, sending him staggering.

Pain burst across his jaw. His feet skidded across the stone — and suddenly, they were all there.

Kaya. Aoi. Yuki.

Closing in.

Not in formation — in convergence.

Kazuo barely caught his balance. Cornered.

Captain’s Gallery

Idris leaned against the railing, arms folded, eyes on the clash below. But after a moment, his gaze shifted sideways.

To Setsuna.

Usually flippant. Careless. That irritating smirk glued to his face.

But now?

Silent and focused. Eyes narrowed like a hawk tracking prey.

He said nothing. But he kept watching. So did Setsuna.

Keep moving, Kazuo.

Squad Stands

Tetsu’s hands curled on the railing. “That’s cheap. Three on one?”

Sora flicked her tail, lips twisting in a half-smile. “Told you. They were gonna gang up on him.”

She said it lightly — but her eyes never left the ring.

Royal Balcony

Lady Elyria sat still and elegant — except for the way her eyes kept drifting toward her father.

King Cedric hadn’t moved. Fingers steepled. Posture relaxed. But he stopped drinking his wine.

His eyes were locked on Kazuo.

Elyria’s gaze lingered on him.

So… he really is watching that boy.

Back in the Arena

Lyria twisted again — fifth dodge in under a minute. She didn’t need to fight.

Not when the brute was doing it for her.

Let him waste his energy.

Rulthan slammed another fist forward — she slipped under it.

Elegant. Bored.

But too focused on him to notice the danger behind.

A blur.

Rhakka charged in from the side — low and fast like a stampede.

Lyria flinched right — straight into Sylvain, who cut her off with a wide step and a low sweep, forcing her to jump back.

Rhakka smiled. “I think we have an idea here.”

He grabbed her wrist — firm, steady.

Sylvain stepped into her path, voice calm. “Apologies. But this has to be done.”

Lyria’s jaw clenched. “Get your disgusting hands off me—!”

She twisted hard — elbowed Rhakka, nearly slipped free—

But Rulthan was ready.

One arm snapped around her waist, the other bracing her back.

She struggled, slamming a fist into his chest. “You dare—!”

He didn’t hesitate.

With a brutal pivot, he hurled her across the arena like dead weight.

She flew.

“Drop out,” Rulthan muttered.

Lyria’s shriek was all fury as she collided with Kaya, both tumbling hard in a tangle of limbs and curses. The circle broke — and Kazuo had his opening.

He blinked — then moved.

There.

This was his chance — a narrow, fleeting moment to break free.

He sprinted.

Kaya shoved Lyria off, just barely rising—

Too late.

Kazuo shot through the gap like water slipping downhill.

Aoi turned — reading the movement, stepping to intercept—

But something struck his back — hard.

Kaien.

One elbow to Aoi’s spine — sharp, explosive.

“Sorry.”

Aoi shot forward like a bolt, feet lifted clean off the ground — skidding and crashing across the marble with a brutal scrape.

Kazuo was gone. Already halfway across the field, breath ragged.

This was too close.

But—

Footsteps came fast behind him.

He didn’t even have to look.

“Damn it—”

Yuki caught up — effortless, not even breathing hard.

But—

He didn’t strike.

Kazuo blinked mid-sprint.

Yuki ran beside him. Calm. Eyes forward.

“Relax,” he muttered. “I am not after you.”

They both slowed.

Yuki’s voice came again, low and sharp:

“Aoi’s the bigger problem. You see it too.”

Kazuo didn’t respond — but his silence said enough.

Yuki’s lips curled faintly. “Thought so.”

And then—

A blur slammed down beside them, grit scattering.

Kaien — landing rough, sliding to a halt near their feet, jaw tight.

He winced, pushed himself up, and moved into place beside them — fists trembling faintly.

Across from them—

Aoi stood, one hand lowering from the push.

Pissed.

His eyes tracked Kaien, then flicked up, sharp as razors.

“Striking from behind,” he said angry. “Only cowards do that.”

Kaien spat grit, brushing his sleeve off.

His eyes stayed low, voice barely above a murmur.

“…If you’ll have me… I’ll help.”

Kazuo glanced at him, then at Yuki.

Can I trust them? He did hit me…

He didn’t know. Probably not. But being alone meant dead.

He exhaled through his nose, fists curling tighter.

Fine. I don't have a choice.

But Aoi wasn’t alone.

Flanking him now — silent, seamless—

Kaya and Lyria.

Kaya squared her stance, eyes locked forward. Ready.

Lyria dusted her sleeve with idle grace, as if the fight barely deserved her attention — yet her steps fell perfectly into line.

Not a word passed. Just a silent alignment. An understanding.

No one could afford to be alone now.

And then—

A crunch of movement behind. The heavy beat of footsteps. The shift of air like a blade about to drop.

Rulthan. Rhakka. Sylvain.

Rhakka smiled. “Three teams? Sounds fairer than I expected.”

Sylvain didn’t smile. His eyes scanned like choosing which flame to smother first.

Rulthan just stepped forward.

Captain’s Gallery

Captain Kaito’s breath misted faintly in the warm air — the only sign he’d spoken.

“So… he allied with Setsuna’s pupil.”

Not surprised. Just thoughtful.

Beside him, Zahari leaned forward, gaze locked on Kaien.

“…Didn’t expect him to do this. But maybe he needed to.”

A pause.

“I’m proud he even moved and attacked at all.”

Idris flicked his eyes toward Setsuna again.

He’d known him for years. The ice prince. The jester. The smug bastard with a smirk glued to his soul.

But now? Still. Focused. Tense.

So unlike him. That boy must matter to him more than I thought. But why? What does he see in that kid to take this so seriously?

Squad Stands

Sora tilted her head, tail flicking once.

“Well… finally some fairness,” she purred.

Tetsu adjusted his glasses, eyes locked below.

“I’m more surprised no one’s dropped out yet. This is practically a war.”

Back in the Arena

Kazuo’s chest rose and fell, air sharp in his lungs.

He looked at them — all of them.

Lyria, bruised. Kaya, breath heavier now.

Aoi, poised but slowing.

Yuki, blank gaze but tighter footwork.

Kaien, fists quivering.

Rhakka, smiling through a bleeding lip.

Sylvain — flawless, but fairies get tired when they can’t fly.

And Rulthan — glaring like he could break the earth itself.

None admitted it, but all of them were exhausted.

Except maybe Lyria.

All of this… and it only takes one. One of us falls out of the ring—

And it’s over.

He exhaled, steady. Heartbeat drumming in his chest.

My lungs burn. Every breath is fire. This can’t drag on. I just need someone to fall. Anyone.

His eyes slid past Aoi, no longer locked on him.

The battle was at its peak.
And the fall… was coming.