NOVPUB
Chapter 330: 330
At once, the entire colosseum, packed with apelings, dropped to one knee. The air buzzed with reverence as the imposing figure of Ikem stepped out. Dressed in resplendent royal attire, Ikem walked with regal grace, his hand holding a golden cup brimming with wine. A bright smile adorned his face as he took his seat upon the throne, surveying his people.
Once Ikem was seated, the flamboyant announcer spoke again, his voice dripping with playful mischief. "And following beside our great king, the one whose beauty makes even the most elegant harpies jealous—your majesty, the golden maiden, the burning guardian of flames, first daughter of the sun god, Ursula!"
At the mention of Ursula, the crowd raised their brows in shock before erupting into loud cheers. The entire colosseum seemed to grow warmer—not uncomfortably so, but with a soothing, welcoming heat. The air buzzed with excitement as the golden light descended.
Like a radiant angel, Ursula descended from the sky, her magnificent golden wings spread wide. The sunlight reflected off her feathers, casting shimmering patterns across the colosseum. Ikem stood, offering his hand to her as she landed gracefully beside him. With a soft smile, she took his hand, and a golden throne materialized next to his. Guiding her to her seat, Ikem returned to his own, their regal presence dominating the arena.
The crowd’s excitement reached a fever pitch, but the flamboyant announcer, even the showman, placed a hand on his ear, as if listening for something. With a playful smirk, he whispered into the microphone, "It’s time. Open the gates!"
Far from the colosseum, in a remote territory guarded by the apelings, stood an ancient gate—massive, dragon-built, and now guarded with the utmost vigilance. Apeling soldiers in shining armor stood at attention, their eyes sharp and watchful. At the center of the gate, a single apeling mage, draped in ceremonial robes, approached. Placing his hand on the gate’s surface, he began to channel mana into it.
The gate responded immediately, glowing brightly as it shifted and adjusted its position, pointing toward the sky. Moments later, a brilliant pillar of light shot upward, piercing the heavens before vanishing. The mage stepped back and nodded to his fellow guardians. "That’s the first batch."
Back at the colosseum, after the awe-inspiring entrance of Ursula, who now sat chatting comfortably with Ikem, the flamboyant announcer turned back to the crowd. With an exaggerated gesture, he called for their attention.
"Apelings! All eyes to the sky!"
The crowd obeyed, turning their gaze upward just in time to witness something truly extraordinary. The very fabric of the sky above the colosseum began to tear apart, the atmosphere cracking and shimmering as if the heavens themselves were opening. In the blink of an eye, a wave of creatures emerged from the rift in the sky—the godling race of Ursula: the majestic harpies.
With their vast wings and striking forms, the harpies soared down toward the colosseum, filling the air with awe-inspiring grace. Their feathers shimmered with different vibrant hues, and as they descended, the apelings in the crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement now at its peak.
The apeling announcer raised his mic, his voice brimming with excitement as he addressed the roaring crowd. "This, my fellow apelings, is the Emperor’s grand surprise! This year’s competition will not only be among ourselves but will include all the godling races!" The atmosphere exploded with anticipation and shock. Some in the crowd cheered loudly, while others grumbled.
"Why weren’t we told earlier? I would’ve worn my best outfit!" one shouted, prompting laughter from others.
All eyes turned to the sky as the harpies descended, their dark, feathered wings slicing through the air. Their faces had an ethereal, fierce beauty, with sharp features and hawk-like eyes that gleamed with Joy and an absent look on their face. Their legs ended in powerful talons, which they folded elegantly beneath their feathered skirts as they landed. Each harpy bowed deeply to Ikenga and Ursula before moving to the seats that had been reserved for them. The crowd hushed, waiting for the next spectacle.
Back in the town square, the apeling received the signal for the second group. He placed his hands on the portal, which pulsed with energy before erupting in a pillar of blinding light. The crowd gasped in awe as the flamboyant announcer soared into the air, the wind carrying him effortlessly toward the sky.
"And now, my friends, prepare yourselves for a rare sight—the Mermen!" The announcer’s voice boomed over the audience, making heads snap toward the stage. "A race so few have seen, yet boasting some of the most beautiful beings in existence. I would know—I’ve met them myself."
The apeling men whistled and shouted in eager anticipation, while the women rolled their eyes or elbowed their partners in annoyance.
A massive, swirling portal opened at the center of the coliseum floor. A torrent of water burst forth, filling the arena as a shimmering barrier rose to protect the audience from the deluge. The noise of rushing water was deafening as it swirled around, gradually filling the arena like a vast underwater world.
Emerging first from the waters were the sharkmen. Towering and imposing, their bodies were covered in thick, leathery skin, with powerful jaws and rows of razor-sharp teeth that glinted in the coliseum’s light. Their muscular arms ended in clawed hands, and their eyes gleamed with a curious look as they surveyed the crowd.
Following them came the mermaids, their beauty utterly captivating. Their long, shimmering tails transformed into slender, scaled legs as they emerged from the water. Their skin was pale, and their flowing hair gleamed in various shades of blue and silver, cascading down their backs. As their bare feet touched the ground, delicate skirts made of pearlescent fabric wrapped around them, adding to their otherworldly charm. The crowd gasped at their appearance, especially the men, who were momentarily dumbstruck by their beauty.
Finally, the murlocs appeared—small, fish-like humanoids with gills on their necks, bulging eyes, and webbed limbs. They lacked the imposing presence of the sharkmen or the beauty of the mermaids, but their quirky appearance and gleeful energy earned them cheers and applause from the crowd. Each murloc carried a bubble of water around its head, allowing it to breathe on land.
The water in the coliseum began to drain, and the mermen gracefully stepped forward, their heads held high. Together, the mermen and murlocs bowed respectfully to Ikenga and Ursula.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer continued, "allow me to present the godling race of the Sea King, Tide, and her highness Flowua, though she will not be joining us today." The mermen were led to their seats, but one sharkman diverged from the group, making his way toward the throne. This was Drowz, Tide’s first son. He exchanged nods with Ikenga and Ursula, his massive form looming over the others as he prepared to watch the competition.
"And now," the announcer said, his voice lowering mischievously, "our next group needs no introduction. You all know them well. Rumor has it our Princess Ripple may be entangled in a situationship with their prince!" The crowd erupted into laughter and teasing as the announcer gestured dramatically toward the sky.
The clear blue above darkened as stars twinkled into existence. From the heavens, a glittering rainbow path descended toward the coliseum, stretching out as though the stars themselves were opening the way. Out of the shimmering light emerged the werewolves.
Leading them was Wulv, the fierce son of Vinter King Maul. His eyes blazed with silent fury as he glared at the announcer, who was laughing along with Ikenga and Ursula. The werewolves that followed were clad in armor as dark as the night sky, their hulking forms decorated with patterns that resembled constellations. Their fur bristled beneath their heavy helmets, and their glowing eyes scanned the audience with suspicion.
The crowd’s cheers became scattered and mocking. "Hey, find yourselves a set already!" one apeling called out. "I’ve seen armor cooler than yours!"
The werewolves, unfazed by the jabs, exchanged taunts of their own, but their discipline and stoic demeanor remained intact as they made their way to their seats.
As the werewolves made their way to their seats, the playful tension in the air intensified, but it was clear that this was more of an old, friendly rivalry than actual hostility.
One werewolf, a large brute with scruffy brown fur poking out from under his armor, gave a mock snarl as he passed the crowd. "Still running your mouths, huh? Careful, or we’ll have to remind you which godling race howls the loudest around here!" His yellow eyes glinted with amusement.
An apeling in the front row, wearing a ridiculous feathered hat, grinned back as he recognized the fugure, crossing his arms. "Please, Korak, the only thing you’ll be howling about is losing in the first round—again. I bet my grandma could take you down with one paw tied behind her back!"
Korak’s ears twitched, and he let out a barking laugh, nudging the werewolf beside him. "Hear that, Mala? The apelings still think they can fight. Must be all that time swinging in trees, makes them forget what a real battle looks like."
