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Author's Note:
Guys, sorry for the delay, guys! I was super busy and couldn't get the chapter out on time. đ I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. Thanks for being patientâand I really hope you enjoy this chapter!
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[Note:
" * " : Indicates abilities that can be upgraded with practice, experience, or unique opportunities.]
> System inner voice ["speaking"] <
> Ash inner speech "speaking" <
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ACE'S TRAIL:
Blinding light engulfed Ace as she stepped through the portal with Ash and others.
She raised her arm, shielding her eyes from the brightness. Then, just as suddenly as it came, the light faded. As she blinked away the lingering glare, her vision clearedâand what she saw left her baffled.
She stood at centre of massive colosseum stretched around her, its towering stone walls rising high above. The air was thick with dust, the scent of sweat and blood lingering as if countless battles had been fought here before.
A deafening roar filled the arena. Thousands of unseen spectators shouted and cheered from the stands, their voices merging into a chaotic storm of excitement.
But something was wrong. Ace turned sharply, her heart pounding as she noticed something. "Ash, Selina and othersâwhere were they?!"
Frantically, she scanned her surroundings. She was separated and she noticed she is not alone in the arena.
Dozens started appearâno, more than a hundredâfigures filled the colosseum floor. Some stood tall and imposing, clad in heavy armor, weapons gleaming under the harsh sunlight. Others had monstrous featuresâfangs, claws, scalesâas if they were not entirely human.
And yet, not a single face could be seen.
Their features were obscured, swallowed by unnatural shadows. Their bodies were solid, realâbut their faces were blank voids, hidden by something beyond her understanding.
The crowd's cheers grew louder. The atmosphere was charged, thick with an expectation she didn't yet understand.
"Is this the trial I have to face? Are we supposed to fight each other?" Just as that thought crossed her mind.
A voice boomed across the colosseum.
As Ace steadied herself, her sharp eyes caught a small podium on the side of the colosseum, slightly elevated above the roaring crowd.
A faint glow flickered above it, standing out against the stone structure.
She narrowed her eyes, focusing.
A small, humanoid figure hovered in the air, delicate wings fluttering rapidly as it emitted a soft, radiant light.
Ace frowned. It was not animal, nor any race she had ever encountered or heard before.
The voice that had echoed through the arena... was coming from it. The figure hovered higher, its voice ringing through the colosseum.
"Welcome, challengers, to the Colosseum of the Eternal!", silencing the crowd for a brief moment.
"I am Amunet, a spirit guide of the trials! But you can just call me Amunet the Friendly Fairy!" She gave an exaggerated bow, grinning playfully.
"You lucky warriors have been chosen to prove yourselves! The trials ahead will test your strength, skill, and willpower. Only the best of the best shall advance!"
"From all the 600 warriors gathered here, only six will remain standing by the end of the first trial. Those six will proceed to the next stage."
Ace's eyes widened at the number. "Six hundred?" Her gaze darted around, taking in the nearest competitorsâtowering figures, lean assassins, monstrous hybrids. Each one radiated strength stronger than her. She clenched her fists, steadying her breathing.
Amunet's voice rose once more. "Then, if you are ready..." Ace exhaled sharply, muscles tensing.
"Let the first trial... begin!" A deep, thunderous GONG echoed through the colosseum.
The battle had begun.
Ace dodged at the last second, barely avoiding a strike aimed at her head. She landed into a crouch and quickly pulled out her knife, slashing toward the nearest enemy.
But as the blade struck, it barely left a scratch. Her opponent barely flinched, and worseâthe knife snapped at the edge, shattering in her grip.
"Tchâdamn it!" Ace cursed, realizing she had to quickly master Armament Haki enough to reinforce her weapons. She needed something stronger.
Her eyes darted around the battlefield until she spotted an enemy, killed by another fighter's attack. More importantlyâhe held a machete-like weapon.
Without hesitation, Ace dashed forward with Soru, weaving through the chaos. As she reached him, she snatched the weapon from his grasp, flipping it in her hand to test its balance.
Wasting no time, she loaded her Blaze Repeater with a custom triple bulletâa combination of ice rounds. She fired at the ground, unleashing a powerful frost explosion that spread across the battlefield, freezing nearby opponents in place.
With a firm grip on her new blade, Ace moved like a whirlwind, slicing through incapacitated enemies with swift, precise strikes.
Ace was having a hard time fighting her opponents as time went on. Once she nearly got stabbed but avoided the attack thanks to her haki.
Just as she took another one down, a sharp pain shot through her backâshe had been slashed. Her observation failed this time, but since she was covered in Tekkai and Armament, the attack wasn't life-threatening.
She gritted her teeth and turned to face her new opponent. Just then, she barely ducked as the new opponent's blade whistled past her head, the wind from the strike brushing against her skin.
Before she could react, another enemy lunged at her from the side. The attack slammed into her, but the impact was dulled against her reinforced defense.
Taking advantage of the moment, she whipped out her Blaze Repeater and fired a quick shot. The bullet hit dead center between eyes, but her opponent barely flinched protected by his armor. However, the attack staggered him, leaving him disorientedâthereby giving her an opening.
She immediately slashed the initial opponent with the machete she had taken, then leaped onto the one she had shot, using his body for support.
With her Blaze Repeater pressed point-blank against his forehead, she fired twice taking him out.
Ace understood that her normal bullets weren't enough unless fired at point-blank range against these types of opponents. She dashed forward with Soru towards her next opponent.
But the enemy stabbed at her with spear, seeing her approach, Ace sidestepped using Kami-e, barely avoiding the spear aimed for her head. With a swift motion, she spun and slashed him with her machete.
As the fight prolonged, her attacks grew sharper and faster as she adjusted to the battle, and surprisingly, her Observation Haki evolvedâher range expanded, allowing her to perceive movements more clearly.
However, the battlefield was relentlessâmore enemies swarmed toward her and she could not enjoy the moment of her breakthrough.
Realizing she needed a bigger impact; she quickly loaded her Blaze Repeater with a fusion of three ice bullets. She firedâthe combined projectile exploded on impact, freezing several enemies solid.
Not missing a beat, she kicked off the ground with Soru, closing in on her trapped opponents. With quick, lethal strikes, she sliced through the frozen bodies, eliminating them before they could break free.
However, her energy was draining fast. Specialized shots still took a heavy toll, and she could already feel the strain setting in.
Realizing she needed an edge, she activated her Conqueror's Haki, aiming to overwhelm her enemiesâif she could at least stagger them, it might give her the opening she desperately needed.
As the fight raged on and the number of opponents dwindled, Ace too continued to fight relentlessly, ignoring the pain of her accumulating wounds throughout the battle.
Her body felt heavier, her breathing becoming more labouredâbut she pushed forward, determined to break through her limits. She also hoped that, in the heat of battle, she will achieve a breakthroughâto coat her weapons in Armament Haki.
But to her disappointment, just as she fired her last shot, the gong echoed through the Colosseumâas her bullet piercing her final opponent through the eye, dropping lifelessly to the ground.
The battle haze faded as she registered the resonating chime. Her gaze swept across the bloodstained arenaâbodies lay strewn across the battlefield, but six remained standing, including herself.
Above them, Amunet's voice rang out again, announcing the completion of the first trial with a sound of audience echoing which was silent during the whole fight.
"Congratulations to those who remain standing. Now, these six warriors shall proceed to the next trial. Rest while you canâthe next challenge begins shortly."
The crowd roared in excitement, their cheers shaking the very ground beneath them.
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As soon as the announcement finished, Ace was caught off guard when the bodies scattered across the arena vanished right before her eyes.
Taking a moment to process this, she turned her gaze toward the remaining participantsâonly six of them left, herself included. It didn't take long for her to realize something else. Ash and the others were nowhere to be seen.
"Is this trial meant to be individual? So that's why I didn't see others here," she thought, her brows furrowing.
Shaking off her concerns, knowing they can take care of themselves, she pulled out some snacks from her inventory bag, eating just enough to replenish her strength.
She also retrieved a basic healing potion, drinking it in one go. A warm sensation spread through her body as her wounds sealed, alleviating some of her fatigue.
Steadying her breathing, she glanced at the others. They, too, were tending to their woundsâeach preparing in their own way for what was to come next.
After a few minutes, Amunet's voice rang out again. "Warriors! Before we begin the second trial, allow me to explain the rules of the next trail."
Her voice echoed across the coliseum as the six turned their attention to the floating figure.
"You will be split into two teams of three in each. Each team will have a flag to defend while attempting to capture the opposing team's flagâby any means necessary. Attack, deceive, outmaneuver your enemiesâdo whatever it takes to claim victory."
"But be warned," Amunet continued, her voice laced with amusement. "The path ahead will not be easy. Traps and obstacles will stand in your way, and the battlefield itself will shift at random. Adapt, or fall."
She paused for a moment before delivering the final decree. "The team that successfully captures their opponent's flag will move on to the final trial."
Amunet's voice rang out once more. "Now!"
The moment her words carried through the arena, the ground beneath Ace trembled violently. She staggered, trying to maintain her balance as the entire Colosseum shifted.
Stone slabs slid apart and reformed, reshaping the battlefield in mere seconds, new structures emerged, and pathways twisted unpredictably.
When the movement finally ceased, Ace steadied herself, her gaze sweeping the new terrain. Nearby, two other figures stoodâshe assumed her teammates for this trial.
Before she could get a better look at them, a sharp whooshing sound whistled through the air above. Her instincts flared, and she quickly looked up, spotting a long pole hurtling toward the ground. She swiftly moved back with a back flip just as it embedded itself before her.
A blue flag with gold-trimmed edges waved proudly in the air. Ace assumed this was their objectiveâthe flag they had to defend.
Amunet's voice echoed once more. "Let the second trial⊠begin!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices thundering through the Colosseum as they chanted, shouting their support for the competitors.
The gong echoed through the Colosseum, marking the start of the second trial.
Ace quickly approached her teammates, knowing that coordination was key in this trail. The first was a half-beast woman with fox-like features, her tail swaying behind her. Though her face remained blurred, her confident stance made it clear she was no ordinary fighter.
"I'm Ace," she introduced herself.
The fox-woman's ears twitched before she nodded. "Name's Veyra," the fox-woman responded cheerfully. "Let's do our best."
Ace then turned to their third teammateâa tall man clad in armor, wielding a heavy war hammer. His stance was firm, but something about him felt off.
"Call me Brutus," he said simply, his voice unreadable.
Ace narrowed her eyes slightly. Something about him felt⊠off. His posture, the way he spokeâit was subtle, but her instincts warned her not to trust him completely.
After finishing introductions, Ace spoke up. "Hey, instead of staying back and defending, why not take the fight to them? Sometimes, the best defense is a strong offense."
Brutus let out a grunt. "Tch. I don't take orders from a kid."
Veyra crossed her arms. "You don't have to be like that. She may be a kid, but she passed the trial just like us. And honestly, I agreeâour opponents won't expect all of us to come at them, leaving our flag unguarded."
Ace shot Brutus a sharp glare before turning to Veyra with a small smile. "Thanks, Veyra." Veyra nodded.
Ace took a breath. "Alright, let's go." With that they sprinted ahead.
On their way, a sharp click beneath Veyra's feet sent a jolt through Ace instinctsâher Observation Haki flared.
"Dodge!" she shouted. A barrage of arrows shot out from hidden panels came out from the ground, whistling through the air.
Ace too reacted instantly, deflecting some with her machete while twisting her body with Kami-e to avoid the rest. A few grazed past, but her Tekkai reinforced with Armament Haki kept her from serious harm.
Veyra flipped mid-air, her fox-body seems have good agility and reflex allowing her to evade with minimal effort.
Brutus, on the other hand, simply laughedâa deep, twisted chuckleâas he strode forward, unfazed. He raised his hammer, letting the arrows ping harmlessly off his heavy armor, not caring whether his teammates struggled beside him.
Immediately, Ace's eyes snapped up just in time to see massive logs swinging down from above, their sharpened tips aimed straight at them from both sides.
Veyra flipped backward, narrowly dodging the crushing weight. Ace dove to the side, hitting the ground hard but rolling out of harm's way.
Brutus, however, didn't even flinch. With a crazed grin, he swung his hammer with brutal force, shattering one of the logs mid-air. Splinters exploded in all directions, forcing Ace and Veyra to shield themselves.
Before they could react, the ground beneath them suddenly gave way.
Ace barely managed to stop herself from tumbling into a pit lined with jagged spikes. At the last second, she kicked off the air using Geppo, launching herself upward.
Veyra, caught off guard by the sudden collapse, struggled for footingâuntil Ace grabbed her arm and pulled her up with her.
"Thanks," Veyra exhaled, steadying herself.
"No need for that," Ace replied quickly, already scanning for their next move.
Meanwhile, Brutus snarled as he plummeted. But instead of panic, he twisted mid-air, gripping his hammer with both hands.
With a crazed grin, he swung it downward, striking the crumbling edge of the pit. The sheer force sent chunks of rock exploding outward, creating a makeshift foothold. Using the momentum, he launched himself out of the pit, landing roughly on solid ground.
After that, they continued moving forward, dodging the remaining traps. Ace and Veyra worked together, helping each other navigate the shifting terrain, while Brutus bulldozed ahead, barely acknowledging their presence.
At one point, a massive stone wall shot up from the ground, blocking their path. Ace and Veyra leaped over it, landing smoothly on the other side. Brutus, however, just sneered and swung his hammer, shattering the wall into pieces. The force sent debris crashing down, nearly crushing Ace and Veyra, who barely managed to escape.
This wasn't the first time. It was happening too oftenâBrutus recklessly swinging, smashing through obstacles, not caring if his teammates were in the way.
Veyra snarled, her tail bristling in anger. "You idiot! Are you trying to kill us too?!"
Ace shot him a glare. "We're on the same team. Try acting like it."
Brutus let out a low chuckle, not even looking at them. "If you're too weak to handle it, that's not my problem. Besides, you're still standing, aren't you?"
Ace and Veyra tensed at his words, exchanging a glance, but there was no time to argue.
Just ahead, two figures emerged from the shifting terrain. The moment their opponents spotted them, both sides halted, eyes locked. The air grew thick with tension.
Brutus didn't even wait. He charged forward, swinging his hammer in a reckless assault. His sudden attack forced their enemies to respond, both fighters immediately moving to counter.
Ace and Veyra couldn't believe it. Veyra huffed. "Figures. That guy doesn't care about teamwork."
Ace refocused. "Veyra, we'll handle these two. You go to their flag's location. We just need to take the flag to win the trail."
Veyra nodded but hesitated, casting a wary glance at Brutus. "Be careful, Ace. I've got a bad feeling about him."
Ace gave a quick nod, then watched as Veyra sprinted in the direction their opponents had come from.
Seeing her retreat, one of the enemy fighters moved to stop herâbut Ace intercepted, stepping in with her machete drawn.
"Your fight is with me." Her voice was steady, her stance firm.
With that, the battle broke out.
Brutus clashed with one opponent, his brutal attacks shaking the ground. Meanwhile, Ace faced off against the otherâa fighter as fast as he was skilled.
Their fight stretched on; Ace started to respect her opponent. He was fast and agile, and more than once, she barely avoided a decapitating slash from his sword. If not for her Observation Haki and reinforced defence, she would've already fallen.
Mid-battle, Ace gritted her teeth, because she was trying to imbue her weapon with Armament Haki, struggling to force it into her blade as the fight raged on.
Ace slowly began to overwhelm her opponent, but it wasn't easy. He was relentless, refusing to give her a single opening. Her body stung with fresh gashesâshallow cuts along her arms and legs where his blade had grazed her.
Then, in a split-second of opening, she struck. With precise aim, she fired a Double Bullet straight at his sword hand. The impact forced his grip open, sending the weapon clattering to the ground.
Before he could react, Ace fired againâtwo more shots, this time at his knees. The bullets tore through, bringing him crashing down. He fell onto his knees, clutching his injured limbs, his breath ragged with pain.
Ace leveled her Blaze Repeater at his head, her machete in her other hand, its blade resting against his neck.
Her opponent went still, then slowly lifted his hands in surrender.
But before Ace could say anything, blood splattered onto her shirt, warm drops landing on her face, making her eyes widen in shock.
Ace snapped out of her shock, eyes narrowing at him. "Why the hell did you do that? There was no need! He was already down!"
Brutus grunted, rolling his shoulders. "Tch. Whatever kid, and stop as if ordering me."
Ace clenched her fists, anger rising. "What you did was unnecessary and pointless!?" ending with a mocking voice.
Brutus expression darkened beneath his helmet. His grip on his hammer tightened, "You're are really starting to get on my nerves." Without warning, he swung at her, aiming to crush her where she stood.
Ace's instincts screamed. "What the hell are you doing?!" she shouted, flipping back as the hammer smashed into the ground where she stood.
Brutus chuckled lowly; his stance predatory. "I just don't like you, kid. And besidesâŠAs I'm just getting rid of my competition!" He lunged, his strikes relentless, each swing powerful enough to crack stone.
Ace dodged with Geppo, flipping through the air, trying to create distance. But Brutus was fastâtoo fast for someone his size. His attacks kept her on the defensive, shockwaves rattling through her body whenever she blocked.
Then, he roared and swung his hammer down with full strength. Ace barely had time to reactâher Aegis Shield flared to life as she activated a feature from her soul bind bracelet, absorbing the brunt of the impact. The force sent a shockwave through the battlefield, dust and debris flying.
Brutus staggered back, momentarily caught off guard. "What the hell was that?" he muttered.
Before anything happenedâ
GONG!
The battlefield shifted as the terrain realigned. Brutus growled, but the sudden change forced him to step back.
Veyra came into view, gripping a red flag in her hands. She barely had time to process the situation before her eyes locked onto Brutus, fury burning behind them. She sprinted toward Ace.
"You insane bastard!" she snarled. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Before Brutus could answer, Amunet's voice rang out.
"Congratulations, Team Blue! You have successfully captured your opponent's flag. Take a few minutes to recoverâThe final trial will begin shortly."
To be continued...
Hey everyone! I'm always looking for ways to make this story even better, and I'd love to hear your ideas. What powers do you think should be available in Ash's store? Maybe you have some cool concepts for abilities, weapons, or items that could make the adventure even more exciting!
Feel free to drop your suggestions in the comments, and if there's anything specific, you'd love to see in future chapters, let me know! I might even integrate your ideas into the story.
Also, don't forget to give some Power Stones if you're enjoying the journey! Your support means the world. đ