Pacifist

The next wave came harder. More figures, more weapons—blades, whips, and energy blasts—this time coming at her in perfect synchronization. She had no time to think, only react.

She ducked a whip strike, narrowly avoiding it as she pivoted into a low roll to avoid another blast of energy. Her legs shot out in a sudden burst of speed, knocking the legs out from under one of the attackers. He crumpled to the floor with a shocked expression as Kairi landed in a perfect crouch.

Kairi: (breathing hard, cracking her knuckles) "I'm just getting started."

The air around her began to warp as the final staff member, a towering figure with glowing tattoos, stepped forward. His eyes glowed with malevolent power, and he didn't waste a second before charging at Kairi with earth-shattering force. He was no joke. This was the guy who would take her to her limit. The ultimate test.

The ground quaked as he swung a massive energy-infused gauntlet toward her, the blow creating a shockwave that threatened to knock her off her feet. Kairi, with her back against the wall, had to think fast. She leaped into the air, twisting around the gauntlet's punch, and landed on his arm. Before he could react, she used his own momentum to propel herself into his face, slamming her knee into his temple with brutal force.

The impact was deafening. The man staggered, his vision blurry, but he was still standing, still dangerous. He grunted, raising his hand in the air as dark energy swirled around his fist. He swung it down in a devastating arc, sending out a wave of destructive energy straight for her.

Kairi's eyes narrowed, focusing on the attack. She sidestepped at the last second, her body moving like a shadow as she launched herself into the air once more, her dagger aimed for the exposed weak spot in his chest.

In that split-second, everything seemed to slow. Her blade sank into the gap in his armor with a sharp thunk, and the energy field around him flared before collapsing into nothingness.

The man's eyes widened in shock as his body began to crack and dissolve, the energy around him dissipating in a burst of dark light. Kairi landed softly on her feet, her breathing heavy, but her mind sharp as she watched him crumble.

Kairi: (wiping sweat from her forehead) "I should've brought a sandwich… but hey, at least I'm done here."

The ground around her rumbled again, but this time, there was no more fighting. The final staff member lay defeated, the last bit of energy flickering out. The arena fell silent, the air thick with the aftermath of the battle.

The Catalyst's staff lay in ruins, the workers either unconscious or fleeing. And there, standing amidst the chaos, Kairi let out a deep sigh of relief.

She had done it.

She was finally free.

As the last echo of her victory faded, she wiped the blood from her face and glanced around the arena. The staff had been a hell of a challenge, but they were no match for her now. The real test was just beginning.

But for now, there was only one thing left to do.

Kairi: (with a smirk) "Time to take this show on the road."

The air shifted once again, a strange, almost cosmic chill spreading across the arena. A deep, ominous hum resonated through the ground as Kairi, still standing tall despite her injuries, felt the pressure mount once more. She wasn't sure if she was ready for whatever came next, but one thing was certain—the fight wasn't over.

From the shadows emerged the true mastermind behind the Catalyst. The figure that had remained hidden, the one pulling the strings all along. His presence was suffocating, like the embodiment of the world itself, cloaked in black robes that seemed to ripple with a life of their own. His eyes, hidden beneath the hood, glowed with an unnatural light, and his voice, when it came, was like the sound of a thousand whispers.

Gamemaster: (with amusement in his voice) "Ah, Kairi. You've done well to survive. But you're still so... entertaining."

Kairi's heart raced, her senses heightening as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Her instincts screamed at her that this was it—the real fight. The final test.

The Gamemaster's voice echoed as if the very walls of the arena were part of him. But then, two other figures stepped forward, each with a presence that could not be ignored.

First, there was Kavan—his black robes flowing in perfect synchronicity with his every move. His pale face was void of expression, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes. He was calm, focused, and every bit as dangerous as the Gamemaster himself. His presence was commanding, and his hands seemed to crackle with latent power.

Beside him stood Myst—the voluptuous green alien woman whose very form seemed to ripple and shimmer with a form of ethereal mana. Her skin shimmered with a faint, unnatural glow, and her eyes sparkled with an almost mischievous energy. The power radiating from her made Kairi's instincts flare even higher—this was no ordinary being. She was made of pure mana, and Kairi knew, without a doubt, that if she didn't act fast, she'd be overwhelmed.

Myst: (smiling wickedly) "I've been waiting for this moment... the perfect challenge."

Before Kairi could respond, Myst dashed forward with the speed of a predator. She moved like liquid, her body weaving through the air as she slammed her fist into Kairi's stomach with an explosive force that left Kairi gasping for breath. The impact was so violent that Kairi's feet left the ground, and for a moment, the world around her seemed to blur. She crashed to the floor, her chest aching with the shock of the blow.

Kairi: (gritting her teeth) "Ghh... Not bad…"

But Myst wasn't finished. She pressed the attack, her other fist aimed straight for Kairi's head, but Kairi rolled to the side just in time, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow that could've ended her right there. She was quick—too quick for the green alien to follow.

Then, as Kairi started to rise, Kavan was already on her, his movements fluid and controlled. His hands moved like a blur, each strike purposeful and precise. He struck her left side with a palm strike, forcing Kairi to stagger. He followed up with a spinning kick, aimed at her head, but Kairi blocked it with her forearm, gritting her teeth against the pain.

Kairi: (shaking her head) "You two think you can beat me like this? You're gonna need more than that."

Kavan's lips curled into a barely-there smile, but there was no joy in it—just a cold, calculating focus.

Kavan: (coldly) "We will defeat you. No one has ever bested the Gamemaster's staff."

At that, the Gamemaster let out a low chuckle from the shadows.

Gamemaster: (amused) "She has spirit. Let's see if it holds up."

Myst leapt toward Kairi once again, her mana-infused fists becoming a blur of unstoppable force. Kairi, despite her exhaustion, was able to react just in time—ducking and dodging the series of blows that would've shattered her bones. Her fists blurred into motion as she struck back. Her left hook landed on Myst's side, sending a ripple of energy through the alien woman's body, but Myst just smirked, absorbing the blow like it was nothing.

Myst: (laughing) "Is that all you've got, little human?"

But Kairi wasn't backing down. She launched herself forward, using the momentum from Myst's taunt to her advantage. Her right foot connected with the alien's jaw in a sharp, bone-crushing kick. Myst stumbled back, surprised at the force of the attack. She wasn't invincible after all.

But as soon as Kairi thought she had the upper hand, Kavan closed in. He swung a rapid barrage of strikes, each one pushing Kairi back further, overwhelming her with his precision. Each punch and kick seemed to find its mark, landing with deadly accuracy. She barely had time to react, but somehow, she managed to dodge, her body moving on pure instinct.

Kairi: (panting, looking at the Gamemaster) "You're really starting to get on my nerves, you know that?"

The Gamemaster only smiled, watching the spectacle with a sort of detached amusement.

Gamemaster: (calmly) "Nerves, huh? I'm afraid it's your time, Kairi. You've entertained us long enough."

Kairi's blood was boiling. She had no choice but to go all out—there was no room for hesitation now. She took a deep breath and focused, drawing every last ounce of energy from her exhausted body. Her fists clenched, and the world around her seemed to fade away as she locked eyes with Kavan and Myst.

Her movements became faster, sharper, and more brutal. She ducked under Kavan's next strike, her body flowing like water as she executed a perfect counterattack, catching him off guard with an uppercut that sent him stumbling back. Before he could regain his balance, Kairi was already on Myst, her hands delivering a flurry of punches that landed with force.

Kavan, not wanting to let Kairi have the advantage, rushed forward once again, but this time, Kairi anticipated his every move. She sidestepped his attack and kicked him square in the chest, sending him flying into the wall.

Kairi: (through gritted teeth) "I'm not finished yet!"

With Myst dazed and Kavan struggling to get back on his feet, Kairi turned her attention to the Gamemaster. She knew this fight was far from over, but she was done with games. She was done being the underdog.

It was time to end this.

Kairi's breathing was heavy, each exhale a mix of exhaustion and determination. Her body ached from the brutal onslaught she'd endured, but the fire within her burned brighter than ever. She couldn't back down now—not with the Gamemaster's mocking presence still lingering like a specter. She had to finish this.

The moment Kavan pushed himself back to his feet, Kairi was already there, closing the gap between them in the blink of an eye. Her foot slammed into his ribs with a sickening crack, sending him stumbling back, his breath knocked out of him. He tried to recover, but Kairi was relentless, her fists a blur of raw force and speed. Each punch hit with the intensity of a freight train, her knuckles turning white with the effort.

She spun and launched herself into the air, her body twisting in a perfect arc as she brought both legs down on Kavan's chest, crushing him beneath her weight. He gasped for air as the wind was knocked out of him, but Kairi wasn't done. She grabbed his collar and slammed his head into the ground, sending a shockwave through his body.

Before Kairi could catch her breath, Myst was already back on her feet, her face twisted into a snarl. The alien woman dashed forward with blinding speed, her fists glowing with pure mana. Kairi ducked beneath the first punch, narrowly avoiding the blast of energy that followed. The second punch came with even more force, but Kairi twisted, catching Myst's wrist mid-swing and pulling her in close.

With a savage growl, Kairi headbutted Myst in the face, hearing the sickening crunch of bone against bone. Myst staggered back, her nose bleeding as her body flickered with the intensity of mana. She growled in frustration, but Kairi wasted no time. She threw a quick jab to her midsection, followed by a brutal uppercut that sent Myst spiraling backward.

But the fight wasn't over.

Kavan, struggling to his feet once more, unleashed a flurry of rapid strikes that Kairi barely managed to dodge. His movements were too precise—too fast. He delivered a palm strike to her chest, sending her skidding back, but Kairi barely flinched. She took a deep breath, her fists raised, and squared her shoulders. She wasn't backing down. Not anymore.

She charged.

Kairi moved like a blur, every muscle in her body aching, but the adrenaline coursing through her veins kept her going. She struck with everything she had, delivering a barrage of punches and kicks that cracked the air with each impact. Kavan blocked as best as he could, but the sheer force of Kairi's attacks began to overwhelm him.

With a roar of frustration, Kavan tried to retaliate, throwing a punch that would've taken her head clean off, but Kairi saw it coming. She dodged at the last possible second and grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back with a vicious crack.

Kavan screamed in pain, but Kairi wasn't done yet. She threw him to the ground, pinning him there as she leaned in close, her breath hot against his ear.

Kairi: (with a smirk) "You wanted a challenge, huh? Well, here it is."

In a single motion, Kairi delivered an earth-shattering punch to Kavan's temple, knocking him unconscious instantly. He crumpled to the ground in a heap, completely motionless.

With Kavan out of the picture, Kairi turned her attention back to Myst, who was still recovering from the brutal headbutt. She wasted no time, dashing forward and delivering a series of quick, precise strikes to the alien woman's body. Myst staggered backward, her once-immaculate posture now broken and disheveled.

But Myst wasn't about to let Kairi finish her off so easily.

Myst: (snarling) "You think you can defeat me? I am made of pure mana! You can't even touch me!"

Kairi grinned, her body throbbing with exhaustion, but her resolve stronger than ever.

Kairi: "You're right. I can't touch you… but I can break you."

With a battle cry, Kairi closed the distance in an instant, her fist slamming into Myst's jaw with enough force to send the alien woman flying through the air. Myst's body hit the ground with a sickening thud, and Kairi didn't wait for her to recover. She grabbed Myst by the arm, lifted her into the air, and hurled her across the arena.

Myst crashed against the wall, her body crumpling like a ragdoll, but she wasn't finished yet. She groggily pulled herself to her feet, but Kairi was already there, charging in with the full force of her body. She delivered a devastating roundhouse kick that sent Myst careening into the wall, the impact cracking the stone beneath her.

But this time, when Myst tried to rise, she collapsed back to the ground, unable to continue.

The arena fell silent.

Kairi stood there, panting, her bloodied fists clenched at her sides, her body battered but unbroken. She had done it. She had taken down Kavan and Myst, the Gamemaster's elite staff. But this wasn't the end. Not yet.

From the shadows, the Gamemaster's voice echoed once more, deep and amused.

Gamemaster: "Impressive… very impressive, Kairi. But you've only defeated my staff. Now, let's see how you handle me."

The tension in the air was palpable as Kairi, her chest heaving with each breath, locked eyes with the shadows. She was ready. Whatever came next, she was going to face it head-on.

And she wasn't going to lose. Not this time.

Kairi: (smiling through gritted teeth) "Bring it."

The atmosphere in the arena grew thick with tension. Kairi stood motionless, her body bruised and battered, but her eyes were sharp, her spirit unwavering. The Gamemaster's voice echoed once more from the shadows, each syllable dripping with malice.

Gamemaster: "You've proven yourself worthy of my attention, Kairi. But I fear your journey ends here."

Kairi clenched her fists, eyes narrowing in determination. She had fought through everything up until now, and she wasn't about to let some mysterious figure take her down. The arena seemed to grow colder, the dark figure emerging from the shadows slowly, as if savoring every moment of suspense.

From the darkness stepped a tall figure cloaked in flowing black robes, their face concealed beneath a hood. The only thing visible were piercing eyes that gleamed like a predator's, burning with cold calculation. Their presence was overwhelming—dominant, suffocating.

Kairi squared her stance, eyes locked onto the figure. She could sense this battle was about to be unlike anything she had faced before.

Gamemaster: "You were always meant for this, Kairi. The Catalyst has watched you long enough. I knew you would come… but I didn't expect you to make it this far."

The figure raised their hand, their fingers curling slightly. The arena shifted again, the air thick with anticipation.

Gamemaster: "But now it's my turn. Prepare yourself, because this will be the fight that ends everything. For you."

With a sudden and fluid motion, the Gamemaster dropped the hood from their head, revealing their true face. Kairi's breath caught in her throat as the figure's face was both familiar and hauntingly strange. Their features were sharp, calculating—a combination of beauty and malice.

Gamemaster: (smiling coldly) "My true name is Hiraku Ishida. The one who controls this entire game. And now… you will fight me."

Before Kairi could even react to the revelation, the Gamemaster lunged forward, moving with blinding speed. The air seemed to distort around them as they closed the distance, a dark blur of motion. Kairi barely had time to bring her arm up in defense before the Gamemaster's elbow collided with her torso, sending a shockwave of pain through her body.

Kairi: (gritting her teeth) "Tch!"

The force of the blow knocked her off her feet, and she hit the ground hard. The world spun around her as she struggled to push herself back up, her chest heaving in pain. She could taste blood in her mouth from the impact, but her eyes never wavered from the Gamemaster.

The figure was already in motion again, their body a blur as they moved toward her, like a shadow come to life. This time, Kairi was ready. She ducked under their strike, narrowly avoiding another crushing blow. She countered with a swift kick aimed at the Gamemaster's ribs, but it was effortlessly blocked.

The Gamemaster smirked, their eyes flashing with amusement.

Hiraku Ishida: (grinning) "You're a persistent one, aren't you? But persistence alone won't be enough to defeat me."

Kairi's chest heaved as she stood her ground, trying to push through the pain. The Gamemaster's words hung in the air like a warning, but Kairi wouldn't let that stop her. She had come too far to back down now.

With a roar, she launched herself at Hiraku, her movements wild and desperate. Her fists collided with his defenses again and again, but every blow was met with his effortless grace. He moved like water, slipping past her strikes with an elegance that only made the fight more infuriating.

The Gamemaster caught her by the wrist and twisted, throwing her into the air. Kairi spun, her body flipping in the air, but she managed to land on her feet—barely. Before she could react, Hiraku's shadow loomed over her once again. He was already there, his eyes gleaming with that same cold amusement.

Hiraku Ishida: "Is that all you have, Kairi? I've fought entire armies, defeated the strongest fighters from every corner of this universe… and now, I face you? Pathetic."

Kairi's breathing quickened as the adrenaline coursed through her veins. The words stung, but she refused to let them break her. She had lost too much, fought too hard, to let some overconfident, all-powerful figure take it all away.

With a final, guttural scream, Kairi dashed forward once more, moving faster than she ever had before. Every ounce of her strength poured into her fists as she unleashed a barrage of punches—her strikes aimed with precision, every hit determined to break through the Gamemaster's defenses.

Hiraku's expression shifted slightly, and for the first time, Kairi saw a flicker of something beyond the usual arrogance in his eyes. A hint of something more dangerous.

But before she could fully process it, Hiraku's hand shot out, catching her fist mid-air. His grip was like iron, crushing her knuckles in an instant. Kairi gasped in pain, but she didn't stop fighting. She twisted her body, attempting to break free, but his other hand shot out like a blade, grabbing her by the throat and lifting her off the ground.

Hiraku Ishida: (coldly) "You were never meant to win, Kairi. You were just a pawn in this game. A piece on a board that I control."

Kairi's vision blurred as his grip tightened, but she refused to go down like this. Her body trembled with effort as she reached into every corner of her strength, her fingers itching to strike back.

Kairi: (gasping) "I'll… never be your pawn…"

With one final, desperate surge, Kairi broke free, using every ounce of her power to wrench herself from his grasp. She crashed to the ground, gasping for breath, her heart pounding in her chest. The fight wasn't over. It couldn't be. Not yet.

But as she struggled to rise, the cold, calculated smile on Hiraku Ishida's face told her everything she needed to know.

This battle was far from finished.

Kairi staggered to her feet, her body battered, bruised, and near broken. Blood dripped from her nose, and her eyes burned with determination, but something inside her—something primal—had been awakened. Her heart pounded in her chest, but it wasn't from the exhaustion; it was the fire in her soul. She couldn't lose now. Not when she'd come this far.

Hiraku Ishida stood before her, eyes gleaming with a terrifying calmness as he prepared to deliver the final blow. He was confident, arrogant even, convinced that the game was his to control. But Kairi, broken as she was, had one last trick up her sleeve. One final chance to turn the tide.

Hiraku Ishida: (smiling coldly) "You've done well to make it this far, Kairi. But this is where it ends. For you."

Kairi's vision blurred slightly, her head spinning from the impact of the blows she'd taken, but through the fog of pain, she saw it—the glint of something metallic, something she hadn't noticed before. Her breath hitched as she realized what it was.

A small C4 explosive, attached to her waist. The subtle shine of the wires and the digital timer counting down—her time was running out. How had she not noticed this before?

Kairi: (gritting her teeth) "So this is your game, huh?"

The grin on Hiraku's face widened. He watched her struggle with an almost sadistic pleasure. He knew she was done for.

Hiraku Ishida: (calmly) "You should've accepted your fate earlier, Kairi. But now, it's over."

With a swift motion, he raised his arm, preparing to deliver the final strike. Kairi, however, wasn't done. Not by a long shot. As his arm swung down toward her, she used every last ounce of her strength to dodge, rolling to the side and leaping back to her feet in one fluid motion. She couldn't allow this to end like this—she couldn't give up. Not after everything.

A sudden surge of rage exploded from deep within her, propelling her forward in a flurry of speed and fury. She knew her time was short, and the C4 on her waist would end it all if she didn't act fast. Kairi pushed through the pain, every movement fueled by sheer willpower.

She threw herself at Hiraku, launching herself with the last of her strength, her fists flying. He was caught off guard by the sudden speed and power in her attack. A punch collided with his chest, knocking him back, but Kairi wasn't done. She pressed on, relentlessly, her blows landing with precision and fury. Every punch, every kick, was a desperate act of defiance against a fate she refused to accept.

Kairi: (gritting through clenched teeth) "I'm not done yet...!"

With a final, all-out, explosive punch, Kairi struck him in the face, sending Hiraku stumbling backward. He managed to catch himself, but Kairi's momentum didn't stop. She charged him, ready to finish this, but just as she reached him, something snapped.

Hiraku's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist in a vice-like grip. The world seemed to freeze as Kairi's eyes went wide in realization. She could feel it—a pressure building at her side. The timer.

Kairi: (gasping, eyes wide) "No…"

The C4 exploded in a deafening blast of light and sound, a wave of heat and force hitting Kairi square in the chest. Her body was thrown back by the blast, the world spinning as she was hurled through the air. The pain was unbearable, the sound of the explosion ringing in her ears as the ground rushed up to meet her.

Kairi: (weakly) "...Not... like this..."

The world around her went black, the world of The Catalyst—the twisted, endless arena—fading away.

But before everything went dark, she saw Hiraku Ishida standing in the distance, his figure dimming. The last thing Kairi heard was the echo of his voice, cold and calculating, like the end of a long, painful chapter.

Hiraku Ishida: "You fought well, Kairi. But in the end, this is still just a game. And you... you were never meant to win."

And then... silence.

When Kairi opened her eyes, the world around her was different. She was lying on the cold, hard ground, her body aching. She gasped for breath, each inhalation sharp, but alive. The air was thick with the stench of smoke, but she was no longer in the arena.

The Catalyst was over.

She had survived.

But the question remained: What now?

Kairi's body went limp. The world around her shattered in a blinding flash of heat and sound. Her last breath was a strangled gasp, her vision dimming until everything went dark. There was no pain anymore, just a profound, endless nothingness. She was gone. The explosion had taken her.

But then, in a sudden, jarring moment, Kairi jolted awake. She shot up from her bed, gasping for air as if she'd been holding her breath for an eternity. Her heart pounded in her chest, erratic and wild, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit room, filled with the mundane, the comforting—nothing like the twisted world she'd just left behind. Her bed was warm, soft even, and there was no sign of the destruction she had just witnessed.

It was just a dream... Kairi thought, her chest heaving as the remnants of the nightmare clung to her mind.

Confusion muddled her thoughts. The weight of the dream felt so real, so visceral. She could still feel the heat of the explosion, the tightness of the C4 wrapped around her waist, the punch she landed on Hiraku Ishida, the final struggle of the fight that seemed to drain everything from her.

But now, here she was—safe. In her room. Her heart slowly started to steady as she reached up and ran a trembling hand through her hair.

"Just a dream," she muttered, her voice hoarse. "Just a damn dream."

Yet, even as she said it, doubt lingered in the back of her mind. That dream—it felt too real. The emotions, the physical pain, the sensation of fighting until she couldn't breathe—it was all too vivid. She could still hear Hiraku's cold voice echoing in her mind, see the flash of the explosion. The words he'd said before everything went black were still sharp in her memory.

Kairi... you were never meant to win.

The words rang out like a taunt, as if they were carved into her soul. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a nightmare. Her pulse quickened again, the familiar sense of unease crawling up her spine.

"That bastard," she muttered under her breath, clenching her fists in frustration. "He didn't finish me... but I'll finish him."

Kairi stood up from the bed, her body still sore from the night's battles—real or imagined. She paced around her room, trying to push the haunting thoughts away. The familiar rhythm of her movements was grounding, but the sensation of dread from the dream lingered.

Then, it hit her—the reality of it all. The Catalyst. The arena. That place where they forced people to fight for sport. Kairi had been in that place, hadn't she? It was so real. She could still feel the rush of battle, the danger of each fight, the thrill of pushing her limits. But now... Was it just her mind playing tricks on her?

I need answers, Kairi thought, her gaze hardening as the haze of confusion slowly lifted.

She stood still for a moment, taking a slow breath. "This isn't over. No way in hell."

Her body was still exhausted, but her mind was already racing. Kairi grabbed her jacket and threw it on, pulling her boots up with precision. The nightmare had shaken her, but it had also sparked something within her. She wouldn't let some twisted game rule her life—whether it was real or in her head.

She had unfinished business. And there was no going back now.

As she left the room, a single thought lingered in her mind:

If this is all just a dream, I'll make sure I wake up in the real world... and I'll burn everything down to the ground.

…

{EX Episode End}