Rise of Yahunyens: Origin

Episode 66: Badass

The moment Yesdar's name—"Jesdala"—boomed through the arena, the atmosphere ignited with a roar that seemed to rattle the very foundation of the stadium. The energy in the air was thick with anticipation as the crowd eagerly awaited the next battle. The cacophony of voices, cheers, and shouts all blended into one deafening wave of sound.

"Yesdar, it's your time," Malaes said calmly, her sharp gaze watching him as he rose from his seat. There was a hint of amusement in her voice. "And don't forget—keep it controlled. You're not here to break anyone beyond repair."

"Yesdar-sama, good luck!" Virumi called out, her eyes filled with admiration, her voice almost drowned out by the noise.

Yesdar, ever collected, walked toward the door leading to the battleground, his steps measured, his gaze steady. I don't need luck, he thought, but didn't voice it aloud. Words of encouragement weren't necessary for him—not for this.

As he descended the stories of the arena's interior, he moved swiftly, not bothering to use the lifts. There was something grounding about walking—about feeling the earth beneath his feet, the sensation that reminded him of his purpose. He finally reached the ground floor, where the entrance to the battleground awaited. As he neared, he could see the glow of red light seeping through the darkness.

The large alcove was imposing, its design both grand and ominous. Yesdar couldn't help but notice the unnecessary vastness of it. Why such a massive entrance for a regular man? he mused. It's ridiculous—overly dramatic.

Shaking off the thought, he continued forward. The alcove seemed to stretch endlessly, the dark red glow intensifying the closer he got. When he finally crossed the threshold, the scale of the arena became clear. He stepped out into what looked like an otherworldly battlefield, where the sky was no longer the familiar shade of blue but a dark crimson. It was as if the very air had been dyed in blood, casting the entire arena in an unsettling hue. The horizon was shrouded in red fog, and even the audience—though their roaring cheers could be heard—remained mostly invisible behind the haze. It created an eerie sense of isolation, as if Yesdar stood alone in this strange world, a gladiator prepared to face his destiny.

He felt the massive energy coming from the crowd, the vibrations of their collective excitement thrumming through the ground beneath his feet. Cameras zoomed in on him, projecting his image onto enormous screens scattered around the stadium. His face was now a giant presence for the masses, and though he remained composed, he could sense the electricity of millions of eyes locked on him.

The battleground was encircled by towering pillars that reached into the crimson sky made inside the arena, their presence both imposing and majestic. Resting atop the pillars was a ring of white stone—gleaming in stark contrast to the red atmosphere—symbolizing the official boundary for the fight. The arena ground was soft sand, which shifted slightly with every step Yesdar took. He glanced at the pillars, their symmetry almost hypnotic.

This place... it's bizarre, Yesdar thought, his eyes scanning the entire arena. The atmosphere's all wrong. This red fog doesn't possess any natural energy. I can hear the people, but I can't see them clearly. It's like this entire space is cut off from reality.

As Yesdar crossed the stone boundary and officially entered the battleground, his instincts sharpened. Something was off. He could feel it—a massive energy in front of him, but the red fog made it hard to see the source. His eyes narrowed, trying to pierce through the veil of mist.

There's definitely a large energy ahead, he thought, his pulse steady, his focus unshakable.

Suddenly, out of the dense red fog, a shadow began to take form. At first, it was just a silhouette—vague, yet undeniably massive. Yesdar's heart quickened slightly as the figure emerged fully into view.