BXBX NOVEL Chapter 156: Absurd Rules
The Asura lady's voice resonated across the many worlds, booming like thunder.
"The rules are simple," she began, her tone cold and methodical, as though she had explained this countless times before.
"Each race, each tribe, family, group, or brotherhood will be tested. The battlefield will soon be flooded by waves of beasts from across the Absorbed Worlds.
"These beasts will come in endless tides, and your task is to defend yourselves. The beasts will increase in strength and ferocity as the tides progress, and there will be no respite until all but one group remains standing."
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.
The tribes, clans, and families of the different planets exchanged uneasy glances.
Lyerin merely stood still, listening, his smirk returning as he registered the simplicity of the challenge.
"As soon as a beast tide is defeated," the Asura lady continued, "the groups are free to engage each other. Combat between you is not only permitted—it is encouraged. Kill each other, crush your enemies.
"The more you kill, the stronger you become, but remember: the tides of beasts will return, and they will only grow stronger. There will be no end to the waves until there is only one group remaining. Only one can survive."
Across the skies of the different worlds, the representatives of the participating races and groups began murmuring.
Some exchanged glances, some whispered among themselves, while others nodded in understanding.
On Zordrix, Velros Skybreaker of the Skyclaw Brotherhood scoffed, folding his golden wings across his chest. "Fair enough," he muttered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Kill the beasts, annihilate the other group representatives, and become the last one standing. It couldn't be simpler."
Elandra Leafshadow of the Greenveil Family on Kaeloris narrowed her eyes, her lips pursed in concentration.
"A survival game," she murmured to her kin, her voice barely audible above the rustling of the forest leaves around her. "We have trained for this all our lives. Nature thrives through survival of the fittest. This is fair."
In the depths of the oceans on Treneron, Marinus Tidecaller of the Tidalblade Clan nodded solemnly.
"A fight for dominance," he said to his warriors, his voice calm yet filled with resolve. "The seas have always demanded the strong to survive. This is no different. We shall prevail."
Even on the fiery planet of Vortan, Ignar Flameheart of the Moltenfist Tribe grinned, his molten eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"We live by fire and fury. What's fairer than a battle to the death?" His tribe roared in agreement, the very ground trembling beneath their feet.
The Asura lady's voice cut through their thoughts again, halting their discussions. "However," she said, her tone shifting slightly, "there is a catch. To ensure that no one grows too comfortable at the top, there are special creatures—boss monsters—that will seek out the strongest among you.
"These are the Minotaurs, creatures of immense power and savagery. The Minotaurs will be sent to eliminate those who have killed the most. Beware, for the more successful you are, the more likely you will attract them."
A ripple of shock swept through the different races. This was an unexpected twist.
On Darrok, the Brutarians, massive and powerful with their four arms, grumbled among themselves.
Thragor, leader of the Ironfist Clan, frowned deeply. "This... this is not fair!" he bellowed, his voice echoing across the mountains.
"Why should we be punished for being the strongest? To send beasts after us for our success? It makes no sense!"
On Malvaros, the Thrylos, with their elongated skulls and heightened mental abilities, were equally displeased. Iseron, leader of the Mindveil Collective, sneered.
"This is a clear attempt to undermine the natural order. If we are superior, we should not be hunted down by these Minotaurs. This... this is flawed logic."
The Seraphians of Keros, shadowy humanoids of the Nightstalker Clan, whispered among themselves. Karael, their leader, shook her head.
"How can we ever rise to the top if we are constantly being hunted by these creatures? It is unfair to penalize success!"
Even the Zygron of Yvarka, aquatic humanoids of the Deepstrider Brotherhood, were unsettled.
Xaruk, their leader, slammed his fist into the ground, causing the water to ripple around him.
"How can we thrive if we must constantly fear being eliminated by beasts? This is no test of strength—this is madness!"
But perhaps the most vocal of all were the Araknae of Pherin, spider-like humanoids of the Webspinner Coven. Shallak, their leader, hissed angrily, her many legs twitching in agitation.
"This is a betrayal of the principles of survival! Why should we, who excel, be dragged down by the threat of these Minotaurs? It is absurd!"
Their voices rose in protest, but the Asura lady remained unfazed. She had seen these reactions before, and they no longer surprised her.
"The Minotaurs exist to ensure that no one remains at the top for too long," she explained, her voice growing sharper.
"In this game, survival is not just about brute strength. It is about adaptability, strategy, and cunning. You must find a way to survive, even with the Minotaurs hunting you."
Back in the Stonehooves tribe, Corora, still perched on Lyerin's shoulder, clutched him tighter. Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with fear.
"It sounds... almost impossible."
Lyerin chuckled, a deep, amused sound that seemed to resonate in his chest. "It is impossible," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "But that's what makes it fun."
Corora looked at him in shock, her wide eyes reflecting the terror she felt. "Fun? How can you say that? This is madness! We'll be killed!"
Lyerin's smirk only grew wider. "Maybe. But I like impossible odds."
The Asura lady's projection in the sky shifted slightly, her gaze once again falling on Lyerin and his tribe.
"And now, let the survival of planets and dominant races... begin!"
Her voice echoed across the Absorbed Worlds, sending a shiver down the spine of every being that heard it.
Across the planets, the different races steeled themselves for what was to come.
Velros Skybreaker of the Skyclaw Brotherhood spread his wings and took to the sky, his eyes gleaming with fierce determination.
"Let them come," he said, his voice filled with confidence. "We will reign supreme."
Elandra Leafshadow of the Greenveil Family, surrounded by the lush forests of Kaeloris, readied her bow.
"We will survive," she whispered to herself, her eyes focused on the horizon. "We always do."
On Treneron, Marinus Tidecaller of the Tidalblade Clan raised his trident high, the water around him swirling in anticipation. "The sea is our ally," he declared to his warriors. "We will not falter."
In the fiery depths of Vortan, Ignar Flameheart clenched his fists, the molten heat around him growing more intense. "We will burn our enemies to ash," he growled, his voice a low rumble.
Lyerin, standing atop the centaur statue of the Stonehooves tribe, looked up at the sky one last time, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and amusement.
"This will be interesting," he muttered to himself, his smirk never fading. "Let's see how this game plays out."
The sky darkened, and the first wave of beasts began to descend upon the planets.
The battle for survival had begun.