The past few weeks were a blur — watching Goliath perform superhuman feats in prep for his match, then going home to propaganda of him plastered everywhere. They claimed he could win the whole tournament. They made up some story about how he was just a simple strongman from Canada who signed up for the military years ago to inspire hope.
They even ordered me to allow an "accidental" information leak on the tamer of Goliath's missions. I won't lie — I read them. Dismantled a mercenary group in Russia. Destroyed a cartel with armored tanks in Mexico. The whole nine yards.
But after seeing what even a fraction of what these Anthorians could do, none of it did much to ease my nerves.
Reporters, civilians, and everyone else had formed a line at the UN building's entrance when I arrived. At the end stood James and Goliath. But Goliath was acting different. He was smiling, shaking hands, and there was emotion in his voice.
James came up to me and, like he knew exactly what I was thinking, whispered in my ear.
"He's faking it. This is what everyone thinks he is — they've put a lot more faith in someone who's 'willing to fight' than someone being ordered to."
I don't know why that shocked me. This guy was literally branded as the government's ultimate weapon. I guess it was just shocking to see it in action. Made me wonder what else he could do — and what he'd already done.
"Come on, let's get going — they're waiting for us in the yard," James said, putting his game face on. He walked in front of Goliath, smiling and waving. I followed. I waved, I bowed, and we were met with cheers as we moved through the halls and into James's office — where Gio and Lenz were waiting patiently.
"Why helloooo there! Glad to see we're all here in time," Gio said cheerfully.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," James said with a nervous smile.
"Ho ho, that's funny — because your world—" Gio was cut off by Lenz, who walked straight up to Goliath's face and inspected his beard.
"Hmm." He tilted his head. "You think Ms. Moe would prefer your head with or without this bird's nest?"
He stepped back, gave a shit-eating smirk, and shrugged. "I think I'll shave it off during our match." He winked at Goliath, hoping to draw a reaction.
He didn't even get a look in the eyes.
"Very well — let's go," Gio said with a happy smile, starting toward where we'd been beamed up. We all followed.
After that — I'll be real — I can't remember much. My heart was beating in my ears and my mind was racing. James was talking to me but I don't remember anything that was said. All I could think was:
This is it. This is kickoff.
Lenz and Gio waved goodbye — well, Gio did — as they walked to their walkway. When we stepped into ours, a team of scientists was already waiting. They immediately rushed over and started fitting Goliath with the gauntlets, muttering something about hydraulics.
When they left, so did James. He didn't even bother to wish Goliath good luck. "I'll meet you in the spectators' booth," he said as he walked away.
He didn't even want to walk him out? I thought, watching James disappear. I turned to Goliath. "Well... let's go."
He nodded and we started walking. Time felt like a suggestion more than a constant as we moved through the tunnel.
Looking up, I saw what appeared to be an announcer's box floating in the middle of the colosseum — the only person in it an Anthorian woman with light lime green skin and three eyes that looked more like camera lenses than eyes, with long dark yellow hair flowing like gold.
"GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" she announced. It didn't even look like she had a mic. I think her voice is just like that.
"WELCOME TO THE 62ND EVER OURO!!!"
The crowd of Anthorians erupted — cheering loud enough to make up for the crickets on the human side.
"YOU KNOW ME, YOU LOVE ME — IT'S YA GIRL ORA! HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THIS TOURNAMENT AND IF IT'S ALRIGHT WITH YOU FOLKS — LET'S. GET. STARTED!!!"
The crowd got even louder. Almost deafening.
"But first, a word from our sponsors."
They have companies here? I thought.
"Kidding." She flashed a peace sign and stuck out her tongue, then cleared her throat.
"Representing the humans — you know him, you've seen him — the man they call Asset-01."
The colosseum went dark. A single light fell on Goliath, highlighting him as I stood behind him in the shadow.
"He's toppled armies before you woke up for breakfast. He's dismantled operations before the operations themselves knew the plan."
If nothing else, she's really good at this. Even I was feeling pumped.
"With over 1,982 confirmed kills and thousands of unnamed bodies — he's the Nation Breaker — GOLIATH!!!!"
The human side erupted just like everyone had hoped. With all the propaganda and Ora's genuinely hyped announcement, it was hard not to get caught up in it.
Suddenly the light on Goliath disappeared and reappeared on the entrance of the Anthorian walkway.
"Now representing the Anthorians — if there were an award for most devoted to one woman, he'd claim first, second, and third."
Lenz stepped out with Gio, the light following his every step.
"You all may know him by many names — Boy Genius, the Prodigy of the Future — or, if you're a certain someone, your biggest fan."
Even from here I could tell she winked at Moe.
"Now introducing — the Super Psycho Lover — LENZZZZZZZZ!!!!!"
The Anthorians went crazy and immediately started chanting Lenz's name as Ora spoke up again.
"We ask that all non-combatants clear the area."
I gave Goliath a nod. "Well... give em hell," I said before walking back to the exit of the walkway. An Anthorian led me through a passage to the spectators' box, where James was already sitting with the other world leaders. He patted the seat next to him.
No words were exchanged. It felt like everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the round to start as Ora began the countdown.
"Three... two... one — FIGHT!"
No sooner had the T left her mouth than Goliath appeared in front of Lenz — closing the distance with inhuman speed. He raised his fist overhead and swung down. It crashed into the sand and kicked up enough dust to block all vision.