Chapter 18

Chapter 18 — The Start of the First Round

​The proclamation of Zeus did not merely travel through the air; it tore through the structural fabric of reality itself, vibrating across every pocket dimension, celestial plane, and starlit sea within the Elder God realm. The sound waves hit like physical blows, carrying the absolute weight of divine law. Within the secluded, ethereal sanctuary of Poseidon’s domain, the air instantly grew heavy, thick with an oppressive static that made breathing feel like an exertion of sheer willpower.

​Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Jiren, and Yamoshi stood frozen, their eyes locked onto the massive projection flickering into existence above them. The shock of the upcoming battle paralyzed them momentarily. This was no ordinary training session, nor was it a controlled universal tournament where rules offered a safety net. This was a death match orchestrated by the architects of existence, and despite the knot of defiance tightening in their chests, they were bound by an ancient, inescapable chain of creation to respect the decree of their makers.

​The scene shifted, violently pulling their consciousness back to the grand tournament coliseum.

​The amphitheater of star-metal pulsed with a fierce, unstable energy. The Elder Gods had settled back into their imposing thrones, their expressions carved from cold indifference and ancient malice. The massive runic script etched into the coliseum floor hummed louder, casting long, eerie shadows under the glow of swirling cosmic clouds.

​Hera leaned forward, resting his chin on his knuckles, his glowing amber eyes scanning the arena with an air of absolute superiority. A sharp, mocking grin cut across his gray-toned features as he addressed the supreme patriarch.

​"Old man, so you decide to choose me first?" Hera scoffed, his voice dripping with condescension. "How entirely unfair for Hades. My champions are far from ordinary. You're throwing him to the wolves before the games have even truly begun."

​Across the dais, Hades shifted on his dark throne. Tendrils of heavy, abyssal smoke curled around his shoulders, matching the pitch-black void of his gaze. A low, gravelly chuckle escaped his lips, carrying the chill of a bottomless grave.

​"Is that so?" Hades replied, his tone laced with dangerous calm. "Then I have no need to unleash my strongest warrior just yet, Hera. I can easily show you that my fighters are no joke with a lesser hand."

​Hades raised a hand, cutting off any further banter. His eyes flashed with cold authority as he looked up toward the center stage.

​"Zeus, make the call already," Hades demanded, his patience wearing thin.

​Hera waved a dismissive hand, leaning back into his seat. "I agree. Time is wasted on idle chatter. Let the blood soak the stage."

​Zeus rose slowly from his central throne, his white-gold hair crackling wildly as arcs of blinding, golden-yellow lightning surged across his massive frame. When he spoke, the sound shattered the silence of the coliseum.

​"Very well," Zeus thundered, his voice echoing into eternity. "If both Elder Gods are ready, you may summon your one-versus-one champions for a death battle!"

​As the command left his lips, torrents of golden-yellow lightning violently fractured the floorboards of the stage arenas, leaving scorched craters where divine energy bled into the void.

​Hera stood up slightly, extending a hand toward the center of the arena with a triumphant smirk.

​"Come forth, my first warrior!" Hera commanded, his voice ringing with absolute pride. "Son Goku!"

​The lightning converged into a blinding pillar of violet and crimson light. The air pressure plummeted instantaneously, creating a vacuum that sucked the breath straight out of the atmosphere. As the light cleared, a figure materialized at the center of the ring.

​Back in the starlight sea of Poseidon’s domain, the projection made Goku, Vegeta, and the others gasp in absolute horror.

​Standing in the arena was a version of Goku—yet he was entirely wrong, entirely alien, and utterly terrifying. Known across fractured timelines as God Killer Goku, this entity radiated an aura of pure, unadulterated annihilation. His hair spiked upward in wild, jagged tufts, glowing with an intense, haunting shade of violet-silver. His eyes were locked in a cold, unblinking glare, burning with crimson irises devoid of warmth or mortal compassion. He wore a dark blue uniform beneath a rigid crimson vest, secured by a heavy belt with a gleaming golden buckle. Heavy dark gauntlets encased his forearms, hinting at battles fought across the ruins of countless timelines.

​"T-that's..." Goku stammered, his fists trembling slightly as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. "That's me... but it's not me. What is that energy?"

​"Fool," Vegeta growled, gritting his teeth so hard a drop of blood trickled down his chin, his eyes wide with uncharacteristic disbelief. "Can't you feel it? That bastard isn't just strong. He smells of dead gods and shattered dimensions. Every timeline he's touched has been wiped clean."

​Gohan stepped back, his hands shaking as he stared at the projection. "Dad... his power is completely unstable, yet it's perfectly controlled. It's like standing in front of a black hole."

​Jiren remained silent, his arms crossed tightly over his massive chest, though his sharp eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. For the first time, the Pride Trooper felt a chill run down his spine. Beside him, Yamoshi’s ancient eyes flared with recognition and dread.

​Just how strong is this Goku? The question hung heavy and suffocating over the warriors, a silent reminder that the horrors waiting for them in this tournament defied every limit they had ever known.