Three androids walked in formation—tall frames, polished armor, and cold reactors glowing deep green with faint streaks of red. The atmosphere instantly shifted. The earlier laughter and chatter in Vault Void evaporated like steam. Everyone's attention locked on them.
Oliver's voice carried, though it trembled slightly
"Everyone take seats."
The crowd moved back, filling the upgraded stands. The smart display above the fighting ring brightened, showing combat stats scanning in real-time.
Inside the ring stood Luna, Oliver, and Alex.
Oliver pointed with his chin, speaking low but sharp.
"The tall one—that's Victor. Brawler type, Mk 2 level 26. Brutal force."
His finger shifted. "That one in heavy armor—Marcus. Defence type. Mk 2 level 26. He doesn't fall easy."
Finally, his eyes narrowed at the third android. "And the silent one… Adrian. Mk 2 level 26. Saboteur. Deadly and cold."
Luna's gaze slid over the three challengers. Their armor was layered, interlocking nano-alloys with luminous etchings pulsing like veins. Their footsteps alone felt like thunder.
She whispered inwardly, "I have to keep their reactors intact. They must live. If I hit wrong, they'll shatter. But… these are Mk 2 level 26. Heavy armor. Triple barrier plating. Should I hold back? Or… should I end this?"
Her eyes softened as her memory flashed Valerian's stern face. "If he were here, he'd scold me for showing off. But… if I don't, these arrogant ones will never learn. And… I want him to see me. To notice me. Let's… end this quickly."
Among Oliver's friends in the stands, quiet murmurs rippled.
Lucas fidgeted. "Arre, can she really handle them? Teen-teen hai… and all level 26…"
("Hey—can she really handle them? There are three of them… all Level 26.")
Stefan folded his arms. "Mk 1 level 10 versus Mk 2 level 26? Statistically impossible. Unless… unless she's hiding something."
Nathan smirked. "I like her confidence though. Bilkul calm khadi hai jaise Sunday picnic chal raha ho."
("I like her confidence, though. She's standing there completely calm, like it's a Sunday picnic.")
Clara whispered, almost biting her lip. "Oliver, tum sure ho?"
("Oliver, are you sure?")
Oliver's eyes never left Luna. His voice was steel. "I trust Miss Luna."
Victor broke the silence with a mocking laugh, armor plates vibrating with his deep tone.
"Oliver, who is this? New recruit? You think she can even scratch us? Look at her—Mk 1 level 10 Attack type. Her armor HP is what… 25,000? Do teen punches, aur khatam. You brought a child."
Marcus and Adrian both chuckled, their reactors flaring green-red.
Oliver didn't blink. "Let's see."
The smart display updated with a mechanical voice:
Prize Pool: 140,000 SC
(The Iron Fist Syndicate had matched Oliver's 70k bet.)
The crowd gasped this was now one of the largest wagers Sector 9 had ever seen.
Inside, Luna clenched her fists lightly, reactor glowing faint pink. She argued with herself.
"I'll finish this in one second."
Her smile trembled. "No, Luna, don't. Don't show off. Don't… but they're mocking me. I can't—no, no. Stay calm… but… I want to see him. Valerian. Just once, let me end this."
Victor smirked and gestured lazily. "Adrian, go first. Break her apart."
Luna raised her chin, lilac eyes glowing softly. Her voice, calm but cutting
"Come all three at me… if you are not afraid."
The whole club erupted in murmurs.
Victor snarled. "Oliver, I don't know whether she'll live or die. But if I win, I'll take her parts. A shiny pink reactor fetches a fortune."
Oliver's friends flinched at his words, but Oliver didn't react. His jaw was tight, his hand curled into a fist.
The smart display lit up with bold numbers:
3… 2… 1… FIGHT.
Victor, Marcus, and Adrian charged, laughing, their armored frames moving like a trio of tanks.
They mocked together, "Come on! Show us your feather-light touch!"
But Luna just stood still. Reactor glowing. A faint smile across her lips.
Oliver's heart pounded. His friends whispered rapidly:
Raider: "Kuch kar kyun nahi rahi?"
("Why isn't she doing anything?")
Falcon: "Bhai, she's frozen—abhi gaye kaam se."
("Man, she's frozen—she's done for.")
Lucas: "No… look at her eyes. Something's coming."
Then it happened.
No one saw her move. No step, no punch, no sound. Only a ripple in the air like the fabric of space itself bent around her pink glow.
A heartbeat later, all three Iron Fist androids froze mid-stride.
A sharp crack echoed.
Their armored abdomens caved in perfect circular holes just below their life reactors. The sheer invisible pressure of her strike had dismantled entire plating layers. Their arms fell limp, their legs quivered.
They collapsed to the ground in unison, gasping, twitching, but alive.
Victor's voice shook. "Wh…what… what happened…?"
Marcus groaned, his armor flickering, sparks spraying from the hole. "M-my whole upper body… dismantled… as if someone… punched straight through with impossible force…"
Adrian just stared at Luna, blank shock across his face.
Luna's voice was soft, almost playful. "I win."
For one moment, silence ruled. Then Vault Void exploded with cheers.
"Miss Luna!"
"She did it!"
"Unbelievable!"
Oliver exhaled, a proud smile creeping on his face. "I told you. Trust Miss Luna."
But the Iron Fist weren't finished with their tongues.
Marcus spat blood-tinged coolant, his voice dripping with venom.
"Teri maa ka *******, sali Mk 1 ka natak karti hai aur Mk 3 ki tarah fight karti hai… randi sali!"
("Your mother's...she plays Mk-1, fights like Mk-3… goddamn shameless bitch!)
The words were venomous, but Luna tilted her head, completely unaware of the meaning. She smiled politely, bowing slightly. "Okay, okay… thanks for compliment."
Oliver choked mid-cheer, covering his mouth. Clara's eyes widened half laughing, half horrified. The rest of Vault Void tried to hold back their snickers.
Victor cursed, dragging himself up, one leg broken. "Chal… let's get out of here."
The three of them stumbled away, limbs snapping, broken parts falling an eyeball unit clattering loudly across the hallway. Still, they ran, humiliated.
Vault Void roared louder, the club echoing with chants of "Luna! Luna! Luna!"
Luna just stood in the middle of the ring, reactor glowing pink, her smile calm, as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
Inside, though, her thoughts whispered softly
Valerian… did you see me? Would you… be proud?