Cheers erupted from the crowds as I walked across the arena towards the group of kids waiting eagerly for me. Many in the crowd stood and threw black roses into the center of the arena. Looking at the King’s Box, I saw Lord Malum smirking. Of course, he’d plan this, knowing how it would affect me. I, however, had a plan myself. One that he would never see coming and it would all be done by his rules.

When I finally got to the center of the arena, I placed myself in front of the kids. Each one had a special costume to show themselves off and cater to their powers. Some even had masks similar to mine. And while they all stood in a straight line before me, I could immediately see that there was a click among the kids. A black-haired boy, maybe around fifteen, looked to be the leader…

“Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself for the event of the century. Something you won’t be able to see again… The Grim Reaper fighting!” A voice echoed loudly throughout the arena, instantly silencing thousands of people. And from the sound of the voice, it was one of the Costa twins. “Thanks to the grace of Lord Malum, these forty talented kids will fight against the Grim Reaper. And those that put a single scratch on her will receive the greatest honor of all, the opportunity to work directly with Lord Malum himself…”

Looked like it was Leo Costa talking, I thought as he continued to drone on and on about how great the Underworld and Lord Malum were etc. etc. Rolling my eyes, I clicked my fingers and a small drone flew to me with a microphone. Grabbing the mic, I took a deep breath. It was time to shine.

“Thanks Leo, but I think the people want to get to the part where I fight.”

“Ha… You are right, Grim Reaper. I guess I could explain how this fight is going to work.”

“No need.” I was smiling widely now. He was definitively annoyed with me interrupting him. “I will only fight these kids one way.”

Putting my open left hand in front of me, I close my eyes. It had been some time since I’d last done this, but the familiar flow of energy coursing through my body reminded me of everything. It was like greeting an old friend.

As my power flowed into my left hand, a wooden staff began forming in my hand. Within a few seconds, I had a two-meter-long wooden staff. Of course, it had a few extra features, but no one needed to see those, at least for now.

Opening my eyes, I gave the microphone back to the drone to hold for me. “Alright, this is how the games are going to go. Ten at a time, you will come at me. However, if you hit the floor, it’s over. You can attack me however you would like to.”

The black-haired boy stepped forward. “But…”

“It’s the end of the road. You’ll stay on the floor and act dead. Because if I find you move so much as a finger…” Gripping the center of the staff, I pressed a small silver button. Immediately a blade popped out, finishing my Grim Reaper look. “You’ll find yourself without limbs and in pain for the rest of your life. Is that clear?”

Releasing a bit of my power, a few black mist-like tentacles surrounded the kids and the arena. The boy quickly stepped back and nodded his head. Some of the others looked sick and backed away from the tentacles as they tried to wrap themselves around arms and legs.

It seemed to have worked. And as much as I hated it, sometimes using my dark image was the only way to get people to listen, especially in this world.

Pressing the silver button again, the blade retracted and I began pulling the tentacles back inside me. The kids would be safer if I quickly took them out just using a wooden staff. It would bruise them, sure, but at least none would die or be seriously harmed. That was the goal, but I also needed to be aware of their powers. A few had dangerous powers that could easily kill someone if it went out of control.

As for my power, hopefully, I won't have to use it much. The tentacles and staff summoning alone had eaten some of my strength. It would be difficult to use my power for a long time, especially since I haven’t been using it a lot for some time. Taking a deep breath, I cleared my mind and focused my attention on the group of kids before me. It was time.

“So, who’s first up?”