Y/N's POV.

The roar of the crowd was deafening, chants of "Turn that fleshbag into mush!" and "Teach the human his place!" echoing from the arena's stone walls. I stood smack dab in the middle of the battlefield, facing off against a Kaiju warrior about twice my size. His glowing eyes burned with amusement as he flexed, his deep, rumbling voice taunting me.

"What's the matter, little human? Scared? You should be."

I groaned, my fingers tightening around the grip of my weapon as I muttered under my breath. "How the hell did I get roped into this mess?"

Flashback. . .

It all started when I was having what I thought was an innocent conversation with Godzina. We were in the main hall of her palace, and I was explaining for the hundredth time why I wasn't as helpless as she thought I was. I was the strongest soldier in the Defense Force, after all! But Godzina, ever the picture of casual superiority, had been lounging on her throne, idly examining her claws.

"I don't care how strong you think you are," she had said, waving me off like an annoying fly. "You're human. I could flick you across this room with my pinky."

I should've kept my mouth shut. But no. Me and my big ego. I crossed my arms and snapped, "Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try."

And, well, she did. With zero hesitation, she flicked me.

It felt like getting hit by a wrecking ball. I sailed across the room, crashing into the far wall with a groan. She didn't even get up from her throne! While I lay sprawled out on the floor, groaning and trying to remember what air felt like, Godzina stood and smirked.

"That settles it," she said, brushing off her hands. "If you want to prove yourself, there's only one way to do it."

Cue me nervously asking, "Uh... and what's that?"

She grinned, a gleam in her eye that spelled trouble. "You'll enter the annual Tournament. It's where Kaiju warriors fight for glory, the title of King, and, oh yes—" she added with a laugh—"my hand in marriage. Don't worry, no one's ever won."

That last part had me choking on air.

Flashback Ends.

Back in the arena, I shook myself out of the memory, my heart pounding as I stared down my first opponent. The Kaiju warrior in front of me cracked his knuckles, his sharp teeth glinting as he smirked. The crowd's jeers and chants grew louder.

But hey, at least I was wearing my G-suit, so I wasn't completely screwed. The suit thrummed with energy, its faint glow a reminder that it could keep me alive long enough to maybe not get turned into a pancake.

"Alright," I muttered under my breath, rolling my shoulders. "First fight in the Kaiju Hunger Games. No pressure."

The sharp clang of the bell echoed through the arena, cutting through the roars of the crowd. My eyes darted toward Godzina, perched regally on her throne overlooking the battlefield. Her smug smirk made my blood boil, and I could practically hear her taunting me in my head.

"Humans are resourceful, yes... but not enough to impress me."

I scoffed, shaking off the irritation as I turned back to the oversized Kaiju warrior in front of me. His hulking form loomed, muscles rippling with every move, and yet... I couldn't help but smirk. If I let them intimidate me, I was as good as dead.

The sword and shield in my hands pulsed with the same energy signature as my cannon, a faint hum resonating with each breath I took. They weren't my usual weapons, but I wasn't worried. The Defense Force trained us to adapt to any tool, and I was good at what I did. Damn good.

"Alright, big guy," I muttered, tapping my sword against my shield with a metallic clang. "Let's see what you've got."

With a burst of speed that probably surprised the crowd, I rushed toward the Kaiju warrior, my boots pounding against the dirt floor of the arena. He roared, a deep, guttural sound, and swung a massive, clawed hand at me. I ducked low, feeling the wind from his swipe ruffle my hair as I slid beneath his arm.

The crowd erupted in cheers and boos, and I could hear some of them yelling, "He's quick for a fleshbag!"

I wasn't just quick—I was strategic. The Kaiju swung again, this time a heavy downward smash aimed right at my head. I brought the shield up, bracing myself, and the impact sent a shockwave through my arms. My knees buckled slightly, but I held firm. The shield's energy pulsed, absorbing the force, and I used the momentum to shove the Kaiju's arm away and counter with a quick slash to his side.

Sparks flew as the sword met his tough hide, and he growled in pain.

"That's one," I muttered under my breath, taking a step back to reassess.

The Kaiju warrior snarled, clearly not impressed. He charged again, swinging wildly, but I was ready this time. I sidestepped, parried, and delivered another blow, this time aiming for his leg. The sword bit deep, and he stumbled forward, giving me an opening.

As I pressed the attack, my focus narrowed. I promised myself I'd beat every single one of these so-called warriors without a scratch. Godzina's smug expectations? Yeah, I was going to shatter those into a million tiny pieces.

"Come on!" I yelled, slamming my shield against his chest with enough force to stagger him. "Is that all you've got?"

The crowd roared louder, a mix of shock and excitement. They might've underestimated the human, but I wasn't here to play nice. This wasn't just about survival—it was about proving that no one, not even a Kaiju, got to look down on me.

Especially not her

Timeskip. . .

I stood over the unconscious Kaiju warrior, my breathing ragged. My legs trembled as if they could give out at any moment, but I remained standing. The last opponent had gone down with an overhead kick that hit harder than I expected. Somehow, I had managed to keep my promise to myself—not a single hit landed on me.

But damn, was I exhausted.

The hum of my suit's system pulsed faintly, a low vibration against my skin. I glanced at the readout on my HUD. 74% UCP. No longer the comfortable 87% I started with. Dodging, countering, and staying one step ahead of 75 Kaiju warriors had drained me. Each dodge and attack chipped away at my reserves, leaving me feeling like I was running on fumes.

The bell rang again, cutting through the roaring crowd, and for a moment, silence filled the arena. Then came the chant.

"QUEEN! QUEEN! QUEEN!"

My head snapped up toward the source of the chants, and the ground trembled beneath me. I turned to see a small crater forming as she made her entrance. Godzina stood at the edge of the battlefield, her aura radiating power so thick it felt like the air itself bowed to her presence. She had jumped down from her throne, the sheer force of her landing creating shockwaves through the arena.

Her glowing eyes locked onto mine, and her smirk was as smug as ever. "Congratulations, fleshbag. You passed the selection."

I exhaled sharply, allowing myself a small moment of relief. But then her voice cut through again.

"However," she continued, her tone growing sharp, "the final test... and the reason no one has won this tournament in five hundred years... is me."

Her words hit like a hammer. My stomach sank as the crowd erupted into cheers. Godzina's reputation wasn't just talk. For half a millennium, no Kaiju warrior had bested her. I wasn't just facing a queen—I was facing a living legend.

She tossed me a water sack, and I barely caught it, my reflexes sluggish from exhaustion. "Rehydrate, little soldier," she said with a grin. "You'll need it."

I didn't argue. I gulped the water down, each drop cooling my parched throat. It wasn't enough to erase the fatigue, but it helped clear my mind. Once I finished, I tossed the sack aside and stepped forward. I didn't even bother picking up the sword and shield I had been using earlier. If I was going to fight her, I'd do it barehanded.

Godzina raised an eyebrow at my choice, her smirk widening. "Bold. Foolish, but bold."

Her aura flared as her hair began to glow a brilliant blue, and smoke curled from her mouth. The intensity of her presence made every nerve in my body scream at me to run. But I didn't. I planted my feet firmly, raised my fists, and took a deep breath.

The bell rang, signaling the start of the match.

In an instant, Godzina disappeared from my sight. My body instinctively braced, but before I could react, a crushing force hit my stomach. Her fist pressed against me lightly, yet the shockwave rattled my entire system. My HUD flashed red warnings, the UCP struggling to recalibrate after the hit.

"Boom," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "You're dead. Just like that."

She stepped back as I stumbled, gasping for air. The difference in our power wasn't just a gap—it was a canyon. My mind raced as I quickly jumped back, putting distance between us. Her smug smirk didn't waver as she raised a clawed finger, beckoning me forward.

"Come on, soldier boy," she taunted. "Show me what you've got."

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus. The pain in my stomach faded as my breathing steadied. I knew the odds. I knew how this fight would likely end. But I couldn't let her win that easily. Slowly, I tapped into the core of my UCP, driving it higher. The HUD shifted, the percentage ticking upward. 87%... 88%... 89%...

90%.

I felt the energy surge through me like a second wind. My exhaustion dulled as I centered myself. This wasn't just about proving myself anymore. It was about survival. I met her glowing eyes with a determined glare and took another deep breath.

"Alright, your majesty," I said, straightening my stance. "Let's dance."

One painful time skip later. . .

I gasped myself awake, my chest heaving as my senses returned. My body felt like it had been run over by a freight train, and the sharp pangs of pain reminded me of my bandaged torso and face. The dim light in the room made the sterile white of the wrappings stand out even more. I groaned, trying to sit up, but the effort was almost too much.

Beside me, a familiar towering figure stood. Godzina. The Queen herself, looking oddly sheepish as she scratched the back of her head. A Kaiju nurse was standing beside her, scolding her in a shrill tone.

"You went too far! He's human! Not one of your warriors!"

Godzina chuckled nervously, her confident demeanor slipping just a bit. "I might have overdone it. Just a little."

Hearing that, I sighed deeply and slowly managed to sit up despite the protests from my aching body. So I had lost. I let the thought sink in, disappointment creeping into my voice as I congratulated her.

"Congrats on winning the tournament... again," I muttered, my words tinged with bitterness. "Sorry I couldn't live up to your expectations."

Godzina's expression faltered, and for a brief moment, I saw genuine disappointment in her glowing eyes. She nodded, crossing her arms, but then she did something unexpected. She reached out, took my hand, and gently pressed it against her cheek.

Her cheek felt tense, almost firm, and her eyes softened as she looked down at me. "Don't sell yourself short," she said, her voice low but warm. "You landed a hit on me here, before you passed out."

I blinked, stunned. "Wait... I hit you?"

Her hearty laugh filled the room, loud and unapologetic. "You sure did! You didn't even realize it because by then your face was so swollen, you probably couldn't see straight!"

Her laughter was infectious, and despite the lingering pain, I felt a grin tug at my lips. It wasn't much, but I had done something no other Kaiju warrior had in centuries—land a hit on the queen.

I let out a sigh of relief and eased myself back onto the bed. At least I had earned something out of this fight. My first true ally, the most powerful Kaiju I could have imagined. Godzina, the Queen of the Kaiju.

As if sensing my thoughts, she straightened up and gave me a firm nod. "Rest up, soldier. In three days, we leave. There's another Kaiju queen I want to recruit—an ally and a healer."

With that, she turned and strode out of the room, her commanding presence leaving a void in her wake. The nurse muttered something about reckless rulers as she followed her, leaving me alone.

I sighed softly, my gaze drifting to my dog tags resting against my chest. My fingers curled around them as a wave of longing hit me. I closed my eyes, silently hoping—praying—that my team was alive and well.

"Just hang on, guys," I whispered to myself. "I'll find you. No matter what."

. . .

. . .

The royal gates were a spectacle of grandeur and emotion, with the entire kingdom gathered to see their queen off. Godzina stood tall before them, regal and commanding, her voice carrying words of encouragement and assurance to her people. The crowd cheered, their admiration for their ruler evident in every roar and cry.

I, however, was dealing with a much less enthusiastic audience.

Standing by the royal carriage, I was locked in a silent standoff with the Ground Dragon—a creature tasked with pulling the carriage. It wasn't your average beast of burden. Covered in armored scales and sporting a glare that screamed distrust, it snorted at me, smoke puffing from its nostrils as it turned its head away, stubborn as a mule.

"Come on," I muttered under my breath, trying to approach it again. "I'm not here to hurt you."

The dragon's only response was a low growl and a deliberate stomp of its massive claw, which sent a small tremor through the ground. It snorted again, this time with a tone that almost sounded mocking. Fantastic. A dragon with an attitude problem.

I groaned, rubbing the back of my neck. "You know, this would be a lot easier if you weren't so—" My eyes caught sight of the provisions packed for the trip, specifically a bulging sack that had a sweet, earthy aroma wafting from it. Food. Of course.

I grabbed the sack and approached the Ground Dragon cautiously. "Alright, big guy. How about we make a deal?" I untied the bag and held it up, letting the tantalizing scent of its contents drift toward the dragon. Its nostrils flared, and its head tilted ever so slightly.

"Yeah, that's right," I said with a smirk. "All yours if you stop being a jerk and let me inside the carriage."

The dragon huffed, giving me a skeptical look before lowering its head to sniff the bag. I set it down and stepped back, watching as the stubborn beast tore into the sack with surprising delicacy, devouring the treats inside. When it finished, it glanced at me, its glowing eyes narrowing as if to say, Fine, you win this round.

I cautiously moved toward the carriage door, and this time, the Ground Dragon didn't block my path. Victory.

Just as I stepped inside, Godzina finished her speech, and the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers, bidding their queen a heartfelt farewell. She strode toward the carriage, waving one last time before stepping inside with me.

Once seated, she gave a small smirk and focused her energy. The Ground Dragon immediately straightened, and the carriage began to move as if the dragon had received silent orders. The scenery of the kingdom rolled past as we began our journey.

I let out a small sigh, gazing out the window. "JP would have loved this trip," I muttered, the thought of my missing teammate bringing a pang of longing.

Godzina's sharp hearing didn't miss a word. "We'll find them," she said firmly, her tone carrying a surprising warmth. "Our chances will increase once we reach the Kingdom of Celestera. Queen Mothra will be an invaluable ally."

I turned toward her, curious. "What's Queen Mothra like?"

Godzina visibly shivered, an expression of exasperated fondness crossing her face. "Mothra..." she started with a sigh, her tone betraying equal parts respect and weariness. "She's one of the kindest Kaijus you'll ever meet. She despises violence with every fiber of her being, which is ironic, considering her power. Her healing abilities are legendary—she can bring someone back from the brink of death. Some say she can even revive the dead."

My eyes widened. "That's... incredible."

"Don't get too excited," Godzina warned, crossing her arms. "She's sweet, yes. But she's also..." She hesitated, searching for the right word. "Clingy. If she fancies something—or someone—you'll know it. She's obsessed with cute things, rare herbs, and her so-called 'Kaiju Besties.'"

I raised an eyebrow. "Kaiju Besties?"

Godzina groaned. "She counts me as one of them. Don't get me wrong, I like her, but she can be... overwhelming. If she sees something she likes, she just can't control herself."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the mental image of a powerful queen fawning over "cute things." "Well, she sounds like a handful."

Godzina gave a small smirk, resting her chin on her hand. "You'll see soon enough. Just remember, as sweet as she is, Mothra is still a queen—and one of the strongest Kaijus alive. Don't let her kindness fool you."

I nodded, a mix of anticipation and apprehension settling in my chest. Celestera and Queen Mothra sounded like a whole new world, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for what lay ahead. But at least I wasn't facing it alone.

The journey to the Kingdom of Celestera was mercifully short—just a few hours of travel time, thanks to its proximity as a neighboring kingdom. As the carriage rolled closer, the air became saturated with a sweet, almost hypnotic aroma. It was unlike anything I'd ever smelled before, calming every nerve in my body and melting away any lingering worries.

For about five seconds.

Before I could fully enjoy the peaceful sensation, Godzina suddenly grabbed me and shoved my head firmly between her chest. My muffled protests were drowned out as she growled, "Hold your breath, human! Those flowers may smell sweet, but they'll fry your puny brain. They're far more dangerous for you than they are for us Kaiju."

My muffled voice rose in panic. "Wait, what?! Fry my—"

"No talking!" she barked, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The carriage came to a halt in front of Celestera's grand gate, its intricate floral designs glistening with what seemed like an otherworldly glow. Godzina stuck her head out the window, clearly annoyed, and growled at the speaker beside the gate.

A soft, melodic voice came through the device, its tone gentle and teasing. "Oh my, a visitor! Who might it be?"

Godzina rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Don't play games with me, Mothra. You know it's me. Now open the gate."

The voice giggled in response. "Hmm... I don't know. Could you remind me who you are again?"

Godzina clenched her fists, visibly losing patience. "It's me, you stupid butterfly! Open the gate before I rip it off its hinges!"

Another gentle laugh came through the speaker. "Ara, ara~ Temper, temper, Godzi. So fiery, as always. Alright, calm down. I'll open it for you."

With a soft hum, the massive gates creaked open, revealing Celestera in all its vibrant glory. Flowers of every color imaginable bloomed across the landscape, their radiant petals shimmering under the golden sunlight. The air was thick with the magical fragrance, and even though Godzina had kept my face buried in her chest the whole time, I could still feel its effects creeping in.

Finally, as the carriage rolled to a stop inside the kingdom, Godzina released me. I gasped for air, stumbling out of the carriage like I'd just run a marathon. My vision swam, and I fell to my hands and knees, feeling dizzy from the overpowering floral aroma.

Before I could recover, a sultry, playful voice reached my ears. "Ara, ara~ Aren't you just the most adorable little thing?"

To be continued. . .