Beyond the Limit (DC)

A sharp slap cracked across Joseph's face, jolting him awake.

"Get up, human," a deep, inhuman voice rumbled.

Joseph's eyes fluttered open to see a towering green-skinned reptilian, clad in segmented gold armor. His vision swam as he struggled to take in his surroundings—a high-tech cell, dimly lit, sterile. He was lying on a bed, still wearing Black Spider's—his—costume. His mask was gone.

The Gordanian sneered down at him, yellow, reptilian eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

"It is your turn to fight in the arena. Despero wants to see a good fight."

Joseph barely had time to sit up before a powerful hand yanked him off the bed. Shackles clamped around his wrists, and a rough shove sent him stumbling forward.

"And if you try to run—" the guard tapped the heavy metal collar around Joseph's neck, its dull silver exterior humming with faint energy— "Boom."

He let out a guttural laugh.

Joseph clenched his fists. His mind felt sluggish, his body heavier than usual. But worse than that—

Nova was silent.

For the past year, the AI had been a constant presence in his mind. A guide. A partner. A lifeline. And now—gone.

He felt hollow. Isolated. As alone as when his mother died.

The Gordanian shoved him forward. Joseph didn't resist.

**

They walked through cold, metallic corridors, the air thick with the scent of ozone and sterile decay. The occasional guard stood at their post, hulking aliens of various species watching him with disinterest.

Then—a sound.

A deafening roar.

They turned a corner, and the corridor opened into a massive arena entrance.

The guard sneered. "You better put on a good show, or else—"

The collar surged with energy—pure agony tearing through Joseph's body.

He clenched his teeth, every nerve alight with fire. But through the pain, his mind flickered with a stray thought—

Is this collar translating the language for him?

Then—a swift kick to his back.

Joseph stumbled forward, tripping onto the arena's hard metallic floor.

The stadium erupted in cheers.

Hundreds of thousands of aliens filled the stands, their monstrous shapes and glowing eyes locked onto him like a pack of hungry beasts watching fresh prey. The air vibrated with their anticipation.

The arena was the size of two football fields but the stands stretched up so high Joseph had to tilt his head all the way up before he could see the green sky with two moons.

Joseph pushed himself onto his knees, breathing heavily. Then he saw his opponent.

A massive four-armed behemoth.

Thick grey hide, protruding lower tusks, veins bulging with raw power.

Joseph barely had time to react before a booming voice filled the stadium.

"Sapients and savages! Welcome to another exhilarating round of brutalism and carnage! I am your humble, bloodthirsty, and pain-positive announcer—L-Ron!"

Joseph turned to see a giant floating holographic golden robotic head.

"Tonight, we have an exotic contender, a Homo sapien plucked fresh from the cosmic gutters! It will be facing our oh-so-ashamed Branx warrior, Nimokar, whose previous humiliatism has landed it in this delightful position!"

The Branx warrior unsheathed a massive sword—more like a dagger in its hands, but still big to Joseph.

L-Ron's voice practically sang with sadistic glee.

"I hope you've all placed your bets, because the slaughter-ism begins… NOW!"

**

The shackles on Joseph's wrists separated.

Joseph barely had time to scramble to his feet before Nimokar charged.

The ground trembled beneath his massive bulk.

Joseph leaped backward as the sword came crashing down, slamming into the arena floor with an explosion of sparks.

Too slow. He had to be faster.

Joseph ducked under a swinging left hook, but a second fist followed—a third, a fourth.

A storm of blows rained down on him. He barely twisted away, his body moving on instinct as he tried to slip through the gaps in the Branx's assault.

A fist clipped his side—pain flared through his ribs. He staggered back, gasping for breath.

"Tsk-tsk! Our Homo sapien is struggling! Is this tragedy-ism or just entertainment-ism?" L-Ron jeered.

Joseph gritted his teeth.

He needed a plan.

Nimokar was strong—brutally so—but not too fast. And Joseph, even without Nova, still had enhanced senses, peak human strength, and experience.

He could win this.