Dragon Ball: The Universe's Finest

[MIRA POV]

The temple of Beerus felt even more imposing as I walked away from the hall. Each step made me more aware of the pressure on my shoulders. Just two years ago, I was a normal person in a world where gods and intergalactic fights existed only in fiction. Now, I was in the body of Mira, a being designed for destruction, and about to be tested by one of the most feared gods in the universe.

I tried to concentrate, but my mind kept flashing back to Beerus' words, "I assure you, you will regret it if you are not up to the task." Sweat was running down my back, even though I wouldn't allow it to show outwardly.What was I doing? Yes, I had trained with Whis for two years, but deep down... I kept feeling like an imposter. I'm just a normal person trapped in the body of someone much more powerful.

I walked into the small room Whis had assigned me. I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to control my breathing. Two years of training didn't erase decades of being just a human. The fear of failure, of pain...of dying. I felt like I didn't belong here, and yet here I was. How the hell did I end up asking Beerus to test me?

I stood up, pacing back and forth. "This is real... This is real..." I repeated, trying to convince myself that there was a way to get out of this test alive. What would a normal person do in a situation like this? I had no idea. I had always dreamed of having power, of being more than just a human, but now that I had it, things were much scarier than I imagined.

Whis' training hadn't just been physical. It had forced me to face my fears, to overcome my doubts. But even with all that power, I couldn't shake the human fear that gripped me at times like this. I looked at my hands, those same hands that could now destroy mountains if I wanted them to. I was not the same being I once was, but.... Am I strong enough to face Beerus?

Just as those thoughts swept over me, Whis appeared, with his usual calm smile. "Are you ready?" he asked, his tone calm, as if the idea of facing a God of Destruction was just another task.

I took a deep breath. "As much as I can be..." I replied, trying not to show my nervousness. But Whis was no fool. He knew something was bothering me.

"Remember," he said as we walked toward the battlefield, "Beerus doesn't just look for strength. Keep your mind clear, even when the situation seems impossible. That's the key."

I nodded, though my heart was pounding. Somewhere inside me, I knew I had the power. But being physically strong and being mentally prepared were two different things. Gods, I hope I don't die... I thought as we crossed the last threshold into the field.

Beerus was there, waiting for me with a sly smile. His golden eyes ran up and down me, sizing me up. To him, I was a mere pawn, someone he could easily crush if I wasn't up to the task. This is not a game, I told myself. If I fail, it's the end.

I stood in front of him, feeling the weight of the moment. I had never been so scared before, but I couldn't back down now. I had come this far, and I wasn't going to let my fears rule me. I am more than a human trapped in Mira's body, I thought firmly. Today, I will prove it.

Beerus smiled again, baring his fangs. "I hope you're ready, because I certainly am."

I took one last deep breath and braced myself. This was my moment.

[END OF MIRA POV]

The sun shone brightly over the training field, its rays illuminating the vast plains surrounding the temple of Beerus. The atmosphere vibrated with a palpable energy as the God of Destruction stood, arms folded, watching with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. In front of him, Mira (or rather, the person trapped in his body) stood poised, his posture tense but determined.

Whis, hovering off to the side with his usual calm and a slight smile, raised a hand to catch both of their attention. "Remember," he said in his calm but firm voice, "you must keep your damage to a minimum. We don't want this planet to suffer the consequences of your power, so you must avoid energy attacks. It would be a shame to have to find another place to train."

Mira nodded quickly, silently thanking him for that warning. Beerus, for his part, gave a slight nod of approval, clearly confident that he did not need such techniques to win.

Whis watched with interest, knowing that this test was much more than a simple showdown of strength. For Mira, it was a turning point, a moment where she would have to face not only the overwhelming power of a god, but also his own fears and insecurities.

"When you are ready, you may strike," Beerus said, his voice calm, but charged with unquestionable authority. His feline smile showed no concern; to him, this was just another test, almost a game.

Mira took a deep breath, adjusting his posture. He knew he couldn't just go madly at Beerus. Every move had to be calculated, precise, taking advantage of everything he had learned under Whis' tutelage. I'm not the same as before, he thought. I have trained. I have the power. But I must be smart.

In the blink of an eye, Mira disappeared from where he stood, his speed now almost inhuman. He reappeared in front of Beerus in the blink of an eye, throwing a punch straight at the god's face. Before he could connect, however, Beerus held up a finger, blocking the blow with insulting ease.

"Too predictable," Beerus commented in a disinterested tone, not moving a single muscle beyond what was necessary to parry the attack.

Mira stepped back immediately, surprised, but not allowing the emotional impact to get to him. This would not be an easy fight.

Beerus, bored by the initial lack of challenge, leaned forward slightly and, with an imperceptible movement, threw a punch into the air. The invisible impact was devastating, shaking the ground and creating a shockwave that spread across the entire battlefield. Mira managed to dodge it at the last second, but the speed and power of the attack made it clear to his that he was dealing with something far bigger than he had ever faced before.

"If this is all you've got, boy," Beerus said with a smirk, "I'm afraid this is going to be a very short fight."

But, though sweat was running down his brow and the weight of the situation was crushing, Mira was undeterred. The years of training, the countless trials under Whis, would not be in vain. This was his moment to prove that, though trapped in the body of a destructive being, his human spirit could overcome any obstacle, even a God of Destruction.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Mira concentrated all of his ki. The ground beneath his feet began to crack, and an intense reddish aura surrounded him. He opened his eyes, now filled with determination. This fight was far from over.

'Here I come.' Mira thought just before teleporting to Beerus' side delivering a punch to his cheek that he couldn't dodge, unfortunately for Mira the God was smiling.

"Your maneuver, I saw it coming however I wanted to let you land a blow to see how strong you are and I'll just tell you I'm still not impressed." Beerus said to land a blow on Mira that sent Mira flying in the opposite direction, until the latter somersaulted and stabilized in the air, then touched the spot where he was hit, feeling his skin damaged from the blow.

'This isn't working, I have to think of something and fast if I don't manage to impress him,,, he will surely destroy me.' Mira thought as he sweated for an alternative. 'No, easy relax, remember what Whis said, the body and mind are one. I just have to let go.' Thought he to subsequently turn off his aura and close his eyes as he took a deep breath. This caught Beerus' attention, causing him to look at him as if waiting patiently to see what his next move would be.

Mira closed his eyes, his breathing becoming slower and more controlled. The sweat that was previously dripping from his forehead began to dry as his body relaxed, adopting a more serene posture. He no longer felt the need to strain his energy or move in a desperate manner. He remembered Whis' words once again, "Body and mind are one. Let your instinct guide your every movement."

Beerus, though intrigued, did not seem concerned. He watched Mira with folded arms, his golden eyes sparkling with a mixture of interest and skepticism. "What are you planning now?" he muttered to himself, his tail wagging slowly from side to side.

Mira's aura, once a burst of energy, was now completely gone, as if it had dissolved into the atmosphere. However, there was something different. The tension in the air was more palpable, denser, as if the battlefield was waiting for something.

Suddenly, Mira opened his eyes and, without warning, disappeared from sight.

Beerus' eyes widened slightly, surprised by the speed of the disappearance.Where...?"

Before he could finish the thought, he felt a quick blow to his side. Although it wasn't strong enough to cause him harm, the impact was unexpected, forcing him back a few inches.What? Beerus spun, but didn't catch sight of Mira. A second blow came, this time on his back, then another on his arm, as if Mira's hands were moving effortlessly, without hesitation.

Mira was moving fluidly, almost without thinking, letting her body react instinctively at every opportunity. His mind was calm, without the pressure he had felt at the beginning of the fight. Each movement flowed into the next without interruption, without hesitation. It was a primitive version of Ultra Instinct, but it worked. Each strike, while not deadly to a being like Beerus, demonstrated precision and speed.

"So you're finally using what Whis taught you." Beerus said with a more serious tone, as he blocked one of the blows with a simple swing of his arm. "Not bad... for a beginner."

Mira didn't respond, he simply continued, his attacks becoming faster, harder to predict. The imperfect version of Ultra Instinct made him more unpredictable, and though he couldn't maintain that speed and fluidity indefinitely, every second counted to impress Beerus.

But the God of Destruction was not someone who could be easily outmatched. Despite the speed of the attacks, Beerus was beginning to anticipate Mira's movements. With a slight twist of his body, Beerus deflected the next blow, creating a shockwave that shattered the ground around him. "Enough."

With overwhelming speed, Beerus launched a counterattack. Mira, still in his imperfect Ultra Instinct state, managed to dodge, but not completely. The impact of the attack grazed his arm, sending it flying several meters backwards. Mira's body rolled across the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Mira stood up quickly, panting. The Ultra Instinct he had managed to achieve was not perfect, and maintaining it required more concentration than he could sustain for long. Still, he had managed the impossible: forcing Beerus to take the fight seriously, if only for an instant.

Beerus approached slowly, a defiant smile on his face. "You've improved, Mira. But if this is all you've got, I doubt you can keep up."

Mira refocused his mind, feeling the energy begin to dissipate. He couldn't maintain Ultra Instinct for much longer, but he had accomplihed what he needed to: capture Beerus' attention and prove that he was more than just a warrior. Now, the real test would be whether he could continue to fight without that advantage.

"Let's keep going." Mira said, determination in his eyes. Though exhausted, he was still unwilling to give up. Every second he spent in that fight gave him more experience, more control over his abilities. And now, he knew that if he wanted to win, or at least survive, he would have to find a balance between the calmness of Ultra Instinct and the brutality of his power.

The cloud of dust slowly dissipated as Mira rejoined, panting. The impact of Beerus' blow was still reverberating through his body. Although he had managed to dodge the worst of it, the strength of the God of Destruction was overwhelming. The imperfect Ultra Instinct he had managed to awaken had allowed him to stay on his feet, but he could not maintain that state for much longer. Exhaustion was beginning to build up in his muscles, and each breath was heavier than the last.

In front of him, Beerus approached with a slow, almost nonchalant pace. His expression was no longer entirely mocking. There was a glint of recognition in his golden eyes, as if for the first time in a long time, the God of Destruction felt the slightest bit interested in his opponent.

"You have improved considerably," Beerus said, without pausing. "Whis has trained you well, but... you're still a beginner. It's not enough to know how to move your body without thinking; you need total control. Without that, you'll be nothing but a fast bug."

Mira stood up fully, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He knew Beerus was right. The Ultra Instinct he had managed to activate was only a rudimentary version. He lacked the control and mastery to use it like Whis or even Goku did in the stories he had heard. However, that small window of power had been enough to force Beerus to pay attention to him. He still had hope.

"I know..." muttered Mira, more to himself than to Beerus. "But I can't afford to fail."

Without further warning, Mira charged again, moving at an impressive speed, but this time without the glowing aura that had accompanied him in his earlier attacks. He had learned something fundamental in those last few seconds: he could not rely solely on the power Whis had taught him. He had to combine his newfound instinct with the brutality and ferocity inherent in Mira's body.

The ground shook beneath his feet as he launched a series of swift attacks. Punches, kicks and sweeps, all intended to force Beerus back. But the God of Destruction, as if it were all just a game, blocked each blow with irritating ease, using barely two fingers to parry the most powerful attacks. Still, Mira would not stop, throwing more and more blows, giving Beerus no chance to counterattack.

But in a moment, Mira's fighting pattern changed. Instead of continuing the direct offense, Mira took a step back, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Beerus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. It was at that instant that Mira disappeared again, but this time, it wasn't a movement of simple speed. His presence seemed to vanish from the battlefield, as if he had vanished into the ambient shadows.

"Hm?" muttered Beerus, looking around. Though he was sure Mira was still nearby, he couldn't detect it clearly. Whis, watching from the edge of the battlefield, smiled slightly. Mira was beginning to understand the most valuable lesson of Ultra Instinct: not only to move without thinking, but to learn to disappear in absolute calm.

Suddenly, a punch aimed at Beerus' back appeared out of nowhere. The impact was stronger than before, enough to send the God of Destruction staggering forward a bit. While it wasn't a blow that could cause him any real damage, it did make him take the fight more seriously.

However, before Beerus could turn to respond, another blow impacted his side, this time from the left. And then another on his right leg. The attacks came from all directions, fast, precise, as if Mira was no longer present in one place, but his essence was spread throughout the field.

This is different, Beerus thought as he blocked the next blow. The attacks were no longer mere punches; there was a more advanced fluidity and control. Mira was beginning to understand how to channel his power through instinct, albeit in a rudimentary way. The challenge was beginning to take shape.

"Well..." said Beerus, smiling again. "I see what you're trying to do. But it's still not enough."

In the blink of an eye, the God of Destruction raised a hand, emitting a blast of energy that obliterated everything around him. The shockwave rippled across the field, kicking up debris and rocks, shaking the ground and destroying any trace of the sigil Mira had managed to create. Mira's body was thrown backwards, impacting violently against the ground, causing dust to rise again.

"You have skill, but you still lack power," Beerus declared, looking at the spot where Mira lay on the ground. "You can't rely on incomplete Ultra Instinct alone. To defeat me, you need something else. You need to be a true warrior, not just a fool who has learned to move fast."

Mira slowly got up, shaking the debris from his body. Every muscle in his being burned with exertion, and his breathing was heavy. However, he could not give up. Even though his energy was almost depleted, something inside kept pushing him forward. I'm not just Look... he thought, his heart pounding. I am more than that. I'm here for something bigger than just winning a fight.

He closed his eyes again, trying to concentrate. Ultra Instinct had been useful, but he knew he couldn't keep it for long. He needed to find a way to combine that power with the brutality inherent in his body, to harness the destructive potential that lay within him. Its shape was not only a combat tool; it was a war machine, designed for destruction. But instead of getting lost in that nature, Mira tried something different: fusing the calm of Ultra Instinct with the outsized strength of his own power.

The earth began to shake as Mira concentrated his ki inside. His aura, which had previously disappeared, began to resurface, but this time it was not the same. It was denser, more controlled, as if every particle of energy was being guided by a clear purpose. The strength of Mira's body, along with the precision of Ultra Instinct, came together in perfect synergy.

"HAAAAAAAH!" shouted Mira, releasing a burst of energy that shook the entire battlefield. Debris flew in all directions as the earth itself fractured under the pressure. Beerus watched intently, with a smile that now contained a faint gleam of satisfaction.

Mira lunged at Beerus again, but this time, not with the speed of Ultra Instinct, nor with the heer force of his physical power, but with a combination of both. Each blow was accurate, charged with the brutality of a being designed for destruction, but guided by the calm of a mind trained in the teachings of Whis.

Beerus blocked the blows, but for the first time, his expression became more serious. Mira's attacks were more powerful, harder to anticipate. Mira's body no longer moved solely by instinct; He had found a balance between control and chaos, between the calm mind and the destructive body.

"Interesting..." Beerus muttered as he dodged a flurry of blows, though this time with a little more effort. "It seems that you have finally understood what Whis was trying to teach you."

Mira didn't answer. There were no words needed at the time. Their attacks continued, each stronger than the last. The bursts of energy intertwined with the physical blows, creating a storm of power that raged over the God of Destruction.

But Beerus, though impressed, was not one who could be easily defeated. With a roar, it released a burst of energy so intense that the ground beneath them disintegrated, creating a massive crater. Mira was thrown backwards, crashing into a nearby rock wall.

"Enough for now," Beerus declared, his tone firm but with a hint of respect. "You've shown that you have potential. But you still have a lot to learn before you can even think about facing me for real."

Mira, exhausted and breathing heavily, could barely stand. But despite the defeat, he had achieved something important: he had caught Beerus' attention and shown that, although he was not ready yet, he had the potential to continue improving.

"Rest," Beerus said, turning his back on him as he walked away. "We'll continue later."

Whis, still floating nearby, smiled with satisfaction as he watched Mira. "You have taken a big step today. But remember, this is just the beginning."

Mira, panting, nodded weakly. He had survived, and that was already a victory in itself.