*Bang*
The first beast Mane crashed into was Number 1. The giant ape was almost as large as Silver, and he wasn't about to be done in so easily. Mane's fists only found Number 1's arm guards. And though Mane's fists were several times smaller than Number 1's fingers, his punch was ferocious. Number 1 was sent skidding back several meters, and his arms shook violently due to the powerful after effects of Mane's devastating strike.
Number 3's eyes flashed with an ominous light, and he struck at the currently defenseless Mane. His large fists that were greater than Mane's torso approached the Supreme rapidly, and as his fist tore through the air the sound of small explosions could be heard. Streams of inner energy bound themselves to his large hand as it was sent smashing into Mane!
Number 4 wasn't idle either. When Number 3 moved, Number 4 also moved. He was a tad bit slower since he was a stage weaker than Number 3, but his reactions were precious. Unlike Number 3 who opted for a more conventional jab, Number 4 decided to depend on his palms. Straightening his fingers into towering rods, he gathered inner energy into his palms and summoned the earth elements once again, asking them to enforce his armor. Unlike the other Crystal Monkeys, Number 4's armor was particularly detailed around the hands and he had rocky gloves. His large palm was akin to an earth plate of towering pressure, as he struck towards Mane's shoulder!
Mane didn't panic even when the attacks were almost upon him. As stated earlier, group brawls were kind of his thing, and this wasn't enough to cause him much discomfort. He lightly swiveled and bent slightly. Instead of retreating, he prepared his own attack, much to the confusion of Number 3 and Number 4. They watched in surprise as Mane gathered several stream of Edict into his arms and legs, seeming throwing away his intentions to preserve his energy out the window and just focusing on the current match.
And with that change in mentality, came a new kind of reckless spending of power. The power that gathered in his arms and legs gave out a piercing darkness that was particularly bright in this lit up space. The darkness quickly surrounded his frame and covered him entirely. It was something none of the monkeys had seen Mane use just yet. And it was a skill that was bound to torment their souls.
Absolute Darkness – Elusive Killing
Silver's mother watched with furrowed brows as the dark light covered Mane's entire frame. Her eyes shook in anxious fear as she recognised the element that was being called upon. Silver who was next to her was confused, not understanding his mother's sudden change in countenance. But even he could understand one thing: whatever that light was, even his mother was afraid of it!
Lily had never seen this dark light either. It was an ominous darkness and was very much unwelcome, just like a moonless night. The wind elements that stuck to her so eagerly and were usually so chatty started to move away from her, and their noisy voices died down. Their chattering ceased, and Lily could feel everything around her become colder. No, it wasn't a change in weather. Dark Valley had no times and seasons – only darkness. It was that grim shadow that surrounded Mane!
"This…" even Mane was stunned by the change. Although Absolute Darkness had recently advanced to the Mastery Level, it had never reacted like this to his energy.
"It must be this place," Mane came to the most logical conclusion. Surely this must be a reaction to Dark Valley's darkness. It seemed that his darkness element was more than happy being in a place that fully embraced it; a place that loved it for what it was – a menace.
*Bang*
Under the astonished gazes of Number 3 and Number 4, their attacks passed through Mane's darkened body, and they ended up striking each other. Since Mane was shorter than them by a long shot, they didn't hit any important areas, but they certainly limited their mobility. For Number 3's punch landed on Number 4's left knee, and Number 4's palm struck Number 3's right leg.
*Bang*
Both stumbled and fell almost immediately, the surprise in their eyes still apparent. Even kneeling they were still much taller than Mane, but their submissive postures made it much easier for the one who was destined to rule the world and face the gods to get to them.
The dark light that covered Mane receded. He couldn't attack with Elusive Killing – only defend. The name of the skill contained the word 'kill'. Unless Mane wanted to lob their heads off their shoulders, there was no way he would strike them with this skill. Phasing through their attacks was enough.
Mane gathered Edict in his arms, and the much familiar golden light spread out once more. It took away the shock and dread of the dark light, but it wasn't that comforting for the two monkeys on their knees.
Mane returned the favor to the two. A palm for Number 4 and a punch for Number 3.
*Bang*
*Bang*
Like well struck rotund balls, the two apes were sent crashing into the cave walls. Both were embedded securely within the walls, and weren't going to recover anytime soon. But Mane didn't have the time to gloat, for Number 2 and Number 1 had finally caught up. Number 5 who was with them was still angry at being kicked away like a common rubber ball, but seeing Number 4 and Number 3 who were stronger than him being dealt with so casually, his anger had cooled down immensely.
Mane didn't wait for the three to reach him – he reached out for them. Number 1 was the fastest, and he got to Mane a tad earlier than the others. Added to the fact that Mane had moved to him specifically, it didn't take long for the two to meet. And when they did, they didn't hesitate to trade blows.
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
In just a couple of seconds, both had traded several jabs and kicks. It was easier for Mane to get his attacks in since he was much smaller. All of Number 1's attacks missed their target and landed on the ground or struck only the air that surrounded them, whereas Mane's strikes always found a part of Number 1's body. He had already struck Number 1's legs and abdomen a few times. Both didn't get to enjoy the company of each other for long. For Number 2 was the next to join the action. And immediately he did, he fizzed a well-timed punch towards Mane's figure.
Seeing the shadow looming over his head, Mane didn't hesitate to abandon his assault on Number 1. He pushed his feet against the ground and slid away from the sneaky attack.
*Boom*
Number 2's huge fist created a new hole in the cave ground, and Silver's mother's eyebrows twitched in frustration as she realised her folly of letting them duke it out in here, instead of outside.
Once Mane escaped from the two large beasts, he made his intentions known. For his path was the path of Number 5, and he was planning to finish this in one blow. Just like how he had finished the others.
"Fire Phoenix Form: Piercing Arrow"
Mane mumbled silently, and Edict gathered into his small fist and then spread all over his body. Fire consumed his frame yet he was unburned. He punched forwards, towards the astonished Number 5 who was now more wary and fearful of Mane than he was angry. He didn't want to be disregarded, but he definitely didn't want to be on his radar like this.
The cry of a Phoenix Rang out as the fire around Mane morphed into a flaming arrow with Mane's fist as the arrow head. Without giving Number 5 the time to think, Mane crushed into him.
*Boom*
The bruised and battered body of Number 5 fell onto the ground. He was still breathing, but amongst all the monkeys who had been beaten so far, he came off the worst.
*Roar*
Silver gave an angry roar of disapproval, clearly showing what he thought of Mane's attack.
"What?" Mane bit back.
"He was annoyed I disregarded him so I decided not to," the young Supreme continued, ignoring Silver's rapidly changing facial expression.
"Besides, he isn't hurt, just a bit burned. He will be fine after a couple of hours." Mane waved his actions away, and then jumped out of the way to avoid the incoming Number 1.
*Boom*
Number 1 landed right where Mane was before. This time his gaze was filled with a bit more anxiety. They were eleven, but now they were only two. How were they supposed to win now? He turned to look at Number 2. The monkey that had never been satisfied that it was ranked below him shared his concerns, and both weren't eager to fight anymore. But they couldn't go against their Queen's order, and Mane was equally unwillingly to let them go.
"Explode," Mane smiled strangely and said. His smile shook Number 1 and Number 2 who didn't understand what was going on, but were not eager to find out. The two monkeys attempted to get out of the way, but they were too late.
Mane didn't just fire up the place to deal with Number 5. He did something else that he hadn't done since he dueled with Abelard, the twins – Jake and John – Selina, and Frederick some months ago. He planted fire into the ground. He coated them with wind, and now that Number 1 and Number 2 had so conveniently walked into his trap, there was no need to let them go unscathed.
*Boom*
A deafening explosion shook the cave, with Silver, Lily and Silver's mother wondering if this place could last under this kind of careless bombardment of energy. Number 1 and Number 2 were blown away by the fearful fire elements reinforced by the wind elements, and they fell onto the ground just a few meters away from the site of the explosion.
Both struggled to get up, but they were battered and bruised all over. Mane smiled grandly and turned to face the annoyed Emerald Crystal Monkey in what could only be described as reckless defiance. With a polite voice that was opposite to his actions he asked,
"Can we fight now?" much to the amusement of the spectating Lily.