Niack's eyes narrow, scanning the group with a daring gaze as his mouth salivates in anticipation of the impending violence. "Now then, who shall I prey on after I scrape the life out of this one?!"
"Let him go! Before I make you!" says Navar.
"Ahh, ok! Seems like you're first!" He releases Jax, and then his body springs into action, closing the distance to Navar in a matter of seconds.
The anticipation builds as Navar prepares for Niack's attack, his muscles tense as he tightens his grip on his sword. The clash of steel fills the air as Niack breaks through Navar's defense, his raw power causing Navar's sword to soar high above them.
Niack's fist connects with Navar's gut, and the force behind it sends him crashing through the dense forest, his body leaving a trail of broken branches and scattered leaves in its wake.
"Navar!" says Jax.
In the meantime, Mei channels her energy, attempting to summon Flame JōKai, only to have her fiery attack extinguished by the raindrops. "Dammit! Of all times for it to rain. Now, Seiju and I will be ineffective during this fight."
Chitose summons multiple fairies from her mage stick, filling the air with the ethereal glow of their fluttering wings. "I call upon the forces of Fairy Dust to put my opponent to rest. Magic Spell Sorcery: Pixie Dust!"
Unfazed by Chitose's spell, Niack charges through the swirling fairy dust, his determination never wavering.
"I ca-" Chitose opens her mouth to speak, but her words are cut short as Niack's powerful backhand launches her into a chaotic journey through the forest, the loud thuds of her colliding with tree after tree resonating through the air.
Miri emerges, her body tense and focused, her daggers held in a thrusting position. With precision, she strikes, feeling the resistance of Niack's rough, scale-textured skin against her dagger.
"Grah! Annoying little wench!" Niack's face contorts with fury, his fists clenched in frustration. With a firm grasp on Miri's waist, he propels her into the vast expanse of the open sky.
Niack's attention shifts to his arm, where he notices a small, stinging cut on his forearm. He winces, feeling a sharp, stinging sensation shoot through his body as he examines the wound. "That little runt caused some damage. Maybe I ou-"
"Cosmic Summoning: Stardust Burst!" Niack's fear is palpable as Astran launches a powerful burst of cosmic JōKai, his eyes widening in response.
Niack is sent hurtling through the forest by the sheer force of Astran's attack, leaving a path of destruction in his wake as he collides with trees and boulders.
"Good job, Astran!" says Mei.
"Yeah, that was good. Sucks that Mei and I really can't do anything because of our JōKai being ineffective in the rain," says Seiju.
"I have something you can do, Seiju. While Niack is away, find the others and bring them back here."
"Got it."
Just as Seiju makes his way toward the others, Niack emerges from underground, catching Seiju off guard. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me!" In a futile attempt, he tries to evade Niack's grasp, but it's too late; Seiju's body shudders as Niack's claws tear into his torso, causing him to scream out in agony.
"Seiju!" says Mei.
"Mystic Daggers Way Of The Jungle King: Paw Push!" Chonozori races toward Niack, the green lion constructs on his daggers glowing with a commanding aura. By utilizing JōKai Exertion, he amplifies his attack strength, resulting in the trees bending under the pressure.
Niack sidesteps to the left in a flash, avoiding Chonozori's attack. Niack grabs Chonozori's arm and slams him into the dirt, causing dust to billow around them. Chonozori, grounded and helpless, endures Niack's unrelenting assault, the sound of each punch landing echoing through the air.
"Mystic Martial Arts Way Of The Boar: Strong Force!" Yimono materializes behind Niack, the force of his punch causing him to stagger forward. The sharp pain causes Niack to cry out in agony. Undeterred, Niack lunges forward, but Yimono leaps backward, dodging the attack with a graceful leap. "Mystic Martial Arts Way Of The Boar Inner Beast Technique: Brave Force!" A brilliant green glow surrounds him, and it materializes into the image of a mighty boar spirit. Yimono's strike on Niack sends him hurtling through a group of boulders, leaving Yimono drained and struggling to catch his breath.
Navar, Miri, and Chitose reappear in the fighting area, their weapons brandished and poised for battle. Determined, Chonozori rises from the ground, prepared to press on in the battle. "Yimono. Are you still able to fight?" asks Chonozori.
"No. I'm drained from the previous attack. I need some time to recuperate.
"Understood. We'll take it from here."
"Leave it to me! I'll bind him!" Chitose summons five fairies from her mage stick, their delicate wings fluttering as they form a binding circle around the immobile Niack. "Magic Spell Fairy Binding: Five Handed Fairy Bind!" Niack finds himself trapped in an unyielding grip as five strands of fairy lines encircle him.
"Grah, I can't get out of this!" says Niack.
"Get him now!" says Chitose.
Navar's muscles coil tightly as he launches into the air, his blade coated with Light JōKai. He uses JōKai Exertion, bringing his blade down from a high apex with a two-handed grip, amplifying the attack's potency. "Shining Sword: Brave Man's Slash!"
Miri executes a flying kick, her leg slot housing one dagger. As she soars through the air, a whistle accompanies her, the sound of her speed cutting through the atmosphere. "One Dark Dagger: Fierce Javelin!"
Chonozori, surrounded by a colossal, emerald lion construct, charges forward with unwavering determination. As he dashes towards Niack, the ground quakes beneath his feet, his every step resonating with power. "Mystic Daggers Way Of The Lion Inner Beast Technique: Fury Lunge!"
Astran, her sword crackling with Cosmic JōKai, lunges forward with a sudden burst of speed. "Cosmic Blade: Astraeus Disturbance!"
Niack's body bears a massive scar, a testament to the combined attacks of Navar, Miri, Chonozori, and Astran. He crumples to the ground, the impact of the attack knocking him unconscious. Navar's shoulders slump as he lets out a heavy sigh of relief. "Whew, though that was tirin' that was easier than Jezebel."
Miri turns her head back toward the others. "Guys, we got him down. We can advance!"
Out of nowhere, a chilling laughter reverberates, ending their illusion of triumph. "You think that's enough to take me down, brats?" Niack's body creaks and groans with each movement as he rises from the ground. He stands, his fists clenched tight, blood dripping from his wounds, and his eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity while an animalistic hunger permeates the air. With a hunched posture, he endures the excruciating pain as black spikes jut out from his back, prompting a piercing scream. He rips off two spikes from his back, causing blood to ooze from his mouth as he grins manically. "This is going to be fun!"