The imposing figure, cloaked in darkness, materialized behind the fragment like a mesmerizing act of illusion, reminiscent of a magical spectacle. Tess's gaze darted from the enigmatic figure to the other two dressed in black, bewildered by his unnaturally swift movement. It was as if he possessed the agility of the formidable adversaries from their exam.
"The one in the hood," Tess whispered to herself, finally comprehending Zino's reference. A chilling sense of déjà vu washed over her, as she dreaded the horrifying replay about to unfold in her mind.
With a single, gloved hand, the hooded figure effortlessly lifted the fragment, as it obediently sprang from the ground to be ensnared within his grasp. Unlike his two comrades, his hands were concealed by thick black gloves, devoid of any exposed skin.
Lanse summoned a sword, his voice tinged with determination. "Looks like we're going to have to fight this guy."
Convinced that Sensei had orchestrated yet another trial, they followed suit, arming themselves and preparing to teleport with the fragment, just as they had done before, to prove their worth.
"This is what you desire," the hooded figure spoke with a voice that resonated with an amalgamation of tones. "Come and claim it." His final words reverberated through the open space, even though they were out in the open.
As his dark silhouette vanished from their sight, along with the fragment, they glanced around, only to discover the sixth shadow positioned at the center of their formation, compelling them to look skyward.
With a nimble leap, they evaded his descent, just before his feet collided with the ground, causing a resounding crash. The impact sent a fierce gust of wind, accompanied by a barrage of sharp gravel, hurtling in every direction.
Tess strained to peer through the dissipating dust cloud, when a peculiar sound emanating from the shifting gravel caught her attention. Her gaze followed the chain seeping black fire, tracing its way back to the hooded figure, who now stood in the sunken recess of the earth.
Tess and her comrades encircled the foe, positioned atop the rim of the crater, launching their swords at the trapped figure, exploiting the advantage of higher ground.
With a swift, circular motion of his whip, he effortlessly deflected their onslaught, causing their blades to scatter. From the whip, tendrils of black fire oozed, unleashing scorching waves of heat that forced them to instinctively duck, narrowly avoiding its searing touch.
As Tess regained her footing and peered down into the crater, the absence of the hooded figure did not surprise her. Instead, annoyance gnawed at her, realizing that yet another drawn-out brawl lay ahead.
Hovering above their heads, he assumed a stationary position in mid-air, as if standing on an invisible fifth-floor of a building. From his vantage point, the five of them appeared like frantic insects, scurrying about, searching for their elusive shadow.
The bone-chilling chuckle from above reverberated through the air, seeping into the very fabric of one's being. It was a sound that invoked dread and sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it.
"He's above us!" Zino's scream pierced the air just as they lifted their heads, their vision filled with his shrouded darkness against the blinding sun.
Raising one hand, he conjured a smoky trail beneath his palm, which swiftly solidified into a gleaming silver pole. With a deft motion, he sent the elongated end hurtling through the air towards the tiny insects.
It was not their own swift movements that caused Tess and her comrades to crash and tumble over the jagged terrain. It was the blinding speed at which he swung the metallic pole, leaving them no time to react or evade its path.
Struggling to push herself up from the ground, Tess felt a searing line of pain blaze across her upper left arm, as if set ablaze by the pole. Clenching her jaw tightly, she fought against the pain that clouded her senses, forcing herself to focus on the scene before her.
Through the charred fabric on her arm, the sight of her steaming blackened skin caused her eyes to widen in disbelief. She blinked repeatedly, yet the persistent agony reaffirmed the harsh reality of her injuries.
Another piercing scream jolted her attention away, only to witness Lanse crashing into the ground, while the dark figure materialized above Szedra.
Summoning her resolve, Tess summoned a sword, sending it spinning through the air with the intention of striking the figure's massive head. However, before it could reach its intended target, something round and solid collided with her back near her waist.
"Ah!" Her body collided with the ground, the coarse gravel pressing into her skin as she rolled. The throbbing pain intensified at her hip, searing through her senses as she came to a halt on her right side. The burn on her left arm continued to ache, a constant reminder of the battle's brutality.
The searing pain that coursed through Tess's body was unlike the burn she had previously endured. This time, it was a jarring impact, as if something hard and round had struck her with force. Was it a kick? Were his shoes forged from cold, unyielding metal?
Never before had she faced opponents who would stoop so low, aiming their attacks so close to her butt. It was evident that he had deliberately targeted that vulnerable spot, capitalizing on his towering height.
Yet, she couldn't shake the conviction that this was another trial, another test devised to push their limits. Why else would this enigmatic figure have appeared at that precise moment, filled with an unwavering determination to engage them in combat?
With a surge of rage, Tess clenched her teeth, summoning the strength to rise to her feet. It had become personal now. As she stood, a sword materialized in both of her hands, her grip tightening despite the pain radiating from her left upper arm.
Her eyes widened, fixated on the looming threat, and she held her breath, attuning herself to every subtle nuance, ready to sense his next move. She was resolved to make him bleed.
In a blur of movement, he materialized near her once more, but with a swift and forceful slash, she aimed her sword to sever a limb. He skillfully evaded the attack, retreating just in time, causing her blade to cleave through nothing but empty air.
His dark silhouette blurred, appearing and disappearing near Tess and her comrades as they launched their assaults. However, his agility and uncanny reflexes allowed him to effortlessly dodge their every strike. It grew increasingly frustrating, attacking at air, feeling like blind beggars grasping in the dark.
Just as the thought of their futility crossed Tess's mind, she felt a brutal blow land against her left cheek, sending a tooth spiraling out of her mouth. Her body spun clumsily on her feet, twirling twice before she drove the tip of her sword into the ground, desperately seeking stability to prevent herself from collapsing.
As her gaze fell downward, the world swirled in disorienting circles, and one eye beheld a blurred vision of her surroundings. Her heart skipped a beat at the crimson splatters of blood staining the light gravel near her sword.
Another drop trickled from her face, a harsh reminder that she was bleeding. With so many parts of her body throbbing with pain, it became a daunting task to discern which injury was the most severe.
A palpable stillness hung in the air, an eerie absence of movement that sent a shiver crawling up Tess's spine. Raising her gaze, she took in the sight of her teammates, blood streaks marking their hairlines and trickling from their noses. Grains of gravel clung to their faces, mingling with dark red scratches. Like her, they panted heavily, their breaths labored and ragged.
Suddenly, a deep voice cut through the silence, causing her nerves to jolt and her senses to heighten. "Don't tell us you've grown weary?" he taunted, his figure rooted in place, casually tossing the fragment in his hand like a plaything. "It has been far too long since we've had someone to indulge in. Living beings that bleed true blood and taste genuine pain..."
In the midst of his chilling speech, the collective determination surged within them, propelling each of them to unleash their swords upon his head. This time, they didn't dare to approach him.
However, before their blades could draw near, his elongated pole reappeared, swiftly transforming into a gleaming silver sword. With incredible speed, he whirled around, generating a cyclone-like whirlwind from his own body, causing their swords to collide with the tempest and be propelled back towards them.
Tess, unable to complete her swing, instinctively employed her sword as a makeshift shield. But her defense was short-lived, as something hard struck against it, forcefully wrenching it from her grasp.
"Ah!" A cry of pain tore from her throat as the muscles in her right shoulder screamed in agony, dislocating from their rightful place. The sword spiraled through the air, while the soles of her boots grated against the gravel, forcefully pushing her back.