The two figures that Nicholas had cut in half began to reform, their bodies knitting back together with an eerie ease. The old man's chuckle echoed through the clearing once more, his voice filled with a twisted amusement.
"Impressive speed," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But unfortunately for you, these are merely avatars, as you suspected."
Lyle and the others readied themselves for the impending battle, their senses heightened and their weapons at the ready. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath as if anticipating the clash that was about to unfold.
"There is no reason for us to appear with our true bodies, after all, you outnumber us by quite a bit, why would we risk fighting you right now?"
The younger person said with a chuckle, his voice reverberating through the area as its body reformed and stood straight, staring at Lyle and the others without seemingly batting an eyelid.
