The air was charged with anticipation as Balma stood poised, her chakra swirling around her like a tempest. Adhrit and Kalki squared off against her, their expressions steeled with determination.
"Are you ready to face the consequences of your meddling?" Balma taunted, her eyes glinting with menace.
"Not today," Adhrit replied, gripping his sword firmly as he prepared to employ his Basic Blade Art. He initiated a calculated slash aimed at Balma's midsection, channelling a minimal amount of chakra into the blade. This infusion enhanced its durability, giving him the confidence to execute the strike with precision. His movements were a careful blend of offense and defence, honed by rigorous training. With each step, he utilized effective footwork and body positioning, seeking to exploit any openings in Balma's guard while maintaining his balance. Adhrit focused intently on his technique, ready to adapt to whatever counter she might throw at him.
Balma deflected the strike with a swift motion, her own blade slicing through the air with deadly grace. "You'll need more than that!" she laughed, confidence dripping from her words.
Meanwhile, Kalki felt a surge of determination mixed with fear. "Prachi, now!" she called, her voice ringing out amid the chaos.
Prachi nodded, focusing her energy. She invoked the Glyph of Fortitude, tracing the protective symbol in the air with a graceful motion. Kalki felt the rush of enhanced resilience coursing through her, bolstering her resolve. This is it, she thought, her heart racing as she prepared for the fight ahead.
"Let's end this quickly," Prachi declared, dashing toward the remaining enemies. She knew the urgency of the situation; Balma needed to be dealt with, but so did Munna and his crew. As she approached the cluster of smugglers, she cast the Frostbound Sigil, the air around her growing colder.
Instantly, sharp shards of ice formed in the air, hurling toward the smugglers. They barely had time to react before the icy projectiles struck, slowing their movements considerably. Shouts of surprise echoed as they stumbled, slipping on the frost-covered ground, their limbs momentarily sluggish from the chilling touch.
"Got you!" Prachi smirked as she easily knocked one out with a well-placed strike, her heart racing with adrenaline. Swiftly, she bound his limbs using the tools provided by Kalki, feeling the rush of victory surge through her. The remaining smugglers were easy pickings now, disoriented and unsteady. She moved like a wraith, her dagger—imbued with the Flickering Blade Art—dancing in her hands with remarkable agility. Channelling a minimal amount of chakra into the blade, she enhanced its sharpness and durability, allowing her to execute quick, precise thrusts and slashes. Each movement was fluid and calculated, a testament to her training as she expertly dodged and weaved between her opponents, making her strikes count with lethal efficiency.
As she engaged with Munna, he attempted to retaliate using Basic Strike Art, channeling a minimal amount of chakra to enhance his physical strikes. He threw punches with desperate ferocity, his movements reflecting both urgency and anger. Prachi sidestepped his attacks with agility, her body low and nimble as she focused on maintaining balance. With a swift, fluid motion, she delivered a quick jab to his gut, a fundamental technique that sent him reeling back, gasping for breath. The chakra-enhanced dagger cut cleanly through the air as she followed up with a precise slash against his arm, leaving a burning mark that added to his shock. Munna winced in pain, disbelief washing over his face as he realized the gap in their abilities. It was clear that her training and skill far surpassed his own, and the tide of battle was turning against him.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Prachi taunted, her confidence swelling as she knocked him to the ground and swiftly subdued him. She detained him effectively, ensuring he wouldn't escape.
"Now for Balma," she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she prepared for the next phase. Prachi quietly cast the Serpent's Embrace, her movements becoming silent as she approached Balma, who was still engaged in battle with Adhrit and Kalki.
Adhrit, dodging a powerful swing from Balma, felt a sting as the blade grazed his arm, leaving a burning scratch. He grit his teeth, the pain igniting his focus. "Kalki, hold her off!" he shouted as he prepared to channel a mantra.
Kalki, feeling the effects of the Glyph of Fortitude, stood firm, her resolve unyielding in the face of danger. "I won't back down!" she yelled, unleashing her Flame Burst Mantra. A small fireball erupted from her palm, swirling with bright orange and crimson hues as it hurled toward Balma. The flames raced through the air with a crackling intensity, igniting the space around them. Upon impact, the fireball exploded in a brilliant flash, sending tendrils of flame dancing outward and singeing the air around them. Balma staggered back, her expression momentarily shifting from arrogance to surprise as the heat washed over her, leaving her clothes scorched and her skin slightly singed.
"Is that all you've got?" Balma sneered, though the hint of uncertainty in her eyes revealed that the attack had made her reconsider her approach. The flames had disrupted her focus, and she could feel the shift in energy as Kalki and Adhrit pressed their advantage.
Adhrit seized the opportunity. "Wind Slash Mantra!" he called, channeling his chakra as he unleashed a powerful cutting wave of wind that surged toward Balma. The air around him rippled with energy as the gust raced forward, slicing through the space with a sharp whistle. The force of the wind struck Balma with surprising intensity, knocking her off balance and causing her to stumble back, her footing momentarily unsteady. The sharp edge of the wind cut through the air, creating a visible distortion that amplified the impact. Balma's eyes widened in shock as she struggled to regain her composure, realizing that this attack was more than just a simple gust—it was a formidable strike that challenged her defenses and sent a tremor of alarm through her.
But Balma was relentless. With a fierce glare, she retaliated, casting Thunderclap Mantra in a fit of anger. As she released the mantra, a powerful shockwave of sound erupted from her, echoing through the air like a thunderous roar. The wave struck Adhrit and Kalki with stunning force, sending them reeling backward. The sudden blast knocked them off balance, disorienting them as a sharp ringing filled their ears, drowning out all other sounds.
Kalki winced, her vision momentarily blurring, while Adhrit staggered, struggling to regain his footing. "Kalki!" he shouted, desperation lacing his voice as he tried to shake off the effects of the stunning attack. The shockwave resonated through their bodies, leaving them vulnerable in the midst of battle, and they could see Balma grinning, her confidence renewed as she prepared to press the attack.
Kalki staggered, feeling momentarily dazed from the lingering effects of Balma's earlier attack. "We have to push through!" she shouted, desperation creeping into her voice as she struggled to stay focused. Just as Balma prepared to unleash her Ice Shard Mantra, a wicked smile spreading across her face, Kalki acted swiftly.
"Shielding Mantra!" Kalki cried out, her voice resolute as she conjured a protective barrier just in time. The shimmering shield materialized in front of her and Adhrit, glowing with energy as it absorbed the force of incoming attacks. However, Balma's ice shards were fierce and relentless; they tore through the barrier like a hot knife through butter, striking them with brutal force.
Kalki felt a sharp pain as one of the icy shards grazed her side, causing her to gasp in shock. The chill radiated through her body, but she refused to succumb to the fear. The attack had not only injured her but also visibly drained much of Balma's chakra, making her momentarily weaker.
Adhrit gritted his teeth, pain shooting through him as he managed to evade most of the ice, but still sustained minor injuries—a shard nicking his arm, leaving a stinging reminder of the danger they faced. Despite the chaos surrounding them, he could see Balma's frustration growing, her confidence beginning to falter as she realized that each powerful attack was costing her precious energy.
"I'm not done yet!" Balma shouted, her frustration surging as she focused her energy, determined not to be bested. But Kalki stood firm, unwavering in her resolve. Adhrit seized the moment to act, channeling his chakra into the ground beneath them. "Stone Spike Mantra!" he called out, summoning sharp spikes of earth that erupted from the ground toward Balma with deadly intent. The ground trembled as the jagged spikes shot upward, their tips glinting ominously.
"Watch out!" Adhrit shouted, his voice filled with urgency as Balma barely managed to dodge the first spike, its razor edge narrowly missing her shoulder. The distraction, however, provided Kalki with the opening she desperately needed.
"Now!" she yelled, launching into the fray with renewed vigour. She moved in with fierce intent, every strike aimed at exploiting the openings created by Adhrit's attack.
As the battle raged on, all three combatants bore injuries; Balma's frustration mounted as she found herself outmatched by the combined efforts of Adhrit and Kalki. The sharp spikes continued to erupt around her, forcing her to stay on the defensive even as she unleashed powerful mantras of her own, her energy slowly waning under the relentless assault.
Yet, in the midst of the chaos, Prachi approached Balma, having taken down the remaining foes, and caught her off guard. "Root Bind!" she commanded, and the roots of the earth surged upward, ensnaring Balma's limbs, preventing her from moving.
With Balma effectively restrained, the tide of battle shifted. Adhrit and Kalki seized their chance, pushing forward with their combined strength.
"Together!" Adhrit shouted, pain lacing his voice, but the fire of determination burned brightly in his eyes. Kalki nodded, steeling herself as they moved in unison, channelling their remaining strength.
The battle ended with the three of them standing together, battered but triumphant, ready to confront Balma as they prepared to bring her to justice.