The battlefield itself was vast and empty. Nothing but open land and a few trees here and there.
The sky was grey and cloudy, threatening to rain down on what would surely be a long battle. But that was not why this battle felt different from all of the ones before.
The first to arrive from the portal was the Blue Army. They were over three hundred strong and had already started forming into rows and columns, ready for action. It was easy to see who they were; every one of them wore some sort of colour-coded uniform based around the Blue, their main faction. Their faces were covered in protective gear, which made it hard to discern exactly who was who without scrutiny, while at the same time making sure no single person could be singled out easily.
Then, Team Unknown arrived, with only five people, they arrived at the same place as the Blue Army. Exeo's team were still wearing the same black hooded cloaks but changed their military uniforms to combat ones.
Every audience around the world was looking at this huge battlefield.
It is said that the Blue Army will win against the Unknown. Many are betting on it. Some say that this will be the first time that a surprise will win a war.
Others think that we have to wait for the final result. But everyone agrees that we should not miss a chance to see these two great teams.
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The battle began with the Blue Army charging straight in on their enemies.
Exeo's team didn't make a move yet, they were still quite a bit far and just waiting for Ember to command everyone.
After the enemy team were only a few meters ahead, Ember raised his hand with two fingers up. This signal made Riggs move towards them so fast that the enemy team who charged forward first were startled.
He appeared behind the enemy members and was quick enough to attack before the enemy realized it. A single powerful punch from him sent two enemies flying away from him. He turned his body so quickly that his opponent got caught in his legs and get hit by his knee. It was a simple technique but effective.
This happened in just a matter of minutes, the first team to rush forward had all been lying down with all the groans while some were unconscious.
Val whistled at the sight but still waiting for Ember's command.
While this happened, the opposing team's commander had his eyes wide open when he saw the first team already lying down. His jaw dropped as if in awe of what was happening. But then his attention was immediately taken up by the other team, which now had already reached their position.
'I am so screwed', he thought to himself, 'I should have expected that from such an infamous country'.
He was thinking that with just one man, it took only a few minutes for one of his opponents to wipe out one of the platoon.
He shuddered at the thought that this was only the strength of one man, how much more if the remaining four had moved?
This time, the opposing team's commander was quick in action. He quickly ordered his group to form into a square formation.
It was easy for them since they were the more experienced and had already practised these formations many times before. So now, a solid line of men were all gathered inside their square formation.
"Charge! Charge!" cried the commander in front. The others shouted "To Arms! To Arms!" together, with the cry coming from every side of the square.
A huge mass of soldiers charged in all at once.
Exeo's team didn't move again, Riggs who had already knocked down the first batch of the enemy's army went back into position.
The other members were not too far either so that they can be ready to support. They would attack in a surprise attack once the Blue Army is in their full concentration.
Ember signalled for Riggs again, which the enemy had noticed and had shouts of 'Be alert! They are sending him again!'
Riggs was the first one to attack again, but this time he rushed in front, using a kick with both his feet, he kicked his opponent's face, then quickly went forward and hit the others in front with somersault kicks.
However, the enemy's team didn't falter and surrounded Riggs, which is now at the centre of the formation.
Riggs stopped his attacks and soon heard another command from Ember via his earpiece to use his Wind ability.
He immediately blew all the attackers away with his gust of wind, which made some were blown up and even fell off from the sky.
It took only a few minutes before it seemed that the second group was already out of breath. Riggs went back to his position again.
Through the Mind Link, Ember's voice was sharp and direct: They're sending non-ability soldiers to test us. Riggs, hold your position. Limit any exposure of abilities. Watch the unit in blue armor—that's the priority. Minimize ability usage.
Roger, Riggs replied.
Riggs scanned the battlefield quickly, noting the enemy's failure to surround them due to their scattered formation. His sharp eyes caught the growing unease in the enemy commander's movements.
The commander, clearly panicking, issued a rapid new order. This time, he deployed the Blue Army—a larger unit of ability users ranked Rubra and Aurum—into the fight. Their disciplined movements signaled a shift in strategy, the stakes escalating. Riggs tensed, ready for the next wave.
If the enemy commander knew Exeo's team was composed entirely of Aurum and ARM-ranked ability users, his tactics would shift immediately.
Within moments, the enemy regrouped into a tight circular formation—ideal for surrounding and overwhelming opponents.
"I'll take point!" shouted an enemy soldier, charging directly at Exeo's team with incredible speed.
Riggs, himself Aurum-ranked, recognized the soldier's rank but knew his own abilities far outclassed the attacker. He noted the surrounding soldiers closing in, their movements calculated.
He glanced toward Ember, awaiting direction. Ember's voice cut through the Mind Link: Now!
Riggs nodded. "Aero," he said firmly.
With a sudden burst of speed, he launched into the air, easily evading the enemy's swords and spears. His movements were swift and calculated, keeping him out of reach.
Ember, observing the Blue Army's ranks, transmitted calmly through the Mind Link: Elementals detected. Two Water, one Fire, one Ice. Riggs, maintain the distraction.
Riggs's agility gave Ember the time to analyze and plan. Bo, Ember ordered, freeze non-elementals only. Leave the elementals for later.
Bo, in camouflage mode, began freezing targets which overreached, catching some elemental soldiers as well.
Ember saw this and paused, stunned for a moment, then smirked. Sneaky bastard.
Val and the others snorted at Ember's comment, amused by Bo's overreach. To Ember's surprise, even the frozen soldiers couldn't break free of Bo's skill.
"Catch!" Ember called, tossing an explosive device into the air. It detonated mid-flight, engulfing the remaining Blue Army soldiers in a thick purple cloud.
The explosion froze them immediately and then when it had faded away, all these soldiers were standing motionless like statues, having been caught by something that Ember had used.
It is said that if a person is to get caught by this weapon, they would be unable to free himself within twenty-four hours, but would melt after the next day.
Amidst the silent chaos with frozen soldiers on the field, Bo and Riggs had taken this opportunity to swap positions when they got back while Ember and the rest are still in place.
They stared again at the scene, which made the entire world speechless.
All the remaining Blue Army had completely frozen with a few exceptions. This made Ember and the rest of his team frown.
There were exactly five of the opposing team who were not frozen. Ember knew that these opposing teams were ready to fight anytime.
No one spoke but both teams knew both teams are strong enough to go head-to-head with each other.
"It's about time!" a man from the opposing side shouted, his red aura flaring as he charged directly at Exeo.
The man's attacks were lightning-fast, but Exeo blocked and evaded each strike with ease, reading his opponent's skilled movements. 'Skilled, but not unique,' Exeo thought as he countered with precision.
Suddenly, another opponent launched an attack from the side. Exeo swiftly parried with his right sword, while his left blocked the red-aura fighter's blade, handling both attackers with practiced ease.
Bo, Riggs, and Val prepared to assist, but Ember's voice stopped them.
Hold your positions, he ordered.
The rest of the opposing team hadn't moved yet, and neither would they.
Both teams watched intently as the two-on-one battle unfolded, the clash of weapons echoing through the field.
"How long can he keep this up?" someone from the opposing side muttered in awe.
Another soldier, resting his weapon on his shoulder, grumbled, "This is ridiculous. If the leader let us join, we'd gang up on him and finish this already."
The fight dragged on, but Exeo continued to evade and counter every attack, his movements sharp and precise. It was becoming clear that the duo had little chance against him alone.
The tension broke as Exeo delivered a powerful kick, sending one of the attackers flying back toward his team.
The man with the red aura skidded to a stop, quickly regaining his footing. With a fierce growl, he charged again, this time moving even faster, determined to land a strike.
With blinding speed, the man's sword aimed for Exeo's left side, but Exeo dodged effortlessly, countering with a sharp strike to his opponent's head. The blow sent the man flying backward once again.
Exeo remained calm, taking a steady breath before charging back into the fight. He scanned the field, noting that both teams were still holding their positions.
The opposing team couldn't help but comment as they watched the duel.
"Clareo's combat skills are insane," one muttered, clicking his tongue.
"We're lucky to fight a unit this strong," another added. "It's not every day we face opponents like this."
The enemy commander barked an order, sending another soldier into the fight.
A tall, muscular bald man with a menacing bloodlust charged at Exeo, sword in hand, drawing cheers from his team. He unleashed brutal, savage strikes, each one meant to overwhelm.
"You're strong," the Blue Army commander panted, his voice strained with exhaustion.
Exeo didn't reply. His focus remained sharp as he deflected incoming strikes with precision, evading each blow. He could see the fatigue in his opponents' movements, but none of them showed any sign of giving up.
Suddenly, the man with the red aura unleashed his fire ability, joined by two others coordinating their attacks in perfect sync. Their combined assault pressed Exeo hard, forcing him to move faster, each strike testing his endurance.
"Urghh!" Exeo grunted as he parried all three attacks, his blade clashing against theirs with a sharp metallic clang.
With a sharp grunt, Exeo's swords ignited with Purple Fire, and with a powerful swing, he forced his attackers back.
The opposing team froze, stunned by the sight. None of them had ever seen an ability like this before. The purple flames danced along his blades, radiating an unfamiliar, intimidating power.
They didn't know exactly what it was, but forcing Exeo to reveal his ability felt like a small victory. The Bellator family's strength was legendary, but the details of their abilities were shrouded in mystery. Few had ever seen them fight, and no one expected the Bellator brothers to participate in this battle.
The commander snapped out of his shock, shouting an order to his team before charging at Exeo with renewed determination.
The opposing team, fueled by desperation, poured everything into this one attack, fighting as if their lives depended on it.
With a fierce roar, their leader charged, a massive broadsword raised high, aiming to cleave through Exeo with raw power. His team cheered him on, their voices echoing across the battlefield.
As the blade neared Exeo, just inches from contact, a sudden flash of light erupted behind them.
BOOM!
The explosion ripped through the area, throwing both fighters and everyone nearby into the air. Dust and smoke engulfed the battlefield as people landed hard, scattered across the ground.
Fortunately, no one appeared to be seriously injured, but the devastation left the area shrouded in chaos.
Shards of stone struck Exeo, leaving minor wounds on his chest. The enemy captain fared no better, hit by debris but sustaining only scratches as well.
Exeo glanced toward the source of the explosion and spotted Riggs, who had tossed a non-lethal bomb strong enough to create the blast. Riggs was already back in position, and Exeo let out a low snort.
The team reformed, their movements swift and disciplined, while the opposing team scrambled to help their captain back to his feet.
Good job, Ember's voice rang out through the Mind Link, firm and steady.
Riggs nodded, and Exeo, brushing off the dust, walked calmly back to his place. The five of them stood together, their eyes fixed on the opposing team, ready for what came next.
Everyone is at a standstill, and the only thing moving is the timer, which, surprisingly, the time has only been 10 minutes had passed.
The audience in the arena and all over the world have all their attention now on that battle between Team Unknown and Blue Army.
Tension was high, with people screaming, yelling, whistling, clapping and cheering, hoping for one or the other to win.
The spectators are expecting a very fierce fight between this team made up of these soldiers who are the best fighters in all of history. They are expecting a bloodbath so that when they finally announce the winner of the fight, it would be the biggest sensation of the century.
Suddenly, the weather in the battlefield arena had changed. Thunder and lightning started and heavy rain poured down.
The two teams didn't leave their eyes on each other, they were waiting.
A few minutes passed, and Ember told Riggs to move first which was no longer from his previous position, and had swapped places with Val earlier after the blast.
While on the opposing team, another member had made their move to parry Rigg's attack.
They were expecting another member from team Unknown to launch an attack, but little did they know, it was still Riggs.
Soon, Ember told Exeo to follow suit to target again their captain. And this time, Ember had told Bo to move as well, which also made the other team member had moved.
And so, this time, it soon turned into a three-on-three battle between two teams.