The battle quickly escalated into a three-on-three skirmish, each team showcasing their skills in a fierce clash.
Riggs moved with precision, his strikes sharp and deliberate. His opponent, though weaker, used impressive speed to evade. Their duel was a blur of swift attacks and counter-movements, relentless and intense.
The host, recognizing the intensity of the fight, deployed five cameras to capture every moment of the action, ensuring no detail was missed as the battle unfolded.
Each side had three members on the field, locked in combat, each fight displaying the unique strengths and styles of the warriors involved. Riggs, unfazed by his opponent's speed, continued pressing forward, his focus unshaken.
Riggs had taken several minor wounds, each wearing him down. If the attacks kept coming, he wouldn't last much longer. Still, he held back, conserving his strength.
With a sharp motion, he raised his sword high and brought it down in one swift, brutal strike. The blade tore through his opponent's helmet, blood splattering from the impact.
The enemy staggered, his eyes wide with shock and fear as he realized the sheer power of the warrior before him—the Clareo "monster."
Riggs fixed the soldier, his sword pressed firmly against the man's neck. The unspoken warning was clear: one more move, and it's over.
Exeo clashed swords with the opposing team's captain, their movements swift and relentless.
Meanwhile, Bo faced off against a stout man with the same ability as his own. The stout man, who had been watching from the sidelines earlier, now found himself locked in combat with Bo.
As they fought, the stout man noticed something odd—none of Team Unknown spoke during battle. For a moment, he wondered if Clareo recruited mute soldiers or silenced them somehow, but quickly dismissed the idea as absurd.
'No way they'd do that… would they?' he thought, shaking the idea from his mind.
Curiosity got the better of him. "Hey, you guys are monsters with your stamina," he said loudly enough for Bo to hear, swinging his weapon with precision.
From the sidelines, Ember's voice cut through the Mind Link, laced with amusement.
Bo, why don't you kick that small man a little, hm?
Bo, mid-dodge, sighed inwardly at Ember's suggestion but kept his focus on the fight, shaking his head slightly at the comment as he countered his opponent's next attack.
Bo refocused on the stout man, his movements precise and calculated. Spotting an opening, he rushed forward with lightning speed, closing the distance until he was right by the man's ear.
In a low, cold voice, Bo said, "You're strong too."
The stout man froze, his eyes widening in shock. 'He talked'
The momentary pause was all Bo needed. Without hesitation, he drove a powerful kick into the man's gut.
"Kuaak!" The stout man was sent flying backward, landing with a groan. Clutching his stomach, he struggled to his feet, his guard now back up.
'They're not mute! They can talk!' his mind screamed in disbelief.
From the sidelines, the other team members sighed collectively, already guessing what had happened.
'He really thought they couldn't talk,' they all thought, exasperated by their teammate's obvious shock.
Ember and Val stood ready, keeping watch on the remaining two members of the opposing team.
Ember's strategy was simple: hide their abilities unless absolutely necessary. If forced to fight, they'd rely on physical strength alone. So far, the plan was working, and neither had acted yet.
But time was running out. If something significant didn't shift soon, their team's chances of victory could slip away.
The timer flashed—15 minutes had passed. Bo and Exeo's fights were growing fiercer, the intensity rising with every moment.
Riggs's opponent lunged with a sideways slash, but Riggs dodged easily, jumping back. The enemy charged again, raising his sword, but tripped mid-step and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
For a moment, everyone—including the audience—paused, stunned by the absurd sight.
Riggs quickly moved in for a non-lethal strike, but before he could act, the bald man from the opposing team slipped in and delivered a swift kick to Riggs's leg.
Riggs groaned as he fell hard, injuring his left arm as he hit the ground.
Ember opened his mouth to warn Riggs, but it was already too late.
Before the bald man could pull his ally to safety, a counter-kick sent him flying back several meters.
Groaning, the bald man staggered to his feet, clutching his stomach where he'd been hit. His eyes locked on Val, now standing beside the unconscious soldier, while Ember remained motionless, observing.
The audience buzzed with mixed reactions. Some were thrilled by the escalating action, while others were puzzled.
"What's going on here?"
"Are they testing each other's abilities or hiding something bigger?"
Through the Mind Link, Ember's calm voice reached Val.
Hold back. Engage only with physical combat for now.
Val nodded, his focus sharpening as he prepared for the next move.
Bo exchanged a quick nod with Riggs and Val, confirming Ember's order: hold back and fight using only physical strength or basic weapons to keep their abilities hidden.
The sudden shift in Team Unknown's movements left everyone—opponents and audience alike—baffled.
Without warning, Riggs, Bo, Val, and Exeo retreated, leaping back several steps to form a single, straight line.
The tension hung thick as they held their positions for a few seconds. Then, with swift precision, the team spread out and launched coordinated attacks on the Blue Army.
Ember remained motionless, observing, his presence like a shadow of control over the battlefield.
Ember stood still, his gaze sharp and calculating, a silent commander controlling the flow of the battlefield.
The Blue Army faltered, their movements confused. Team Unknown's identical black cloaks and masks made it impossible to tell who they were fighting.
Each wielded a sword, attacking with relentless precision. Bo, Riggs, Exeo, and Val executed Ember's strategy flawlessly, constantly switching positions mid-fight to keep their opponents disoriented.
The sound of clashing swords filled the air as the battle raged on.
Team Unknown maintained their relentless assault, moving like shadows. Each precise strike left cuts on the Blue Army, their confusion growing with every coordinated attack. The constant pressure was wearing them down, both physically and mentally.
Amid the chaos, Ember remained still, his sharp eyes tracking the battlefield. His focus lingered on one Blue Army member who hadn't moved—a potential threat. Ember considered taking him out but held back, knowing sudden action could disrupt their strategy or alert the others.
The plan was working.
The Blue Army, worn down by the relentless assault, slowed as fatigue set in. Step by step, they were pushed back, their confidence crumbling under Team Unknown's pressure.
Through the Mind Link, Ember instructed Valens.
Val, watch the last member. If he makes a move on any of you, block him. I'll handle the one in front of you.
Roger, Val replied, blocking another attack from the opponent.
Ember's instincts warned him, and he was right—the last Blue Army member suddenly rushed toward Bo.
Valens reacted instantly, following Ember's instructions. With a swift kick, he sent the man in front of him stumbling sideways, clearing his path. Valens then charged forward, intercepting the attacker with his sword.
The Blue Army soldier's eyes widened in shock just before Val delivered a sharp kick to his gut, sending him reeling.
At the same moment, Ember sprang into action. Seeing Val engage the final opponent, Ember turned his focus to the man Val had just kicked aside, striking with precision.
Their swift, coordinated movements left the Blue Army momentarily stunned, their confusion growing as Val and Ember moved with such seamless teamwork that it almost looked like sparring instead of combat.
Val and Ember's distraction created an opening. Riggs and Bo seized the chance, charging forward and delivering swift strikes. In moments, two Blue Army members were down—one from a chest jab and the other from a sharp kick.
The match was nearing its end, the timer ticking down to less than a minute. It was now a three-on-three fight: the Bellator brothers against the remaining Blue Army members.
Bo's eyes flicked to the clock before he rejoined the team, who kept pressing the attack. Their swords flashed in unison, driving the enemy back step by step.
With practiced precision, the three brothers suddenly switched positions mid-fight, their movements so quick and seamless it left the Blue Army caught off guard, scrambling to defend against the relentless assault.
Ember charged at Exeo's opponent, slashing his sword upward with force. The enemy captain barely avoided the strike, jumping back just in time. At the same moment, Exeo and Val coordinated their attack, moving swiftly to strike the remaining two enemies.
Seeing no way out, the enemy captain made a desperate push forward. He raised his weapon to attack the brothers but was interrupted by a sudden black blur—a swift, precise strike that sent him crashing to the ground, unconscious.
The last two Blue Army members froze, realizing the fight was over. They glanced at each other before raising their hands in surrender, accepting defeat just as the timer hit zero.
Team Unknown wins!
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
Both teams bowed to each other before clapping in mutual respect. The remaining Blue Army members helped medics carry their unconscious teammates off the field.
Team Unknown headed to their assigned lounge, ignoring the stares and whispers from the crowd. Once inside, they collapsed onto the sofas, exhaustion catching up with them.
A few minutes later, General Luis entered. "Well done, lads. Ember, your plan was flawless," he said with a grin.
Ember shrugged, grabbing a bottle of water. "Not complicated—it just worked," he replied before taking a long drink.
"The demonstration went well, and no one on our side got hurt. What more could I ask?" General Luis said as he sat down beside them.
"By the way, I've got something for you," he added, pulling a small box from the top drawer and handing it to Exeo.
Exeo opened the box to reveal ten small cards, each featuring a photo of a person.
"These are the members of the Blue Army who will be joining us next week," General Luis explained.
Exeo glanced at the cards, then looked back at the general, raising a brow as the rest of the team listened in.
"Not to be rude, but… what does this have to do with us?" Exeo asked.
"The Blue Army might seem weak, but they held their own against us," General Luis said. "Because of the demonstration's results, the top brass has decided on a joint mission."
"Joint?" Valens and Ember echoed in unison.
General Luis nodded, taking a sip from his canteen. "Yes, a joint mission. The Blue Army will send the five you fought earlier, and we'll send your team."
Ember raised a brow. "What kind of mission needs both teams? Seems like overkill, considering the demonstration's results."
The general smiled, his eyes scanning their faces.
"This mission is critical. If it fails, we're all done for, so you need to be prepared," General Luis began. "Now, let me explain the details."
He continued, "The target is Diccon de Monday, the current leader of the Black Lotus organization. They're notorious worldwide—ruthless, cruel, and more dangerous than even the Blue Army or Clareo. Over the past three years, they've grown into an even greater threat."
General Luis paused briefly. "The Black Lotus was originally founded by Diccon's sister. After her death, his brother took over, and now Diccon commands the entire organization. That's why this mission cannot fail."
Exeo crossed his arms. "What makes this guy so important? I've heard of Black Lotus, but I didn't think they actually existed. Underworld groups are hard to track, but this one sounds unreal."
"Our intel suggests that the real leader of Black Lotus is Hugo," General Luis revealed.
Everyone froze, stunned into silence.
"Wait, Hugo? The one we captured?" Ember asked, disbelief clear in his voice.
General Luis sighed. "Yes, the same Hugo. During his interrogation, he claimed he was set up by the organization and exposed their existence."
Exeo, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "How do we know this isn't a trap? Sure, Hugo was captured, but what if he's still working with Black Lotus? It's hard to believe they wouldn't know about Hades' Wrath's capture already."
Ember rose from the sofa, a frown creasing his face. "So, you're sending us with the Blue Army to figure out if they're allies or not? Or do we have a different role in this mission?"
The general smirked, clearly pleased Ember caught on. "Exactly. Your mission is to gather intel—find out how Black Lotus operates and determine if Hades' Wrath is truly allied with them. You're not to engage unless absolutely necessary. Exeo," he added, "that decision will be yours to make."
Ember pressed further. "And the Blue Army? What's their role?"
The general poured himself more water, taking a sip before answering. "Let's just say there's a possibility the Blue Army might have ties to Black Lotus. Officially, this is a joint mission to capture Diccon. But—"
Exeo cut in, his arms crossed. "But the real goal is to uncover if the Blue Army is connected to Black Lotus, figure out if Hades' Wrath is still an ally, and gather intel on the organization's operations. That about right?"
"Exactly," the general confirmed, leaning back into his chair with a satisfied smile.
"The Blue Army will handle surveillance for this mission," the general said. "You're familiar with their team, so let's avoid complications."
Ember huffed in annoyance as he brushed back his hair and said, "That's a tall order coming from them."
Exeo smirked, a knowing look in his eyes. "Doesn't matter. We'll stick to the plan—act like we're focused on capturing Diccon while digging into whether the Blue Army, Hades' Wrath, and Black Lotus are connected."
The general nodded, his grin widening. "Exactly. And don't forget—you're trained assassins. Handling this should be second nature. Not such a tall order, is it?"
Ember rolled his eyes, shrugging. "Yeah, yeah, I'm second-in-command, not the leader. Doesn't mean I should do all the talking. So, when's this mission kicking off?"
The general smiled, pouring himself more water and taking a sip. "We received the intel last night, so preparations will take some time. For now, take the day off and relax."
He set the glass down and added, "It won't be long. Be ready within a week, at most. Understood?"
The team nodded in agreement. With that, General Luis left the lounge, stepping outside where a cluster of reporters greeted him. He paused briefly, fielding their questions with practiced ease.