As the referee signalled the start of the match, Serena Swiftwind took a step forward, her expression serious yet confident. "John, you have grown stronger from the last time we met, but I suggest you save yourself from the trouble of facing me. Surrender now, and you won't have to endure a painful defeat," she said with a smirk.
John met Serena's challenge with a bright smile. "Serena, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not one to back down," he replied, his voice unwavering.
"But why don't you back down, because if you think my previous matches showed my true strength then you are wrong" John replied.
Serena chuckled, "You are still stubborn as a mule. Well then, prepare yourself, John."
The audience, captivated by the exchange, fell into a hushed silence as the two contestants assumed their battle stances.
As Serena unveiled her katana, she gracefully unsheathed the blade, the metallic sound blending with the charged atmosphere of the stadium. Her dark brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her focused expression. With practised ease, she ran her hand along the length of the katana, triggering a faint hum as the blade started to glow.
A radiant energy enveloped the weapon, enhancing its cutting edge and infusing it with a powerful aura. Serena's <
With the energy blade active, Serena shifted her stance, prepared for both close-quarters combat and her signature long-range attacks. In previous matches, she had earned the moniker "One Slash" for her remarkable proficiency in finishing battles with a single, devastating strike.
Her skill set allowed her to launch the <
The crescent blade, an extension of her energy manipulation, could cover a significant distance with unparalleled accuracy. It was this deadly combination of close-quarters finesse and long-range precision that had propelled Serena to her current standing in the tournament.
John observed Serena's movements, acknowledging the potency of her <
John Evershield took his stance, and the familiar sound of rocks colliding echoed through the stadium. This time, however, the process was different. Instead of forming a colossal golem, he shaped the rocks into a smaller, more agile version, standing at 10 feet tall.
The rocks assembled with precision, forming a golem that, while smaller, exuded a sense of enhanced agility. Each piece fell into place seamlessly, creating a compact and robust structure around John. The smaller size hinted at a tactical advantage, a strategy that sought nimbleness over sheer power.
The anticipation in the stadium reached its peak as the countdown commenced. The atmosphere crackled with energy, and both John and Serena tightened their focus, ready for the impending clash. The crowd's murmurs hushed as the referee raised the hand, his fingers counting down.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
As the referee shouted, the battle erupted. Serena moved with lightning speed, her katana gleaming as she closed the distance between herself and the stone golem. John, in response, shifted his stance, ready to counter her impending attack.
Serena's <
The golem retaliated by launching a barrage of smaller rocks towards Serena. She skillfully deflected them with precise swings of her katana, each motion showcasing her mastery over the weapon. The clang of metal against stone echoed through the arena as the two competitors engaged in a dynamic exchange.
Serena, utilizing her <
The crowd watched in awe as the battle unfolded. As the intense battle unfolded, Serena's relentless attacks increased in intensity, leaving visible scars on John's rocky golem form. Each strike, infused with the power of her Energy Blade, chipped away at the golem's surface, creating deep scars and visible cracks. However, John had a strategy in mind – with each assault that marked his rocky exterior, he used the opportunity to rebuild his golem.
As the onslaught continued, the cracks on the golem's rocky surface multiplied, resembling a spider's web of fractures. But in the face of adversity, John's resilience shone through. Every time Serena's attacks left their mark, he adeptly reconstructed his golem, refining the rocky structure with each reconstruction. The scars became a testament to the ongoing evolution of his golem manifestation.
John had already realized that his normal bulky golem form might be sufficient against a weak opponent and while facing a strong opponent like Serena he needed to use his full might.
To do that throughout the battle, he had been working on refining his Golem form, aiming to reach a level that would provide him with a significant advantage against Serena's strong attacks. he understood the primary issue with his golem manifestation was the need for time to reveal its peak ability. At stages 1 and 2, his ability manifested as a giant rocky golem and a smaller rocky golem, respectively.
However, with dedicated effort and focus, John had achieved partial stage 3—where he could refine his rocky golem form to create a much more sturdy and agile golem form but is limited to some of his parts. In his previous match, John had successfully utilized partial stage 3 manifestation to strengthen his left arm and had won easily. This time, however, he needed to apply this advanced form to more than just a single limb.
During the heat of combat, John strategically focused on different areas of his body. The lower body transformed first, with each reconstruction refining the rocky structure. He then meticulously worked on his arms, finally as the torsos refinement was completed he was now able to fully utilize manifestation at stage 3.
With the majority of his body now in the advanced stage of manifestation, John stood as a testament to adaptability and growth. The scars and cracks that adorned the rocky exterior till now were now replaced by a much sturdier golem. As Serena stopped her attacks she realized that her attacks had become catalyst to create a much stronger Golemn form for John