The man's red eyes glowed brightly as a ball of lava in his hand began to form in his hand, slowly getting larger, the intense heat radiating in waves. His gaze remained on Metod, the robot that had proven to be a persistent opponent for Eve.
The air around him glimmered with rising heat, "You're done for, eat this!" His red eyes glowed as brightly as the lava ball in his hand. With a swing of his arm similiar of throwing a baseball, the molten projectile hurtled through the air, leaving trails of fire in its wake as it flew towards Metod.
However as Metod continued its fierce battle with Eve, Metod's attention changed, noticing the approaching fiery orb that flew towards it.
Busy in the battle, Eve was too preoccupied to notice the ball of lava flying towards them. As she noticed the danger, Eve tried to dodge it, but Metod stopped her by wrapping its tentacle like arms around her entire body, squeezing very tightly. Leaving her completely immobilized and vulnerable to the coming fiery orb.
"Eve!" Eliza ran closer, instinctively she held out her hand. Particles of fire from the approaching lava orb were drawn toward Eliza, slowly diminishing its size.
Metod held Eve, still wrapped within its tentacles, positioning her to absorb the damage from the exploding ball of lava upon impact. The fiery explosion engulfed Eve and the robot, but Metod, relentless, began to ruthlessly slam Eve against the asphalt.
"Hey, dumbass, did you forget about me!?" The man who threw the ball of lava punched Metod across the face, his fist enveloped in flames. The impact sent Metod flying down the highway, causing the robot to release its grip on Eve.
"Hey girl, are you okay? The name's Simon. That thing attacked us first, so you and the rest can leave," Simon said, extending a helping hand to Eve.
"That might be true, but that robot pissed me off..." Eve slapped away Simon's hand, "By the way, were you one who threw that fireball..?"
"Ah... About that, I threw that without a second thought. I'm sorry?" Simon nervously admitted, avoiding eye contact.
Eve's gaze narrowed slightly before she sighed, "Well, we've got bigger problems right now. Just stay out of my way." She stood up, brushing off dirt and remnants of the fiery explosion from her clothes.
Metod slowly stood up, the once flashing blue marks around its body now shifting to a red and gray, "COPYING THE OBSERVED ORNAMENTS USED. HELLFIRE, COPIED. TEMPEST, COPIED. HEALING MAGIC, COPIED." Its robotic voice yelled out, and the robot's left arm became engulfed in flames, while its right arm was surrounded by a swirling cyclone of wind.
"One thing after the other..." Eve sighed as the relentless challenges seemed to pile up. She braced herself for the next phase of the fight.
"HELLFIRE, VOLCANIC EXPLOSION. TEMPEST, AIR SLASH," Metod began to whip its arms quickly to unleash a barrage of projectiles towards Eve and Simon, the attack was abruptly stopped. Two swords appearing seemingly out of nowhere, skewered Metod's arms and pinning the robot to the ground.
"How many times do I have to tell you and Mary that there's always a more calculated way we can approach attacks?" The man with dark blue hair sighed as he walked up from behind them.
"There you are, Bard. It took you long enough. Where's Mary? Once I take care of this robot, I'm giving her a piece of my mind," Simon grinned.
"I'm right here, Simon," Mary said, her tone carrying an eerie smile. "Now, what was it that you wanted to tell me?"
"Ah, I'll tell you later. First, let's deal with that robot," Simon said, watching the robot struggle to remove the swords.
Vulcan rushed up beside Eve, concern on his face as he noticed the damage she had already taken. "Eve, are you alright? These are—"
"Vulcan, you idiot, I was hoping to keep my name secret. Anyway, we can work on proper introductions later. What's more important is dealing with Metod right now," Eve sighed.
"Eve, was it? Did you say Metod? That changes things quite a bit, so let us deal with that robot. We'll swiftly make short work of it," Bard said as he walked up beside Eve.
"Hmm? By all means, be my guest. The less I fight, the better," Eve nonchalantly stepped back, allowing Bard and the others to take charge in dealing with Metod.
"In that case, get ready Simon, Mary. Follow each other's lead!" Bard commanded, his voice firm as he took charge of the battle against Metod. The group gathering up together.
"Ornament, Telespada!" As Metod freed itself from the swords that impaled it, three blue portals opened in the sky, and three swords came out flying. Swiftly to thrust through its chest, adding to the robot's struggles and restraining its movements.
"I guess it's my turn now. Hellfire, pillar of fire!" As Simon's fist blazed with intense flames, he concentrated his Hellfire magic and slammed his fist into the ground. In the blink of an eye, a colossal pillar of fire erupted from beneath Metod, swallowing the robot in a scorching inferno, trapping it within the fiery vortex.
"And this should be the finishing blow, Light magic, whip of judgement!" A whip made of pure light was formed in Mary's hand. With precision, she ensnared the luminous whip around Metod's neck and forcefully swung the robot into the air. Metod hung suspended, vulnerable to her next move. "Light magic, spikes of thrones, and now be ready to be decommissioned!" Spikes were summoned onto the ground and tightening her grip on the whip she flung Metod onto the spikes, each thorn piercing the. Seemingly sealing its fate
Eve, her arms crossed, observed the aftermath. "Hmm, they weren't lying. It looks like Metod is already defeated," she said, she carefully watched their Ornament powers.
"Let's head over to Eliza. She can heal you up," Vulcan suggested, gesturing in the direction where Eliza was.
"Hmph, let me smash his head. That way, he won't get up for sure," Simon walked towards the fallen robot, his fist engulfed in flames.
"MINIMAL DAMAGE RECEIVED. COMMENCING COUNTERATTACK," without warning Metod's tentacle-like arms swiftly coiled around Skell's neck, applying pressure with a relentless force, its attention clear.
Using her ornament, Eve sent herself flying gracefully towards Metod. With precise movements, she severed both of the robot's arms. Simon fell to ground coughing, trying to catch his breath.
"MAGIC DEFENSE," Metod became protected by a magic barrier, blocking every form of attack, waiting for his arms to rebuild.
Despite Metod's magical barrier, Eve persistently pressed on with her offense, targeting the robot's head as the air screeched around her hands. The robot wasn't quick in dodging each strike, but remained shielded by the magical barrier. However, cracks began to appear in the protective shield under the relentless assault.
Simon took this time to retreat to Bard and Mary. "Alright, this thing is a lot stronger than it looks," Simon said.
Mary pointed out the cracking magical barrier on the robot to Bard. "Look at that, Bard. The magical barrier is starting to break. Do you think our team attack could break through?" she asked.
Bard carefully observed and considered the situation, adjusting his glasses with a single finger, a silver gleam in his eyes. "That's a possibility. There's only one way to find out," he said, ready to put their plan into action.
"Your name was Vulcan, right? Tell your friend to get out of there; we're going to destroy this robot once and for all," Bard told Vulcan.
Vulcan sighed, "Didn't you say that the first time?" Vulcan activated his Spirit Technique, "Soul Enhancement, Level Three!" He quickly sprinted towards Eve, who continued her intense battle with Metod.
"Hey Eve," Vulcan shouted over the sounds of the battle, "those guys said to stop fighting and make some distance. It looks like they're preparing for some other attack." Eve made a quick escape as she heard Vulcan's message, allowing Bard and the others to preform their attack.
Mary confidently confronted the shield around Metod. Her gaze shifted between Simon and Bard. "Your shield is nothing, Simon, Bard. Are you two ready to do our team attack?" She stepped forward with determination.
"Ready!" Simon and Bard said at the same time.
"Twelve swords of the..." A dozen blades slowly exited the portal from which they were summoned from, ready to be launched.
"Divine judge and..." Mary's voice resonated, infusing the swords with light magic.
"Corrupted executioner!" As Simon shouted each blade became devoured by flames.
"Say your prayers!"
All synchronized, Mary, Bard, and Simon said with determination. The swords were flying through the air, closing in on Metod, aiming for the weakened point in its magical barrier.
Metod blocked four of the swords flying towards him, but the remaining blades, fueled by the combined magic of Mary and Simon, pierced through the robot's weakened magical barrier. This resulted in the severing of its left leg, but it quickly began to reconstruct itself.
Unbothered, Metod caught the last two swords, Metod menacingly pointed the swords at Mary, "NEW TARGET, MARY WILDFLOWE—" but Vulcan swiftly appeared in front of the robot. The clash of swords could be heard throughout the highway as Vulcan engaged with Metod's two blades, pressing forward with a determined look on his face, his eyes fixed on the robot's flickering blue glare. Metod knowing it couldn't win because of Vulcan's soul enhancement, the robot resorted to a headbutt, releasing its grip on one of the swords.
"Ow! What the— Urrgghh!" Vulcan grimaced in pain, staggering backward after the headbutt. However, his retreat was short lived as one of Metod's arms wrapped around his neck, while the other was ready to stab him.
"Hey, dumbass, don't forget we're here!" Simon forcefully grabbed Metod's face and unleashed a powerful surge of flames.
Metod threw Vulcan into the distance. The robot then opened its metallic mouth, shooting a powerful blast of wind that sent Simon flying backward, rejoining Bard and Mary.
Metod's head was severely burnt, recognizing the damage it had taken to its weakspot. The Metod's blue eyes intensified, glowing even brighter, its voice yelled out loudly, analyzing and replicating the observed ornaments. "COPYING THE OBSERVED ORNAMENTS USED: ORNAMENT, TELESPADA. ORNAMENT, LIGHT MAGIC. VULCAN GEORRA HAS NO ORNAMENT."
A sudden flash of light blinded them, coming from the light, swords infused in flames were sent flying through the air towards them. Despite the group using their abilities to block against the swords, Metod continued with its assault, charging toward its main target, Vulcan.
"Give me a break... Spirit technique, soul copy!" A holographic, yet realistic, copy of Vulcan appeared in his stead while he became invisible.
"This scrap metal is really getting on my nerves... Light magic, Uriel's help!" With a burst of radiant energy, a sudden spotlight focused on Metod as it aggressively attacked the holographic clone of Vulcan. The intense light slowly melting the robot's body, causing it to weaken.
"LIGHT MAGIC, LIGHT REFLECT." A mirror-like barrier materialized, shielding Metod from the intense light that came from the sky. The beams of light bounced off the mirror.
"What the—!" The reflected light, redirected by Metod's mirror-like shield, struck Mary causing a dazzling explosion upon impact. The sudden burst of magic-infused radiance left an aftermath of smoke and residual energy behind.
"Mary! Damn it, Telespada!" Bard summoned more swords and lunged them at Metod, but Metod parried the barrage of swords.
Metod's piercing blue eyes glared at Bard, its tentacle like arms coiling with lethal precision. The robot began to lash at him, striking Bard and sending him flying through the air as if he were a mere fly in its path.
"Take this, you damn robot! Hellfire kick— What?! B'LARGH!" Simon's powerful roundhouse kick was blocked by Metod's left arm, stopping Simon's attack with ease.
"HELLFIRE VOLCANIC EXPLOSION." Metod's right arm transformed into a hand, holding a ball of lava that promptly erupted, Simon was sent flying across the highway by the explosive impact, his body skidding along the asphalt.
"TARGETS MARY WILDFLOWER, SIMON SORANGAR, BARD O ARE DOWN," Metod said, its cold robotic voice echoed across the chaotic battlefield, providing a update to its presumed master.
"Spirit Technique, Ethereal slash, level one!" The blade of Vulcan's sword emitted a dazzling burst of energy. He slashed his sword, the ethereal energy cut through the air aimed at Metod.
Metod, displaying its resilience, appeared unaffected by Vulcan's attack. The robot locked eyes with Vulcan, "COMBO ORNAMENT ATTACK, TWELVE SWORDS OF THE DIVINE JUDGE AND CORRUPTED EXECUTIONE- ERROR, METOD HAS SUSTAINED SERIOUS DAMAGE, ATTEMPTING RETREAT- ZZT! ZZT! ZZT!" The twelve swords that floated above Metod ready for the assault vanished. A sudden arm pierced through Metod's head, signaling serious damage and prompting the robot to attempt a retreat.
"Looks like I was right, I can cut you like butter. Get out of my sight..." The arm pulled out of Metod's head, and with a swift motion, it elegantly sliced the robot's head off, its glowing blue eyes slowly fading away. Metod fell straight to the ground, and when the dust settled, Eve stood behind the defeated robot.
"Get split in two..." Eve waved her hand upwards, a powerful gust of wind blowing Metod into the air. "Air slash." A condensed, sharp slash of air cut Metod's body into two.
Eve calmly watched as the robot, who lay defeated at her hands.
"Now, why don't we properly introduce ourselves..." Eve sighed.