Crouched behind the remnants of a shattered storefront, Eve, Vulcan, and Eliza found a brief respite, their injuries serving as proof to the overwhelming strength of Forbidden Wrath. Each bruise and injury showing the fierce struggle, showing the challenge they faced against Wrath. The trio now strategized in the shadows, looking for a opening to escape from the battle.
Forbidden Wrath stood in the center of chaos, effortlessly dealing with any authorities attempting to subdue him. His method to locate the trio was straightforward—obliterate every structure in his line of sight. With each building being reduced to rubble, his destructive path intensified, a relentless pursuit that promised the longer his search endured, the more profound and widespread the destruction he'll bring upon the city.
As Forbidden Wrath advanced, each step closing the distance to the trio, their window to strategize a tactical retreat was running out; his relentless approach left them with diminishing options for escape.
"T-There," Eve, her tone a mix of relief and pain as Eliza's healing magic worked its mending spell. "Although it looks like we're reaching the end of the line; the damn monster is getting closer," She winced, acknowledging the harsh reality around them.
"Do you believe The White Crusader has defeated the other Forbidden by now?" Eliza asked, hoping The White Crusader will come and assist them.
"I don't know, and regardless, we don't have the time to wait and hope for a miracle. We need a plan of our own to retreat," Eve replied, her mind actively thinking of an escape strategy.
"I could use 'universal spirit' and try to stall until The White Crusader comes," Vulcan suggested, a determined and focused look on his face.
"But you can't retain that form for long, can you? That's far too risky, Vulcan," Eve said.
"We can't outrun this guy, much less beat him in a fight. We don't have much of a choice." Vulcan's tone switched more pragmatically.
"I think it's our best chance, Eve. If we manage to hold out, the less destruction this Forbidden will bring to the city, and The White Crusader will quickly deal with it." Eliza spoke with a hopeful undertone.
Vulcan's frustration grew within himself. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. "If only that summoning orb Vaos gave me hadn't been destroyed in that blast."
Eve's frustration echoed through her sigh, her determination pulling through. "Ahh, damn it!" she exclaimed. "Fine! But don't think we'll hope for The White Crusader to deal with this Forbidden; we'll take him down ourselves!"
With a determined grin, Vulcan responded, "That's what I want to hear, Eve." He activated his Spirit Technique, and suddenly, the surroundings were bathed in a radiant cyan glow as the cosmic energy engulfed him.
Eliza chimed in, "I might not be able to help all that much, but I can enhance your strength and speed, you two."
"In that case," Eve decided to take the initiative, her fingers crackling with electrical energy as she conjured a lightning bolt aimed straight at Wrath's face.
Forbidden Wrath, unfazed by the lighting bolt, swung his massive axe dispersing it in the air. A deep, menacing voice echoed as he acknowledged their presence, "I must admit, showing yourselves instead of remaining in the shadows. How bold of you three."
Eve, maintaining her composure, responded defiantly, "We only needed a few minutes to strategize our attack. Running away? That's not our style, especially from the likes of you."
"Nothing more than bravado; you three are pests that are going to be crushed beneath my heel," Forbidden Wrath declared, tightening his grip on his axe.
The earth rumbled beneath Forbidden Wrath's feet, "hmph, that was quick... Hyperion tree cutter kick!" Eve swung her leg downwards, conjuring a razor-sharp axe head made of compressed air on the back of her heel.
Forbidden Wrath blocked Eve's attacked, but before he could retaliate, a sudden interruption echoed, "Don't forget about me!" Vulcan emerged from the ground, catching Wrath by surprise. He swiftly slashed across Wrath's chest with his weapon, following it up with a powerful punch to the face. Though the blow hardly shoved him away.
"Interesting... but not enough I'm afraid." Forbidden Wrath's axe cleaved through the air, but Vulcan and Eve, sidestepped its trajectory. An azure aura materialized around them, Eliza's speed boost, enhancing their speed and reflexes.
"I must admit, cat, you're proving to be more than just a healer," Forbidden Wrath remarked as his gaze shifted towards Eliza.
"Looks like we're not his target anymore, Eliza. Go make distance from us! Tempest, wind drill!" She compressed air around her hands, forming it into a giant drill.
"Launch!" The wind-formed drill screeched through the air, shooting it towards Forbidden Wrath.
Vulcan sprinted alongside the whirling wind drill, knowing of the duration of his universal spirit form. He wanted to maximize the impact of his enhanced abilities before going back to his normal state.
Forbidden Wrath slammed his foot onto the ground, creating a sizable boulder then he kicked it towards Vulcan. He sprinted toward the wind drill, wielding his axe with the clear intention of shattering it with a forceful strike.
"Healing magic, strength!" Eliza swiftly chanted another spell to further empower Eve.
"Tempest, Quercus," With newfound vigor, Eve executed a series of rapid kicks, striking Forbidden Wrath. The wind drill, continuing its trajectory, bore into Wrath's shoulder, relentlessly drilling through him without any sign of slowing down.
"Spirit technique, dragon ascend, level three!" Vulcan confronted Wrath, executing a powerful upward slash that struck the Forbidden. The spirit energy engulfing his sword transformed into the ethereal shape of a dragon, lifting Vulcan into the air.
"Hah, I think I'm out of time with universal spirit; in that case... Spirit technique, dragon crash, level zero!" The ethereal dragon around Vulcan's sword faced Wrath, growing in size. With his sword pointed at Wrath, the spiritual dragon descended, aiming to crash down on the Forbidden with formidable force.
"If you're that eager to meet your end, then so be it... Forbidden attribute, Manchineel." Forbidden Wrath's veins began to glow, pulsating with the destructive force of his void energy.
No longer holding back, Wrath unleashed his full power, obliterating the wind drill with a forceful backhand. Swiftly seizing the opportunity, he caught Eve off guard, firmly gripping her face before she could react.
"You're an anomaly, an aberration in this world, and I'll personally ensure of your death!" Before Wrath could slam Eve into the ground, a green defensive aura materialized around her, weakening the impact.
"And as for you, you're nothing more than a worthless human..." Wrath invited Vulcan to strike him, seemingly unfazed as Vulcan's attack landed on his chest. "As if that pathetic attack could hurt me," Wrath scoffed, taunting Vulcan further as he stood there, unscathed. "Your kind is just a fleeting existence, destined for destruction."
As the cosmic energy around Vulcan faded, he could feel the toll of the form heavily on him. "Hah... Looks like I'm in big trouble, I can hardly stay conscious," he admitted, panting heavily.
With a forceful stomp, Wrath grounded Eve, ensuring she remained helpless beneath him. "Although your existence may be fleeting, and you, an anomaly," he said, addressing Eve, "I must admit, you have potential. This battle hardly felt satisfying." Wrath then turned his attention to Vulcan, who stood with visible signs of weakness.
Vulcan, eyeing Forbidden Wrath's intense thirst for battle, said, "Just picture it – all of us reaching our full potential and clashing once more. That would be a truly satisfying battle, don't you think?"
"That may be so, but unfortunately, I can't allow any of you to escape." With a menacing demeanor, he tightened his grip on his axe.
"Taunting him won't work," Vulcan thought to himself, "I'm sure you can sense void energy, right? Give me something made out of void energy, so that way you can always find me. Besides can you really call yourself a warrior if you kill weaklings like us now?" Vulcan proposed, trying to shift the odds in his favor.
"Interesting, very well, I'll grant your request." A shard of void energy manifested in his hand. Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed Eve by her hair and ruthlessly plunged the shard into her abdomen. The void energy seamlessly fused with her.
Eve's cry of pain echoed through the air as the shard seamlessly fused with her. The excruciating fusing with the shard left her writhing in pain before being carelessly thrown aside. "Don't bother asking for a time limit," he declared, "just know whenever I decide to appear. Just pray to your god that you're ready."
"Tch," Vulcan's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing into an intense glare at Wrath. "You'll regret that. I'm going to personally kill you myself."
"We'll see about that, human. Hmph, it looks like Power lost his battle. I better go check on him." Wrath activating his Forbidden attribute, spatial retreat that teleported him away from the battlefield.
"Eve!" Eliza ran up to Eve, and quickly began to heal her.
"E-Eliza... We have to leave, this place is going to be surrounded by the authorities soon enough..." Eve, supported by Eliza's healing, struggled to stand.
"Looks like we got here a little too late, White Crusader. Wrath escaped." Sidgroth said as they arrived on the scene.
"Hmph, let's get them out of here. Come here, all of you... Spirit technique, teleport mass..."
With those words, everyone swiftly vanished from the scene, leaving the aftermath of the intense battle behind.