The mages from the republican side attempted to bombard the Stronghold's Zodiac with their magic spells.
However, before their attacks could reach their target, the Aquarius Zodiac, referred to as Nerium, formed a powerful shield that effortlessly dissolved the mages' offensive. In response, the Nerium conjured sharp water spikes and redirected the attack back at the mages.
The impact of these water spikes was tremendous. As they struck, the republican mages were overwhelmed and fell, showcasing the immense power and defensive capabilities of the Nerium.
This display further intensified the already chaotic and fierce battle.
Meanwhile, the Megalium, another formidable Zodiac of the republicans, was relentlessly attacking the Stronghold warriors.
One by one, those on the Stronghold's front lines began to retreat, but they found no escape from the overwhelming power of the colossal Zodiac.
The impact of its assaults was devastating, demonstrating the sheer force and aggression of the Megalium in the heat of the battle.
This turn of events was drastically changing the tide of the war, showcasing the pivotal role these Zodiacs played in the conflict.
After both Zodiacs, the Megalium and the Nerium, had decimated the soldiers in their respective paths, they finally confronted each other, setting the stage for a titanic clash.
It was now a battle of Zodiacs: Megalium against Nerium.
This showdown, featuring immense powers on both sides, was a pivotal moment in the conflict, marking a dramatic shift from a war between armies to a duel of mythical proportions.
The Nerium initiated the attack, once again utilizing its mastery over water. It formed sharp water spikes and launched them towards the Megalium.
As these deadly projectiles approached, the Megalium showed no intention of dodging.
Instead, it met the incoming assault head-on, countering with a powerful punch.
This direct confrontation resulted in an immensely forceful shockwave, generated by the collision of the Nerium's water spikes and the Megalium's brute strength.
The impact of their combined attacks created an explosive effect, marking a fierce and visually spectacular battle between these two Zodiacs.
The Nerium swiftly regained its momentum, wasting no time.
It soared high into the air and cast a powerful spell, creating a deluge of small but intensely painful water droplets.
It rained this barrage down not only on the Megalium but also on the Megalium's allies from the republican side.
This continuous downpour was both strategic and relentless, showcasing the Nerium's aerial advantage and its ability to control the battlefield from above.
The Megalium, finding itself at a disadvantage due to the Nerium's ability to fly, compensated by attacking the Nerium's allies from the Stronghold.
Utilizing its massive strength, the Megalium struck the ground powerfully with its foot, targeting the Stronghold warriors.
This action caused a severe earthquake and the ground itself to rupture and fracture.
This strategic move by the Megalium highlighted its ability to adapt and use its immense power to create environmental disruptions, thereby affecting the battlefield in its favor despite the aerial advantage of the Nerium.
The Megalium's attack caused rocks and debris to start falling in the area where Arthur and his group were moving.
Recognizing the extreme danger posed by the intense battle between the two Zodiacs, they quickened their pace even more.
They knew that staying in their current location, where they could potentially be caught in the crossfire of the two clashing Zodiacs, would put them at risk of severe injury.
This urgency in their movement underscored the perilous nature of the situation and the need for swift action to avoid the collateral damage from the epic battle unfolding around them.
"Look out!" Arthur shouted loudly, warning a teammate who was almost crushed by a large falling rock due to the collapsing terrain.
Arthur himself narrowly escaped a similar fate, swiftly activating one of his skills as a trained assassin that allowed him to dash forward in just two seconds.
He gasped for breath, visibly shaken by the close call with the massive falling rocks.
"You don't get to die here, Arthur! Move!" their leader yelled at him, noticing Arthur pausing to catch his breath.
Despite the need for a momentary respite, their leader emphasized the urgency to keep moving and to distance themselves from the hazardous area where rocks continued to plummet.
This call to action highlighted the peril they were in and the importance of maintaining focus and quick response in such a life-threatening situation.
Without further hesitation, they resumed their rapid movement. However, just as Arthur was catching up, a massive rock crashed down in front of him, obliterating the path and separating him from his leader and the rest of the group.
Now isolated with only one other companion, they continued to run, simultaneously brainstorming ways to reconnect with the rest of their team. This unexpected split added another layer of challenge to their mission, forcing Arthur to quickly adapt and find a new strategy under these unforeseen and dangerous circumstances.
"Come here! This way!" shouted Arthur's remaining companion, urging him on as they continued to run.
However, their chosen path inadvertently brought them closer to the epicenter of the battle between the Zodiacs, with the clash occurring just above them.
The Nerium relentlessly unleashed its spells, raining down attacks on the massive Megalium.
In response, the Megalium, with ruthless efficiency, continued to devastate the surrounding area and decimate the Stronghold warriors.
This proximity to the fierce combat between the Zodiacs added a heightened sense of danger and urgency to Arthur's and his companion's situation, as they navigated through the chaos.
The area was enveloped in a dense mixture of dust and water, the result of the disintegrating rocks and the Nerium's water attacks.
This combination created a thick mist of sand and water, significantly reducing visibility and making it increasingly difficult for Arthur and his companion to see where they were running.
The challenging conditions, a direct consequence of the fierce battle between the two Zodiacs, added an extra layer of complexity to their already perilous situation.
They had to navigate carefully, relying more on their other senses and instincts to avoid hazards in the obscured terrain.