The Puppet had what appeared to be a tattoo engraved into the center of its back. As the onlookers stared in awe, Tensei attempted to decipher the intricate markings, but the words were written in an ancient language he could not understand.
The Puppet turned around and approached Tensei, who remained immobile from the earlier events. Meanwhile, Raj slowly rose from the rubble caused by being launched into the wall. His attention turned toward the Puppet and its mysterious tattoo. Unlike everyone else, Raj had been gifted knowledge of a few ancient languages due to his "Prodigy" skill.
As Raj focused on the ancient language, he carefully read the words etched onto the Puppet's back. He mouthed the word silently to himself, "Susanoo," and then spoke it aloud, capturing the attention of everyone present.
As the Puppet stood in front of Tensei, a moment of serenity settled over the arena. The Puppet extended its hand toward Tensei, who cautiously accepted it. As their hands clasped, a brilliant purple glow emanated from their connection, casting an ethereal light over the surrounding space. It was as if an unseen bond was being forged between Tensei and the Puppet, one that transcended the limits of their reality.
As the glow enveloped them both, Tensei's hand transformed before everyone's eyes. Slim white gloves formed around his fingers, delicate lace-like threads stretching out from each end and entwining around his wrist. The unexpected transformation seemed to signify a deeper, more intimate connection with the Puppet.
From the other side of the arena, a faint grunt caught everyone's attention. It was Liam, who had been knocked out earlier in the battle. Despite his weakened state, he managed to sit up, his back leaning against the arena walls for support. Dried blood still stained his mouth, but the light in his eyes burned bright with determination. A devilish smirk crossed his face, only to be replaced by a knowing smile.
As the sun's light seemed to intensify, Liam spoke with a hint of pride in his voice. "May Apollo's Radiant Light be with you," he muttered, invoking the power of his second skill. With his words, Liam activated Apollo's Radiant Light, channeling the sun's energy to heal both himself and Tensei.
The healing energy washed over Liam first, soothing his wounds and reviving his strength. His breath steadied, and he stood up with newfound vigor. Then, the radiant light flowed towards Tensei, rejuvenating him as well. The injuries he had sustained began to heal, and the fatigue that weighed him down dissipated.
Tensei's posture straightened, and his expression changed from one of shock and weariness to one of confidence and readiness. The connection he shared with the Puppet seemed to amplify the effects of the radiant light, infusing him with a sense of power and purpose. The spectators watched in awe as Tensei and Liam both appeared to be revitalized by the combined forces of the Puppet and Apollo's Radiant Light.
With newfound strength coursing through him, Tensei was ready to continue the battle. The unexpected turn of events had brought him back from the brink of defeat, and the ongoing struggle was far from over.
***
The battle between Raj's new alter-ego, Adam, and their opponents, Liam and Tensei's Heavenly Treasure, Susanoo, was poised to be an extraordinary clash of celestial might and calculated precision. Raj, now unbound by his former persona, approached the confrontation with a cunning demeanor and an unsettling aura. Beside him, Adam, Gilgamesh's Apostle, wielded his powerful Enkidu chains and the ability to summon Heavenly Treasures.
Their opponents, Liam and Tensei, faced them with their divine arsenal and innovative tactics. Liam, the Apostle of Apollo, had gained strength and resilience from Apollo's Radiant Light, which he used to rejuvenate himself and his teammate, Tensei. His bow could launch arrows coated in light, and his lyre could influence the morale of both allies and opponents. Tensei, equipped with the Heavenly Treasure, Susanoo, now controlled the mighty Puppet with lace-like threads attached to his newly formed gloves. The Puppet, though powerful, was limited by Tensei's own strength.
As the battle began, Raj and Adam faced Liam and Tensei with a sense of urgency. Raj's keen intellect and mastery of electromagnetism provided him with a versatile arsenal. He could manipulate magnetic fields to control metallic objects and generate electricity for powerful attacks. His knowledge of martial arts and weapons allowed him to adapt swiftly to the dynamic battle.
Meanwhile, Adam summoned his Enkidu chains from the clouds, binding Liam and Tensei's movements and grounding them. However, Susanoo, under Tensei's control, swiftly intervened, slicing through the chains with its katana. The Puppet's movements were graceful yet forceful, displaying remarkable agility and strength for its size.
Liam, taking advantage of the disruption, unleashed a barrage of light-infused arrows toward Raj and Adam. The duo expertly dodged the incoming projectiles, with Raj using his electromagnetism to deflect some of the arrows away. Adam retaliated with a flurry of precise sword strikes from the Gate of Babylon, but Susanoo's swift movements allowed it to deflect the attacks with its katana.
The battle intensified as Raj and Adam coordinated their attacks. Raj channeled his electromagnetism to disrupt Susanoo's movements, attempting to slow down its advance. Adam then followed up with strikes from his sword, testing the Puppet's defenses. The two worked in tandem, combining their powers to overwhelm Susanoo and Tensei.
Tensei, controlling Susanoo with his newfound puppeteering abilities, fought back fiercely. He maneuvered the Puppet with precision, launching counterattacks against Raj and Adam. The Puppet's katana danced through the air, parrying strikes and delivering swift, powerful blows.
Liam supported Tensei with his divine weapons. He played the lyre to boost Tensei's morale and dishearten Raj and Adam. Then, he launched more light-infused arrows, forcing Raj and Adam to be on constant alert.
The clash between the two teams was intense and evenly matched. Each side displayed their unique powers and tactics, testing each other's limits. The outcome of the battle hinged on their ability to adapt and exploit any weaknesses they could find in their opponents.
The battle waged on with each side showcasing their mastery over their powers. It was clear that the outcome would be determined by who could maintain their composure and control, and who could best utilize their abilities in the heat of battle.
***
As the battle between Raj and Adam against Liam and Tensei's Heavenly Treasure, Susanoo, raged on, Tensei began to adapt more effectively to his new weapon's unique battle style. By tapping into the secret potential of the Heavenly Treasure, Tensei unleashed the true power of Susanoo, revealing its affinity for lightning.
With each swift and graceful step taken by the Puppet, flashes of purple lightning crackled and danced around its form, illuminating the battlefield. As Susanoo's Katana struck its foes, the impacts sent arcs of purple lightning flying across the arena, electrifying the environment. The power of the Heavenly Treasure surged through the Puppet, enhancing its combat abilities and making it even more formidable.
The Katana itself was a work of ancient craftsmanship, bearing an enigmatic aura. Engraved on the blade were words in an ancient language, which read "Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi"—the name of the sword. This was no ordinary Katana; it was a legendary blade, known for its incredible sharpness and affinity for lightning.
With his creative mind and strategic thinking, Tensei found new ways to utilize Susanoo's powers to his advantage. He directed the Puppet with precision, allowing it to strike with great speed and force. The Katana sliced through the air with deadly accuracy, emitting bursts of lightning upon impact.
The combination of Tensei's puppeteering skills and Susanoo's lightning affinity proved to be a potent force against Raj and Adam. The two opponents had to constantly dodge and defend against the electrifying attacks, trying to find openings in Susanoo's relentless assault.
Despite their best efforts, Raj and Adam found themselves increasingly on the defensive as Tensei and Susanoo pressed the attack. The Heavenly Treasure's affinity for lightning provided it with enhanced speed and power, making it difficult for Raj and Adam to counter effectively.
Liam, though still recovering, joined forces with Tensei and Susanoo, using his divine weapons to keep the pressure on Raj and Adam. Liam's light-infused arrows and lyre played a crucial role in supporting Tensei and Susanoo, creating a challenging environment for their opponents.
The battle continued to intensify, with Tensei's creative use of Susanoo's abilities proving to be a turning point in the fight. As he harnessed the Puppet's lightning powers, Tensei's team gained the upper hand, putting Raj and Adam on the backfoot and forcing them to fight harder than ever to survive the onslaught.