"Snap out of it! It's not real, I mean—I don't think it is!" Elara shouted, her voice breaking the eerie silence that had settled among them.
She darted her eyes around, trying to gauge everyone's reaction, searching for any signs that they were still grounded in reality.
"Why is he doing this...?" Leonardo murmured, his voice shaky as he tried to draw himself back from the shock. His eyes darted from one distorted figure to the next, struggling to keep focus.
"They don't have a boss… even the heads don't have authority over them. Their only job is to guard the tower," Astraea panted, beads of sweat dotting her brow.
The large image loomed above them still, a haunting figure that made their skin crawl. "It's an aura, like a battle cry... he's still there."
"Oh, this is fun. I didn't want to use this on you, but… Anna didn't pick me as her guide," Altan's voice rang out, dripping with condescension. He took a step forward, his presence overwhelming, his white hair shimmering faintly in the dim light.
Kaelan's long sword fell from his grip, clattering to the ground. Before Kaelan could react, Altan's spear was already in motion.
He lunged forward, intertwining the prongs around Kaelan's weapon and pushing it away with a violent jerk.
Altan's fluid movements created an impenetrable defense, each strike and parry seamlessly blending into the next.
He spun the spear again, its blade a blur, and used its momentum to lock Kaelan's movements.
Then, with a burst of speed, Altan crashed into Kaelan, using his weight and leverage to send him sprawling to the ground.
Kaelan gritted his teeth, trying to regain his footing, but Altan was already on the move.
He spun on his heel, using his weight to crash into Kaelan, sending him sprawling to the ground.
The impact left Kaelan winded, his vision blurred as Altan blurred out of sight.
Kaelan's disoriented gaze caught Altan's swift movement towards Astraea. He dove at her feet, using his momentum to slide beneath her, and with a quick upward thrust of his hands, he knocked her legs out from under her.
Astraea hit the ground hard, her staff clattering away as she struggled to catch her breath.
Next was Anna. Altan dashed towards her, his movements fluid and predatory. He didn't slow down, instead, he shoulder-checked her with just enough force to knock her off balance, sending her sprawling onto the dirt. Anna's expression twisted in frustration as she tried to push herself up, but Altan was already gone, his eyes locked on Elara.
Elara saw him coming, her mind racing. She took a defensive stance, preparing to counter, but Altan was faster.
He ducked low, sweeping her legs from under her. She fell, landing hard on her back with a gasp. Altan moved past her, not even bothering to check if she would rise.
Finally, Altan leapt at Leonardo, his form a blur of motion. He twisted in the air, his legs wrapping around Leonardo's neck in a vice-like grip. Leonardo struggled, but Altan's strength was unmatched.
He used his upper body to pivot and slam Leonardo into the ground, the impact echoing like a thunderclap.
Altan didn't pause, his hand reached out and pinned Leonardo by the shoulder, his grip unyielding.
"He really meant he got stronger," Kaelan muttered, picking himself up from the ground. He watched Altan, still dazed from the sudden onslaught. "How? How is he so strong?" Kaelan's voice wavered, the disbelief evident. "Was he genuinely just playing with us?"
Everyone lay on their backs, scattered across the battlefield. Each of them had been dispatched without even feeling the wind shift or the sting of a blow.
It was as if Altan had moved through them like a phantom, and the reality of their defeat was sinking in.
"Ouch, my head!" Leonardo groaned, feeling the bruises along his neck where Altan's armor had left its mark.
Blood speckled the torn collar of his suit, but the suit's regenerative effect had already begun knitting it back together.
"And bye!" Altan announced, straddling Leonardo, raising his hand high above his head.
sHis white hair fluttered like a banner, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He was poised to bring his fist down, a deadly strike meant to end it all.
"Do you know how much I hate people?" Altan muttered slowly, almost casually, as his hand began its descent.
"Wait, wait, wait!!" Leonardo screamed, desperation flooding his voice, his mind racing for anything that might halt the incoming blow. "I'm the Tour Guide's son!"
Altan froze. Not just his fist but his entire body seemed to seize up, caught in a moment of shock that rendered him completely still. His eyes widened, and he pulled back, his disbelief clear.
"What—"
"Burst!" Astraea yelled, seizing the chance to strike. She forced herself into a crouch, her body aching, and with a flick of her hand, unleashed a concentrated beam of light from her staff. It struck Altan point-blank, sending a shockwave of light rippling outwards.
"Just pause, and let Kaelan beat you up a bit," Anna added, her voice laced with mock irritation as she stood up, wiping dirt from her face. "My clothes were ruined, now my face, you prick."
"My turn…" Elara said softly, stepping forward. She had stayed out of the fight, observing her voice soft but firm.
She hadn't engaged since the start of the fight, carefully observing Altan's movements, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
She stepped forward, dusting the dirt from her blonde hair, her eyes locked onto Altan.
"Anna's skill is Fool," she continued, her voice carrying a calm confidence. "You want to know what mine is?"
Altan looked at her, his expression half-amused, half-wary.
"Literal," Elara declared, raising her sleeve and channeling the energy coursing through her veins. The air around her shimmered as she focused, the Rasvian energy intensifying.
"That is gonna hurt," Altan remarked, a grin spreading across his face as he remained sprawled on the ground, seemingly unfazed by the impending effects of Elara's power.
"I'm joking!" Elara chimed, her smile widening slightly.
She was about to explain her ability, but before she could elaborate, Altan's confusion interrupted her.
"Huh, what do you mean?" Altan inquired, tilting his head. "Is there anything funny about this?"
"What? You were laughing all the time altan?"
"Was I?" Altan replied
"Never mind mine is Ras—" Elara began, but her explanation was cut short.
"C'mon, Elara, just place it," Anna interjected, her tone both urgent and authoritative.
"Oh, okay," Elara replied, her expression shifting to one of focused concentration.
She waved her hand over Altan's frozen body done by Anna, her gesture causing a soft, radiant light to emanate, similar to the beams Astraea projects from her staff.
"A barrier. Your skill set is really useful, but it isn't going to stop m—" Altan began, but his words trailed off as he realized the true nature of the barrier.
"It isn't meant to stop you," Anna replied calmly, cutting him off with a steady voice.
"And Kaelan, don't lose your wits. In truth, he was just having fun," Anna continued, addressing Kaelan with a reassuring tone.
"Argh, fine. Let's go before he breaks it," kaelan urged, his voice tinged with urgency.
The group began to sprint towards the estate, leaving behind the chaotic scene Altan had caused.
The environment bore the marks of their recent skirmish, with remnants of destruction scattered about.
"Leonardo, you have some explaining to do," Anna muttered under her breath as they ran, her words a mix of frustration and concern.
"Ok.. it was obvious" he replied his suit already regenerated,
All that happened in 2 minutes.
Altan, still seated on the ground, watched them leave. "Huh, they didn't try to finish me. I was planning on killing that 'Leonardo' boy," he mused, his gaze following their retreating figures. He then stood up, the barrier shattering instantly as he moved.
Realizing he was running late, Altan hastened his steps, his dusted white hair catching the light as he hurriedly scratched at it. "I'm going to be late!" he exclaimed.
He glanced around, contemplating his next move. "Ah, new or old? Oh I cant forget you now" he pondered aloud picking his spear and looking at the elevator in the distance.
Taking a few more steps, he ran at good speeds leaving dust behind to what appeared to be the edge of a floor. Suddenly, a door materialized before him.
"I hate being a guard, but that Leonardo boy sure is interesting, im still sad cant go on the quest, I sharpened my spear too.." Altan said with a wistful smile. Without further ado, he entered the door, which led to what seemed to be an empty abyss, vanishing into the void.