Osuke, Nadeshiko, Akira(celestial Vanguard), Nozomi, Kaori, and Kazuya had been stationed at the wall since the start of the battle, watching and waiting. When the Guardian emerged, an overwhelming wave of danger coursed through their senses. It wasn't just any Guardian—its presence, aura, and skills spoke volumes about its unmatched power. With a shared glance, the six resolved to act as one.
Osuke and Nadeshiko activated their Shadow Travel skill, instantly appearing on opposite sides of the Guardian. Their attack was swift and coordinated—Osuke descended from above, while Nadeshiko struck from below, her blade slicing upward.
~Clang~
Their daggers collided with a golden shield that materialized around the Guardian. The force of the impact rippled outward, but the Guardian stood unfazed. Without hesitation, it countered, swinging its spear diagonally at blinding speed, aiming to cleave them both.
Both anticipated the retaliation but were momentarily stunned by its precision. Activating their elemental energies, they dissolved into incorporeal forms, reappearing moments later beside Akira, Nozomi, Kaori, and Kazuya, who had now joined the fray.
Seeing the higher-ups take action, the battlefield shifted. A renewed sense of confidence surged through the soldiers and commanders, who began falling back to avoid hindering the group's efforts.
"It's tougher than it looks," Nadeshiko murmured grimly.
As if on cue, the Guardian attacked with speed that rivaled light itself. Kaori intercepted its blow, her Ice Sword gleaming as it deflected the strike.
"Hah! This is going to be fun!" Kazuya laughed, charging at the Guardian's left flank with a fiery fist. The Guardian spun its spear, redirecting the blow with a refined elegance. With a swift motion, it retaliated with a vertical arc aimed at Kazuya.
Kazuya grinned even as he dodged. "Heheh... What a monster! That's some good spear play you've got. I, Kazuya, acknowledge your strength!"
Everyone collectively facepalmed at his antics, even as Akira and Nozomi watched in silence, analyzing the Guardian's movements.
"Kaori," Akira commanded calmly, "engage it in close combat. Keep it busy."
Kaori scoffed, "Don't order me around, big-brain sicko," but she leaped into action nonetheless. Manifesting an arsenal of spears, swords, lances, axes, and hammers, she charged at the Guardian with relentless precision.
"At least she listened," Nozomi remarked dryly, earning a smirk from Akira.
While Kaori and Kazuya occupied the Guardian in close combat, Nadeshiko materialized near Akira.
"Got a plan yet, dear?" she asked, her tone laced with urgency.
"Yeah," Akira replied. "But something about this Guardian feels... off."
"Well, whatever it is, we can't hold out for long," Nadeshiko warned. "It's not letting us deal any significant damage."
"For now," Akira decided, "you and Osuke will strike when it's distracted. Let's see what it's truly capable of."
Nadeshiko nodded and melted into shadow once more, ready to execute her part of the plan.
As the battle raged on, the Guardian grew frustrated under the assault of four attackers. Its health chipped away ever so slightly, but it was nowhere near being defeated. With a guttural roar, it activated its ultimate skill.
A wild explosion of force sent everyone flying, and a dense mist began to form around the Guardian. They rushed to stop the skill's activation, but by the time the mist cleared, the Guardian was gone.
"Guardians don't run away," Akira shouted. "Stay on guard!"
True to his warning, four identical Guardians emerged from the dissipating mist, each wielding the same deadly spear.
"You've got to be kidding me," Kazuya groaned.
Osuke squinted, then smirked. "No, they're all wounded in the same spots. It's some kind of copy or illusion."
"Osuke, Kazuya, take the left two. Nadeshiko, Kaori, handle the right," Akira ordered.
"Yes, boss!"
"Hmph."
With roles assigned, the group sprang into action.
Akira and Nozomi hung back momentarily, observing the copies.
"Nozomi," Akira said, "you'll assist Nadeshiko and Kaori. Use your skills to create an opening for them to land a decisive blow. I'll handle the others with Osuke. And don't worry—I'll keep him safe."
Nozomi hesitated but nodded. "Be careful."
She joined Nadeshiko and Kaori, immediately taking charge of the situation. Earth magic enveloped her, forming a protective armor, while compressed fire materialized into a spear in her hands. Using wind as propulsion, she darted into the fray, slamming her weapon against the Guardian's spear with explosive force.
As Nozomi stalled one Guardian, Nadeshiko prepared her ultimate skill: Shadow Realm. The crimson-black aura of the battlefield was soon swallowed by utter darkness as Nadeshiko unleashed her devastating attack, erasing one Guardian from existence.
Kaori, in her Ice Empress form, battled the other copy with precision and stamina, eventually shattering it into fading light. Exhausted, she collapsed into Nozomi's arms.
"Reckless as always," Nozomi sighed. "Good job, though."
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Meanwhile, Akira and Osuke faced the remaining two copies. Akira trapped one in his Illusion Domain, forcing it to fight an imaginary Kazuya. While it flailed at nothing, Kazuya prepared his ultimate skill: Crimson Abyss.
When the illusion dropped, the Guardian rushed at Kazuya, unaware of the trap. With a deafening roar, Kazuya unleashed a blazing inferno, incinerating the copy and collapsing from sheer exhaustion.
"Good work," Akira said, patting Kazuya on the back. "Rest now—I've got the last one."
Osuke, still drained, managed a smirk. "Old man, don't take all the credit."
With that, Akira employed his Mirage Walking skill, engaging the final copy in a relentless sword dance of illusions. He bought just enough time for Osuke to gather his strength and unleash Dark Will Manifestation, a terrifyingly destructive skill that erased the Guardian's existence entirely.
The battlefield fell silent. The original Guardian let out a final, shrill scream before collapsing into nothingness, its ethereal spear losing all light.
The soldiers erupted in cheers—they had won. But the cost was clear in the scars left behind: both physical and emotional.
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Returning to the Estate of Autumn, the group was greeted by Beniko and Aki. Seeing Osuke (unconscious) being carried around like a grain sack over the shoulder, Beniko's worry turned to anger as she kicked her father's shin.
"Don't carry him like that!" she scolded, taking Osuke into her arms and storming off.
Akira wiped away mock tears. "Our daughter doesn't love us anymore. How tragic."
Everyone laughed, even as Aki hugged them tightly, whispering, "Welcome home."
But in his heart, Aki resolved to grow stronger. He needed to protect those he loved in this dangerous, unforgiving world.