The grassy field had become a battlefield. Dirt and grass were uprooted, scattered across the ground as the intense clash between Darius, Adam, and Trevor unfolded. The once serene open space now bore the marks of combat, and the air buzzed with the residue of Mana. Trevor and Adam stood panting, sweat trickling down their brows, trying to gather themselves after barely dodging Darius' initial assault.
"Remember," Darius said, his voice calm but echoing through the field, "you must manifest your weapons. If you don't, you won't survive."
Trevor, his chest rising and falling heavily with each breath, glanced sideways at Adam, trying to maintain his usual lightheartedness despite the growing tension. "No pressure, huh?" he muttered, half-joking.
Adam didn't respond with words, only a sharp nod, his focus entirely on the battle before them. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his mind racing, trying to tap into the hidden power within him. The Arya of Creation around his neck pulsed faintly, as though sensing his desire to summon the three-segment staff that lay dormant within him.
Darius watched them with keen eyes, his imposing form barely showing any signs of exertion. His green Mana flared around him, forming a faint aura as he prepared to press the attack. With a mighty swing, he brought Baltaçek down again, and both Adam and Trevor darted aside to avoid the devastating impact. The ground cracked beneath the weight of the blow, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
Without missing a beat, Darius lunged forward, covering the distance between them with terrifying speed. Adam and Trevor barely managed to dodge the next strike, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the massive hammer-axe.
Trevor, catching his breath, glanced at Adam once more. "We need to regroup," he panted.
Adam's eyes narrowed as he observed Darius, analyzing every move. "I know. But we have to hit him hard."
Trevor nodded.
"Let's go," Adam said, determination in his eyes.
Planting his foot firmly into the ground, Adam grabbed Trevor by the wrist and, with a surge of strength, flung him through the air toward Darius. Trevor tucked his body mid-flight, setting his legs up for impact. As he neared, he swung his foot out to connect with Darius' midsection.
Darius, however, was ready, raising Baltaçek to block the attack. The clang of the impact rang out across the field. But the moment Darius blocked, his eyes flickered with surprise. The strength behind the kick—it wasn't just from Trevor's momentum.
Adam's throw had added something extra, a surge of Mana reinforcing the strike.
"Interesting," Darius muttered under his breath, feeling the force reverberate through the hammer. "They're starting to understand."
Before Darius could counter, Adam was already upon him, having covered the distance in a heartbeat. He threw a punch aimed at Darius' side, following Trevor's attack to form a fluid combination. Trevor, recovering from the block, twisted mid-air and went for a spinning kick toward Darius' shoulder. Their combined attacks flowed seamlessly, one strike covering the other's blind spots, their movements sharp and coordinated.
Darius smiled as he deflected their blows, his body moving with practiced ease. Despite his calm exterior, he was impressed by the sudden improvement in their speed. They were faster now, moving with more precision, their bodies reinforced with Mana, even if they didn't fully realize it yet.
"Good," Darius called out, his voice carrying over the clash of fists and kicks. "You're beginning to feel it. Keep pushing! Dig deeper!"
Adam darted low, crouching in preparation for another attack. Trevor saw the signal and leapt off Adam's back, using him as a springboard to launch himself into the air. He twisted his body, aiming a powerful downward kick toward Darius' head, hoping to land a decisive blow.
But Darius, ever watchful, had already anticipated the move. Just as Trevor's foot was about to connect, Darius vanished, disappearing in a blur of green Mana. Trevor's kick hit nothing but air, and the momentum carried him awkwardly through his intended strike.
Before he could recover, Darius appeared behind Adam with a flash of movement, his massive form looming over the younger Tracient. Adam barely had time to register the attack before Darius swung with a measured strike of his hammer. The force sent Adam tumbling across the field, his body skidding through the grass as he tried to recover from the impact.
Trevor, still mid-air, saw the attack too late. He tried to adjust his trajectory, aiming to slip beneath Darius' legs and land a hit from below, hoping to catch the Air Lord off-guard. But as he slid beneath, a sudden pulse of energy erupted from Darius' body, sending a shockwave outward.
The impact struck Trevor directly, knocking the wind out of him and sending him sprawling backward. His vision blurred for a moment as he tried to regain his footing, his body trembling from the force of the Mana-reinforced blow.
"Focusing too much on one attack?" Darius taunted, his voice calm yet challenging. "You're not paying attention to the battlefield."
Just as Trevor regained his balance, he looked up and his heart nearly stopped. Darius had formed a concentrated sphere of Mana in his hand, the green energy swirling violently as it compressed into a deadly orb.
"Fifty percent output: Mana Blast."
The words hit Trevor like a freight train. He had no time to react, no chance to dodge. The blast surged toward him with terrifying speed, pulling the very air in its path as it cut through the atmosphere.
The explosion tore through the ground, a massive shockwave ripping through the field. Dirt, grass, and debris flew everywhere as the impact rocked the area. Adam, still recovering from Darius' earlier blow, looked up just in time to see the devastating collision.
His heart lurched in his chest. "Trevor!" he shouted, his voice cracking with fear and disbelief. He watched as the smoke and dust from the blast clouded the area, obscuring everything from view.
Darius, standing tall, allowed himself a faint smile. "Now the fun begins."
Adam's confusion grew as he stood frozen, waiting for the dust to settle. His mind raced—had the blast been too much? Had Trevor been hurt?
But then, as the dust began to clear, something caught his eye. A faint glow, shimmering within the debris.
And when the last of the smoke dissipated, Trevor stood tall—a gleaming staff manifested before him, the Grand Maymum Staff fully formed and glowing with power. Trevor's eyes were wide, shining with a newfound strength. He had done it. He had manifested his weapon.
And with it, the true battle was only just beginning.