As the enemy closed in, Uraam began to laugh, a low, disturbing sound that echoed through the air. His form started to contort, armor melding with his skin as he transformed, taking on the hardened, chitinous features of the insectoids. His eyes gleamed, and from his back sprouted spined, armor-like projections. A dark, deadly energy pulsed from him.
"Uraam... he's one of them?" Zayn's voice was tense, eyes widening as the realization sank in.
Without warning, Uraam lifted his arm, light energy crackling around him in waves as he activated his Red Magic. The very air seemed to vibrate with the sudden surge, and the orange sphere above his head deepened into a dark, seething red—a clear signal he was a level above them.
Elara's breath hitched. "Level three? That's... that's impossible."
Uraam's lips twisted into a mocking grin as he locked his gaze on Thalia. "You think those flimsy barriers can hold me off this time?" With a roar, he unleashed a wave of energy directly at her.
Thalia stood firm, her barrier shimmering as it absorbed the impact, but even she seemed to waver. "Running low on magic," she murmured under her breath, recalculating her defense.
"Thalia!" Zayn shouted, moving swiftly to her side. "You're not dealing with him alone."
Uraam scoffed, his red aura flaring around him. "Futile. All of you... are beneath me." He turned to the other insectoids in hoods, his voice harsh and commanding. "Stop wasting time. Capture them while I deal with this nuisance."
The remaining competitors steeled themselves, the gravity of their situation settling in. Brynn raised his sword, his jaw clenched. "We're facing level threes... We'll have to fight like never before."
Elara took a steadying breath, eyes hard as she prepared her magic. "Stay sharp. We make one mistake here, and we're done."
Zayn tightened his grip on his weapon, his gaze fixed on Uraam. "Whatever it takes," he muttered, readying himself as he advanced.
His magic wasn't fully recharged, but he activated it, focusing on the pulsing arrows around Uraam.
[Combat settings optimized. Warning: current power insufficient against subject's exoskeleton,]
Ignoring it, Zayn rushed forward, his sword drawn, amplifying his strike to 500 times his usual strength. The blade met Uraam's chitinous armor with a loud clang—no damage. Uraam's mouth twisted in disdain as he slashed a clawed hand toward Zayn, fast and deadly. Zayn braced himself, certain he'd be hit, but Thalia stepped in, her barrier deflecting the attack.
"Thanks," he muttered, dropping back. "This guy's too strong."
Uraam vanished, then suddenly reappeared against Thalia's barrier, his movement so fast it seemed he'd materialized. "This... barrier," he snarled, stepping back, frustration evident. "Do you truly think you can hold me off if you can't even see me?"
Zayn's mind raced. "Thalia, he's not bluffing. Even after cranking my Rapid Mind to the max, I can't track his movement."
Uraam smirked, his aura blazing brighter. "I'm faster than anything your mind can grasp." He leaned closer, his voice cold. "And your barriers won't hold forever."
Uraam's grin widened as he pressed his hand against Thalia's barrier, fingers splayed, testing it. "You know, I've figured out your little trick," he sneered. "It's obvious now why I couldn't break it, even with my strength."
Zayn, caught off guard, demanded, "What are you talking about?"
Uraam chuckled darkly, his gaze locked on Thalia. "Your barriers aren't the ordinary kind, are they? They create a spatial fold—an infinite distance, separating everything from you."
Zayn glanced over, noticing the faint strain on Thalia's usually impassive face. She was sweating, and though she didn't speak, her expression confirmed Uraam's words.
"See?" Uraam's voice dripped with mockery. "You think we're mindless? It took just a glance to figure out what you're up to. And," he added, his voice dropping, "I know its weakness."
He stepped back, raising his hand, a dense orb of searing light forming at his fingertips. With a calculated sneer, he fired—a concentrated beam that tore through the air, hitting the barrier with shuddering force. Thalia's defenses held, but only barely, the beam cutting through and striking both her and Zayn, sending them crashing against the wall.
Uraam tilted his head, voice low and taunting. "So, it absorbed some of the impact. But let's be clear… it won't save you next time."
Uraam charged up another blast, energy crackling in his palms. But just as it was about to release, it fizzled out, leaving him staring at his empty hand.
"What are you guys doing?" Riven asked, stepping forward, one hand raised. "You trying to get yourselves killed?"
Zayn gave a strained chuckle, "Guess we owe you one," he said, trying to stand, though pain shot through his limbs. Every part of him felt raw, and even Thalia was barely holding herself upright.
Uraam narrowed his eyes, seething. Void magic, he realized, annoyed. Troublesome. He knew he'd have to rely on sheer force to handle Riven. Smirking, he turned to him. "Another little one, throwing his life away?"
In a blur, Uraam vanished, aiming a strike at Riven's back—only to hit nothing. Riven spun, a condescending smile tugging at his lips.
"What?" Uraam's brow furrowed. He'd moved faster than any of them could see; Riven should've been defenseless.
Elara, watching from nearby, called out, "A little thanks would be nice, commoner," she said, unable to resist a jibe. "I just saved your skin."
Uraam's gaze sharpened, understanding dawning. That girl... her magic causes attacks to miss her.
His lips twisted into a cruel grin. "Lancer was right; you're a rare bunch. Quite the assets for the Empire." He focused his energy on Elara, his decision made to eliminate her first.
Before he could advance, a shattering sound echoed like glass breaking. From above, a fierce scarlet beam ripped through the air, originating from the royal box. The space around it cracked and splintered, and out of the wreckage, the world leaders emerged.
The rulers emerged from the tear Adonis had painstakingly opened, spilling out into a scene of chaos and destruction. The once orderly arena was now in shambles, with craters and shattered stone scattered across the field. The sky, once clear, was darkened with smoke, and the air buzzed with the screeches of insectoid creatures clashing against people both inside and outside the arena.
Iris glanced upwards immediately, her expression momentarily shifting from calm to sharp focus. Adonis followed her gaze, his eyes narrowing. Without a word, Iris's form seemed to shimmer before vanishing like mist in the wind.
Feynor frowned, bewildered. "Where did she go?" he asked, scanning the sky for any sign of her.
"She's gone to deal with a threat outside the city." "Whatever it is, it's significant if it pulled her away."Selene added.
A low, rumbling growl broke the tension. Rhedora, fury etched into his features, clenched his fists, his power radiating out in waves. "Those damn insect bastards," he snarled, his golden eyes burning with rage. "They dared to attack us, to harm Selene? They'll regret ever coming here."
Before anyone could react, Rhedora exploded forward, a blur of raw, unrestrained power. In an instant, he was among the insectoids, tearing through them with a primal ferocity that left a trail of severed limbs and crushed exoskeletons in his wake. It was a slaughter; none of the creatures stood a chance.
Feynor descended quickly, spotting Callum in the midst of the battle, his face smeared with dust but showing no sign of serious injury. He landed beside his son, worry etched on his usually stoic face.
"Are you hurt?" Feynor asked, placing a firm hand on Callum's shoulder.
Callum shook his head, panting. "No, Father. I'm fine," he assured him, though his eyes flicked nervously to the remaining insectoid standing at the edge of the arena.
It was Uraam, the last of them. He took a step back, realizing the gravity of his situation as Adonis's towering figure approached, the dragon's wild aura almost suffocating.
He knew that this was a battle he could not win.
Suddenly, glowing blue chains materialized around Uraam, coiling tightly around his limbs and binding him in place. He struggled, but the more he fought, the tighter the chains seemed to pull.
"Glad that's over with," Riven muttered.
The clash of swords and bursts of magic filled the air as Daemon and Lancer exchanged blow after blow. The red chaotic energy of Lancer's strikes hissed each time it collided with the black void magic Daemon wielded. Sweat dotted Daemon's brow, but his expression remained calm, almost bored. He'd never fought like this before—long, grueling battles with no end in sight.
He risked a glance towards Isolde, who was locked in a fierce struggle with the Void Mage servant. Her movements were fluid and precise, her spatial magic cutting through the air like a blade. Lancer's voice cut through his focus.
"You must be very confident, looking away during our duel," Lancer taunted, swinging his blade in a wide arc. The black metal of Umbratite left a dark trail as it sliced towards Daemon, glowing with chaotic energy.
Daemon parried effortlessly, his void magic absorbing the strike's impact. "Confident?No, just not impressed."
But then, Lancer stepped back, lowering his weapon. His servant followed suit, the battle tension easing for a split second.
Daemon's senses flared. He knew why they'd paused—the aura of two immensely powerful beings filled the battlefield. Adonis's wild, draconic presence and Iris's serene yet primal power washed over the area. The spirit queen appeared, materializing as though she were part of the very air.
Lancer's expression darkened, his lips curling into a grimace. He knew he was outmatched now.
"You've returned," Lancer muttered, eyes narrowing at Iris. He cursed under his breath but didn't attack, instead taking a few cautious steps back.
Iris's gaze was piercing, yet her voice remained calm and almost gentle. "Why have you attacked the Myrrian capital?" she asked, her tone leaving no room for evasion.
Lancer didn't respond immediately, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. Finally, he forced a smile. "I don't need to explain myself to you. Just know this—everything we've done is for the good of the Empire." He raised his sword, a silver light flashing briefly from it. "Very soon, Alcor will bow before it."
Before anyone could react, Lancer and his servant disappeared, the air shimmering with the remnants of teleportation magic.
"They vanished," Iris noted softly, her voice echoing in the silence that followed.
She turned to Daemon and Isolde, her gaze softening just a fraction. "Are you both unharmed?"
Daemon sheathed his sword, giving a brief nod. "I'm fine. Just a bit annoyed they got away."
Isolde brushed a strand of hair back, catching her breath. "Same here," she admitted, flashing a tired smile. "But I'd rather fight them another day than risk losing here."