As Manas and his team pressed forward, an unsettling wave of energy coursed through the forest. The air shimmered with an unearthly presence, and the faint hum of chakra seemed to weave through the trees, sending chills down their spines. The oppressive voice returned, louder this time, its tone laced with mocking arrogance.
"You dare step further? Foolish children," it taunted, the sound reverberating like thunder. "Do you even comprehend the power you're challenging?"
Kevin, unfazed by the ominous energy, stepped ahead of the group, his fists clenched and crackling with sparks of electricity. His fiery determination burned brighter than the oppressive aura surrounding them. He pointed into the shadows, his voice sharp and unyielding.
"Hey, you! If you have any guts, stop hiding and face me! Let's see what you've got—I'll take you down myself!" Kevin shouted, his words cutting through the eerie silence.
The voice responded with a deep, rumbling laugh that seemed to shake the very ground. "Bold words for such a fragile spark. Very well… feast your eyes on the power of the Whispering Glades."
Before their eyes, a towering figure began to emerge from the shadows. A massive man, his physique like chiseled stone, stepped into the light. His muscles rippled with raw power, and his skin seemed to shimmer faintly as if infused with elemental energy. His eyes burned with an otherworldly glow, and his very presence exuded a crushing aura of dominance.
Perched atop a giant stone throne, he tilted his head back and laughed, the sound echoing like a thunderclap through the glades. "This? This little child thinks he can challenge me?" His voice dripped with scorn as he leaned forward, his chakra flaring violently. Sparks of fire, streaks of ice, and the rumble of shifting earth radiated from his body, creating a chaotic storm of energy.
Manas stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the imposing figure. The man was unlike anything he had faced before—his aura was suffocating, his power undeniable. The glades themselves seemed to pulse in rhythm with the man's chakra, as if the forest was bending to his will.
The man sneered, pointing at Kevin. "You? Beat me? You're nothing but a flicker against the inferno of my might!"
Manas felt his chakra surge in response to the threat. "He's not just throwing out power," Manas said, his voice steady despite the rising tension. "His chakra is in sync with the forest—it's like the Whispering Glades themselves are amplifying him."
The figure smirked, his eyes locking onto Manas. "You're sharper than you look, boy. But understanding my strength won't save you.
The team tensed, their energies flaring as they prepared for the battle that loomed before them.
His body seemed to ripple with energy, his every movement exuding power that made the very ground tremble. The air around him crackled as if it were alive, drawn to his overwhelming aura.
The massive being stepped forward, his voice deep and reverberating like a storm.
"I am Zorvax, the harbinger of equilibrium," he announced, a cruel smile curving his lips. "The power of the Whispering Glades is mine to command, and through it, I shall reshape this world into my vision. You dare challenge me, children? You will only fuel my strength with your futile resistance."
Kevin took a step forward, sparks of electricity coursing through his fists. "You're using the power of this land to hurt innocent people. We'll stop you, no matter how strong you think you are!"
Zorvax laughed, the sound echoing eerily. "Innocent? Foolish mortals! These 'villagers' you claim to protect have done nothing but exploit this land for centuries. Their recklessness awakened me from my slumber, and now I am the guardian this world needs—one who will end their destruction by becoming the apex of power!"
Manas clenched his fists, his chakra flaring as his determination burned brighter. "Your selfish pursuit of power is destroying the balance of this place! The Whispering Glades isn't yours to control. We won't let you harm anyone else!"
Zorvax's glowing eyes narrowed, his body pulsating with energy that seemed to distort reality itself. "Then come, little warriors. Show me your strength, and I shall show you the futility of your struggle. Every attack you throw at me will only make me stronger!"
The tension in the air grew heavier as Zorvax raised his hands, absorbing the ambient energy of the forest into his form. "Prepare yourselves, for you stand before the master of absorption and devastation!"
First Attack!!
As the tension reached its peak, Manas and his team stood in formation, ready to face the towering menace of Zorvax. The air crackled with the charged energy of the Whispering Glades, as if the forest itself anticipated the impending clash.
Kevin, ever bold and brash, stepped forward. His fists sparked with violent energy as he called upon his lightning Vidya. "Let me show you what real power looks like!" he roared, launching himself toward Zorvax with his Thunder Punch.
The air split with a deafening crack as Kevin's attack shot forward, a blinding arc of electricity aimed straight at Zorvax's chest. But Zorvax, unflinching and amused, caught the strike with his massive hand. Sparks danced along his palm as he absorbed the attack, his grin widening with cruel delight.
"Is that all you've got, little one?" Zorvax mocked, his voice deep and resonating like thunder itself. With a swift motion, he yanked Kevin forward and drove a devastating punch into Kevin's stomach.
The impact was brutal. Kevin coughed violently, blood spraying from his mouth, as the force of the blow sent him flying backward. He crashed into a jagged stone with a sickening crunch, the sound echoing through the Glades.
"Kevin!" Freya screamed, rushing forward, but Manas held her back.
Kevin groaned in pain, his body slumped against the rock. He clutched his ribs, wincing. "Bones... are definitely broken," he muttered weakly, trying to summon the strength to stand.
Zorvax laughed, his laughter booming like a storm. "If this is the best you have to offer, this battle will be over before it begins. Who's next?" He spread his arms wide, his body radiating an aura of overwhelming power, daring the team to make their next move.
Manas clenched his fists, his chakra surging as he stepped forward. "You'll regret underestimating us, Zorvax," he said, his voice firm. "You think we're weak, but you've yet to see what we can do—together."
The team exchanged glances, their resolve hardening despite the brutal display of Zorvax's strength.
As the team hurried over to Kevin, they found him slumped against the jagged stone, his face pale but his determination unbroken. Manas knelt beside him, gripping his shoulder firmly. "Kevin, can you stand? We need you."
Kevin winced, attempting to push himself up, but his body refused to cooperate. "I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth. "Don't worry about me. Focus on that monster. I'll manage."
Manas frowned, glancing at Freya. "Freya, check on him. Tell me how bad it is."
Freya knelt beside Kevin, her hands glowing faintly with her healing Vidya. As her energy flowed into him, she closed her eyes, sensing the damage. A moment later, her expression turned grim. "His ribs are broken, and there's internal bleeding," she said softly. "I can heal him, but it'll take some time. No one can interrupt me while I work."
Kevin clenched his fists, pain etched on his face. "Freya, you don't have to—"
"Quiet," Freya interrupted, her tone firm. "I'm the healer, remember? Let me do my job."
Manas stood, his gaze shifting to the others. "Alright, listen up. Freya will heal Kevin, but we need to buy her the time she needs. No interruptions. Is that clear?"
The team nodded in unison. Talia's fists tightened as she summoned her Earth Vidya. "We'll cover you, Freya. Nothing's getting past us."
Nadia flexed her fingers, the wind swirling around her in sharp currents. "I'll keep him at a distance if he tries anything."
Kael's spirit wolf growled beside him, its eyes glowing with raw energy. "We've got this, Freya. Just focus."
Kevin groaned as Freya began channeling her healing energy into him, the process painful but effective. "Manas," Kevin managed to say, his voice strained. "Listen to me. Don't let his attacks hit you. He's not just strong—he's overwhelming. I could feel it in that punch. He absorbs and counters like nothing I've ever seen."
Manas nodded, his chakra beginning to hum with power. "Don't worry, Kevin. We'll be ready. This time, we fight smart."
Freya looked up briefly, sweat on her brow as she continued her work. "This monster… he's unlike anything we've faced. Be careful, all of you."
Manas turned to the team, his voice steady and resolute. "We're not backing down. Zorvax may be powerful, but so are we. Together, we'll take him down."
Kevin winced again as Freya worked, but a faint smirk crossed his lips. "Just don't let him smash you into any rocks. Trust me, it's not fun."
Manas couldn't help but chuckle despite the tension. "Noted. Let's end this."