Manas braced himself, channeling the power of the Ring of Wind and the Ring of Power, his body glowing faintly with the combined energies. He focused intently on Zorvax, the monstrous figure standing tall and unyielding before him. With a sharp motion, Manas launched his first strike—a Wind Spin, intensified by the newfound strength of the rings.
The swirling cyclone of wind surged toward Zorvax with incredible speed, tearing up the ground as it spiraled toward its target. Zorvax, as he had before, extended his arms and began to absorb the energy. The winds spiraled into his massive form, seemingly strengthening him as his body pulsed with absorbed energy.
But this time, something was different.
As Zorvax absorbed the attack, a faint grimace flickered across his face—a split-second reaction he immediately masked with his usual smirk. However, the damage was done. Zorvax's body tensed, and he let out a low growl, feeling a strange, unfamiliar sensation coursing through him.
Manas noticed.
"He felt it," Manas thought, his sharp eyes catching the slight twitch in Zorvax's movement. "The power of the rings… it's affecting him. He's not as invincible as he pretends to be."
Zephyrion's voice echoed in Manas's mind, calm but firm:
"The Rings' combined energy is disrupting his absorption ability. He's powerful, but his strength has limits. Keep pressing him, Manas. Exploit his weakness!"
Manas narrowed his eyes, determination flaring. "Zorvax!" he shouted, stepping forward. "You might absorb attacks, but even you can't handle the full force of elemental harmony. You're not as untouchable as you think!"
Zorvax's smirk returned, though it was slightly strained. "You think that little breeze hurt me, boy?" he said, his voice mocking but with an edge of irritation. "Keep trying. I'll crush you and your precious friends soon enough!"
Manas didn't reply. Instead, he shifted his stance, his hands glowing with chakra energy, and prepared his next move. Zorvax was hiding his pain, but Manas now knew the truth—every attack was bringing them closer to victory.
The battlefield fell into a tense silence as Zorvax loomed over Manas, a sinister grin spreading across his monstrous face. Without warning, he vanished in a blur of terrifying speed, reappearing behind Manas.
Before Manas could react, Zorvax's massive fist connected with devastating force, a blow that cracked the air like thunder. The impact hurled Manas like a comet, his body crashing through a towering mountain with such power that it split the peak. The ground trembled, debris cascading like an avalanche, and a thick cloud of smoke engulfed the area.
"Manas!" Kevin and the others screamed, their voices trembling with fear and anguish.
The smoke hung heavy in the air, veiling everything in an ominous shroud. Zorvax stood tall, brushing his hands as if to wipe away the effort. His deep, guttural laughter echoed through the battlefield, chilling everyone to their core.
"Pathetic," Zorvax growled. "No one survives the force of my fist. Your little champion is nothing but dust now. It's over."
Kevin, Freya, and the others fell to their knees, despair overtaking them. Freya's hands trembled as tears streamed down her face, clutching Kevin for support. "Manas… no," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Zorvax turned his gaze toward the remaining team, his grin widening cruelly. "And now, it's your turn—"
But he stopped mid-sentence.
The smoke began to clear. Slowly at first, then with a sudden gust of wind that carried it away. Through the dissipating haze, a figure emerged.
Manas.
His silhouette was framed by the sunlight filtering through the broken mountain, his steps steady, deliberate, and unwavering. Dust and fragments of rock fell from his shoulders as he walked, his face calm, yet his eyes burned with a quiet, unrelenting fury.
The battlefield froze. Kevin's tear-filled eyes widened in disbelief. Freya gasped, her trembling hands covering her mouth. Zorvax's arrogant smirk faltered for the first time, replaced by a flicker of disbelief.
Manas stopped a few steps away from Zorvax, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "I'm still here, Zorvax."
His body glowed faintly, the power of the Ring of Wind and the Ring of Power resonating in harmony. The very air around him seemed alive, charged with raw energy.
Zorvax snarled, masking his unease with bluster. "Impossible. No one—NO ONE—can survive that!"
Manas tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You underestimated me, Zorvax. Big mistake."
The team stared in awe, their despair melting into newfound hope. Manas's unyielding presence lit a fire in their hearts.
This wasn't over. Not yet. And with Manas leading the charge, they dared to believe they might actually win.
Manas stood firm, the glow of the Ring of Wind and the Ring of Power intensifying around him, swirling like an unstoppable storm. His chakra energy surged, merging seamlessly with the power of the rings, creating an aura so overwhelming that even the air seemed to crackle with its force.
Zorvax staggered, momentarily stunned by the sheer intensity radiating from Manas. "What… what is this?" the monster growled, his confidence faltering.
Manas clenched his fists, his voice cutting through the air like a battle cry. "Now, Zorvax, it's time for you to feel the pain!"
Before anyone could react, Manas vanished. His speed was beyond comprehension, leaving only a faint gust of wind and a blinding flash of light in his wake.
Zorvax's eyes darted around in panic, his monstrous form spinning as he tried to locate his opponent. "Where—?!"
Suddenly, Manas reappeared mere inches away, directly in front of Zorvax. The look in Manas's eyes was fierce, unyielding, and filled with determination. "Combat Punch!" Manas roared, his fist surging with the combined power of his chakra and the rings.
The punch connected directly with Zorvax's stomach, a devastating impact that shook the battlefield. The sheer force of the blow rippled through Zorvax's massive body, and his eyes widened in shock and agony.
"AARRRGH!" Zorvax howled in pain as blood spewed from his mouth, his towering figure hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. Trees shattered and splintered as his body crashed through them, leaving a trail of destruction. He finally came to a stop, sliding dozens of meters across the ground, carving deep trenches into the earth.
For the first time, Zorvax lay there, groaning in pain, his once-dominant form trembling. He clutched his stomach, his monstrous face contorted with disbelief and agony. "This… this can't be…!" he sputtered, coughing up more blood.
Manas stood tall, his chest heaving with controlled breaths, his glowing aura still pulsing around him like a tempest. He fixed his gaze on the fallen Zorvax, his voice calm but resolute. "You're not invincible, Zorvax. Not against the power of my team, my rings, and my will."
Behind him, Kevin, Freya, and the others watched in awe, their despair now replaced with hope. Manas wasn't just fighting for himself—he was fighting for all of them.
Zorvax let out an ear-splitting roar, his monstrous form glowing with an ominous red energy. He floated into the air, his power surging violently, causing the very ground beneath to quake. "THIS IS NOT THE END! I WILL DESTROY YOU, MANAS!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating like thunder.
Manas looked up at him, his expression unflinching. The energy from the Ring of Power and the Ring of Wind coursed through him, amplifying his strength and focus. His body emanated a calm yet electrifying aura, a stark contrast to Zorvax's chaotic rage.
With a shout that echoed across the battlefield, Manas leapt into the air, his form propelled by the winds that bent to his will. His voice rang out with determination: "Combat Strike!"
Zorvax snarled, hurtling toward Manas like a meteor, his claws extended, ready to strike. The two clashed mid-air, a deafening explosion of force rippling through the area.
Fists and feet flew in a chaotic yet mesmerizing dance of raw power. Zorvax unleashed a flurry of devastating punches and kicks, each one powerful enough to topple mountains. But Manas was faster, his movements fluid and precise, blocking and countering with a ferocity that matched his opponent's.
"You can't stop me!" Zorvax screamed, throwing a massive clawed punch aimed directly at Manas's head.
Manas twisted mid-air, deflecting the blow with his forearm before delivering a lightning-fast spinning kick to Zorvax's chest. The force sent shockwaves through the air, cracking the ground below. "You'll never win, Zorvax!" Manas roared, following up with a flurry of punches powered by the strength of the rings.
Each collision between them sent out bursts of energy that shook the trees and created gusts of wind strong enough to uproot smaller ones. The sky seemed to darken, and the battlefield was lit by flashes of their intense attacks.
Zorvax roared in frustration, attempting to grab Manas, but Manas anticipated the move. With a swift dodge, he maneuvered behind Zorvax and delivered a crushing elbow to his back, sending the monster reeling forward.
Finally, Manas saw an opening. Gathering the full might of his chakra and the rings, he shouted, "This ends NOW!" With a devastating uppercut, his fist connected with Zorvax's jaw, sending the beast hurtling upward. Manas followed swiftly, his movements almost a blur, and with one final spinning kick, he slammed Zorvax back toward the earth.
Zorvax crashed into the ground with a tremendous force, creating a massive crater. Dust and debris filled the air, and for a moment, the battlefield was silent. Manas landed gracefully, his aura still glowing, his eyes fixed on the fallen Zorvax.
The team watched in awe and silence, holding their breath as the dust settled. Was it over?