Manas gritted his teeth, his hands trembling slightly as he prepared to summon the Garudastra Vidya once more. His head throbbed with a sharp, relentless pain—a lingering consequence of breaking through Kaelan's illusions. Each time he shattered her manipulations, the strain on his mind grew heavier, as if her illusions clawed deeper into his consciousness with every attempt.
He steadied himself, pushing through the haze of discomfort. "I don't have time for this," he muttered under his breath. His teammates were still recovering from the earlier chaos, and he knew he couldn't let Kaelan toy with them—or him—any longer. I need to end this now.
Kaelan stood a short distance away, her silver hair shimmering under the eerie glow of the Ashen Wastes. Her posture was casual, her confidence palpable as her cold eyes watched him. "You're amusing, boy," she said with a sly smile. "Charging at me with everything you've got, yet you still haven't realized—you can't win."
Manas ignored her taunts, his focus sharpening. He raised his arms, channeling the combined powers of Zephyrion and the Power Ring. The air around him surged with a sudden, electrifying force. A brilliant cyclone of wind spiraled around his body, carrying streaks of golden energy that cracked and hissed like thunder.
"Garudastra Vidya!" he roared, unleashing the cyclone. It soared toward Kaelan, a radiant vortex of destructive power that ripped through the barren land, tearing up dirt and stone in its path.
Kaelan's laughter rang out, clear and mocking, even as the attack bore down on her. She raised a single hand, her fingers glowing with a strange, dark light. "How predictable," she said, her tone almost bored. As the Garudastra hurtled closer, she casually flicked her wrist, summoning an enormous wall of shifting, smoky energy.
The Garudastra collided with the barrier, and for a moment, the battlefield was consumed by a blinding explosion of light and sound. Manas shielded his eyes from the blast, his heart pounding as he strained to see through the chaos. But when the dust settled, his heart sank.
Kaelan stood unharmed, her barrier intact, her expression smug. "Is that the best you can do?" she taunted, tilting her head mockingly. "You've got power, I'll give you that. But power without control is useless."
Manas clenched his fists, frustration boiling in his chest. The pain in his head flared again, making him stagger slightly. Kaelan noticed and chuckled softly. "Ah, feeling the strain, are we? My illusions aren't just tricks, you know. They leave… impressions."
She took a slow step forward, her silver eyes narrowing. "Every time you fight me, every time you break through my illusions, I sink a little deeper into your mind. That pain you're feeling? That's me. And soon, you won't be able to tell what's real and what's not."
Manas glared at her, forcing himself to stand tall despite the growing ache in his skull. "You think you've already won," She said, his voice steady despite the odds. "But I'm not done yet."
Kaelan smirked. "Oh, I don't think I've won. I know I have. But please, little boy, keep trying. It's entertaining to watch you struggle."
Kaelan's voice dripped with arrogance as she stepped closer, her silver hair flowing unnaturally in the thick, smoky air. Her cold, piercing eyes locked onto Manas, and her tone was both taunting and commanding.
"Listen carefully, boy," she said, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "You don't understand the true nature of the rings. These artifacts are not mere tools—they are ancient, sacred forces, far beyond your comprehension. And yet, here you are, wielding them like a child with toys."
She raised a slender hand, and a dark mist began to coil around her fingers, exuding a chilling energy that seemed to sap the strength from the air. Her voice grew sharper, cutting through the silence like a blade.
"You've already proven you're unworthy of their power. Every mistake you've made, every illusion you've failed to overcome—it only confirms how reckless and naive you are. So, I'll make this simple: give me the rings. Hand them over, and run while you still can."
Manas clenched his fists, the rings on his hands glowing faintly in response to his determination. Zephyrion's cool, calming energy swirled within him, while the raw might of the Power Ring pulsed like a second heartbeat. He stood his ground, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Kaelan.
"I'm not running," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the pain still throbbing in his head. "These rings chose me, and I won't let you twist their power for your own purposes."
Kaelan's smile widened, but it carried no warmth—only menace. "Chose you? Is that what you think? Foolish boy, the rings don't choose anyone. They are meant for those strong enough to claim them. You're merely a placeholder, a fragile shell that's already beginning to crack."
She extended her hand, her expression darkening. "Give them to me, and maybe—just maybe—I'll let you leave this place alive. Refuse, and I'll rip them from your broken body."
Manas felt a surge of anger, but he forced himself to remain calm. "You don't understand the rings, Kaelan," he said. "Their power isn't about domination or control. It's about balance, about connection. And that's something you'll never grasp."
Kaelan let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Balance? Connection? Spare me your childish ideals. The rings exist to wield power, nothing more. And power belongs to those who are strong enough to take it."
She stepped closer, the mist around her growing darker and more oppressive. "So, what's it going to be, boy? Will you hand them over and save yourself, or shall I take them by force?"
Manas stood firm, summoning every ounce of strength he could muster. The Power Ring's golden aura wrapped his body in a shimmering shield, and Zephyrion's wind energy swirled behind him like a living tempest. His chakra flared, an ethereal glow pulsating from his core, making him appear larger than life. The sheer intensity of his power resonated in the air, causing the ground beneath him to tremble.
Kaelan, now visibly angry, clenched her fists. The dark mist around her expanded into a thick shroud, tendrils of shadow flickering with malice. Her sharp eyes locked onto Manas as she snarled, "You think this display will scare me? I'll crush you, boy, and take the rings from your lifeless body!"
Without hesitation, Manas launched himself into the air, propelled by Zephyrion's wind energy. His speed was blinding, a streak of light closing the gap between him and Kaelan in an instant. "Take this!" he shouted, delivering a flurry of combat punches aimed directly at her. His fists struck with precision and power, each blow causing ripples of energy to radiate outward.
Kaelan, agile and unyielding, dodged and weaved, avoiding most of the strikes. Her grin returned, sharp and menacing. "Impressive speed," she admitted. "But it won't save you!" She raised her hands, summoning a massive Dark Shadow Ball, its size growing until it loomed over both of them. With a chilling laugh, she hurled it toward Manas.
The shadow ball hurtled toward him, its malevolent energy crackling in the air. Manas braced himself, planting his feet firmly midair. "I won't let you win!" he roared, thrusting his fist forward. The collision was catastrophic, the ball exploding upon impact with his punch, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. However, the strain of deflecting such power was evident—Manas's body was trembling, his breath ragged.
Kaelan smirked. "You're running out of steam, boy. Let's see how much longer you last."
Manas, refusing to give up, steadied himself. He knew he couldn't prolong the fight—his body was nearing its limit. Summoning all his remaining strength, he called out to Zephyrion. "It's time... Garudastra!"
Zephyrion's energy converged, forming a colossal eagle-shaped avatar made entirely of wind and chakra. The Garudastra roared to life, its wings spreading wide and casting an imposing shadow over Kaelan. The air vibrated with its power, a storm brewing in its wake.
Kaelan's eyes widened for the first time, genuine surprise breaking her composure. "What... what is this?!"
Manas, his voice filled with resolve, shouted, "This ends now!" He directed the Garudastra toward Kaelan with a final burst of energy. The eagle avatar screeched, diving toward her with terrifying speed and force.
Kaelan, unwilling to be outdone, unleashed her own ultimate move. "Shadow Punch!" she bellowed, her fist cloaked in swirling darkness. The collision of the two powers created a massive whirlwind explosion, the shockwave rippling through the sky and shaking the earth below.
Manas was thrown from the epicenter, his body crashing into the ground with immense force. Dust and debris clouded the battlefield as he lay motionless, unconscious from the exertion and impact. His team, watching from afar, screamed his name in despair.
Kaelan, standing amidst the devastation, stumbled backward, visibly injured and shaken. Blood dripped from a cut on her cheek, and her once-confident expression now bore traces of unease. "That boy... he's stronger than I thought," she muttered, clutching her side. "But this isn't over. Not yet."