Xion stood amidst the chaos, his chest heaving as more creatures began to emerge from the ground. The tremors intensified, splitting the earth as twenty monstrous figures materialized one after another, each more fearsome than the last. The air thickened with an almost tangible dread, but Xion clenched his fists, his barriers swirling around him in preparation.
Kazama watched from a distance, his arms crossed and a sinister smirk plastered on his face. "Let's see how long you last, hero," he sneered.
First Wave
The first beast lunged forward—a Gigantopithecus, an enormous ape with knotted muscles and a primal fury in its eyes. It roared, slamming its fists into the ground with enough force to send shockwaves rippling toward Xion.
Xion leapt into the air, his barriers forming into jagged spikes around him. "Spiked Rainfall!" he shouted, hurling the projectiles at the ape. The barriers pierced its thick hide, and with a final groan, the creature toppled.
No time to breathe. Two creatures charged simultaneously: a Megatherium, a towering ground sloth with claws as long as swords, and a Dire Wolf, its fangs glinting under the dim light.
Xion planted his feet and extended a wall-like barrier. The Dire Wolf slammed into it first, the barrier exploding outward and sending the beast flying. The Megatherium swiped its claws, but Xion ducked under the massive strike and countered with a slicing barrier blade. "Crimson Arc!" he yelled, severing the beast's front limb before finishing it with a downward strike.
Second Wave
The ground shook again as five creatures emerged at once: a Smilodon populator, a Quetzalcoatlus with wings so massive they blocked the sky, a venomous Titanoboa, a spiked Ankylosaurus, and a terrifying, bird-like Phorusrhacos.
"Too many at once," Xion muttered, gritting his teeth. But his determination didn't falter.
The Titanoboa lunged first, its massive body coiling toward him. Xion jumped backward, summoning a circular barrier to encase the snake's head. "Barrier Crusher!" he shouted, compressing the barrier until the serpent's skull caved in.
The Quetzalcoatlus swooped low, its massive beak aiming to skewer him. Xion vaulted into the air, summoning twin blades. "Sky Cleaver!" he bellowed, slashing through one wing and sending the creature plummeting to the ground.
The remaining three charged together. Xion spun, forming a spinning barrier around him that shredded the Phorusrhacos and deflected the Ankylosaurus's spiked tail. The Smilodon lunged, but Xion stepped aside, impaling it with a barrier spike before finishing the Ankylosaurus with a concentrated energy blast.
Third Wave
Kazama's mocking laughter echoed as ten more beasts appeared. Among them were an Arctodus simus, a Deinotherium, a Megalania, a Pliosaurus, and a horrifying Archaeotherium.
Xion gritted his teeth as the Arctodus lunged first, its massive claws swiping at him. He dodged, conjuring a massive hammer-like barrier to slam the bear into the ground. Before he could catch his breath, the Deinotherium charged, tusks aiming to impale him.
"Barrier Wall!" Xion roared, creating a towering shield that absorbed the impact. The wall exploded outward, toppling the beast.
The Megalania and Pliosaurus attacked next. The massive lizard hissed, its venom dripping dangerously, while the aquatic predator lunged from a nearby pool of water. Xion leapt high, forming an enormous spear. "Barrier Lance!" he roared, driving it into the Pliosaurus's skull. He landed, spinning to avoid the Megalania's venomous strike, and crushed it with a barrier-filled punch.
The Archaeotherium—a boar-like beast with tusks sharper than steel—charged with ferocity. Xion dashed to meet it, his barriers forming into a glowing drill. "Piercing Spiral!" he shouted, boring through the creature and leaving it lifeless.
Final Wave
Kazama's grin widened as the last five creatures emerged. A Mastodon, a Therizinosaurus with scythe-like claws, a Spinosaurus, a Gorgonops, and a Carnotaurus.
"Let's end this," Xion growled, his barriers glowing brighter as his power surged.
The Spinosaurus roared, its massive claws swiping at him. Xion met the attack head-on, forming a barrier blade as long as the beast itself. "Barrier Excalibur!" he roared, severing the creature in a single swing.
The Mastodon and Therizinosaurus attacked together, but Xion was faster. He vaulted over the Mastodon, landing on its back and driving a massive barrier spike into its spine. The Therizinosaurus swung its claws, but Xion dodged and unleashed a flurry of smaller barrier blades, slicing it apart.
The Gorgonops and Carnotaurus came last, their speed making them formidable. Xion formed a spinning barrier shield to deflect their combined attacks. "Final Impact!" he roared, unleashing a massive energy wave that obliterated both creatures.
Aftermath
The battlefield fell silent, smoke and dust hanging in the air. Xion stood amidst the carnage, his barriers dimming as his energy waned.
Kazama clapped mockingly. "Impressive. But I wonder, how much longer can you keep this up?"
Xion raised his sword barrier, his eyes burning with resolve. "As long as it takes to end you."
The battle was far from over.