Though the Robotic Emperor was suspicious of Baal's intentions, he still followed the plan. He teleported behind Zelda, aiming a punch at her back, only to strike a barrier of ice that shattered on impact.
Zelda reappeared a short distance away, Elsa standing protectively by her side.
Before they could catch their breath, Baal materialized in front of them, his oppressive presence looming. He glanced at Elsa with a mocking smile.
"You truly are a loyal spirit, aren't you?"
Without waiting for a response, he unleashed his domain—a pitch-black void that seemed to devour light itself.
Zelda's eyes narrowed as she activated her own domain. An icy blue aura erupted around her, shimmering with a frigid brilliance, but it trembled as Baal's overwhelming power pressed against it.
Sweat beaded on Zelda's forehead as she struggled to hold her ground. Noticing her distress, Elsa's expression turned resolute.
"Zelda, forgive me," Elsa said, her voice tinged with regret. "I'll have to borrow some of your mana."
Zelda gave her a brief nod, too focused to respond. Elsa summoned her own domain, a mirror of Zelda's icy blue field. The two domains intertwined, combining their power to push back Baal's encroaching darkness.
Even so, Zelda's body began to falter. Her breaths grew labored, and her legs wobbled as she fought to maintain her composure.
Elsa appeared at her side, steadying her. "It's okay, Zelda. Rest now. I'll take care of the rest."
Zelda shook her head weakly. "No… I can still—" Her words were cut off as she collapsed, unconscious.
As her domain faded, Baal's pitch-black void surged forward, swallowing Elsa's domain in its wake. But before it could overwhelm her, Baal's domain suddenly halted and began to recede.
Elsa's aura grew brighter, snowflakes falling around her like a gentle winter storm. She glanced at Zelda, noting her pale complexion. Zelda had drawn deeply from her own ether to keep Baal at bay.
Cradling Zelda, Elsa encased her in a protective cocoon of thick ice. She whispered softly, "Rest now, Zelda. You've done enough."
Baal smirked as his domain advanced once more, increasing the pressure on Elsa.
"Why prolong this useless struggle?" he taunted.
Elsa met his gaze calmly. "You're right. It's futile."
Baal's smirk widened, surprised by her words. "Then retract your domain."
Elsa did as he asked, pulling back her power. Baal followed suit, signaling the Robotic Emperor to move in.
The two opponents appeared before Elsa, their stances confident.
"You fought well," Baal said mockingly. "But this is the end. Hand Zelda over."
Elsa sighed, her expression sorrowful as she glanced down at Zelda. "We weren't strong enough," she murmured.
She gestured toward the ice cocoon, melting it into water that began carrying Zelda toward Baal.
Baal's smile turned triumphant as Zelda floated closer. Just as he reached out to grab her, the water transformed into a javelin of solid ice, spearing through Baal's chest and pinning him to the ground below with a deafening crash.
BOOOOOM!
The Robotic Emperor froze in shock, stunned by the sudden turn of events. He quickly darted toward Zelda, but before he could reach her, a powerful kick sent him hurtling to the ground.
BAM! BAM!
Inferno and the other members of the Cruz family watched the battle unfold from the estate, their gazes fixed on the sky. Hope and tension filled the air.
Inferno suddenly turned to Sam, his voice urgent. "Sam, open the barrier! We're about to receive an emergency patient!"
Sam frowned, confused. "Emergency patient? Who?"
Inferno quickly explained the situation. Sam's expression hardened as he processed the information.
"Understood," Sam said, nodding. He turned to the elders stationed nearby. "Create a small opening in the barrier. Now!"
One of the elders hesitated, his voice trembling. "Grand Elder, what are you doing—"
Sam's aura flared, silencing the protest. His commanding tone left no room for argument. "Who are you to question me? Do as I say!"
The elders shivered under the weight of his presence and hastily began forming an opening in the barrier.
Meanwhile, the Great Elder moved toward them with a malicious smile, but Sam stepped in his path.
"Where do you think you're going, Great Elder?" Sam asked coldly.
Feigning innocence, the Great Elder smiled. "I'm only trying to help."
"You're not needed here," Sam replied firmly, waving him off.
Elsa raced toward the barrier, carrying Zelda's cocoon in her arms. She glanced back but saw no sign of Baal or the Robotic Emperor. Still, she remained on guard as she approached the barrier, spotting the small opening above.
Using her control over the cocoon, she carefully lowered Zelda through the gap.
The Great Elder, watching the descent, smirked mischievously. "I'll go and receive—"
"I'll handle it," Sam interrupted, flying up to meet Zelda himself.
The Great Elder's face darkened as his plans unraveled, but his attention shifted when he noticed a black blur approaching Elsa at high speed. His smirk returned as he approached the elders controlling the barrier.
"Create more space in the barrier to ease the Matriarch's descent," he ordered.
The elders nodded, beginning to widen the gap.
Chloe, observing the activity, called out sharply, "Stop! Don't widen the gap! You're endangering everyone—invaders could attack through it!"
One elder hesitated. "But the Great Elder said—"
"It's not necessary!" Chloe snapped. "Return the barrier to its previous size and close it immediately once the Matriarch is through."
Her commanding tone left no room for argument, and the elders began following her instructions.
The Great Elder's eyes gleamed dangerously as he approached Chloe, his smile filled with menace.
"It seems you're eager to die," he thought, accelerating toward her.
Inferno, standing nearby, noticed the Great Elder's movement but chose not to intervene—for now.