The roar of the crowd echoed throughout the arena as the announcer hovered above the stage with the help of levitation crystals.
"WELCOME, HONORED SPECTATORS!" his voice boomed.
"TODAY, WE WILL WITNESS THE FINAL BATTLE BETWEEN TEAM 1 AND TEAM 2!"
The audience erupted into hysterical cheers, some even throwing coins into the arena as a show of support.
"DUE TO THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE PARTICIPANTS, THIS BATTLE WILL BE MODIFIED!" he continued.
"SINCE TEAM 1 HAS LOST THREE MEMBERS, WE WILL RECRUIT TWO FIGHTERS FROM TEAM 3 TO FILL THE GAP! THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS WILL NOW BE 4 VS 4!"
"WITH THAT SAID, HERE ARE THE FIGHTERS WHO WILL COMPETE TODAY!"
"What?! Team 1 is merging with Team 3?! This isn't fair!"
"GET OUT OF THERE! GET OUT OF THERE!" (angry and disappointed spectators shouted)
Leon greeted Keen Observer and Water Master. "Never thought we'd be on the same team."
Keen Observer smirked. "Me neither. But don't expect me to save you."
"Focus," Mysterious X cut in.
"They have Deathblade Dancer. A single slash from her sword can kill without being seen."
Leon nodded. "And Archer hasn't even shown his true strength yet."
"Also, two of our opponents fight unarmed." Leon observed Thunder Strike and Wall Keeper.
"Don't underestimate them. Thunder Strike has lightning punches, and Wall Keeper's defense might be stronger than Iron Knight's."
At that moment, across the arena, their opponents began revealing their power.
Wall Keeper cleared his throat. THUD! His arms crossed over his chest in a flawless defensive stance.
Meanwhile, Thunder Strike stomped his foot, sending sparks of electricity crackling around him.
"LET THE BATTLE... BEGIN!"
"GALE'S WHISPER!"
Fwip!
Before they could react, a soundless arrow shot between Leon and Mysterious X—barely missing their necks by millimeters!
"He shoots without sound?!" Mysterious X growled.
"Watch out, Archer is attacking!" Leon shouted.
"We need to be ready!" Water Master warned.
"Sky Piercer!" Archer drew his bow.
SWOOSH!
A single arrow exploded into a hundred wind blades, raining down on Team 1!
Water Master swiftly moved his hands. "Tidal Barrier!" A wall of water blocked the attack.
"Just made it in time," Water Master muttered.
"Alright, now it's our turn."
Mysterious X charged at Wall Keeper. "Thunder Descent!" His spear thrust forward—
"Iron Tortoise Shell!" Wall Keeper instantly shifted into a defensive stance—low stance, arms crossed. THUD! Mysterious X's attack bounced off.
"Titan's Backhand!" A crushing palm strike slammed into Mysterious X's chest.
CRACK! His ribs fractured.
"Ghk—!" Mysterious X was sent flying, blood spurting from his mouth.
"Fool," Wall Keeper scoffed.
Leon and Water Master immediately reacted, bracing for the next assault.
"We have to stay sharp!" Leon yelled.
"Alright, now it's Water Master's turn," Wall Keeper taunted.
"LIGHTNING JAB!"
ZAP! Thunder Strike appeared out of nowhere, his electrified fist slamming into Water Master's shoulder!
"ARGH!" Water Master staggered, his body convulsing from the shock.
"Water Master!" Leon shouted in alarm.
"STORM FLURRY!"
BAM-BAM-BAM-BOOM!
A rapid barrage of lightning strikes pummeled Water Master, ending with a thunderous slap that sent him flying!
"Ha! You can't handle my attacks!" Thunder Strike mocked.
Leon gritted his teeth, enraged. "RAPID SLASH!" He unleashed a flurry of sword strikes, cutting through the air with blinding speed.
WHOOSH-WHOOSH-WHOOSH!
Thunder Strike smirked, but his eyes widened slightly in surprise at Leon's speed. He raised his arms to block, but Leon's blade was too fast—slicing into his arm.
"Argh!" Thunder Strike grunted in pain.
"You're all boring me. I'll end this with one arrow!" Archer shouted, firing an arrow into the ground.
"Mistral Piercer!"
BOOM! A blast of razor-sharp wind forced Leon back.
Keen Observer seized the moment. "Killer Mist!"
POOF! He vanished, reappearing behind Archer.
"Precision Strike!" Keen Observer attacked, but Archer dodged effortlessly.
"You predicted my move?!" Keen Observer gasped.
"No," Archer smirked. "I'm just faster."
But suddenly—
SHING!
Deathblade Dancer appeared, her sword aiming to decapitate Keen Observer.
"Ahh!" Keen Observer barely managed to evade.
"Thunder Descent!" Mysterious X intervened, his lightning spear striking Deathblade Dancer and knocking her down.
However, Mysterious X was pale and panting, his ribs visibly bruised and bleeding.
"You... okay?" Keen Observer asked, concerned.
Mysterious X nodded weakly. "I... can still fight. But be careful—Deathblade Dancer is deadly."
"Voltic Uppercut!" Thunder Strike launched an uppercut—a spiraling bolt of lightning sent Mysterious X skyward!
"GRAAH!" Mysterious X screamed as he was hurled into the air.
"Let's finish this!" Wall Keeper growled, his voice like thunder amidst a storm. His entire body trembled as pure energy gathered around him, his aura flaring violently, distorting the air.
"MOUNTAIN... SPLITTER!!!"
BOOOOOM!!!
His fist shot forward like a meteor, shattering the air with a shockwave that split the ground beneath.
A massive fissure tore through the earth like a dragon's claw, while Keen Observer—who had been standing firm just a second ago—now stood frozen, eyes wide at the unavoidable attack.
DORRAAAAAASH!!!
The punch landed.
His body was sent flying, bones shattering like brittle twigs. Blood sprayed in a crimson mist before Keen Observer crashed to the ground, carving a deep trench into the shattered earth.
Silence.
Only Wall Keeper's heavy breathing could be heard as the dust settled—revealing an undeniable defeat.
Meanwhile, Leon was locked in combat with Deathblade Dancer. Clang! Clang! Clang!Their swords clashed, sparks flying with each strike.
"You're fast," Deathblade Dancer smiled.
"But can you handle this?"
"BLADE WALTZ!"
Swish—SWOOSH—SLASH!
Her sword moved like a deadly dance—each slash leaving deep cuts on Leon's arms!
"Tch...!" Leon grunted, blood dripping.
Glancing around, he saw Mysterious X and Keen Observer had fallen—only he remained standing.
Leon was surrounded. Wall Keeper poised for a counterattack. Thunder Strike crackling with lightning. Deathblade Dancer sharpening her blade. And Archer drawing his bow.
But Leon smiled. "Alright, seems like I'll have to use a bit more power..." His sword trembled.
"Let's end this."
=== CHAPTER 25 END ===