All three managed to dodge or deflect her initial assault through their specialized abilities, but Lola had accomplished her objective. She now stood between them and the teardrop fruit, her position forcing them to go through her to reach their prize.
"Back off now, and you live," Lola stated coldly, her voice carrying absolute authority. "Continue this fight, and you die here. I'm offering you one chance to walk away with your lives."
The three beasts hesitated for only a moment. They had reached this critical stage through decades or centuries of effort and patience. The teardrop represented their best chance at advancement to the peak of grandmaster rank, possibly even breaking through to legendary tiers that few creatures ever achieved. Giving up now, when the prize was so close, felt impossible despite the overwhelming threat she represented.
