----
The darkness enveloping Maria and the Hive Queen's Daughter dissipated, revealing Maria's shiny new Undead. It charged the nearest insects, crushing them with its massive legs and razor-sharp scythes while hurling the sturdier Corrupted Zodiacrons, which Maria's party overwhelmed with relentless attacks.
Concurrently, the fierce battle between Quick Hare and Oxetron raged on. The young Rabbit Zodiacron fought tirelessly, learning from each of her opponent's moves. Meanwhile, Nyx, Celes, and Alma supported Quick Hare, their attacks weakening Oxetron while they primarily focused on dismantling the swarms of insectoids.
Nyx's phantom flames noticeably slowed Oxetron, while Celes and Alma combined their magic to encase his legs in ice, weakening his armor and enabling Quick Hare to shatter it with precise strikes.
"NNNGGAAAHHH!"
