The battlefield trembled under the weight of spiritual energy. Trees bent, dust swirled, and tension crackled in the air like a coming storm.
Three teams surrounded a lone figure standing in the center clearing—Uzuki.
A smirk tugged at his lips as he cracked his neck and planted his feet. His eyes gleamed with reckless excitement.
"Three teams against just me?" Uzuki said, stretching his arms out like he welcomed the challenge. "Oh yeah… I'm winning."
Not far off, Kenji stepped forward, his Daggers drawn and gleaming. "Appolo, Helia—we've got this," he said, voice sharp and focused.
Shun raised his arm and barked out, "Everyone, move!"
"Yeah!" multiple voices cried in unison, surging into motion.
High above the battlefield, floating in the air with one leg lazily slung over the other, the Spiritual King watched with wild amusement. A wide grin split his face as he sipped from a floating glass of tea.
"Oh yeah, this is so fun," he chuckled to himself.
From behind him, a figure cloaked in shadow emerged. "You're really enjoying this, huh?"
The Spiritual King didn't even turn. "You damn right."
Back on the ground—
"They're coming," Kenji muttered, tightening his grip.
Appolo let out a laugh. "Finally! Time to show them my true art!"
Helia's eyes narrowed with murderous intent. "I'm going to kill that chick," she spat, before catching herself. "Whatever—Uzuki's going down."
Uzuki didn't flinch. He just smiled wider. "Here we go."
BZZT! The arena announcement system blared: "Team 5 has been eliminated."
"Now!" Ryju shouted.
Kenji surged forward, a deep breath steadying him.
Appolo raised both arms into the air. "Behold! My masterpiece!"
From the energy around him, a grotesque, towering creature made of spiritual clay and swirling light erupted behind him—roaring to life.
"My giant monster work of art!" Appolo shouted with joy.
Ryju and his team didn't hesitate.
"All forces—Full Body Spiritual Mode!" they called in unison, their bodies igniting with radiant energy that enveloped their entire forms.
Azar's hands burst into flames. "Ready!"
Zanden grinned, dust swirling at his feet. "Damn right."
Misa cracked her knuckles. "Let's go!"
BOOM!
A burst of energy ripped through the forest as the teams collided.
Rei launched herself into the air. "Spiritual Kicks!" she cried, her legs glowing as she spun midair and struck the monster square in its chest.
The beast staggered.
Appolo laughed. "You don't even have a real ability! This is going to be too easy."
Kuroyami's voice rang out, calm and commanding. "Rei, Goro, and I will handle the monster. Ryju, Kenshiro—you take Appolo."
Ryju nodded. "Got it. Let's go, Kenshiro."
Kenshiro's grip tightened around his blade. "K."
"Team 7 has been eliminated."
Ryju didn't stop. "Zanden, Azar—help Misa with Helia!"
"On it!" both shouted.
Shun sprinted forward, eyes locked on Uzuki. "I'm joining in!"
Kenji stood ready, blades spinning. "Two Sword Style: Dragon Spiral Tempest!" He unleashed a swirling storm of slashes, creating a deadly cyclone of energy.
Uzuki responded instantly. "One Sword Style: Light Speed Slash!" His sword shimmered and vanished—only the trail of its path visible.
Kenji barely dodged, eyes wide. "He canceled my move…!"
"WOOD ARM!" Shun roared. His arm transformed into a massive, bark-covered limb with twisting branches.
He slammed it down—"SMASH!"
The earth cracked open, but Uzuki and Kenji leapt free at the last second.
Kenji landed in a crouch. "Two Sword Style: Twin-Headed Dragon Strike!" Both blades struck forward like fangs.
They pierced through Shun's wooden arm, splitting it into fragments.
"Not bad," Shun muttered, impressed.
"Team 10 has been eliminated."
Misa gave quick orders. "Azar—right! Zanden—left!"
"Okay!"
"Got you!"
Helia was surrounded, eyes darting. "Tch—dammit. I'm trapped!"
"Scorching Spiral!" Azar roared, sending flaming energy in a spiral that carved through the battlefield.
"Dust Serpent Strike!" Zanden followed up, conjuring a serpent of sand that slithered across the ground and latched onto Helia's leg, disrupting her flow.
"Stone Fist Barrage!" Misa charged in, her fists coated in spiritual stone as she launched a flurry of blows.
"IRON SKIN TECHNIQUE!" Helia screamed, her body encased in a thin sheet of shimmering metal. She blocked the punches with her arms—but cracks began to form.
"Team 13 has been eliminated."
The dust began to settle, but only for a moment. The battlefield was far from finished. The warriors, panting and bruised, knew that the real fight was just beginning.
To be continued….