The arena hummed with energy, shimmering under the twin suns as the barrier surrounding the battlefield twisted into life. Inside, fetid swamps spread across the zone, thick with green mist and festering pools that bubbled with toxic sludge. The Toxic Mire Terrain lived up to its name, a haven for corrosion, decay, and venomous warfare.
And yet, at the center of it all stood Kaelen.
His silver cloak billowed in the artificial wind of the simulation zone. Around him, his troops were already positioning themselves — a blend of elite units unlike any other Lord's forces.
Facing him on the opposite side was Lord Corvax, his face twisted into a sneer of amusement. He rode atop a grotesque, centipede-like beast, its mandibles coated in dark green venom, and wore armor that oozed slime from its joints.
"So, you're the famous Kaelen," Corvax hissed, voice echoing across the field. "Heard you like evolution. Let's see if your precious soldiers can evolve after being dissolved in acid."
The Battlefield Setup
System Notification: Combat Phase BeginsTime Limit: 30 MinutesVictory Conditions: Eliminate Enemy Lord OR Force Surrender
Kaelen's HUD lit up with live updates as he issued rapid commands.
"Stormguard, form rotating phalanx! Tempest Paladins, bless the front lines with Wind Resistance!""Selene, maintain mana shields. Reina, shadow step to the rear flanks — disrupt his ranged channels.""Aria," he called, his voice calmer for her, "drop the first starlight cleanse over the forward bog."
Aria's Celestial Seraph-Wyvern soared upward with a trill, scattering particles of silver light across the mire. As they touched the swamp, the sickly green mist recoiled. The visibility improved instantly in a 50-meter radius.
"Nice," Reina said, perched atop a jagged outcrop. "We've got breathing room."
Corvax snarled. "Then let's cloud the air again."
He raised a gnarled staff tipped with a pulsating toxic crystal. From the ground, monstrous insects erupted — Venom Grubs, Rotfiend Leeches, and Acidfang Beetles — all of them evolved minions from poison-based evolution trees.
Enemy Forces Identified:• Venom Grubs (Tier 3) – Acidic Burst on death• Acidfang Beetles (Tier 2) – Piercing Armor Strikes• Rotfiend Leeches (Tier 4) – Life Drain Aura
Kaelen narrowed his eyes. "Deploy the Ironclads. Formation Beta."
With mechanical precision, his Ironclad Ravagers emerged, their upgraded plating immune to light corrosives. Shields locked in place. Behind them, Celestial Archers released star-infused arrows that exploded midair, targeting the airborne spore clouds.
The first clash erupted like a thunderstorm.
Explosions shook the mire. Mist collided with wind-enhanced flames as Selene unleashed a wave of heat-magic that boiled several grubs in their shells.
But then — a howl.
From beneath the battlefield, a massive form burst forth: a Toxic Devourer Worm, twenty meters long, and thick with armored plates dripping venom.
Enemy Champion-Class Summon DetectedName: Hollowmaw, the Acid LeviathanAbility: Corrosive Domain – Area of 100m suffers defense degradation by 40%.
Kaelen's troops reeled as their armor hissed and weakened. Even the Tempest Paladins struggled under the effect. Corvax laughed maniacally, raising his staff.
"You should've stayed in your pretty fortress, Kaelen!"
But Kaelen was already moving.
Skill Activated: Lord's Command – Tactical OverdriveEffect: All units execute queued battle orders simultaneously. Cooldown: 4 hours.
In perfect synchronicity, his frontline repositioned, the Stormguard Veterans forming staggered lines, drawing aggro. Behind them, Skybreaker Cannons rotated into place — artillery Kaelen had evolved through experimental schematics.
"Fire!" he shouted.
The cannons roared. Three massive orbs of condensed stormforce slammed into the Devourer's side, carving out chunks of carapace. Reina flickered into existence beside Corvax's rear line and slit the throat of a channeling summoner, causing his spell to implode.
On the left flank, Aria and Eren stood together, their summons glowing in tandem.
Celestial Pact Activated: Star-Beast Fusion Mode
The Twilight Seraph-Wyvern and Aetherclaw Lion merged into a radiant creature — the Astral Chimera, a six-winged beast with claws of moonlight and a mane of stars.
"Target Hollowmaw!" Aria shouted.
The beast surged forward, striking the Acid Leviathan mid-face, severing one of its mandibles in a burst of celestial energy. Hollowmaw shrieked and collapsed into the swamp.
With its champion down, Corvax faltered.
Kaelen didn't wait.
"Advance. End it."
The Ironclads surged forward, smashing aside beetles and leeches. Arrows rained from above. Reina reappeared behind Corvax, blades dripping, eyes cold.
Kaelen stepped through the smoke, lightning dancing around him.
"This is where your poison ends," he said.
He raised his hand and cast Lord Skill: Thunderheart Judgment.
A bolt of divine lightning fell from the sky, striking Corvax and his corrupted mount directly.
Enemy Lord EliminatedVictory Achieved – Battle Duration: 19:42Loot Acquired: Venom Master's Tome | Evolution Crystal (Toxic Type) | Domain Key Fragment
Cheers erupted from Kaelen's army. The crowd in the Colosseum went wild. Even among Lords, a full-force victory like this wasn't common.
Aria rushed to Kaelen, covered in soot but smiling wide. "We did it!"
He ruffled her hair. "You were brilliant out there. That fusion skill of yours… it'll turn the tide in bigger wars."
Selene approached, brushing ash from her robes. "That was only Round One. And already, the Empire is watching."
Indeed, far above in the royal box, the Crown Princess of the Empire, clad in gold and midnight silk, leaned forward with interest.
"Kaelen of Stormrift," she said softly, "you may be the piece we've long been waiting for."