Raven tore herself free from the vines and leapt back, regrouping beside Luna and Clifton. The three gathered quickly, forming their team again.
"Are you guys alright?" Dahlia asked as she hurried to our side, her eyes full of concern.
Theia rushed over to make sure she was okay.
"Yeah, we're fine!" I said quickly. "But Raven already got out of the vines. What a waste. At least she took some damage from Theia's vines."
"If Claude were here, his weapon would probably match Clifton's chain sickle," I muttered.
A loud chime suddenly echoed through the arena.
[All players' HP decreased to 300]
The glowing notification appeared above us, drawing murmurs from the crowd.
"Huh? Why did they reduce our HP?" I muttered as I checked my Player Status and saw my health drop to 300.
I let out a quiet breath. I was glad Dahlia was still alive after holding Clifton on her own, even if just for a short while.
"Guess they want to speed things up," Theia said quietly.
"Stay sharp," Dahlia said calmly, tightening her grip on her weapon. "We must be careful now that our HP is reduced."
Across the field, the opposing team began to move again.
Clifton stepped forward and suddenly charged toward me, his chain sickle already spinning.
I stepped ahead and raised my spear.
"I'll take Clifton," I said, pointing my spear at him. "You ladies handle Raven and Luna. Clifton and I settle this, guy to guy."
Dahlia frowned slightly. "Are you sure about that?"
"I've got this," I replied, already moving.
"Do not get reckless. We'll cover you if needed," Theia called after me.
Clifton and I charged at the same time and met at the center of the arena. His chain sickle spun faster as he prepared to strike.
I tightened my grip and raised my spear, locking my eyes onto him.
Clifton swung his chain sickle in a wide arc, the metal whistling through the air as it came at me.
I reacted instantly, swinging my spear to deflect the strike.
Clang!
He yanked the sickle back into his hand.
I lunged forward, aiming a thrust at him, but he twisted his body, avoiding the blow. The tip of my spear barely grazed his shoulder.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Dahlia and Theia keeping Raven and Luna busy, their attacks flashing everywhere.
He spun his sickle at me again, moving with sharp, precise speed.
"Coiling Fang!"
The chain sickle coiled like a cobra snake, its venomous fangs aimed straight at me.
I leapt backward, raising my spear to block and using my Dash skill, but it was too late. I didn't get stung, but the chain wrapped tightly around the shaft of my spear.
He yanked me forward and punched me in the stomach.
I almost threw up as I slammed onto the ground.
The punch didn't actually do any damage.
[System Fun Fact]
[Did you know?Normal punches and kicks won't hurt you. Only Arcane Weapons can.]
"A fun fact?" I shouted, swiping the system away. "Read the room—I'm about to die!"
"For real… in the middle of a fight, I get a notification?" I muttered, pushing myself up from the ground.
We were suddenly disturbed by a bright, blinding light.
I turned toward my companions and froze.
They were engulfed by a narrow rainbow bridge. Its rail edges shimmered and glowed so brightly that it could hurt your eyes if you looked directly at them.
I clenched my spear. "I've got to get to them!" I muttered, sprinting forward as fast as I could.
Clifton was running too, moving with a speed that made it clear he had no good intentions.
I glanced at Luna. She was waving her wand in a circular motion, ascending slowly. The rainbow bridge seemed to mimic her movement, curling upward and encircling my companions like a cone of light.
I spoke into their minds using the antlers. "Are you guys okay?"
"We can't look—it's too blinding! Help us, Malachi!" Theia's voice rang out, tinged with fear.
"Dahlia, blast that rainbow bridge!" I shouted.
"I tried earlier, but it regenerated instantly!" she replied, frustration in her voice.
Clifton hooked his chain sickle onto one of the arches of the narrow bridge and leaped high, swinging inside the circular rainbow with a grin.
"Hey! Stop!" I yelled, sprinting toward him, but before I could get closer, Raven came straight at me, her speed blinding.
She swung her leg in a powerful kick aimed at the shaft of my spear, but I blocked it just in time. The impact rattled through my arms as she hovered above me.
I tightened my stance, bracing myself.
"Clifton's coming to your side!" I warned them.
Raven kicked again. Tumbling backward in midair, she swung her fan toward me.
"Drowsing Gust!"
A sparkling gust of light dust shot from the fan, sweeping toward me. I leapt backward to avoid it, the force making me skid across the arena floor.
Raven landed gracefully, her gaze fixed on me.
"Your companions are done for," she said, a cruel smile on her face. "Since they can't see inside that rainbow cone, Clifton will finish them."
I glanced at the rainbow bridge again. The cone of light spiraled upward, enclosing my friends in its dazzling glow.
I spotted Luna, her wand radiating steady light as she struggled to maintain her stance.
The light dust from Raven's sweeping wind attack still hung in the air, some of it getting in my eyes. I flinched, trying to wipe it away.
"Those light dust got in your eyes, right? They'll make you drowsy," Raven said. "And you can't save them. I won't let you!"
I gritted my teeth, pointing my spear toward her. I charged forward.
Raven met me head-on, her fans spinning like blades in her hands.
I pretended to charge at her, then suddenly used my Dash skill backward, leaving a trail of fire in my path.
She lunged as well, fanning out her blades in both hands.
I stopped mid-step.
"Fiery Dash!"
I leapt backward, the trailing flames burning along the path I left. She chased me, shrieking.
"Aghhh!" she groaned.
[-50]
[-10]
[-10]
[-10]
[-10]
The red numbers floated around her, showing the damage from the burning trail. The heat scorched her clothes and skin, dealing additional burn damage. She quickly wiped the flames off.
Raven Morigan [Lvl.24]
HP: 210/300
EXP: 80/100
I glanced at her Player Status. It appeared faintly for a moment, then disappeared when I looked away.
Red numbers floated around her, showing the damage I had dealt.
"Does the burn hurt?" I teased, a smirk forming on my face.
Then a thought struck me. I tried to reach my companions telepathically. "Guys, answer me!"
But this time, there was no response.
Then suddenly, a notification appeared above me, glowing brightly against the arena lights.
[Theia Willow eliminated from the match]
The crowd erupted around us—some gasped in despair, while others cheered loudly for the opposing team.
I clenched my spear tightly, my hands shaking with anger.