The explosion reverberated through the arena, and dust still hung in the air as monsters began erging through the breach in the wall. Lian and Elios stood side by side, their eyes wide with shock as grotesque creatures poured through the hole.
"This definitely isn't part of the tournant," Lian muttered, gripping Oblivion tightly.
Elios raised his glowing sword, its light reflecting his determination. "If it was, they would've told us. This is sothing else... sothing's wrong here."
The creatures were diverse: canine beasts with grotesquely large fangs, giant lizards, and even deford humanoid figures, their presence radiating a nacing energy.
Ark Zenith appeared on the upper edge of the arena, his stern expression cutting through the chaos. Holding a communicator, his voice echoed across the battlefield. "All students, maintain your formations and defend your teammates. Containnt teams are on their way!"
Lian frowned. While Ark's presence was reassuring, he knew the arrival of reinforcents would take ti. Until then, they were on their own.
"Alright, everyone," Lian said, looking at his team. "These monsters won't wait. We have to fight."
Elios glanced at his own group and shouted, "Sa here! Don't let these things get through!"
The teams instinctively positioned themselves, creating defensive barriers between the monsters and the artifacts. Lian summoned his shadows, which spread across the ground, forming dark spears that pierced the nearest beasts. Beside him, Elios unleashed bursts of light that blinded and burned their enemies.
"Focus on the smaller ones first!" Saya yelled, loosing magical arrows that struck aerial targets with precision.
Toran swung his massive sword, slicing through the creatures with a wild grin. "These things are disgusting, but at least they're easy to crush!"
Despite their efforts, the horde kept advancing. The monsters seed endless, and Lian began to feel the weight of the fight. He glanced at Elios, who also seed to be nearing his limit.
"This isn't working," Lian panted. "We need a plan."
Elios nodded, narrowly dodging a lunging beast. "If we don't stop this at the source, we're done. Let's head to the breach."
The two shared a determined glance before charging toward the hole in the wall. Behind them, Saya called out, "Lian! Elios! Are you crazy?!"
"Hold the line!" Lian shouted back without turning around. "If you cover us, we can end this!"
The dash to the breach was chaotic. Monsters attacked from all sides, forcing the two to fight as they advanced. Lian used his shadows to clear a path, while Elios created light barriers to shield them.
When they finally reached the breach, Lian halted to assess the situation. On the other side, a hooded figure wearing a red mask stood still, a dark aura emanating from him. In his hands, he held a strange artifact pulsating with an eerie energy.
"So, you're the one behind this," Lian said, pointing Oblivion at the figure.
The hooded man chuckled softly. "You shouldn't be here. This is only the beginning."
Elios raised his sword. "Who are you? Why are you attacking the academy?"
The figure didn't respond. Instead, he lifted the artifact, summoning more monsters through the breach.
"This isn't good," Lian muttered, feeling the pressure mount.
"We need to take him out before he brings more of those things!" Elios shouted, rushing forward.
"Don't be reckless!" Lian yelled, following Elios into the fray.
After days of training together and battles against their master, the two had learned to complent each other's abilities, fighting in perfect sync as allies.
They split up, charging at the figure with their swords glowing with energy. Just as they were about to strike, the man gripped the artifact with both hands, conjuring a barrier around himself.
Their attacks hit the barrier, and the energy from their swords dissipated on impact. Both imdiately leaped back, realizing sothing was off about the barrier.
"This energy is... intriguing. Thank you, boys, you've been most helpful," the hooded figure said in a distorted voice, likely modified by so device.
Lian observed the man carefully, choosing not to attack again until he understood the barrier's power. "Don't underestimate us!" he heard Elios yell, preparing another attack.
"Wait, Elios!" Lian shouted, trying to stop him from acting impulsively, but it was too late. Elios was already in the air, his sword glowing brilliantly as he descended toward the figure.
"Celestial Light!" Elios roared, slashing downward with all his might. He was determined to end the fight then and there.
The hooded man didn't flinch, rely watching Elios as if observing a child at play.
When Elios' attack connected with the barrier, a bright flash erupted—but it wasn't in his favor. Elios was thrown back at high speed, crashing into a tree that shattered under the force.
Lian turned to see Elios struggling to stand, then refocused on the man, taking a defensive stance.
"That was the sa attack that nearly split a Rank D monster in two. After our training, it should've been even stronger... but it did nothing to him," Lian thought, his mind racing. He realized the man was far beyond their current strength.
"Well, it was fun playing with you, but I've gotten what I needed. We'll et again, boy," the hooded figure said, raising the artifact in his hand. A portal appeared beside him, and he stepped through, vanishing from sight.
Lian stared in disbelief. He hadn't known artifacts could create portals, but it now made sense how the man had brought so many monsters into the academy unnoticed.
"Elios!" Lian rembered his friend and rushed to his side, finding him slowly healing his wounds. "Are you okay?" Lian asked, concern evident in his voice despite his serious expression.
"Don't worry," Elios replied with a faint smile. "Just a few broken bones."
Lian saw that Elios was battered but stable.
By then, the containnt teams had eliminated the remaining monsters. Suddenly, Ark descended from the sky beside Lian and Elios, his stern face like a storm cloud.
"You two... explanations. Now," he demanded.
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