Chapter 14: Chapter 14 Stage 2: Goblins

As the crystals dissolved into dust and were absorbed into Ego's body, a searing pain struck him, centered in his stomach. He gritted his teeth, enduring the intense sensation as the magic within him blended with the power of the beast crystals.

Adam rushed over to Ego, his eyes wide with amazement. "Wow, Ego, that was incredible! How did you manage that? I'm genuinely impressed," he said, clearly impressed by Ego's abilities. "But where are the beast crystals?"

Ego panted as he replied, "I didn't see any crystals; we have to keep moving. We can't afford to lose." Without further hesitation, he took off running, and Adam followed closely behind.

They navigated the complex maze, pushing their limits to reach the center, where the coveted cup sat upon a stone pedestal.

"Finally! We found it first," Ego said.

With a burst of determination, they reached it simultaneously. As their hands touched the cup, a brilliant light enveloped them.

In an instant, they found themselves in a completely different environment, and the world around them transformed. This was the second and final stage of the game. They exchanged wide-eyed glances, their surroundings utterly unfamiliar.

Then, as they turned to their side, they were greeted by the sight of three other members of their team. Ego's heart surged with relief. Together, they would face the challenges of this stage.

"Thank goodness you guys made it through!" one of their teammates exclaimed with a relieved grin.

Ego nodded, still catching his breath from the run. "It wasn't easy, but we're here."

The tournament was far from over, and the hardest trials still lay ahead. Ego, Adam, and their companions knew that they had to overcome each obstacle to secure victory for their school.

Master Hong's instructions echoed in Ego's mind. Run through the maze, retrieve the cup, and then proceed to the second stage. The next phase will surely present new tests and challenges.

"Alright, guys! That is the lake over there," Ego said, pointing to the shimmering body of water not too far from where they were standing. "Remember, this is going to be the toughest stage, with monsters, so let's go kick some ass."

The team, emboldened by Ego's rallying words, charged toward the lake. They were determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead and prove themselves in the tournament. However, their determination was soon met with a sudden obstacle.

The team came to a halt as five goblins appeared out of thin air, descending from the sky to land on the ground with a cloud of dust. Ego's heart sank at the sight, and he could sense the unease in the group.

"Oh no, anything but the goblins. I hate these creatures," Adam lamented, his grip tightening on his trusty axe.

Ego shared the sentiment but knew they had no choice. "We all hate goblins, Adam," he said, his voice firm. "But it's not like we have a choice. Let's fight!"

Without hesitation, they charged toward the menacing goblins, weapons at the ready. The goblins, armed with sharp weapons and malevolent grins, responded in kind, charging to meet the students in battle.

Ego's heart raced as he engaged in the fierce combat. His sword clashed with a goblin's blade, sending sparks flying. He could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins, sharpening his focus and reactions.

He parried the goblin's attack and countered with a swift strike, aiming for a vulnerable point. The goblin let out a screech as the blade found its mark, and it crumpled to the ground.

Meanwhile, Adam was locked in a fierce duel with another goblin. With his powerful swings and expert control of the axe, he managed to hold his ground. The battle was intense, the clash of steel on steel echoing through the air.

Ego glanced at his other teammates, who fought valiantly alongside him. They wielded an assortment of weapons, each with a unique style. One used a spear, another a pair of daggers, and the third a bow and arrow. Together, they formed a formidable team, their skills complementing one another.

As the battle raged on, the goblins pressed their advantage with relentless ferocity. The students had to rely on their training, teamwork, and each other's strengths.

With each strike and maneuver, the students pushed themselves to their limits. Ego's thoughts raced as he fought on, focused on defending his teammates and achieving victory.

"I failed in my past life; I can't afford to fail in this one too," Ego muttered to himself, a quiet promise to keep pushing forward.

With renewed determination, Ego lunged at the goblin he was engaged with, swiftly cutting its leg with his sword. The goblin tumbled to the ground, wounded. Ego didn't relent; he delivered three powerful punches to the fallen creature, ensuring it lay lifeless on the ground.

"Ego help!" Adam said.

Turning his attention to Adam, who was still locked in a fierce struggle with his goblin, Ego dashed forward. With a fluid motion, his sword passed through the heart of the goblin, ending its menace. Ego and Adam exchanged a triumphant nod, the unspoken understanding of their teamwork and skill.

The two of them quickly turned their focus to the remaining three goblins, who were locked in combat with their fellow teammates. Ego and Adam charged toward the fray, ready to lend their support.

The goblins outnumbered and now facing Ego and Adam's unified assault, were at a significant disadvantage. The students fought with precision and determination, each blow landing with calculated force. Ego parried the goblin's attacks with practiced skill, delivering precise strikes.

Meanwhile, Adam's axe swung in powerful arcs, knocking aside the goblins' weapons and creating openings for his teammates. The other three members of their team fought valiantly as well, displaying their own unique skills and teamwork honed from years of training.

Together, they overwhelmed the remaining goblins. With a coordinated assault, the students took down their adversaries one by one, leaving the goblins defeated and lifeless.

"Come on guys, we can't waste any more time," Ego said as they all dashed forward.