The battlefield was a canvas of scattered bouts and divergent loyalties. The air hung heavy with a palpable tension, almost electric. Zhou Kang, Qing Lian, Liu Wei, and Maximus had all paused in their tracks, the earlier frenzy of their battles now replaced by a hesitant anticipation. Benedict's words seemed to have struck a chord.
But Cheng Liang and Li Yang were the anomalies, engaged fiercely in a battle that looked to be nearing its conclusion. Amidst the sound of crashing weapons and roars of summoned creatures, their duel stood out. Cheng Liang's Baizhen Spirit Ape tried valiantly to defend against the relentless onslaught of Li Yang's deity, Ares. The ape moved with incredible agility, dodging and deflecting, but Ares was in a league of its own, a force of nature, unstoppable.
However, as intense as their battle was, it was evident to the keen observer that Li Yang was holding back, not tapping into the full depth of his power. And as the minutes ticked by, the inevitable happened. Cheng Liang's Spirit Ape could hold out no longer. With a final, ear-piercing scream, it was forced to retreat, leaving its master exposed.
Cheng Liang, though defeated, looked far from broken. Instead, there was a gleam of admiration in his eyes. "I admit defeat," he declared, breathless but with an undercurrent of respect. "You are by far the strongest opponent I've faced. I sense that you haven't shown your full strength."
Li Yang merely nodded in response, his eyes cold, unreadable. "A wise decision," he commented briefly.
Amidst this, Lyria finally spoke up, her voice sweet but with an undeniable edge. "Brother Lysander," she addressed her twin with a smirk, "Allow me to handle them." Her confident proclamation left many in the arena wondering just how powerful she truly was.
"Come at me," she taunted, her eyes gleaming with excitement, almost as if she relished the upcoming challenge. Her demeanor was a stark contrast to Lysander's. While he was calm and measured, she was fiery, a force to be reckoned with.
Benedict's proposal now became the central concern. The competitors now had to decide: do they join forces against the formidable twins or continue their individual quests for glory? The dynamics of the battlefield were rapidly shifting, and it was anyone's guess how the next moments would unfold.
But amidst the uncertainty, one thing was evident: the true strength and strategy of each combatant were yet to be fully revealed. The tournament was turning into a complex game of chess, where every move, every alliance, every betrayal, had consequences that could change the outcome.
The aftermath of Cheng Liang's exit was barely noticed, and the tension in the air was palpable. With Lyria's provocative challenge hanging in the atmosphere, the arena had turned into a cauldron of brewing confrontation. And when Benedict shouted his declaration, charging with his Mammuthus Comet Attack, the cauldron threatened to boil over.
The simultaneous unleashing of attacks was a spectacle to behold: the supersonic waves from the Dark Spirit Bat, the deafening roar of the Purple Pupil Cloud Wing Tiger, the shimmering feather projectiles from the Colorful Peacock, and the razor-sharp claws of the Tyrant Lizard King all converged on Lyria.
However, Lyria, unfazed by the onslaught, channeled her divine mage's power, erecting a shield around her. This wasn't any ordinary shield. Li Yang, with his keen senses, could detect the faint vibrations of four different elements intertwined in its composition.
A massive explosion reverberated throughout the arena, and when the smoke cleared, Lyria's shield remained, untouched and unbroken. It was evident: their combined might had proved futile against her. Mockingly, Lyria inquired if that was all they had, her tone dripping with condescension.
Then, with a dramatic flourish, her divine mage conjured a massive pentagram high in the sky, its five points shimmering with distinct energy flows. These streams of power converged at the center, growing in intensity, until a blinding burst of energy radiated out, splitting into five formidable beams targeting Zhou Kang, Qing Lian, Liu Wei, Maximus, and Benedict.
Panic set in immediately. The five warriors scrambled, commanding their creatures to muster all their defenses. The ensuing clash was monumental. When the dust settled, it was evident that Qing Lian's, Liu Wei's, and Maximus's creatures had borne the brunt of the assault. Injured and overwhelmed, they faded away, leaving their masters exposed and vulnerable. Meanwhile, Zhou Kang and Benedict's creatures, though battered, still stood their ground.
The ever-watchful Fred didn't hesitate. "Qing Lian, Liu Wei, Maximus, you have been defeated. Please exit the arena," he announced solemnly.
The implications were clear. Lyria's power was not just formidable; it was dominant. The remaining competitors would need more than just strength to best her. Strategy, alliances, and perhaps even some unexpected tricks would be essential in the battles to come.