Part (1/5) "Storm of Steel: The Breaking Point"
Zekhtau stood unmoving at the center of the battlefield, his form nearly obscured beneath layer upon layer of radiant blue barriers. Each translucent shield pulsed with power, growing stronger with every passing second.
Meanwhile, his halberd—planted firmly into the ground—continued to charge.
The intricate blue sigils along its shaft glowed brighter, each flicker of light bringing them closer to an impending catastrophe.
"ATTACK WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!" Akira's command rang across the battlefield.
And they obeyed.
Akira unleashed wave after wave of buffed water blades, their cutting force enhanced by Mirelle's magic. The attacks collided against Zekhtau's barriers, sending ripples of impact across their shimmering surfaces—but they held firm.
Mirelle switched tactics, cycling through elemental spells in rapid succession, trying to exploit any weakness in the barrier's composition.
Yue, standing at the rear, fired a Photon Blast—her newly mastered energy attack. A searing beam of concentrated light lanced toward Zekhtau, slamming into the outermost shield…
But nothing.
No cracks. No damage.
Zekhtau's defense was absolute.
Draco and Li Changyuan moved in, their fists and strikes hammering at the same weak points with fire-infused blows and precise martial arts techniques aimed at structural instability.
Elina launched relentless spear thrusts, each impact resonating with kinetic force, while Zhao Yun's energy rounds pounded the barriers in rapid succession.
Still—no effect.
The holographic scoreboard remained unchanged.
And Zekhtau's halberd kept charging.
He yawned.
A deliberate, exaggerated mockery.
"Haaahh… is that all? You call this an attack?" His voice dripped with disdain.
"I've had acid ant bites that stung worse than this."
The taunt ignited something deep within them.
Frustration turned into fury.
They struck harder. Faster.
Then—a sound.
CRACK.
A tiny fracture spider-webbed across one section of the barrier.
Akira's sharp eyes caught it instantly.
"EVERYONE! TARGET THAT SPOT! RANGED ATTACKERS, STAY ON THE OFFENSIVE! MELEE, REPOSITION!"
Draco and Li Changyuan sprinted away, ensuring the next barrage wouldn't hit them by accident.
From a concealed position, Osiris decloaked. She raised her energy pistol and fired.
The blue beam barely flickered, her weapon woefully underpowered—but she kept firing anyway.
Akira turned to Mirelle and spoke a single word.
"Nagaria."
It was a code phrase.
Mirelle nodded and lifted her staff.
She channeled her strongest water-based spell—
Abrasive Water Jet Cutter.
A high-pressure stream of water, sharp as a diamond-tipped blade, rushed forward, slicing precisely along the fractured barrier.
"KEEP ATTACKING!" Akira shouted.
The team poured everything they had into that one weak point.
Photon beams. Arcane blasts. Explosive shots. Flaming fists. Crushing spear thrusts.
CRACK.
CRACK!
The fracture widened.
Zekhtau's smirk disappeared.
He shifted his stance, his eyes narrowing.
For the first time—they made him react.
The battlefield roared.
Their combined assault tore into the shield. The shimmering structure wavered, flickering unstably like a distorted mirage.
Then—
SHATTER!
The barrier exploded into countless shards of energy, dispersing into the wind like fractured glass.
"NOW! WHILE HE'S EXPOSED!"
Akira's voice rang through the chaos.
This was it.
The turning point.
Part (2/5) "Storm of Steel: The Predator's Smile"
The final seconds of the countdown ticked away, and with it, so did any hope of breaking through the last barrier.
Despite their combined efforts, their strongest attacks, the seemingly indestructible shields had endured.
And now—time was up.
BEEP!
The system's cold, impartial tone signaled the end of their window.
All attacks ceased.
The battlefield fell into a suffocating silence.
Zekhtau stood, completely unscathed, his towering frame radiating raw power as he twirled his newly charged halberd with effortless grace. The weapon's blue light had reached its peak, pulsing with the unmistakable aura of overwhelming destruction.
Then—he laughed.
A deep, booming sound that echoed through the battlefield, sharp and grating like steel scraping against steel.
"HAHAHA! THANK YOU! REALLY—THANK YOU SO MUCH!"
His words struck the team like a physical blow.
Draco's frustration exploded first.
"THANK YOU?! FOR WHAT?! WE COULDN'T EVEN SCRATCH THAT DAMN THING!"
Zekhtau grinned, flourishing his halberd. "Oh, but you DID."
His crimson, mechanical gaze glowed with mock amusement as he spun the weapon in a slow arc. "You didn't just attack my barrier, kid—you CHARGED me up."
The team froze.
Zekhtau gestured toward the faintly crackling remains of his barrier.
"See, I was running a little low on energy, but thanks to you lot—" he slammed the base of his halberd against the ground, sending a thunderous shockwave rippling outward—"I FEEL REFRESHED! Like a brand new power cell just got slotted in!"
Akira's blood ran cold.
No.
He fell to one knee, his fist slamming into the ground.
"No… NO! He USED us!" His voice was filled with bitter realization.
The truth hit like a sledgehammer.
The attacks that should have worn Zekhtau down… had only made him STRONGER.
Had they done nothing—had they simply conserved their energy—
The situation might have been better.
Instead, they had played right into his hands.
The team's expressions darkened.
The exhaustion. The wasted effort. The crushing defeat.
Zekhtau stood tall, watching them wallow in despair.
Then—he smirked.
Hefting his charged halberd over his shoulder, he tilted his head slightly, grinning like a cat cornering a mouse.
"C'mon now, kids… Ready for the next round?"
Silence.
A suffocating, hopeless silence.
This battle wasn't ending.
It wasn't even close.
And Zekhtau knew it.
He saw their battered spirits. Their faltering will.
He breathed in their fear.
Then—he stepped forward.
As the clock reset, time resumed its march, dragging them toward the inevitable.
And then he smiled.
The kind of smile that made bones turn cold.
The kind of smile that belonged to hunters before they struck the final blow.
The kind of smile that spelled death.
"Hey, kids…" His voice was almost casual.
Then—it sharpened.
"…Missed the Photon Prism Laser?"
Part (3/5) "Storm of Steel: Prism of Despair"
CRACK—FWOOSH!
The Photon Prism Laser detonated across the battlefield, splitting into a devastating spectrum of destruction.
Its searing light burned through the air, and in a fraction of a second, it found its mark.
A direct hit.
Zhao Yun Chenlong—
The cyborg warrior threw himself in front of Yue.
SHRRRKKK—!!
The laser pierced straight through his chest, continuing its upward trajectory, burning a gaping hole through the sky itself. Storm clouds evaporated in an instant, leaving behind a gash in the heavens.
The impact reverberated across the battlefield, forcing everyone to a halt.
A moment of absolute silence.
Then—his body trembled.
Chenlong staggered. His metal plating cracked and fizzled with failing energy.
He turned slowly toward Yue.
Her eyes overflowed with tears.
He smiled weakly.
"…Don't worry about me… Just… survive…"
Then—he collapsed.
His body, once indomitable, lay in a broken heap.
"NOOOOO!!"
Yue's scream tore through the air.
She lunged forward, but Akira snatched her arm, pulling her away.
"LET ME GO!" She struggled desperately. "WE CAN STILL FIX HIM! HE CAN'T BE GONE!"
Akira's jaw clenched. His vision blurred from his own tears. But he held her back.
He had to.
Because if they stayed—
They wouldn't make it out alive.
BOOM!
The next blast struck the ground, sending cascading arcs of rainbow energy rippling across the water-covered battlefield.
The surface split apart, turning into a storm of reflective light.
Akira watched.
Watched how the laser refracted.
How it bounced, scattering unpredictably across the field.
And then it hit him.
"Scattering… Refraction…"
He whispered to himself.
The others ran in confusion, searching for cover—but Yue, despite her shattered emotions, noticed.
Her brother was thinking.
Even in his grief, even in the chaos, he was finding a way.
And she wasn't going to let him do it alone.
She inhaled sharply.
Then—for the first time—
She took command.
"Yue's Gambit"
" Mirelle! Please buff Akira's focus—NOW!"
"Elina! Quickly, defend Mirelle while she casts!"
"Draco! Changyuan! Lunar! Pull Zekhtau's attention—keep him busy!"
"Osiris! Stay invisible and support Lunar from the shadows!"
The team froze.
Yue's voice wasn't hesitant.
It was clear. Direct. Commanding.
For the first time, everyone turned to her.
But they didn't question.
They listened.
And they acted.
Mirelle nodded, gathering magic.
Elina raised her barrier.
Draco blasted forward, flames roaring.
Lunar and Changyuan moved in unison, striking at Zekhtau to break his momentum.
Osiris disappeared, her presence vanishing into the mist.
Meanwhile—Akira remained still.
His eyes closed.
The battlefield roared.
Magic flared.
And then—
He opened his eyes.
"Akira's Realization"
Akira turned to Yue, still running beside him.
He smiled.
"Did you just take over for me?"
She met his gaze—steady and strong.
"You needed time to think. So I made sure you had it."
He paused.
Then—his grin widened.
He reached out and ruffled her hair.
"You're amazing, Yue. Absolutely amazing."
Yue blinked.
Her ears twitched.
Her tail flicked.
Even as destruction rained down around them, her brother's approval made her heart soar.
But they weren't done.
Akira's focus sharpened.
They had one last chance.
And he knew exactly how to win.
Part (4/5) "Storm of Steel: The Chosen Adversary"
Akira took a deep breath, pushing past the overwhelming exhaustion. The battlefield was still roaring with chaos, but his voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding.
"Frontline fighters! Stay in close! Interrupt his aim every time he tries to lock onto a target!"
His words snapped the team into motion.
Akira turned toward Yue.
"Yue! Stay at the edge of the field and buff speed for the frontline!"
"On it, Onii-chan!" Yue answered without hesitation, immediately positioning herself and activating a rapid acceleration spell to enhance the agility of the melee fighters.
Akira's eyes shifted to Mirelle.
"Mirelle! Freeze the water—NOW! Don't worry about the frontline, Draco has them covered. Elina, protect Mirelle and angle the barriers upward—help her reinforce the ice!"
"Understood!" Mirelle and Elina responded in unison.
Mirelle focused, channeling her magic. The pristine water that coated the battlefield solidified into a smooth, mirror-like layer of ice. The surface was so clear that it reflected everything above it, distorting depth and direction.
Elina positioned her energy shields at an incline, strengthening the icy terrain, turning it into a reflective fortress.
Meanwhile, Osiris, still cloaked in invisibility, whispered through the comms.
"How do I support?"
Akira answered instantly.
"Keep scanning Zekhtau's movements. Warn us the moment he switches targets!"
The frontline battle intensified.
Draco and Changyuan unleashed their full power, driving Zekhtau back.
Draco's flaming fists slammed against the towering centaur's metallic frame, while Changyuan's martial precision targeted joints and weak points with ruthless efficiency.
Lunar, though not excelling in any single combat mode, had been consistently accumulating points across all categories, maintaining steady pressure with his expert timing.
And then—
Zekhtau faltered.
His movements slowed.
His combat efficiency in this new terrain was compromised.
For the first time, he was at a disadvantage.
Even worse—his Photon Prism Laser, once his ultimate weapon, was now a liability.
Every shot fired at close range ricocheted unpredictably, bouncing back at him.
The battle had shifted completely.
Realizing this, Zekhtau scowled.
His gaze swept the battlefield, analyzing the new strategy.
Then—he changed targets.
He aimed directly at Mirelle.
A blazing Photon Beam surged forward, aimed to annihilate the mage in an instant.
BOOM!
The blast collided with the icy barrier—
—but instead of breaking through, it reflected.
The energy deflected upwards, shooting harmlessly into the sky.
The second blast did the same.
Then the third—then the fourth.
Each shot bounced off the ice, redirected into the sky like a harmless light show.
The sky above them was now riddled with holes, the clouds blasted apart by Zekhtau's own weapon.
"WHAT?!"
Zekhtau's voice roared in frustration.
His mechanical frame shuddered, his stance losing its confident poise.
Then—he turned.
His red eyes locked onto Akira.
His expression twisted into something both furious and fascinated.
"YOU AGAIN! THIS IS YOUR DOING, ISN'T IT?!"
Akira's lips curled into a smirk.
His golden-brown eyes gleamed with confidence.
"What? All I did was turn pure water into a mirror."
Zekhtau froze.
For the first time—he didn't move.
His eyes flickered, scanning the battlefield again, replaying every move Akira had made.
Then—he laughed.
A deep, booming, uncontrollable laugh.
"HAHAHA!! THIS IS INSANE!! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!"
His chest heaved as he threw his head back, reveling in the insanity of what had just happened.
"Using purified water as a perfect medium for photon reflection… Angling barriers for controlled refraction… Forcing me into a melee disadvantage while neutralizing my long-range capabilities… HAHAHA!! UNBELIEVABLE!!"
He lowered his gaze back to Akira, the amusement in his expression morphing into something dangerous.
Then—he spoke.
"I don't need Osiris anymore."
The battlefield fell silent.
"I need YOU, Akira."
Akira's breath caught.
The rest of the team stiffened.
Zekhtau took a step forward, his massive frame casting a dark shadow over the ice.
"I WILL WIN THIS WAR."
His hand gripped his halberd tightly.
"AND I WILL TAKE YOU FOR MYSELF."
The moment he said those words—a massive pulse of energy exploded outward.
The battlefield shook violently.
Cracks ripped across the ground.
The halberd in his grip surged with a new kind of power.
For the first time—Zekhtau was serious.
Akira gritted his teeth.
The tension in the air grew heavier, suffocating.
This battle had changed.
This was no longer just a test.
No longer about winning or losing points.
Zekhtau was no longer interested in just fighting.
He wanted Akira.
He had marked him.
And now—there was no turning back.
Akira exhaled slowly.
His grip tightened around his sword.
His voice was calm—resolute.
"…Then come and take me."
The battlefield erupted.
The final round had begun.
Part (5/5) "Storm of Steel: The True Fight Unfolds"
Zekhtau's voice boomed across the battlefield, carrying a terrifying weight that sent shivers down everyone's spine. His entire metallic body pulsed with flickering lights, energy surging as if his very core had entered an overdrive state.
Then—he leaped backward with astounding speed, raising his photon cannon and aiming directly at the frontline fighters.
Draco and Lunar barely managed to dodge, their reflexes honed from countless battles. But Vice Commander Li, despite his exceptional skill, slipped slightly on a patch of ice—just enough to slow him down by a fraction of a second.
A brilliant beam of light tore through the air.
BOOM!
The explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the arena. Li's body was hurled backward, crashing onto the metal floor with a sickening thud.
Smoke rose from his unmoving form.
No sound. No movement.
Once again, a heavy silence overtook the team, the weight of another loss pressing down on them.
But Zekhtau gave them no time to mourn. His photon cannon whirred again—charging for another shot.
"Scatter!" Akira's voice snapped them back to reality.
Everyone broke formation, darting in different directions as Zekhtau unleashed a relentless volley of energy blasts.
A beam hurtled straight toward Akira.
He raised his blade, intercepting it mid-air! The force shoved him back, his feet skidding across the battlefield. But in the same motion, he redirected the energy—firing a pulse of Blacklight directly at Zekhtau!
Zekhtau twisted his body, narrowly dodging the retaliatory strike. He grinned.
"Really? Using the same trick again? Aren't you getting tired of this?"
Akira tightened his grip on his sword, his voice unwavering.
"Maybe. But at least it keeps your light in check."
Zekhtau's grin twitched—his smirk turning into a scowl.
"Then let's see how long you can keep up!"
He unleashed a rapid barrage of photon blasts, forcing Akira to counter every shot with his Blacklight strikes. The battlefield turned into a blinding light show, streaks of black and white clashing in midair.
For a while, it was a deadlock—both warriors exchanging rapid fire at near-blinding speed.
Then—a miscalculation.
Zekhtau raised his cannon for another shot, but nothing fired.
His body froze for a split second before he looked down at his weapon.
"…Ah. Time's up."
Casually, he let go of his halberd, letting it slam into the ground.
A holographic scoreboard flickered above them, displaying the results.
Team Akira's score had increased significantly.
Zekhtau's energy reserves, once towering over theirs, had dwindled to a mere 400 points.
The battlefield buzzed with the weight of what this meant—they had a chance.
For the first time, victory felt within reach.
But victory never came that easily.
Zekhtau straightened up, clapping slowly—the sharp clang of metal echoing through the arena.
"Congratulations. You seven have survived all five phases. I must say… I'm impressed."
He paused—then his grip tightened.
His smile sharpened into something predatory.
"But from this moment on, everything changes."
The air grew heavy.
Every instinct in Akira's body screamed danger.
Zekhtau's glowing eyes scanned them, one by one, as if memorizing their faces.
Then—he declared in a voice that sent chills down their spines.
"From now on, you fight under a new rule."
"…The Ultimate Mode."
A deafening silence fell over the battlefield.
Everyone froze.
Their hard-earned hope—the belief that they had almost won—shattered in an instant.
And as Zekhtau's energy surged anew, stronger than ever before, they all knew—
The true fight was only just beginning.