Location - Shiu battlefield
The battlefield was alive with chaos as the sorcerers and demons hurtled toward each other, their war cries tearing through the air. At the forefront was the Red Dragon Guild, a tempest of determination and fury. Nirav, their leader, charged ahead, his voice ringing out as he initiated his spell:
"Water surge, capture the foes, water prison!"
Instantly, torrents of water erupted around the charging demons, enveloping them in a swirling aquatic prison. Nirav's chanting continued, his voice growing sharper, more commanding:
"Streak of lightning, Thunder convergence, Heat lightning"
He raised his blade high, and with a sharp, focused breath, launched a fierce thunderbolt straight downward—so fast, so precise, it cut through the air like thunder cracking the silence.
In that very moment, a sudden streak of lightning burst out from the blade, flashing violently as it crashed toward the water. The fusion of elements was devastating-an electrified deluge that sent currents of sheer destruction through fifty demons. Thunder roared across the battlefield as the weakened demons flailed helplessly within the aquatic storm. Nirav smirked, believing his attack had sealed their doom. But as the smoke cleared, the demons still stood, battered but unbroken.
Their Aki power was monstrous.
Nirav's confidence waned for a moment before he turned to his team, shouting, "Guys, these demons barely withstand my attacks. But don't worry, I've weakened them! Finish them off!"
---
FLASHBACK
The scene shifted briefly to moments before the charge. Nirav addressed his team, his voice commanding and steady:
"Guys, I'll lead our team forward. I'll attack the demons first because I need to test their powers. If I injure them and make them weak, that's when you attack. Don't move until I give the signal. Follow me, and follow my orders."
His guildmates nodded, ready to trust their leader."Yes, Sir..."
---
CURRENT SEQUENCE
As the team began to chant their attacks, a sudden, chilling sight brought them to a halt-the demons' injuries regenerated with unnatural speed. The creatures snarled and unleashed their own chants, dark energy spiraling around them.
Nirav's eyes widened in disbelief. "Boys, defend yourselves!" he yelled.
A blast of raw, hellish energy erupted from the demons' mouths, surging toward the sorcerers with deadly intent. The Red Dragon Guild barely dodged the attack, scattering sideways as the blast scorched the earth where they had stood moments before.
Above the chaos, a chilling laugh echoed.
Mirauza, the demon commander, stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You worthless trash think you can defeat us so easily? You'll pay dearly for your arrogance."
Nirav gritted his teeth, his cold smile returning. "Surprisingly, they withstood my attack. Looks like it's time to go crazy."
---
Wu Chan, observing the demons' power, felt a shiver of unease. His voice cut through the noise like a blade:
"Guys, we're fighting formidable opponents. Do not attack carelessly-one reckless move could end your life here."
His words hung heavy in the air, but before they could sink in, a sudden beam of energy shot past him. A sorcerer behind Wu Chan let out a strangled cry as his head was obliterated in an instant.
Wu Chan froze for a moment, his shock giving way to unbridled rage. His eyes burned with fury as he turned to his team, shouting, "Don't leave a single one of them alive! Destroy them into pieces!"
With that, Wu Chan's army surged forward, their anger fueling their every step.
---
Firoaz, standing nearby, watched the chaos unfold with a calm, calculating gaze. He addressed his team, his voice steady:
"Boys, follow behind the two guilds. If the demons attack any sorcerers, help them immediately. I'll join Mr. Wu Chan in the assault. Stay alert and don't let your guard down."
With that, Firoaz moved to join Wu Chan in the fray, their combined forces charging at the demons. Together, they unleashed their spells with precision and ferocity, their guild members trailing behind to assist. The air was alive with chants and the clash of powers as the battle raged on.
---
The battlefield at Shiu exploded in an overwhelming cacophony of battle cries, the earth itself trembling under the weight of the war. Sorcerers, burning with determination, rushed forward, their weapons raised high as they prepared to clash with the demon horde. Their chants filled the air like thunderclaps, spells flashing bright with fiery fury and crackling energy. The demons, however, stood firm, their eyes glowing with an eerie, unyielding power.
As the first wave of attacks slammed into the demon ranks, a cold realization spread among the sorcerers: their spells-powerful as they were-had little effect. The demons' Aki energy was incomprehensibly vast, their defenses like iron walls, their strength an impenetrable fortress.
"This isn't working! Defensive formation, now!" one of the sorcerers shouted, his voice strained as he barely dodged a demon's clawed strike.
With quick precision, the sorcerers shifted their tactics, forming smaller units to face individual demons. Two sorcerers would pair up, hoping to bring down a single demon with a joint attack. It was a desperate measure, buying time at best, but they knew-there were too many demons for this to end well.
---
Amid the swirling chaos, Wu Chan stood like a storm incarnate. His long sword crackled with raw energy, a weapon forged from pure willpower. His eyes blazed with the intensity of a thousand storms as he took a step forward, ready to challenge the overwhelming force of the demons.
"Power of thunder, blazing thunder strikes!"
A barrage of electrified arcs shot from his blade, tearing through the demon ranks with a terrifying crackle. Ten demons fell, their bodies scorched and blackened, their cries drowned by the thunder. But Wu Chan did not pause; the battle was far from over.
As three demons darted behind him, intent on tearing him apart, Wu Chan's eyes narrowed. He pivoted, swinging his sword like a dance, his movements fluid and precise, yet brutal.
"Power of thunder, Dancing thunder god!"
The sword glowed with an overwhelming intensity as lightning lanced out in every direction, slicing through the demons like a vengeful god's hand. The air hummed with pure power, and the demons who dared to follow him crumpled, their bodies split in half by the razor-sharp bolts.
"Is this all you've got? You think you can defeat us? Feel the storm's wrath!" Wu Chan roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield with unshakable confidence.
---
At the same time, Firoaz charged into the fray, his massive hammer held high like a symbol of unrelenting strength. His movements were a blur, the air rippling around him with the sheer force of his power.
"Power of strength, consecutive hammer barrage!"
Each swing of his hammer sent shockwaves through the demon ranks, shattering the bodies of his enemies like fragile glass. The ground trembled under his blows, and the very earth seemed to groan in response. Yet Firoaz's eyes were sharp, his focus unwavering.
He saw it-he saw the cracks in their formation. The sorcerers were faltering, losing cohesion as the tide of battle turned against them.
"Mr. Wu Chan! We need to change our strategy, or we'll all be wiped out!" Firoaz yelled, rushing toward his comrade.
Wu Chan, his sword still crackling with power, snapped back, his pride flaring up like a raging fire. "Don't tell me how to fight, Firoaz! I know what I'm doing!"
Firoaz's face hardened with frustration. "Your anger is clouding your judgment! Look at the battlefield-we're losing! The demons are overwhelming us!"
Wu Chan's gaze shifted to the carnage around him, and for the first time, the blind rage in his eyes began to fade. Sorcerers were falling left and right, they all are struggling to handle the demon army.
Firoaz's words cut through the chaos. "If we don't change our tactics now, we'll lose everything. Stop fighting with anger and start thinking!"
He looked out over the battlefield, watching as the sorcerers struggled to hold their ground. The demons clearly had the upper hand.
Wu Chan's mind raced, the weight of his responsibility pressing down on him. He inhaled deeply, his rage subsiding. He focused. "Calm down Wu Chan... It wasn't about pride or vengeance-it was about humanity's victory."
"Alright, let's do this. Together." Wu Chan said, his voice now steady and clear.
Firoaz smiled, a flash of hope in his eyes. "I knew you'd come to your senses."
Together, they unleashed a barrage of devastating attacks.
"Power of hammer, Iron hammer smash!" Firoaz bellowed, his hammer swinging with unrelenting power. Demons were thrown through the air, crashing into buildings and collapsing into piles of broken limbs.
"Power of thunder, thunder swarms!" Wu Chan's voice rang out as he swung his sword in a wide arc. Thunder surged from the blade, cleaving through five demons in one fluid strike.
Firoaz looked at Wu Chan, determination burning in his eyes. "Mr. Wu Chan, did you come earlier with any plans?"
Wu Chan exhaled heavily. "For now… I don't have one."
Firoaz froze. "W–What? I thought you'd already come up with several plans! But now, you're telling me you don't have any?"
Slashing through a demon in front of him, Wu Chan replied, "No, Firoaz… I did have plans earlier. But I never expected this many demons we have to face. None of my earlier strategies can handle these numbers."
Firoaz smashed two demons to the ground with a powerful swing. "Hmph… yeah, you're right about that."
Wu Chan continued, his tone sharp and focused. "For now, if we unite our sorcerers and fight together, we can hold out longer. After that, I'll figure out a new plan."
"I've already merged my team with your squad," Firoaz said quickly.
"That's not enough," Wu Chan replied firmly. "We need Nirav's squad too."
Firoaz groaned in frustration. "That prideful maniac? He'll never agree to join forces with us."
Wu Chan's eyes narrowed. "Firoaz, we don't have another choice. You're the only one who can convince him—just like you convinced me."
Firoaz clenched his jaw. "Mr. Wu Chan… we're not friends anymore. He won't listen to me, not even a little."
Wu Chan shouted as he blocked another demon strike, "Try it, Firoaz! We don't have time for chatter in the middle of a battlefield—go!"
Firoaz let out a dissatisfied sigh. "Fine, fine… I'm going." He turned and sprinted through the chaos, heading toward Nirav's position.
---
Far from the chaos, Nirav stood with a look of cold disdain. He surveyed the battle as though it were nothing more than a game-a mere challenge for his superior strength.
"Power of water, water tide strikes!" he called out, and with a swift motion of his sword, a massive wave of water surged toward the demons. The wave tore through three demons in a single, horizontal slash.
Firoaz approached him, urgency in his tone. "Nirav, we need your help! Join us, and we can take down the demon leader together!"
But Nirav's pride was unshakable. He sneered at Firoaz's words. "I don't need anyone's help. I'm more skilled than all of you combined. I will end this battle alone. Watch and learn."
Firoaz's expression tightened with frustration, but before he could say anything further, Nirav had already turned away, intent on proving his superiority.
---
From the shadows of the battlefield, a dark presence began to manifest, shrouded in smoke and darkness. A chilling, demonic laugh echoed across the war-torn land, sending a wave of dread through the sorcerers.
"Fools! You think your puny unity can defeat us? This is just the beginning of your end!" Mirauza's voice boomed, filled with unholy power.
Wu Chan raised his sword high, his voice fierce. "Recoil of thunder, supreme lightning, Magnum thunderbolt!"
Lightning crackled in the sky, descending in a violent, all-consuming strike. But as the bolt struck, a dark shield of energy intercepted it, and from the shadows emerged a massive, fiery dragon, its jaws gaping wide.
"Earth rise, shield me, Mud wall!" Firoaz shouted, raising his hands to form a protective barrier of mud, which blocked the dragon's attack, causing it to dissipate into nothingness.
From the smoke, Mirauza stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. His demonic laughter filled the air.
"Well done, mortals. You've proven yourselves interesting. But now... let the true battle begin." Mirauza smirked.
---
Location: Pilgrim's Forest (Cliff)
Far from the bloodshed, Azad remained in a state of perfect stillness. His body radiated a golden light, his Aki power pulsing through him like a sun. Each breath he took fueled his strength, his aura expanding outward, filling the entire forest with a sense of divine power.
The narrator's voice echoed with reverence:
"Behold the chosen hero! Azad has transcended the boundaries of mere sorcerers. In the coming battles, his strength will be the turning point, the beacon of hope in the coming darkness. Prepare yourselves, for Azad is ready to unleash his fury."
The chapter closed on Azad's glowing eyes, a silent promise of the storm yet to come.
Chapter 8 - TO BE CONTINUED....