The battlefield was a chaotic maelstrom of clashing powers, each contender fiercely vying for dominance. Harlan stood at the center of the storm, his mirrored wings deflecting attacks with relentless force. His movements were blindingly fast, a blur of power and precision that left his opponents scrambling to keep up.
Theoran, wrapped in a thick aura of darkness, unleashed serpentine strikes with devastating precision, his power overwhelming any who dared to challenge him. Elara, with her lightning-crackling eyes and tentacled appendages, matched Theoran's ferocity, her attacks striking like thunderbolts.
Miren, refusing to back down, made a desperate move. She called upon her most potent ability, Ethereal Rend. The air around her shimmered as she channeled her energy, releasing a cutting wave that tore through the battlefield, ignoring physical barriers and slicing towards her foes with deadly intent.
Harlan, sensing the imminent danger, shifted into a defensive stance, his eyes narrowing. He quickly activated his unique ability, slipping into a mirror dimension for a few precious seconds, avoiding the brunt of the attack.
Theoran, recognizing the threat, enveloped his body in dark power, forming an impenetrable shield around himself. Elara's tentacles wrapped protectively around her, crackling with defensive energy as she braced for impact.
Aria and Lysan, seizing the opportunity, lunged at Miren, their combined attacks converging on her position. Just as the battlefield erupted in chaos, a voice cut through the clamor.
Kael stepped forward, a confident smirk on his face. "Now is the time"
A ripple of unease spread among the combatants.
"Hmm, something is wrong!" Harlan's voice wavered, eyes darting around in search of the hidden threat.
"I feel something!" Theoran barked, dark energy swirling more intensely around him.
Elara's eyes widened in alarm, "He's been hiding something all along!"
Aria and Lysan, mid-attack, hesitated for a split second, their attention diverted.
Kael's sudden appearance sent a ripple of uncertainty through the battlefield, leaving everyone on edge, bracing for the unknown.
Kael's smirk widened as he stood at the center of the battlefield, his presence commanding attention. "Infinite Compression," he declared, his voice steady and confident.
The air around him began to shimmer, and thin, almost invisible threads started to materialize, spreading across the battlefield like a spider's web. The threads glowed faintly, their presence subtle yet ominous. Until now, no one had noticed them. But now, as they fully manifested, the gravity of the situation dawned on everyone.
"What is this?" Harlan's eyes widened in shock. He could feel the energy in the air being drawn towards the threads, and a sense of dread settled over him.
”First manifestation: Archan threads“
The threads began to absorb every energy attack, every stray bolt of power, compressing them into concentrated orbs of pure energy in Kael's hands. Each orb pulsed with terrifying power, glowing brighter and brighter with every passing second.
"He has awakened his first manifestation, he absorbing everything!" Elara though, tinged with panic. The tentacles on her back crackled with defensive energy, but she could feel the power being siphoned away.
They finally understood what he was trying to do but it was too late.
Theoran laughed, a booming sound that echoed across the battlefield. "I underestimated you, Kael," he admitted, his dark aura swirling more intensely around him. "But no more!"
As the realization of Kael's power settled in, the other combatants moved into defensive positions, their faces etched with fear and determination. The once chaotic battlefield fell silent, the tension palpable.
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Harlan's mind raced. "Damn it!" he muttered, his eyes narrowing as he braced himself for the inevitable.
"The threads were so thin, I didn't even realize its presence. If it was absorbing energy from the start then by now.." Harlan prepared himself taking a defensive position.
Kael's first manifestation, the thin threads, continued to weave through the air, drawing in every ounce of energy. The orbs in his hands grew more intense, pulsating with a power that threatened to erupt at any moment.
With a final, almost casual flick of his wrists, Kael unleashed the compressed energy. The orbs glowed like miniature suns, their radiance blinding.
"Infinite Compression," he declared, his voice steady and devoid of emotion, and then the orbs detonated.
The explosion of energy was immense, a brilliant, blinding flash that engulfed the battlefield. The sheer force of it sent shockwaves rippling through the air, causing the ground to tremble. The compressed energy, now released, unleashed a torrent of power that tore through defenses, obliterating barriers, and sending everyone flying.
This power grants Kael the capability to manipulate and control various forms of energy present on the battlefield, absorbing and compressing them into highly potent, unstable orbs of destructive force.
Infinite Compression had unleashed a devastating explosion, annihilating everything within a 150-meter radius. The blast left a smoldering crater, with debris and destruction all around. The landscape, once a battleground, was now a desolate wasteland, the air thick with dust and the remnants of unleashed energy.
As the dust settled and the blinding light faded, the battlefield was left in stunned silence. Kael stood at the center, his eyes gleaming with determination and a newfound confidence.
The combatants struggled to their feet, their expressions a mix of disbelief. Harlan, Theoran, Elara, and the Miren.
Kael's first manifestation had proven to be a game-changer, turning the tide of the battle in an instant. And as he stood there, his gaze steady and unyielding, everyone knew that the fight was far from over—but Kael had just become the most formidable opponent on the battlefield.
Despite the overwhelming force of the explosion, a few figures stood amidst the wreckage. Harlan, through his mastery of the Mirror Dimension, had managed to shield himself, though the mirrors on his wings now showed deep cracks, signs of the immense energy they had absorbed. Nearby, Miren, protected by her Cloak of Energy Absorption, stood exhausted, her breaths ragged and her posture unsteady. Elara and Theoran, though severely injured, had somehow survived the blast, their faces etched with pain and determination.
Harlan's eyes blazed with fury and resolve. "Kael!" he screamed, his voice echoing across the ruined battlefield. "Come out and face me!"
Kael, emerging from the shadows of the devastation, stepped forward. His face was a mask of calm determination, his amber eyes glowing with a fierce inner light. The power within him, the bond with his Soul Parasite, surged through his veins, ready for the next clash.
"You're still standing," Kael said, his voice steady but edged with the intensity of the battle.
Harlan sneered, his wings flexing despite the visible damage. "This isn't over. Not by a long shot."
Miren, summoning the last of her strength, stepped beside Harlan. "This fight is far from finished."
Elara and Theoran, though injured, moved to support their comrades, their resolve unbroken. Theoran, wincing with each step, glared at Kael. "You'll pay for this."
Kael stood his ground, the energy around him crackling with potential. "Then come at me. Let's finish this."
With a roar, Harlan launched himself at Kael, his cracked mirrors reflecting shards of energy. Miren followed, her cloak shimmering with absorbed power. Elara and Theoran, despite their injuries, readied themselves for the final confrontation.
Kael's determined stance suddenly flickered. Harlan, mid-leap, noticed the shift too late. With a sudden, almost comedic pop, Kael's form deflated like a punctured balloon, leaving nothing but a wisp of dissipating energy where he had stood.
"Oops! Looks like you fell for the oldest trick in the book," echoed Kael's voice, dripping with amusement.
Harlan, thrown off balance, skidded to a halt, glaring at the empty space. "A clone again?! You've got to be kidding me!"
From behind a pile of rubble, the Kael emerged, dusting off his hands with an exaggerated flourish. "You really thought I'd just stand there after an explosion like that? Come on, give me some credit!"
Miren, exhausted but still sharp, let out a tired laugh. "I knew something felt off! You were way too confident for someone who just nuked the entire battlefield."
Elara, despite her injuries screamed. "How long you are going to hide like a coward!"
Theoran was even less amused. His face darkened with a mix of pain and frustration. "Enough games, Kael! Show yourself for real this time!"
Kael, grinning broadly, gave a mock bow. "As you wish, Theoran. But let's be honest, a bit of humor never hurt anyone, right?"
Harlan's wings flexed again, despite the damage. "This isn't a joke, Kael. We're ending this, now."
Kael's expression shifted, his eyes hardening as he nodded. "You're right. Time to finish this. For real, this time."
Kael thought back to the countless hours he'd spent developing his unique combat style. He had realized long ago that in a direct battle, his chances of victory were slim. Thus, he had crafted a new approach—one that allowed him to control the battlefield with tricks and intelligence. This new technique once to use trick was his ace in the hole, turning the tide of battle with strategy rather than brute force.
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