Ludwig focused his energy for another strike, but Raylon moved so fast that it created an afterimages of himself. Ludwig couldn't tell which was the real Raylon so he punched the ground, the impact shattering the afterimages.

“Where is he?” thought Ludwig as he noticed that Raylon was nowhere in sight.

That's when Raylon broke through the ground beneath him and landed a massive kick that hit his chin. The impact flipped him over, allowing Raylon to use a double palm strike that broke Ludwig's ribs and sent him tumbling down the hill.

“I see, so his toughness, strength and speed have greatly increased. The good thing for now is that I see no new techniques” though Ludwig.

That was when Raylon touched the ground and said, “Hellraiser”. The ground beneath Ludwig erupted into flames and set him on fire.

Raylon then landed a headbutt to Ludwig's chest, and the horns pierced his body. “Thunderclap” said Raylon as Ludwig was repeatedly shocked by Raylon's horns and a bolt of pure lightning struck him from the sky. Raylon then released him and pulled him into a backfist. He then grabbed ahold of his arm and kicked him rapidly.

“I guess, you were more of a threat than I thought you were,” said Ludwig as Raylon combined the affinity of fire and electricity in his fist and launched a plasma punch that went through Ludwig. He was defeated and almost killed, thankfully he was teleported away and received medical attention.

With Ludwig knocked out, 18 participants remained.

While Raylon returned to his normal form and took a moment to rest, Jin and Avawrath began their fierce battle.

“You lost against your own teammate, lava boy, I don't think you stand a chance,” said Jin.

Avawrath sent a chunk of the ground at him and then he kicked him in the groin. “You're not so loud now you bloodsucker” said Avawrath with a smile.

He hit his jaw with an elbow strike and then pulled him in to deliver a powerslam. Jin then stitched his shadow to a nearby boulder.

“You won't be smiling after this” said Jin as he began launching an unrelenting assault. As Avawrath was pinned to the boulder’s shadow, he began punching him rapidly and then kicked his groin as well.

“Now we're even,” said Jin as he was about to launch a finishing blow.

Avawrath, managed to infuse energy into his hand to raise the ground beneath the boulder, thereby changing the shadow and freeing himself.

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He raised the ground behind Jin, sending him flying into him. Avawrath grabbed his head mid-air and smashed his head into the ground. He then applied more pressure, driving him further into the ground. Thereafter he filled the ground with molten lava, burning Jin.

Thanks to his incredible regeneration, he managed to survive, but it left him open to Avawrath sweeping his legs and landing a punch to his throat as he fell.

“Your regeneration is such a cheat code. Looks like I'll have to overwhelm you with a volley of attacks to finish you off” said Avawrath.

“You're welcome to try,” said Jin as he got up.

Meanwhile, Taya and Kael began analysing each other's moves.

Taya tried to punch him but he grabbed her punch and flipped her over. She then sent out a blast of fire but he simply guided the flames around him and sent it back at her! She sent out a barrage of flame orbs but Kael gracefully dodged all of them.

That's when she made all of them fall at the same time, Kael was unable to dodge in time so he used 3 tails to block.

“I expected more from someone that has a pact with a phoenix. I'm guessing it's because you're still analysing my abilities. I'll have you know that I'm nowhere near being serious” said Kael.

“Being a part of the family that has a pact with the phoenix isn't as grand as it seems. We have no control of our lives and are simply just there to preserve the peace of our kingdom” replied Taya.

“Those with the greatest power, often have the greatest responsibility. Show me your true power!” exclaimed Kael.

Taya, immersed herself in a cloak of flames and the flames were so intense that it melted the ground and everything she touched.

She combined two flame orbs to create a flame bomb. She sent it towards Kael and it combusted, blowing up the area around him. Luckily he managed to escape the area and he thrashed her with his energy based tail. She began sending out flames wildly, burning the area like a wildfire.

Kael swiftly dodged all the flames and whacked her with his tail again.

He knew that his swords would melt if it made contact with her. Fighting her at close quarters without using his tail would be bothersome as well. He decided to use his technique.

“Everyone is born having a specific affinity. Having a pact with a beast can add to that though. Want to know what mine is? Mine is water, fire, earth and air. That's what makes kitsune so dangerous” said Kael.

Taya was shocked. She couldn't believe it. Having affinities like that would mean he has a counter to nearly everything.

Kael sent out a massive tsunami that hit everyone on the battlefield. The participants from the kingdom of Aqualia did not sustain any damage from it.

The flames burnt so intensely that she evaporated the water and created steam. Kael used that as a smokescreen to get behind her. He engulfed his arm with flames of higher intensity so that he could easily break through her flame cloak and land a strike to the back of her neck.

She fell to the ground and her flames were diminished.

“You fought well, but I expected a bit more,” said Kael as he began walking away as he thought that Taya was knocked out.

That was when Taya awoke and her flames were even more intense. She even summoned the legendary phoenix.

“From the ashes, the phoenix rises. Now I can finally test my power” said Kael.

The kingdom of Zalphtalia watched intently.

“Did you see that phoenix? Remember it so you can transform into it” said Emiru. “Yeah, I got it,” replied Zatala.

While the battle between Kael and Taya greatly intensified, the warriors from the kingdom of Aqualia found where the Warriors from the kingdom of Zalphtalia were hiding.

“It's a nice view here. You can see the entire battlefield. It's better for all of you to get eliminated here. It's like a vacation filled with pain” said Narumi from the kingdom of Aqualia.