Achilles approached the barrier, his hand hovering over its surface. "We cannot allow this obstacle to stand in our way any longer," he declared.

With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed his destructive power, the barrier crumbling before his might. As the barrier shattered, revealing the vast army beyond, Achilles stood triumphant, a master of his domain.

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Nuzuki's army was a terrifying spectacle, composed of four distinct and formidable species.

First were the Vangelis, skeletal soldiers with swords and a haunting blue aura that enveloped their heads. As undead, they felt no pain, making them relentless foes. Hailing from the perilous Eighth Kingdom, they were rarely seen elsewhere.

Next were the Draugolf, towering fifteen-foot creatures with dark blue and white fur, blue feathers, and piercing blue eyes. Known for their cruelty, speed, and savage hunting instincts, these monstrous beasts were a force to be reckoned with. Despite their size, their agility allowed them to engage in combat with creatures of all shapes and sizes.

Then there were the Hebran, another fifteen-foot behemoth, though shorter and bulkier than the Draugolf. Their appearance was terrifying, with pointed teeth, a thick, short horn, and chaotic purple fur. But it was their fur that was truly terrifying, capable of burning anything it touched with intense heat. The Hebran were a shock, as they were believed to have gone extinct ten years ago.

Finally, there was the Dragon, the most feared and respected creature of all. Invincible, towering twenty to twenty-five feet tall, with steely skin and piercing eyes, the Dragon was the undisputed ruler of the skies. Though perhaps not as swift as an Eirin, the Dragon's sheer power and majesty made it the most dangerous creature of all time.

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The Dragons, the most fearsome of all creatures, remained grounded, their immense forms rising from the earth. The entire army, a monstrous tide of Vangelis, Draugolf, and Hebran, surged forward, their eyes fixed on Orano and the others.

Orano, Bachi, and Miko were still recovering from the earlier attacks, their bodies aching. Lydia, Yuma, and Caitrin rushed to their aid, desperately trying to fend off the encroaching horde. But their efforts were futile against such overwhelming numbers.

As the creatures drew closer, Lydia, Yuma, and Caitrin fought with all their might, their spells and blades a feeble defense against the onslaught. Three against an entire army was a hopeless endeavor. If they didn't act quickly, their fate would be sealed.

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Caitrin's voice was filled with desperation. "Where are the Creature Hunters? They should be here!"

Yuma gasped for breath as he struggled to hold back the creatures with his magic. "Unfortunately, we have no idea! We've contacted them, but there's been no word."

"How are we supposed to fight these creatures? We can't do this with five people!" Caitrin shouted, pushing back a Vangelis.

"I'm sorry! But we have no choice but to hold them back," Yuma replied.

They were trapped, a desperate situation with no apparent solution. With no backup in sight, their chances of survival dwindled. They needed help, and fast.

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Nuzuki approached Tatsumi, his anger simmering beneath the surface. The blow he had received was a humiliation, and he yearned for vengeance.

As he drew near, Nuzuki sneered, "After all your bravado and speeches, you lie here defeated? You are a pathetic excuse for a warrior. Perhaps you should have considered the consequences of your actions before you took them."

Orano groaned, adjusting his shoulder. "Perhaps joining this war was a mistake, but you must understand that a war you start must be fought to its conclusion."

He swung his sword, a gesture of defiance. "And you should have known that your actions would eventually lead to this. You knew we would come for you."

Nuzuki chuckled. "A perceptive guess. Many of those things are true. But that's not what I truly meant. My goal is to eliminate insects like you, who sacrifice their lives for meaningless concepts like 'honor' and 'peace.' You've caused me much trouble, and you will pay the price."

His gaze turned cold and calculating. "I see the fear in your soul, the pain in your body, the despair in your eyes. But you still wish to continue, Orano Tatsumi?"

"Of course, I will continue. I have no intention of stopping."

Nuzuki was taken aback. "Huh?"

Orano regarded Nuzuki with a somber expression. "You've made a mistake, and you still don't realize it."

Nuzuki scoffed. "Oh, is that so? Tell me, what was my mistake?"

Orano pointed his sword at him. "Your mistake was underestimating us."

As if on cue, a familiar surge of purple lightning erupted from the sky, slicing through the ranks of the skeletal army. The lightning coalesced at the entrance of the lake, revealing Nijimura Rai.

"Glad we didn't miss all the fun," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I needed a workout."

Caitrin's face lit up with joy at the sight of a familiar friend. "It's her again," she exclaimed.

But Rai was not alone. A colossal black cloud, shaped like a skull, loomed over the battlefield. It opened its maw, and three serpentine creatures emerged, their bodies twisting and turning. With swift, precise movements, they severed the heads of the remaining skeletons. The cloud consumed the fallen creatures, ensuring their complete destruction.

As the cloud dissipated, two figures stepped into the fray: Valdis Ryuko and Neresu Poteus.

Valdis grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm sure I've slain more creatures than you, Poteus."

Neresu responded with a serious tone. "This isn't a competition, Valdis."

Caitrin's eyes widened in astonishment. "Did they finally arrive?"

Yuma nodded. "Yeah, they did. But there's still someone missing."

"Who is missing?"

"It's-"

Before Yuma could finish, a figure plummeted from the sky, landing with a force that sent shockwaves through the battlefield. The enemy forces trembled and fell.

Yuma looked up, his eyes filled with relief. "He finally arrived."