Gohan powered up to his Beast form, destruction energy flaring around him as the distinct markings of a Destroyer appeared on his body.

"My, my… how impressive," Merno remarked casually. Without breaking a sweat, he tilted his head, narrowly evading Vermont's sudden strike before sending him flying with a mere flick of his finger. The angel barely batted an eyelid as he observed the scene.

"Such dazzling Ki."

"Let her go!" Gohan's voice was sharp with authority as he focused on Diana, whose face was turning blue as her strength faded.

Merno glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Alright," he said, releasing her without hesitation. But in that very moment, a Ki blade seemed to slice through him, Strix panting heavily after putting everything she had into the attack.

In the blink of an eye, Gohan was at Diana's side, catching her before she could fall. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Diana coughed violently, trying to catch her breath, Circe had her guard up, she hadn't bothered attacking the angel. 'Nothing I do will help, if I can see an opening...'

Meanwhile, Merno was already next to Enchantress, who lay motionless on the floor. "Look at what they've done to you," he mused softly, tapping his staff on her head. She gasped for air, clutching her chest as life rushed back into her.

"I've healed your burn too," Merno added, his tone almost playful. Enchantress quickly checked herself over, sighing in relief.

"If you're going to do that, at least warn me next time," she quipped, causing the angel to chuckle.

"Oh, no," Merno replied, smiling. "I love surprises, and they're best when you don't see them coming." His eyes flicked back to the group, his playful demeanor quickly fading.

Circe and Enchantress made eye contact, the two scowled at one another before Enchantress smirked arrogantly, wording to her.

'I guess time wasn't up for either of us, huh?'

'Bitch please,' Circe worded back.

Gohan and Vermont stood ready, their stances defensive. "Strix, Diana, back-to-back! Work together, Circe, make sure Enchantress doesn't catch them by surprise with magic," Gohan ordered, his voice commanding. Without a second thought, Strix powered up to her max, igniting her aura as she moved into position, Circe stood behind them and aimed her hands at them.

"Duplicet Vires! Omnia Potentia Crescat!" Strix and Diana felt their power double as Circe cast the spell, a mini magic circle appeared beneath them, Strix's aura doubled in size and potency.

"Not so fast!" Enchantress called out from behind Merno. "Nexum Magicae! Potentia Evaneat!"

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Circe suddenly felt a severe cut off and backlash almost knocking her away but she gained her bearings as blood ran down her nose, a dark grin appeared on her face.

'I have my essence back!' Circe smirked pushing back, Enchantress growled in irritation.

"I can't use the full power of the spell but it should still make you stronger," Circe explained to Strix and Diana. Merno watched on entertained, the two sorceresses had quite the fiery spirit.

Satisfied with the display, he shifted his focus back to Gohan.

"In fact, if you disappoint me any longer, I might just leave you a little surprise, Lord Gohan," Merno teased, slowly walking toward the group.

Gohan clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin. "What do you mean?" he demanded, but the angel just kept walking, stopping only when he was inches away from Gohan.

"Oh, you'll find out. I don't plan on killing you just yet—I simply wanted to meet you." Merno's smile returned, though there was a chilling undertone. "You Saiyans… so primitive. Wound your pride, and you erupt in fury. But you're different, that's what intrigues me."

Gohan's eyes narrowed as Merno continued. "I wouldn't want a wild card like you stirring up trouble while I fine-tune my plans. So, let's make a deal. Show me what you've got, Destroyer, or I'll end you right here."

Merno paused, shaking his head with a sly grin. "No… better yet, if you bore me, I'll eliminate your little lover instead."

Diana stiffened, her hands balling into fists as tension filled the air.

Gohan's energy spiked. His aura flared violently, and before Merno could react, he charged, Vermont following closely behind.

"Alright then, but no cheating," Merno quipped. In an instant, he appeared between them mid-charge, catching them both off guard. With a swift chop to Vermont's neck, he sent the angel crashing to the ground.

"Master Vermont!" Strix called out, her voice shaking with worry. 'I... I can't do anything...' Her body trembled with frustration and fear. But she glanced at Diana, steeling herself. 'I have to protect her. No matter what.'

Gohan wasn't done. He attacked Merno with relentless precision, every movement honed from seven years of training in the Time Chamber. He unleashed a flurry of afterimages, seamlessly switching between Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego—dodging with one, absorbing blows with the other. His mastery of both forms created a breathtaking spectacle, shaking the very foundations of the Time Nest.

Each hit Gohan took made him stronger, each dodge more calculated. He flipped over one of Merno's strikes, countering with a barrage of Ki blasts from his eyes. The energy washed over Merno, but in a split second, Gohan's body seized up as a crushing blow landed on him.

'What...' Gohan barely had time to process before a barrage of strikes hit him from every direction. He tried to mount a defense, but before he could retaliate, Merno's fist collided with his skull, sending him plummeting into the ground, unconscious.

Merno stood over him, looking down with disappointment. "I thought you'd be more impressive than this... You're about as strong as your average Destroyer. All those flashy transformations, swapping between Ultra Instinct and Ego—sure, it looks good. But to me? It just highlights how weak your base power really is."

He scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "You have all these tricks up your sleeve, but you're still so pathetically fragile, I have no desire to waste time waiting for you to mature. It's no wonder you were burned by that man in blue—what's his name? Superman, right?" Merno smirked, his words cutting like a knife.

Circe watched with a worried expression. Her magical duel with Enchantress was reaching a stalemate, but Enchantress still possessed the power of a god. That alone was why Circe was now bleeding, not just from her nose, but from her eyes and ears as well.

"That's right, all you can do is hold me back," Enchantress smirked. Though she was struggling, unlike Circe, she wasn't taking damage from the clash.

Circe sent a telepathic message to Strix, who glanced back at her, uncertain. "Now!" Circe shouted, abruptly cutting off the magic.

In a blur, Strix charged at Enchantress, whose surprise and fear froze her—until Merno stepped in to block the attack. "I still need her."