The battlefield was a wasteland of destruction.
Cracks in the earth stretched for miles. The sky twisted in unnatural patterns, torn apart by the sheer force of the ongoing battle. Lightning clashed against the heavens, mirroring the ferocity of the warriors below.
Ryan Jim, Liora, and Dain stood, battered and bruised, but unwavering.
Facing them was **Vinay.**
He stood tall, his aura flickering like a raging storm. His golden eyes gleamed with confidence. No matter how much damage he took, no matter how many times they struck him down—**he kept rising.**
He was **unbreakable.**
Ryan Jim wiped blood from his mouth. His body ached, but he refused to falter. **"He's still standing…"**
Liora tightened her grip on her sword. **"No, he's not just standing. He's enjoying this."**
Dain cracked his knuckles. **"Tch. Annoying bastard."**
Vinay smirked, rolling his shoulders. **"Are you three finished? Because I'm still waiting for a real fight."**
Ryan Jim clenched his fists.
They weren't holding back.
They had landed countless blows—**yet Vinay was still overpowering them.**
**"Then let's give him one."**
**BOOM!**
Ryan Jim **vanished.**
A **flash of red aura** streaked across the battlefield. **Ryan Jim reappeared behind Vinay, fist already in motion.**
Vinay barely had time to react.
**CRACK!**
Ryan Jim's fist **collided with Vinay's jaw, twisting his head to the side.**
But Vinay **grinned.**
**"Too slow."**
**BAM!**
Vinay swung his leg, catching Ryan Jim in the ribs, sending him flying.
Ryan Jim **crashed through multiple boulders, coughing up blood.**
Liora **took her chance.** She **lunged** at Vinay, her sword burning with divine energy.
**"Celestial Severance!"**
A **massive golden arc** shot forward, aimed straight at Vinay.
Vinay's eyes **flickered.**
**He raised his hand.**
With **just his palm**, he **caught** the attack.
**"Pathetic."**
He crushed the energy, shattering it into dust.
Liora's eyes widened. **"Impossible…"**
Before she could react—
Vinay **appeared in front of her.**
**BAM!**
A devastating **punch to her gut** sent her flying backward.
Dain **roared in anger.**
He **charged forward**, his aura burning like a wildfire.
**"Titan's Wrath!!"**
He swung his fist with **all his might.**
Vinay didn't even dodge.
He **let** the punch land.
**BOOOOOOM!**
The entire battlefield **shook.**
Dain's punch **connected—**a direct hit to Vinay's chest.
A massive crater formed beneath them.
The shockwave **tore through the air,** flattening the surrounding area.
Dain smirked. **"That should do it."**
But then—
Vinay **gripped Dain's wrist.**
Dain's eyes widened. **"What—?"**
Vinay's **aura exploded.**
**"Too weak."**
**CRACK!**
With a single, effortless motion, Vinay **tossed Dain like a ragdoll, sending him crashing into the ground.**
**Dust and debris filled the air.**
The three warriors—Ryan Jim, Liora, and Dain—**struggled to stand.**
Vinay stood in the center, **untouched.**
**"Pathetic."**
Vinay sighed, shaking his head.
**"I expected more from you three."**
Ryan Jim, barely able to stand, gritted his teeth. **"He's toying with us."**
Liora wiped blood from her mouth. **"Damn it…"**
Dain clenched his fists, his body trembling with frustration. **"We need a plan."**
But there was **no time.**
Vinay raised his hand.
His aura **surged.**
The battlefield **cracked beneath his feet.**
A massive **golden sphere of energy** formed in his palm, growing larger with each passing second.
Ryan Jim's eyes widened. **"That attack—"**
Vinay smirked. **"Let's see if you can survive this."**
He **threw** the sphere forward.
It moved **faster than light.**
The moment it hit the ground—
**BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!**
A colossal explosion **erupted, swallowing everything.**
The entire battlefield **shook violently, breaking apart.**
**Mountains crumbled. The sky itself seemed to rip open.**
A shockwave **tore through the land, sending debris flying in all directions.**
**Ryan Jim. Liora. Dain.**
**Gone—**engulfed in the explosion.
A massive **mushroom cloud of energy** rose into the sky.
Vinay lowered his hand.
**"It's over."**
He turned his back, **walking away.**
But then—
**A voice.**
**"Not… yet."**
Vinay **froze.**
The dust **cleared.**
And standing amidst the destruction—
**Ryan Jim, Liora, and Dain.**
**Burning with power.**
Their auras **exploded outward, shaking the battlefield once more.**
**The fight wasn't over.**
From the ruined palace, **Manav watched.**
Still.
Unmoved.
Emotionless.
The battle raged below, but he **did not react.**
His sharp eyes followed every attack, every explosion, every clash of power.
And yet—**he remained silent.**
His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his throne.
He **was calculating.**
Ryan Jim, Liora, and Dain were strong.
**But was it enough?**
Vinay…
**Was still stronger.**
Manav's gaze shifted slightly.
**The war was far from over.**