The Earth Shakes
The stone titan loomed over Demetrius, Musica, and Soruto, its colossal form blocking out the sun as it stood between them and the rest of the island. The very ground beneath them trembled under its weight, the air crackling with the eerie energy of the ancient guardian's final defense.
Demetrius gritted his teeth, his muscles tightening as he prepared for the next wave of battle. His sword was ready—its edge gleaming under the fiery light of the titan's looming presence. "We've faced worse. Just another monster to take down," Demetrius muttered, his voice cold and determined.
Soruto's eyes flicked from the titan to the surrounding terrain. The creature's size was imposing, but he was quick to see the flaws—its joints, where the stone was thinner, were still vulnerable. "I'll need a clear shot," Soruto murmured as he adjusted his rifle, preparing to strike.
Musica's fingers flew over the strings of his guitar, a rhythmic hum filling the air. "Time to inspire some true strength," he muttered to himself. He strummed a few powerful chords, and the sound that reverberated from his instrument was not just music—it was a force of energy, a sonic pulse that surged through Demetrius and Soruto, boosting their abilities.
"Song of Triumph!"
The melody wrapped around his comrades, amplifying their physical strength and reaction time. Musica could feel their energy rising, the air around them thickening with power. This was the kind of battle where his music was vital—without it, the battle would become a struggle for survival.
---
The Titan Strikes
The titan swung one of its massive stone arms, its fist moving with terrifying speed despite its size. The force of the blow struck the ground with an earth-shattering thud, sending shockwaves rippling through the island.
Demetrius, now enhanced by Musica's music, leapt into action with astonishing speed. He parried the titan's fist with his sword, the shockwave vibrating through his arms. The force was immense, but Demetrius held his ground, planting his feet firmly in the rocky soil.
"You're not going to flatten me that easily," he growled, his sword glowing with the energy of his own will.
Musica's fingers flew faster, crafting a powerful soundwave that resonated throughout the island. He amplified Demetrius's strength, making his strikes hit with the force of a hundred men. "Keep it up, Demetrius!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the battle.
Meanwhile, Soruto, ever the calm strategist, took to the heights, using his sniper's precision to find weak points in the titan's colossal body. His rifle, now empowered by Musica's music, hummed with energy as he aimed for the creature's joints, pulling the trigger with a steady hand.
Bang!
A shot rang out, striking the titan's shoulder with pinpoint accuracy. The creature staggered, the stone armor cracking under the force of the bullet. Soruto didn't waste time celebrating—he quickly reloaded, scanning for his next target.
"I've got a weak spot! Demetrius, go for the knees!" Soruto shouted.
---
Demetrius heard Soruto's command and immediately acted on it. His sword surged with energy, empowered by the song of valor that Musica had played. He dashed forward, leaping with the grace of a predator and swinging his blade downward with all his might.
"Rending Slash!"
The blade cleaved into the titan's knee, the stone splintering under the impact. The titan howled, its massive form stumbling as it tried to regain its balance. The moment of vulnerability was brief but precious.
Musica continued to play, his melodies now blending into a symphony of war, each note serving as a battle cry. He could feel the power of the island surging through him, a chaotic mix of energy and force. But with each strum, he focused on pushing his comrades to their limits.
---
Above them, the Ancient Guardian, now sensing that the island's defense was faltering, stepped forward. Its stone-like skin rippled as its enormous form loomed over the battlefield.
"You defile this sacred place…" the guardian's voice echoed through the island, vibrating the very air around them. "You will not leave here alive."
Its body began to glow brighter, the energy from the island fusing into it, making the guardian even more formidable. A barrier of crackling energy surrounded it, pulsing with the power of ancient forces.
Hiro, standing on the sidelines, watched intently. He had allowed his crew to engage with the titan, knowing full well that they could hold their ground. But now, it was time for him to enter the fray.
---
With a slow, deliberate motion, Hiro stepped forward, his eyes locked onto the guardian. His hand hovered over the hilt of his sword, but he wasn't going to use it just yet. He wasn't going to rush into this fight—he needed to observe, to understand.
"You've made your move," Hiro muttered, his voice cool and detached. "Now let's see what you've got."
The Ancient Guardian raised both hands, summoning a sphere of energy in the palms of its enormous stone hands. The orb crackled with raw power, and with a roar, it hurled it at Hiro with the speed of a cannonball.
Hiro didn't flinch. He simply extended his right hand, and the energy from the sphere suddenly began to distort. The Night Night no Mi's powers activated in an instant, and the orb's momentum began to slow, its essence bending to Hiro's will.
With a wave of his hand, the energy of the sphere dissipated into the air, vanishing without a trace.
"I see…" Hiro muttered. "You are more than just stone. You're a vessel for the island's power."
The Ancient Guardian roared in fury, its eyes blazing with fire. "You dare mock the will of this land?"
Hiro didn't respond with words. Instead, he reached deep within himself and activated his Conqueror's Haki. The sheer presence of his will surged through the battlefield like a tidal wave, pushing back even the titan's fierce resolve.
---
The Battle Rages On
Demetrius, Soruto, and Musica had successfully dealt with the smaller threats, but the battle was far from over. The Ancient Guardian wasn't going down easily.
The ground beneath them quaked again as the titan began to move once more. It raised its fist, preparing to crush them under its immense weight. But Demetrius, now fully empowered, was already charging toward it, his sword ready.
"This ends now!" Demetrius roared.
With one final, powerful strike, he cleaved through the titan's core, shattering its stone body. The ancient creature let out a final, deafening scream before collapsing to the ground in a heap of dust and rubble.