Boris led Team Battlers across the desert, his advanced tablet guiding them through the dunes with precision. The sun blazed mercilessly, but none of them noticed it, fully focused on the task ahead. Suddenly, Boris stopped in his tracks.
Valam Drotin raised an eyebrow. "Hey Boris, did you find the exact location?"
Boris frowned at the readings. "The frequency… it's unusual. It's coming from two different directions."
The team collectively froze, surprise evident on every face.
Alex's eyes narrowed. "The same frequency from two different directions?"
Shizuko Matsuka's voice carried a hint of worry. "It seems… we're about to face something big this time."
Wie Lao smirked confidently. "Don't tell me you're scared."
Shizuko shot him a side glance so deadly it made him swallow nervously. Wie Lao quickly stepped behind Alex, hiding. Alex smiled awkwardly, trying to ease the tension.
Arjun, however, remained serious. Deep inside, he could feel the weight of the danger looming.
Valam glanced at Boris. "So, from where exactly is the signal coming?"
Boris pointed, left and right. "One signal is roughly 100 meters to the left, the other about 150 meters to the right."
Alex's gaze swept over the horizon. "We need to check this out quickly… before something happens."
Everyone nodded, agreeing silently.
Boris continued, "The signal from the right side is weaker, but the one on the left is extremely strong."
Valam's sharp eyes fell on Arjun. "Alright… Arjun, your name is Arjun, right?"
Arjun nodded. "Yes, sir."
Valam turned to Kavya, raising an eyebrow. "And you?"
Kavya quickly replied, "I am Kavya, sir."
Valam's gaze returned to Arjun. "Arjun and Kavya, you two will take the right side. The rest of us will handle the left."
The two nodded. Reyansh gave Arjun a quick fist bump. "Take care of yourself."
Arjun grinned. "You too. Just don't die."
With that, Arjun and Kavya moved to the right, leaving the others to investigate the left signal.
---
Valam and the remaining team arrived at the left location. Confusion crept over Valam's face. "Is the reading coming from here?"
Boris peered at the ground. "Yes… we are right above it."
Alex frowned. "Above the readings? What do you mean?"
Before Boris could explain, the ground beneath them glowed with an eerie blue light. Everyone froze in shock.
Suddenly, the blue light erupted violently, engulfing them all.
Arjun and Kavya, nearing their location, halted as the energy washed over them. Kavya squinted, confused. "What's happening?"
Arjun's eyes narrowed, realization dawning. "It's a trap!"
The light vanished, replaced by a shimmering blue square that encased the team's members like a prison. Arjun and Kavya watched in horror.
They rushed forward, desperate to reach their trapped comrades.
Alex froze, stunned. Shizuko observed with her signature calm, calculating expression.
Valam laughed, a dark sound echoing in the desert. "They planned this… they trapped us here."
Wie Lao gathered fire in his hand. "Let's see how long this trap holds." He punched the blue square, releasing a powerful shockwave, but the barrier remained unscathed.
Arjun and Kavya arrived, each striking the barrier with a powerful punch. Sand erupted into the air, whipped by the shockwave, but the barrier held firm.
Valam's sharp mind worked quickly. "It's a foolproof plan. Our attacks are ineffective. We need to analyze this barrier and find its weakness."
Boris, observing the square, replied confidently, "Don't worry. I'll figure it out soon."
Alex exhaled. "It's good… at least we still have two members free." He smiled at Arjun and Kavya.
Kavya turned to Arjun. "What do we do now?"
Arjun's eyes gleamed. "We wait… and prepare."
Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Sand erupted into the air, forming a colossal sand tomb from the left-side location. The team watched in stunned silence as it shattered, revealing a figure cloaked in black, radiating a crimson aura.
Arjun swiftly created an aura shield, protecting Kavya and others within the barrier from the falling sand. "Made it just in time," he muttered.
Kavya drew her daggers, eyes sharp. "No time to relax… we have work to do."
The figure raised its head, revealing grey skin, crimson eyes, and a menacing grin. He wielded a massive staff, exuding an ominous energy.
Valam's voice cut through the tension. "Both of you—stay alert!"
Arjun and Kavya's gazes met his, their eyes blazing with determination. Valam's tone was deadly serious. "Now… you two are our only hope."
Arjun and Kavya exchanged a knowing glance, nodding firmly before turning their attention to the Celestial General.
The general's voice was cold and mocking. "So, two humans remain outside my trap… perfect. I have toys to play with."
Arjun's grin was equally mocking. "I promised… you'll regret playing with this toy."
The general laughed. Raising his staff, he bellowed, "We shall see!"
The ground quaked again as an enormous army of skeletons, clad in black armor and wielding swords and shields, emerged. The sheer number of warriors blanketed the battlefield.
Arjun froze momentarily at the sight.
The Celestial General, Conjurer, laughed again, savoring the fear around him. He bit his thumb, smearing blood onto the crimson crystal atop his staff. A sinister glow enveloped it. He threw that staff above.
"Proud generals of the Celestial Knights," Conjurer intoned. "Weilder of darkness… the Conqueror… the Majestic Warrior, I release you from this pathetic spell!"
A powerful, ominous energy exploded from the staff, cracking it in the process. A red energy ball burst outward, shaking the desert.
System notification: Power detected: Mythic Protector – Normal Stage
Arjun's eyes widened at the reading.
The light vanished, revealing a dark knight clad in platinum-black armor, red highlights streaking across his form. He wielded a long, menacing sword, radiating an aura of pure death.
Conjurer laughed. "Welcome back, Dark Knight."
The knight's eyes glowed as he replied, "Long time no see… finally, I am free from that pathetic spell. So... how long did I sealed there."
Conjurer chuckled. "A thousand years…"
Everyone listening froze in disbelief. Arjun clenched his fists, the scale of the threat sinking in.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out: "Team Battlers!"
The second team appeared, carrying the injured researchers with them.
Valam's voice trembled slightly. "What happened? Is everyone alright?"
David Smith, breathing heavily, reassured him. "Don't worry… everyone is alive. We saved the researchers. But…"
A massive bat monster emerged from behind. David threw a dagger, but it had no effect. The bat attacked fiercely.
Kavya stepped forward, slashing with her daggers, cutting the bat into pieces in an instant. Blood splattered the sand. She turned to the second team. "Is everyone okay?"
David exhaled deeply. "We're in big trouble…" His gaze fell on Team Battlers trapped in the blue square.
Wie Lao pointed toward the advancing army and the two Celestial Generals overhead. "Tell me something new," he muttered grimly.
David Smith's fear grew. "Two more Celestial Generals?"
Arjun's eyes narrowed. "Two more?"
More bat monsters emerged, black clouds forming overhead. A dark energy surged forward, and from it emerged a figure—Celestial General Dracula. His crimson eyes, sharp teeth, and white hair radiated terror.
Valam turned to Boris. "How long will it take? The situation is spiraling out of control!"
Boris gritted his teeth, frustration visible. "I'm trying… but it's too complicated!"
Conjurer laughed, mockingly. "All your efforts are useless. Accept your death. Humanity is doomed!"
The skeleton army surged forward, Dracula's bats swooping in from above. Valam, Alex, Shizuko, Wie Lao, Reyansh, and Rohan all tried to break the barrier.
The outside members dropped to their knees, trembling.
Arjun turned to Kavya. "Stay here. Protect them from the skeletons and bats."
Kavya's eyes widened. "Where are you going?"
Arjun glanced back at the Celestial Generals, his expression deadly serious. "I'm going to face them."
Kavya was terrified. "Are you mad? Do you even understand what you're saying? Those three Celestial Generals are insanely powerful!"
Arjun glanced back at her, his confident smile unwavering. "Don't worry… I'm the strongest here."
Her fear battled with trust, but Arjun's confidence gave her courage. She nodded, worrying but resolute. "No matter what… you have to come back alive."
Arjun gave a thumbs-up before stepping forward, aura flaring. The other members inside the barrier watched in awe.
The three Celestial Generals' gazes meet with Arjun's death stare.
Conjurer laughed and launched a fireball. Arjun waved his hand, effortlessly deflecting it back into the skeleton army, causing a massive explosion.
Dark Knight, releasing a dark aura, spoke. "You have courage, boy."
Dracula grinned, fangs gleaming. "I love killing people like you… who think too highly of themselves."
Arjun's thoughts were clear. It doesn't matter who I face… in the end…
He propelled himself forward, flying toward the generals. Dark Knight swung a deadly slash of dark energy. Arjun gathered golden energy to his hands countered with his left hand, breaking the strike.
Dark Knight rushed and meet head on with Arjun.Their fists collided. Arjun Right fist Vs Dark Knight left fist, energy exploding in a massive shockwave. They both are pushing eachother.
Arjun pushed Dark Knight slightly back with sheer force, then delivered a tornado kick to his face, sending him reeling near Dracula and Conjurer. They looked on, surprised.
A bright smile spread across Arjun's face. "I'd win."
---
To Be Continued…