With each wave, Will could feel it. His core was brimming with energy and he could tell he might definitely make a breakthrough to the advanced realm.
'Maybe this was what I needed after all to break through to the next realm.' Will thought as he slashed at another beast.
The fourth wave was filled with magical tier beast and along with the strange dark beast. The beasts with dark skin were quite hard to kill, especially those of a higher stage.
A group of five had to gang up in other to defeat the higher stage ones while the peak stage were left for the prodigies.
"Shit! Are they trying to kill us. I don't think I can take it anymore. After all I have no one to protect, no family here, that I'm risking my life for," one of the student said in tears, his mind in a complete mess.
Turning back, he started running towards the gate with his last strength. He hadn't run long before he got caught by one of the beast. The beast had appeared at of nowhere and with its jaw stretched open, he swallowed his head and with a snap detach it from his body.
"A beast has broke through our ranks," one of them shouted as all attention was on the beast. Awaiting its prey, it vanished into the thin air with none unable to sense him.
Another scream was heard as the beast had struck again claiming the life of another student.
Dren was battling with a snake like beast when he felt a presence. He was well aware of the beast causing havoc in their ranks and was alert. Without wasting time, he covered himself in shadows as he disappeared from his initial position.
Just as soon he left, the beast materialized striking the thin air. It eyes locked on to Dren who had appeared a few meters away. It charged forward its body streaking pass bodies.
"C'mon, I can do this," said amidst shaky legs. He made sure his legs were wrapped in shadow in other to escape quickly from dangerous attacks.
The two clashed with Dren on the defensive. He blocked and avoided the deadly claws trying to find an opening. The speed of the beast was so high he could barely keep up. Soon, he was unable to hold back the beast living an opening. It struck his chest leaving three deep claw marks.
Arghhh! He groaned in pain as he disappeared Ince again appearing far from the beast. The beast gave chase as it attacked him once again. Dren fought valiantly with his life on the line. Finding an opening, his daggers emitted a purple glow as he struck the beast.
His daggers was unable to pierce through with the beast biting his arm.
"Fuck!" He screamed as he stabbed the beast continuously. He could feel his muscles about to tear off as the beast increase the pressure.
Arghhhh! Putting all his available energy into the dagger he struck its head this time around. He had targeted a delicate part of its face in a desperate act. The beast roared in fury as the dagger pierced through its eye, finally releasing his arm.
Dren dashed backwards his breathing coming out in short gasps. He knew it was far from over and everyone was occupied with their own battle.
"I won't die here," he screamed as he readied himself for the impending clash.
"Shadow form, first art! Maelstrom tendrils!" He said as he was suddenly covered in purple shadows. From his body, large tendrils came out, each heading towards the beast. Some held onto the it while others slammed into the beast.
It was a fierce fight as Dren kept on pouring more energy in other to keep the tendrils from getting destroyed. Blood soon rushed from his nostrils as he felt he was already at his limits.
"Shadow art, second form... ugh," he groaned coughing out blood as the beast destroyed the last of the tendrils affecting him.
The beast was already upon him with his mouth widely opened.
"Not on my watch!" A sword wrapped in blazing flames struck the beast head halting its charge. The beast let out a low growl as Will stood before Dren ready to attack the beast.
The beast soon vanished from sight and once again his presence completely wiped.
"Shit! Where did it go?!"
'Behind me!' He twist his body a little too late. The beast materialized with his claws swiping down on him.
"Arghh!" He groaned in pain. 'I was lucky I twisted my body reducing the attack effect.' The beast soon disappeared again this time around appearing right before Dren with its mouth wide open.
A flaming whip wrapped round its mouth and with a tug was shut by the whip. "Trying to hurt my friends, huh?" Belle said as she pulled the whip dragging the beast across the ground.
"Ugh, I need to help her. She won't be able to handle it herself," Will mumbled gritting his teeth. His legs was covered in flames as he kicked off the ground.
"Second formation of the heaven-defying arts! Raging force!" His sword was covered in intense energy as he struck the beast that while struggling with the whip.
His qi was spiralling out covering his entire sword and spreading outward. He spun and swung down causing a explosion. The beast reared in pain struggling with the fierce energy trying to obliterate it.
Belle had disengaged the whip seeing Will was about to attack and readied her own.
"Time for me to shine also," she muttered with a smile. Fire arts! Phoenix flames! With the whips wrapped around her arms emitting an intense heat, she swung her fist down hitting the beast head. A little image of a phoenix bird appeared for a moment before disappearing. Its head dug into the ground and had bounced up from the attack.
It released a piercing scream before disappearing into the thin air.
'Don't think you can fool me this time around,' Will thought straining his senses. 'I noticed you must deactivate your skill in order to strike!'
Soon he could feel the energy gathering before Belle, and without wasting time, he dashed towards her. 'I need to create a stronger attack,' he thought.
"Second formation of the heaven-defying arts! Raging force. I can do more!" Slowly flames mixed with the qi spiralling out of control.
"Belle! Right behind you!" Will screamed amidst preparation of his attack. Belle wasted no time in diving out of the way but wasn't unscathed. A long claw mark was made tearing her top with blood dripping from the wound.
"Die!" Will screamed as he brought down his sword right on the beast head. The area was covered in flames as the beast collapsed on the ground. Will landed on the ground gasping for breath, he had expended his qi and his energy was already low.
"No! Will! It's still moving!" Dren shouted as he charged forward. "Shadow art! Fourth form! Shadow relic!" Out from the shadow surrounding him, a dark ominous curved sword came out. Its shape looked like that of the tooth of an ancient beast.
He swung the sword, his veins turning from the usual color to a darker shade similar to the sword. He swung the sword which passed through the neck without any resistance. The beast fell down, life slipping away from its eyes.
Immediately, a large amount of energy which had been gathering within his core exploded with his core cracking.
"Breakthrough in the midst of battle?" Belle exclaimed. Dren was already on the ground as his core undergo changes.
"The energy surrounding him might attract beasts. Protect him at all cost!" Will had just finish talking when he noticed the beasts were already attracted to the energy within the area. A group of high level beast rush towards their directions their eyes set on Dren.
Just before the impending clash, a large explosion went off within the rank of beast. Large shackles came out slamming several beasts into the ground.
In another area, Several shuttle sword was seen moving at an insane speed killing any beast that stood before it.
From above, a silver haired boy with a radiant glow was seen atop a similar sword gliding through the air.
"Reinforcement has arrived!" Someone shouted with relief. Soon they noticed they were the only ones that had come. "Only two?! What will they be able to do?!"
Although reinforcement had arrived Will and his group was still in a dangerous situation.
"Need help?" A familiar figure appeared before them his legs covered in lightning.
"Issaiah!" Will exclaimed in relief. "Maybe with him here we can be able to hold them back till the reinforcement gets here."
Tsk. 'Still depending on others. I need to grow stronger.' The thought slowly crept into his head.
They engaged with the beasts forming a protective circle around Dren who was still in the process of breakthrough.
Five minutes had passed yet they fought vigorously protecting Dren from any beast. Five minutes had passed bit it seemed like an hour to Will as he force his hands to move.
"Argghhh!" Dren let out a loud roar as the process wad finally over. Some black inky substance was seen dripping from his body.
Although, he had breakthrough he was quite weak. Though he didn't need to stress himself as they finally got to their position.
Giant formidable shackles made entirely of energy broke from the ground intwining the beast and crushing their bones.