The two figures stood tall atop the hill, their silhouettes perfectly carved by the scorching sun behind them. Their gazes were sharp and full of authority, observing the sea of chaos below.
One, with an elegant robe fluttering softly in the wind, was Zenless. He stood with a vigilant, battle-ready posture. Beside him, the intricately carved bow that had just launched the energy arrow was now folded calmly across his chest.
"Sorry we're late," Raven's voice rang out, cutting through the din of battle, directed at Marcus and the others.
"There was a small matter to attend to in the city."
Marcus, who had just shattered dozens of mud creatures with a series of punches, cracked a relieved smile. "It's fine. What matters is that you're here now."
Then,respectfully, he bowed his head slightly towards Zenless. "We await your command, Your Excellency Zenless."
Zenless nodded slowly, his golden eyes carefully scanning the battlefield before finally gleaming with full confidence. His voice echoed, full of power and charisma capable of igniting the spirit of anyone who heard it.
"All guardians! Listen! Our enemy is endless, but we have a greater strength: unity! Raven will clear a path for us! Focus your attacks on the crystal in the giant's chest! Marcus, prepare your final attack! I will secure the area and give you an opening! NOW, CHARGE!"
His command was like lightning, igniting spirits that had nearly been extinguished. All eyes gleamed, weary shoulders seemed to regain their strength. Even the cynical Deathblade Dancer growled with renewed fighting spirit.
"YES!" they answered almost in unison.
Raven moved immediately. He drew his bowstring and aimed at the sky. "Rain of Arrows!"
Dozens, then hundreds of fire arrows materialized in the air and shot high, before turning and raining down on the area between the guardians and the mud giant. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Explosions of fire burned and vaporized the mud creatures, clearing a wide area temporarily.
"Rapid Fire!" Raven shouted again, and this time, rapid-fire arrows shot out like machine gun bullets, forming a suppressive barrage that scattered any mud creatures trying to approach the guardians' formation.
Seizing this opportunity, Zenless raised his hands. "Aegis of Purity!" A giant hexagonal shield of golden energy formed in front of the entire group, blocking sprays of mud and attacks from creatures that had slipped past Raven's rain of fire.
"Leon, Deathblade, you're the fastest! Advance!" yelled Zenless.
Without needing to be told twice, Leon and Deathblade Dancer shot forward like lightning, skirting the edge of Zenless's golden shield. They moved in tandem, covering each other. Leon parried incoming attacks while Deathblade Dancer stabbed the crystals on the enemies' bodies with deadly precision.
Seeing the two fastest guardians approaching, the mud giant roared loudly and deployed more troops. Zenless, seeing this, reacted immediately.
"Not so easy!" he cried. His hand shot forward.
"Midas's Grasp!"
A giant hand of golden energy flew out and tightly gripped the mud giant's body, holding it still for a precious moment. The giant writhed against the grasp, but Zenless managed to bind it.
"Marcus, NOW!" shouted Zenless, slightly straining under the pressure.
Marcus was ready. His body glowed with concentrated energy. "Give me a clear shot, Raven!"
Raven nodded. He aimed right at the center of Zenless's golden grasp. "Arrowhead Explosion!" A single fire arrow shot out and exploded right on the giant's chest, shattering the protective layer of mud and revealing the giant, pulsating purple crystal within.
It was the moment Marcus had been waiting for. With a thunderous roar, he leaped high into the air, surpassing everyone. His fists were clenched, and energy swirled around him.
"Meteor Hammer Impact!"
His punch descended like a meteor falling from the sky. CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH! Each blow shattered the remaining protections around the crystal, cracking it. But the crystal still held.
Marcus landed, breathing slightly ragged. The crystal began to heal itself, and Zenless's grasp began to weaken. "Not enough..." Marcus growled.
Suddenly, all the other guardians arrived at his side. Forest Guardian bound the giant's body with giant wooden roots. Voice shouted a sonic boom that shook it. Water Master sprayed high-pressure water, Stone Sentinel and Iron Knight became shields, while Keen Observer and Misterious X continued to destroy the smaller creatures approaching.
Leon and Deathblade Dancer stood beside Marcus. "We will give you our energy, Master Marcus!" shouted Leon, placing his hand on Marcus's shoulder. Deathblade Dancer, with a face still sour but full of determination, did the same. Followed by the others, every guardian touched Marcus or the person in front of them, transferring their remaining energy.
Marcus felt an incredible power flowing through him. He raised his head, his eyes blazing. He raised his fist, and it seemed as if the entire strength of the mountain gathered there.
"FIST OF THE MOUNTAIN GOD!"
He swung his punch. It wasn't fast, but it felt inevitable. Like a moving mountain. The punch struck the giant crystal with perfect impact.
CRACK-BOOOOOM!
The crystal shattered into pieces, releasing a tremendous explosion of purple energy. The mud giant froze, then slowly crumbled, turning back into a shapeless mound of earth and stone. All the remaining mud creatures also stopped moving and collapsed, becoming ordinary soil.
Silence fell for a moment, before...
"WE DID IT!" Voice screamed, breaking the quiet.
Cheers of joy erupted. They all, battered, covered in mud and sweat, looked at each other with wide smiles and ragged breaths. Iron Knight supported Stone Sentinel who nearly fell. Forest Guardian gave a pat on the back to the exhausted Water Master. Misterious X and Keen Observer bowed to each other.
Leon looked at Deathblade Dancer, who was adjusting his sword. Leon gave him a slow nod. Deathblade Dancer, for the first time that day, returned the nod very subtly before turning his face away again, though this time without anger.
On the hill, Zenless and Raven descended to approach them. Smiles of satisfaction were etched on their faces.
"Good work, everyone," praised Zenless, his eyes looking proudly at each person.
"You were all amazing," added Raven.
Marcus approached them, his body still steaming. "Thank you, Your Excellency. Without you, we'd still be fighting now."
Around them, the Nexus grew calm again. The demon soldiers began to reorganize their formations and clean up the battlefield. Though exhausted, smiles of weariness and victory shone from every guardian's face. They had faced a great threat, and they had won, together.
=== CHAPTER 34 END ===