The smoke cleared.
Two silhouettes emerged--Toku and Hoshina, still wrapped in bloodied bandages, their bodies broken, yet their spirits unyielding as they yearn to protect their friends. Their weapons locked against the weight of Tavrokh's greatsword, the spear and lance shuddering under the insane power.
Brant stumbled back, stunned for a moment, then grit his teeth and pressed in beside them. "Thank you... both of you," he growled. Together, the three pushed as one. The impossible then happened--the giant shifted, stumbling one step back.
Brant roared and broke free, charging alongside Toku. Their weapons danced in a blur, slashing across Tavrokh's massive legs and arms. Sparks and blood erupted from shallow cuts that barely registered on the Creator's colossal form.
Tavrokh snarled, planting his weapon into the ground with such force the entire arena rattled, and yelling out a loud roar.
He picked up his giant sword and gripped it tighter. Toku saw his chance--he thrust forward with all the strength left in him.
But before his spear could strike, a flash of bright-blue seared the air.
A bolt of plasma struck the spear's tip with surgical precision, knocking it wildly off course.
Everyone froze from shock and the mere presence of more dangerous foes approaching.
From above, two more figures descended.
The first touched down gracefully, almost holy in his composure, cradling a sniper unlike any mortal weapon. Its barrel shimmered, shifting through colors and tones like the sky itself reflected within steel and magic.
The second crashed down like a meteor. An exosuit--towering, plated with alloys harder than diamond, its fists thicker than anvils. The ground cratered under its landing, stone and sand scattering like dust.
Before Toku could even blink, the exosuit lunged.
A single strike--a brutal, merciless, and powerful punch--smashed into his torso. His body twisted in midair, lifeless before he even hit the ground.
"TOKU!!!" Hoshina's scream ripped across the battlefield. Her crimson eyes burned with tears as she lurched toward him. "GEM! HEAL HIM NOW!!"
But the sniper had already taken precautions. Two glowing rounds fired in succession, each bullet perfect, each unerring. They struck Hoshina's ankles, exploding into searing light. She collapsed with a shriek, her lance falling from her grasp as she clutched her ruined legs.
"No... No... No...!" Brant staggered forward, panic choking his voice. He turned to the sidelines, his voice cracking with desperation. "HELP! SOMEBODY!!"
Tavrokh answered instead. His colossal foot lashed out like a hammer, catching Brant full in the chest. The Pyrelux was launched across the arena, smashing into the wall with bone-crunching force. His armor shattered, shards falling like broken glass as he crumpled, barely able to stay on one knee.
And yet, even in that weakness, Brant looked up.
Behind Tavrokh, a shadow flickered into existence.
A fist crashed into the back of the Creator's skull--Valentine. His knuckles bled as he snarled from the pain.
Glonk followed, his fist slamming into Tavrokh's leg from behind, forcing the behemoth to one knee.
Brant's eyes widened. A glimpse of Hope.
He clawed his way upright, seizing his sword with trembling hands.
Not far away, two more figures dragged themselves across the sand. Rikushi and Blaidd, bloodied, burned, frostbitten--spent beyond mortal limits--reached out toward one another, clawing desperately to stand, to rise, to fight again.
The exosuit didn't give anyone a chance.
With impossible speed, it barreled forward and struck Glonk with a savage charge. The impact hurled the man through the barrier itself, shattering the arena's shield as if it were paper. Glonk's body vanished into the distance beyond.
"GLONK!!" Valentine's roar was infused with panic and his own pain.
The sniper leveled his weapon again, calm and unshaken. His next shot whistled across the battlefield, piercing Gem's hands before she could raise them. Blood spilled across her staff as it fell from her grip. Her voice broke in horror as she spiraled into despair.
"Toku..." she says, as she collapses.
No healing. No chance. No salvation.
The arena went silent.
For the first time, it felt like a war they could not win.
A losing battle.