Chapter 18 Manas, Talia, Iris, and Orin vs. Kevin’s Squad

The air sizzled with tension as the Tempest Striders squared off against the Ember Wraiths. Kevin's chosen teammates—Reyna, Kael, and Serin—radiated confidence, their powers crackling with dangerous energy. Across from them, Manas's team stood firm, ready to prove themselves.

Reyna wasted no time, drawing her bow and firing a lightning-infused arrow straight at Manas. The arrow hummed with power, streaking toward him like a comet. Manas dodged just in time, rolling to the side as the arrow detonated behind him in a burst of electricity, scorching the ground.

Serin seized the opening, her electrified whip unfurling with a crack. She swung it wide, creating an arcing lightning barrier that caged the Tempest Striders in a confined space. The chains hummed with energy, daring anyone to cross them.

"Stick together!" Manas shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We can handle this if we work as one!"

The Fight Unfolds

Reyna vs. Iris

"Leave this to me," Iris said, stepping forward with determination. She raised her hands, summoning water to swirl around her. As Reyna fired another arrow, Iris deflected it with a water shield, the clash producing a sizzling mist.

Reyna moved to higher ground, seeking a vantage point to rain arrows down on Iris. But Iris wasn't about to let her dominate the fight. She sent a wave crashing toward Reyna, forcing her to jump down. The water slowed Reyna's movements, but the archer quickly adjusted, leaping and firing a precision shot that grazed Iris's shoulder.

"That was close," Iris muttered, summoning another wave. This time, she aimed it higher, trying to knock Reyna off her feet entirely.

Kael vs. Talia

Meanwhile, Kael charged at Talia, his thunder-infused fists glowing with raw power. "You think a little stone can stop me?" he shouted, breaking through a barrier Talia had just erected.

"I think it'll slow you down," Talia retorted, slamming her foot into the ground. Pillars of rock erupted, forcing Kael to dodge. He responded with a thunderous punch that shattered one of the pillars, the force sending Talia sliding back.

She gritted her teeth, summoning boulders to encircle Kael. He grinned, punching through them with ease. "You're strong, but I'm stronger," he said, closing the distance and throwing a heavy punch.

Talia barely dodged, countering with a ground-shaking stomp that sent cracks racing toward Kael. He stumbled but quickly regained his footing, launching a rapid barrage of thunder punches.

Serin vs. Orin

Serin's whip lashed out, aimed directly at Orin. He deflected it with a blade of metal he had pulled from the ground, sparks flying as the two weapons clashed.

"Nice trick," Serin said, smirking. "Let's see how long you can keep it up."

She swung again, her whip wrapping around Orin's blade. With a twist, she tried to disarm him, but Orin countered by reshaping the metal into a shield, blocking her next attack.

Serin's chain cracked against the shield, sending electric sparks flying. Orin retaliated by manipulating the ground beneath her, causing metal spikes to rise. Serin jumped, using her whip to swing to safety, and launched a lightning-charged strike that forced Orin to step back.

"You're clever," Serin admitted, her grin widening. "But I'm faster."

Manas vs. Kevin

Amidst the chaos, Kevin faced Manas with a smirk. "I hope you're ready for this," Kevin said, his fists glowing with thunderous energy.

Manas stood his ground, chakra swirling around his arms. Kevin lunged forward, throwing a thunder punch aimed at Manas's chest. Manas blocked it with a chakra-infused arm, the impact sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.

Kevin stepped back, then unleashed a thunder kick aimed at Manas's legs. Manas leapt into the air, summoning Zephyrion's wind to hover momentarily before countering with a spinning kick of his own.

"You're not bad," Kevin admitted, dodging the kick. "But you'll need more than that to beat me."

Kevin raised his arms, summoning dark clouds above the battlefield. A lightning bolt struck his hands, charging them with immense power. He unleashed a wave of thunder that forced Manas to retreat, his feet skidding across the dirt.

"You talk a lot," Manas said, smirking. "Let's see if you can keep up." He dashed forward, using his chakra to enhance his speed, and launched a flurry of strikes aimed at Kevin's torso. Kevin blocked most of them but took a hit to the side, stumbling slightly.

The fight raged on, neither side showing signs of giving up. The arena crackled with energy, the ground scorched and trembling under the power of their attacks. The Tempest Striders were holding their own, but the Ember Wraiths weren't about to let up.

As the battles raged on, the energy crackling in the air reached its peak. Manas, dodging another of Kevin's thunder punches, suddenly leaped back, his chakra flaring. He raised his voice, loud and commanding:

"Assemble near me!"

Hearing his call, Iris, Talia, and Orin quickly disengaged from their opponents, darting toward him. Iris summoned a shield of water to cover their retreat, while Talia created a wall of stone to block any interference. Orin dashed in, his metal shield glowing faintly as he deflected an incoming attack.

The four gathered in a defensive circle, with Manas standing at the center, his chakra radiating a steady, calming energy.

"What's happening? Any weak points you noticed in your opponents?" Manas asked, his tone focused and sharp, his eyes scanning the battlefield.

Iris spoke first, catching her breath. "Reyna is agile and precise, but she struggles in close combat. If I can force her into a corner, she won't be able to dodge as easily."

Talia nodded, chiming in. "Kael relies on brute force, but he's overconfident. He charges in too recklessly. If we can bait him into attacking blindly, we can trip him up or trap him."

Orin, adjusting his shield, added, "Serin's lightning attacks are fast, but they take a moment to charge. If I can keep her moving and off-balance, she won't have time to unleash her strongest moves."

Manas processed their observations quickly, his mind racing.

Manas's eyes lit up with an idea as he turned to his team. His voice was steady, confident, and full of determination.

"Listen closely," he said, drawing their attention.

"I have a plan. Iris, you'll use your water to flood the arena. Make it hard for them to maintain their footing.

Talia, while the flood spreads, I need you to raise a large stone platform above the water. That will give us higher ground to work from.

Orin, once the flood is in place, use your metal to pull or trap our opponents in the water. We'll lure Kael into attacking recklessly, and his thunder attacks will backfire on them in the water."

Iris nodded, "Got it. A flood big enough to disrupt their footing is coming right up."

Talia grinned. "I'll make sure our platform is solid. Let's see them try to swim and fight at the same time."

Orin smirked, gripping his metallic shield. "Pulling them into the water trap? Consider it done."

With their roles clear, the Tempest Striders sprang into action.

Execution of the Plan

Iris raised her arms, summoning a massive surge of water from the air and ground. The arena began to flood rapidly, water swirling around and rising to knee height. The Ember Wraiths, caught off guard, stumbled as their movements were slowed by the water.

Talia slammed her hands into the ground, and with a deep rumble, a massive stone platform rose from the center of the flood. The Tempest Striders jumped onto it, gaining the high ground while the Ember Wraiths struggled below.

Orin wasted no time. He extended his hands, manipulating the metal in the environment to create chains and traps. With precision, he ensnared Reyna and Serin, pulling them into the deeper parts of the flood where their movements became sluggish.

As the water disrupted their formation, Kael roared in frustration. "You think this will stop me?" he bellowed, his fists crackling with thunder energy. His anger blinded him to the danger.

Kael leaped into the water and unleashed a powerful thunder punch into its surface, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

But the water, now a conductor, turned Kael's attack against him. The electricity spread rapidly, shocking not only Kael but his teammates who were caught in the flood.

The Turning Point

Kael staggered, weakened by his own attack. Reyna and Serin were forced to retreat, their coordination disrupted. From their elevated platform, the Tempest Striders seized the opportunity.

"Now's our chance!" Manas shouted, leading the charge. With their opponents off balance, the Striders launched a coordinated offensive, each using their unique abilities to secure the advantage.

The plan's success highlighted the strength of teamwork and strategy, turning the tide of the battle decisively in favor of the Tempest Striders.

The Tempest Striders, led by Manas, leaped into action with renewed energy after their brilliant strategy had disoriented the Ember Wraiths. As Kael, Reyna, and Serin were forced to retreat, Kevin stood alone, his fists crackling with electricity, his expression a mix of surprise and determination.

Kevin's eyes flickered toward Manas. "What a plan… in such a chaotic situation. This kid isn't ordinary."

Around the arena, the crowd was silent in awe. Captain Neo watched from the sidelines, his usual confidence shaken, his arms crossed tightly as he analyzed the unfolding battle. The public whispered among themselves, amazed by the teamwork and creativity of the Tempest Striders. Captain Jax, meanwhile, couldn't contain his pride, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Now that's how a team works," he murmured to himself.

Kevin raised his hands, summoning all the energy he could muster. Dark clouds gathered overhead, lightning crackling and rumbling ominously. "It's not over yet!" Kevin shouted, his voice booming across the arena. "I'll show you the true power of the Ember Wraiths!"

But Manas wasn't fazed. He raised his hand, signaling his team. "Let's end this together! Iris, Talia, Orin—give it everything you've got!"

The Final Assault

Iris stepped forward, her voice clear and strong. "Water Waves!" She summoned a massive wave that surged forward, engulfing Kevin and disrupting his footing.

Talia planted her feet firmly, slamming her hands into the ground. "Rock Hands!" Enormous stone hands erupted from the ground, grabbing Kevin's legs and pinning him in place.

Orin charged in, his body surrounded by metallic energy. "Metal Kicks!" He delivered a series of precise, powerful kicks, striking Kevin and weakening his defenses further.

Kevin struggled to move, his energy faltering under the relentless teamwork.

Manas saw the opportunity and unleashed his finishing moves. His voice carried the weight of their victory. "Solar Strike!" He channeled his chakra into a blazing punch, striking Kevin directly and disorienting him further.

Without pausing, Manas followed up with a whirlwind attack. "Cyclone Spin!" With chakra-enhanced agility, he spun rapidly, delivering a series of devastating kicks that sent Kevin flying backward.

Kevin hit the ground hard, his body sparking with residual energy. He groaned, trying to push himself up, but the pain and exhaustion overwhelmed him.

The Tempest Striders' Victory

As Kevin lay on the ground, he stared up at the sky, his vision blurred. His thoughts raced. "This boy... he's not normal. He's something else."

The referee stepped forward, raising a hand. "Round Two is over! The winners are the Tempest Striders!"

The arena erupted in cheers. The crowd was on their feet, applauding the extraordinary display of strategy and teamwork. Captain Neo crossed his arms, his lips pressed into a thin line, but he gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "Well played, Striders."

Captain Jax clapped his hands together, his grin wide. "That's my team! Outstanding work!"

Manas turned to his team, his expression calm but filled with pride. "We did it. Together." Iris, Talia, and Orin beamed back at him, their exhaustion forgotten in the thrill of victory.

Kevin, still lying on the ground, watched the team celebrate. Despite his defeat, a small smirk crossed his face. "Manas… I'll remember that name."

With their teamwork and determination, the Tempest Striders had secured a decisive victory, setting the stage for even greater challenges ahead.