Chapter 22 Zorvax vs Manas

As the team stood their ground, Zorvax loomed over them with a mocking grin, his voice reverberating through the battlefield like rolling thunder. "You think you can stop me? I'll crush you all like insects!" he declared, his laughter echoing in the glade.

Talia stepped forward, slamming her hands into the ground. "Rock Hands!" she shouted, her Earth Vidya surging with power. The earth trembled, and two massive hands of stone erupted from the ground, gripping Zorvax tightly. She strained to maintain control, sweat forming on her brow. "I've got him!"

Kael seized the opportunity, commanding his spirit wolf. "Go!" he yelled, and the ethereal beast lunged at Zorvax, its jaws glowing with primal energy.

But Zorvax only smirked, his muscles bulging as he flexed against the stone hands. With a roar, he shattered them effortlessly, sending chunks of rock flying. The spirit wolf leaped, but Zorvax caught it mid-air with one hand, his immense strength overpowering it. With a laugh, he hurled the wolf at Talia, who barely managed to dodge the incoming force.

Nadia wasted no time, summoning a vortex of wind around her. "You're not invincible!" she cried, unleashing a fierce Wind Barrage that howled through the air and aimed directly at Zorvax.

Zorvax raised his hand, his body glowing ominously as the wind dissipated on contact. "Foolish girl," he sneered, absorbing the attack into his being. His aura grew brighter, crackling with newfound energy. "You make me stronger with every strike!"

Manas, seeing the tide of battle turning against them, leapt into action. "Cyclone Spin!" he shouted, his chakra surging as he spun at incredible speed, a whirlwind of energy spiraling toward Zorvax.

But just like before, Zorvax absorbed the attack effortlessly, his body pulsing with power. His eyes gleamed as he laughed. "Yes! More! Feed me your strength!"

The team froze, fear creeping into their hearts as they realized their attacks only made Zorvax more powerful. Zorvax's smile turned cruel as he turned his attention to Nadia. In an instant, he closed the gap, his massive fist slamming into her with devastating force. Nadia flew backward, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud.

Manas's heart burned with anger as he watched Nadia slump to the ground. "NADIA!" he shouted, rushing to her side. She groaned, barely conscious, her body trembling from the impact.

Manas clenched his fists, his chakra flaring wildly. His voice was steady but filled with fury. "Zorvax," he growled, "this ends now."

He raised his head, calling upon Zephyrion, the Ring of Wind. "Zephyrion! Lend me your full strength! I need everything you've got to take him down!"

The wind around Manas began to swirl, gathering speed and intensity as Zephyrion's voice echoed in his mind. "Manas, my power is yours, but beware—this strength comes at a cost. Use it wisely."

Manas's eyes glowed with determination as the wind formed a tempest around him, his chakra merging with Zephyrion's energy. The air crackled with raw power as he turned to face Zorvax, his team standing behind him with renewed hope.

"Get ready, everyone," Manas said, his voice resolute. "We're taking this monster down."

Manas steadied himself, his eyes burning with determination as he mounted the majestic spectral lion Kael had summoned. The lion roared with an ear-shattering ferocity, its golden mane shimmering with primal energy. Kael's voice rang out like a war cry:

"Beast Lion Roar!"

The colossal spirit lion charged forward, its paws thundering against the ground like an approaching storm. Manas, gripping its mane tightly, became one with the beast. As they surged toward Zorvax, Talia leaped into action, summoning massive rock barriers to shield them from Zorvax's retaliation.

Zorvax, unfazed, ripped a massive stone from the ground and hurled it with unimaginable strength. The boulder hurtled toward Manas, but Talia stepped in, her rock shield splintering under the impact as she shouted, "Keep going, Manas!"

Using the momentum, Manas leaped from the lion's back, channeling his chakra into a devastating close-range assault. With precision and speed, he unleashed his Cyclone Spin, delivering a flurry of wind-infused punches and kicks. The force struck Zorvax like a hurricane, pushing the hulking foe back several steps for the first time.

Zorvax staggered briefly, then stopped, his deep laughter echoing ominously. "Impressive, little boy," he said, his eyes glowing with malicious glee. "But it's not enough. Your magic only feeds my strength!"

Before Manas could react, Zorvax absorbed the residual wind energy from the attack, his body glowing brighter as his power grew.

At that moment, a calm yet urgent voice resonated in Manas's mind. It was Zephyrion.

"Manas, listen to me. You cannot defeat him with Vidya. Every spell you cast only makes him stronger. You must rely on your physical strength—focus your chakra into raw, unrelenting attacks. Only then will you stand a chance."

Manas clenched his fists, the wind around him fading. He narrowed his gaze at Zorvax, determination hardening his features. "Alright, Zephyrion," he muttered. "No more holding back. It's time to fight with everything I've got."

The air stilled as Manas grounded himself, preparing to channel every ounce of his chakra into a direct, physical assault. The battle had just begun.

The battlefield was chaotic, filled with the sound of fists meeting flesh and the heavy thud of feet against the ground. Manas called out to his team, his voice firm and commanding:

"Everyone, stop using Vidyas and spells! He's absorbing them. We'll bring him down with our strength alone!"

Talia and Kael exchanged quick glances and nodded. "Got it," Talia said, determination gleaming in her eyes as she cracked her knuckles. Kael flexed his arms, a fierce grin on his face. "Time to show this monster what we're made of."

The trio closed in, launching a barrage of punches and kicks at Zorvax. Their strikes came fast and relentless, but Zorvax stood his ground, dodging or blocking their attacks with surprising agility for his size. Occasionally, their blows landed, but it was as if hitting a mountain—Zorvax didn't even flinch.

Manas darted around Zorvax, unleashing a flurry of precise combat strikes aimed at weak points, but Zorvax batted away the attacks with ease. The minutes ticked by, and fatigue began to creep into their movements.

Zorvax chuckled, his deep voice reverberating through the forest. "Is that all you've got? Let's see how long you can last."

Suddenly, Zorvax shifted his stance, his massive form moving with brutal efficiency. With a sweeping motion, he retaliated. His sheer strength sent shockwaves through the air.

"Now it's my turn," Zorvax growled.

Talia rushed in to block one of his punches, but the force behind it sent her stumbling back several feet, her boots scraping against the dirt. Kael jumped in to cover her, landing a solid punch to Zorvax's side. The hit connected, but Zorvax barely budged. In one swift motion, he swatted Kael away like an insect, sending him crashing into a jagged boulder.

Talia moved in again, trying to distract Zorvax, but he was ready. He swung his leg around in a devastating roundhouse kick that connected with her face. She flew through the air and landed hard, groaning in pain as blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Manas gritted his teeth, adrenaline surging as he leaped into action. "Kael, Talia—hold on!" He aimed a series of rapid punches and kicks at Zorvax, pouring all his strength into the attacks. A few hits landed, but they barely left a mark.

Zorvax smirked, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "You're persistent, boy. But you're still no match for me."

Before Manas could react, Zorvax unleashed a powerful strike, sending him flying backward. Manas tumbled through the air and landed with a splash in the nearby river, the icy water swallowing him whole.

For a moment, all was still. Talia and Kael, bruised and battered, struggled to get to their feet as they looked toward the river.

"Manas!" Kael shouted, his voice echoing through the glades. But there was no response. Manas lay motionless, unconscious in the rushing waters, as Zorvax loomed over them, triumphant and unyielding.

Manas slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurry and disoriented. The sounds of the river rushing past filled his ears as he struggled to make sense of where he was. Slowly, the blur cleared, and he saw a figure kneeling beside him, their hands glowing with a soft, golden light.

It was Master Rudra.

Manas blinked in disbelief. "Master… you're here?" he whispered, his voice weak.

Master Rudra gave a faint nod, his expression calm but stern. "I was on my way through this place and found you like this, Manas. What happened to you? Why do you look so beaten and fragile?"

Manas clenched his fists, the shame of his defeat weighing heavily on him. He lowered his head, unable to meet his master's gaze. "I… I'm sorry, Master. I've failed you. That monster, Zorvax, he's unlike anything I've ever faced. He's too powerful."

Rudra placed a steady hand on Manas's shoulder, his voice firm but understanding. "Manas, strength comes not just from power but from purpose and focus. Do you wish to become strong enough to face such a foe?"

Manas's head shot up, determination burning in his eyes despite the pain in his body. "Yes, Master. I'll do whatever it takes to defeat him. Tell me how."

Rudra stood, his figure tall and commanding. "The path to true strength lies in the elemental rings. They are the source of immense power, and only by uniting with them can you hope to stand against Zorvax. Their energy will amplify your abilities beyond your imagination."

Manas furrowed his brow. "The rings? But, Master, I don't know where they are. How will I find them?"

Rudra's gaze turned toward the distant forest, his voice cryptic yet purposeful. "The rings are near, Manas. You don't need directions. You need clarity. Focus, listen to the world around you, and you will feel their energy calling to you. Trust yourself."

Manas nodded, his shame replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. "I understand, Master. I will find them."

Rudra's expression softened for a moment, his rare warmth breaking through the stern exterior. "Good. But for now, Manas, your friends need you. They are still fighting Zorvax, and without you, they will not last."

As Rudra turned to leave, his words lingered like an unspoken challenge. "Do not forget, Manas. A true warrior rises not just after victory but after every fall. Prove to me, and to yourself, that you can endure."

With that, Rudra vanished into the shadows of the trees, leaving Manas to gather his strength. He clenched his fists, feeling the faint pulse of energy within him—the whisper of the rings he had to seek. But first, he had a battle to finish. "I'm coming, everyone. This isn't over yet."