ch. 20 - the Finale

As Merlin and Nia finished dismantling the Lightning Sagittarius, the battlefield around them erupted in chaos. The last remaining team, who had been holding their own, were caught off guard by a devastating combination attack from the Fire and Wind Sagittarius Automatons. The two creatures merged their mana in a catastrophic display of power, forming a colossal fire tornado that consumed everything in its path. The blazing vortex roared across the maze's central chamber, scattering debris and forcing the remaining disciples to retreat or risk annihilation.

Merlin gritted his teeth, the heat and pressure of the fire tornado palpable even from their position. "Looks like it's just us now," he muttered, glancing at Nia, who was gripping her shield tightly, her axe still glowing faintly with residual earth mana.

"That tornado won't hold for long," Nia said, scanning the battlefield for allies. "We need to move now while we still have a chance."

It was then that the Earth Knight and his fire mage teammate emerged from the smoke and flames, battered but resolute. The Earth Knight's shield was cracked, and his heavy armor bore scorch marks, but his stance remained unyielding. The fire mage beside him looked no better, his robes singed and his flames flickering unsteadily.

the Earth Knight, his voice steady despite the exhaustion etched on his face spoke. " We'll need to combine forces if we're going to take those things down."

Merlin nodded, stepping forward. "Agreed. That tornado is powerful, but it'll burn itself out if we disrupt the synergy between the two Automatons. Can you create an opening?"

The fire mage, wiping soot from his face, managed a faint grin. "I can buy you time. If we can separate them, their coordination will crumble. But we'll need to be quick."

Nia adjusted her grip on her shield. "Merlin and I will handle the Wind Sagittarius. You two focus on keeping the Fire one occupied. If we can take out one, the other will lose momentum."

The Earth Knight nodded, slamming his mace into the ground. "Let's get to work."

The team split into two groups, with the Earth Knight and his fire mage ally charging toward the Fire Sagittarius. The Earth Knight immediately summoned a massive stone wall to block the Automaton's line of sight, giving them a chance to close the distance. Meanwhile, the fire mage unleashed a barrage of molten projectiles to keep the Automaton on the defensive.

On the other side, Merlin and Nia flanked the Wind Sagittarius. Its movements were erratic and swift, the Automaton weaving through the air as if carried by invisible currents. Every step it took sent gusts of wind howling through the maze, creating whirlwinds that threatened to knock them off balance.

Merlin activated his Lightning Vein Body Augmentation once again, the faint crackle of energy coursing through him as he moved with unnatural speed. Using his Flashstep Lunge, he closed the distance to the Wind Sagittarius, aiming for its exposed flank. The Automaton responded instantly, countering with a sudden burst of wind that sent Merlin skidding back.

"Not so fast," Nia growled, stepping in with her shield raised. She slammed it into the ground, anchoring herself against the gusts. Her axe glowed with earth mana as she swung it upward, sending a shockwave through the ground that destabilized the Automaton momentarily.

"Nice work!" Merlin shouted, capitalizing on the opening. He darted forward again, this time aiming for the Automaton's legs. His saber struck true, carving a deep gash into one of its joints and slowing its movements.

Meanwhile, the Earth Knight and the fire mage were holding their own against the Fire Sagittarius. The Automaton unleashed waves of flame that melted the stone barriers almost as quickly as they were raised, but the Earth Knight's defenses held firm. His partner used the cover to launch precise, explosive attacks, each one chipping away at the Automaton's fiery armor.

"Focus on the core!" the fire mage shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the flames. "It's the only way to stop it!"

The Earth Knight nodded, slamming his shield into the ground to create a fissure beneath the Automaton. The sudden shift caused the Fire Sagittarius to stumble, giving the fire mage a clear shot. He unleashed a concentrated blast of flame directly at the Automaton's core, causing it to crack and flicker.

As the Fire Sagittarius faltered, the fire tornado began to weaken, its intensity dropping as the synergy between the two Automatons broke apart.

Seeing the tornado diminish, Merlin and Nia pressed their advantage against the Wind Sagittarius. Merlin used his Thunder Steps in tandem with his saber techniques, striking at the Automaton from multiple angles. Nia provided cover, her shield absorbing the brunt of its wind-based attacks while her axe delivered heavy, precise strikes.

Finally, Merlin saw an opening. With a surge of mana, he leapt into the air, his saber glowing faintly with residual lightning energy. He brought the blade down in a devastating arc, piercing the Automaton's core. The Wind Sagittarius let out a final, piercing gust before collapsing into a heap of broken metal and sparking mana arrays.

On the other side of the battlefield, the Earth Knight and the fire mage delivered the finishing blow to the Fire Sagittarius, shattering its core with a combined strike.

As the dust settled, the four stood in the center of the battlefield, battered but victorious. The fire mage let out a tired laugh. "Well, that was fun."

Merlin sheathed his saber, glancing at the others. "If that's what counts as training here, I think I'm going to enjoy the Inner Court."

*****

As the battle against the last of the Automatons raged on, the remaining teams—Merlin and Nia, the Earth Knight and his fire mage ally—watched as the two twin sisters, the cheeky water mage and her fraternal twin, the wind assassin, took the lead against the Water Sagittarius.

The Water Sagittarius, like its counterparts, had been a formidable opponent, its body powered by water-based mana and its movements fluid yet precise. However, the twin sisters had a trick up their sleeves. The water mage, with her twin daggers, spun a complex, intricate web of water constructs, weaving through the air with precision. Her twin sister, the wind assassin, supported her by maintaining the flow of the spells, using wind currents to enhance the water's freezing capabilities.

"Now!" the water mage called out, a glint of determination in her eyes.

In a synchronized motion, both sisters released their mana in a massive wave. The water constructs wrapped around the Water Sagittarius, freezing it in place as the temperature around it dropped rapidly. The Automaton, encased in solid ice, stood frozen, its movements halted by the combination of elemental forces.

The fire swordsman from the northern plains, his fiery aura still blazing around him, moved with a speed and grace that belied his size. He wielded a massive broadsword with the strength and precision of a true master. His partner, the other fire mage, stood nearby, ready to launch another barrage of fire spells to keep the Water Sagittarius immobilized.

The two fire swordsmen stepped forward in perfect sync, each holding their weapon in a stance that radiated deadly intent. They exchanged a brief glance, and without a word, they launched their attacks.

With a surge of fire mana, the first swordsman cut through the ice, his blazing blade slicing through the frozen Automaton with ease. The second swordsman followed up with a sweeping motion, his sword leaving a trail of flames in the air as he cleaved through the ice and the Automaton's core.

The Water Sagittarius shattered into a million frozen pieces, its core destroyed in a fiery explosion of mana that erupted from the center of its body.

The battlefield fell silent, save for the crackling of lingering flames and the cold wind that now swept through the chamber. The twin sisters and the fire swordsmen stood triumphantly, their chests heaving as the last of the Automatons fell.

Merlin, Nia, and the Earth Knight looked on, their exhaustion still evident, but a sense of respect filled the air. The two fire swordsmen exchanged a nod with the water mage and her twin, acknowledging their combined victory.

"We make a good team," the wind assassin said with a grin, her daggers still shimmering with water mana.

"Agreed," the water mage added, wiping the sweat from her brow. "But we couldn't have done it without you two." She gestured to the fire swordsmen.

Merlin nodded, a rare smile crossing his face. "It's not every day you get to fight alongside such skilled opponents."

The Earth Knight chuckled, slapping Merlin on the back. "You handled yourself well, considering you're a 2nd Circle Novice."

Nia gave him a knowing glance. "Don't let him fool you. Merlin's no slouch."

With the final Automaton defeated, the group stood together, each feeling the weight of their trials but also the bond forged through battle. For Merlin, it had been a test not just of strength, but of teamwork and adaptability—skills that would serve him well in the Inner Court of the Sect.

As they made their way back to the central hub of the maze, a sense of accomplishment filled the air. But deep down, Merlin knew this was only the beginning. The path ahead would be far more challenging, and the stakes would be even higher.