Third Phase: Team Battle
The anticipation for the third phase of the Purs Agros Convention was palpable. The crowd, still buzzing with excitement from the intense elimination matches, now eagerly awaited the spectacle of teamwork and strategy.
The Team Battle phase was meant to test not only individual skill but also a contender's ability to cooperate and synchronize with others—qualities crucial for constables of the Xaishen Empire.
The overseer's voice echoed through the arena, announcing the rules of the team battle. "The thirty-two remaining contestants will be divided into eight teams of four. Each team must battle against another, with only the four winning teams advancing to the final phase of the tournament. These trials will test not only strength and skill, but also adaptability, strategy, and unity. Let the Third Phase begin!"
The massive arena shifted again, dividing itself into four distinct battlegrounds, each outfitted with unique obstacles and environments—ranging from rocky terrain and dense forests to narrow platforms and water-filled channels.
The arena had become a dynamic and unpredictable battlefield, promising challenges that would push every contender to their limits. The energy was electric as spectators cheered, the anticipation thick in the air as they waited to see who would rise to the challenge.
Team Introductions
The overseer called out the names of the eight teams, and the contestants began to gather at their respective starting points.
Cire and Ruby found themselves paired with two other contestants—Aric, a stoic spearman with a hybrid chi and energy spear infused with nanomantic technology, and Kaia, an agile magic user with wind spells and a jet-boosted gauntlet capable of manipulating air currents.
Though they had never worked together before, there was an unspoken understanding that they needed to function as a unit if they wanted to progress.
Kingston and Lian, on the other hand, were teamed up with Dante, a fierce brawler who combined his lightning affinity with an electric gauntlet that amplified his attacks, and Selene, a calm and strategic magic user skilled in water manipulation, aided by a mechanized exosuit that enhanced her control over water.
Kingston exchanged a nod with Lian, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by determination. They knew that in this battle, they had to trust and adapt to their new teammates.
The remaining teams consisted of an array of talented individuals. Team Gale was led by a powerful chi user named Hiro, whose mastery over fire was amplified by flamethrower bracers, making his explosive attacks even more formidable.
He was joined by Mara, an archer with ice-element magic enhanced by a targeting system integrated into her visor, Juno, a martial artist with earth-based chi who wore shock-absorbing boots, and Vega, a healer who utilized a drone-assisted medical system for rapid healing spells.
Team Obsidian had Iris, a dark magic user with an aura of mystery, along with Finn, a dual-wielding swordsman whose blades were enhanced with plasma edges, Talia, who possessed shadow-based chi techniques aided by holographic projectors to create illusions, and Zane, a tank-like figure with an exoskeleton suit that amplified his strength and provided heavy armor.
Each team had its own unique blend of skills and technology, making for an unpredictable series of battles. The overseer's voice rang out, announcing the first match—Cire and Ruby's team versus Team Obsidian.
Cire and Ruby's Team vs. Team Obsidian
The battleground for Cire's match was a forested arena, thick with towering trees and a labyrinth of undergrowth. The contestants spread out, each member taking their position as the overseer signaled the start of the battle.
Cire stood with his back to Ruby, Aric, and Kaia. He focused his energy, channeling his chi as he surveyed the terrain. Opposite them, Team Obsidian moved with calculated precision. Iris, her dark magic swirling around her hands, took a commanding position at the back, her eyes locked onto Ruby.
The battle began with a flurry of movement. Talia, the shadow-based chi user from Team Obsidian, activated her Shadow Cloak with the help of her holographic projectors, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.
She reappeared behind Kaia, her hands glowing with Shadow Strike as she moved to attack. Kaia reacted just in time, activating her Jet Boost to leap into the air, conjuring a gust of wind with Gale Barrier to push Talia back.
The collision of chi, magic, and tech sent ripples through the undergrowth.
Meanwhile, Finn charged towards Cire, his dual plasma blades humming as he moved with swift precision. Cire met him head-on, his Piercing Fang chi technique striking against the plasma edges. The two exchanged blows, the clang of energy meeting chi resonating through the arena.
Finn's swift, tech-enhanced attacks kept Cire on his toes, but Cire's unpredictable, flowing movements allowed him to evade and counter with precision.
On the other side of the battlefield, Zane lumbered toward Aric, his exoskeleton whirring as he barreled through the underbrush.
Aric planted his spear firmly into the ground, channeling Earthen Wall with the help of nanomantic energy, creating a barrier between himself and the charging Zane. The wall slowed Zane's momentum, and with a quick twist of his spear, Aric shattered the wall into fragments, launching them toward Zane. The force of the earthen shards forced Zane to take a step back, giving Aric a moment to press the attack.
Ruby, meanwhile, faced off against Iris. The dark magic user summoned tendrils of shadow, each one enhanced by a dark energy amplifier worn on her wrist, snaking towards Ruby with unrelenting speed. Ruby's hands ignited with Crimson Flame, the heat scorching the air as she burned through the tendrils. She moved with precision, closing the gap between herself and Iris. With a fierce shout, Ruby unleashed Blazing Lotus Step, her body enveloped in fire as she dashed forward, landing a powerful blow that forced Iris onto the defensive.
Kaia, using her agility, provided support from above. She leaped onto one of the low-hanging branches, her Wind Blade spell slicing through the air to aid her teammates. When she saw Talia attempting another sneak attack, Kaia launched a concentrated Cyclone Shot that forced Talia to retreat.
The fight was fierce and chaotic, each team member pushing themselves to their limits. In the midst of the battle, Cire saw an opportunity. He called out to Aric and Kaia, signaling for a combined attack. Kaia used her wind magic and jet boosters to create a powerful vortex, pulling the members of Team Obsidian towards the center.
Aric followed up with Earth's Embrace, using nanomantic technology to enhance the ground's movement, causing it to crack and shift, throwing Team Obsidian off balance.
Ruby took the chance to strike, her Inferno Strike erupting in a blaze of fire that overwhelmed their opponents.
The intense combination of chi, magic, and tech forced Team Obsidian into submission, with Iris barely managing to conjure a shield to protect her teammates from the final blow. With Team Obsidian unable to continue, the overseer declared Cire's team the winner.
The crowd roared in approval, the sound echoing through the arena as Cire and his teammates took a moment to catch their breath. They exchanged nods of respect, the tension of the battle giving way to a sense of accomplishment. Despite being a newly formed team, they had managed to overcome the odds and secure their place in the next round.
Kingston and Lian's Team vs. Team Gale
The next battle took place in a rocky terrain arena, filled with jagged boulders and uneven ground. Kingston and Lian stood side by side with their teammates, Dante and Selene.
Across from them, Team Gale prepared for the fight, their leader Hiro already summoning flames that danced around his flamethrower bracers.
As the overseer signaled the start, Hiro unleashed Flame Burst, sending a wave of fire towards Kingston's team. Selene stepped forward, her mechanized exosuit amplifying her movements as she summoned Aqua Shield, a barrier of swirling water that absorbed the flames. The two forces collided, steam rising as the elements battled for dominance.
Dante, the fierce brawler, charged towards Juno, the earth chi martial artist from Team Gale. Juno planted her feet, her shock-absorbing boots stabilizing her stance as her fists glowed with Stone Fist.
She met Dante head-on, the two exchanging powerful blows that sent shockwaves through the ground. Dante's electric gauntlet crackled with energy, each punch sending arcs of lightning through Juno's defenses, while Juno's earth chi gave her attacks a solid, unyielding force.
Lian moved with precision, her Earthen Armor activated as she navigated the rocky terrain. She faced Mara, the archer who used ice-element magic. Mara fired arrows imbued with Frostbite, her visor's targeting system allowing for pinpoint accuracy. Lian deflected the arrows with her gauntlets, the ice shattering on impact. She advanced steadily, her eyes locked on Mara, and with a powerful leap, she closed the distance, her Mountain Shatter punch forcing Mara to retreat.
Kingston, meanwhile, faced off against Hiro. The fire user's attacks were relentless, each punch accompanied by an explosion of flames from his bracers. Kingston dodged with fluid movements, his Tempest Flow allowing him to move like water, evading Hiro's attacks.
He countered with Stormcaller, summoning a burst of wind and water that doused Hiro's flames, forcing him back.
Selene provided support, her water manipulation skills proving invaluable. She used Tidal Wave to create barriers and disrupt Team Gale's formation, her calm demeanor contrasting with the chaos of the battlefield.
Coordinating with Kingston, the two of them combining their water-based abilities to overwhelm Hiro, eventually extinguishing his flames completely.
With Dante's brute strength and Lian's resilience, they managed to overpower Juno and Mara, while Kingston and Selene focused on neutralizing Hiro's offensive power.
As the battle progressed, Team Gale began to lose their coordination, each member struggling to keep up with the relentless onslaught from Kingston's team.
Seeing the chaos among Team Gale and their exhaustion, Kingston called out to Selene, and the two of them unleashed a powerful combination attack. Selene summoned Raging Rapids, a torrent of water that surged across the rocky terrain, while Kingston used Tempest's Fury to infuse the water with wind, creating a powerful vortex that swept through Team Gale's ranks.
Hiro, struggling against the combined power of water and wind, was finally knocked off balance. Dante took the opportunity to strike, his lightning-infused fists crackling with energy as he delivered a devastating blow to Juno, who could no longer keep her defensive stance. Lian, meanwhile, caught Mara with a precise Earthen Grasp, trapping her in place and preventing her from firing any more arrows.
With their leader overwhelmed and their formation broken, Team Gale began to fall apart. Vega, the healer, attempted to use her drone-assisted medical system to protect her teammates, but the relentless attacks from Kingston's team left her with no opportunity to regain control. Selene launched a final Aqua Lance, piercing through Vega's defenses and leaving her unable to continue the fight.
The overseer raised his hand, signaling the end of the battle. "Team Kingston and Lian are victorious!" The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement filling the air as Kingston's team stood victorious. Despite being paired with new teammates, they had proven their adaptability and cohesion, securing their place in the next round.
Kingston, Lian, Dante, and Selene exchanged high-fives and smiles, the thrill of victory evident on their faces. They had fought hard and managed to overcome a formidable team, earning the respect of the audience and their fellow contestants.
As the third phase concluded, the overseer announced the four teams that would advance to the final phase of the Purs Agros Convention. Cire and Ruby's team, Kingston and Lian's team, Team Vortex, and Team Solaris would face off in the final showdown—a one-on-one elimination battle that would determine who among them had what it took to become an elite constable of the Xaishen Empire.
The tension in the arena was electric as the remaining contestants gathered, each one determined to prove their strength. The crowd, sensing the impending climax, roared in anticipation, eager to witness the final battles that would decide the fate of the Purs Agros Convention.
With the third phase complete, the stage was set for the ultimate test— The One-on-One Elimination Battles. The path to glory was now clearer, but the challenges ahead were more daunting than ever. Only those who could rise above their limits would emerge victorious.