P.S= #9: 3 vs 1

The battleground, bore witness to Cory's despair. Lying on the ground, his dreams of becoming the strongest shattered, he covered his face with his right hand, tears flowing freely.

"Damn it, I can't believe I'm going to lose the chance of becoming the strongest," Cory lamented, his voice choked with frustration and disappointment.

VOOMISH!! BOOM!!

Amidst the chaos, Ava, in her dragon form, unleashed a mighty blast made of Haku at the Ayakashi from a nearby building. The explosion echoed through the tumultuous landscape, momentarily disrupting the intense duel.

"What in the world?" Spike Ayakashi exclaimed, his regenerating form temporarily thrown off balance by the unexpected attack.

Ava gracefully transformed back into her human form and rushed to Cory's side, accompanied by Naima.

"Can you walk?" Ava inquired, her concern evident as she held out a supportive hand to Cory.

"No, my right knee is broken," Cory replied, his voice a mixture of pain and determination.

"Trinity, can you keep him busy?" Naima called out to Ava.

"My name is Ava, and why?" Ava questioned, puzzled by the request.

"Because I think I can help," Naima responded with a glint of confidence in her eyes.

"No need. I will wait. Three on one seems more fun than one on one," Spike Ayakashi declared, adopting a casual posture as he sat down.

Undeterred, Naima approached the incapacitated Cory. She knelt beside him and, with a sudden surge of power, activated her Magic Drive. Unlike traditional Magic Drives, the markings manifested in her eyes instead of across her body. Placing both hands on Cory's injured knee, she channeled her newfound abilities.

ZKHREEEN!!!

A surge of energy enveloped Naima as she initiated her Magic Drive, unleashing a power that surpassed expectations.

VOOMISH!!

A radiant white light emanated from her hands, covering Cory's injured knee. The magical healing process unfolded before Ava's and Spike Ayakashi's astonished eyes.

"No way, she's healing him," Ava exclaimed, a mixture of disbelief and awe in her voice.

Huh? She's healing him. Wait, is that Haku? I thought only skill slayers could do that. No, that's her drive, but it's strange. Most healing drives are sub-abilities, but this one is full healing. I guess she's one of those special users. The Pathway System is changing, creating more unique drives now, Spike Ayakashi mused to himself.

"To be honest, I'm not good at this. I just got my powers four months ago," Naima confessed, a hint of vulnerability in her admission.

As the healing unfolded, a palpable shift in the battle's dynamics became apparent, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the unfolding confrontation.

[10 minutes later]

Huff! Huff!

Cory, fueled by newfound determination, rose from the ground and retrieved his sword. Despite Naima's healing efforts, the remnants of pain lingered, but it only fueled his resolve.

"It's not completely healed, but I think you can fight," Naima remarked, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and encouragement.

"That's good to know," replied Cory, a steely glint in his eyes.

"Kakahahakakaha, you're from that clan, Trinity, and someone chosen by The Pathway System itself. This should be good," taunted Spike Ayakashi, relishing the prospect of a challenging battle.

"Ready, you guys?" Cory called out, determination evident in his voice.

"Right," affirmed Ava, her form transforming into a hybrid tiger, a fusion of feline grace and supernatural power.

"Don't think because we're fighting together means I'm letting you off the hook," warned Naima, her dragonic aura pulsating.

"I know," Cory acknowledged, a tacit understanding passing between them.

Ava, now in her hybrid form the once-human features now blended seamlessly with the majestic essence of a tiger, creating a mesmerizing combination that exuded both elegance and formidable strength. Her physique bore the telltale traits of a feline, complete with a distinctive blue and white tail swaying with every movement. The addition of cat ears, adorned with fur in shades of white and blue, heightened the ethereal quality of her hybrid form. The pupils in her eyes doubled, creating an otherworldly gaze that hinted at the potent forces dwelling within. As Ava stood in this hybrid state, the air around her seemed charged with an arcane energy, embodying the convergence of the natural and the supernatural in a singular, captivating presence.

Ava joins Cory and Naima in a synchronized assault. The trio dashed towards Spike Ayakashi, swords unsheathed, each movement a carefully choreographed dance.

CLANG!

Sparks flew as their blades clashed with the Ayakashi's spikes, a symphony of steel and haku filling the air.

VOOOSH! BOOM!

Ava unleashed a blast of Haku, a powerful force that crackled through the atmosphere. Cory and Naima, in a seamless display of coordination, evaded the onslaught.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions erupted around them, remnants of Ava's unrestrained power, a testament to the formidable might of the Trinity.

"Shit, she's not holding back. I forgot Trinities can use Haku like this," muttered Spike Ayakashi, his initial confidence waning.

WHOOSH!

Cory, seizing the opportunity, surged forward in a lightning-fast assault.

CHING!

Drawing his second sword, the Ayakashi attempted to retaliate, but Naima intervened with her Dragon Sword Style: Hell Rush, intercepting the incoming spikes.

"So their one with each other's movements. If I let down my guard again, even for a second, I'm dead. Wait, where's that blue-haired boy? He was just right here," Spike Ayakashi pondered, sensing the unpredictable nature of the impending clash.

"TIGER SWORD STYLE: TIGER DANCE!"

Cory executed a dazzling mid-air spin, severing the Ayakashi's arms with precision.

"DRAGON SWORD STYLE: DRAGON RUSH!"

Naima, agile and relentless, slid along the ground, cutting off the Ayakashi's legs.

BOOOM!

Ava, now positioned strategically, unleashed another powerful blast, engulfing the battlefield in a cascade of destructive energy.

[Somewhere in the Aldoron continent]

Ring Ring Ring Ring.

"You want to answer that, boss?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I guess I do. Where did I put that goddamn phone again?"

Beep.

"Hello."

"Why did you take so long to answer my call? Can't you see it was me who was calling you?"

"JAHJAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I'm blind, remember."

"I want you to go to the Earth Kingdom. There's an Ayakashi attack."

"Why can't you send one of your slayers?"

"No can't do, and besides, you're nearby, and you owe me one."

"Listen, Celeste, you're an elder, and I'm a 5 Heavenly General. We shouldn't be working together like this because…"

Beep Beep.

"Hello, hello."

"She hung up."

"No."

"Ok, if you say so. So where are we going, boss?"

"To the Earth Kingdom. Please teleport us there."

"Roger that."

SNAP! FWISH!