Confrontation Battle

Upon the hill's crest, an assembly of figures stared intently into the distance, their intention veiled by secrecy. Among them, a man of seasoned years, his mustache a formidable sight, withdrew an ornate spyglass and spoke, "I had foreseen this would revolve around the kid. He may well have communicated Amarta's plight to Alorian."

In response, a knight at his side, his thick brown mane stirred by the winds, inquired, "What course shall we do with him?"

"Our influence over Alorian remains elusive," the mustachioed man replied, turning to face the assemblage. "Our main course is the traitor. Continue tracking their path to its culmination."

Silent as a shadow, a cadre of knights bedecked in silver armor adorned with beguiling ebony fabric rose in unison—five in total. These were no ordinary knights; they comprised the clandestine order of the emperor, honed not only in physical prowess but also in the fortification of an unyielding spirit.

Their modus operandi knew no compassion. They were relentless, their ethical code brutal and pitiless, particularly when it came to the fairer sex.

It came as no surprise that this legion commanded terror throughout the empire, including Caeloria, despite the parity of their martial strength. It was the indelible legacy of the Phantom Omega, a moniker that echoed with their malevolence.

In a display of audacity, the Royal Guardians, their cloaks aflutter like banners of resolve, ventured forth into the heart of the forest. Their steeds, honed through years of discipline, moved with a fluidity that bespoke a profound connection between rider and mount. The rhythmic percussion of hooves upon the forest's floor reverberated through the wilderness, a solemn reminder of their unyielding determination.

Beneath the forest canopy, beams of dappled sunlight wove a tapestry of ever-shifting light and shadow upon their path. The air, heavy with the scent of moss and moisture, enveloped them. The symphony of nature, from the melodious birdsong to the whispering leaves, provided an eerie backdrop to their journey.

Lithia, her senses keen as a hunting cat, had detected a presence that disrupted the natural order. Her vigilant gaze darted through the dense foliage, searching for any hint of pursuit. Tension hung in the air like an unspoken oath, each Guardian was acutely aware of the immense responsibility they bore.

Captain Brendant, the embodiment of unwavering authority, maintained his watchful stance, fingers never straying from the hilt of his blade. Their resolute commitment to their mission echoed with every stride, for the destiny of the kingdom teetered in the balance, and they were resolute in their resolve to reach Unitedland, regardless of the trials that lay ahead.

They arrived at the river's edge, its shallow waters flowing gently, crystal clear to the point where its depth was visible to the naked eye. They urged their horses to the center of the river and turned, intent on discovering who had been trailing the Royal Guardians.

Faint hoof steps gradually emerged from the depths of the forest, revealing a group of individuals. These knights exuded an extraordinary aura of skill, their faces bearing the scars of formidable battles.

As their horses whinnied in forced halt, the mustached man descended from his steed and stepped forward. "Oh, have we been caught?"

Brendant's brow furrowed, recognizing the man immediately. "You're growing older, Rimbus," he remarked, dismounting as two other Royal Guardians followed suit.

Observing the lightning-fast reactions, other Phantom Omega members swiftly set foot on the ground, approaching the Guardians with their swords drawn. On the other hand, Hensen acted decisively, stomping his foot and directing his palm.

A powerful gust of wind surged from Hensen's hand, lightning-quick towards the Phantom Omega. Among the five, only Rimbus remained unaffected by this raw Prana power due to his different side. He watched his subordinates being thrown off balance and shouted, "What's going on?"

When he turned back towards the front, he found Brendant already facing him, sword drawn and attacking swiftly. However, Rimbus was equally adept at his craft; he drew his weapon and intercepted Brendant's swing.

"Do you have to be in such a hurry?" Rimbus exclaimed, grinning broadly.

Brendant's expression remained resolutely serious, showing no signs of jest. "We don't have much time to deal with a useless legion."

The insult struck a chord with Rimbus. How could it not? The might of their battalion, drawn from various kingdoms, had been casually belittled by Brendant, stoking the black-haired man's anger. "Seems like you're asking for death."

With a powerful thrust, Rimbus managed to push Brendant back, preparing for a follow-up attack that was met in kind by the Royal Guardian. The clash of their swords resonated through the river, accompanied by several explosions in their vicinity.

Hensen and Lithia leaned more towards Prana utilization rather than swordsmanship, as did the Phantom Omega. A fiery blaze danced in Lithia's left hand as she skillfully blended magic with her sword strikes against their adversaries. Some of the attacks were blocked by their foes, but simultaneously, Lithia unleashed the fire.

As a result, one of their adversaries was sent hurtling backward, their armor ablaze. Hensen, displaying mastery of martial arts and remarkable techniques, had already brought down two Phantom Omega members.

Hensen's agile movements and precise strikes disabled the thick armor worn by the Phantom Omega, showcasing his incredible speed. He even delivered kicks with a spectacular inner force, crushing the organs of his adversaries and piercing through their steel armor.

However, it didn't end there. The Phantom Omega were notorious for their resilience, especially when faced with the prospect of a stronger opponent. All four of them rose, wicked smiles curling on their faces.

"It seems Guardian of Caeloria is not as disappointing as we thought," marveled the brown-haired man as he stepped forward. This time, his sword burst into flames, the blaze growing fiercer with each passing moment. "Let's finish this until the bitter end."

The sound of water splashing beneath the fierce clash of the two combatants intensified the atmosphere. Brendant and Rimbus were evenly matched in terms of strength, although Rimbus relied more on his fire magic than Brendant, who excelled in his techniques.

Rimbus's attack successfully forced Brendant to bend, his emotions running high as he swung both hands downward. Yet, Brendant managed to deflect it with his round shield. Rimbus looked surprised as the shield formed from the device in Brendant's left hand.

The device moved in response to the attack, forming a sturdy shield that couldn't be breached. Its material wasn't ordinary steel; it was composed of a different substance capable of withstanding even destructive magic, including Rimbus's blazing sword.

"You're stubborn, Brendant!" The mustached man retracted his sword and swung it again at the Royal Guardian.

Brendant swiftly evaded by rolling backward, leveraging his feet, and launching a counterattack. Meanwhile, Lithia and Hensen faced some difficulty this time. They were confronted by two Phantom Omega members simultaneously, prompting a change in tactics.

Hensen, who had been overly focused on his opponent, only realized that he was now facing one foe. Meanwhile, Lithia was overwhelmed by the onslaught of three opponents. Nevertheless, she still showcased her acrobatic prowess, dodging and parrying several attacks.

However, her opponents were no ordinary legion, and they managed to restrain some of her moves, sending her reeling with a brief burst of fire. Lithia, momentarily disoriented, couldn't fully focus on her surroundings and received a piercing blow to her shoulder.

The cry of pain sent shockwaves through the Royal Guardians as they witnessed Lithia being stabbed through the gaps in her armor. The precision of their adversaries was indeed not to be underestimated. Hensen's anger surged to its peak as he attacked the foe in front of him and sprinted towards Lithia, reciting a spell. "Phinixa Annar!"

His left hand suddenly emitted a radiant light. When he thrust them into the air, the light transformed into a fiery bird-like shape, soaring rapidly towards one of the Phantom Omega.

Aware of the magic, the Phantom Omega confidently struck the fire with raw Prana power, causing it to explode and emit thick billowing smoke, obscuring their vision.

Realizing the disadvantage this smoke presented, he quickly waved his hands to disperse it, but Herich was already standing before him. Without mercy, with a swing of his sword, he decapitated him.

Seeing his comrade's head on the ground, the brown-haired man screamed with wrath, "Damn you! You'll suffer the same fate!"

The two Phantom Omega assailants lunged at Hensen with even more agile sword techniques, faster than before. Hensen was momentarily overwhelmed, parrying and receiving several cuts on his body, particularly his legs, which left him off balance.

The situation rose dire as his only sword was knocked from his hand, leaving him defenseless against the next onslaught. However, Hensen, still possessing some mana, quickly pressed both palms together in front of his chest.

"Shorin Annar!" Fire erupted from his body like a circular pillar racing towards them. The fire would consume anything in its path, including the two Phantom Omega who managed to withstand it, somehow making the fire clinging to their hands vanish.

However, the brown-haired man was once again taken aback when he saw Hensen swiftly strike his comrade with raw Prana power. The blow was so devastating that it sent the Phantom Omega's member hurtling, piercing through the forest's trees in an irretrievable state.

His eyes widened as he witnessed Hensen's terrifying power. He felt something surging within him, Prana's elements boiling with turmoil. This made him smile wider, as the battle between them promised to become even more intense and would continue unabated.

"You do have remarkable mana," he chuckled, clenching his fists in front of his chest, and at that moment, a fire ignited in both his hands. "Let's have some fun."