A Coordinated Effort

The Chimera felt the gazes, it looked about as if trying to find where they came from.

It looked upwards, magic circles constricting further. Then the next second it was suddenly surrounded.

Using her magic Givale had teleported everyone within a close distance. For a second it seemed like time paused, everyone gathered what changed in their surroundings. Then the next everyone moved to attack the Chimera.

The first one to act was Jarvis! Lifting his left hand the Minokawa flashed forward. Purplish-white energy slammed against the Chimera. The slight knockback from the attack signaled the start of the fight against the Chimera!

Wrock's figure flashed in Azure light. A beam flickered across the Chimera's face, its head suddenly snapped to the side. Having managed to kick the Chimera, Wrock created some distance. With the others here he didn't need to be as offensive!

Ice suddenly sprouted from the ground and impaled the Chimera with a single large spike. Gear used the spike to jump over the Chimera, energy swirling around his sword. Slashing downwards a faint line formed to split the Chimera. Although it only cut about half an inch deep.

Givale flickered in front of the Chimera, swiping its head with her talons. Mira smashed through the ice and delivered a heavy blow to its stomach. The strength caused the Chimera's flesh to ripple and it flew diagonally towards the sky. His fist twitched and crimson energy roared forth, blood-like consistency taking shape of a hydra's head. Its neck continued to grow in length to chase the Chimera.

{Surging Hydra: Chasing Its Prey}!

Umin flickered from the opposite direction, "What strength! I won't allow myself to be shadowed by the younger generations!"

{Misten Cloud Art: Dragon Chases The Sun}!

Forming the snake-like dragon his strange energy roared forth. Catching the Chimera in its mouth it continued and clashed with the Hydra, causing an explosion with the Chimera in the middle! Wind suddenly bellowed and thunder crackled. A thunderous boom occurred and a cage of lightning manifested, closing in on the Chimera. Zenothoriath swung their tail, "An enemy of the World dares to continue to fight!"

Wrock flickered upwards, flame twisting and turning in various directions as he built up momentum.

{Spirit of the Phoenix: Samsara}!

Appearing above the lightning cage he released the momentum with a powerful kick that ripped apart space! Smashing through the cage it connected with the Chimera and send it rocketing towards the ground!

{Spirit of the Phoenix: Nirvana}!

Tilia moved, each step the sound of glass cracking increased. Reaching the area Wrock hit the Chimera too she prepared herself. Properly placing her feet into a stance the Chimera slammed into her shield. In this moment the Chimera regained its fighting will. Tendrils shot forth towards every fighter.

Tilia used the smaller shield on her other hand to deflect the tendril. Her strength couldn't quite fully protect herself, and a small wound formed when the tendril grazed past. Wrock easily destroyed the tendril with a kick, and Umin performed a similar move. Zenothoriath burnt it to a crisp with rising piece of magma, Givale erased a portion of it with her magic. Gear attempted to dodge the blow but failed to completely, his side was pierced because of it. As for Mira, he did not move. The tendril pierced his shoulder and he looked at it. A mocking expression formed on his face as he ripped it free.

The Chimera jumped off Tilia's shield. Wrock intercepted its movement with a blow, but the Chimera somehow moved in the air to dodge his attack. With a kick it sent Wrock crashing through the trees. Umin appeared in front of the Chimera the moment its kick landed and delivered a blow of his own.

Dashing through the forest Zenothoriath leapt upwards and used their claws to lacerate the Chimera. Flicking their tail earthen pillars slammed into the Chimera. Rising higher into the sky they pushed the Chimera into the air.

Givale teleported into the air, a ball of her magic in her palm. . . talons? Expanding the magic several times she hurled it towards the top of the pillar, "Disappear!"

Spiraling through the air the magic changed sizes several times before making contact. Once it touched the pillar it expanded creating a massive sphere of magic. Mira approached one of the pillars and shoved his hand into it. Lifting it to the point where it broke he threw the pillar skywards.

Tilia felt as if her shield was heavier than normal, for a second her shoulder's slumped. Eyeing a series of notifications she tried to make sense of it all.

<You're approaching the realm of Third Stage!>

<The World notices your ascension!>

<The World judges your 'Prominence'!>

<「Immovable Mountain」remains sturdy!>

<The Title ="Unwavering Juggernaut"= remains unwavering!>

<Your Titles bear the pressure!>

<The World is thinking. . .>

<The World accepts your 'Prominence'!>

<The World claims your 'Prominence' is equal to your current potential>

<The World deems you a candidate!>

<Your ascension to Third Stage progresses!>

<Calculating bonuses. . .>

Glass cracking further progressed as Tilia felt the feeling of ascension cover her body.

<The World is finding a suitable Epithet. . .>

<Your bonuses are being calculated!>

<The World considers your journey and Titles>

Tilia was certain this was unlike any ascension she underwent before. The process was almost alien, what exactly was Third Stage then?

<The World has decided!>

<Due to your ascension to the Third Stage you are granted access to The Framework!>

<Your Epithet will be revealed to those in The Framework!>

<The Settings of The Framework can be modified anytime>

<The Framework acknowledges your existence!>

<The Framework announces your Ascension!>

<|Shouldering A Mountain| greets you>

<The Framework has 7 new messages>

<The Framework has 15 new messages>

<The Framework has 32 new messages>

<Temporarily muting The Framework>

<Your Epithet is being revealed!>

<Your Epithet is |Mountainous Tenacity|>

<Your bonuses have been calculated!>

<The bonuses are as follows:

- Limitations placed upon you have been further removed!

- Your Stats have drastically increased!

- Your Titles have merged with your Epithet! (They can be viewed in The Framework)

- Your 'Prominence' becomes more known!

- Access to The Framework!

- A position as 'candidate'

- Several Skills have become available to you

- A Unique Skill is being born to you

- The Scaling of your Stats drastically change

- The Scaling of your HP has reached a drastic level

- Due to this an additional reward will be given!

- You have reached a level of HP worthy of being a BOSS!

- Due to this an additional reward will be given!

- Please check your rewards when available>

Tilia felt refreshed, power unlike anything before flowed through her veins. With renewed vigor she prepared to face the Chimera head on!