Chapter 21: The Battle at Jedna Village

The sky above Jedna village had darkened ominously, an eerie chill settling over the land. Ansh, Tara, and Kavi stood at the edge of the village, eyes wide as they beheld the sight before them. Dozens of portals had opened just outside the village boundaries, swirling with malevolent energy, and from within, hordes of monsters poured out. These were no ordinary beasts—they were twisted, grotesque creatures, born from the dark magic of the star formation. Many adventurers lay on the ground, their bodies broken and lifeless.

Ansh clenched his fists, his body trembling with a surge of anger and determination. He looked over at his companions. "We can't let them take the village," he said, his voice firm but laced with urgency.

Without another word, Ansh focused inward, calling upon the divine powers he had recently gained. His transformation began in an instant—his body became enveloped in shimmering water scales that covered him from head to toe. The water glistened like liquid armor, rippling with divine energy. For the first time, Ansh felt the overwhelming strength of his new godhood. It wasn't just power for power's sake. He realized that the more people he fought for, the stronger his divine energy became.

Tara, who had completed her own God Trial and emerged as a mid-rank God heir, watched Ansh with a mixture of awe and respect. She stepped forward, her fiery aura already flaring to life around her. "Ansh, we can't stop them alone," she said. "We need to hold them off until we can send word to the guild."

Ansh nodded, his water scales shimmering in the dim light. "You're right. Tara, head to the village and warn the people. Make sure they know about the portals. Kavi and I will stay here and hold the monsters off as long as we can."

Tara hesitated for only a moment, her eyes flicking between the portals and the village. Then she gave a determined nod. "I'll make sure everyone knows. Be careful, both of you." With that, she turned and sprinted toward the village, her fiery aura leaving a faint trail of heat behind her.

---

As Tara raced toward Jedna village, Ansh and Kavi prepared themselves for the oncoming wave of monsters. The ground trembled as the beasts charged through the portals, their roars deafening, their grotesque forms barely discernible in the twilight.

Kavi gripped his metal staff tightly, his mind racing. He had trained hard, mastering his newfound metal-bending abilities, but seeing the sheer number of monsters made him realize just how outmatched they were. He glanced at Ansh, who had already leaped into action. The water-armored warrior moved with incredible speed and power, cutting down monsters left and right. For every one creature Kavi struggled to take down, Ansh would dispatch five or six with ease.

The difference in their abilities was painfully clear, and it stung Kavi's pride. He swung his staff at an approaching beast, forcing the metal in his weapon to shift and extend into spikes that pierced the monster's hide. But it wasn't enough to kill it outright, and Kavi had to dodge quickly as the creature lunged at him with gnashing teeth.

Ansh, meanwhile, was a whirlwind of divine energy. His water scales glowed as he fought, each swing of his sword accompanied by a surge of power. His blade sliced through the monsters with precision, and the more he fought, the stronger he felt. It was as if his divine powers were growing with each enemy he struck down.

"Focus, Kavi!" Ansh called out, his voice steady despite the chaos. "We have to hold them here. Don't let them through to the village."

Kavi gritted his teeth, nodding. He couldn't afford to feel insecure now. He had to push past his limits if they were going to survive this onslaught.

---

Tara reached the village just as the first few monsters began to approach the outskirts. She could see that some of the adventurers from the guild were already engaged in battle, holding back the initial wave of creatures trying to breach the village.

She skidded to a halt in front of them, flames flickering around her hands. "The portals are opening faster than we thought! We need to warn everyone in the village and make sure they're prepared."

One of the adventurers, an older man with a scar running down the side of his face, turned to her, his expression grim. "Tara, is that you? And... your powers? Have you... passed the God Trial?"

Tara didn't waste time with formalities. She nodded quickly. "Yes, I'm a mid-rank God heir now, but that doesn't matter right now. We need to protect the village. You all need to help Ansh and Kavi at the portals. I'll take care of the villagers."

The adventurers exchanged glances before the scarred man spoke again. "If you've got powers like that, maybe you're right. We'll head to the front lines. But... what about the village? Who's going to protect it?"

Tara's eyes flared with determination. "I've gained a new power from the God of Fire—a fire barrier that can keep even S-rank monsters at bay. I can hold the village safe while you fight."

The adventurers hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Alright. You take care of the villagers. We'll head out and back up Ansh and Kavi." One of them handed her a small pouch of aura potions. "Take these. You'll need them if the fight drags on."

Tara accepted the potions with a nod of thanks, and the adventurers quickly made their way toward the battlefield. As they left, Tara could see the fear and uncertainty in their faces, but she also saw something else: hope. Her words had stirred something in them, and now they were ready to fight.

---

Back at the portals, the battle raged on. Kavi's muscles burned as he swung his staff again and again, bending metal into whatever shape he needed to fend off the attacking monsters. But no matter how many they took down, more kept coming.

He stole a glance at Ansh, who was fighting like a god-possessed. His water-armored form moved with grace and power, slicing through the enemy with ease. It was clear that Ansh had fully embraced his divine powers, and the results were staggering.

Kavi, on the other hand, was struggling to keep up. His metal-bending was powerful, but it required a lot of energy and concentration. He could feel himself tiring, and the monsters showed no signs of slowing down.

"Ansh!" Kavi called out between breaths. "I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out!"

Ansh turned, his eyes blazing with determination. "We don't have to hold out forever. Just until the others get here."

Kavi grunted in response, pushing himself to keep fighting. But deep down, he knew that if help didn't arrive soon, they might not last much longer.

---

Tara, now back in the village, had set to work organizing the villagers. She moved quickly through the streets, her voice carrying over the din of distant battle. "Everyone! Gather the children and the elders in the center of the village! We need to keep them safe. Monsters are coming, and we don't have much time!"

The villagers looked at her in fear, but they followed her instructions, gathering in the town square as quickly as they could. Tara positioned herself in front of the gathered group, her hands glowing with fiery energy. She closed her eyes and concentrated, drawing on the power of the God of Fire. A blazing wall of flame erupted around the village, forming a protective barrier that crackled and hissed, warding off any approaching danger.

"This barrier will hold," she said, her voice steady. "No monster can break through it, not even an S-rank. You're safe here."

The villagers murmured in awe as the flames danced in front of them, their fear subsiding ever so slightly.

Just then, one of the adventurers who had stayed behind approached her. "Tara, Gaurav and Maya took some of the other guild members and formed nine teams. They're going to try and stop the monsters coming from the other sides of the village. But remember, every hour, nine more portals open, and the monsters get stronger each time. We have to be ready for that."

Tara nodded, her fiery gaze fixed on the barrier she had created. "I know. I'll hold them off as long as I can."

The adventurer handed her a small bottle. "Here, take this aura potion. It'll help you keep the barrier up if things get tough."

Tara accepted the potion with a grateful smile. "Thank you. I'll do my best."

---

Details:

1. Ansh's Transformation: Ansh transforms into his God form, his body covered in water scales that act as a battle armor. His powers grow stronger the more people he fights for, making him a formidable force in the battle against the monsters.

2. Tara's Role: Tara, now a mid-rank God heir, uses her new power, a fire barrier, to protect the village from monsters. She takes responsibility for guarding the villagers while sending the adventurers to assist Ansh and Kavi.

3. Kavi's Struggle: Kavi fights alongside Ansh but realizes the vast difference in their power levels. While Kavi uses his metal-bending abilities to fend off monsters, he is clearly struggling compared to Ansh's divine strength.