Ch 55: The Unexpected turn of event

As Benimaru charged at Berserker, he shouted, "Huahaaaaa!" He leaped into the air, his sword glowing with energy. "Energy Slash!" he yelled, bringing his sword down in a powerful arc. Berserker deflected the attack effortlessly with his hand, the impact creating a shockwave that sent dust and debris flying.

"Oh, please, that's all you've got? How pathetic," Berserker sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. Benimaru landed and jumped back, gritting his teeth in frustration.

Flicker, not missing a beat, unleashed a barrage of lightning and fire. The magical energy crackled and hissed as it struck Berserker squarely, but he barely flinched. "Are you tickling me?" he taunted, using his smallest finger to clean his ear nonchalantly.

Kanade, determined to make a dent, fired a series of bullets from her magi-gun. Each bullet, capable of piercing metal, struck Berserker with precision. However, the impacts seemed to affect him as much as rubber bullets would. Berserker stood there, his eyes glowing with a menacing light. "Is that all you've got?" he mocked, "I feel like there's an ant running on my skin."

The trio stood in disbelief, their attacks seemingly futile. "Impossible," Flicker muttered, her eyes wide with shock.

Benimaru clenched his fists, his mind racing. "What are the odds of winning?" he muttered to himself. He glanced at the distant mountain where Carrion's 1% power was said to be. "If I could reach that power, maybe we'd have a chance."

Kanade, her voice tinged with doubt, replied, "But I don't think we can get it in time."

The sun beat down on them, the heat adding to the intensity of the moment. The scent of burning ozone from Flicker's lightning mixed with the earthy smell of the arena. The taste of dust and sweat lingered in the air, and the ground beneath their feet felt unstable, quaking from the sheer force of Berserker's presence.

Benimaru took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their situation. The crowd's panicked murmurs reached their ears, a reminder of the stakes. "We have to try," he said, determination hardening his voice. "For everyone's sake."

Flicker nodded, her eyes still glowing with residual magic. "Let's give it everything we've got," she agreed, her voice steadying.

Kanade took aim once more, her hands steady despite the tremor in her heart. "I'm with you," she said, her resolve clear.

With a unified shout, they prepared to launch another attack, their spirits undeterred despite the overwhelming odds. The sounds of their determination and the clash of their weapons reverberated through the arena, a testament to their unwavering courage in the face of a seemingly insurmountable foe.

The trio's relentless attacks left them exhausted, sweat dripping down their faces, breaths coming in heavy gasps. Berserker, standing unscathed, looked at them with a bored expression. "Are you done?" he asked, his voice echoing in the now quiet arena. "Because this is starting to bore me."

Berserker swung his massive weapon with ease. Benimaru, reacting swiftly, jumped high into the air, grabbing Flicker as Kanade leapt to safety. The weapon slammed into the mountain, shattering rock and leveling it to the ground. The impact sent shockwaves through the area, dust and debris flying everywhere.

Flicker, trembling and with tears in her eyes, cried out, "My god, we cannot win this!" Her voice was filled with despair, the hopelessness of the situation weighing heavily on her.

As they landed back on the ground, Benimaru, his face set with determination, shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "We can still win." He looked at his comrades, his eyes blazing with resolve.

Berserker, amused, turned his gaze to Flicker. "Are you scared, girl?" he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. His eyes glowed menacingly, enjoying the fear he instilled in his opponents.

The sun beat down on them mercilessly, the air thick with the smell of dust and sweat. The taste of grit was in their mouths, and the ground beneath them seemed to pulse with the aftershocks of Berserker's attack. The sound of Flicker's sobs and Benimaru's steady breathing filled the tense silence.

Kanade, wiping the sweat from her brow, steadied herself. "Benimaru's right," she said, her voice strong despite the fear. "We can't give up now."

Benimaru nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "We fight until the end," he declared, his voice unwavering.

Berserker watched them with a bemused expression, his massive form casting a long shadow over the trio. "Very well," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Let's see what you've got."

With that, the battle resumed. The trio, despite their fatigue, launched another assault. The sounds of their weapons clashing, Flicker's spells crackling in the air, and Kanade's shots ringing out filled the arena once more. The sun continued to blaze overhead, but their spirits, though battered, remained unbroken.

Kanade, drained of her magical power, struggled to move. Flicker, gasping for breath, was barely holding on. Benimaru, the hero, looked at his allies, seeing the exhaustion and despair in their eyes. "Go, the two of you," he said, his voice breaking. "You must not die. You must live. The future is still ahead of you. You're too beautiful to die here." His hands shook as he gripped his sword.

Berserker sneered. "Awww, are you comforting your allies? Fear not, as you will all die today. Consider it my reward to you."

Kanade, tears streaming down her face, held onto Flicker as they tried to escape. Benimaru watched them go, desperation in his eyes. "Nooo!" he shouted as Berserker's weapon swung towards the fleeing girls. With a heroic burst of speed, Benimaru pushed Kanade and Flicker aside, taking the full brunt of the attack. His right foot was crushed, and he screamed in agony, "Argghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Kanade and Flicker, crying, continued running for their lives. Berserker laughed, the sound chilling and cruel. "What a nice sound to hear," he said, relishing in Benimaru's pain.

Benimaru, crawling on the ground, his body shaking, declared, "I will defeat you." Blood dripped from his mouth as he coughed, his vision blurring. Tears of blood streaked down his face. In his mind, he pleaded, "Save me, please. Save me, anyone. He's about to kill meeee."

Suddenly, an unknown shadow moved swiftly, sweeping Benimaru away just as Berserker's weapon was about to land the finishing blow. Benimaru looked up, relief flooding him. "Thank you," he whispered. "Who are you?"

The figure responded with a confident smirk, "I am Dazzling Dagger, silly." Her presence was a beacon of hope, and Benimaru's eyes filled with happiness, tears of relief streaming down his face.

The sounds of battle were replaced by the rhythmic pounding of Benimaru's heartbeat in his ears. He could feel the rough texture of the ground beneath his hands, the metallic taste of blood in his mouth. The oppressive heat of the sun beat down on him, making the air shimmer. Flicker's sobs and Kanade's labored breaths mixed with the cruel laughter of Berserker.

As Dazzling Dagger intervened, her presence brought a strange calmness. The air around her seemed charged with energy, and the faint scent of ozone hinted at her power. Benimaru's senses dulled by pain, focused on her reassuring voice. The crowd, their murmurs growing louder, now had a glimmer of hope, seeing their hero saved in the nick of time.

Dazzling Dagger's quick movements were almost a blur. She exuded confidence, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "I am Dazzling Dagger, silly," she said, her tone light despite the gravity of the situation. Benimaru, feeling the warmth of gratitude, could only weep in happiness, knowing they still had a fighting chance.

Dazzling Dagger examined Benimaru with concern. "You don't look so good, Benimaru," she remarked. Benimaru, still dazed from the rescue, struggled to place her face. "Do I know you?" he asked weakly. Dazzling Dagger simply shrugged, her identity still hidden behind the mask.

With a wave of her hand, Dazzling Dagger healed Benimaru's wounds, easing his pain and restoring his broken foot. As she helped him up, she warned, "I might heal your wounds, but I can't restore your power." Benimaru nodded understandingly. "You should rest up," Dazzling Dagger advised before dashing back into the fray, Benimaru watching her with a mixture of gratitude and confusion.

Returning to the battlefield, Dazzling Dagger found herself face-to-face with Berserker once more. His mocking laughter echoed around them. "Wow, that was quick. And you think I didn't know it was you behind that mask? You're stronger than before now," he taunted. "Last time, you almost killed me. But now, I have more power than you, Hina!" he shouted, his revelation shocking both Benimaru and the crowd.

The air crackled with tension as the truth hung heavy in the air. The spectators murmured amongst themselves, astonished by the unexpected twist. In the midst of battle, secrets were revealed, and alliances were tested. With the fate of the kingdom hanging in the balance, Dazzling Dagger prepared to face her greatest challenge yet, her resolve unwavering despite the newfound knowledge of her true identity.