Echoes of Trio

"My, my…" Divine taunts, her voice laced with mockery, eyes gleaming with an almost predatory delight as her lips curl into a smug smirk. She stands tall, her weight shifted slightly to one hip, arms folded lazily across her chest as though completely at ease. Her eyes flick from Jennifer to Uriel and Lance with a slow, deliberate gaze, sizing them up with the air of someone unimpressed. "If the strongest people of the group couldn't do jack shit against me, you think you can?" Her head tilts ever so slightly, a mocking tilt that dares them to prove her wrong.Jennifer, standing rigid in her Bat Ringmaster form, breathes steadily as her wings twitch in response to the tension radiating from Divine. Her crimson eyes flicker with determination, though the weight of the challenge ahead is evident in the tautness of her stance. Her hands clench into tight fists at her sides, the sharp claws at the tips of her fingers gleaming. With a small, almost imperceptible shake of her head, she glances over her shoulder at Arata, her face momentarily softening despite the dire circumstances. "Aru... Just be safe," she says, her voice steady but underlined with a silent plea, her wings drooping slightly before she straightens herself once more. Her body shifts into a combat-ready stance, feet planted firmly apart as she inhales deeply, mentally bracing for the battle ahead.Uriel, standing slightly to Jennifer's right, keeps his hand close to the hilt of his sword, his fingers tightening around the handle. His gaze remains fixed on Divine, sharp and calculating, but there's a flicker of unease in his furrowed brow. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, not from uncertainty, but in preparation, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring ready to explode into action. "We won't be able to win against you," he admits, his voice gruff but resolute. His hand flexes on the sword hilt as if testing his grip, and he glances at Jennifer, then Lance, with a nod of solidarity. "But we can at least stall this battle until the real help arrives."Divine's smirk only deepens, her eyes narrowing into slits as she shifts her stance ever so slightly, her feet sliding into a more grounded position, ready for their inevitable charge. Her fingers curl and uncurl at her sides in a slow, methodical manner, as though savoring the anticipation of what's to come. "Fine," she purrs, her tone dripping with condescension, her arms unfolding as she spreads them wide in an open invitation. Her stance widens slightly, her feet digging into the ground as she braces for their assault. "Bring it on," she dares them, her body completely relaxed despite the impending confrontation, a cold fire of confidence burning in her eyes.Lance, silent and brooding at Jennifer's other side, steps forward, his eyes glinting with grim determination. He adjusts his stance, leaning slightly forward, hands twitching by his sides. His eyes dart toward Jennifer, then Uriel, silently communicating readiness, before he locks his focus back on Divine. His breath is slow, controlled, but his entire body radiates tension, every movement deliberate and calculated. The air around him feels thick with intensity as the three prepare to face a foe they know they cannot defeat — yet stand unyielding, determined to buy time.With every movement, the battlefield feels smaller, the tension tighter, as the three figures square off against the ever-smirking Divine, each step and flicker of motion charged with intent.The moment the battle begins, the air seems to thicken with tension, and everything snaps into motion with the speed of a lightning strike. Jennifer, without hesitation, surges forward, her Ringmaster abilities activating in a blur of movement. Her legs push off the ground, propelling her toward Divine with such force that the earth cracks beneath her feet. Her wings flare out behind her, aiding her momentum as she moves with almost inhuman speed, her body a dark blur of motion. Her face is set in a mask of fierce determination, crimson eyes locked onto Divine, her lips slightly parted as her breath hisses through her teeth.Her first strike comes fast—faster than the eye can track—as she swings her clawed hand toward Divine's face. Her claws, sharp as blades, glint in the dim light as her hand slices through the air. Her body moves fluidly, her foot pivoting sharply as she puts all her weight behind the strike, her other hand ready to follow up with a second attack in case the first misses.Divine doesn't flinch. With a cruel smirk still plastered on her face, she raises her left hand lazily, fingers splayed wide, and catches Jennifer's wrist mid-strike with inhuman precision. The force of Jennifer's attack makes Divine's arm tremble slightly, but her grip is unyielding, her hand locked around Jennifer's wrist like a vice. Divine's eyes gleam with a mixture of amusement and condescension as she watches Jennifer struggle for a split second. "Too slow," she taunts, her voice a dangerous whisper.Jennifer's eyes widen in shock, her breath catching in her throat. She immediately tries to twist out of Divine's grip, her free hand flashing upward in a sharp jab toward Divine's midsection, but Divine's foot shoots out in a brutal, sweeping kick that connects with Jennifer's ankle, knocking her legs out from under her. Jennifer crashes to the ground, her wings fluttering helplessly as Divine tightens her grip on her wrist and drags her forward, slamming her back onto the ground with enough force to crack the earth beneath her.At the same moment, Uriel moves in from the side, shield raised in front of him as he charges, sword held low in his right hand, ready to strike. His brow is furrowed in intense concentration, and his lips press into a grim line as he moves with disciplined precision. His shield is held tightly in front of him, angled to deflect any incoming strikes. His legs drive him forward with steady, powerful steps, the sound of his boots pounding against the ground like a war drum.As he reaches Divine, Uriel pivots on his heel, swinging his sword in a sharp arc toward her side. His muscles strain as he brings the blade down with all his strength, aiming for a clean slash. His face contorts with effort, eyes locked onto his target, but just as the blade is about to connect, Divine's hand shoots out with blinding speed. She catches the sword mid-swing, her fingers wrapping around the blade with terrifying ease. Sparks fly from the contact as Divine's grip halts Uriel's strike dead in its tracks, the steel groaning under the pressure of her grip.Uriel's eyes widen in disbelief, sweat dripping down the side of his face as he tries to wrench the sword free, but Divine's hold is unbreakable. With a cruel smile still playing on her lips, Divine yanks the sword from Uriel's hand with a quick, brutal twist of her wrist, sending him stumbling backward. Before Uriel can recover, Divine spins, using the momentum to slam her elbow into his chest with devastating force. The impact sends Uriel flying backward, crashing into the ground with a grunt of pain, his shield clattering to the side.Not giving her a moment's reprieve, Lance charges from the other side, his weapon of choice—a gleaming lance—held firmly in both hands. His face is set in grim determination, teeth gritted as he charges forward with long, powerful strides, his body moving in perfect sync with his weapon. He thrusts the lance forward in a straight, deadly strike aimed at Divine's heart, the tip of the lance whistling through the air as it slices forward with lethal intent.Divine's eyes flick toward him just as the lance reaches her, and she moves with fluid grace, twisting her body to the side with unnerving speed. The lance misses her by mere inches, the force of the strike causing Lance to stumble forward. But he quickly recovers, spinning the lance around in a sweeping arc aimed at her legs, hoping to trip her up.Divine hops backward, her feet barely touching the ground as she dodges the sweeping lance. Lance presses the attack, jabbing the lance forward with rapid, precise thrusts. His muscles ripple with each movement, his face a mask of focus and concentration as he pours all his strength into each strike. But no matter how fast or precise his attacks are, Divine is always one step ahead, her movements impossibly fast and fluid as she sidesteps, dodges, and twists away from each strike with a smirk of amusement.With a sudden burst of speed, Divine closes the distance between them, ducking under a thrust and darting forward. She grabs the shaft of the lance with one hand and yanks it forward, pulling Lance off balance. Before he can react, she slams her knee into his gut with brutal force. Lance gasps in pain, his grip on the lance loosening as he doubles over, but Divine doesn't stop there. She twists the lance out of his hands with a sharp yank and then drives the blunt end of the weapon into his back, sending him sprawling to the ground.Jennifer, having recovered from her earlier fall, comes in again, her wings giving a powerful flap to propel her forward as she launches herself at Divine with fists raised. Her face is twisted in fury, eyes blazing with determination as she aims a flurry of rapid punches at Divine's head and torso. Each punch is delivered with blinding speed, her fists a blur of motion as she attacks relentlessly, trying to overwhelm Divine with sheer ferocity.But Divine is unfazed. She moves with an almost lazy grace, ducking, weaving, and blocking Jennifer's punches with fluid ease. Her expression remains calm, almost bored, as she catches one of Jennifer's punches mid-air, her fingers closing around Jennifer's fist with crushing force. With a flick of her wrist, she twists Jennifer's arm behind her back, forcing her into a painful hold. Jennifer grits her teeth against the pain, her wings beating frantically as she struggles to break free, but Divine's grip is ironclad.Uriel, battered but not beaten, charges back into the fray. His shield is back in his hand, and he uses it to bash toward Divine's side, aiming to knock her off balance. His eyes burn with determination, his jaw clenched as he drives forward with all his might. But Divine anticipates the attack. With a quick sidestep, she lets Uriel's momentum carry him past her, and then she spins, slamming her foot into the back of his knee, sending him crashing to the ground once more.Lance, struggling to his feet, looks up just in time to see Divine toss Jennifer aside with ease. Jennifer's body hits the ground hard, her wings crumpling beneath her as she struggles to rise again, her breath ragged. Divine stands tall in the center of the battlefield, her expression one of cold, amused dominance as she surveys her fallen opponents, her smirk never leaving her face.Divine's hand wraps tightly around Jennifer's throat, fingers digging into her skin as she lifts her effortlessly off the ground. Jennifer's legs kick helplessly, her wings fluttering in a futile attempt to free herself. Divine's face is calm, but her eyes gleam with cold amusement as she watches Jennifer struggle. "You are the most dangerous out of them all," Divine says softly, almost conversationally, as if the life slowly draining from Jennifer's face was merely a side note. Her grip tightens, cutting off Jennifer's air completely. Jennifer's hands claw at Divine's wrist, her breaths turning to choked gasps, but Divine's grip remains like iron."Most dangerous… so weak," Divine mocks with a smirk, her voice dripping with condescension. Her smile widens, and she tilts her head, watching the life slowly fade from Jennifer's eyes.Suddenly, a booming voice shatters the tense air. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY WOMAN!" Arata's voice, raw with fury, cuts through the battlefield like a shockwave.Before Divine can register the words, a fist crashes into her face with the force of a cannon. The impact is brutal—Divine's head snaps to the side, her eyes widening in shock as the punch sends her flying through the air. Her body sails backward, twisting as she crashes into a nearby rock formation. The jagged rocks explode into dust and debris as Divine's body slams into them with a thunderous crack. Her arms flail, her fingers still twitching from the shock of the blow.Jennifer falls to the ground, gasping for breath as her transformation dissipates, leaving her in her human form. Her body shudders as she coughs, her hands clutching her throat, trying to steady herself. But through the pain, a smile tugs at her lips as she looks up at Arata. "Aru…" she whispers softly, her voice weak but filled with relief.Arata stands a few feet away, chest heaving, his body battered and bruised, blood trickling from a cut on his forehead. His knuckles are white from the force of his punch, his fist still trembling slightly from the impact. His breathing is labored, each breath a sharp intake of air, but his eyes burn with an intense fury. His gaze locks onto Jennifer, and despite his exhaustion, there's a spark of determination in his eyes that hasn't dimmed.Divine groans, pulling herself out of the rubble, her body covered in dust and scratches. Her face is twisted with rage, her teeth bared in a snarl as she wipes a streak of blood from her mouth. "YOUUUU…" she seethes, her voice trembling with fury. She plants her feet firmly on the ground, legs bent in a wide stance, as she gathers herself for another attack. Her hands clench into fists, and veins bulge from her forearms as her anger reaches a boiling point. "HOW DARE—"Before she can finish her sentence, another figure appears, moving with lightning speed. A boot slams into Divine's back, sending her stumbling forward with a grunt of pain. The blow is perfectly timed, aimed at her lower spine, forcing her off balance. Her body arches forward awkwardly as she tries to regain her footing, her arms flailing momentarily as she looks around in stunned confusion.It takes a moment for Divine to recognize the newcomer. Her eyes narrow as she twists her neck to see who struck her. Standing behind her, poised and ready for combat, is Thronjaw. His stance is powerful, legs wide and arms raised in a perfect fighting posture, his body coiled with energy. The muscles in his legs ripple from the force of his kick, and his eyes gleam with intensity. His jaw is clenched, lips drawn back in a fierce snarl, but there's a calm focus to his movements, each one deliberate and controlled.Arata's eyes widen as recognition dawns. "Thronjaw…" he mutters under his breath, the name rolling off his tongue with a mixture of shock and wariness. Memories of their previous battles flash through his mind in an instant, but now they stand on the same side, facing a far greater threat.Divine's rage boils over. She staggers back to her feet, her entire body shaking with fury. Her chest heaves with ragged breaths, and her hands ball into fists so tightly that her knuckles turn white. Her face is a twisted mask of rage, her eyes blazing with hatred as she glares at Thronjaw and Arata in turn."I WILL TAKE YOU BOTH DOWN!" she roars, her voice echoing across the battlefield as she charges toward them, her body radiating with sheer, unbridled fury.Thronjaw braces himself, his legs shifting into a defensive stance, ready to meet her head-on. His muscles tense, preparing for the inevitable clash, while Arata moves to stand beside him, his fists raised in defiance. The tension crackles in the air as Divine barrels toward them, her face contorted in rage, and the battle begins anew.