Ch 54: "Tournament of Power" (Part 6!!)

As the trio neared their destination, they felt the ground tremble beneath their feet. A sudden shadow fell over them, and they looked up to see something massive descending from the sky. King Arthur, watching from a distance, grabbed a magical device and spoke through a floating speaker, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "What is that? I don't see that thing registered."

The thing landed with a thunderous crash, creating a crater and sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air. Benimaru instinctively grabbed Flicker and swooped her to safety, leaping high into the air. Kanade, with her quick reflexes, jumped alongside him. The trio landed a safe distance away, their hearts pounding with adrenaline.

The dust swirled around them, gritty and thick in the air, the taste of earth on their tongues. The scent of freshly disturbed dirt mingled with the metallic tang of magic, making the air almost electric. The sound of the impact still echoed in their ears, a deep, resonant boom that seemed to shake the very ground beneath them.

As the dust began to settle, they could make out a colossal figure rising from the crater. It was shrouded in shadow, but they could see the outline of a massive form holding chains with spiked balls at the ends. The chains clinked ominously as the figure moved, each step causing the ground to shudder.

King Arthur's voice crackled through the speaker again, now filled with concern. "Oh no, it is a demon!"

The crowd, watching from the arena far away, began to panic. Murmurs spread like wildfire. "Are we going to be killed?" "What's happening?" "This wasn't part of the tournament!"

"What is that thing?" Benimaru muttered, his eyes narrowing as he tried to pierce through the dust.

Flicker's eyes were wide with awe and fear. "It's enormous... and those chains... this isn't just another competitor."

Kanade kept her gaze steady, her mind racing to assess the threat. "We need to be ready. Whatever it is, it's not here to play."

The dust cleared a bit more, revealing the creature's full form. It was a towering beast, its muscles bulging under thick, rough skin. The chains it wielded glowed with a faint, ominous light, and the spiked balls at their ends were as large as boulders. The creature's eyes glowed a deep red, filled with a malevolent intelligence.

The trio felt the ground vibrate as the creature shifted its weight, the chains clanking with a menacing rhythm. The scent of sulfur and smoke filled the air, adding to the atmosphere of impending danger.

King Arthur's voice, filled with urgency, echoed again. " Is this a new challenge, a test for our greatest warriors?. Please be prepare yourselves!"

Benimaru clenched his fists, his muscles tensing. "Alright, team, we've got this. Stick to the plan, and we'll take it down together."

Flicker nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "Right. Let's show this beast what the Hero's Party can do."

Kanade adjusted her stance, her magi-gun at the ready. "Stay sharp. It's powerful, but so are we."

The creature roared, the sound like a thunderclap, and began to swing its chains in wide arcs. The ground quaked with each movement, and the air hummed with the force of its power. The trio braced themselves, their senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through their veins.

Benimaru took a deep breath, his eyes locked on the beast. "Here we go. For the Hero's Party!"

With that, they charged forward, their resolve unshaken, ready to face the formidable foe that stood between them and their goal. The battle ahead would be tough, but they were prepared to fight with all their might, their hearts united in the quest for victory.

As the trio prepared to charge, they halted abruptly when the demon boomed, "Hua hua hua! I am Berserker, the right hand of the Demon Lord Phobio. I am here to collect Princess Hina."

Carrion, the Goddess of the Five Elements, standing beside King Arthur, erupted in fury. "What are you talking about? No one will lay a finger on my daughter!" His voice resonated with a mix of divine power and paternal protectiveness.

Lefa, sitting beside Hina's body double, clutched her arm in fear. "I'm scared," she whispered, her eyes wide with terror. The body double, under immense strain, began to lose connection. Lefa noticed her paling and panicked. "Ahhhh! Why are you so pale?" The body double of Hina passed out, and guards rushed to carry her to a room, leaving Lefa feeling even more vulnerable.

Carrion's rage boiled over as the real Demon Lord Phobio emerged behind them, trapping King Arthur, Carrion, and Lefa in a dark, ominous barrier. The barrier pulsed with dark energy, creating an unsettling hum that vibrated through the air.

Phobio sneered, "Do you think you can contain me with this toy barrier?" Carrion's eyes flared with determination as he unleashed his ultimate power, a blinding light that illuminated the area and made the air crackle with energy. However, his power was absorbed by the barrier, leaving it intact.

Lefa whimpered, the sound barely audible over the hum of the barrier. "I don't like this," she murmured, clutching her hands tightly together.

Carrion's face twisted in frustration. "No... this can't be," he muttered, his voice a mixture of disbelief and anger. He tried again, pouring all his strength into another attempt to break the barrier, but it held firm, glowing with malevolent energy.

Phobio laughed, a deep, echoing sound that sent chills down the spines of all who heard it. "Poor Carrion, like a puppy in a cage. Hua hahaha! This barrier is reinforced by the power of twelve Demon Lords, including myself. There is no way on earth you can destroy it. Hua hahaha!"

The scent of ozone and burning magic filled the air, mingling with the metallic tang of fear. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble in response to Carrion's futile efforts. The crowd in the arena began to murmur in panic, the sound of their worried voices creating a tense, buzzing atmosphere.

Carrion's anger was palpable, his hands clenched into fists. "You will not get away with this, Phobio," he vowed, his voice low and dangerous.

But Phobio's mocking laughter only grew louder, resonating through the barrier. "You are powerless here, Carrion. Accept your fate."

The oppressive heat of the sun beat down on them, adding to the discomfort and tension. The taste of desperation hung heavy in the air as Carrion continued to struggle against the unyielding barrier, his divine energy sparking and fizzling uselessly against its surface.

In the distance, the trio watched the unfolding scene with a mixture of horror and determination. Benimaru tightened his grip on his sword, Flicker's eyes glowed with a fierce resolve, and Kanade's fingers twitched on the trigger of her magi-gun.

"We need to find a way to help them," Benimaru said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "We can't let Phobio succeed."

Flicker nodded, her gaze fixed on the barrier. "We'll figure something out. We're the Hero's Party. We don't give up."

Kanade took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "Let's move. We have to be ready for anything."

With that, the trio set off, their hearts steeled for the battle ahead, determined to overcome whatever obstacles stood in their way.

As the trio moved with determination, Berserker suddenly leaped in front of them, landing with a ground-shaking thud that sent dust and debris flying. His menacing figure loomed over them, chains rattling ominously as he swung his massive, thorn-covered flail.

"Not so fast," Berserker growled, his voice deep and menacing. "Where do you think you're going?"

The crowd, already on edge, erupted into full panic. People screamed and scrambled over each other to flee the arena, the sound of their frantic footsteps and terrified cries filling the air. The acrid smell of fear and sweat permeated the environment as chaos unfolded around them.

Benimaru tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes narrowing as he faced Berserker. "This is really a pain in the ass," he muttered, his voice low and tense.

Flicker, her eyes glowing with fierce determination, took up a defensive stance beside him. "We can't let him stop us," she said, her voice steady despite the situation.

Kanade, with her magi-gun at the ready, scanned the battlefield for any advantage they could use. "We need to bring him down quickly," she said, her tone resolute.

Berserker's laugh echoed through the arena, a dark, chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines. "You think you can defeat me?" he taunted, swinging his flail in a wide arc that sent a gust of wind rushing past them.

The trio prepared themselves, their senses heightened. The scent of earth and sweat filled their nostrils, the taste of adrenaline sharp on their tongues. The ground beneath their feet felt solid yet trembling with the vibrations of the fleeing crowd. Their ears rang with the cacophony of panicked screams, clashing weapons, and Berserker's mocking laughter.

Benimaru glanced at his teammates, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's show him what the Hero's Party can do."

Flicker nodded, her hands glowing with magical energy. "Right behind you, Benimaru."

Kanade took a deep breath, steadying her aim. "Let's take him down."

With a unified shout, the trio launched their attack. Benimaru charged forward, his sword slicing through the air with a fierce determination. Flicker unleashed a torrent of fire and lightning, her magic crackling and hissing as it struck towards Berserker. Kanade fired her magi-gun, the bullets whizzing through the air with precision.

Berserker roared, swinging his flail to block the attacks, the clash of metal and magic creating a deafening roar. The ground shook with each impact, the air thick with the smell of burning ozone and the tang of metal. Dust and debris flew everywhere, creating a chaotic, almost blinding environment.

Despite the overwhelming odds, the trio fought with unwavering resolve, their movements coordinated and precise. The sound of their battle cries and the clash of their weapons echoed through the arena, a testament to their unyielding spirit.

As the fight raged on, the trio could feel the weight of the challenge before them, but they also felt the strength of their bond and their determination to protect those they cared about. Together, they faced Berserker, ready to overcome any obstacle in their path.