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The block of ice encasing Maximus began to tremble violently. A pulsating aura of crimson energy radiated outward in expanding waves, heating the air around it. Cracks appeared across the frozen surface, spiderwebbing rapidly as pressure built from within.
This was Maximus's Last Stand—his ultimate ability activated in a moment of desperation. The gladiator channeled every ounce of his strength and life force into one final, devastating assault. The ice shattered explosively, fragments flying in all directions as Maximus emerged, his body bathed in a blinding red aura.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he launched forward with impossible speed. Before Tenzin could even register the threat, Maximus appeared directly in front of him, his fist connecting with Tenzin's chest in a devastating blow. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, the aura around Maximus's fist exploding outward on contact.
Tenzin's eyes widened in surprise as he braced against the impact. Despite the overwhelming force, he remained standing, his feet creating small craters in the ground as he was pushed back several yards.
Without hesitation, Tenzin countered, his palm glowing with golden energy as he thrust it forward. "Cosmic Palm!" he shouted, placing his hand directly on Maximus's chest. A burst of concentrated energy erupted from Tenzin's palm, launching Maximus skyward.
Tenzin followed, leaping into the air with preternatural grace. His body shimmered with golden light as he ascended toward his airborne opponent. "Harmony of the Elements," he intoned, his voice echoing with power.
Dozens of fireballs materialized around him, swirling like miniature suns before launching toward the falling Maximus. Each fireball carried enough force to level a building, their combined power threatening to incinerate the gladiator completely.
The sky suddenly darkened. A massive lightning bolt cut through the air, moving in an impossible zigzag pattern that intercepted each fireball in sequence. The lightning arced upward, finally connecting with Tenzin in a blinding flash.
Bjorn appeared from within the lightning, his Thunderstrike Axe raised high. "You haven't seen all my might yet," he growled, his voice carrying the rumble of thunder.
Bjorn raised his axe skyward. The clouds above responded immediately, churning with unnatural darkness before releasing a bolt of black lightning that struck his weapon. The axe absorbed the dark energy, crackling with power as Bjorn hovered beside the stunned Tenzin.
Below, Maximus landed hard on both feet, the ground fracturing beneath his impact. With a roar, he launched himself back into the fray, leaping with renewed strength toward Tenzin.
"NOW!" Bjorn shouted.
Maximus's body surged with even greater speed, appearing instantly at Tenzin's side. Tenzin moved to dodge, his Celestial Step beginning to activate—but he wasn't fast enough to avoid Bjorn's attack. The black lightning-infused Thunderstrike Axe connected with devastating force, sending Tenzin hurtling toward the ground. He crashed into the land, creating a crater where he landed.
Maximus landed and immediately charged toward the fallen traitor, drawing his massive sword which now glowed with the same crimson aura that surrounded his body. With a battle cry that shook the air, he brought his blade down. The sword didn't physically touch Tenzin—it struck the air just before him—but the shockwave of energy that followed rippled through Tenzin's body, causing visible damage despite the lack of direct contact.
"Bjorn, let's destroy this traitor!" Maximus roared, continuing his relentless assault.
The sky responded to Bjorn's call, turning pitch black as dozens of black lightning bolts danced across the heavens. Bjorn shot upward, his Thunderstrike Axe glowing with dark energy as he raised it overhead.
"Strike of the Thunder Demon!"
An enormous bolt of black lightning—larger than any seen before—connected with his axe. Bjorn hurled the charged weapon down toward the battlefield. Maximus leapt clear as the axe descended, striking Tenzin directly in a cataclysmic explosion of dark energy that devastated the surrounding area.
When the dust began to settle, Bjorn landed beside Maximus, both warriors breathing heavily but standing tall.
"He is aggravating to fight against, but we did it," Maximus said, his Last Stand aura beginning to fade.
In the instant those words left his lips, a strange black shadow blade pierced through Maximus's chest from behind. The gladiator's eyes widened in shock and pain. The aura of power that had surrounded him flickered, then died completely.
Behind him stood a figure radiating an overwhelming presence—power beyond anything Maximus had ever encountered. The mysterious attacker withdrew the blade with a swift motion, the weapon seeming to absorb the very light around it.
Bjorn reacted immediately, swinging his Thunderstrike Axe in a wide arc—but he never completed the attack. With frightening speed, the shadow figure moved, and in a single, fluid motion...
Bjorn's body fell in three separate pieces, cleanly severed.
Maximus collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him as his life ebbed away. With his final strength, he struggled to turn his head, desperate to glimpse the face of their killer. But the shadow figure had already vanished, leaving no trace of their presence.
Tenzin rose slowly from the debris, brushing dust from his robes as he surveyed the carnage around him. His face betrayed no emotion as he looked at the fallen warriors.
I should have dealt with them quicker, he thought to himself. I didn't really want 'him' to fully show himself yet. Hopefully they didn't see his face.
Without a second glance at the bodies of Bjorn and Maximus, Tenzin walked toward the imposing structure of Luminaris Hall. The doors, partially destroyed in the battle, gave way easily as he pushed through them.
He moved purposefully through the grand corridors, finally arriving at a set of massive doors intricately carved with symbols of celestial power. Without hesitation, he burst them open.
Inside stood Queen Lila surrounded by the elders of the Seventh Universe. Their faces reflected a mixture of shock, anger, and fear at the sudden intrusion.
Tenzin offered them a stern smile, his eyes cold and calculating. "How about we get to business, shall we?"
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