They surged forward simultaneously, speed and power in perfect harmony, as if they had practiced this attack for years. Mizuno slid down from below with a sudden movement, his claws piercing the ground and emerging directly beneath the entity to immobilize it. In the same instant, Riorno descended from above like a meteor, his fire concentrated in a single point, pressing down from above. Meanwhile, Lloyd advanced from the front, his energy concentrated in his arm, the marks gleaming steadily for the first time.
The entity tried to move… but was too late.
"Now!" Lloyd shouted. The attack landed in an instant.
BOOOOOOM!
A massive explosion filled the Core. Light, fire, and energy collided violently. A shockwave erupted, destroying what remained of the pipes, and the walls began to crumble completely.
For a few seconds… there was no sound except the echo of the explosion. Then the smoke began to dissipate. The entity… was standing. But this time, its body had visible cracks, and the energy surrounding it was unstable, breaking apart and reforming with difficulty.
Mizuno breathed heavily and said, "Uh… it's affected."
But Lloyd wasn't relieved. His eyes narrowed. "No… not yet." And indeed, the entity slowly raised its head, and the cracks began to heal gradually. "Improvement… fast," he said in his heavy voice. Riorno gritted his teeth. "We don't have time!" Suddenly, the ground beneath them collapsed even further, and a large piece of the Core fell into the void. The entire place began to unravel; the countdown to collapse had truly begun. The entity raised its hand, and a dense black energy gathered, but this time it was different… more compressed, more dangerous. Lloyd sensed the danger immediately: "Get out of the way—!"
But the attack began.
A massive wave of energy engulfed the entire place; it was completely unavoidable. CRAAAAASH! The three were struck directly, propelled away, crashing into the wreckage, each losing their balance.
Lloyd tried to stand, but immediately knelt, his body reaching its limits, the marks fading.
Mizuno could barely move, and Riorno's fire was noticeably weaker. The entity approached slowly, its steps heavy, yet still in control. "The end… of the experiment." Lloyd raised his head with difficulty, his breath ragged, then smiled a small smile despite everything.
"No…" He paused for a second.
"…You haven't experienced everything yet." Riorno looked at him, understanding immediately.
Mizuno chuckled softly despite his exhaustion: "That's the word I've been waiting to hear." Lloyd placed his hand on the ground; the marks began to ignite again… but this time differently, more deeply, as if they had opened a new level. The air around him changed—heat and cold simultaneously—a balance… but terrifying.
Riorno stood up slowly, his fire reigniting, calmer but more dangerous.
Mizuno rose, His eyes flashed, and his arm transformed completely into a predatory shape. The entity paused for a moment, as if… sensing something different. Lloyd finally stood, raised his head, and his red eye glowed sharply. "…Next round." One step forward. The ground cracked beneath his feet.
"…Let's play it serious."