46

The Battle Begins

“You’re not worth my time,” the arbiter scoffed, looking down at them with disdain. “You’re like mosquitoes to me. Vampires, take them down.”

The arbiter’s army surged forward, fangs bared and eyes glowing with hunger. Claud and his team braced themselves, ready to unleash their newfound powers. The night air crackled with tension as the battle began.

Claud took a deep breath, feeling the power of the elements coursing through him. “Time to show these bloodsuckers what we’re made of,” he said, grinning at his friends.

“Finally, some action,” Lycidas said, twirling his fingers as sparks of magic danced around them. “I was starting to think this was going to be a boring night.”

Zakaria was a blur of motion, her new super speed making her faster than the eye could follow. She darted between the vampires, delivering lightning-fast blows that left them reeling.

“Try to keep up!” she called over her shoulder, her voice filled with playful challenge.

Lupa summoned water an