The sudden appearance of two additional mana pillars in the midst of an already chaotic and high-stakes battlefield shocked everyone. Mainly, the chosens from the eight empires stopped in their tracks to look at this strange development.
Right in front of everyone's eyes, a figure emerged from the first mana pillar. The elves watched with their mouths agape en masse as a tall and charismatic elf stepped out of the pillar. His body was blood red and his eyes glowed in a mysterious silver.
Whispers and murmurs spread among the ranks of the armies. "Who is he?" "Is he one of the chosen?" "Look at his eyes!" The uncertainty was palpable, as no one seemed to recognize this enigmatic figure.
However, the main characters of the event knew exactly who this was. The chosen one of the blood clan. The guardian had actually chosen someone from the blood clan too!
Such a thing was completely unheard of. The blood clan was just that. Only a clan. Not an empire. So how could a chosen appear from that clan?
Was there now going to be nine empires in this world? The guardian's word was final and selecting this person was the same as giving the word.
However, there was still one crucial matter left. This chosen had to live to tell the tale!
The blood elves used forbidden magic to gain power at the expense of blood and life. All the other elven clans looked down on them. A trash like that should not be allowed to gain power at any cost.
"Rindos, you snake. How did you do this?" Thorazin shouted as he started the attack first. "You seven. Let's settle our differences later. We need to end him first."
Rindos sneered. "You say things about me, but how are you any different, Thorazin? I heard your empire was burning villages to find out a rat that had infested your lands."
"You and I both kill. So how am I the evil one?" A blood-red axe appeared in the air, hovering above, threatening to kill anyone who dared to step near him.
Coincidentally, while the nine elves who had emerged from the mana pillars were busy assessing each other, the last forgotten pillar shone resplendently as a figure emerged out of it as well.
A hooded-robed figure appeared wearing no insignia of any faction whatsoever. If one observed closely, the person's frame while similar to an elf did not particularly match that of an elf.
Eldrin's eyes widened as this time he was the first one to realize who this was! Liam! Damn it! He was finally here!
Immediately he felt a joy that was bittersweet. "Fuck you, you disgusting bastard! How the hell did you get chosen by our world's guardian?"
Just like Eldrin, a few others also paid attention to the newcomer. Rindos and the eight chosen narrowed their eyes as they observed the mysterious hooded figure.
Rindos, still sneering at Thorazin, glanced at the new arrival. "Another chosen?" he mused aloud, his voice laced with suspicion. "Or perhaps a wildcard thrown into the mix?"
At this comment, everyone became silent. Thanks to the intelligence gathered by their respective clans, everyone knew that the eight of them from the eight empires were the top-tier geniuses in the younger generation.
Even Rindos appearing here was an anomaly. So who could the new guy be?
The mysterious figure seemed to stand still, not reacting.
At this point, the first one to make a move was the chosen from the Sun Empire. The elf took out a bell and rang it, sending out a wave of scorching heat and blinding light in all directions.
The light and the heat did not seem to be that strong since almost everyone erected one or the other defense against the attack. Most of the armies gathered around suffered but not all were affected.
However, the next instant the true colors of the attack showed. Every single elf in the army doubled back in pain as their head felt like it was about to burst. There was a hidden mental attack component to the bell!
The elven armies screamed in pain as they hurriedly retreated back, once again reminded that this was not their place. Those who were able to stay conscious quickly moved a few paces.
Even though they would have preferred to flee, they still needed to provide support to their champion if the need arose. Otherwise, they would be executed when they returned to their empire anyways.
On the contrary, the chosen elves responded to the same attack in different ways. Not so shockingly, they remained calm and composed.
As the searing wave approached them, Rindos merely waved his hand, and the blood-red axe spun rapidly, creating a barrier that absorbed the attack. His eyes glowed brighter, and he laughed coldly, "Is this the best the Sun Empire can do?"
Another chosen snorted as his armor glowed absorbing the attack. Verdant Empire, Wind Empire, Emberclaw Empire, all the chosens responded one after the other without lifting a finger.
The only one who was affected seemed to be the scion of the Ice Empire, Erisol. Blood started dripping out of his orifices uncontrollably.
Despite his immense strength, he staggered under the intensity of the mental attack, his face contorted in pain. Yet, even in his agony, he managed to raise a hand, and a frosty aura enveloped him, seemingly dulling the effect of the attack.
Shockingly, another similar aura erupted at the same time. To everyone's surprise, this aura came from the mysterious tenth figure.
And this aura was also icy?
Erisol widened his eyes at this strange development. How could there be another elf who was as adept as him in using ice elemental aura inside the forbidden territory, especially now?
But there wasn't enough time to get to the bottom of the mystery because the battlefield once again exploded into chaos.
With the first attack lighting the fire, the chosen ones of the eight empires, along with Rindos leaped into action.