Man On The Moon

XIV

Jing Yuan, the general, observes Phantylia closely, his eyes searching for any signs of weakness or vulnerability. Jingliu, the warrior, sharpens her senses, watching Phantylia's movements for patterns or openings for a counter-attack. Dan Heng, the strategist, considers various attack angles and potential scenarios, trying to find a strategic advantage. True to his nature, Blade plans brutal counter-strikes, waiting for the moment to unleash his power in the most efficient way possible. Phantylia manages to break through the Quatra Quintet's defences in the whirlwind of attacks and counter-attacks, sending them crashing to the ground. She floats above them, her form still glowing with the corrupted power of the Mara, her voice holding a hint of mockery.

Phantylia: "Foolish mortals, thinking you could stand against an Emanator of Destruction. Look at you now, all laid out before me, defeated and broken."

As the Quatra Quintet hit the ground, one of them speaks up, their voice hoarse and strained from the impact. The others look up at Phantylia, their expressions filled with pain, anger, and resolve. Dan Heng pushes himself up, his spear gripped in a tight, white-knuckled hold.

Dan Heng: "We're not done yet. We can't give up now."

Blade grunts in agreement, his voice a low growl.

Blade: "We're not beaten yet. We'll keep fighting until the last breath if we have to."

Jing Yuan slowly pushes himself upright, his eyes fixed on Phantylia's form above them.

Jing Yuan: "Agreed. We've come too far to surrender now. We'll find a way, no matter what."

Jingliu, the last to stand, a slight grimace of pain flitting across her face.

Jingliu: "We've fought things that were supposed to be unbeatable before. We're not quitting just because she's got more power than expected."

In the middle of Phantylia's attack, a new figure appears, seemingly out of nowhere, swooping in to shield the fallen Quatra Quintet from the onslaught. It is Baiheng, her form glowing with radiant energy. Phantylia, taken aback, pauses briefly, her eyes taking in the unexpected newcomer. Jing Yuan, Jingliu, Dan Heng, and Blade, taken equally by surprise, look up at Baiheng with shock and disbelief. None of them expected to see her here, least of all in such a moment. Jingliu's voice is filled with both shock and relief as she gazes at Baiheng.

Jingliu: "Baiheng... is that you? You... you're alive!"

Dan Heng, Blade, and Jing Yuan look equally shocked and relieved to see their long-lost comrade. They all look torn between joy and disbelief, the sight of Baiheng seemingly defying death and appearing before them overwhelming. Baiheng's voice is firm and resolute, echoing with a fierce determination that is so familiar to the Quatra Quintet.

Baiheng: "Sorry to have kept you waiting. I'm here to help."

The Quatra Quintet can only stare at Baiheng for a moment, a myriad of emotions passing through their faces. But as the gravity of the situation sinks in, they quickly shake off their shock and look to Baiheng with a renewed sense of hope. Blade, as blunt as ever, grunts.

Blade: "About damn time. We need all the help we can get."

Dan Heng, still somewhat shell-shocked, nods his agreement.

Dan Heng: "We're glad to have you back, Baiheng. But...how is this possible? We thought you..."

Jing Yuan, his voice filled with both joy and disbelief, finishes Dan Heng's sentence.

Jing Yuan: "We thought you were dead. We saw you... We lost you. How are you here?"

Baiheng's expression softens as she looks back at her old companions. She takes a moment before answering, a faint ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Baiheng: "Let's just say... I have a knack for defying the odds. And I couldn't leave my old team stranded without reinforcements, could I?"

Phantylia, her smirk widening, seems to regard Baiheng with a hint of curiosity. The appearance of the unexpected newcomer seems to intrigue her, almost as if she's weighing her value or significance.

Phantylia: "Well, well, more company. This is unexpected."

Her gaze moves over Baiheng's glowing form, her eyes taking in the newcomer's appearance and power. She hums thoughtfully, a slight hint of mockery in her voice.

Phantylia: "I must admit, I didn't expect the Luofu to have so many hidden aces. But the more to the slaughter, the merrier I suppose."