Spirit’s Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water

In the elemental plane, the sky was dominated by a towering storm. Its presence both ominous and awe-inspiring. The first-year students, scattered across the battlefield, couldn't help but notice the growing tempest. The many of them still surviving in various ways, stealth, mental domination, and through fierce battle, all recalled the same memory: the storm that a certain boy had summoned. Lassim's terrifying power during that first and only duel in the battle class against Lustria. Through the eyes of various first years, they came to a quick an easy decision. They would try and reach the eye of the storm to get some respite. Some, like a pair of night-elemental users, had melded into the shadows. Their forms nearly invisible as they observed the storm from a safe distance. Their hearts raced as they had few points but had survived until now through their ability to hide from the demons. They slowly and carefully made their way in the direction of the tempest. Elsewhere, amidst the chaos of combat, Rygar Wildheart, the number 2 on the current rankings had noticed the storm as well. His beastial tattoos pulsated with a fierce red light, matching the ferocity of his attacks. He would swing his claw-like elemental fist weapons as he tore through the abyssal creatures. He was tearing a path of his slain foes similar to what Lassim had accomplished prior to the advancement. Yet, despite the frenzy of battle, his gaze kept drifting towards the storm. He held a mix of curiosity and a strategic mind calculating the benefits of joining forces with Lassim. Ultimately, he decided to carve his path towards it's beacon as well. As the storm grew, so did the determination of many first years. They were not just drawn to the spectacle of the storm in the distance, but mainly to the person at its heart. Lassim's strength was real and his potential as the headmaster's disciple had spread throughout the academy. Now, with it as a flare to the surrounding area, they saw a chance to hopefully align with him and obtain some breathing space for themselves to rest a bit. Nearly everyone that was still left at this point had been fighting almost non-stop for 14 hours straight. They were exhausted and many had nearly empty mana reserves by now. Some were only holding on due to the countless stamina and mana potions they had engorged themselves on to survive. Their journeys towards the storm was perilous for most. Each student facing their own battles against the relentless waves of abyssal legion creatures or sneaking past. Yet, they were all driven by a strong will that put them above the ones who failed so far. They pressed on. One student, a fire-elemental spirit warrior named Elara Ravencroft, blasted through enemies with torrents of flame. Her path illuminated by firelight as she swung what appeared to be an old timey lamp-post. This weapon was basically a long polearm with a lamp that acted as a mace at the end. It was attached to a chain that retracted and extended from the tip at her command. The lamp itself was covered in a metal spike cage with the inner flame just dousing the enemies with flame and elemental mana that acted as an oil. It stuck and burned everything it came in contact with. Another, was a metal elemental spirit warrior named Camie Morcan. She was the current 7th ranked leader on the ranking list. She maneuvered with an elegant grace in a sword dance with her one-handed sword. She twirled and twirled as she sent blades of metal energy outwards, slicing everything around her. Her cultivation was only SI3, a bit further than she should have, but the raw power and skill allowed her to match easily against foes at the SI8 level. Her metal elemental spirit was surely going to allow her to be a very strong and a great sword cultivator. The closer the various first-years got, the more intense the battles became. The creatures of the abyss seemed drawn to the storm's power, becoming more ferocious and numerous. Yet, the students' resolve hardened. Their eyes set on the figure in the middle of the tempest, whose attacks they saw the flashes of. During their advancement towards the storm, Rygar Wildheart had begun leading a small band of determined first-year warriors with the same mission. They carved a path through the enemy ranks towards their goal. His eyes glowed with anticipation and respect for the person he'd claimed as his rival so far. As they reached the area underneath the storm he roared, "Lassim!" He tried shouting over the roar of battle and shrieks of the monsters, his voice amplified by his bestial cultivation that carried into the distance. The students following him were inspired by the moment. They rallied and pushed forward with renewed vigor as their spirits. They were almost at their objective. They were only hoping that Lassim was still the kind person he'd been so far and would help them out. In the heart of the storm, Lassim was more attuned to his new powers and the presence of his elemental companions. Suddenly, he felt the distant tug on his senses through his connection with Zaphy. His spiritual sense had grown to now cover and area of around 1 kilometer and was sharpened beyond measure. It was even further enhanced as he could begin to sense something appearing in Zaphy's senses, as if hers were an extension of his own in some sort of mystical way. It felt a bit weird to consider, but it was like she was a phantom limb extension of his own spiritual sense. As she was much closer to the set of objects coming towards him, she disappeared with a quick zap and then returned after she picked up Rygar's voice amidst the storm's thunder. Zaphyrella, ever playful, chirped and tilted her curious head. Her eyes narrowed as she looked in a particular direction on the horizon. "People! They're wearing the same outfit as you brother! Friends? Friends! Friends are coming! We save them? Yes?" she chirped excitedly, her voice echoing in his mind. Marinelle, with her usual calm demeanor, looked towards Lassim who sent the mental nudge of a nodded in agreement. Marinelle, with her fins swirling gently in the air, created ripples of water that launched into the surrounding turmoil in the direction of the newcomers. Zaphy suddenly took off towards them, leaving a trail of lightning strikes behind her. "Lead them to come here!" Lassim shouted, his voice resonating outwards and amplified by the thunder. The thunder had a mystical property that seemed to carry his voice with it, "Make your way towards me if you have any strength left!" The abyssal creatures, sensing the shift in the battle, suddenly grew increasingly desperate. Their attacks became more frenzied, as if trying to drown the advancing students in a wave of death before they could unite. But the first-years were not to be deterred. They heard Lassim's voice, to which Rygar gave a rallying cry with a snarl, "You heard 'im! Get to movin'!" The students responded in kind with their own roar of acknowledgement, "HUUUAAAAAAHHHH!!!" Their attacks and elemental weapons all lashing out. Their steps closer to Lassim's position made their determination grow. Seeing him so close by, they fought hard for their survival and ranking. As Rygar and his group made their final push through the encroaching tide, the tempest seemed to make way for their approach. The clouds swirled faster, the lightning struck harder, and the rain poured with greater intensity. Mari and Zephy were controlling the elements deftly and precisely to sweep away and slaughter everything in their path. The moment they broke through the last line of monsters and stepped into the clear area around Lassim, the storm's rage was eerily calm. The first-years, around 15 in total led by Rygar, stood panting. Their clothes were drenched and tattered in places, much too similar to Lassim's tattered martial academy robe. Their faces smeared with the remnants of battle, dirt and their own blood, but their eyes shone with the triumph of having reached their goal. Some collapsed directly on the ground, their first chance at a break for many of them in too long. Lassim, standing tall amidst the elemental chaos he commanded, turned to face them. His expression was joyful and he gave a silent nod to their strength for lasting so long. Mari reactivated the swirling blender of water to give them a barrier of 300 meters to relax in while she gently glided next to Lassim's side. Zaphy made one quick sweep around his length, charging it with an intense violet colored lightning, as the first-years watched the creature zoom by. She then landed on the other side of Lassim while gently hopping and fidgeting in place. She was clearly too excited to greet the "friends". "Welcome," he said, his voice echoed in the amplification of the thunder above, "to the eye of my storm."