After two bouts between the Rising Heroes and Hands of Karma, the score was evenly tied at 1-1. Now, in the third round, Sera faced Vashari as their match began.
The moment the referee signaled the start, Vashari activated 'Froststep', allowing her to slide across the battlefield on a trail of ice beneath her feet. Within seconds, she had already closed the distance between herself and Sera, swinging her massive shield.
"Rootguard."
Multiple thick roots burst from the ground at the last possible moment to block Vashari's charge. However, the impact blasted through the roots, shattering them apart.
Taking the opportunity, Sera immediately tried to create some distance. She used 'Rootroute', causing countless roots to spread across the battlefield, making the terrain uneven. Sharp thorns covered every root, preventing Vashari from gliding across the ground or moving freely.
Instead of slowing down, Vashari leapt high into the air.
"Frost Impact."
She hurled her shield toward Sera with tremendous force.
Sera quickly summoned 'Rootguard' once again, but the spinning shield pierced straight through the thick roots. Fortunately, although the roots couldn't stop it, they slightly altered its trajectory. The shield slammed into the ground beside Sera with a chilling explosion, instantly covering the surrounding area in ice as freezing air rose from the battlefield.
"Verdant Hands."
Sera immediately switched to defense.
Vashari continued her assault without slowing down.
"Frozen Bash."
Recovering her shield while avoiding the thorn-covered roots, she charged straight toward Sera. The shield scraped across the frozen ground, allowing it to crush and eliminate the thorny roots in its path.
The massive Verdant Hands moved forward to stop her.
But Vashari's raw strength was overwhelming.
The giant hands shattered into countless pieces upon impact, each fragment rapidly freezing over.
"Verdant Guardian."
A towering guardian emerged from the earth.
For the first time since the battle began, Vashari stopped moving. However, her mind had already planned its next move.
The Guardian immediately attacked, throwing a massive punch toward her.
Vashari was simply too fast.
Despite the battlefield being covered in roots and thorns, she skillfully leapt from place to place, using her shield as a platform. She landed on it, recovered it instantly, then jumped again to evade the Guardian's relentless punches.
"Frost Impact."
She threw her shield once more.
The Guardian raised both hands to block.
Another tremendous collision echoed across the arena.
The Guardian's hand became completely covered in ice, yet it remained intact.
Sera had anticipated Vashari's strength from the beginning and had reinforced the Guardian's defenses as much as possible. Even so, one of its hands had frozen solid. As Sera attempted to free it... Vashari gave her no time.
"Glacier Breaker."
A devastating shield strike released a crushing wave of ice.
The frozen arm slowly moved to intercept the attack.
Another explosion erupted.
This time, the entire arm turned to ice before shattering into countless frozen fragments. Even the enormous Guardian was pushed backwards by the tremendous force.
Sera was clearly being overwhelmed.
"Verdant Guardian: Wilds."
The original Guardian collapsed.
From its remains emerged a beast-like Guardian.
Its body was covered in ancient bark resembling natural armor, while thick vines coiled around its powerful limbs like living muscles. Its arms ended in massive claw-like hands capable of tearing through stone, while antler-like branches crowned its head, decorated with blooming flowers that constantly shed glowing petals.
Unlike the previous Guardian, Wilds looked aggressive.
Sometimes, to protect, one must attack.
With incredible speed, Wilds charged at Vashari, slashing repeatedly with its massive claws.
Unable to outrun it, Vashari was forced entirely onto the defensive. Again and again, she raised her shield to block the incoming claws, feeling the immense force behind every strike. She began striking the claws back with her shield whenever she blocked, hoping one of the impacts would throw Wilds off balance.
It never happened.
Wilds continued its relentless assault without stopping. Yet behind her shield, Vashari remained perfectly calm. She simply waited for the right opportunity.
Finally, during one of Wilds' attacks "Avalanche Guard."
Her shield absorbed the full force of the strike before releasing all of that stored power back at its attacker.
Wilds was blasted away by its own strength.
That single moment was all Vashari needed.
As Wilds charged toward her once more, "Frozen Dominion."
Freezing energy spread around Vashari, slowing everything that came near her.
Wilds' movements noticeably slowed, allowing Vashari to dodge its attacks with ease.
Sera continued enhancing Wilds with her magic as much as she could.
It wasn't enough.
Not only had Wilds become slower, but ice was gradually spreading across its body.
Even so, despite its reduced speed, Wilds still possessed enough strength to relentlessly pressure Vashari, refusing to give her any rest.
Vashari suddenly retreated.
"Icicle Lance."
The icy spear wasn't aimed at Wilds.
It was aimed directly at Sera.
Caught completely off guard, Sera hurriedly cast, "Jungle Wall."
But before the wall could fully rise, the lance had already reached her.
At the last second, Wilds threw itself in front of Sera, pushing her safely aside before taking the attack itself.
That brief moment was exactly what Vashari had been waiting for.
For the first time...
Wilds had stopped moving.
"Eternal Winter Avalanche."
Her shield overflowed with icy energy as platforms of ice formed throughout the air around Wilds.
Vashari launched herself onto one platform.
Then another.
And another.
Shield bash after shield bash after shield bash.
She continuously redirected herself between the floating platforms, striking Wilds from every possible angle.
Wilds endured hit after hit, unable to react. The relentless assault left it no opportunity to counterattack.
Finally... "Avalanche Impact."
Vashari leapt high above Wilds before throwing her shield downward with tremendous force.
Boom!
Snowflakes scattered across the battlefield as nearly the entire arena became covered in ice.
Wilds collapsed.
The shield embedded itself firmly into the frozen ground.
Vashari landed gracefully before looking toward Sera.
She said nothing.
She had no interest in unnecessary conversation. She wasn't someone who mocked her opponents or tried to encourage them after victory.
Instead, she simply turned around and calmly walked back toward her team.
Everyone was stunned.
Sera included.
She watched Vashari quietly leave the battlefield.
There was no arrogance.
No pride.
No mockery.
Somehow... the gesture itself felt kind.
After a few moments, Sera lowered her head.
"I give up."
Ifa spoke excitedly. "Oh! What happened there? I can feel chills all the way from here!"
Shai nodded. "Once again, we witnessed another version of Sera's Guardian. Unfortunately, once again, she suffers defeat. It wasn't her fault. Both of her opponents were simply too strong."
Ifa smiled sympathetically. "I do feel bad for her. But anyway, with that, after three bouts, the score between the Rising Heroes and Hands of Karma is now 2-1. Will Hands of Karma win the next bout and finish the match? Or will the Rising Heroes surprise us once again? We will soon find out."
Sera returned to her team.
Once again, it was after a defeat.
But this time, instead of sadness, there was a spark in her eyes.
Her desire to become stronger was clearer than ever.
She apologized to everyone, but also promised that she would continue growing stronger.
Lila smiled before saying,
"Don't worry. I'll be going next... and hopefully I'll win it."
And now... Bout Four awaited.