MTLNOVEL Chapter 28: Chapter 27:Frost and Fury
The arena was silent as Selena Brask stepped into the ring, her cold, calculating eyes never leaving Kai. Her presence alone was enough to send a chill through the crowd, but it was the beast at her side that truly stole the breath of everyone watching.
The **Frost Hydra** towered over her, its three heads swaying hypnotically as plumes of icy mist escaped their jaws. Each head had a distinct appearance: one bore jagged, ice-like scales that glinted under the arena's lights, another was wreathed in frost that fell like snowflakes, and the last had piercingly sharp teeth, with frozen saliva dripping from its maw. The beast's serpentine tails coiled and uncoiled with restless energy, and its pale blue eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger.
Kai swallowed hard. His heart was pounding in his chest, and for a moment, he felt the weight of the challenge pressing down on him. This wasn't just another fight. This was a battle against one of the academy's most infamous alumni and her mythic-level beast.
"Are you ready, little boy?" Selena's voice was calm, almost bored, but there was a razor-sharp edge to it. "I hope your little insects can handle the cold."
Kai forced a smirk, burying his nerves beneath his usual bravado. "Don't worry about me. Worry about keeping your Hydra in one piece."
Selena's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Bold words. Let's see if you can back them up."
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "For Round 2, we have **Kai Anther** versus **Selena Brask** and her Frost Hydra! Let the battle… BEGIN!"
Before Kai could issue a command, the Frost Hydra's left head reared back and unleashed a blast of frost breath in his direction. The frigid air swept across the arena floor, instantly freezing the ground beneath it.
"Glow, light up the field! **Radiant Flare**!" Kai shouted.
Glow shot into the air, its wings pulsing with golden light as it released a blinding flash. The sudden burst of brilliance disoriented the Hydra's three heads for a moment, buying Kai precious seconds to reposition.
"Tiny, move in and draw its attention! **Iron Bulwark**!"
Tiny charged forward, its massive armored frame glinting under Glow's light. The Frost Hydra's center head snapped toward the Fortress Ant, its icy jaws opening wide. Just as the Hydra lunged, Tiny's **Iron Bulwark** skill activated, creating a shimmering barrier that absorbed the impact of the bite.
"Stinger, flank it! Target the left head with **Poison Sting**!"
Stinger zipped through the air, its wings a blur as it darted around the Hydra's massive form. The Blitz Hornet launched a glowing venomous projectile at the left head, striking it near the base of its neck. The Hydra hissed in pain, shaking its head violently to dislodge the venom.
Selena raised an eyebrow, her expression still calm but tinged with mild surprise. "Not bad. But you're going to have to do better than that."
"Frost Hydra, **Blizzard Shroud**!" Selena commanded.
The Hydra's three heads roared in unison, and a swirling storm of icy wind and snow enveloped the arena. Visibility dropped instantly, and the temperature plummeted, frost forming on Kai's clothes and armor.
Kai gritted his teeth, his breath coming out in visible puffs. "Glow, keep the light steady! We need to see through this!"
Glow's golden light cut through the blizzard, creating a small but crucial pocket of visibility around Kai and his team.
The Frost Hydra struck from all angles, its three heads moving with terrifying coordination. The right head snapped at Stinger, its jaws missing the Blitz Hornet by inches as it darted out of range. The left head unleashed another frost breath attack, forcing Tiny to retreat as ice began to form on its carapace. The center head lunged for Glow, its sharp teeth narrowly missing the moth as it fluttered higher into the air.
"Stinger, keep moving! Don't let it pin you down!" Kai shouted, his voice barely audible over the howling winds.
Stinger buzzed erratically, using its speed to stay one step ahead of the Hydra's snapping jaws. It launched another **Poison Sting** at the left head, but the Hydra's thick, ice-encrusted scales absorbed most of the damage.
"Tiny, go for the legs! **Mandible Strike**!"
Tiny charged in low, its massive mandibles clamping down on one of the Frost Hydra's serpentine tails. The Hydra roared in pain, thrashing wildly to shake Tiny off. Ice shards flew in all directions as the beast's tails slammed into the frozen ground, but Tiny held on, refusing to let go.
Selena's calm demeanor began to crack, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. "Frost Hydra, **Glacial Spikes**!"
The ground beneath Tiny erupted in jagged shards of ice, forcing the Fortress Ant to release its grip and retreat. Frost clung to its legs, slowing its movements as it struggled to regain its footing.
Kai's stomach tightened. "Tiny, hang in there! Glow, shield it with **Luminous Shield**!"
Glow's wings pulsed, casting a protective barrier around Tiny just as another wave of frost breath swept across the arena. The shield held, but Glow's light dimmed slightly, the strain of maintaining its abilities beginning to show.
As the battle dragged on, the Frost Hydra's attacks became more relentless. Selena was a master tactician, using the Hydra's three heads to overwhelm Kai's team and keep them on the defensive.
Tiny was battered and frostbitten, its movements sluggish as it struggled to avoid the Hydra's crushing blows. Stinger's speed was beginning to falter, its wings coated in a thin layer of ice that made it harder to maneuver. Even Glow, with its radiant light, was dimming under the relentless assault.
Kai's heart pounded in his chest. They were running out of time—and options.
"Glow, one more **Radiant Flare**! Blind it!"
Glow's wings pulsed again, releasing another burst of golden light. The Hydra recoiled, its three heads snapping erratically as it tried to shake off the disorientation.
"Stinger, now! Go for the left head with **Blitz Dive**!"
Stinger mustered all its strength, diving toward the Hydra's left head at high speed. Its glowing stinger struck true, piercing the base of the neck and delivering a concentrated dose of venom. The left head let out a strangled hiss, its movements slowing as the venom took effect.
Kai's eyes narrowed. "Tiny, finish it! **Acid Spit**!"
Tiny reared back, launching a stream of corrosive acid at the weakened left head. The acid sizzled as it ate through the icy scales, and with a final, pained roar, the left head collapsed to the ground, motionless.
With one head down, the Frost Hydra's coordination faltered. Its remaining two heads roared in fury, their attacks growing more erratic but no less dangerous.
Selena's calm mask was gone, replaced by a scowl of frustration. "Don't let them win! Frost Hydra, **Frozen Barrage**!"
The Hydra unleashed a flurry of ice shards from its remaining heads, forcing Kai and his team to scatter. Tiny used its bulk to shield Kai from the worst of the attack, while Stinger and Glow darted around the arena, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles.
Kai's mind raced. They were so close, but his team was on the brink of collapse. Tiny's armor was cracked and coated in frost, Stinger's movements were sluggish, and Glow's light was flickering dangerously low.
"One more push," Kai muttered, his voice trembling with determination. "We can do this."
"Glow, distract the right head! Stinger, hit the center head with everything you've got! Tiny, go for the legs again—bring it down!"
Glow darted toward the Hydra's right head, its flickering light drawing the beast's attention. The right head snapped at the moth, but Glow's erratic movements made it hard to land a hit.
Stinger buzzed toward the center head, its stinger glowing brightly as it prepared to strike. The Hydra lunged, but Stinger twisted mid-air, dodging the attack and landing a clean hit on the beast's neck.
Tiny charged in low, its mandibles clamping down on the Hydra's front leg. With a mighty heave, the Fortress Ant pulled the beast off balance, sending it crashing to the ground.
"Now, Tiny! **Acid Spit**!"
Tiny unleashed another stream of acid, this time targeting the center head. The corrosive liquid hissed against the Hydra's scales, and with a final, deafening roar, the center head collapsed.
The Frost Hydra's remaining head let out a mournful cry before falling still, its massive body slumping to the ground.
The arena was silent for a moment, the crowd stunned by the intensity of the battle. Then, a deafening roar of applause erupted as the announcer's voice boomed across the field.
"The winner is… **Kai Anther**!"
Kai collapsed to his knees, exhaustion washing over him like a tidal wave. Tiny, Stinger, and Glow gathered around him, battered but victorious.
"We did it," Kai whispered, a tired but genuine smile spreading across his face. "We actually did it."
Tiny clicked its mandibles softly, Stinger buzzed faintly, and Glow's light pulsed weakly in response.
Selena approached, her expression unreadable. She stopped a few feet away, her gaze fixed on Kai.
"You're better than I expected," she said finally. "But don't get cocky. There are still stronger opponents ahead."
Kai nodded, too tired to respond with his usual wit.
As Selena recalled the Frost Hydra and left the arena, Kai leaned back against Tiny, letting out a shaky breath. The battle had pushed him and his team to their limits, but they had come out on top.