My Tribrid System.

Kris took a steadying breath, his tone firm but calm as he spoke to Lucius and the team. "This is getting out of hand fast. If we don't bring Tahir under control, he's going to end up revealing more about our strengths than we'd want. So, Lucius—do we have an alliance, as equals? Or do you want to risk letting this go on and see this place fall apart?"

Lucius looked at Tahir, visibly tense, but he finally gave a reluctant nod. "An alliance, yes—as equals. I can't promise anything beyond this moment. But, if it's up to me, I'll honor that agreement. Just understand, aligning with you may attract stronger enemies, ones that won't take this alliance lightly. But for now, I'm with you."

Kris turned to his team, his voice steady. "Alright, you all heard him. Use everything you have to keep Tahir down. Don't hold back, even if it means he's going to take a few hits. He's got top-tier regeneration—we've all seen what he's capable of."

Then, Kris took a step closer to Lucius, extending his hand. "I need to copy your ability—and its inverse. Let me touch you." Lucius gave him a surprised look but extended his arm, allowing Kris's hand to rest briefly on his forearm.

As soon as Kris touched Lucius, he felt the immediate sensation of having copied Lucius's gravity ability—and its inverse. Now, not only could he amplify the gravitational force on objects or people, but he could also negate it, making objects feel lighter or even causing them to lift. This control offered a strategic advantage he knew he'd need.

Zahra took charge, her voice firm and steady. "You heard him. Hit Tahir with everything you've got. Maybe a solid strike will snap him out of it!"

In an instant, Tahir moved with precision, his eyes locked on Mark. With a smooth, almost instinctive motion, he drew his sword, his face hard with resolve. The target was clear—Mark's head. His movements were swift, calculated, and intense, cutting through the tension in the room.

But before Tahir's sword could meet its mark, another blade intercepted with a sharp clang. John had stepped in, matching Tahir's strike with his own. Their swords clashed, sending sparks and a ripple of force through the space. Both combatants held their ground firmly, neither giving an inch as their eyes met, a silent challenge flickering between them.

John was every bit the match for Tahir, meeting each strike with precision and strength. He wasn't simply holding his ground; he was pushing back, his movements sharp and intentional. Every clash of their swords was met with equal force, each block and parry executed with practiced ease. Tahir, for all his intensity, couldn't overpower him. If anything, John's skill kept him one step ahead, anticipating each strike.

Tahir swung again with a fierce, controlled force, but John countered with a swift parry, shifting slightly to force Tahir off balance. They moved in sync, each strike met with calculated resistance, neither combatant faltering. The clang of their swords echoed around them, charged with the raw energy of their exchange.

"Tahir!" John called out, his voice clear but commanding, as though reaching past the rage.

"Now's our chance!" Kris shouted, urgency in his voice.

Without wasting a second, Jude stomped his foot down, sending a ripple through the ground as two sturdy golems began to rise from the earth. Standing tall and solid, they moved forward at his command, advancing on Tahir with heavy steps. Jude clenched his fists, summoning a series of earth spikes that shot up around Tahir, pinning his legs down. The sharp stone pierced through, momentarily halting Tahir's movement. But even as he held his breath, he saw Tahir's wounds beginning to close.

"We need to keep him down!" Zahra said, her focus sharpening. She extended her hands, conjuring her ice discs with a quick flick of her wrist. The discs spun through the air, cold and precise, hitting Tahir with enough force to push him back a step. Frost began to spread across his body, but the hold wouldn't last long—his strength was already breaking through the ice.

"Time to bring out something bigger," Zahra muttered, summoning a larger wave of energy. She took a deep breath, the air around her turning frigid as she formed her next move.

"Ice Dragon, go!"

A massive ice dragon formed in front of her, cold and fierce, with jagged scales and frosty eyes. The dragon lunged toward Tahir, crashing into him with a force that made him stumble back. Its icy claws dug into his shoulders, and its head swung down to clamp its jaws onto his arm, holding him in place.

Tahir winced, feeling the biting cold grip his arm. He tried to pull free, muscles tensing, fighting against the dragon's weight.

Zahra kept her focus, directing the dragon to hold tight. "Stay down, Tahir," she said, voice steady. She kept pouring energy into the ice, hoping it would buy them the time they needed.

Around them, the rest of the team was ready, each one prepared to do whatever it took to keep Tahir restrained, watching for any sign of his next move.

With a powerful tug, Tahir ripped the ice dragon's jaws apart, sending icy fragments scattering across the ground. Esha took a deep breath, summoning her own strength and pushing her healing abilities further than she was used to. Moving quickly, she closed the distance between herself and Tahir, determination etched on her face.

Meanwhile, Tahir was already cutting through the restraints. His sword flashed as he destroyed the golems and earth spikes pinning him down, each movement swift and precise. He was almost free when a heavy aura filled the air. Everyone looked over to see John, his focus intense, channeling his Qi into chains that glowed faintly. With a quick motion, he sent the chains toward Tahir, binding him tightly. Tahir struggled, but John's grip held firm.

Seizing the opportunity, Esha stepped forward. She placed a gentle hand on Tahir's shoulder, her healing energy flowing into him. John maintained his Qi chains, adding his own calming energy, working together to settle Tahir's raging strength.

Gradually, Tahir's breathing slowed, his tense muscles relaxing as the anger faded from his eyes. He looked around, noticing the damage and the worried faces of his team. His gaze met John's, and he managed a weak nod.

"Thank you," he whispered before exhaustion overtook him, and he collapsed, unconscious.