Utopian System

"A portion is retreating," Zymer observed while the humans began moving in groups, his multifaceted eyes tracking each shift in their formation with predatory precision.

"Does it matter?" Zalvek kept his attention fixed on the main objective. "The core remains in their leader's hands."

Through their mental link, the ten artromus shared battlefield information with perfect clarity.

Each detail, the humans' initial confusion, their shouts and hurried orders, everything suggested disorganization. Their thoughts flowed together like a river of collective consciousness, analyzing and dissecting every movement below them.

"What do they hope to achieve with fewer numbers?" Zenthor mocked, his voice dripping with contempt. "Their strength is already insignificant."

"Wait," Zynthor tensed his posture, his enhanced senses detecting subtle changes in the battlefield dynamics. "The fire core... it's moving."

The group observed as one of their mission objectives changed hands, passing from the leader to a smaller figure who immediately began heading toward the deposit's foothills, where some kind of straight black construction seemed to exist.

"A distraction," Zentros understood instantly. "They intend to divide our attention."

"Orders?" Zareon asked, his claws vibrating with anticipation, divine weapon humming with barely contained energy.

"Attack," Zentros's order was simple. "Show them one cannot escape from true Artromus."

The assault was devastating. Elemental magic rained upon the humans while the artromus descended in perfect coordination, their movements synchronized with shared combat experience. The first attack revealed something interesting: some humans could track their movements, forcing their eyes until they bled.

"Some have certain... potential," Zyval admitted while his wind blade decapitated an unwary soldier, the movement so precise it seemed almost surgical. "At least they can see us coming… Most of them."

"Some are stronger indeed," Zantril observed, dodging a coordinated attack from several humans with fluid grace. "But their speeds and reactions vary significantly."

The battle revealed more surprises. While several humans fell, others demonstrated abilities that bordered on impressive, their movements showing a level of coordination that seemed almost... worthy of notice.

"The core!" Zalvek's mental shout alerted everyone. "They're getting away with it!"

The artromus watched as a smaller group escorted the core bearer toward the tunnels. The speed of their retreat suggested they had agreed upon this course of action beforehand.

"Interesting strategy," Zentros murmured while observing the human leader reorganize his forces, a hint of respect coloring his mental tone. "They'll sacrifice their best warriors to secure the core."

"Zantem," Zentros's voice cut through the air. "The core is important. Pursue it."

"And the others?" Zantem observed the combat group, his weapon gleaming with anticipation.

"The core is yours. We'll ensure no one follows. They're arrogant enough to stay," Zentros directed his gaze toward Elio. "Ten level 10 heads will also give us victory."

The designated Artromus launched in pursuit, but the human group reacted instantly.

♢♢♢♢

Elio, still with blood dripping from his eyes, appeared before Zantem like a ghost, his four-elemental sword blocking his escape route. The speed of his interception was remarkable, even by Artromus standards.

But the nine Artromus moved like a coordinated swarm, their attacks converging on Elio from multiple angles.

Their intention was clear: keep the strongest completely occupied while Zantem separated for pursuit.

"Elio!" Lila directed Gorgita to create a water barrier, giving him a moment's respite. The liquid shield shimmered with unexpected power, a testament to her growth.

At the same time Zara and Brok adopted a similar strategy. The iron salamander and metallic elephant established a perimeter that complicated the artromus's movements when falling from the air. Their combined summons moved with practiced coordination, creating zones of controlled chaos.

"We've got you covered!" Kriz positioned himself on his right, while Valeria took the left flank.

Both had combined summons with the swift just like Elio did, Valeria had a winged eel and Kriz a winged rabbit, their powerful helium pushes allowing them to arrive in time. Their movements flowed together like a choreographed dance, each covering the others' blind spots.

Aria and Mei coordinated their summons as well. Though slow compared to the Artromus, they created control zones that limited space. Their attacks weren't offensive, but defensive, creating a complex web of overlapping protections.

The remaining soldiers moved in practiced formations, complementing the defense where they could.

But Zantem took advantage of the chaos to rise in the air, his speed quickly turning him into barely a point in the distance while pursuing Diana and her escort.

"He's escaping!" Frustration was palpable in Elio's voice, but the other nine Artromus gave him no choice. Each attempt to break their encirclement was met with a rain of combined elemental attacks that required all his concentration to counter.

"Trust in Diana!" Zara blocked an attack aimed at his back. "Now we must survive!"

The nine Artromus continued their relentless assault, determined to keep Elio's group completely focused on survival while their companion fulfilled the main objective.

♢♢♢♢

"Impressive," admitted Zynthor, "but insufficient."

The Artromus moved in perfect synchronization. Where Kriz blocked, another attacked. When Valeria intercepted, the second slid through a blind spot that Elio covered. It was a lethal dance that gradually gained ground for the Artromus.

"There are too many!" Kriz shouted, his winged rabbit unable to keep pace when the Artromus attacked simultaneously.

Their 50-point speed turning them into mere blurs.

Forced to abandon the attack, Elio's group entrenched in a defensive formation. The soldiers began coordinating their summons more effectively.

New combinations emerged constantly: salamanders fusing with swifts like Elio's, or following some other member of Elio's group whose combination seemed useful at the moment, each contributing different capabilities to the battlefield.

This display of unexpected power created a temporary stalemate. The artromus, with all their speed and power, found it increasingly difficult to penetrate the group's overlapping defenses.

But Elio knew it was an ephemeral victory. Their mana reserves, though considerable, couldn't maintain this pace indefinitely.

Defeating a single artromus would require a massive amount of power, and they had 8 others to defend against if they tried to bring down one specifically.

♢♢♢♢

The artromus also made their calculations. The humans had proven more capable than anticipated, their power exceeding initial expectations. The easy massacre they expected had become an exercise in patience.

'We just have to wait,' Zentros thought, observing how the humans economized their attacks. 'Once their mana runs out...'

The humans seemed aware of this reality. Instead of wasting energy with attacks in the air, they maintained their defenses and conserved mana. The strategy was clear: survive as long as possible.

'Too slow,' Zerdan's mental voice resonated among the Artromus. 'Too boring.'

The 9 exchanged a look. Staying still had never been a virtue of their species.

'Together then,' Zentros ordered. 'Let's break their formation once and for all.'

The artromus descended as a single being, their divine weapons shining with combined elemental power.