The newly arrived youths gazed upon the cube's interior, its immensity swallowing the very air. A robotic voice echoed, devoid of inflection, "Please activate maximum form."
Without hesitation, each of them unleashed their most potent abilities. A bolt of pure black lightning snaked through the space, striking Saland anew. His transformation twisted, his form shifting into the chaotic Elf Dive Black, now completely beyond his control.
Shimmon lunged forward, his voice urgent. "Saland! Snap out of it!" But his pleas fell on deaf ears. Wild blasts of dark energy erupted from Saland, painting streaks of shadow across the artificial sky.
A ripple in the air announced Haytham's movement. Invisible, he stalked Saland, his katana a silver whisper. A swift strike landed, drawing a hiss of pain. For a fleeting instant, Saland's eyes cleared. "I... can't... control it... ngh..." he gasped, a flicker of his true self breaking through.
Then, a suffocatingly dense black aura billowed around him, extinguishing that brief spark. He lashed out blindly, a wave of dark energy hurtling towards Christa. But Marty was faster. Runes blazed beneath Saland, forming a circle of power. A colossal pillar of raw energy erupted, slamming into him with brutal force. The resulting explosion shook the very foundations of the cube.
A surge of power coursed through Shimmon. He felt invigorated, his resolve hardening. With a roar, he struck Saland, the impact sending a shockwave that cracked the artificial terrain, only for it to mend itself moments later.
Marty's blue umbrella pulsed with magical energy. With a sudden burst of speed, she darted forward, the enchanted tip grazing Saland. He slumped, momentarily unconscious.
The robotic voice cut through the silence once more, its tone unchanged. "If you wish for even greater advantages, you must battle amongst yourselves!"
And so they did. The fragile alliance shattered as they turned on each other. Marty's hands wove intricate patterns, four glowing circles appearing above her. Blasts of explosive energy rained down, forcing the others to scatter.
Saland stirred, his eyes burning with a newfound intensity. "Perhaps..." he rumbled, his voice laced with a dangerous edge, "...now I can control this form. Haytham, a one-on-one?"
Haytham's gaze was steady. "Agreed." They positioned themselves, a silent understanding passing between them.
The air around Haytham's katana shimmered, a vibrant blue aura enveloping the polished steel. In a blink, he moved, a silver blur against the stark environment. His blade bit into Saland, followed by the thunderous crack of his gun, unleashing a concentrated beam of energy.
Saland reacted instantly, a swirling barrier of dark light materializing before him. Then, they clashed. Their movements became a blur of speed and power, only the concussive force of their blows visible, tearing at the very air.
Shimmon felt a surge of resilience, his muscles coiling with newfound strength. He turned his attention to Christa, launching a powerful attack. She met his assault with her enhanced umbrella, its surface shimmering with protective energy.
Suddenly, the air crackled. Marty unleashed a colossal explosion, a wave of raw magical power washing over everyone, friend and foe alike.
Outside the cube, bathed in the artificial glow, Crowar spoke with another administrator. "We still don't know when Bruhsuperdoom might strike Valley Village," he said, his voice low and serious. "But I have faith. These kids... they'll reach the level they need to defeat him."