He increased the lightning bolt's heat to a million degrees Celsius before casting a searing, chilly glance their way.

Then, Kuhn Lau held his clenched fists apart as Viper drew additional vines from the earth to encircle her. They pulled her into the air by coiling around her arms. Ace shifted his attention away from Steve Joe and pulled out the scythe fastened to his back.

He stood on the right side of Kuhn Lau and caressed the sharp ridge of the weapon. Yung Fu stepped forward and stood beside him, postering into a dragon stance while Sir Khunta hauled forth a wrecking ball. He stood next to Viper as Steve Joe trailed behind.

Ironically, just a minute earlier, these gladiators were fighting against each other. However, it would seem that this circumstance compelled them to cooperate as a unit.

Then, Kuhn Lau spoke on everyone's behalf.

"Since you have opted to oppose us. We must band together to defeat you."

Slicer approached them with malice as his eyeballs started to expel a streak of lightning.

"How naive of you to believe that all of you will defeat me? You should know that while you and Khunta were dancing to the beats of my tunes, I allowed you to trudge across the globe like a pair of headless chickens.

I stood in the shadows and watched your every step. This ultimately brought me to this location, the site of your predestined demise. Now that you have kindly integrated the talismans. I will be happy to benefit from your labor on your behalf!

"So long as I have breath, I, along with my fellow Guardians, will not permit you to leave this location with the talismans!" Kuhn Lau said.

They then began to charge at him at the same speed, but this did not startle him. He continued to stroll briskly in their direction.

Kuhn Lau intended to land a hook towards the right side of his ribs, and in response, he (Slicer) transitioned away from where he stood.

He emerged behind him with the speed and accuracy of a flash of light and kicked him in the back while turning. Kuhn Lau wailed out while holding his back and kissed the ground.

After then, Slicer transitioned away from his original location and appeared before Viper. She dropped her jaw with shock, therein allowing him to capitalize. In retrospect, the intensity of his attack sent her flying after he chopped her in the neck.

He then transitioned once more, this time appearing over Yung Fu. He struck the top left side of his face with his right foot. He moved from his former stance and took a position a few centimeters away from Ace. He administered a hook to the midsection.

Blood spurted from his gaping mouth due to the power of his attack. Ace's eyes grew wildly out of proportion. He then added the finishing blow by striking him with the side of his wrist, sending him flying.

He moved from his previous position again and suddenly emerged in front of Khunta and Steve. A spinning kick from him struck their faces, and they cried out in agony as they fell to the ground.

He knocked each of them down, watching as they massaged their wounded parts to relieve themselves.

When Kuhn Lau and Yung Fu finally managed to stand up, they exchanged startled expressions.

"How was he able to counter our attacks with such speed!" Kuhn Lau enquired as Yung Fu stroked his left cheek.

"Slicer appears to be utilizing a tactic known as a rapid movement. His movements are too swift for our brains to process!"

**********

A few seconds later, The others began to get up and move around. They assembled for a prospective showdown. Slicer, however, looked to the Heavens. As he did this, he conjured and manipulated a dry thunderstorm.

"Heavenly Judgement! Feed them my wrath!" He shouted.

Swiftly, Kuhn Lau constructed a forcefield to protect them. Three of many lightning bolts struck the upper tiers of the arena. Their incredible force scorched the chairs and columns, so much so that lava began to form from the ores and flowed like a runoff toward the battle stage.

The subordinates of Khunta fled from the arena to safety.

***********

Meanwhile, The force field started to crack, allowing the lightning to phase through, thanks to the proliferation of fissures everywhere around it.

Deeply worried, he cried to them, "I'm not sure how long I can hold it together! The lightning strikes will eventually penetrate through the force field's ceiling!"

Ace moved forward and touched his left shoulder.

"I'll take it from here." He leaped in the direction of the forcefield's ceiling.

A lightning strike eventually tore through the forcefield. Ace positioned the scythe in the direction of the lightning flash. The lightning struck it, but an absurd event happened. The scythe siphoned the lightning flash, causing it to streak in its vicinity.

Ace picked through the earth with the scythe while aiming it at Slicer. The scythe deflected the lightning bolt back to him as it managed to travel through the ground and struck him. A massive explosion broke out.

"Do you believe that was enough to render him unconscious? Viper enquired.

Ace answered, "No."

Kuhn Lau said, "We need to develop something far more powerful.

"I've got an idea, but I'm unsure if it will knock off his lights. Regardless of the outcome, it will phase him," said Yung Fu

Alright then, what should we do?" Ace inquired with his arms crossed.

"We would have to combine our kinetic abilities to defeat him. Such a force will incinerate him into ashes."

"Okay, so what are we waiting out for...Chinese New Year? Let's get this done and over with", Ace exclaimed.

Slicer continued to walk in their direction after the smoke had worn off, keeping his eyes fixed on them. Yung Fu launched a red ki blast before the assault, while Kuhn Lau released a whirlpool from the widths of his hands. At the same instant, Ace drove his scythe through the earth, causing a colossal shockwave to travel in Slicer's direction.

While doing so, Steve Joe extended his hands in his direction and shot many laser blasts at him. Finally, Khunta unleashed a barrage of wrecking balls while Viper called forth heavy, thick vines that gradually encompassed his body.

Finally, the concoction of the kinetic elements suddenly struck him, causing a catastrophic explosion. The explosion's energy repulsed enormous shockwaves that were traveling in their way. Kuhn Lau responded by shielding them with a forcefield once more.

The forcefield was a barrier against the dangerous waves but could not withstand the external force, making it susceptible to cracks.

A short while later, when the dust settled, and the smoke faded away, they mused nervously between themselves,

"Is it over?" Viper asked

"We put everything into that attack; he will end up in a critical condition," Kuhn Lau answered.

They began to look forward and saw a crater that stretched beyond a lengthy span of a hundred meters. It also had a depth of forty-five feet. Such a fantastic sight absolved them of their worries.

"Alas, all of our efforts weren't in vain," Kuhn Lau responded

Slicer abruptly appeared from the crater's interior. Their collective jaws were open. He rose above them like a light angel. He looked at them briefly.

"How is that even possible? We gave that strike our all, yet it didn't even scratch him. Consequently, what are we to do? Kuhn Lau muttered and put his hands on his head.

"I made it clear to you that none of you pose a threat to me. Have you forgotten that I am one of the commanders of one of Lord Havoc's divisions? Now that you realize what you are dealing with, I don't see any reason to hold back the full extent of my powers. Witness my greatest power, Guardians!"

Slicer quickly shifted his attention to Kuhn Lau, his initial target. He moved from his current position to that of Kuhn Lau. He did this while traveling with super speed. Before the latter could blink, Slicer had already placed his hand around Kuhn Lau's neck and started to choke him to death. When the other Guardians noticed this, they launched an assault. Before they could respond, Slicer flew with him.

He reached for Kuhn Lau's neck and pushed him through the ground while his body plowed the earth. He raised his altitude and tossed him up into the sky before they could get to the barricade.

Then, Slicer changed from where he was levitating and appeared above him. Kuhn Lau exhaled with shock.

"How is this possible? His movements are so fast that I hardly have time to defend myself from his attacks." He reflected.

Before he could realize it, Slicer had already elbowed him in the stomach. Blood spurted out of his mouth from the power of this assault, gushing forth like a geyser. Additionally, it caused him to fall toward the ground.

Then, Slicer turned his attention to Ace, his eventual victim. He flew into the air in his direction while his right arm transformed into a blade.

Fortunately for Ace, Viper spotted Slicer and gestured at him.

"Look out!"

Ace turned around and used the scythe as a barrier. A flicker of sparks emanated from the point where the ridges of the weapons met, pulling them apart. Ace sank to the ground on his right knee while Slicer furrowed his brows and spoke to himself.

"How was his scythe able to endure the terror of my blade?

He then used the heads-up display to analyze the metallic component of the weapon.

"Of course, It makes sense. He wields a dark metal scythe.

Ace murmured, "Some force pulled us apart when our blades collided. It's as if Slicer is made from Dark Metal!"

Then, he charged at him and aimed the scythe in his direction.

Slicer then relocated from his current position, delivering an outrageous blow to his jaw.

"Aah!" Ace yelled before kissing the ground.

In addition to employing rapid movement, Yung Fu shifted from where he stood and emerged from behind Slicer. Even though he could use the method, he wasn't an expert at it, unlike his opponent.

He intended to use a flying sidekick to stop the latter. Slicer responded by slapping his face with his elbow. Then, Yung Fu abruptly gasped. Nevertheless, he overcame his anxieties and assumed the dragon's stance.

"One of the world's greatest martial artists, it's unfortunate that you won't emerge triumphant from this battle."

"We shall see Slicer, Kiai!"

Slicer swung his blade at him while he charged.

He moved under the sword as it passed him. Then, using a low, spinning sweep, Yung Fu swept him off his feet.

As he lay on the ground, Slicer furrowed his brows in irritation. With this in sight, Yung Fu capitalized by taking a giant leap and firing a red ki blast at him. Slicer responded by blocking the intense impact of the explosion with his blade. The blast sailed directly back to Yung Fu, who exhaled in shock.

He zipped away from his current position to appear next to him. At least, that's what he believed. As soon as he turned around, Slicer appeared behind and struck him on the left cheek with a cross punch.

The intensity of the assault knocked him out. When the force of that hit knocked him out, Viper tried to strike him with a hook punch. He saw the strike coming as usual and grasped her fist. She strained to break free of his hold.

Then, Steve Joe emerged from the side and attempted to assault him with his blow. He also found himself in a similar bind as she was.

After that, Slicer lifted them and tossed them at each other. Additionally, Sir Khunta appeared from behind and struck him with a wrecking ball. Although the ball hit him, he was unfazed; instead, it broke into a million pieces.

Subsequently, Slicer headbutted him while grabbing his collar. His headbutt left a deep wound on his forehead, and blood started to trickle from the opening in his forehead. Khunta then climbed to his feet and wiped the blood from his forehead. Somehow, it turned out to be lethal, so a torrent of blood covered his forehead.

Slicer then hoisted him by encircling his neck with his right hand.

"For you, I'll make it simple. Considering that you are the one who holds all of the talismans, you should give them to me. I recommend it, and I'll spare you in exchange!"

"I don't bow down to anyone. I'm King Khunta of Federal Jamaica."

"You rejected my verbal endeavors. As a result, you will receive what is due to you."

Before leaving, he reached his left hand into Sir Khunta's right pocket. He pulled out the talismans and looked up at the stars. From there, he conjured forth a lightning bolt with his left hand. The bolt's blast destroyed King Khunta.

Slicer then directed his gaze to the exit of the arena. A foolish individual called out to him when he was about to leave.

"Slicer!"

He then turned around to face the naive individual.

"Oh, it's you."

A determined Pete, with Ace's scythe, stood in front of him not far away. He held the weapon with a rugged, tight grip. He also had a stern expression on his face. And if that weren't enough, his face was marked with a look of vengeance.

His judgment was tainted because what he intended to do, was suicidal. Hopefully, the Lord would deem him worthy of protection and grace.

Pete wanted revenge on Bianca, but anxiety still gripped his chest as a bead of sweat trickled down his brow. Moreover, the moisture in his palms would cause the weapon to slide from his grasp if he wasn't careful enough.

Slicer laughed manically.

"As you know, I rarely have time to laugh, but Mr. Atkinson, you are very humorous. What will you do to me? More importantly, how will you use that?

"I waited till now to exact my vengeance on her. Now that I have that opportunity, I will do so!"

"Oh, really now?' Please indulge me because the last time I checked, you weren't a murderer."

I will take your head and butcher you until only bones are left," he continued, ignoring his remarks.

Slicer pointed at him and cackled.

"I dare you, Come!"

He was ready to decapitate him when he suddenly reversed course and hit him in the shoulder. The scythe managed to pierce through his indestructible body while remaining intact.

Pete discreetly whispered to himself while casting a glance at the ground.

"Barnacles! What have I done?"

Slicer's twitched his eye with annoyance and punched him. The force of his punch knocked him out. The influence of his punch also cracked his nose, and blood began to drip from it. He clutched his nose and crawled away after hitting the ground.

Even though he attempted to kill him, Sliced was furious. That aside, he laughed, puzzled by his conviction.

"Even if you wanted to kill me, you never could because of your moral compass. If it that were not so, my head would be in your possession by now."

Slicer then charged at him and kicked him viciously, knocking him out. He then unclenched his hand and inspected the talismans in his possession.

"My task has been completed. I bid you farewell, earth."

To Be Continued