Michael also turned toward the direction the sword came from—and saw Torren.
"I'd better help you with him, Michael. You won't beat him alone, as I can see," said Torren with a smile.
"You're right!" Michael replied, "Thanks for coming to my aid!"
"So? Ready to continue?" Torren asked.
"Yes!" said Michael, "Now there's two of us! What now, Zigrane?"
"And what if there's two of you? You still won't beat me! I'll deal with both of you easily!" said Zigrane, now a little angry.
Torren created another sword and a small earthen shield for himself. He and Michael then started fighting Zigrane, protecting each other when possible. But Zigrane was getting calmer by the second, and as he began to enjoy the battle, he became much harder to hit. They were starting to lose.
"What's wrong? Weren't you boasting about two against one?" Zigrane mocked them.
Torren realized things couldn't go on like this. He had to use the technique he was saving for Elaira—before she suddenly gave up.
"Earth Magic! Forbidden Technique! Pursuing Earth Serpents!" Torren began to chant.
"Oh? A forbidden technique? Wonderful! It's been so long since I've seen one. Show me what you've got!" said Zigrane, eager for something more exciting.
"Forbidden technique? What's that?" Michael thought.
"Target—Zigrane Vaynran!" Torren finished, and pillars of earth began rising from the ground, twisting like they had their own minds. Then, they surged toward Zigrane at high speed.
"So that's the trick. Damn! Not good," Zigrane thought while dodging, "They're trying to wear me out, and I've already used up half of my energy."
Zigrane decided first to eliminate Torren, the caster of this annoying technique—because defeating the caster would end the technique. As he charged at Torren, a small ice cube flew toward his face. Then someone shouted, "Explode!"
The cube detonated like a mini bomb. Though it barely injured Zigrane, it knocked him back—and right into a few strong attacks.
"Damn! Now you're really getting on my nerves! You too! Decided to join them, huh!?" Zigrane shouted, turning toward the source of the ice cube.
Michael and Torren also turned and saw a guy their age dressed like them.
"Hey! I decided to help too!" said the guy.
"Um... Who are you?" asked Michael.
"Eh, not the best time to chat, but I'm Roberto. You can call me Rob," he answered.
"I see! And what was that thing you threw?" Michael asked—but got punched in the face by Zigrane and fell to the ground.
"Don't forget about me! I'm still here!" Zigrane growled angrily.
"I'll explain later—let's deal with him first!" said Rob.
They kept fighting Zigrane, and though he was starting to tire, he still landed more hits than the three of them together. Torren was also getting exhausted—his Forbidden Technique began to weaken, and the number of serpents shrank noticeably.
Zigrane suddenly appeared behind Torren and briefly knocked him out of the fight, which ended the spell.
"I'm done just standing around," thought Ralph—and jumped into action.
"I'm out for now!" Torren said.
"Alright!" Michael replied.
"Take a break," said Rob.
"Just look at this! I knew I was strong, but this strong? Incredible!" said Zigrane, drenched in sweat. "Three of you, one of me, and you still can't beat me! That means you're all we—"
Before he could finish, Ralph fell on him from above and slammed his fist into Zigrane's head.
"Shut up already! You're really getting on my nerves!" said Ralph, then walked over to Michael and Rob.
"Ralph? What are you doing here!?" asked Michael.
"Shut it! I hate Zigrane. So right now, whether you like it or not—I'm on your side," Ralph answered.
"What did you say about me, Ralph!?" Zigrane growled. "Want me to beat you up too?"
"You think you can?" Ralph challenged.
"Oh, I can, alright!" Zigrane shouted back.
"Why do my hands feel like they're burning?" Michael thought.
"They're finally moving again—and my magic's coming back. I have to help somehow. Ah! Got it!" thought Torren, noticing something others didn't.
"Earth Magic! Forbidden Technique! Pursuing Earth Serpent! Target—Zigrane Vaynran!" Torren cast, summoning a single serpent.
"Only one? Eh, it'll do," he smirked.
Zigrane saw it and, without using speed magic, simply stepped back. The serpent missed and vanished—Torren had canceled the spell with a grin, knowing it worked just as planned.
"What the hell was that?" Zigrane demanded, but Torren did not answer.
"Now you're going to lose!" Ralph said.
"I won't let that happen. I'm going first!" shouted Zigrane, angry and tired, but something felt heavy around his legs, "Huh? Why can't I move?"
"Huh?" Rob, Ralph, and Michael were confused, too. Then they looked—and saw someone holding Zigrane's legs.
Zigrane turned to see who it was—and saw Spinner gripping his legs, "You!?"
"Do it, guys! I've got him!" Spinner shouted.
All three responded immediately.
"Ice Magic! Blade of Ice!" Rob cried out, forming a sword and charging at Zigrane.
"Wind Magic! Fists of Wind!" Ralph yelled, rushing in for a punch.
Then, at last, Michael learned how to use his magic.
"Fire Magic!" he began.
His hands began to glow bright yellow, and steam rose from them. Everyone on the battlefield was stunned—Michael was revealing his magic for the first time.
"Blazing Hands!" Michael shouted
Will Zigrane repel all attacks?