<h4>Chapter 426: The Semi-finals begin</h4>


    After sharing all that they knew of their opponents, everyone then started trying to figure out the best way to approach this group. For the most part, they had always also been fighting reactively. Knowing that they were relying on a few key members, the rest always just had to try and stall.


    "That isn''t going to work this time," Judith said after a bit of back and forth. "I don''t see myself making it to them if I am focused by the two mages and two archers. Eldrian might have a chance."


    "True, but that will eliminate my trump card right at the start and we don''t know what the other two are possible of. And while the two tanks focus on defense, they must be able to do something more. Likely they just never needed to."


    "Then what?"


    "Why don''t we wait for them to make the first move, like we always do. Since they are known for their defense, let them break it themselves."


    "But they can just try to kill us from range." Nikki countered, and Eldrian countered back.


    "True, but we might also be able to get in a lucky shot or two. Plus, if Erik focuses on keeping Therdul alive, we should have decent cover behind his shield."


    "And if they have AOE spells?" Therdul asked, already foreseeing himself being cooked alive.


    "Tier 3? You all know that Tier 3 spells have basically no proper AOE effects. Therger the area, the less damage it does. Thergest spells only cover 3 meters but don''t even do 30 damage through the entire duration." This value was naturally before factoring in the modifiers like intelligence and armor. But it still told a great deal about the spells.


    As an example, if Eldrian were to cast such a spell it would do around a 100 damage if the target had no armor. A single Theral Aloifi (Tier 2 heal) from Eldrian would counter that damage. And since the damage isn''t severe like a deep puncture wound orrge gash, the healing spell would actually properly heal the damage.


    "Then we do that, but still. What are we going to do if they just maintain their distance?"


    "Zyviss, what is the max range you can shoot?" Eldrian asked in reply.


    "urately..." Zyviss paused and thought for a moment, "If I was standing still, I should be able to hit a target 60 meters away 8 out of 10 times. If I move it quickly drops."


    ''60 meters... I can clear that in just 2 seconds if I use Augment and Sosta. They shouldn''t be expecting that. Judith should be able to clear it in 3 or 4, and the others likely in around 5 seconds.''


    "If they stay at range, then we rush them. I will go full out to close the distance, hopefully, my speed will catch them off guard. I haven''t really showcased my dash ability." Eldrian smiled while the others wondered just how fast he could be.


    From here they discussed who was going to run forward and who would wait. With Eldrian proposing that everyone rushed with all they had. They just needed to keep them on the back foot.


    Soon, their hour was up and it was time to go to the arena. A grasnd, both teams having chosen the same arena and thus no coin flip required to determine where they would fight.


    Unlike the other matches, however, they found themselves locked in space as a voice announced the first semi-final. Wishing both sides luck and informing the viewers that it was now time to ce theirst bets. They just had till the first contestant moved.


    Naturally, the odds were highly in favor of Agrerian. Their track record was just far more stable than Phoenix who only managed to get through on luck ording to many.


    "Let''s have a fair fun match, begin!" The announcer shouted and the two teams did not move an inch forward. Instead, they stepped back and got into formation. Eldrian even going so far as to pull out an old near-broken shield he still had in his inventory.


    He stood to Therdul''s right and Judith to his left. Extending the shield line slightly and the others all behind. Seeing this, the crowd instantly became confused. And after a few minutes passed they became riled up.


    Yet, neither team dared move forward. Each waiting for the other to make the first move.


    "Contestants..." The announcer''s voice echoed through the arena, "This stalemate is not what we all came to see. Please start moving or the arena area will be shrunk to help you along."


    "Oh, that might actually help," Eldrian said, their group continuing to not move. Agrerian, however, finally caved and moved forward. It was slow, the massive tower shields carried by their tanks weighed more than a person. Each of their steps sinking deep into the earth.


    Minutes passed, and when the two teams were just 55 meters apart, team Agrerian opened fire with spells and arrows. Yet, the distance was long. Making it possible to not just block with a shield, but even a sword if one had the guts to try it.


    Another stalemate appeared, one whichsted for just a minute or two before Agrerian realized that they were wasting arrows and mana.


    "Are you scared!" They shouted in taunting, and Therdul shouted back.


    "Why don''t youe closer if you aren''t!"


    "Hah! We already crossed half the distance, you should at least meet us halfway." Their leader shouted back, only to suddenly see a figure dashing out of Phoenix''s formation.


    Eldrian moved like a blur, closing the distance just as Agrerian realized what was happening. His spear moved past the tower shield and toward one of the two unknown men. Who blocked in haste with his daggers. But three icicles were also following the spear.


    One aimed at him, which he just barely managed to dodge. Another at a mage, and thest at an archer.


    The mage was caughtpletely unprepared and sacrificed his arm to save himself, while the archer managed to jump out of the way. Yet, the icicle which had missed the unknown hadn''t just stopped after missing. Eldrian had immediately focused on it and moved it pricely to where the archer had dodged.


    Cheers echoed in the air as first blood was imed, followed soon by Judith''s destructive opener which pushed back one of the tanks. The hit causing him to lose bnce and his shield to nearly crush him.


    However, by this time, the two who Eldrian hadn''t aimed for took aim towards Judith. An arrow making it into her shoulder, the breastte having certainly saved her life as a fist-sized rock cone hit her square in the chest. Sending her flying back into Nikki.


    Eldrian meanwhile found himself needing to abandon Aoidos and pull out a shortsword as the unknown yer he had first targets moved in close with his daggers. A sticky substance flying from the des with each strike.


    Eldrian''s instincts told him if he got as much as a scratch, then he was out. His intense focus on defense allowed the other members of Agrerian to stabilize just as Phoenix crashed into them.