The Extra Wants Control

In the midst of this conflict, Kim, the tigerkin, stood as a beacon of defiance. The mysterious figure's arrogance had ignited a fire within her, a determination to prove her worth.

Remembering her aunt Kali's words, "A significant advantage is when others overlook your capabilities. Remember, those who appear arrogant often have reason to be, either they have status or strength, theirconfidence is justified, so never underestimate anyone."

Remembering her aunt Kali's words, Kim took a deep breath. She knew that underestimating her opponents was a common mistake, a fatal flaw that could lead to defeat or worse deaty. She would not fall into that trap!

With a focused mind, Kim channeled her inner power as she sat in a meditative position. Her violent aura got sucked into her body. Golden markings appeared on her skin, glowing with a faint ethereal light. Her eyes closed.

As the transformation completed, Kim opened her eyes. Her gaze, once filled with anger, now held a serene calmness. It was truly profound. She sat quietly and recuperating her strength.

Astrid watched Kim with a mix of disbelief and admiration. The usually fiery leader was now as serene as a calm lake. Her hands, which had been clenched tightly moments ago, now rested idly in her lap. Astrid couldn't fathom how Kim could be so composed when their faction was under siege from two formidable forces not to mention they were being treated like insignificant figures by this strange man.

The mercenaries, a seemingly ruthless band of killers, were systematically decimating their members. With fatal and decisive cold precision, they were either overpowering their opponents in open combat or resorting to stealthy assassinations and other underhanded tactics. Their efficiency was astonishing.

Meanwhile, the students from the military academy, though less experienced and skilled than the mercenaries or even the Arcana Mysteria students, were still a formidable threat. They were still 6-7 star beings and their raw strength coupled with what they learned in their academy made them a force to be reckoned with.

Astrid couldn't contain her frustration any longer. "How can we just sit here and wait to fight you while our people are being beaten?" she demanded, her voice low and dangerous.

Lara broke the tense silence, her voice barely a whisper. "We have no choice," she said, her eyes fixed on Raven.

Raven, his gaze fixed on the horizon, responded without turning to face her. "Correct. We're all trapped here. The only way out is by defeating me," he said, his voice low.

He turned to face the others. "You can join her and rest, or you can watch the show like me. And while we're at it, why don't we place bets on which faction will be the first to fall?" he asked, his eyes scanning the group. No one responded.

Raven shrugged, feigning disappointment. "No? Oh well..."

He paused, a smirk playing on his lips. "I think the first to fall will be the humans," he said, his gaze turning to Azrael, who remained silent.

The atmosphere grew even more tense as the others exchanged glances. The weight of Raven's words hung heavy in the air.

The news of Azrael's vanishing sent tremors through the human faction. Their leader, a symbol of hope in the turmoil, was lost. Fear threatened to engulf them, but Vera stepped in to quell the rising panic and while the Beastmen were also in panic they retreated quickly.

With a calm authority, Vera activated the faction's emergency plans. The chaos that had erupted from within threatening to destroy them was brought under control. A swift evaluation of the situation revealed the immediate dangers: the mercenaries and the military students and the other faction which they successfully ran from in the confusion.

Vera, being skilled strategist, wasted no time. She commanded a counterattack, a preemptive strike aimed at disrupting the enemy's plans. The human faction, united under her leadership and other commander's as well, launched a fierce assault, their determination fueled by a sense of urgency.

The other factions also had their emergency protocals and followed them to stabilise themselves and deal with thr immediate threats. They didn't focuscon other factions, at least not yet.

The battle was a brutal spectacle, a clash of wills and weapons.

"Humans are adaptable, capable, and resourceful, but ultimately remain relatively weak," Raven pointed out.

The sub-dimension, once a vibrant and diverse ecosystem, was now a desolate wasteland. The war, battles and fights had taken a toll, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The once-proud factions fortress, their ranks and walls decimated and were struggling to survive.

The mercenary forces, the architects of chaos, had inflicted devastating blows. Their attacks as destructive as they were merciless, had crippled the leadership of the factions, leaving them vulnerable to attack. The military academy students, while inexperienced, had proven to be a formidable force too and also dealt much damage.

The combined assault had been devastating. Forts, once meant to be impregnable areas of defense now lay in ruins well partially, but they still were in ruins. The landscape was littered with the bodies of fallen soldiers, a grim testament to the brutality of war.

The factionmemberswho survived, those who had managed to overcome the carnage, were left to pick up the pieces. They were a broken people, their spirits shattered by the loss of comrades and the destruction of their homes.

Raven continued, his voice laced with contempt and amusement. "The second to fall will be the Dragons. While they possess immense strength, their internal divisions due to their pride are a significant weakness. The third to fall will be the Dwarves. Though united and strong, their overly defensive stance limits their offensive capabilities.

Their destructive power, while impressive, is not enough to secure a victory.

The Beastmen, the fourth to fall, are a force of great destruction, relying heavily on their instincts. While they possess immense power, their lack of strategic thinking and tactical acumen will ultimately be their downfall. Most of them, at least." Raven paused as he looked at Kim.

"Must be Kali's influence. I wish to meet her one day." He thought.