Just as the shadowy figures closed in on Xiaoping, a torrent of water burst into the inner sanctum, sweeping away several attackers.
"Xiaoping! We're here!" Li Wei's voice echoed, strong and clear.
Li Wei rushed in, his water magic a graceful dance of defense and offense. He created swirling whirlpools that disoriented the enemies and blasts of water that knocked them back.
Then, a wave of scorching flames filled the room. Kai burst in, his eyes blazing with fierce determination. "Nobody touches our lightning boy!" he roared, unleashing a continuous stream of fire that forced the attackers to retreat.
Jian entered next, his steps heavy and purposeful. He slammed his hands on the ground, and massive earth pillars erupted from the floor, blocking off the path of the approaching shadowy figures and trapping others.
And finally, Elara floated in, her presence as quiet and powerful as the wind itself. She sent sharp gusts that threw enemies into Jian's earth walls, and created swirling air currents that made it impossible for the shadowy figures to aim their dark magic.
"Friends!" Xiaoping cried, a wave of relief and gratitude washing over him. He was no longer alone.
The shadowy leader snarled. "More anomalies! No matter, you will all fall!"
The battle in the inner sanctum became a whirlwind of elemental power. Xiaoping's lightning crackled, weaving through Kai's flames, conducted by Li Wei's water, and defended by Jian's earth and Elara's wind. They fought as one, their different elements combining into a truly formidable force.
Xiaoping and Li Wei worked together, Xiaoping sending focused lightning bolts through Li Wei's water whips, making them even more deadly. Kai used his flames to create a fiery barrier, pushing back the darkest of the shadowy figures. Jian's earth walls protected them, while Elara's winds messed with the enemies' movements and spells.
The shadowy leader, seeing its forces being pushed back, focused its attacks on Xiaoping, trying to break his concentration. It unleashed a powerful, corrosive beam of dark magic.
"Xiaoping!" Li Wei yelled.
But Xiaoping was ready. He stood firm, channeling all his energy into his Thunderous Aegis. The lightning shield glowed brighter than ever, humming with powerful energy. The dark beam struck the Aegis, and for a moment, the room was filled with a blinding flash as the two opposing forces clashed.
The Aegis held. The dark magic was completely gone.
The shadowy leader stumbled back, looking truly shocked. It had never seen such a defense.
"You underestimated us," Xiaoping said, his voice firm, echoing with the power he now commanded. "You underestimated our unity."