James Conrad(POV)
The two elder siblings of Hyoudou Issei locked eyes, their gazes unwavering, waiting for the other to make the first move. The air around them crackled with expectation, neither ready to break the tense standoff.
They assumed their fighting stances with their own distinctive styles. Izumi bent her knees, positioning her dominant foot forward. Her left arm extended to chin's length, while her right arm remained near her chin. The stance exuded a sense of determination and readiness, suggesting her preparedness for the upcoming battle.
As for the man named Hibiki, whom I had first encountered in the dimensional gap, he too readied himself for the imminent clash. He positioned his legs for stability, creating an opening in his stomach while keeping his face covered. His closed fists were positioned sideways, hinting at a combination of offense and defense in his fighting style.
*FWOOSH*
[BOOST,BOOST,BOOST,BOOST,BOOST]
Both of them powered up, emitting auras that grew more intense. Hibiki charged his aura, while Izumi harnessed the immense power of her boosted gear. Even at a distance, I could feel the immense pressure they exerted, foreshadowing the imminent display of their formidable strength.
In an instant, both of them vanished before me, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"Where did they go?" I wondered, perplexed as I looked around. "They vanished in an instant! Just like that, they're gone." Their incredible speed and agility left me in awe.
*FLASH*
"HMMM…"
Suddenly, clusters of explosions erupted above me, their fiery hues of red and yellow flickering and colliding with one another. The resulting shockwaves reverberated through the area, creating a chaotic and turbulent atmosphere.
"Whoa! Did someone order fireworks in this dimension?" I exclaimed with a mix of surprise and amusement. The unexpected display of colorful explosions added an unexpectedly festive touch to the situation.
*BOOM*
I squinted my eyes and saw a figure hurtling towards me from the midst of the explosions. It was Izumi, wearing cracked red armor and crashing towards me at high speed.
Without knowing if I could catch her in time, I instinctively moved forward, positioning myself beneath Izumi as she hurtled towards me at high speed. I braced myself, ready to offer my body a soft landing bed to help cushion her fall.
"Here I comeeeee!!!" I shouted, mustering my courage and bracing myself for the impact as Izumi landed on top of me. Despite the pain, I endured it, knowing that I had helped soften her landing.
*THUUUD*
"Izumi! Izumi! You're bleeding inside your helmet!" I exclaimed, my concern evident in my voice.
She moved her hand toward my head and flicked it hard, causing me to yelp in surprise.
"Boya... You're too kind, but you don't need to worry about me. I'm tougher than I look," she said with a mischievous grin, clearly downplaying the situation.
Her older-than-me attitude never failed to tick me off. I couldn't help but feel irritated by her dismissive behavior as if my concern was unwarranted.
"But still, thanks for the concern. I owe you one," she unexpectedly thanked me. I couldn't help but notice a faint blush on her cheeks, though I convinced myself it must have been my imagination playing tricks on me.
She looked at me with a perplexed expression and asked, "How did you manage to catch my fall? Normal people would have suffered broken bones or even died."
I shrugged, trying to downplay the feat. "Guess I'm not so normal then," I replied with a smirk. "Besides, I've got some hidden talents when it comes to breaking falls."
Her words made me wonder. How did I catch her without feeling any swelling or pain? It was as if my body effortlessly absorbed the impact. The mystery of it left me intrigued and unable to find a logical explanation.
*RIIINGGG*
"It's that ringing sound again," I mumbled, growing frustrated. I instinctively reached up to itch my ear, hoping to make the annoying sound disappear, but to no avail. The persistent ringing continued, filling my mind with its ethereal tone.
"Boya, did you say something?" Izumi asked, her voice cutting through the ringing in my ears.
"Nothing," I quickly replied, trying to brush off the strange sound.
*CLAP*
*CLAP*
*CLAP*
The sudden clapping noise interrupted our conversation, capturing our attention and sending a shiver down my spine.
"Oya! Are the two of you done flirting with each other?" he sneered sadistically. "If so, Izumi, I shall end this fight immediately. I have no time for your petty games and delays."
I carefully lowered Izumi to the ground, releasing her from my hold. The urgency of the situation demanded our focus as we prepared to confront the imminent danger.
His words cut through the tension, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. It was clear that he had no intentions of prolonging the encounter any further.
He raised his arms above his head, and to my disbelief, I saw lines of energy converging above him. It resembled the iconic Spirit Bomb of Goku, but this one seemed even more powerful, like a supercharged version.
My heart raced as I realized the sheer magnitude of the attack he was preparing. The air crackled with intense energy, and the surroundings trembled under the weight of his impending strike.
"This is bad! Izumi, do you know what that is?" I urgently asked, desperately hoping she had some knowledge or strategy to deal with the impending threat.
She pondered for a moment, her expression resembling a ticking clock. I could see her mind working, searching for any useful information that could help us in this dire situation.
She stared at me with a deadpan expression, her words dripping with frustration.
"Dunno," she replied bluntly.
"What do you mean you don't know?" I pressed, feeling a mix of confusion and exasperation.
"Well, the truth is, this is only our second encounter, and I've only fought him using my bare fists," she explained. "Just because I'm his sister doesn't mean I've known him for long or have all the answers. So, don't ask me anymore."
Her response left me with a sense of disappointment and a realization that we were both in uncharted territory, facing a formidable enemy with limited knowledge.
I understand. It's important to respect boundaries and avoid delving into sensitive topics. Let's focus on the present situation and find a way to overcome the challenges ahead.
"BZZTTT."
"Dawdling, aren't we? Thanks for stalling, assholes. I have enough power to crush you," he jeered.
"I plan to bring the Apocalypse Dragon to use him as a bridge to travel dimensions and go home."
His words carried a chilling sense of determination and an unmistakable threat. We were faced with a formidable enemy whose intentions were far from noble. The urgency of the situation became even more apparent as we braced ourselves for the impending battle.
"Well... umm, this is goodbye," he said hesitantly. "And Izumi, even though we're siblings, we both know we're different from them. Also, to you, stranger, I don't know anything personal about you."
The weight of the impending battle and the uncertain outcome hung in the air. It was a solemn moment as we acknowledged our differences and the unknown that lay ahead.
"SAYONARA!" His face was devoid of emotion, he unleashed his Super Charged Spirit Bomb, hurtling towards us.
"This can't be the end," I thought, refusing to accept my fate. Beside me, the woman struggled to move due to the head injury she sustained in the explosion. RIIIINGG Damn, this ringing is unbearable, even in moments like this... I can't believe it.
With determination and desperation fueling my actions, I searched for any possible way to evade the imminent destruction and protect both myself and Izumi from the impending threat.
Out of nowhere, a mysterious armband materialized on my right arm, radiating a brilliant glow and emitting a resolute ringing sound. It was as if a calling from destiny itself.
"No time to waste," I declared with unwavering resolve. In that pivotal moment, I embraced the courage within me, ready to heed the armband's guidance. With a sense of purpose and determination, I prepared to unleash the hidden power it held, hoping it would prove to be the key to our survival.
Instinctively, I summoned a shield on my right arm and blocked the incoming Spirit Bomb. The shield absorbed the explosive energy, steadily devouring its power until it was completely consumed. I stood in disbelief, realizing the incredible capabilities of the armband I wore. With newfound resolve, I prepared to confront the imminent danger, armed with this extraordinary power.
Izumi's eyes widened in astonishment as she witnessed the display of my newfound abilities. Curiosity piqued, she turned to Ddraig and inquired about the nature of the armband.
"Ddraig, is that a sacred gear? I can't sense any conventional power emanating from it," she questioned, seeking his insight.
Ddraig responded with a mixture of intrigue and caution,
[It's similar in some ways, but not quite. This armband possesses power beyond our expectations, surpassing the ordinary sacred gears we're familiar with.]
The revelation left them both pondering the true nature and potential of this enigmatic artifact.
( Authors thought's
I wanted my mc to concentrate on being a weapon master so comment this statement to give some cool weapons for him.)