Chereads / Linking Stars (old) / Chapter 20 - The Final Confrontation (Epilogue)

Chapter 20 - The Final Confrontation (Epilogue)

December 31 4005 11:02PM

As the dark magic surges through Derek's body, his power reaches unprecedented heights. His eyes turn a fiery red, emanating an aura of pure malevolence. With a sinister grin, he launches a relentless onslaught of attacks, one after another, targeting each member of the group. One by one, they succumb to the overwhelming force, falling to the ground, weakened and unconscious.

Yet, amidst the chaos and devastation, Light remains standing, the last bastion of resistance against Derek's malevolent power.

Light watches as Derek's power reaches its seeming peak, Light realizes that he had no choice, he hesistates and looks beneath him where the students fight against the monster, he knew that if he revealed his hidden secret, he knew the attention he was gonna get but he glances at his companion, devoid of emotions, his mind was set on the decision to take

Light's gaze hardens as he weighs the consequences of his decision. He understands the attention and scrutiny he will face if he reveals his hidden secret, but the dire situation demands a desperate measure.

Just then, Derek summons a massive magical sword, swinging it with a force that threatens to overpower Light. However, with lightning-fast reflexes, Light raises his own sword, meeting the incoming strike head-on.

The clash between their blades sends shockwaves rippling through the air, shaking the very foundation of their surroundings. The impact is fierce, and for a brief moment, it appears as though Derek's sword might overpower Light's defense that further strengthens his resolve to decide on his decision

"Damn it, this is no time to be indecisive..." thoughts Light

With a devoided emotionless look, he slowly takes hold of Claire's sword, feeling the weight of both blades in his hands. He gazes at Derek with a sincere look on his face, holding both sword in his hands.

"What are you gonna do what those two sword? No one in the world can wield dual blades..." says Derek with mocking tone

Light's expression remains calm and resolute as he silently faces Derek's mocking words. With unwavering confidence

With a swift motion, Light unleashes his hidden starlight art, Heavenly Dawn Blades or to put it shortly, Dual Wielding, The two blades move in perfect synchrony, dancing through the air with incredible speed and precision. Each strike is imbued with the combined force of Light's unwavering will and the support of his friends.

Derek's eyes widen in disbelief as he witnesses Light's unexpected move. Light grasps his own sword, the Metalink Sword in his left hand and Claire's blade in his right, a testament to his unparalleled skill. With determination etched on his face, Light charges towards Derek, his steps silent but purposeful. The air crackles with anticipation as their swords clash in a fierce battle, each strike filled with intent and purpose

Derek's shock quickly turns to apprehension as he witnesses Light's determined gaze and the swift motion of his dual-wielded swords. With each step, Light's aura intensifies, radiating a sense of unstoppable power. His approach is steady, his movements calculated, as he closes the distance between them with an unwavering resolve. The silence surrounding them amplifies the anticipation of the clash that is about to unfold.

An intense, emotion-filled battle rages between Light and Derek. Light's hidden starlight art, Dual Wielding, his heavenly dawn blades, gives him a significant advantage, allowing him to wield two swords with unmatched precision and power. With every swing and strike, Light's blades dance through the air, leaving trails of light in their wake.

Derek, caught off guard by Light's sudden surge in strength, finds himself on the backfoot. The weight of Light's relentless assault pushes him further into a defensive position. Each strike from Light lands with precision, striking at the core of Derek's defenses.

"Starlight... Blitz," Light murmurs with a voice filled with determination and a hint of invulnerability whilst keeping his emotionless demeanor.

Light's dual wielding art, -Starlight Blitz-, ignites with blinding speed and precision. His blades become a blur of light as he unleashes a flurry of swift and devastating slashes towards Derek. Each strike is executed with unparalleled finesse, leaving trails of star-like energy in their wake. The sheer intensity of Light's assault overwhelms Derek, forcing him into a defensive stance as he struggles to match the relentless onslaught. The power and speed behind Light's skill prove to be an unstoppable force, pushing Derek to his limits and leaving him on the brink of defeat.

Light follows up his relentless assault with a skillful maneuver known as -Spinning Edge-, With fluid movements, he twirls both swords in a circular motion, generating a vortex of energy around him. As he approaches Derek, Light releases a spinning whirlwind of slashes, combining the speed and precision of his dual blades. The unleashed power of the Spinning Edge tears through the air, cutting through Derek's defenses and inflicting significant damage. The force behind each strike sends shockwaves reverberating through the battlefield, leaving Derek staggered and reeling from the impact.

As the battle rages on, Light's inner strength and resolve shine through. His unwavering spirit refuses to yield, driving him to push beyond his limits. The clash of their powers echoes through the battlefield, each strike fueled by a mixture of determination, anger, and hope.

"Faster! Faster! I need to be faster!" Light's thoughts echoed with urgency as he fought against Derek. The intense battle had ignited a fire within him, pushing him to reach new heights of speed and agility. His mind was consumed with the desire to surpass his limits, to transcend the boundaries of his own abilities.

With each swing of his dual blades, Light pushed himself to move faster, to strike with even greater speed and precision.

As he evaded Derek's attacks and delivered lightning-fast counterattacks, Light could sense that he was on the verge of a breakthrough. He yearned to push beyond his current capabilities, to unlock a new level of speed that would give him the advantage in this intense battle. The thought of becoming faster, of surpassing his own limitations, drove him forward.

"Faster!" Light's thoughts echoed with newfound clarity and conviction. He had tapped into a wellspring of speed that resided within him, and now, he would use it to its fullest extent. With each movement, he soared through the battlefield, leaving a trail of starlight in his wake.

With every passing moment, it becomes clear that Light has gained the upper hand. The tides have turned in his favor, and his relentless assault begins to wear down Derek's defenses. The raw power and intensity of Light's dual wielding art or more known as Heavenly Dawn Blade become evident as he delivers blow after blow, his blades dancing in perfect harmony.

In the heat of battle, emotions run high. Light's focus remains unwavering as he channels his determination into each strike. He fights not only for victory but for the safety and well-being of those he holds dear. Every swing of his blades becomes a symbol of his unyielding spirit and his undying will to protect.

"Ughh! Haaaaaa!" Light's battle cry filled the air as he summoned every ounce of his strength and determination. With a swift and powerful strike, he delivered the final blow, shattering Derek's defense and sending him crashing to the ground in defeat.

The impact of Light's attack reverberated through the battlefield, a testament to his unwavering resolve and unyielding spirit. Derek, once filled with arrogance and malice, now lay defeated, his powers no match for Light's indomitable will.

As Derek crumbled to the ground, a wave of exhaustion washed over Light. He stood there, panting heavily, sweat trickling down his brow. The battle had taken its toll on him, physically and emotionally, but he felt a surge of triumph coursing through his veins.

Defeated and consumed by fear, Derek's face contorted with a mix of anger and desperation. In a last-ditch effort to escape the clutches of Light's powerful art, he summoned a dense cloud of billowing smoke that engulfed his form. Within moments, Derek disappeared from sight, leaving behind only the fading echoes of his malevolent presence.

Light stood there, his gaze sweeping across the fallen forms of his comrades. A mix of relief and concern washed over him as he took in their unconscious bodies. His starlight art, revealed only to Derek, had played a pivotal role in their battle. But for now, he pushed aside his own triumph and focused on their well-being.

As Light's metalink sword shattered into pieces, a gasp of disbelief escaped his lips. The symbol of his strength and determination, now reduced to mere fragments. Yet, in that moment, he found himself surprisingly unperturbed by its loss. He gently lowered Claire's sword, releasing his grip, and the weight of exhaustion descended upon him like an avalanche.

His body, battered and weary from the relentless battle, could no longer bear the strain. With each labored breath, he felt the world around him grow distant, fading into darkness. His consciousness wavered, teetering on the edge of oblivion.

The once turbulent sky, once filled with swirling dark energies and ominous portals, now cleared up, revealing a serene expanse above. Rays of sunlight pierced through the dissipating clouds, casting a gentle glow upon the battlefield. The weight of darkness lifted, replaced by a renewed sense of hope and tranquility.

As Light collapsed, his body gracefully falling to the ground, a ripple of awakening spread through the battlefield. One by one, his comrades began to stir, their groans and murmurs filling the air. Disoriented and disheveled, they slowly regained consciousness, their eyes blinking open to survey the aftermath of the intense conflict.

As the world around him grew blurry, Light's consciousness wavered on the precipice of darkness. The battle's toll had taken its final toll on his weary body, and he succumbed to the embrace of unconsciousness. The sounds of his companions' voices and the warmth of their presence faded away, leaving behind a void of silence and solitude.

As Light slowly regained consciousness, he found himself lying in the medical room, surrounded by the sterile scent of antiseptics. Bandages wrapped around his body served as a reminder of the intense battle he had fought. And there, by his side, was Claire, her face etched with worry and relief.

"You're awake," Claire murmured, her voice filled with a mix of concern and relief. "You've been unconscious for nearly ten hours. How are you feeling?"

Light turns his look towards the blowing window, his voice hoarse as he replied, "I've had better days, but I'll be alright. Thank... you... Claire."

She reached out and gently squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Of course, Light. You gave us quite a scare, you know?"

He blakly nodded, with a slight of gratefulness for her presence beside him.

As they talked, Light received the news that his Metalink sword had shattered during the battle. It was a blow, but he found himself surprisingly unaffected by the loss. The bonds he had forged with his friends and the strength he had discovered within himself mattered far more than any physical weapon.

Claire, curious about how Light had defeated Derek, asked him about the details. Light hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. He knew that revealing his hidden art that could complicate things, especially considering the attention it would bring. In that moment, he made a split-second decision.

"It was Isaac," Light said, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of deceit. "Isaac, as the headmaster of this academy, had unleashed an incredible power that overwhelmed Derek. It was his strength that brought Derek down."

Claire looked at him suspiciously for a brief moment, her gaze searching his eyes for any sign of deception. However, she chose to trust his words, brushing off her initial doubts. She believed in Isaac's abilities and knew that Light wouldn't lie without a valid reason.

"I see," she replied, her tone filled with a mix of relief and admiration.

Light nodded, a wave of guilt washing over him. He knew that keeping the truth from Claire was necessary to protect his secret, but it pained him to deceive her, even for a noble cause.

Their conversation took a somber turn as they received unfortunate news about Rose which they just learned, went missing and it appeared that Rose hadn't been kidnapped by Derek, as they had initially believed. Instead, it seemed that he had been taken by another unknown entity. The news sent a ripple of worry through Claire's heart, her thoughts consumed with concern for their missing friend as Light meanwhile, glanced sincerely with a thought of the mysterious kidnapper

Meanwhile, Cain faced Ann's wrath for his reckless actions during the battle and for sneaking in the academy. However, Isaac intervened and advocated for Cain, recognizing his bravery and willingness to protect the academy. As a result, Cain was given the opportunity to train as a student of the Celestial Sword, a chance to hone his skills and become a stronger defender of their world.

Amidst the turmoil and uncertainty, Light found solace in the fact that the monsters that had plagued their world had disappeared after Derek's defeat. It was a glimmer of hope, a sign that their efforts had not been in vain. The academy and its students could finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the threat had been temporarily vanquished, although some believe that it was caused by Light's actions, causing a minority of students having hatred for him, some even hated him just for his strength alone and believe that he didn't deserved it although he had no care about it

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, the academy gradually returned to its peaceful rhythm. Light and his friends continued their studies although Light received a minority of hate from the students who believed his actions was his fault and those that think his strength didn't deserve him, growing stronger and forging deeper bonds of friendship along the way. The scars from their battle with Derek served as a constant reminder of the challenges they had faced, but also as a symbol of their resilience and determination.

Despite the hate for him, Light didn't really mind and found solace in the tranquility of the academy, using the time to reflect on his journey and the newfound power within him. He knew that his battle with Derek was only the beginning, and that there were many more trials awaiting him in the future. But he was no longer afraid. He had discovered his own strength, his own purpose, and he was ready to face whatever came his way.

The missing Rose remained a lingering concern for Claire and Cain. They tirelessly searched for any leads, determined to bring their friend back safely with no luck in determining the mysterious kidnapper

As the first volume of Stars of Arcadia came to a close, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Light and his friends had grown stronger, but they were acutely aware that greater challenges awaited them. The battle with Derek had been a catalyst, awakening a power within them that they had yet to fully comprehend

With determination burning in their hearts, Light and his friends prepared themselves for the next chapter of their journey. They knew that the path ahead would be fraught with danger and sacrifice, but they also knew that they were not alone. Together, they would face the unknown, guided by the light of their unwavering friendship and the strength that resided within each of them.

And so, as the first volume came to an end, the stars of Arcadia continued to shine brightly, their destinies intertwined, their spirits ignited with a sense of purpose. The echoes of their adventures reverberated through time and space, their stories waiting to unfold in the pages of the next volume, where new challenges, allies, and revelations awaited them.