The shock of what I witnessed paralyzed me. The acrid smell of Richard's blood mixed with the metallic scent of his sword filled my nostrils. I could feel the warmth of his hand slowly dissipating as his life ebbed away. The Dragon Knight, whom I once idolized, stood before me, his face expressionless. I could see the glint of his slim sword as he sheathed it back under his cloak. My mind was racing with questions, and doubts about the heroic reputation of Kyle Leviticus flooded my thoughts. Had I been wrong about him all along? How could a Dragon Knight, who's supposed to uphold honor and defend the weak, commit such an atrocity without remorse?
Brow's massive form lay writhing on the ground, his bear-like face twisted in agony. The dragon knight, Kyle, had impaled him to the ground with his sword, which was now embedded deeply in his shoulder. Blood pooled around Brow's body, soaking into the dirt beneath him. He groaned in pain but was unable to move. Kyle, with his sword still in hand, turned and sprinted towards the underground path. His black cloak billowed behind him as he moved with lightning speed. His movements were fluid and precise, as if he had been trained for years to move like this. His focus was entirely on the fleeing dragonoids, and he seemed determined to catch up to them at any cost.
As the golden-haired woman approached me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Her eyes, once cold and menacing, now held a certain vulnerability that made me question her intentions. As she held my arms and checked for any injuries, I couldn't shake off the feeling that she was trying to deceive me, that perhaps she was wearing a mask of kindness to let her guard down. Despite my doubts, I remained still and let her examine me. Her hands were soft and gentle, yet I couldn't help but wonder if they were also capable of violence. As she finished her examination and looked at me with a sense of concern, I couldn't help but feel conflicted. Was she truly concerned for my well-being, or was it all just an act?
"Are you okay?" She asked.
My fingers immediately wrapped the hilt of the sword that was once used by Richard. As I swung the sword towards the beautiful dragonoid, she quickly stepped aside and dodged the attack with agility. However, her movements revealed a small part of her chest as her white princess robes were sliced by the sword's sharp edge. I could see that she was not wearing any armor, which made her vulnerable to any attack.
As I stood there, panting heavily, I couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority over the dragonoid. I knew that without her dragon knight, she was no match for me. I had read enough magazines and heard enough stories to know that dragonoids were dependent on their knights to access their full potential. In fact, Elumina, the dragon of Kyle Leviticus, was not known for her combat skills but for her ability to heal others.
Despite my victory, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Why was this dragonoid so calm in my presence? Was she hiding something? I tightened my grip on the sword and prepared myself for any attack that might come my way.
As I held the sword tightly in my hand, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards the dragonoid. How could she just stand there and let her knight kill Richard? I glared at her wordlessly, my eyes burning with fury. She looked at me with a sorry expression, but I couldn't let that distract me from my mission. I had to go after that damn dragon knight and make him pay for what he did.
"Amphere, follow Airelina!" Brow shouted. "I'll be okay!"
My heart was pounding as I ran through the dark and narrow underground path. The sound of my footsteps echoed in the tunnels, and my breathing was heavy and labored. I could hear the distant sound of clashing metal and roars of pain coming from ahead. I knew I had to hurry to stop the dragon knight from harming any more of those poor dragonoids.
My mind was racing with thoughts of Airelina's safety. I couldn't bear the thought of any more bloodshed, and I pushed myself harder, running faster than I ever had before.
"Airelina…"
I… Why am I doing this? Why am I going to defend a terrorist!? Is it because she helped me? Is it because she is my first dragonoid friend? Is it because of her adorable smile? Is it because it was the dying wish of Richard!? I don't know! All that matters is…
"Airelina…Airelina…Airelina…Airelina…"
As I emerged from the underground path, the sudden brightness of the daylight made me squint. The city skyline towered above me, with skyscrapers reaching towards the clouds. The streets were empty and devoid of any signs of life. The fear of the bomb threat must have driven everyone away.
I frantically scanned the area, my heart pounding in my chest. Where could Airelina be? I looked left and right, but there was no sign of her. The silence was eerie and unsettling, making my anxiety grow stronger. I called out her name again, but the only response was the sound of my own voice echoing back to me.
"Kya!" there was a faint shout. Without thinking twice, I dashed forward to the source of the sound and then, I finally saw her.
As I turned to my left, I saw a horrifying sight. Airelina was there, crucified to the wall with knives impaled in her palms and shoulders. Her leather clothes were torn and stained with blood, and she was writhing in pain. The dragon knight, Kyle Leviticus, was standing in front of her with a cold stare, as if he was enjoying her suffering.
"I'll ask you again before I put this knife to your chest. Where are the dragonoids?" Kyle asked blandly.
"Get away from her!" I made a thrust with Richard's sword.
The dragon knight's movements were swift and calculated as he stepped back, his hand gripping the blade with precision. He skillfully avoided the sharp edges, and with a fluid motion, threw the weapon upwards, disarming me in an instant. As I stumbled back, he followed up with a devastating roundhouse kick to my left neck, sending me crashing to the ground. The impact was jarring, and I struggled to regain my bearings as I scrambled to my feet.
"A…Amphere…" Airelina called my name in a faint voice. She was just a meter beside me, yet I can't reach her.
As soon as the dragon knight turned around, my heart pounded in my chest as I sprang to my feet, adrenaline surging through my veins. Ignoring the pain and exhaustion, I sprinted towards Airelina, who was still crucified on the wall. My hands trembled as I yanked the knife out of her shoulder, determined to put an end to this madness once and for all. With a furious yell, I charged towards the dragon knight, brandishing the knife in my hand. But as I made my move, he was already one step ahead of me. He swiftly stepped back, avoiding my initial attack and snatched the blade with his fingers, throwing it upwards to disarm me. Before I could even react, he delivered a swift roundhouse kick to my left neck, causing me to stumble backwards and fall to the ground, gasping for breath. However, I refused to let this stop me. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the pain and scrambled to my feet, ready to continue the fight. With renewed determination, I charged towards the dragon knight, aiming to strike him with the knife. But just as I was about to land the blow, he raised his arms in defense, blocking my attack with his forearms. A spray of blood erupted from his wounds, splattering all over my face and clothes.
The Dragon Knight took a step back, his eyes fixed on me, and then his hand moved to his waist. He withdrew a slim sword from its sheath and swiftly made a straight line hack towards me. I saw it coming and quickly raised the knife I was holding to block the blow. The clash of metal echoed in the room as our weapons met with a loud clang. But he didn't stop there. He followed up with another attack, a quick thrust directed at my chest. I barely had time to react, but I managed to parry it away using the knife. The force of the impact sent a sharp pain through my arm and I felt the vibration reverberating through my body. The Dragon Knight's eyes glinted with a fierce determination, and I knew that I was in for a tough fight.
As adrenaline pumped through my veins, my body moved almost on its own, like I was watching from outside myself. This was my first real fight, and it was brutal. But somehow, I found the strength to block the impressive blows of a dragon knight with the knife I held in my hand. Each strike was met with a quick and calculated parry, my eyes fixed on my opponent's every move. It was as if my body was adapting to the fight in real-time, and I was amazed at what I was capable of.
The dragon knight's attacks were relentless, coming at me with speed and precision. Each swing of his sword was deadly, but I was somehow managing to keep up with him. My body was moving on its own, dodging and blocking each blow with the knife I was holding. But even with my best efforts, the dragon knight was still getting closer and closer to landing a fatal blow. His strikes were getting faster and more aggressive, and I was starting to feel the strain on my body. Finally, he made a thrust directed at my chest. I managed to parry it away with my knife, but the force of the blow knocked me off balance. As I tried to recover, the dragon knight delivered a powerful kick to my stomach, sending me tumbling to the ground in excruciating pain.
The dragon knight's cold, piercing gaze bore into me, making me shiver with fear. In that moment, it felt as though time had slowed down, and I could see every detail of his features - the sharp angles of his face, the determined set of his jaw, the icy gleam in his eyes. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks - this could be the end of my life. My heart was racing, my mind racing even faster. Was there any way to escape this?
"Hyaaaaa!"
With her sword in hand, Airelina moved quickly and precisely, striking the dragon knight with a scything blow. He was quick to react, however, and managed to evade the attack just in time. But then Airelina surprised me by grabbing me and pulling me close, pressing my face into her soft chest as she began to flee with incredible speed.
I could feel her heart beating rapidly against my cheek as we moved quickly through the streets, weaving between buildings and alleys as we tried to put some distance between ourselves and the dragon knight. I wanted to say something, to ask her what was happening, but I couldn't find my voice. All I could do was hold on tightly to her and hope that we would make it out of this alive.
"Amphere…You totally…" She made an adorable smile. She looks cute, even though her face looked battered.
My heart was pounding uncontrollably in my chest as I gazed upon her. Every fiber of my being was drawn towards her like a moth to a flame. There was a burning sensation in my chest, but it wasn't unpleasant. Rather, it was a feeling of warmth and joy that coursed through my veins. It was all because of her, the stunning crimson-haired dragonoid who had lit up my world like never before. Every moment with her was a treasure, and I knew deep down that I would do anything to keep her safe and by my side.
The atmosphere around us shifted, as if a powerful force was stirring. Airelina's eyes shone with a golden light as she began to chant. As she spoke, the air around us seemed to hum with energy, and I felt a warmth spreading through my body. It was as if Airelina's words were seeping into my very being, filling me with a sense of peace and comfort. The light from her chest grew brighter, casting a warm glow around us, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the power that radiated from her. It was clear that Airelina was no ordinary dragonoid, but a being of immense strength and magic.
"I wish to become Amphere Harrison's wings
To be the protector of my knight
To be his guiding light
In his darkest night
To be the proof of his power and might!"
"Activating Vesryn Pulse"
As Airelina chanted the words, I could feel a strange energy pulsing through my body, and a golden glow emanated from our chests, enveloping us in a brilliant light. The light grew brighter and brighter until it was blinding, and I could feel her body stretching and contorting, reshaping itself into something new.
As the light began to fade, I saw that she had transformed into a magnificent seven-meter obsidian dragon, with shimmering scales and piercing red eyes. I felt the power and strength coursing through my body, and I knew that we were now capable of facing any challenge that came our way. I looked down and saw that I was perched on the dragon's head, and I couldn't help but let out a roar of excitement and triumph.
I realized that she was no ordinary beast. Her scales glimmered in the light, reflecting hues of dark matte metal. Cybernetic enhancements and metal armor adorned her body, giving her the appearance of a formidable mechanical creation. Her wings, as well as the center of her body, were a striking white color, contrasting with the rest of her dark metallic scales. Along her back, she had a row of bony plates that shone in a bright golden color, adding to her intimidating appearance. I couldn't help but feel both awed and terrified at the same time.
She is…
"Futuretech Dragon, a dragon that has access to advanced engineering of the future…totally! "
The voice directly entered to my brain. It was telepathy. It seems like our minds are connected.
Airelina let out a deafening roar, the sound waves reverberating through the air as she pushed herself to reach an incredible speed. I could feel the wind rushing past us, whipping my hair and clothes around me as we climbed higher and higher into the sky. The black dragon's metal armor glinted in the sunlight, her wings beating powerfully as she gained momentum.
I looked down and saw the Dragon Knight pursuing us, but he was no match for Airelina's speed. As we broke the sound barrier, a sonic boom shattered the air, sending shockwaves rippling out in all directions. The force of it was enough to knock the Dragon Knight off balance, and he careened off course, hurtling towards the ground.
When we looked back, we saw him lying there, unmoving. The impact of the shockwave had knocked him unconscious, and he posed no threat to us anymore. We continued to soar through the blue skies, Airelina's wings propelling us forward with effortless grace.
The wind whipped against my face with such force that it felt like water, sending a refreshing sensation through my body. My heart pounded furiously, filled with the excitement of this enthralling moment. There was no greater feeling than soaring through the skies with someone who trusts you completely. This was the power of our connected hearts, pulsing together in perfect harmony.
This is the power of the Vesryn Pulse.
"You're so cool!" I cried.
"Am I? That's totally flattering! Thanks! By the way, how is Brow and Richard?"
My smile immediately faded as she said those words. I bowed down and closed my eyes.
"Brow is still stuck in the power plant while Richard…he's gone…"
The silence was almost deafening as we hovered on top of the building. Airelina's dragon form was motionless, and her eyes seemed to be staring off into the distance, lost in thought. I could feel the tension in the air as we both contemplated our next move. We had been trying to escape from the dragon knight, but now that Airelina knew the truth about what had happened at the power plant, she was determined to go back and rescue anyone who may have been left behind.
Finally, she broke the silence and turned her head towards me, her eyes locking onto mine. Even though she was in her dragon form, I could still sense the determination and resolve emanating from her.
"We have to go back," she said, her voice echoing in my mind. "We can't just leave them there to suffer."
Without hesitation, she turned and took off towards the direction of the power plant. Her wings flapped powerfully, sending gusts of wind rushing past me as we flew towards our destination. I could feel my heart racing with excitement and fear, knowing that this was going to be a dangerous mission. But with Airelina by my side, I felt a sense of courage and determination that I had never experienced before.
"The dragonoids who were held captive in the power plant are totally safe. They took a truck earlier and I served as a diversion to make the escape plan a success…But having both Arcadia members dying makes this plan a failure… I have to rescue Brow at least…I hope you understand."
"I understand." I said.
Then everything happened in an instant.
As we scanned our surroundings, we suddenly saw five massive shapes rise from the ground, each one representing the elements of fire, earth, water, wind, and shadow. These dragons were unlike any we had seen before, with scales that shimmered like diamonds and eyes that glowed like molten gold. And then we realized that they were being ridden by Dragon Knights, members of the dreaded Imperial army who had sworn allegiance to the tyrannical Emperor.
A sense of dread washed over me as I realized that this was a trap. There was no way we could take on all of these dragons and knights at once. We were outnumbered and outmatched, with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. And yet, Airelina didn't flinch. She was the only one who could face this danger, and she knew it.
As the Dragon Knights drew closer, their weapons glinting in the sunlight, Airelina turned to me and nodded. It was time to fight.
"Fire!" One of the knights shouted.
The five dragons from the Imperial army charged their attacks, each one with a distinct hue of colored energy gathering in their mouths. One was a blazing inferno of red, another a torrent of blue water, a third was a swirling green vortex of wind, the fourth a rumbling brown earthquake of earth, and the last a sinister black beam of shadow. All five beams were unleashed simultaneously, converging towards us with unstoppable force. The deafening roar of the explosion that followed filled the air, its shockwaves rippling across the city and shaking the buildings to their foundations. The world turned white, and for a moment, I felt as if I was floating in a void of pure energy.