Amphere Harrison
Having sparred with Rudolf numerous times before, I knew our previous encounters had been mere mock battles, lacking the intensity and lethal intent that now filled the air. Our prior fights never showcased the full extent of my powers, including the capabilities of my Heightened Clearance and Chaos Claws. Furthermore, neither of us had ever unleashed our devastating Vesryn Pulse in any of our training sessions. This fight was a stark departure from our previous bouts.
The confined space of the laboratory could not contain the clash of two seven-meter tall dragons. Recognizing the need for more room to unleash our full strength, we commanded our respective dragons to shatter the ceiling, bursting out into the open. It was crucial to avoid involving the unconscious dragonoids we had set out to rescue, keeping them safe from harm in the chaos that ensued.
Ascending thirty meters above the facility, the city's nocturnal landscape unfolded before us. Despite the lateness of the hour, the vibrant glow of streetlights, buildings, and houses cast an ethereal illumination, allowing the shadows of our enemies to be visible amidst the urban backdrop. The breathtaking view had the potential to captivate, but this was no time for idle appreciation. I was here for a purpose—to engage in a truly serious battle with my best friend.
In the wake of our airborne clash, chaos and destruction had ensued, triggering the alarm systems of the Hyperion Company. Sirens blared, their piercing wails filling the night air. Security guards, drawn by the commotion, began converging on the epicenter of the turmoil—the location where I and Estoff were locked in combat. While I doubted that a thousand, or even a hundred thousand, ordinary guards could bring down Estoff, the real challenge lay in the fact that he was occupied by Kyle, leaving me to contend with my friend.
"I will transport backup to Estoff's location!" Richard's voice crackled through my earpiece, a lifeline in the midst of the turmoil. "Hold your friend off for as long as you can!"
"No problem. I intend to face him head-on, with honor," I replied, my determination unwavering.
"Great answer, Amphy!" Airi's voice echoed directly within my mind. "I was itching for a fight with Kyrie too!"
The Chaos Dragon, clad in its resplendent golden armor, began to charge up small black holes within its gaping maw. Recognizing the danger, I swiftly commanded my Futuretech Dragon to ascend, utilizing Airi's exceptional aerial mobility skills. It was no wonder her nickname was Airi, considering her mastery of airborne maneuvers.
Dark orbs surged towards us, propelled by the chaotic force within the black holes. Yet, with graceful agility, Airi deftly evaded each projectile, narrowly escaping their destructive paths. These dark projectiles were perilous indeed, as upon impact, they would explode, releasing a tremendous burst of electricity. In response, Airi deployed rockets from her metallic shoulders. Six homing missiles locked onto the head of the Chaos Dragon, precisely targeting the area where Rudolf stood rigidly.
Rudolf, however, anticipated the threat and leaped upward, skillfully slicing through each incoming missile with swift and precise strikes. The sliced projectiles detonated, but the resulting explosion held no more firepower than that of a mere firecracker, having been effectively neutralized by Rudolf's deft swordplay.
"Chaos Claw," Rudolf muttered, his arms becoming engulfed in swirling dark particles. It was evident that he was deadly serious about this battle.
"Heightened Clearance Authorized," I declared, activating my enhanced abilities. Six sword-shaped dynamos materialized, ready to assist me in combat.
The Chaos Dragon became shrouded in a veil of dark smoke, launching itself upward with incredible velocity. Airi skillfully evaded the oncoming aerial assault, retaliating with photon bombs that missed their mark as Kyrie executed an evasive maneuver in mid-air. Meanwhile, Rudolf continued to play his part in the battle. His Chaos Claws possessed an astonishing reach, almost able to breach our defenses. However, I utilized my dynamos to generate a prism barrier whenever he was on the verge of striking us. I attempted to unleash the lasers from my dynamos, but Rudolf's sword deftly deflected each beam of light I unleashed.
To an observer watching from a distance, this battle would appear as a clash of shooting stars, spiraling and evading in a continuous cycle, occasionally colliding and producing bursts of distorted fireworks. Ten minutes elapsed before any significant changes unfolded in the relentless conflict.
As the skirmish between Rudolf and me raged on, a remarkable sight unfolded above us. Teleportation light circles materialized atop the skyscrapers, revealing the silhouettes of humanoid figures. Clad in leather armor akin to what Richard was supposed to wear, they were armed to the teeth, their hands gripping light machine guns, while others held missile launchers. Dragonoids—our backup—had arrived.
"There's your backup!" Richard's voice resonated through my earpiece, though I knew I wouldn't have the chance to properly express my gratitude or reply amidst the cacophony of explosions and gusts of wind. My attention remained firmly fixed on the ongoing aerial battle, leaving little room for concern over Estoff's predicament down below.
Approximately thirty Arcadian Dragonoids had been transported just beneath our clashing location. With their arsenal at the ready, they took aim at the Chaos Dragon, their formidable firepower poised to unleash upon our adversary.
"Fire!" The commander's voice resounded, and a relentless onslaught of bullets soared skyward. In tandem, five rockets surged forth from the terrorists' arsenal. The once serene atmosphere transformed into a symphony of deafening noise, turning this battle into an apparent civil war that would deceive anyone in the city.
Gunpowder and smoke intermingled in the air, creating a suffocating haze that made it difficult for everyone to breathe. Amidst the chaos, the Chaos Dragon ceased its pursuit of us and instead turned to face the onslaught head-on. Rudolf's countenance remained remarkably composed as he drew in a deep breath, then released it in a resounding war cry that reverberated through the air.
"FRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"
The torrent of bullets came to an abrupt halt, as if frozen in the wake of the Chaos Knight's unleashed power. A deafening shockwave rippled outward, shattering windows in the surrounding skyscrapers. Even the rocket missiles seemed to lose their chase, halted in their tracks by the overwhelming aura of fear emanating from the Chaos Dragon.
The Arcadian Dragonoids, all thirty of them, crumbled to their knees, relinquishing their weapons in a display of surrender. Tremors of terror coursed through their bodies and souls, extinguishing their will to fight and rendering them powerless in the face of the Chaos Dragon. It was the result of a divine magic known as the "Voice of the Emperor," a legacy passed down through Rudolf's noble lineage. With his familial connection to the late Grand Emperor, he possessed the right to claim the throne itself, backed by the imperial blood that coursed through his veins.
The Voice of the Emperor instilled an overwhelming fear in all living beings who heard it. Its effects were profound, eroding hope, faith, and the will to engage in battle. Its primary purpose was to establish the wielder's absolute authority, solidifying their right to rule. Even Airi and I were not immune to its influence, greatly affected by the sonic shockwave it emitted.
"My body feels completely numb... and I sense a profound weakness," Airi confessed, the impact of the Voice of the Emperor taking a toll on her as well. It was evident in the way she maneuvered, akin to driving a car with three flat tires on a rugged road. Nevertheless, she managed to land safely on the rooftop of a twenty-story building, reverting to her humanoid form while still donning the metallic mask that concealed her true identity.
A wave of intense distress washed over me, causing an inexplicable chill to run down my spine. My toes quivered, my knees weakened, and my sweat turned as cold as ice. The sheer force of the Voice of the Emperor rendered me speechless, my jaws feeling as though I had chewed on a live electric eel.
In the midst of this overwhelming atmosphere, Airi succumbed to unconsciousness, collapsing to her knees and then falling forward. Fortunately, her quick reflexes allowed her to morph her face into a protective platinum skull mask, preventing any serious harm. With my dragonoid companion incapacitated, I accepted the bitter reality of my defeat. Rudolf's power far surpassed my own, leaving me completely drained and powerless.
Hovering before me, the imposing figure of the Chaos Dragon loomed. Rudolf's penetrating gaze bore into my fearful eyes, a stark reminder of my own vulnerability. Utterly depleted of strength, my dynamos had retreated back into my body, their presence unattainable. My trembling hands refused to draw my golden photon sword, which rested untouched at my waist. I had reached the point of complete exhaustion and defeat.
As Rudolf demanded that I reveal my true identity as Neo Black Phantom, I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering near my mask. But suddenly, an image flashed vividly in my mind, disrupting my intentions.
The image was of a silver-haired woman, dressed in a flowing kimono, her eyes burning with an intense and unwavering determination. Her presence alone sent shivers down my spine, her gaze more terrifying than anything I had encountered in the entire universe. In that moment, her pale white hand extended towards me, as if offering assistance. Her voice reverberated within the confines of my skull, intensifying the throbbing pain in my head and causing a chilling sensation akin to brain freeze.
"The boy requires the awakening of his true power once again," her voice echoed. "Very well... I shall reveal to you the true extent of your own terror."
The vision left me both intrigued and unsettled, planting a seed of uncertainty within me. It was as if the silver woman held the key to unlocking my hidden potential, and I couldn't help but wonder what terrifying revelations awaited me.