Rudolf Azregon
I believed I had ensured my victory over the Black Phantom, but my confidence proved to be misplaced. Never before have I been so mistaken.
Though I managed to vanquish Arcadians and his formidable Futuretech Dragon using the power of the Voice of the Emperor, this mystical ability currently holds no sway over the enigmatic "awakened" Black Phantom. His left eye's crimson pupil contrasts starkly against the obsidian hue of his sclera, evoking memories of Amphere. During the Elimination Round, Amphere exhibited a similar transformation, with both eyes assuming the same appearance.
The Black Phantom, disregarding the vast ten-meter gap in altitude, sprang forward with astonishing agility, landing squarely on Kyrie's head. Such a leap defies all expectations, resembling the graceful flight of a superhero.
Gone now are his apprehensions; it is evident in his eyes, which gleam with unbridled zeal for this battle. It is an exhilarating experience, engaging him in combat. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his resplendent photon saber, thrusting it forward in a dazzling display of golden brilliance. The speed caught me completely off-guard, and I bore the brunt of a direct hit to my chest. My Shield Plate now teeters precariously at a mere 3% capacity.
With a powerful swing, I aimed a heavy blow directly at his left arm, but he effortlessly danced away, evading even a graze. I find it hard to believe that he possesses any remaining Shield Plate at all. I am certain that I landed direct hits long before resorting to the use of my Voice of the Emperor.
In a mere fraction of a second after our swords disengaged, he surged forward with astonishing speed, unleashing a barrage of glowing thrusts. My Shield Plate crumbled to zero, and in quick succession, I found myself pierced in the right arm, the leg, and the left shoulder. Finally, he managed to land a slashing strike across my stomach, although the resilience of my thick steel armor prevented the wounds from running too deep.
"FRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" I bellowed, unleashing the Voice of the Emperor once more, this time directly aimed at his face. The resulting shockwave pushed me back, causing me to stumble onto the back of my Chaos Dragon. However, to my astonishment, the Neo Black Phantom stood resolute on Kyrie's forehead. It became evident that my Voice of the Emperor now held no more power than a mere gust of wind against this formidable adversary. He remained entirely unaffected.
Who exactly is this enigmatic figure?
In a desperate attempt to dislodge the masquerade from her face, Kyrie resorted to ramming her head into a nearby building. The impact sent shattered glass and debris scattering in every direction. However, the agile Black Phantom swiftly leaped away, narrowly escaping the impending collision. Astonishingly, he proceeded to ascend the side of the building, defying the laws of gravity with his exceptional flexibility.
Reaching the rooftop, his chest began to emanate a brilliant glow as he bellowed, "Overloading Vesryn Pulse!"
In an instant, a colossal explosion erupted, accompanied by a blinding flash of light. The surroundings remained engulfed in chaos for a grueling five seconds. As I cautiously opened my eyes, a chilling sense of terror gripped my very core. The once-unconscious Arcadian Dragonoids, whom I had dispatched with a single resounding shout, had been eradicated without a trace. And there before me stood the abomination responsible for this heinous act.
Emerging before us was an immense cybernetic orb, measuring roughly ten meters in diameter. Its pattern of perforations might easily lead one to mistake it for a futuristic soccer ball. Nestled within the openings glowed a radiant photon core, pulsating with a rhythm reminiscent of a living creature's heartbeat.
Suddenly, a swarm of drones—resembling dragon-headed dynamos—emerged from the orb's apertures. Their appearance resembled floating heads of the Futuretech Dragon, yet their eyes burned with a crimson hue while their sclera remained pitch black. Approximately thirty of these formidable entities encircled the colossal cybernetic core.
Standing atop the core with an air of pride, the Black Phantom declared his imminent victory in our clash. "Fear the power of my Overtech Dragon, Rudolf!" he proclaimed, though I couldn't help but find the name somewhat cheesy. Nevertheless, I knew I had to make a swift escape. Kyrie propelled herself forward, her kicks through the air serving to accelerate her flight. Leveraging my Chaos Aura, I minimized wind resistance and friction, allowing her to soar at an astonishing speed. Ordinarily, this would have matched the velocity of any Futuretech Dragon, but it proved insufficient.
The dragon-head dynamos unleashed photon beams that traversed space at the speed of light. These deadly projectiles were not only swift but also possessed uncanny precision and the ability to anticipate the movements of their targets. Evading their relentless onslaught seemed an impossible feat.
The onslaught of lasers tore through Kyrie's wings, forcing us into an emergency landing on another nearby building. Recognizing the need for respite, I swiftly canceled the Vesryn Pulse, allowing Kyrie a few precious minutes to recuperate. It became increasingly apparent that we were no match for this monstrous Overtech Dragon. However, a peculiar realization began to take hold: it seemed that the Black Phantom intentionally avoided delivering a fatal blow to either me or Kyrie. Instead, he focused solely on destroying my Chaos Dragon's wings.
Reluctantly, I entertained a disquieting thought: could this enigmatic figure truly be Amphere Harrison? The similarities between their fighting styles, dragon companions, and concealed powers were too striking to ignore. This man possessed the same formidable abilities as Amphere, capable of overloading the Vesryn Pulse and seamlessly merging all dragons under his command. And most notably, he displayed an evident reluctance to end our lives.
As he glared down at me from above, he spoke quietly, assuring, "I will never kill you." With those haunting words, he turned away. It was at that moment that reinforcements arrived in the form of the police force and the military, rallying to my aid. They unleashed a barrage of bullets toward the floating abomination, but the giant cybernetic orb retaliated with nano lasers, effortlessly neutralizing any projectiles directed at it.
The Overtech Dragon and the Black Phantom refused to engage in combat with such seemingly insignificant adversaries. They merely sought to capture as much attention as possible. Three dragon knights, harnessing their Vesryn Pulse, summoned the power of Fire, Ice, and Wind Dragons, launching long-range assaults in a desperate attempt to counter the monster's presence. Yet, it became painfully clear that such tactics were futile against this behemoth.
Exhausted and unable to continue the battle, I found solace sitting beside Kyrie, who struggled to catch her breath. From our vantage point, we could appreciate the shimmering night lights of the city, a respite from the chaos that surrounded us. We had managed to retreat roughly a quarter kilometer away from the facility. Concern for Reina and Kyle weighed heavily on my mind. Even if I were to come to their rescue, I doubted I had much to offer in my current condition. My right shoulder throbbed, likely dislocated, rendering me unable to wield my sword without inflicting further harm upon myself.
Suddenly, a magnificent creature burst forth from the facility. A seven-meter-long, serpentine being with a resemblance to a traditional Chinese Dragon soared through the air. Its scales glistened like precious diamonds, while its crocodile-like head sported long, dancing whiskers. Four radiant rings of light trailed behind it wherever it went. It was a Portal Dragon.
"Rudolf, come here and regroup," Kyle's voice crackled through my earpiece. Hearing his familiar voice filled me with relief, knowing that he was safe.
A colossal ring of light enveloped the Overtech Dragon, drawing the attention of the Black Phantom. He glanced back at me, a smile forming on his lips. I reciprocated the smile, sensing an inexplicable connection between us. However, it was clear that our ideals remained in constant conflict, despite any unspoken bond we might share.
In a blinding burst of light, both the Arcadians and the shadows surrounding the Black Phantom vanished, just as they had during our previous encounter. On that occasion, he had fled due to being at a disadvantage. However, this time, it seemed he had intentionally retreated to let me escape.
I regrouped with Kyle and Reina, finding them still within the facility. There was no trace left of the Hyperion Company's dragonoids. Arcadia had successfully abducted all their test subjects. Aside from injuries sustained by guards from falling debris and shattered glass, there were no casualties. Arcadia proved adept at carrying out their acts of terrorism without leaving a trace.
Kyle, being tended to by his dragonoid Elumina, was still visibly shaken. Her tears drenched her scales as she attempted to heal him. While Kyle had not suffered any fatal injuries, the mental toll of the Arcadia Leader eluding his grasp weighed heavily upon him. His frustration seemed directed more at Elumina than at Estoff. It appeared that the root of their conflict lay with Elumina herself.
As tensions flared and emotions ran high, Kyle's frustration reached its peak, prompting him to lash out in anger. He delivered a resounding slap to Elumina, who crumpled to the ground, continuing to sob in silence.
"You stuck-up bitch!"
Reacting swiftly, I grasped Kyle's wrist, urging him to cease his actions. To my surprise, he didn't resist or retaliate. Instead, he averted his gaze and walked away with a somber and enraged expression, leaving his distraught dragonoid behind.
A deep sigh escaped my lips as I contemplated the complexities of both the Chevalier Unit and Arcadia. Each faction possessed their own virtues and flaws, and I found myself torn, unsure if I truly desired to switch sides. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that Amphere had made his choice and found clarity in his resolve. Meanwhile, I remained entangled in the web of uncertainty, contemplating my own path forward.