"Use the ring Kai," Enlil rushed him. "Now!"
Kai's breath caught as his fingers wrapped around the Aetherium Ring. The moment the obsidian band touched his skin, a surge of raw energy pulsed through him, almost as if the ring had been waiting for him all along. The air around him thickened, charged with an invisible force, and the temperature dropped—cold as the depths of the void. Above, the sky darkened, the very heavens bending under the weight of divine power. Thunder rumbled in the distance, not from the storm, but from the spirits now awakening.
Everyone was looking at Kai immediately as they felt a massive strong force of energy was protecting them instantly. People were in awe yet unconsciously feel safe, as the warmth of the resonance light from the ring was gently detonate surround them.
Alethea stood frozen, her breath caught in her chest, as the ground beneath her trembled. The air charged with an otherworldly energy that vibrated through her very bones. She had seen power before, but what Kai had just done… this was something else entirely.
She had always respected Kai since she knew him, she admired his strength and courage. But now, in the moment of what he had just done, something inside her had shifted. She wasn't sure when it had happened, or how. Perhaps it was the way of the light had bent to his will, or the destiny, unrelenting power that flowed through him like a river of fire. Maybe it was the way she had seen a determination in his eyes. But in that instant, Alethea realized that she wasn't just in awe of him.
She fell for him for sure.
"Ale," Kai called her.
She was lost in that feeling—lost in him—when his voice sliced through the air, clear and commanding.
"Alethea!"
Her name rang out like a bell, snapping her back to the present. She blinked, shaking herself from the haze of awe that had enveloped her. Her heart still raced, and her mind struggled to catch up with the reality of the moment.
Kai's eyes locked onto hers, his expression intense but focused. There was a weariness in his gaze, as if the battle he had just fought—summoning the divine forces—had taken a heavy toll on him. But even with the weight of that power still humming in his veins, his voice was steady, filled with determination. "Alethea, listen to me. I need your help. Can you distract that creature's mind while I tried to attack it?"
Alethea's mind cleared in an instant. Her admiration for him didn't blind her anymore. She took a deep breath, grounding herself, and nodded firmly, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions still spinning inside her. "Yes. I can help. How long do you need to fight?"
"That I do not know, Ale" He said. "What I do know, I'll need to remove that thing myself for as long as it takes to take it down."
Alethea took a step closer, reaching out to place a hand on his arm. His skin was still crackling with the remnants of ring energy, and she could feel the raw intensity of it beneath her fingertips. It was like holding a live wire, but she didn't flinch. This was Kai—the man she just knew, the man who protected her from Kyle.
"Stay with me, Kai," she said softly, her voice steady now, filled with the strength she drew from him. "I'm with you. Just... don't push yourself too hard. I'll help you."
Kai's gaze softened for a brief moment, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes, but the weight of their mission quickly pushed any sentiment aside. "I trust you," he said simply, his voice low but resolute. "You're the only one who can support me now."
Kai's silhouette shifted. The air around him crackled, and as it did, Whitestar armor began to materialize—at first in fleeting whispers of light, then solidifying with an almost thunderous pulse. The Whitestar Armor was no mere set of protection. In a matter of few seconds Kai was charging towards Akhekh.
Behind him, Alethea stood in twilight's glow, the air shimmering faintly as she activated the Nano Psychic armor. A soft hum began, and flecks of light spiraled toward her, glittering like stardust. The nanites danced across her skin, forming an iridescent armor that shifted between silver, gold, and translucent hues.
The transformation was seamless. The suit clung to her like a second skin, sleek and beautiful, with circuits softly pulsing in harmony with her heartbeat. Reinforced plates flowed into place, their edges interlocking with fluid grace. Panels around her wrists revealed medical tools, blending sharp efficiency with elegant design.
Her helmet formed last, smooth and reflective like liquid mercury. As it enveloped her head, it turned transparent, framing her determined eyes with a soft halo of light.
When complete, Alethea stood radiant, her armor a perfect fusion of beauty and technology. With a graceful stride, she moved forward to provide the best support to Kai.
The moon cast a horror glow over the shattered remnants of Jakarta's skyline, giving a striking atmosphere with the chaos that is happening down there. Akhekh, the elder dragon, loomed like a living nightmare, its scales shimmering with a dark, otherworldly aura. At the center of its forehead, the sinister crystal pulsed with malevolent energy, controlling the beast's every movement.
Kai tightened his grip on the Aetherium, Alethea stood beside him, her hands glowing faintly with psychic power, her face a mixture of determination and strain. Enlil's voice resonated in Kai's mind. "You must work together. The crystal is the source of its torment. Remove it, and the dragon will be freed."
Akhekh roared, the sound reverberating like thunder, sending shockwaves that cracked the city beneath them. Its eyes, blazing with unnatural crimson light, locked onto Kai and Alethea. The dragon lunged, its claws tearing through the ground with terrifying speed.
"Spread out!" Kai shouted, diving to the side as Alethea dodged the other way. Akhekh's claws slammed into the ground between them, sending debris flying.
Alethea raised her hands, her psychic energy coalescing into a shimmering wave that rippled toward Akhekh's head. The dragon flinched, momentarily confused by the mental assault. Its wings beat violently, creating a gust of wind that nearly knocked Kai off his feet.
Kai used the distraction to dart forward, Whitestar glowing brighter as he closed the distance. Akhekh noticed and unleashed a torrent of fire from its maw. The flames surged like a tidal wave, engulfing everything in their path. Kai spun, the energy of Whitestar forming a protective barrier that split the flames around him. The heat was searing, but he pressed on.
Alethea concentrated harder, her psychic waves becoming more focused. "Kai, it's resisting! I'm trying to weaken its control!" her voice strained. Akhekh shook its massive head, thrashing violently as it tried to shake off her influence.
"Release the Spirit of Zeus. His power will be the key to this battle." Enlil instructed Kai
"How am I supposed to do it Enlil?" Kai was asking Enlil while heading towards Akhekh.
"Just call Zeus name!" Enlil somehow annoyed with Kai. "What is gotten into you kai???"
"You need to focus!" Enlil continued
Mid-air, Kai extended his right hand. "Zeus, set your thunder!"
The Aetherium Ring erupted with golden lightning, a brilliant storm of energy swirling around him. From the tempest emerged Zeus's spirit—a towering figure wreathed in crackling bolts of lightning, his eyes glowing with the fury of a god. The thunderous roar of Zeus filled the battlefield .
The dragon roared and took to the skies, its enormous wings blotting out the moon. From above, it dived toward Kai, its claws extended like spears. Kai leaped to a ruined skyscraper's crumbling wall, using the momentum to launch himself upward with the spirit of Zeus protecting in front of him.
Kai didn't even have time to blink, the thunderbolt connected with Akhekh's claw, sparks flying as the bolt clashed against its impenetrable scales.
The impact sent Kai spiraling back to the ground, landing hard but rolling to his feet. Akhekh roared in pain, but it wasn't enough to deter it. Alethea's psychic energy flared again, a focused assault directly on the crystal.
"Almost there!" Kai yelled, noticing a faint glow emanating from cracks forming on the crystal. "Keep it steady!"
Alethea gritted her teeth, her energy forming invisible tethers that anchored Akhekh's head momentarily. The dragon's thrashing slowed, but it took every ounce of her focus to maintain the hold. "Hurry!" she shouted, her voice trembling.
Kai dashed forward, his body a blur of motion. Akhekh swung its tail in desperation, the massive limb smashing into the ground like a wrecking ball. Kai barely managed to evade the strike, flipping over the tail and landing on the dragon's back.
Climbing Akhekh's spines, Kai made his way toward the crystal. The closer he got, the more he felt the overwhelming malevolence radiating from it. The crystal pulsed, sending out a shockwave that nearly threw him off balance. Whitestar's glow intensified, countering the oppressive energy.
With a final leap, Kai reached the crystal. He release the Excalibur quickly into its surface, the blade meeting resistance as the crystal fought back. Sparks flew, and an ear-splitting screech filled the air as the dragon writhed in agony.
Alethea cried out, her psychic hold wavering under the strain. "Kai, it's trying to break free! Do it now!"
Summoning all his strength, Kai channeled Enlil's energy through Whitestar. From the armor, the energy flowed through the Excalibur glowed with blinding brilliance as it cut deeper into the crystal. A massive explosion of light erupted, sending Kai flying backward. He hit the ground hard, skidding to a stop near Alethea.
When the light faded, the crystal was gone, shattered into fragments. Akhekh collapsed onto the ground, its breathing labored but its eyes no longer glowing with malice. The elder dragon groaned, its body visibly relaxing as the oppressive force controlling it dissipated.
Kai staggered to his feet, bruised but triumphant. Alethea ran to him, her psychic glow fading. "You did it," she said, her voice filled with relief.
"We did it," Kai corrected, offering her a faint smile. The two stood together, their bond stronger than ever, as the now-liberated Akhekh let out a low.
"You..." The elder dragon's voice sounded weak a little. "What is your name mortal?"
Kai was cautious while answering the elder dragon. "My name is Kai, why are you attacking our place?"
"I was under control from someone else," Akhekh was answering Kai back. "It is still unknown about who were putting that Chrystal on me."
"You safe me young warrior," Akhekh continued. "You fought with courage, skill, and compassion. Few mortals would dare to face me, let alone seek to save me. For that, you have proven yourself worthy of something rare."
Kai tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his tired eyes. "What do you mean?"
The elder dragon stood up slowly and lowered his head until his massive snout was level with Kai. "I am Akhekh, offering you a bond contract," Akhekh rumbled, his words carrying an ancient weight. "I offer a union of our powers and trust. With this bond, you may call upon my strength in times of need, and in return, I will share in your journey, fighting alongside you as an ally."
Kai's eyes widened in surprise, the enormity of the offer sinking in. "A bond contract? With you?"
Akhekh nodded slowly. "Yes. Such a bond is not given lightly. Only those who have proven themselves worthy may wield the power of a bonded elder dragon. You have freed me, and you have shown me your heart. I see potential in you, a fire that could change the course of this world."
Enlil's voice echoed in Kai's mind. "This is no ordinary alliance, Kai. Worry not Kai, I believe he will make you even better and stronger at the same time."
Kai hesitated, his gaze meeting Alethea's for a moment. She gave him a small, encouraging smile. "Kai, I believe you'll use his power for good."
Taking a deep breath, Kai stepped forward and placed his hand on Akhekh's massive snout. The dragon's scales were warm, pulsing faintly with energy. "I accept your offer, Akhekh. But this bond… it's not just about power. If we're doing this, it's because we trust each other. Agreed?"
Akhekh's eyes gleamed with approval. "Let our bond be forged in honor and strength."
A brilliant light enveloped the two as the bond was sealed, a radiant symbol forming on Kai's forehead and glowing faintly on Akhekh's forehead where the crystal once was. The air hummed with raw power, and Kai could feel a connection to Akhekh's immense might.
"Call upon me when the need is dire, and I shall come."
Kai nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll make sure of it."
With that, Akhekh spread his colossal wings and took to the skies, his form disappearing into the clouds. Kai watched until the dragon was no longer visible.
Alethea stepped up beside him, her expression soft and proud. "Looks like you've got a dragon ally now," she said with a teasing grin. "Not bad for a day's work."
"Yeah, what a way to call it a night... Princess." Kai chuckled, though his gaze and smiled remained fixed on her.