Chereads / Aeon Enigma / Chapter 137 - CHAPTER 136: Yamanashi Showdown, Part 18

Chapter 137 - CHAPTER 136: Yamanashi Showdown, Part 18

As Kaito stood amidst the chaos of battle, his focus was abruptly shattered by Haruka's sudden presence, the speed of his movements leaving Kaito momentarily stunned. Before he could react, Haruka had darted past him, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Kaito's arms fell to the ground, severed and discarded with casual indifference by his opponent.

Yet, even as the shock of the attack coursed through him, Kaito refused to yield to despair. With steely determination, he summoned the power of the Life Enes, channeling its energy to initiate the process of regeneration. With each passing moment, the wounds on his arms began to knit themselves back together, the severed limbs slowly reforming under his command.

Haruka's mocking applause filled the air as Kaito completed the regeneration process, his arms restored to their former state through sheer force of will. But there was no time for celebration, as Haruka's attention quickly turned to the ongoing battle between Raiden and Ayame.

With a casual glance, Haruka assessed the situation, his keen eyes easily discerning the imbalance of power between the two combatants. As Ayame unleashed a relentless assault upon Raiden, Haruka's words carried a grim prediction of the outcome, foretelling Raiden's impending demise at the hands of his formidable opponent.

Yet, even as Ayame threw Raiden around like a ragdoll, Haruka's gaze shifted back to Kaito, his interest piqued by the latent potential he sensed within him. With a cryptic smile, he offered Kaito a chance at survival, a fleeting reprieve to test a theory that had long intrigued him.

"I'll keep you alive for long enough until you let Altharion take control," Haruka declared, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "It's time to finally test something."

For Kaito, Haruka's words were both a challenge and an opportunity, a chance to prove himself against one of the most formidable opponents he had ever faced. With Altharion's strength at his command, he knew that he stood a fighting chance against Haruka and the other adversaries that threatened to overwhelm them.

With a resolute expression, Kaito's words cut through the tension like a blade, his voice echoing with a newfound determination. The constant insistence on invoking Altharion's power had worn thin, and Kaito's resolve to rely solely on himself surged to the forefront of his mind.

"That's what you want, huh?" Kaito's voice rang out, carrying an edge of defiance. "It's always 'Altharion, Altharion, Altharion.' I've had enough."

His words reverberated in the air, a declaration of independence from the shadow of Altharion that had loomed over him for so long. With a steely gaze fixed upon Haruka, Kaito's resolve burned brighter than ever before, fueled by a determination to prove himself on his own terms.

Haruka's response was dismissive, a casual wave of his hand as if to brush aside Kaito's defiance. "You can't do anything," he stated with an air of certainty, his confidence unwavering in the face of Kaito's newfound determination.

Undeterred by Haruka's words, Kaito's focus shifted to the battle unfolding before them, his gaze drawn to the clash between Ayame and Raiden. As the battle reached its climax, the outcome became all too clear, Ayame standing victorious amidst the wreckage of their confrontation.

Raiden lay motionless, a grim testament to the brutality of the battle, his body ravaged by wounds that spoke of the ferocity of Ayame's assault. A deep sense of loss settled over Kaito as he beheld his fallen comrade, his heart heavy with the weight of their shared struggles and the realization of Raiden's ultimate sacrifice.

Ayame's approach drew Haruka's attention, their exchange brief yet laden with unspoken implications. "I'm done playing with him," Ayame declared, her tone devoid of remorse or regret.

Haruka's response was measured, his acknowledgment of Ayame's actions tinged with a sense of detachment. "I saw," he replied simply, his focus shifting once more as he turned his attention back to Kaito.

In that moment, Kaito's resolve hardened like tempered steel, his determination to defy the expectations thrust upon him burning brighter than ever before. With the weight of Altharion's shadow lifted from his shoulders, he stood ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, determined to forge his own path and prove his worth on his own terms.

As Kaito's determination collided with the formidable force of Haruka's blow, the impact sent him hurtling through the air, his senses reeling from the sheer force of the attack. Amidst the chaos, a familiar voice broke through the tumult, Shin's steady hands catching Kaito before he could crash to the ground.

"Be more careful, idiot," Shin chided, his voice laced with concern as he steadied his friend. Yet, before Kaito could gather his bearings, Enishi's sudden appearance shattered the brief respite, the relentless pace of the battle dragging them back into the fray.

As Enishi whisked Shin away with startling speed, leaving Kaito bewildered and disoriented, a sense of uncertainty gnawed at the edges of his resolve. Doubt crept into his mind like a shadow, casting doubt upon their chances of victory in the face of such overwhelming opposition.

"I'm fucking confused," Kaito muttered to himself, his thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of uncertainty and apprehension. With Raiden fallen and Shin embroiled in a grueling struggle against Enishi, the enormity of their predicament weighed heavily upon him.

As Haruka and Ayame closed in, their combined assault driving Kaito to the brink of defeat, a sense of resignation washed over him. Crashing to the ground with a heavy thud, Kaito found himself staring up at the vast expanse of the sky, his mind awash with a tumult of emotions.

Grim determination mingled with a growing sense of despair as Kaito grappled with the harsh reality of their situation. The taunting words of his adversaries echoed in his ears, each syllable a cruel reminder of their dire circumstances.

"Is this all you have?" Ayame's voice cut through the air like a blade, her disdain evident in every word. Beside her, Haruka's malevolent gaze bore down upon Kaito with unwavering intensity, his words dripping with malice as he urged Kaito to persevere in the face of overwhelming odds.

With a heavy sigh, Kaito closed his eyes, his thoughts consumed by a sense of helplessness and frustration. Yet, even in the depths of despair, a flicker of determination burned within him, a stubborn refusal to surrender in the face of adversity.