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Autumndusk, ChronoColiseum: The Arena, Time: 11:10 AM
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"Oh my god! Y-Y-You're the Purple Archsentinel, Erik! I've always been amazed by your dinosaur ability! That bite, like a Rex!" James's words tumbled out with a mixture of excitement and genuine admiration.
Unaware of the impending storm, his enthusiasm was apparent as he gushed over one of Erik's known abilities.
A wry smile curved across Erik's lips, acknowledging James's words. "I'm flattered by your enthusiasm, kid," he responded, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
His attention, however, shifted from the fan-like reception to the business at hand. "But let's be clear, I'm not here for congratulations or autographs."
The sudden seriousness in Erik's tone caused James's excitement to be replaced with confusion.
His brow furrowed, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension taking hold. "Then, why are you here?" he inquired, his voice tinged with uncertainty. The notion of an AS-Rank Guardian seeking him out was puzzling, to say the least.
Erik's gaze remained steady, his violet eyes locking onto James's. "I'm here for a purpose that's not wrapped in pleasantries," he stated plainly, his words carrying an undertone of gravity that demanded attention.
The arena's atmosphere seemed to shift, the jubilant energy replaced with palpable tension. James's confusion began to give way to a sense of unease as he registered the weight behind Erik's presence. Whatever lay ahead was no light matter.
"I'll cut to the chase," Erik continued, his voice unyielding. "I'm here to challenge you, Woodheart. To test your mettle, your skills, and your convictions."
James's brows knitted in response, his expression a mixture of surprise and determination. "Challenge me?" he echoed, the words sinking in. The prospect of a challenge from an AS-Rank Guardian was both unexpected and daunting.
Erik's nod was firm. "Yes. Consider it a trial by fire. I've heard of your recent successes, and I want to see if you have what it takes to stand against someone who gonna become of my same caliber."
James's mind raced his thoughts a whirlwind of questions and uncertainty. Yet, beneath it all, there was a simmering fire of resolve. He had always been one to face challenges head-on, to prove his worth through action rather than words.
He took a steadying breath, meeting Erik's unwavering gaze with a determined one of his own. "I accept your challenge, Erik. I won't back down from a chance to prove myself."
Erik's lips curled into a faint, approving smile. "Good. That's the spirit I wanted to see." His tone held a mixture of acknowledgment and approval. "We'll settle this on the battlefield, Woodheart. Right now."
"Wait... right now?!" James's realization struck him like a bolt of lightning, his eyes widening as he processed the gravity of Erik's intentions.
Responding swiftly, he followed Erik's signal to set the trophy aside, understanding that something extraordinary was about to unfold.
A faint but distinct dinosaur roar reverberated through the air, capturing the crowd's attention.
"Rawr." A miniature robot dinosaur materialized on Erik's shoulder, capturing James's fascination momentarily.
However, the awe was short-lived as Erik's purpose became clear. With purposeful intent, Erik guided the miniature dinosaur to his hand, and in a swift motion, he slammed it onto his palm.
The transformation began, the dinosaur reshaping into cartridges that Erik wielded with practiced ease.
The suddenness of the transformation sent a ripple of shock through the arena, leaving the audience and even the announcer stunned by what was unfolding.
"DINO," the voice emitted from the cartridge as Erik pressed a button, Erik placed something around his waist. As the mechanism activated, it wrapped around Erik's waist.
The device seemed to be a very angry metallic purple dinosaur waiting to eat something, the slot to the left seemed to be perfectly fit for a cartridge. The purple dinosaur had a tail sticking out of its head.
"Construct Rise," the voice resonated, and the air itself seemed to waver and shimmer as the impossible became reality.
Metallic dinosaurs materialized out of thin air, their imposing forms filling the arena. Roars reverberated through space as these prehistoric creatures came to life, summoned by Erik's power.
Caught off-guard by this sudden turn of events, James stumbled, losing his footing as he tumbled to the ground. The ground beneath him seemed to shake under the weight of the summoned beasts' presence. "Waahah???"
The unexpectedness of the situation left him momentarily disoriented, his mind racing to comprehend the sheer magnitude of Erik's abilities.
"Change," Erik's voice held a quiet authority as the colossal robot Tyrannosaurus rex approached him. The gigantic creature's actions were astonishing to witness, its embrace enveloping Erik.
As the transformation began, the once-mighty dinosaur was dismantled, its form breaking down into various components. Bones and fossils seemed to dance through the air, each piece connecting with meticulous precision.
The transformation was awe-inspiring in its complexity and power. Erik's form was encased in armor constructed from the very bones and scales of the dinosaurs that had once roamed the Earth.
The process was a symphony of ancient echoes and flashing lights, culminating in a crescendo of energy as a giant white crystal blinked to life.
"The greatest predator of all time has returned to Earth!" The proclamation of the device on his waist was met with a chorus of gasps and stunned silence.
The transformation was complete; Erik's form was now a fusion of modern and primordial, the very embodiment of ancient power.
"The Ravagers!" The announcement of Erik's transformed state resounded like thunder, capturing the essence of his newfound form.
The wings on his back spread wide, the Ankylosaurus tail affixed to his lower back, and his entire being radiated with an electrifying purple aura. The energy crackled around him, a testament to the fusion of past and present, primal and advanced.
As Erik's transformation reached its zenith, a challenging declaration escaped his lips, his voice echoing through the arena with an unyielding resonance.
"Try to beat this demon before you get turned into dust." The voice emitted from the belt changed into a more formal tone, emphasizing the gravity of the impending confrontation.
James watched in horror as Erik walked toward him slowly, his confidence fading away as he witnessed Erik's ominous approach. "H-Hey, can I back down on that offer? Not really... You know, fully recovered for this."
Suddenly, Erik punched through the ground of the arena, retrieving a metal rod with a fossilized head on it.
The fossil's jaws opened to reveal a sharp, razor-edged amber axe emerging from it. A feeling of dread settled in James's chest as he realized the danger he was in. "Ohoho! Kid! You can't back down from a fight!"
With remarkable speed, Erik rushed toward James, his movements swift and purposeful. In a frantic attempt to defend himself, James raised his arms to block Erik's assault. But his defense proved insufficient against the power and determination behind Erik's attack.
The axe came down with relentless force, slashing at James over and over again. Pain shot through his body with each impact, and he struggled to withstand the onslaught.
"Come on, big shot! Can you do the thing where you defeated The Gray Phoenix at the start of your journey?" Erik's taunting words cut through the chaos, a cruel reminder of James's past triumphs.
As if to punctuate his challenge, Erik kicked James in the gut, causing him to double over and collapse onto the arena floor. Agony coursed through James's body, leaving him vulnerable to Erik's subsequent assault.
The crowd watched in collective shock, some closing their eyes or turning away as they witnessed James enduring the brutal beating.
Among the spectators, Vermilion's voice rose with concern. "This is bad! We need to help him now!" he exclaimed, his urgency palpable.
"Right!" Ace, sharing the same sentiment, nodded in agreement. Determination etched across his features, Ace's wings burst forth from his back, a sign of his readiness to intervene.
Without hesitation, Vermilion leaped from the balcony of the spectator area, he landed on the lower spectator area with impact, leaving a crack on the floors.
The rapid descent showcased his unwavering resolve to aid his friend, even in the face of danger.
Meanwhile, Erik continued his relentless assault on James. Grabbing him by the hair, Erik mercilessly slammed his face into the unforgiving arena floor. Each impact reverberated through the air, the sound a painful testament to the brutality of the attack.
James's vision blurred as his head was repeatedly forced into the ground, his body battered, and his strength waning 'I need to...get out of here...'
"How did Bada get to like you? if you can't even defend yourself properly," Erik's voice was laced with curiosity and a hint of frustration. With one final slam, he dropped James to the arena floor.
Struggling to his feet, James's body was battered, his endurance pushed to its limits. Amidst his struggle, a faint voice echoed in his ears, a voice that seemed to emanate from Erik's belt.
"Full charge! Dinosaur's Rampage!" The words resonated, guiding James's attention to Erik as he readied himself in a stance.
Erik's axe began to wind up, its motion accompanied by a growing sense of dread. The impending strike expanded in size, becoming larger and larger, the sheer power behind it tangible in the air.
Observers could discern a giant, purple, transparent apparition of a dinosaur materializing behind Erik.
"ROOOARRR!" It seemed to drag its feet, poised as if ready to charge forward at any moment.
A realization hit James like a sledgehammer – the imminent attack was nothing short of devastating.
"It's over," Erik's voice declared with a note of finality, his intent clear. With a fierce motion, he unleashed a colossal slash, propelling it forward with astonishing force.
James's eyes widened as the immense projectile hurtled toward him, its impending impact spelling potential disaster.
Fear coursed through him as he braced himself, instinctively covering his head, hoping for a miracle.
And then, a voice from the belt spoke again, the words echoing with a sense of victory.
"Drastic Finish!" With those words, James braced for the impact. The monumental projectile collided, resulting in a deafening explosion that consumed the arena.
Smoke and debris billowed out, the sheer magnitude of the blast felt even beyond the confines of the ChronoColiseum.
The west section of Stoneglen watched in astonishment as the eruption of smoke painted an otherworldly spectacle against the sky.
As the smoke began to clear, Erik surveyed the aftermath, expecting the sight of his triumphant attack.
But to his shock, his gaze fell upon a colossal cross-shaped weapon that had intercepted the strike, shielding James from the brunt of the attack.
The weapon had been conjured by none other than Vermilion, who had arrived in the nick of time to prevent James's defeat.
"That was way too close. You certainly have a temper for an Archsentinel rank," Vermilion's voice was laced with both concern and a touch of exasperation as he effortlessly dislodged the cross from the ground.
In the span of a moment, Vermilion had averted catastrophe and pulled James from the precipice of defeat.
Saved by Vermilion's intervention, James's breath came in ragged gasps as he realized the extent of the danger he had faced.
The sight of Ace hovering nearby confirmed that he was in safe hands. Ace, quick to react, scooped up James's body and the trophy he had earned, taking to the skies and leaving the arena behind.
Erik's frustration was palpable as he glared at Vermilion. "You just had to ruin it, you damn scarface!" his voice was tinged with a mixture of anger and determination as he charged toward Vermilion.
The clash of two titanic forces, each fueled by their motives and power, was about to unfold in a showdown that would reverberate throughout the ChronoColiseum and beyond.
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