Vyran's POV
I barely managed to raise my arm in time to block the Titanos commander's punch. The impact sent a shockwave through the barren landscape. The ground beneath us trembled, and the lava waterfall to our left splashed violently, sending droplets of molten rock flying.
"Stand down, Vyran!" Retas shouted, his voice filled with urgency. I could see the determination etched on his face as he and Huitlo positioned themselves between me and Yusan.
I shook my head, trying to regain my composure. "I won't let him hurt anyone!" I declared, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. He killed Sarudei's loved ones without remorse.
Yusan sneered, a look of amusement on his face. "What are you going to do, little boy? You think you can stop me with your pathetic attempts at heroism?"
I clenched my fists, feeling the familiar surge of energy within me. My mind raced with memories of the battles I had fought and the strength I had gained. I wouldn't back down, not now.
With a burst of determination, I activated my personal energy blade, its shimmering light casting an ethereal glow in the dim surroundings. "You underestimate me, Yusan."
Yusan's laughter echoed around the scar. "You're still just a child playing with toys. You should have stayed hidden!"
I charged forward, my energy blade poised to strike. Yusan's expression shifted from amusement to surprise as I closed the distance between us.
Retas and Huitlo moved to flank Yusan, their own weapons ready. "We'll take him together," Huitlo said, glaring at Yusan.
The three of us moved in unison. Having allies bolstered my confidence and resolve. This was our chance to bring him down.
Yusan, however, was quick to react. He held his hand out and formed his own sword from ki, its dark glow contrasting sharply with my light. "Foolish young men! You think you can defeat me with numbers?"
With a swift motion, he swung his blade, sending a wave of dark energy toward us. I barely had time to react as Retas and Huitlo raised their weapons to defend against the incoming attack.
The shockwave of energy collided with our defenses, the force knocking us back a few steps. I felt the heat from the lava nearby intensify, and I could see the molten rock bubbling ominously.
"Stay together!" Huitlo shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We need to coordinate our attacks!"
I nodded, shaking off the disorientation. My eyes recalibrated into energy mode as dust filled the battlefield. "Right! Let's do this!"
Yusan smirked, a glint of confidence and mockery in his eyes. "You think you can win? I've faced armies! You're nothing more than a minor inconvenience!"
Retas scoffed as he pushed back against him. "You're forgetting that so have I."
"Ha! You're nothing more than some upstart! I fought to unite Titania! To expand our empire to the stars! And I helped take over other universes!"
Retas glared at him. "So much dedication to the armed forces, and for what? To turn your back on Her Majesty, Queen Xilonem?
Yusan's smirk faltered for just a moment, but then he erupted into laughter. "Queen Xilonem? She's a relic of the past—an obstacle to true power! I don't serve her; I serve my own ambition!"
"Your ambition is what led to the slaughter of innocents!" I shouted, my anger boiling over. "You think you can justify your actions with grand speeches about power and glory? You're nothing but a coward hiding behind your false ideals!"
Yusan snickered. "Justify? I pretend to do no such thing! Unlike Retas over there who acts all high and mighty when he is as much a killer as me."
Retas gritted his teeth. "All I do is for the sake for our people and Xilonem!"
Yusan snickered as he blocked Retas's attack and pushed him back. "See? Lofty excuses."
I hated to admit it, but Yusan had a point. At least he didn't harbor a false righteousness.
"Ret, calm down. Don't let him get under your skin."
Retas sighed. "I know."
Yusan snickered and unleashed another wave of dark energy, but this time we were ready. With a shout, Retas and Huitlo formed a barrier, absorbing the impact. The force of the attack reverberated through the air, but we stood firm.
"Now!" Huitlo yelled. "Vyran, strike from the left! Retas, you take the right!"
I took a deep breath, feeling the cosmic force pulsating within me. I only had one chance to use it. Any more and even the nanobots within me will be unable to repair the damage to my body.
"Understood!" I called out, shifting my stance.
As Yusan prepared for another attack, I darted to the left, my energy blade glowing brightly in my hand. Retas darted to the right, while Huitlo held his position, creating a pincer movement designed to overwhelm him.
Yusan tried to fend us off, swinging his dark blade with ferocity, but his attention was split. I could see the frustration building on his face as he struggled to keep up with our coordinated assault.
"You're... you're just green horns!" he spat, desperation creeping into his voice. "You think you can defeat me? I am invincible!"
"Invincible?" I scoffed, weaving in and out of his strikes. "You're just a tyrant who hides behind his power! Might doesn't make right."
With a surge of determination, I closed the distance, aiming directly for his midsection. Yusan tried to block with his dark blade, but I was faster. I twisted my blade, aiming for the gap in his defenses.
The clash of our weapons sent vibrations through my arms, but I pressed on, pushing against his strength with everything I had. Behind me, I could hear the sounds of battle as Retas and Huitlo engaged him from both sides.
"Now, Huitlo!" Retas shouted.
Using the distraction, Huitlo unleashed a powerful energy blast, forcing Yusan to divert his attention. Seizing the moment, I lunged forward, my energy blade glowing with intensity as I aimed for Yusan's exposed flank.
"Feel the light of justice!" I yelled, pouring every ounce of my resolve into the attack.
Yusan barely managed to twist away, but my blade still caught his armor, creating a deep gash that glowed with residual energy. He staggered back, momentarily off balance, and I felt a surge of hope.
"You can't keep this up, Yusan!" I taunted, my heart racing. "Your reign of terror ends here!"
"Fool!" he roared, charging forward with renewed fury as he attempted to unleash a barrage of energy blasts.
Retas and Huitlo quickly regrouped, raising their weapons to defend against the onslaught while I readied myself for the next move. The ground shook beneath us as the energy blasts impacted, sending shockwaves resonating through the scarred landscape.
"Stay together!" Huitlo shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos. "We need to find his weakness!"
I nodded, feeling a sense of unity with my allies.
"Let's push him back! We can't let him regroup with his forces on this planet!" Retas yelled.
With a fierce determination, we charged forward again, coordinating our movements as we pressed Yusan deeper into the scar. My energy blade pulsed with light, reflecting the hope of all those who had suffered under his tyranny.
As we closed in, I could see the flicker of uncertainty in Yusan's eyes. He was powerful, yes, but he was also desperate. And desperation could be exploited.
Yusan smirked and leaned into the scar. We watched he fell into the lava.
"D-did he just," I muttered.
Retas stared uneasily at the ground.
My eyes widened as my eyes displayed Yusan's energy signature. It was somehow growing and spreading. But how?
I clenched my blade. It was a good thing I had yet to use my last ounce of cosmic radiance.