I continued striking each meteor as they hurtled closer and closer, my fists moving faster than my thoughts. Every punch sent another burning mass hurtling back into the sky, but the strain was building with each blow. I couldn't stop—not yet. The fate of the world hung in the balance.
Meanwhile, on the ground, an entirely different battle raged on. Parker stood at the center of the chaos, her power waning as she struggled to summon just one of her great whales. The massive creature thrashed through the battlefield, its presence alone a force to be reckoned with, but it was clear she was being pushed to her limits.
Yolan, with her power to manipulate metal, fought with relentless precision. Every piece of steel or iron within her reach became a weapon at her disposal. She imagined them bending to her will, shaping swords, shields, and spears from thin air, each one spinning and darting toward the Seers with lethal intent. But even her control over the battlefield was being tested by the sheer unpredictability of their enemies.
Lili was nowhere to be seen—literally. Her invisibility made her a ghost on the battlefield, striking from the shadows. She moved like a whisper, a fleeting presence, unseen by her opponents until it was too late. Her silent attacks kept the Seers off balance, never knowing where or when she would strike next.
IM stood calmly in the middle of the chaos. Everything passed through him as if he were a ghost—nothing could touch him, no matter how hard the Seers tried. His power allowed him to walk through attacks and obstacles like they didn't exist, making him an untouchable force on the field. He moved with a detached precision, slipping through enemies' defenses effortlessly.
But Libidio was proving to be a dangerous adversary. Ice coated the ground beneath him as he manipulated the elements, creating jagged spikes of frost that shot toward his enemies. His guardian, Murk, loomed beside him, a hulking figure wielding a deadly chain with razor-sharp edges. Every swing of Murk's chain sent it slashing through the air, seeking to ensnare and slice through anyone who dared approach.
Then there was Jeanthus. His ability to freeze enemies in their tracks and force them to solve complex mathematical puzzles made him a strange but formidable opponent. However, he was still reeling from his earlier encounter with me, his power temporarily on cooldown. For now, he could only watch the battle unfold, waiting for his moment to strike again.
Libidio's ice spikes shot toward Parker and Yolan, but Yolan reacted quickly, manipulating a steel barrier to block the attack just in time. Murk's chain lashed out toward Lili, but her invisibility kept her one step ahead, dodging the attack by mere inches. IM, unaffected by physical strikes, calmly walked through Libidio's icy onslaught, positioning himself to counterattack.
Parker, summoning every last ounce of her strength, commanded her whale to charge at Murk, trying to disrupt his assault. The massive creature collided with Murk's chain, breaking his rhythm for a moment, but it wasn't enough to stop him entirely.
As I continued to battle the meteors above, I glanced down at the ground, seeing my friends locked in their own desperate fight. Hold on, guys... Just a little longer.
With one final burst of energy, I prepared for the next wave of meteors—and whatever awaited us afterward.
IM was weaving effortlessly through the chaos, his movements smooth and almost lazy as he let each attack pass through him. Low-ranking Seers swarmed him, unleashing blasts of energy, ice shards, and other strange abilities. But every single one of their attacks went right through him, as if he were made of air.
One of the Seers, clearly frustrated, tried to catch IM off guard, launching a fierce kick toward his head. IM didn't even blink. The foot went right through him, causing the Seer to stumble and nearly fall flat on his face.
"Careful," IM said with a smirk, stepping aside casually. He raised his hand and, with a casual flick of his wrist, the Seer felt a sudden punch land on his back—except it wasn't IM who had delivered it. It was like the air itself had retaliated, knocking the Seer off balance and sending him tumbling forward.
Another Seer attempted a more coordinated attack, coming at IM from the side while a third rushed him from behind. IM casually stepped aside again, letting both of them swing at him. Their attacks, of course, passed through harmlessly, but the momentum caused the two Seers to collide head-on, crashing into each other with a resounding thud.
"Maybe you should try attacking from different angles," IM suggested with a shrug, watching the two Seers groan as they picked themselves up from the ground.
One of the more desperate Seers summoned a ball of fire, hurling it toward IM with everything he had. IM sighed, letting the flames pass through him. The fireball hurtled into a nearby tree, igniting it in a burst of flames.
IM scratched his head. "You know, I could just end this, but you're making it harder on yourselves." Without even moving, he sent an invisible force toward the fire-wielding Seer, causing the man to trip over his own feet and face-plant into the dirt.
Two more Seers tried to coordinate a sneak attack from either side, but IM merely walked forward, letting their strikes pass through him once again. The Seers, expecting resistance, stumbled into each other instead, knocking heads. IM continued to stroll through the battlefield, almost like he was taking a casual walk through a park.
Occasionally, he'd raise a hand and an unseen force would deliver a well-placed jab or trip, sending another Seer crashing to the ground. His expression remained relaxed, but his precision was flawless. Each punch landed where it needed to, disorienting the Seers without even touching them directly.
IM looked back at the growing pile of Seers who were either lying in the dirt or rubbing their sore heads. "Well, it's been fun, but I think it's time you guys take a break." He walked past the last group, who were trying their best to regroup but were clearly more concerned about avoiding any further embarrassment than actually continuing the fight.
IM stretched his arms above his head, taking one last look around. "Let me know when you want to try again," he called over his shoulder, a small grin playing at the corner of his mouth as he walked away, leaving the dazed Seers in his wake.
Kura's voice rang out across the battlefield, her laughter sharp and cold as she summoned more meteors.
"Meteor! Meteor! Meteor!" she shouted, each command unleashing another fiery projectile from the heavens. The sky was a churning mass of glowing, descending destruction, each orb blazing toward the ground with terrifying speed.
They're trying to waste my time! I realized, clenching my fists as frustration surged within me. This was their plan: keep me occupied, wear me down, and let the meteors wreak havoc. But I wasn't about to let them succeed.
Ignoring the mounting fatigue, I shifted into action. My body moved on instinct now, punching each meteor with precision, sending some flying back into the sky while others shattered into dust before they could strike the earth.
I need to end this—fast, I thought, knowing that every second I was stuck in this meteor storm was a second the Seers were gaining the upper hand. My team was out there, still locked in battle, and if I didn't break free, the situation would spiral out of control.
My fists moved like lightning, striking down the meteors as quickly as they appeared. But for every one I destroyed, it seemed like two more would take its place. Kura's mocking laughter filled the air, but I forced it to the back of my mind. I couldn't let her taunts distract me.
Duplicate 100! I imagined, summoning an army of duplicates to take on the onslaught. Each of them mirrored my every move, their fists flying just as fast as mine, knocking down meteors from every direction.
Now it was a race against time.
Swwoosh! Thud! In perfect synchronization, every one of the meteors vanished, obliterated by the combined force of my punches and the 100 duplicates.
Woosh! I, along with my duplicates, floated above the battlefield, casting long shadows over the chaos below. The Seers, who had been locked in combat with my team, looked up, their expressions shifting from frustration to sheer terror.
"H-Hey! Above! There's a lot of them—it's the Imaginary!" one of the Seers stammered, their voice shaking with fear.
The battlefield seemed to pause for a moment as they stared up, realizing they were now facing not just one of me, but an army. The air was thick with tension, and the once confident Seers were clearly beginning to lose their nerve.
"Gone!" I shouted, channeling my energy as I imagined the remaining threats disappearing.
And just like that, the remaining meteors and Seers around us were turned into nothingness.
Ah... did I go too far...? A pang of uncertainty washed over me as I surveyed the aftermath. The battlefield was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos just moments before. I had intended to protect everyone, but the sheer power I had unleashed felt overwhelming. Would this choice haunt me later?
"Undo!" I cried out, desperation tinging my voice.
In that instant, I focused intently, willing the void around us to shift back. The remnants of destruction began to ripple, the air shimmering as I envisioned the Seers and the meteors reappearing in a flash of light.
One by one, they returned, confusion evident on their faces as they found themselves back in their original positions, the tension in the air thickening once more. I had acted rashly, but I couldn't let my fear dictate my actions.
With renewed determination, I squared my shoulders and faced the Seers. "Let's settle this properly," I said, my voice steady. The game was on again, and this time, I would control the outcome.
"I can easily kill you all! Now prepare for your death!" I shouted, my voice booming across the battlefield.
Kura's eyes widened in shock at my sudden declaration. "Everyone! Attack the Imaginary!" she ordered, urgency creeping into her tone.
At her command, the Seers surged forward, their powers igniting like wildfire. Guardians manifested around them, ready to strike. Murk, with a fierce determination, leaped towards me, but IM intercepted him effortlessly.
"Where are you going!?" IM taunted, a smirk on his face as he restrained Murk.
"Tsk! Get off me!" Murk snarled, summoning his sharp chains. With a swift motion, he launched them toward me, the chains whistling through the air with deadly precision.
But I was ready. Focusing my energy, I prepared to counter their attack. The tide of battle was shifting, and I would not back down.
With my 100 duplicates echoing my intent, we all focused our minds, Every Seer should be gone... except Mira...
In unison, we whispered, "Gone."
Swooosh! The air shimmered as a wave of energy pulsed outward from us. The meteors that had been plummeting from the sky halted mid-fall, suspended in time. The icy shards and the myriad of powers—bullets, weapons, everything—disappeared, erased from existence.
In that moment, the battlefield fell silent. The remaining Seers looked around, their expressions shifting from aggression to bewilderment. Only one presence lingered in my mind: Mira, who was already imprisoned in the other dimension I had created.
I took a deep breath, the weight of my actions settling over me. "This ends now," I declared, my voice steady and resolute. The battlefield was clear, and I was ready to face whatever came next.
But everything was gone. Kura, Libidio, Jeanthus, Sam, and the rest of the Seers had vanished without a trace, their threatening presence completely erased from the battlefield.
The eerie silence that followed was almost deafening. I glanced around, half-expecting them to reappear, but there was only the desolate landscape left behind, untouched by their chaos.
The atmosphere felt different now—lighter, yet tinged with an unsettling emptiness. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, feeling a mix of relief and lingering tension.
Duplicates gone, I imagined, and just like that, my duplicates disappeared, leaving me alone in the aftermath.
As I floated there, I noticed people starting to take pictures of me—some were in awe, others clearly terrified. The realization hit me: they had been watching the entire confrontation unfold from the beginning. It was too late to hide now; I had become part of their reality, a spectacle they would never forget.
They started to run closer, eager for a better view of the spectacle. Parker turned the whales back into their realm, while IM and Yolan stood firm, ensuring that the crowd wouldn't get any closer. Lili materialized beside me, having just emerged from her invisibility.
"A-Are you those heroes who use suits every night?" a voice called out from the crowd, filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief.
I glanced at my friends, then back at the eager faces in front of me. The question hung in the air, charged with anticipation. It seemed we had inadvertently stepped into a role far larger than ourselves—heroes in the eyes of those who witnessed our battle.
With a deep breath, I nodded, the weight of my newfound identity settling on my shoulders. "Yes, we are. But today, we're more than just heroes. We're protectors of this world."
The crowd erupted into a flurry of questions, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of curiosity.
"Are you really as strong as you look?" someone shouted, eyes wide with wonder.
"Did you defeat all those Seers by yourself?" another voice chimed in, disbelief evident.
"What's your secret? How did you make those meteors disappear?" a child asked, pointing at me with awe.
"Imagination," I replied, a hint of pride creeping into my voice.
Vroom! Vroom!
Suddenly, a familiar car pulled up—it was Bennett's vehicle.
Thud! The door swung open, and she stepped out, her expression a mix of relief and anger as she walked toward me.
She's mad, isn't she...? I thought, bracing myself.
Slap!
The crowd fell silent, confusion etched on their faces. Even Parker looked stunned.
"You idiot! I worried about you!" Bennett yelled, her voice cutting through the stillness.
Her words hung in the air, filled with a weight that shifted the atmosphere. Just as I opened my mouth to respond, the rumble of military vehicles approached, their sirens blaring—too late to make a difference.
"I-Is that the Ministry of Defense!?" someone in the crowd exclaimed, pointing at Bennett.
"That's... well, no wonder they are heroes, of course!" another voice added, a mix of awe and realization rippling through the gathered people.
Bennett turned to face the crowd, her expression softening just a bit despite her earlier frustration. "Yes, yes, I'm with the Ministry," she said, waving her hands to calm the excited crowd. "But right now, we need to assess the situation. Is everyone okay?"
The crowd nodded, their eyes still wide with wonder, some whispering among themselves about the recent battle.
I felt a mix of embarrassment and pride swelling within me. Here I was, just moments ago battling powerful foes, and now I was at the center of this unexpected admiration.
"Can we get some order here?" Bennett called, her authoritative voice cutting through the noise. "We need to understand what happened and make sure everyone is safe."
As she spoke, I noticed the military vehicles surrounding the area, soldiers stepping out, ready to assist. But the atmosphere felt more festive than fearful—this was a moment of triumph, and I was caught in the middle of it.
One of the military personnel stepped closer, his expression a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "Can you tell me what happened here? We saw a meteor... a lot of them, but then they just vanished..."
"I did it," I replied confidently, meeting his gaze.
The military guy blinked in disbelief. "What do you mean?"
"I made the meteors go away," I said, gesturing to the clear sky above, now devoid of any threat.
There was a moment of silence as the soldier processed my words, then he shook his head in disbelief. "You made them disappear? Just like that?"
"Exactly," I affirmed, feeling a swell of pride. "It was all about imagination and control over the dimensions. They were a threat, and I couldn't let them hurt anyone."
The soldier looked around at the gathered crowd, who were still buzzing with excitement and questions. He seemed torn between wanting to question me further and the overwhelming evidence of what had just transpired.
"Alright," he said, raising a hand to signal the others to calm down. "We need to gather more information. Can you show us how you did it?"
Before I could respond, Bennett interjected, stepping forward. "Let's not overwhelm him. He's just gone through an intense battle. We need to ensure everyone is safe first before diving into details."
The soldier nodded, glancing between us. "Fine. But we'll need a report on this incident. It's not every day we witness something like this."
As he backed away to regroup with his team, I felt the weight of the moment settle on me. The battle may have ended, but now I faced a new challenge: explaining the impossible to those who had witnessed it.
Bennett's gaze was piercing, her words hanging heavy in the air. "You know what the genius said, don't you?"
I frowned, not entirely sure where this was going. "What...?"
She stepped closer, her voice low but intense. "If you use that kind of power repeatedly—if you keep using it for killing and destruction—it'll turn you into a fool god. Do you even want that?"
Her words struck me like a cold wave. I hadn't thought about the consequences of wielding such power. I'd been so focused on protecting others, on fighting back against the Seers, that I hadn't considered the toll it might take on me.
"I... I just wanted to stop them," I stammered, my confidence wavering.
"And that's a noble intention," Bennett replied, her tone softening slightly, "but power comes with a price. You have to be careful. One misstep, and you could lose yourself completely."
I swallowed hard, the weight of her warning sinking in. "I didn't mean to... I just thought if I could imagine it, I could make it happen."
"Imagination is powerful," she said, "but you need to balance it with responsibility. Remember, every action has consequences, and you're not just fighting for yourself anymore. You have people looking up to you now."
I nodded slowly, realizing the gravity of her words. "You're right. I need to be more careful."
Bennett offered a small, encouraging smile. "Good. Now, let's focus on making sure everyone is safe and figuring out what comes next. We can't let this power control us; we need to control it."
< Chapter 203 > Fin.