74.) Enter the Flametress, Soi!

A rush to the exit of the Empire which led to a grand escape attempt. Lands them right in the face of true adversity. A wall of greater magnitude than even Gaia had made its way home. It was Soi Flametress, a great warrior of the Phoenix Empire and the older sister to Aiyama. She had seen what they were trying to take with them and was filled with rage at the sight. She was prepared to give Joelli and the others a smackdown they'd never forget.

Joelli: "I would say run, but… that's impossible for you few. So instead I'll say… do your best to stay out my way!"

Slith: "With the kind of luggage we have… how could we not?"

Jabreeze: "Between these three, I can muster up the necessary essence needed to prevent damage to us. But take her elsewhere so it's easier to go all out."

Joelli: "Alright. We'll see what I can do. Umph!" *PEW*

Flametress: "You're near my level, but lack the experience." *Fwirp* *grip*

Joelli: "Hrn!?" *Prch*

Flametress hits the left side of his jaw with a right hook. Then a flashing left uppercut caused him to lose balance. Then a final strike from a mighty, right footed drop kick sends him flying into a flaming platform. Joelli doesn't take too much damage from the blows and stops his descent just before full on rebounding and flying upward. Flametress readies herself and performs a spiritual cleanse with a rapid, yet smoothe series of moves. Their serenity and motion was as soothing as an ocean wave. Joelli tried landing a blow on what he thought was an opening. But was caught and twirled away by a flip and twist of his right arm. He creates a small platform and lowers his center of gravity immensely just before spinning and jumping towards Flametress. A roundhouse kick is thrown and blocked while its momentum is used against Joelli. She simply ducked under the attack while keeping a hand on his leg.

"I'm impressed with your durability and agility. Being able to put me on guard and withstand my blows. Mhmm… How lovely!" Flametress says just before pushing his leg forward and upping his momentum. Joelli is a little shocked by her fighting style on top of her recent maneuver. He plants his right foot down to stop from stumbling. Flametress notices a pause in his movement and continues her spin which then turns into a rousing roundhouse kick to his right flank. *paTEWFFF*

Joelli: (Gargh! That stung a whole lot!) *FWISH*

Joelli tries doing a backward, stiffened kick with his right leg, but is dodged by the flowing Flametress. She leaps to her left which makes Joelli turn around and burst into a flurry of flashing jabs. Flametress dodges and blocks in repeated tandems just before a right roundhouse kick is thrown. She dodges then blocks the returning, reverse roundhouse. He tries to rebound by bringing his foot down and attempting a reverse kick with his left foot. She just repeats the same set of moves, but just after blocking the returning roundhouse kick. She spins to her left while ducking underneath the kick, keeping her hand on his leg all the while. She grabs hold of the back of his head and uses his resistance as a grounded mount. Flametress then thrusts her legs to carry her around to his front side while curving her body. Bringing her feet into his chest then using him as a springboard as she forces him down. He flops back a few feet then springs back up while she floats and comes down elegantly with a backflip to boot.

Joelli: "Damn… you!"

Flametress: "Don't be flustered now, you won't be any fun if your focus is wavering."

Joelli: "Oh, you're just full of it today, girly!" *PEW*

Flametress: "Aren't I?" *PEW*

Both of them meet head on with the other in a full power collision. But… Flametress is the one that's pushed back and losing ground.

Flametress: "So you ARE stronger physically. Cool!" *Swish*

Joelli is forced to block a nasty backhand from Flametress' right arm. They separate and then dash right back into one another for a flurry of fist barrages. For any untrained eye, it seemed evenly matched due to the high speeds they were fighting in. But every other five traded blows… was a hit landed on Joelli. And it kept at this pace for at least seven seconds with more than five-hundred thousand strikes thrown.

Joelli is starting to feel the tax for taking so many blows, but has evolved thanks to it. His Gahwardian traits kicked in and he could see her style more clearly. This allowed him to dodge strikes more fluently which allowed for more attempts at countering. Flametress isn't one to waiver though and blocks his right handed counter. Following up with her own right handed counter which is yet again dodged.

Flametress: (Ah, the little bastard is too fluent for normal means now. Sticking to the unorthodox style is better after all.) *Prch* "What!? He tripped me?"

Joelli finally had her thrown off balance after taking a bit of a beating to get there. Tripping her was just a set up and the sweeping kick used was also a setup for the perfect foot placement. His footing left him well grounded for his charged Malevolent strike. But Flametress is quicker on the uptake and had her fist cocked back before he could even trip her. Now her fist came crashing down just before he could launch his attack. Her fist meets his face and the force plus her charged momentum from her leap. Causes quite the push that sends them both crashing into her platform. A huge flame bursts forth and a universe is engulfed in a literal instant.

Slith: "This is just asss we expected."

Jabreeze: "She's gold but if she keeps having fun like this… we can find an escape route."

Slith: "That's why Joelli has busted out his full power yet, eh? I'm willing to bet on it."

Jabreeze: "Let's stay at the ready then. (But man… purple flames like Amiyama. We better pray she doesn't get serious!)"

The huge burst of flames vanish as quick as they appear leaving behind a gigantic, massively oversized cinge where a universe once was. Jabreeze manages to protect everyone with his domain. While Flametress gets too caught in her last attack to have noticed Joelli never stopped accumulating essence. As a result, she's struck and blown back by a fist of Malevolency. It starts to alter her state of being and force a malicious vibe onto her. A vibe and state that Joelii can feast on.

Flametress: *Grin* "You think you can alter my nature like this?"

Joelli: "Hrmn!?"

Flamtress: "It'll only get burned while you're trying. *FUER* But you're welcome to try."

Joelli: (There's no way she can burn everything!) *FWIP*

Joelli coats his fist in a ball of pure negative essence and Physical Zenchi. Flametress meets the fist head on with a fist of flaming essence and Physical Zenchi. They collide with a hint of struggle to be seen, but a flame still bursts forth. And from it came Flametress with an open palm strike straight to the face. Joelli flies back a few miles and summons a gauntlet of hellfire around his left hand and forearm. He clenches his fist and lunges forward at the speeding Flametress.

"That sure looks fun!" , she yelled just before bringing forth her own right fist full of hellfire. Joelli is surprised once more and yet again they clash fists. A flare of essence dances about just before Joelli is sent flipping and twisting into the cosmos. Flametress dashes after him and tackles him as she zooms past. He flips even more as she comes back for another go. He manages to catch himself just enough to block her next tackle with his right forearm. They go past one another, twisting and twirling about. Just for the both of them to reset and land in squat positions.

Flametress: "Heh!"

Joelli: "Nrrrgh!"

A flash occurs and right in its middle were both Joelli and Flamtress clashing headbutts with Zenchi on them. They push forward with an immense amount of force then repel one another. Flametress ups her speed variable and flashes past Joelli. He only notices with enough time to turn around and take a kick to the stomach. Flametress jumps back and readies a flaming ball of essence. Joelli, to her surprise, tanked her blow with a little struggle and blitzed her with a hard right to the jaw. She flew back a few miles before stopping herself by planting her legs into space itself. Setting it ablaze and melting it for traction.

(That was a pretty solid punch. He's not as bad as I initially thought.) , she thought to herself as she watched Joelli rush at her. She resets into her base stance then brings her right leg directly in front of her left. Just before slightly lowering her body while dragging her right foot on the ground. A hint of serenity formed once more right as she blocked his right haymaker with the back of her left hand. Her right leg being behind her left then a side step is initiated. Her left leg is extended out while her right foot remains firmly planted. She stretched her left arm outward which in turn, forced his right arm out as well. With his chest left open, she lands a heavy, open palm strike directly in its center and pours heat into his body.

Flametress: "Hehe! Got you now, Jester!… Huh!?"

Before her was a perfectly fine Joelli as far as his insides being burned goes. A flame had burst out but it seemed to be nothing more than an illusion caused by that of Joelli.

Joelli: "I knew it! Making you see a successful burst of flames would cause you to think you actually activated it. The real one wasn't due to that trick and it was a gamble I was willing to take!"

Flametress: "So that's what happened? Eh, no matter. You've still taken a heavy blow from my aim at your organs."

Joelli: "Tch sss! Huh!?" *SMASH*

Flametress cocks back with an extreme amount of force and kicks Joelli.

Slith: "This isn't looking good."

Jabreeze: "Nah, just wait. I think he's about to give us a chance at escaping. So be ready!!"

Slith: "Mhmm… right. If you say so!"

Joelli: (They had better be ready for this! The amount of Malevolent intent that's floating about is more than enough!) "You can't burn all this at once!"

Flametress: "Try me!"

Joelli: "Hell Zone: Malevolency's Concealment!!!"

A large dome of essence engulfs a range as far as a small multiverse. Trapping only Joelli and Flametress in the inside while all others were pushed aside. This was the perfect opportunity for Slith and the others to escape with their prize. But just as they began their speedy getaway… they were both met with a mighty kick to the head. Demetri was released and Uriyah had fallen back to the platform.

Slith: "Who the!? Oh…"

Jabreeze: "What do you think you're doing Haydes!?"

Haydes: "Saving a fellow Gahwardian!" *GRIP*

Slith: "HSSSSS! Our prize!!!"

Jabreeze: "Blitz 'em."

The both of them try to blitz Haydes before he can act but is stopped in their tracks. Both Demetri and Haydes had their fists gripped tightly. Then two hooks come their way, causing them to retreat. Demetri and Haydes give chase to them as all four become glaring lights dancing through the cosmos. Each one clashes as they advance further into the universe.

Slith turns back around and sends a massive snake made of venom their way. It swallows them both, but only seconds pass before Haydes breaks out with two-hundred war fists. Demetri flashes out, healed up at that, and he sends a flaming phoenix at Jabreeze and Slith. Slith naturally readies a fist full of venom, but Jabreeze leaps out in front. Summoning a wall of water to block the flames. A steam wall is created but Haydes can see clearly and kicks both out of the cloud.

Slith: "Just… how the hell did you get strong enough to take us on?!"

Jabreeze: "Demetri was nothing more than a 19 when we first encountered him. But now he's equal to the three of us?"

Haydes: "Well that explanation is simple actually."

Demetri: "I'd like to know as well."

Haydes: "Welp… I'm simply using a Linking contract. Linking me and Demetri together in order to share power and stature with one another. We can even use each other's abilities."

Slith: "That doesn't explain how he'sss equal to the three of usss while you're still at full power. You should be drained."

Haydes: "Actually, no. Ever since I mastered this study, I've been able to substitute normal contract exchange and prices for a certain amount of essence every time."

Jabreeze: "Yeah, yeah. Go on.

Haydes: "With that being said, I used a Spatial contract to draw affinity to space and its essence alike. Once that was done, I absorbed am abundance of essence while on my way here. Using that to fuel this technique helps me with the fact that I had to use nothing. I get to keep my full power and Demetri is no longer at a huge disadvantage here."

Jabreeze: "Mhm…"

Demetri: "What clever planning."

Slith: "It'sss bullshit!" *Fwip*

Haydes: "Tah! If you say so!" *FWIP*

Haydes and Slith punch the other in the face head on while Demetri and Jabreeze break out into a frenzy of strikes exchanging. Haydes uses his Hundred War Fists once more on Slith. Slith is able to manifest a gigantic wall of Serpintite. A metal with a texture similar to Serpentinite but with a malleable and fluid nature. Cushioning and sinking with every blow it receives. Haydes is befuddled by this and by the serpent that began to form from the deformed slab of Serpintite. Its eyes shone emerald green while a purple haze filled its mouth.

Slith: "Great Serpentanian DEVOURER!!!"

Haydes: "You underestimate me heavily. That's going to cost ya! Improve, War Contract: 200 Fist Bypass!!!"

And by no avail… The snake was torn to ribbons, but that was just the first 50 punches…

Slith: "But how!?"

Haydes: "My Birthright, Improvement, allows me to improve areas temporarily. Or a single area permanently if I charge it a bit, and a full package, permanent improvement as a whole. Well… that's only if the "bar" is filled. Now… whatever shall you do about these 150 fists!?"

Slith finally realizes the absolute bombardment that was coming his way. Just when Haydes thought he had him down… Slith showed why he is infamous!

"Grand-Peak DOMINATION!!!" Slith yelled and within a split second. The physical manifestation of 150 fists that was summoned by Haydes, was seemingly crushed by an ominous force. Slith could be seen rushing forward as it all happened and sending a compressed wave of Domination-essence towards Haydes. Haydes simply smiles and ducks down a bit as he gestures his right arm holding a shield.

"Great Spartan Shield!" , he yelled and with a flash, a grand and mighty shield, three times as big as Haydes is summoned. The wave clashes head on with the shield and gets dispersed as it tries to go through the shield. But Slith gives it a true rousing go and rotates his fist as he shoots even more essence out.

Haydes: "The shield… is cracking?"

Yes, the shield was cracking and it was all thanks to the second jolt of essence that was thrown in. It counted as its own attack and no Domination-essence esque attack can be withstood twice without a NEW means of defense. The shield went brittle in no time and its essence structure was broken at the seams. It fell apart, but Haydes had already leapt up above Slith. Slith looks up to see Haydes in a stance that signified true serenity. An odd build up of essence began.

Haydes: "I'll have to end this quickly. (Looking over now… Demetri is losing ground.) Face this! War Form…"

Slith: "W-War form!?"

Haydes: "Japanese, African Stance!" *FWISH*

Slith: *Shiver* (Did he… just strike FEAR within me!?) "Tsss… you damn-" *SMASH*

Haydes: "You're not going hybrid, because I'll be knocking you out now."

Slith was blitzed with a knee to his stomach. For Haydes had taken the form of a shirtless warrior with a lion mane around his neck. His arms were protected by skin tight, divine-tiger skin armor that matched the shape of his muscles.With a white outline to show them in full. It covered his arm all the way up to the elbows, and he even had leg armor that matched. He wore no shoes and had baggy samurai pants with patterns of Africa's greatest beasts. A giant black rope was tied around his waist and a war halo rested above his head. Mind you… his wolf form was not brought out too.

Haydes turner his knee into a roundhouse kick as he blew Slith away with detrimental force. He hurried and blitzed him right after, throwing an upside down high kick with his right leg. Slith was able to block just in time.

Slith: "Dominate!"

Haydes: "Improve!"

Haydes moves his foot while doing a backflip while slightly twisting his body. An uppercut meets with Slith's chin which causes him to fly back a bit. Haydes tries to blitz him once more but he steels himself and shoots more than fifty snakes out his left hand. Haydes utilizes his 20 Fists technique to ward them off and stop from halting his advance even a little. Slith kicks at his face with a toe jab, but Haydes stops it with his right forearm. He proceeds to punch him in the chest with a jab.

Slith: "Grrgh! Damn you!!"

Slith takes a single step back and opens up with a few jabs of his own, but alas… each was blocked by Haydes. Slith throws an angry haymaker out of frustration, which Haydes makes for certain he dodges. Ducking under the wild strike, he rapidly repels back up with a heavy, right handed palm strike. Slith tries to react, but was looking into the sky suddenly. His jaw had been kicked by a right legged high kick. Then a heavy left haymaker sends him accelerating away.

Haydes: "I'm going to have to end it here. This form hurts my back a hell of a lot!" *PEW*

Haydes catches Slith in an instant, pushing his fist into his back as he ups his speed going forward. He pushes through and makes Slith go into a rapid twirl.

Slith: "Gaa-"

He then circles around to blitz and tackle him more than five times from five different directions. Only to circle back around and blitz him from below, pushing his fist into Slith's stomach. Slith is a resilient fighter though and grabs hold of Haydes' arm.

Haydes: (As I thought, you've gotta go down NOW!) "AAARGHHH!!!"

Haydes pushes through once more and leaves Slith in a daze as he's sent spinning once again. Haydes slows down and turns around. He let's Slith slow down a bit as he focused essence into his right hand. He flashes forward towards his six as his back is shown to Haydes once more. Haydes closes his eyes as he closes in and flashes open his Contractors Eye.

Haydes: "NEURAL ASSAULT!!!"

Slith's nape was his for the taking!! And within the dome of Joelli, Flametress was busy focusing a high pressure point of Fire within the core of her body. All whilst she fends off and burns the inhabitants of Joelli's strange zone. The satanic looking creatures attacked her without remorse, but were getting burned as they tried. Joelli tried to sneak her every now and again, but was countered each and every time. She was using Mental Zenchi at a constant which left her in a perfect position to counter everything coming her way.

"Damn! Malevolency's Temple!" , yelled Joelli which incited a temple that let out an ocean of Malevolent-Essence. His aim was to alter her nature once more… even for a millisecond! For if he did, he'd be able to take control. He was used to her wavelength now.

Flametress: "It sucks that you don't know. So I'll show you my Birthright just before your grand exit!"

Joelli: "Cocky little- I add… Sea of Devil Tridents!!!"

Flametress: "HA! Stop it fool… and be set. A… Blaze!!!"

Joelli: "Huh!?" *FUERR*

An odd phenomenon had taken place just before Joelli's eyes. Both of his previous attacks were turned into literal… raging flames.

Flametress: "And now for my charged little present." *Flick*

A tiny ball of light was shot straight into the center of the blazing "fire" just as Joelli leaps in to confront her. He unknowingly runs straight into the ball and…

"Haha! Good match! Big Banging Nova!!!" , and just like that a huge searing flame melts the structure of the Zone itself. Erupting upward and breaking through the outer shell of the zone itself. And right as that happens, Jollister and Gaia could feel the enormous amount of essence spewing forth.

Jollister: (Joelli just returned to me suddenly. Damn, she was able to win that quickly?!?) "Gonna have to put you within a ball."

Gaia: "Wait… What!?" *Fwip*

The alarming news caused her to miss her mark and her jab went swinging in the air. Jollister ducked and lowered his body until he was eye level to Gaia's bossom. Then he presses his hands on her chest and stomach.

Gaia: (Damn… and just like that. My fun is over.) "Eh, good talk."

Jollister: "Indeed and… sorry. Visit me in the spectrum, with Shii and the others within a month's time. Skull Prison-Prism!!!"

Gaia was trapped within a skull that was at least twice her size. It kept a hazy form that acted as a dimensional barrier. Rather than using a hardened exterior to outdo her raw power. He left a cloud she could reach into, but not through.

Gaia: "Well I'll be damned. Yoy really got me. Alright, I'll see you in the spectrum."

Jollister: "Hmph. Fasho, I've gotta take on Flametress now, mayne."

Gaia: "TahahahaHEHAHA!!! She's going to beat the shit out of you!"

Jollister: "As if. I'm a 42 on the scale just as you're a 43.5. She's not getting our prize, mayne!"

Gaia: "Go get 'em then tiger!" *PEW*

Jollister flies off into the cosmos to confront Flametress. Who was busy looking for where the others went while the zone was up. Upon her search, she could feel the presence of literal Death fast approaching. She instinctively formed a ring of fire by setting the literal space around her ablaze. Flametress turns around and locks eyes with Jollister. Just as she prepared for battle…

Haydes: "Lady Flametress!"

Flametress: "Hmm- WHAT!?"

Haydes held an injured Demetri up, but Haydes' right arm was a nasty green. Even so, the mission was interrupted and Demetri could go home. Jollister, seeing this, sped up his advancement. Flametress smiles and looks back at the approaching Jollister.

Jollister: "No… You DOONN'T!!!" *PWING*

Flametress: "Hehee!!! *PWING*

Both: "Presence Zenchi!!!"

Both their eyes become inverted in color as their pupils shrink. A force from both sides that had their Elements wrapped deep within them, clash! The impact completely deleted the ring of blazing fire she had once summoned. Their clash caused a dome to form around them and an explosion occurred soon after. Blinding Jollister as he tries to attack Haydes soon after confronting Flametress. But upon trying to gain his sight and the sudden disperse of the flash. Flamtress and Haydes were gone with Demetri.

Jollister: "T-Tch! Ch-Ch-Ch… Nrrgh- RAAUUUUUUGHHHHH!!! GAHDAMMIT IT ALLLL!!!"

Jollister immediately realized that with his team knocked out and the key taken back. His mission was lost and he had failed his assignment. But from a sudden change of look on his face, not all was lost.

Jollister: "Seeing as this was a waste of time and effort, I can at least be happy about one thing. Haydes being here confirms my suspicion. He had me present with five of the keys and I didn't even notice. And they were all in Gahwardia not too long ago. What wonderful news to tell that asshole. Let's go you guys. Hehehe! *grin* HeheheHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!" *PEW*

Jollister flew off with the Likes of Slith and others on his stream. All feeling the aftermath of this long mission they had gone on. To infiltrate the Phoenix Empire and retrieve a Key. But they were not of the faintest clue as to the force they unleashed when they broke the Sealment Moon. A domino effect was on the rise and an unfortunate event was to take place at a familiar setting. Most would not know but the day is Friday by Earth calendar standards. Meaning a certain party was finally getting underway and the Dragon Clan would face something that'll change it for good. Zelibus' birthday was going to he a smash hit.

Morpheus: 🎵Becauuse weee… gone turn it up, then burn it up, cause we high as fuck. Ahhh, we gone let the beat jump right?🎵

Everyone: "Becauuse, We like, We like, We like to partAAAYYE!!!"

And with an elegant and swift motion, Flametress and the odd help of Haydes gets Demetri saved from abduction. But in the midst of all this, the students and foreign students of the Dragon Clan throw a party that'll change their clan for good. The curtain falls on the Chapter for the Key!

Next Chapter: The Party and The Particle!