Chapter 70: Elform

Amphere Harrison

"Through Ragnarok, only one Deus shall remain sitting in the Throne of the End"

The air reverberated with the clash and clank of weapons, as the brilliant rainbow scimitar and the dazzling photon saber engaged in an endless dance of steel. Two knights, embodying divergent ideals, fought with an urgency that defied the constraints of time. Among them stood a chivalrous plebeian, a knight who had humbly risen from the lowest ranks, yet proved himself undeniably worthy of becoming a dragon knight. And then there was myself, a false hero who had orchestrated a tragic scene, betraying a friend in pursuit of hollow glory.

"The souls of the wicked unleashed, weapons of civilizations collapse,"

As Cleru's latest strike found its mark, my left sword slipped from my grasp, spiraling and somersaulting through the air before firmly embedding itself into the ground. Capitalizing on my momentary vulnerability, the plebeian dragon knight let out a thunderous shout, preparing to deliver a powerful hook slash. In a desperate act of defense, I materialized the remaining arm of Deus Ex Machina just in time, the impact sending shards of metal cascading around us.

"Breathen thou magic thy strength of radiance and darkness,"

Yet, Cleru's relentless assault refused to be quelled. Pointing his left hand at me, he cried out, "Fusion Flare!" A mesmerizing, whirling fireball of white and red surged toward me, but I relied on Deus Ex Machina's ribs to shield me from its fiery wrath. Without pause, Cleru unleashed "Fusion Bolt!" This time, a searing sphere of white and yellow thunder hurtled towards me. Utilizing the mechanical arm to deftly evade the attack, I moved with all the agility I could muster.

"Mystic force that eternally sings the song of fire and ice,"

Cleru, the plebeian knight, was a force to be reckoned with, wielding a power that exceeded expectations. The ability to fuse elements into a devastating projectile attack was truly an awe-inspiring feat. Not only did he command "Fusion Freeze," conjuring an icy ball to freeze opponents in their tracks, but he also unleashed "Fusion Quake," summoning an earthy sphere to shake the very foundation of his adversaries. Avoiding his relentless onslaught proved a daunting task, for each missed attack resulted in a resounding explosion that chipped away at the strength of my shield plate.

"Heavens shatter as the kings fall to their ultimate demise,"

As the relentless battle wore on, time slipped away, and my chances of victory diminished. Cleru's relentless assault threatened to defeat me before Airi's chanting could be completed. Desperation gripped me, and I knew I had to seize control of the situation. With determination in my heart, I dashed backward several meters, clapping my hands together, and cried out, "Asgard Down!" The battered body of Deus Ex Machina soared upward, transforming into a grotesque, planet-like form. Then, with a sense of finality, it plummeted towards my formidable adversary, my last resort to turn the tide of this tumultuous duel.

As the battle raged on, the impending threat of defeat loomed over me, knowing that Cleru could overpower me before Airi's chanting reached its conclusion. The urgency of the situation pressed me to take drastic measures. Determination pulsated through my veins as I swiftly retreated several meters backward, my heart pounding with the gravity of my decision. Raising my hands high, I bellowed with fervor, "Asgard Down!" The severely damaged form of Deus Ex Machina surged upward, transforming into a grotesque and deformed planet that I hoped would distract my formidable foe.

Yet, Cleru showed no sign of hesitation, his resolve unwavering. With a flick of his hand, he unleashed yet another spell, "Magma Frost!" Three spheres, representing fire, earth, and ice, emerged and whirled with an awe-inspiring display of power as they collided with my ill-fated planet, Asgard. A deafening explosion engulfed the area, obliterating my last line of defense in its entirety.

But hope was not entirely lost. In the midst of chaos, Airi's voice rang out, rallying my spirits once again. "As the World Tree collapses!" she cried out, her words carrying a sense of urgency and determination. "Do it, Amphy! Totally!"

Summoning all my inner strength and courage, I knew it was time to execute my ultimate gambit. "DRACARYX!!! Activate Yggdrasil Fall!" I called forth the essence of Norse mythology, and like ethereal specters, nine planets materialized, each representing a different world. Hovering around the majestic, scarlet dragonoid that I had become, the planets encircled me, their celestial dance guiding my every movement.

With a commanding gesture from Airi, the nine planets surged forward in pursuit of the plebeian knight who dared challenge me. Each planet's area of effect was immense, leaving no escape for my formidable opponent. It was a climactic convergence of mythical power, and I held onto the hope that this awe-inspiring onslaught would turn the tide of the battle in my favor.

Amidst the chaos of deafening noise and disruptive shockwaves, the battlefield was enveloped in an impenetrable shroud of zero visibility smoke. The colossal explosion had taken its toll, causing destruction that covered an overwhelming 95% of the arena, leaving my shield plate decimated to a mere 12%. It was this very reason that instilled fear in me about unleashing Dracaryx in an actual battle – its devastating power could indiscriminately claim the lives of all, including my comrades and myself.

Airi, once soaring in the skies, now lay unconscious and vulnerable in my arms. Despite her state, a gentle smile graced her sleeping face, making me feel a mix of concern and pride. Tenderly, I stroked her silky red hair and commended her bravery, whispering, "That's my girl."

The smoke began to dissipate, but its stubbornness delayed the clarity for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, after what felt like an arduous minute, the haze lifted, revealing Cleru Neos' unconscious body drenched in his own blood. Surprisingly, there was still 1% left on his shield plate. Did he employ Martyrdom of the Plebeian once more? It was a reckless and self-destructive tactic that spoke of his desperate resolve.

Cleru's lifeless form presented a tempting opportunity to secure my victory. All I needed was to deliver a soft kick, depleting the final shred of his shield plate. My footsteps echoed heavily across the arena, the atmosphere eerily silent – even my devoted fans' cheers were subdued. To everyone present, I must have appeared like the villain relishing his impending killing blow.

Among the audience, the Princess, in particular, was overwhelmed by fear and despair. Her heartrending cries filled the air, her tearful eyes fixed on Cleru. "Stand up, Cleru! Remember your promise to me!" she pleaded, her emotions laid bare for all to see.

But just as I readied myself for the decisive blow, a thunderous bolt of lightning struck Cleru's seemingly lifeless body. Flames erupted, swirling and dancing around him, a mesmerizing spectacle that defied all odds. Against all expectations, the once zombie-like figure of a peasant began to regain his strength, slowly rising to his feet on bloody limbs. It was a miraculous escape from the clutches of death, and to my astonishment, he still possessed the power to fight on.

In a startling twist, Cleru's power had undergone a significant and unfair adjustment, surpassing all expectations. His aura radiated an overwhelming intensity of fear, unsettling everyone in the vicinity.

His transformation was nothing short of remarkable. A mysterious moonstone orb adorned his forehead, reminiscent of Exceria's own. His ears had elongated, resembling the inhabitants of Alfheim, and his once expressive eyes were now an eerie pure white, devoid of pupils. The magical prowess he emanated exuded an elemental surge, emphasizing his newfound might.

Baffled and frustrated by this sudden and unbalanced augmentation of power, I watched as Cleru's altered form spoke with chilling determination. His words were slow and deliberate, promising to triumph over me, Amphere Harrison.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from my sight, leaving me disoriented and scanning my surroundings in vain. His speed was astonishing, and my synapses struggled to process a viable escape plan as he launched another spell with lightning speed.

"Fusion Burst!"

A diamond-shaped white flame, infused with electrifying lightning, hurtled towards me like a speeding rocket. My body hesitated, and I contemplated evading the attack, but the realization dawned that I couldn't react in time. Only through desperate measures did I manage to block the projectile with my remaining photon saber, but its impact was catastrophic. The resulting explosion melted my photon sword and reduced my shield plate to a perilous 5%.

Without relenting, Cleru continued to barrage me with relentless "Fusion Burst" attacks, each volley akin to a rapid-firing machine gun. I had no choice but to flee with all my might, evading the projectiles and their devastating explosions. Finally, as the fifteenth "Fusion Burst" erupted, I rolled to the ground like an action star, reaching for my other dropped photon saber with urgency and determination.

In this dire situation, my options were severely limited. The photon saber was insufficient, and I had already exhausted the powers of Dynamos and Deus Ex Machina. Even my powerful Vesryn Pulse and Overload Pulse were unavailable since both dragonoids were incapacitated. All that remained was the Eye of Deus, a last resort that granted me extraordinary reflexes and abilities.

H.G.'s voice echoed in my mind, hinting at the similarities between the Eye of Deus and Elform, the power used by Cleru Neos. However, I brushed aside the significance of this revelation, solely focusing on the task at hand: defeating this overpowering adversary before me.

With a determined stance, I channeled all my remaining photon energy into my sword, readying myself for the final confrontation. The Elf-like enemy mirrored my preparation, elements swirling around his weapon with equal intensity.

Gritting my teeth, I shouted with unwavering resolve, "Let's finish this!"

"I'll fulfill my promise!" Cleru answered with a resolute voice.

In an instant, I surged forward with the speed of light. Photon particles enveloped me, serving as both my speed force and a protective cocoon. On the other side, Cleru was shrouded in a dazzling array of rainbow elements as he propelled towards me.

Our swords clashed with an earth-shattering force, a culmination of all our efforts and determination. It was the final collision, a moment that decided the fate of the tournament.

And with that, the tournament came to a dramatic conclusion.