Chapter 63: Yggdrasil Fall

Amphere Harrison

Airi's Chimeratech Dragon form, a formidable and imposing sight, seemed utterly ineffective without the activation of my Vesryn Pulse. The malevolent influence of the Spartacus Field, emanating from the twelve statues surrounding us, had rendered all my advanced technological magic utterly useless. My last resort was to rely solely on my own strength, along with the unwavering support of Airi.

In a resolute gesture, Airi touched down beside me. A glimmer of hope emerged as I realized that her partial dragon form was impervious to the suppressive effects of the Spartacus Field. Although she couldn't morph her body parts into weapons, Airi still possessed her new photonic wing and mechanical tail, providing some means of offense. Yet, to overcome our adversary's formidable Shield Plate, we were left with no option but to wield our swords with precision and determination.

"We possess one more trump card, totally!" Airi declared, stepping in front of me and placing her hands gently on my cheeks. I braced for an unexpected reaction as she removed the cover from my right eye. A sudden surge of pain gave way to astonishment when I realized I could see clearly with that eye, which I had thought would remain blind for the rest of my life. Before I could express my gratitude, Airi clasped her hands and tenderly nudged my heart, and an uncanny sensation washed over me as though I were absorbing the very essence of the wind and dusty terrain, akin to a sponge soaking up water.

"H.G. taught me how to activate your Eye of Deus. Now, you can put it to the test!" Airi announced with a smile, her belief in the newfound power unwavering.

Suddenly, a colossal sword slash descended from above, seizing the perfect opportunity to attack while we had been occupied. Nevertheless, my newly activated Eye of Deus bestowed upon me the strength to carry Airi swiftly away from the lethal blade's path, evoking a profound sense of empowerment and determination.

Once again, the formidable Gladiator Dragon unleashed blinding thrusts, side hacks, and devastating gashes that tore through the once-flat arena landscape. Despite my agile evasions, the situation was growing dire. A glancing blow from the dragon's tail had severely weakened my shield plate, leaving it at a perilously low 11%. Realizing that continuing on this path would lead to our defeat, I knew it was imperative to devise a new strategy.

I racked my brain for a solution, desperately seeking a way to turn the tide of the battle. In that moment of contemplation, Airi, who had been resting in my arms, fixed me with a compassionate gaze. I questioned her with a muttered "What?" only to have her shake her head, as if trying to convey something important. Suddenly, she took hold of my cheeks and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

The unexpected display of affection took me aback, and I stammered, "W-W-W-What the heck! It's not the t-t-t-time for this!" My face flushed like ripe strawberries, my voice betraying my emotions. Despite the gravity of the ongoing battle, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of love and care emanating from Airi's gesture.

With a cheerful tone, she released herself from my embrace and unfurled her majestic wings, ascending rapidly to a ten-meter altitude. I was uncertain of her intentions until she spoke those words that triggered a poignant flashback in my mind.

Transported back to my childhood when I was merely four years old, memories of my father gifting me mythology books resurfaced. Those were the times when Airi and I would read them together, and then enact the epic tales using sticks and stones as props. I had always held great admiration for the All-Father Odin, for his commanding authority among the gods. On the other hand, Airi looked up to Odin's Valkyries, finding inspiration in their fierce and valiant nature.

As the memories washed over me, I realized that Airi was urging me to recall my favorite fairy tale, perhaps indicating that it held the key to our salvation.

In that surreal moment, Airi's mesmerizing chant echoed through the air, drawing me into a world of ancient magic and mythical power.

"Through Ragnarok, only one Deus shall remain sitting in the Throne of the End, The souls of the wicked unleashed, weapons of civilizations collapse, Breathen thou magic thy strength of radiance and darkness, Mystic force that eternally sings the song of fire and ice, Heavens shatter as the kings fall to their ultimate demise, As the World Tree collapses!"

Her words triggered an electrifying response within me, like a switch suddenly turning on. My mouth, lungs, and tongue moved in perfect unison, enunciating the incantation of the ultimate spell.

"DRACARYX! Activate Yggdrasil Fall!"

With my hands clasped and Airi's ethereal form floating before me, a remarkable transformation took place. Nine black orbs materialized and surrounded Airi, seemingly responding to her presence. As her eyes opened, the black orbs morphed into awe-inspiring replicas of the nine worlds of Yggdrasil. Each world represented a distinct realm, comprising planets of fire, ice, nature, steel, wasteland, darkness, technology, magic, and earth. The colossal spheres, each measuring ten meters in diameter and weighing approximately a ton, orbited gracefully around Airi, transforming her into a living and mesmerizing human planetarium.

The celestial dance of the worlds around her exuded an otherworldly radiance, suffusing the arena with an intense aura of power. It was a sight to behold – Airi standing at the center of this cosmic arrangement, channeling the ancient forces of Yggdrasil in a breathtaking display of both beauty and might. In that moment, I realized that together, we had tapped into a force of immeasurable strength, capable of reshaping the very fabric of reality itself.

As the worlds continued to rotate around her, I felt a newfound confidence surging within me. With this remarkable fusion of powers, we stood a chance against the mighty Gladiator Dragon and its oppressive might. The battle was far from over, but for the first time in this harrowing encounter, victory seemed within reach. Our destinies were intertwined with the legendary tree of Yggdrasil, and together, we were poised to rewrite the course of this epic confrontation.

Mark Anthony Octavius stood there, completely stunned by the unexpected turn of events. He had naively let his guard down, assuming Airi's chant would be futile against his seemingly impenetrable Spartacus Field. Little did he know that her chant was the activation of Dracaryx, a power previously thought to be beyond reach. I, too, was taken aback by the realization that we could wield such immense power.

With a commanding gesture from Airi, the nine planets of Yggdrasil surged forward, driven by the relentless pull of gravity. The gigantic projectiles hurtled toward the formidable Gladiator Dragon and its knight, who promptly raised their defenses. The impact of the planets was cataclysmic, one after the other exploding upon contact with devastating consequences.

First came Muspelheim, the fire world, engulfing the arena in flames. Niflheim, the ice planet, followed suit, freezing everything in its path. Helheim and Midgard then wreaked havoc, causing overwhelming destruction. Finally, the cybernetic world, Asgard, fell last, creating a dazzling light akin to a miniature supernova.

The force of our Yggdrasil Fall was so overwhelming that the twelve statues comprising the Spartacus Field crumbled under its might, allowing me to once again utilize my technological spells. However, the collateral damage was immense. The arena concaved, leaving the earth blackened, and the shockwave from the planetary collisions sent the audience's belongings flying. Cheering became replaced with gasps and hushed whispers as everyone shielded themselves from the intense gust of wind generated by the cataclysmic spell.

Amidst the chaos, I caught Airi as she lost her strength and fell into my arms. She managed to smile despite the exhaustion, acknowledging the sheer devastation of our Dracaryx's power. I couldn't help but agree with her. The shockwaves had severely impacted my shield plate, leaving it at a meager 3%. The realization struck me that, despite the awe-inspiring display of power, the battle was far from over.

In the debris, I spotted Abigail in her humanoid form, and her knight Mark still stood, their tenacity undeniable even after being directly hit by Dracaryx. Their shield plates had suffered considerable damage, but their resolve seemed unwavering. As the dust settled, the true extent of their strength and determination came to the forefront, presenting a formidable challenge that we could not underestimate.

"I am impressed, Amphere," Mark uttered with a forced bitter smile. "You're the only one who has pushed me to reveal my bloodline magic."

From his coat, Mark unveiled a glowing dagger intricately engraved with runes. He explained that the Octavius family specialized in anti-mage assassinations, possessing the rare ability to absorb magical powers and store them in the rune dagger. Despite his formidable skills, he confessed that he could only absorb the energy from the single planet that had struck them directly during the Yggdrasil Fall. The overwhelming power of the other planets proved too much for him to contain.

Turning to Airi, I saw her weak but cheerful smile as she spoke. "I'm sorry, Amphy... This is my limit. I can't even lift a finger now. They... they're all right. The first times are always painful... Totally..." Her blush and chuckle added a playful tone, though her exhaustion was evident.

Mark revealed his true prowess, transforming Abigail back into a colossal Gladiator Dragon. He proudly proclaimed his title as a General level Dragon Knight and revealed his capability to use the Vesryn Pulse at will, making him a formidable adversary.

But I wasn't about to be outdone. Meeting Mark's gaze with determination, a sudden surge of electrifying energy coursed through my veins. An unprecedented strength filled my body, and I sensed a mysterious connection between myself, Airi, and the enemy dragon. It was as if my mana flowed through Airi as I carried her in my arms, and our hearts beat in perfect resonance.

With unyielding willpower, I smashed my fist to my chest, the fire of determination blazing in my eyes. "Overloading Vesryn Pulse!" I declared boldly, signaling my readiness to push beyond my limits and meet the challenge head-on.