End of St. Meishi Pt. I

I stared at Archer, my gaze the most focused it's been in forever. Archer's fierce gaze focused on mine, his heart beating against his chest with anticipation, his mind racing with thoughts about what I could do now. His usual arrogance was now substituted with a focused and more tactical demeanor.

Archer aimed his bow toward me then began firing a barrage of arrows at me at high speeds. The Yaoke Sigil formed into my eye, the Sigil glowing brightly and causing a rift of spatial energy to form between me and the arrows, shattering them in an instant.

'What the..? What was that..?' Archer thought, feeling a hand grab his shoulder.

"Archer, you're not fighting against just the Leo Zodiac Knight...you are fighting against an Ophiuchus Zodiac Knight and The Tyrant as well. This battle won't be as easy as it once was," Mehira warned, her gaze landing on Sephora who stood behind me with Leona and The Tyrant.

'I always knew he had the Rainbow Fluorite, but to think the Ophiuchus Zodiac Champion chose him..' Archer thought, grumbling softly to himself as he carefully watched me.

Mehira glanced at Archer. "She isn't a Champion...Sephora is a Zodiac Goddess. Technically that makes August the Ophiuchus Champion since he's always had that power since he was young, but couldn't awaken it until now. Not to mention he also has Spirit Abilities as well hence his usage of Spatial Manipulation as you've seen."

Archer scoffed lightly then made his bow disappear, jumping down the tree branch he stood on. He landed on the ground, his eyes shining brightly. 'So what are his abilities as The Tyrant and the Ophiuchus Knight?'

"I don't know. There is no publicly recorded data on the abilities of an Ophiuchus Zodiac and I have never seen The Tyrant in action until now. We are going into this blindly," Mehira answered, hovering behind Archer.

"However, you still have the edge with your Omni-Vision, Absolute Precision, Danger Sense, and Absolute Preparedness. Even if he is currently stronger than you, he can not be more prepared than you are now. He has a weakness," Mehira finished, placing her hand on Archer's back and restored his Zodiac Energy.

Archer nodded, getting into his stance then smirked. 'Yeah...he has to have a weakness...'

Archer stared at me then dashed forward at high speeds, launching a swift strike aimed at my face. I watched his attack, using my Spatial Manipulation to repel him back then stepped forward. Archer landed on his feet, sliding backwards and grunting softly.

My body flickered and I appeared in front of Archer at light speeds, catching him off guard with a powerful roundhouse kick then launched myself toward him at light speeds. I began rushing him with strikes from every direction, appearing above him and transitioning my Element to Water, knocking Archer to the ground with a blast of water energy.

Archer groaned as he landed on the ground, slowly standing up on his feet then huffed softly. "What the hell is that speed..? And...did he just change his element..?"

I landed in front of Archer, adjusting my gauntlets then got into my stance. I watched him closely, my gaze meeting his once again. "What's wrong..? Can't keep up anymore..?"

'He's somehow bypassing my Omni-Vision and Danger Sense. What do I do..?' Archer thought, seeking Mehira for advice.

Mehira stared at me then looked at Archer, grunting softly. "For the first time...I have no idea what you can do. I don't know how to counter Sephora nor The Tyrant. I can't prepare for something I can't truly comprehend.."

Archer grunted softly, his gaze unwavering on me and his mind racing with more questions than before.

"Hell yeah, My Knight!~ You're doing amazing!~ This is my first time actually working with The Tyrant, but something about this guy seems... familiar," Leona said, looking at The Tyrant Avatar and crossed her arms.

Sephora giggled softly and stayed quiet about The Tyrant's true identity then looked at me. "My sonshine, don't let up. Your victory here is worth more than a graduation at St. Meishi. You can always graduate with St. Nova. All that matters is you defeating Archer...and destroying the Hierarchy of St. Meishi as a whole."

I nodded, my resolve now Indomitable and my determination more evident in my renewed purpose and resurgence of energy. 'Don't worry...I will make sure Archer is taken down..'

Archer went into Stealth Mode, disappearing within the lush greens then generated arrows around him, firing them toward me. I sensed the arrows and began dodging the arrows, surprising not only Archer, but everyone watching as they watched an Absolute Attack miss its target.

Archer shook his head, generating more arrows and began to let them fly toward me. I sensed the arrows, my Yaoke shining in my eyes and I began evading the arrows once again, dashing toward Archer's location at high speeds.

'How is he doing that?! How is he dodging my attacks in my Domain?!' Archer thought, now in a more alert and panicked state as he watched me approach him.

Archer managed to dodge my strike, blocking and parrying each of my attacks then groaned as I landed a powerful blow to his chest, knocking him across the forest. I rushed after him and began to dodge more arrows then noticed multiple flashes of light in the distance.

"Zodiac Arts: Jupiter Dakka!" Archer bellowed, launching a stream of endless waves of electric fire arrows toward me.

I propelled myself forward, using my White Clouds to deflect the arrows and surfed on a wave of water I generated then began to absorb the water from a few trees around the area, forming a large orb of water in my hand. I launched myself toward Archer, shifting my element into the wind element, the orb of water in my hand shifting into a large sphere of wind energy.

I condensed it into a small orb then hurled it toward Archer, the sphere of wind hiking in on Archer at invisible speeds. The sphere of wind energy struck Archer's stomach, causing him to groan in pain then the orb exploded into a powerful tornado, destroying a vast area of the forest. I infused the tornado with a blast of flames, creating a firestorm within the forest.

Archer groaned in pain as he was hit by the firestorm, the flaming tornado, destroying the Domain as a whole. I let out a roar, expanding the firestorm an caused a gigantic explosion, destroying Archer's Domain and a powerful heat wave blew around the entire arena.

"He...destroyed a Domain..?!" Ms. Ray exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock as she saw my form first hand, gasping softly and covering her mouth. "That form.."

"That form is a mix between his Spirit and Zodiac Forms...he looks just like...him," Nagini said in silent awe, a memory of her ancient past playing in her head.

April, Lily, and Nina cheered for me, calling and chanting out my name with full support. Heifer, VI, Mina, and Georgia joined in on the chants and cheers. Vail, Freya, Tetsu, and Opal joined in as well, showing their full support. The low tiers of the academy chanted my name in full effect, showing their undying support for me.

Ciara and Shelly looked around, listening to the chants and cheers, standing up and chanting my name as well, their loyalties shifting over to my side. Archer looked around, hearing my name being chanted around, his glance turning over toward me.

I stared at Archer, smirking at him then crossed my arms, my Pride truly shining through. "Listen to that...This is what you call true support. Anyone can form a bond out of fear like you've done, but it takes a pure heart, a true hero like me to form a bond of true camaraderie and respect. I didn't gain this respect and pride by just doing nothing.."

"I don't get it...what are you?! How do you have this power?! There's no way a Powerless Freak like you should have this much power!" Archer yelled, his breathing becoming heavier with annoyance and anger.

"Powerless? Hmph... I too used to think I was truly powerless as well, but I understood I am not powerless. I was Sealed. My power was sealed away when I came down onto Earth from Utalia. Now I'm starting to become Unsealed. What you are witnessing now...is a glimpse of my True Power," I replied, a confident smirk stretching across my lips.

"It took years for me to get here, and now we are here. As far as what I am...it's simple really..." I began, closing my eyes, my smirk unwavering. "I'm just, better than you.."

Archer grunted softly at my declare of being better than him. He grit his teeth, a sudden surge of dark energy flashing around his body. Mehira noticed the dark energy flashing around his body then grunted softly, hovering back a bit and staring at Archer.

"Hold yourself," A menacing voice called out.

Everyone's attention was granted to one man, the Headmaster of St. Meishi, Vinson. He walked down the steps within the crowd, his hands settled into his pockets. He stepped out onto the battlefield, his intimidating gaze meeting mine.

"The fact you have this much power...and presumably even more potential untapped within you...I guess Sephora and Dahlia were right about you. You are special," Vinson said, chuckling softly and held his churchwarden in his mouth.

"Clearly, you have proven your superiority in this battle, so how about we call this even and talk about making you an Ace Student along with my son?" Vinson asked, awaiting for my answer.

I closed my eyes then scoffed at Vinson's request, obviously offended that Vinson would suggest for me to become his Ace Student. "With all disrespect, Vinson, but I decline your offer. You not only allow toxicity in this academy compared to St. Nova who seems to have a more stable hierarchy with people who clearly respect each other. You only want me to join you so you don't have to watch your son get embarrassed by the once, 'Mangled'."

Vinson slightly frowned at me, lowering his churchwarden.

"I don't give a shit about the Hero License anymore...I declared War against St. Meishi when the Mock Battles first started, I told you all a new King of St. Meishi has been born. There can not be two Kings of the Academy. I will destroy St. Meishi...save not only the honors of The Pride and the Low Tiers, but I will also save the honor of Ms. Ray and Nagini," I declared, glaring at Vinson and my aura flared around my powerfully.

Vinson closed his eyes and smirked widely, chuckling darkly then laughed, snapping his churchwarden in two. He exhaled then opened his eyes. "Domain Creation..."

Nagini grunted softly and quickly vaulted over the railing of the stadium. 'This bastard is planning to fight August himself?! I am not letting that happen!'

"Heifer, April, Lily, Nina! Get into the Domain's range! Dahlia, get everyone out of here!" Nagini called out.

Ms. Ray understood what was happening and began to evacuate the area. "Everyone let's go! Get out of here! It's no longer safe here! Follow me!"

The students quickly followed Ms. Ray out of the stadium and evacuated the area while Heifer, April, Lily, and Nina rushed toward the Domain's range. Nagini formed a hand gesture as well, preparing her own Domain.

"Domain Creation!" Nagini called out, a powerful multicolored energy flashing around her body.

"Phantasm Exzodia," Vinson chanted, a burst of otherworldly energy flowing around the entire arena.

"Infinity Realm!" Nagini bellowed, countering Vinson's Domain with her own.

The two Domains clashed, causing a surge of power to clash and radiate around the arena, destroying the barriers and the stadium around us. Due to the clashing domains, the two Domains merged into one, creating a Domain between a Phantom City and Nagini's Domain of Infinite Realms.

I looked around, noticing we were standing in a beautiful looking city, a large castle sitting in the distance. I noticed the city looked exactly like Old Exzodia from the history books. I searched around for everyone else, noticing Heifer and Nina with me.

"Where are we?" Nina asked, searching around and looking around for Lily, April, and Nagini. "And where are the others?"

Heifer stepped forward, noticing a wormhole in front of us showing the image of a different Realm of the Domain. "I think I might have your answer.."

Nina and I looked at the wormhole, noticing the image of another Realm as well. We glanced at each other then looked back at the portal. The three of us knew we were in something bigger than us now.

"The others might be in that Realm...what the hell happened? Are we in a Merged Domain?" Nina asked, looking at us for answers.

Sephora appeared beside us, looking into the portal then glanced at us. "You are. When Vinson and Nagini clashed their Domains, it caused both Domains to merge and create a Gestalt Domain. In a Gestalt Domain, the control over the Domain is Equalized. There are no Absolute Attacks here, but we are trapped in this Domain...until one of the users dies."

I looked at Sephora then looked at the portal once more, stepping forward. "I have a feeling that Vinson is inside that castle. We will just have to find the right portal that leads to the castle, but for now, let's find the others."

Heifer and Nina nodded, the three of us now preparing to venture into the portal in front of us. With that, all three of us hurried into the portal then the portal closed after entry.

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April and Lily looked around, searching around for me, Heifer, and Nina and calling out our names. As they searched around, they ran into Archer, stopping in their tracks and braced themselves. Archer stared at April and Lily, summoning his Dagger, his intense gaze meeting both of theirs.

"Archer! You're a Zodiac Knight now, you don't need to fight us! We have to carry out our mission! Can't you see you're on the wrong wide?!" Lily questioned, trying to connect back with her cousin with empathy and familial support.

Archer stared at Lily, getting into his stance and scoffed. "None of that matters anymore. I'm carrying out my mission now...saving St. Meishi. I gave you all the chance to stand down, but you all didn't listen."

"Why would we listen to a toxic prick like you?! All you've done is torment and prey on the weak, assert your meaningless dominance and manipulate everyone around you! For you to have been chosen...tch...you probably manipulated Mehira as well," April said, stepping forward.

Archer scoffed and looked at his Psychic Tanzanite, glancing back at Mehira. He looked at April then tossed her the Zodiac Crystal, smirking at her and relinquishing his ownership of the crystal. "I don't need her anymore. She couldn't help me win, so she's obviously too weak to even be considered my partner."

Mehira looked surprised at Archer's decision, too stunned to make a retort. She just floated over to Rama and Imogen, the two of them happily accepting her back to their side.

Archer summoned different Zodiac Crystal, one resembling the Blue Topaz. "I don't need bonds and support, just power and domination. I'm not like August who seeks the need for recognition, I already have it as King of St. Meishi! With this Ceres Blue Topaz, I have a better Sagittarius Champion...one that was banished from the line of Guardians because of his great destructive power."

"Come to me...Apollo!" Archer bellowed, holding up his Zodiac Crystal and summoning the Exiled Sagittarius Champion, Apollo.

A man appeared before April and Lily, radiating an aura of power and authority, combining elements of nobility and divine energy. He had striking, sharp features and intense blue eyes that exuded confidence and command. His white hair was wild and flowing, suggesting a dynamic and powerful personality. The red markings around his eyes added a sense of mystique and intensity to his gaze.

He wore a black outfit adorned with gold accents and a prominent blue gem at the center of his chest, which likely symbolized his source of power or rank. The gold elements are sharp and angular, resembling armor or a ceremonial outfit that signifies high status and divine authority.

He wielded a large, ornate bow, golden and intricately designed, indicating his role as a leader and a powerful archer. The bow's design complemented his overall regal and commanding presence.

"Mmm...it feels nice to be awakened again. Now who is the one who set me free from my imprisonment?" Apollo asked, glancing around until his gaze met Archer's, noticing he was wielding his Zodiac Crystal. "Oh? A human teenager found my Crystal? How amusing..."

"Archer...you don't know what you've done! You awakened a Dark Zodiac! Does power mean that much to you that you have to go to such lengths?! Where did you even find his Crystal?!" Mehira scolded, her eyes burning with anger and disbelief.

"I found it in the depths of the Sagittarius Temple. I had a feeling I would need it when you began yapping about Righteousness and the Sense of Duty of a Zodiac Knight. I don't need that shit. All I need is power and authority," Archer said, smirking darkly at Mehira.

Apollo chuckled softly, crossing his arms as he looked at Archer. "Well, well...this human seems to understand the true ideals of this world. In this world, only the strongest survive and the weak fall. It's just how the world is. That is the cold reality of this accursed planet."

"That's not true! The Earth doesn't just run off strength alone! As humans...we need kindness, sympathy, love, support, and the bonds of others to survive. We need a Heart! If you don't have one...then you can't survive for long as much as you think you can!" Lily argued, her gaze meeting Apollo's unflinching.

Apollo laughed at Lily and looked down at her. "A Heart? Only weaklings rely on the strength of others. If you can't get what you want on your own, you don't deserve it. Strength is everything...if you want to lead, you need power and dominance."

"Now enough talk! I'm sure I was awakened to assist Archer in battle against you lot. Prepare yourself, for I, Apollo, will make sure Old Exzodia is your final resting place!" Archer said, handing Archer his bow then smirked.

April and Lily transformed into their Zodiac Drives, preparing to battle against Archer and Apollo. Imogen and Rama prepared themselves as well, their gazes tinged with a steely resolve. Mehira watched from the back, still obviously hurt that Archer betrayed her despite everything they've been through during his time as a Zodiac Knight.

Archer chuckled softly and readied his bow. "Without August...you stand no chance. Prepare to meet your fate...The Pride."