Large tentacle-like flames bloomed from Chrome's back, rising towards the cave's spiky ceiling. The flames danced freely for a moment before joining together, creating a swirling inferno. His mind settles, and his wrinkled hand brushes the small dust specks off his glowing tattoo. "Tarsa, Songnote, Reid, Amir… you all have successfully completed your missions. Under Nana's protection, we'll reconstruct this country into a Dark Province!"
The sound of small, repeated footsteps grew louder and louder. Step, step, step.
Chrome's gaze rose towards the cave's entrance. "I'm surprised you didn't back out."
Xavier's tan-colored slippers step onto the rocky cave's surface. Glancing upward, he took a moment to observe the jagged points above. "That interruption was unneeded," he lectures. "You're well aware of the consequences that follow once Pyron's firepower is injected into the human body." To his surprise, Chrome forced a playful chuckle. "Lecturing me won't undo the past or give you the advantage! All of your friends have been framed, leaving them unable to assist you! Without them, do you really believe defeating me is possible?"
A pale surge of power climbed Xavier's body. "Even if your cult holds the advantage, I'm almost certain you won't be getting the last laugh." His palms swung apart, releasing a burst of power outward.
The warmth of Pyron's flames spread across Chrome's body. "Let's finish what we started!"
Volume 13, Chapter 64 - Xavier vs. Chrome ll
Flurries of white, glimmering particles rose from Xavier's skin. These particles resurrected his Soul Spear, descending into his firm grip moments after. Xavier's arm lifts, pointing the spear towards Chrome's blazing flames. "This isn't only a battle between phantom and flame," his voice echoed. "This fight will determine Nahata's fate!"
The small pebbles scattered across the ground rattled alongside the ominous vibrations. Cataclysmic flames lifted from Chrome's back, forcing his feet into the rocky surface below. "The great flames of Pyron… AS LONG AS THEY STAND WITH US, FIRE MOON IS UNSTOPPABLE!" His arms swung into the air, and the route of his blazing flames scattered.
"Starting off stronger than before!" Xavier noted. His Soul Spear swung towards the exasperating embers, lifting his body into the air above. "I may disagree with your ideals, but your battle movements are flawless!" Infiltrating the wall of fire from above, Xavier swung the pulsing spear against Chrome's burning arms. The two fronts of power clashed, creating a large, rapidly expanding dust cloud. Chrome, however, refused to let his visual disadvantage ruin the fight's momentum - his fists squeezed together, creating a large fireball. The fireball's orange embers filled the reflection in Xavier's dark eyes. "An immediate counterattack!?" His body dragged through the cave, pushing his spear's blade against the raging comet. "Not bad… but I'm well aware that isn't your full potential!"
"That's where you're correct!" Chrome replies. The buildup of his flames halt for a moment - then, as quick as a cheetah, he approaches his occupied opponent. "Let's test your multitasking skills!"
Xavier's arms quickly part - one blocks the fireball with his Soul Spear, and the other blocks Chrome's immediate counterattack. With a loud grunt, he simultaneously disperses the flames and forces Chrome back to his starting position.
Chrome's body somersaults through the air and slides across the cave's rocky surface. His gaze lifts, observing the path of flames produced by his movement. About two seconds of silence pass, and Xavier's pupils emerge from the dust's haze. "Multiple counters at once? I like a challenge."
"A challenge?" Chrome's voice booms. "This is a fight for your life - and it's just getting started!"
Xavier's arms lift, pushing his spear into the dense rock below. The blade struggles through the stone, carving a small circle surrounding his body. A white glow awakens from the spear's cracks, resonating alongside his surging power. "Fallen or living, our souls continue to thrive!"
"Enough with the speeches!" A clot of firepower bursts from Chrome's fist, creating a trail of raging flames. With a fierce swing, Xavier's spear intercepts the screaming embers. "Continuing to abuse Pyron's firepower will only destroy your soul! You still have a chance; TAKE IT BEFORE YOU LOSE IT!"
The surging power within Chrome's body intensified. "Pyron's great flames have given us this opportunity. Fire Moon will do everything in our power to eradicate anyone who opposes our dreams!"
Scaled faces of nine, flaming snakes rose from Chrome's flaming arm. The quick reptiles scattered throughout the cave, approaching the Phantom Protector at high speeds. "Snakes of Flame!"
Tightly grasping his glowing spear, Xavier cautiously danced through the snakes' barrage. Specs of flame stuck onto his skin, forcing a loud hiss. "He isn't getting weaker - each attack strengthens his rage and firepower efficiency!"
Then, a moment of realization hit Xavier. One of the nine snakes bit his arm, sinking its orange jaws into his flesh. The Soul Spear dropped from his hand, landing on the rocky surface below.
A satisfied smirk invaded Chrome's face. "I told you this wouldn't be an easy fight, Phantom Protector." The eight remaining snakes pounced onto his body, impaling his chest with their sharp teeth. With a muffled cry, Xavier listened to the constant drip of his pouring blood. Drip, drip, drip.
> Xavier
Is this really it…? My entire body is sore, my spear is gone, and Chrome's aggressive snakes feast on my flesh. If I don't do anything, Fire Moon will stand victorious…
That was the moment a lightbulb lit inside his head. "I got it!"
>>>
Chrome's confident laugh echoed through the cave. "You're no more, Phantom Protector! My snakes will feast on your remains until there's nothing left!" He walked towards the aggressive snakes, reaching his hands towards Xavier's twitching spear. "You're a disgrace to all the individuals you tried to protect!"
At the same moment, a surge of power awakened from within the hissing snakes. The glowing spear slipped from his grasp, soaring into the raging flames.
The fiery snakes faded, dispersing into ashes ascending towards the cave's ceiling. From the inferno rose Xavier, fighting the bleeding wounds scattered across his body. A feeling of immediate shock caused Chrome's heart to skip. "W… what the hell!? How are you still alive!?" The shimmering blood slid down Xavier's skin, expanding the red puddle below. Drip, drip, drip. A white glow bandaged the wounds, halting his excessive bleeding. "That advantage you gained…" his voice sputtered. "It won't happen again."
The messy, dark hair covering his scalp floated upward, fading into a glowing shade of white. Lifting his spear towards the cave's spiky ceiling, the vibrance of Xavier's soul began to climb. "My father entrusted me with the Phantom Protector's legacy - only one of our dreams can be achieved, and it'll be mine!"
His rage expanding, another rip of firepower emerged from Chrome's skin. "Your confidence will result in your demise, Xavier Velasquez! I'll shatter your fighting spirit first, then your dreams!"
A blinding shine as bright as the sun emits from Xavier's blade. His patchy arms spread, releasing a gust of howling wind. He races across the cave, driving the glowing spear into Chrome's arm. Chrome fearlessly grasps the blade, acknowledging the sudden opening for attack. "You're mine!"
Xavier forces the blade from Chrome's arm, inflicting a bleeding wound across his flaming palm. In a swift motion, his bloodstained shoes brush against the large rocks and crush the surrounding pebbles. "A rather swift counterattack…" His blade swings to his waist, sending a flash throughout the cave.
"Don't think I'm going easy on you, Velasquez!" Chrome's voice shouted from above. His arms dropped like a heavy anvil, clashing against Xavier's glowing spear. "Burst… of the SOUL!"
In perfect unison with the glowing patches scattered across his body, a large feeling of strength overtook Xavier. His flaming opponent rockets into the sky above. "Those patches on his skin… they're contributing to his power flow!"
A large explosion burst from Chrome's arms, driving him away from the spiky ceiling. Xavier's gaze examined the smoky sky above, searching for a trace of Chrome's power within the cloud. "He's speeding up!"
Chrome darted out the growing smoke back onto the surface. Ten flaming comets rose from the floor, merging with the screaming fire. "Flaming Comets of Hell!"
Xavier's glowing eyes rose towards the scattered comets. Dancing through the air with his mighty spear, he splits the first nine comets with absolute precision.
"WHY THE HELL WON'T YOU STAY DOWN!?"
The final comet, even larger than the first nine, races across the flaming skies. His spear's blade penetrates the scorching rock, absorbing the distributed firepower within. "Phantom Protector Secret Technique…"
Chrome scoffs. "Xavier Velasquez…"
"SOUL AMPLIFICATION!"
Falling boulders thud against the ground as Xavier's spear splits the final comet. With a perfect landing, Xavier and Chrome once again stood face-to-face in silence. A light-red glow similar to the color of Chrome's flames overtake his spear, expanding the diversity of his power. "This is your last chance, Chrome. Your body is slowly breaking down - further action will kill you for sure."
The sound of crumbling rocks echo across the cave, forcing scattered rumbles.
Among the ominous moments stood Xavier and Chrome, fighting the spreading pain in their bodies. At that exact second, a feeling of relaxation overtook the Phantom Protector…
That exact silence was broken just five seconds later. The cave's rumbles intensified, struggling against Chrome's bursting firepower. "I am Chrome of Fire Moon!" he shouts, forcing his heels into the rocks. "NONE OF YOU EVER CARED FOR US - THAT'S WHY I MADE FIRE MOON, A GROUP OF MAGES DETERMINED TO CREATE A NEW CIVILIZATION WHERE WE STAND DOMINANT!"
A gasp of surprise escapes Xavier's breath. "Seems like this battle's conclusion is settled - win or lose, Chrome's life force will be extinguished by Pyron's devilish power."
The flames coating Chrome's skin expand, deteriorating his body with their blazing heat. "I've been saving this technique for long enough, Phantom Protector - however, it seems like this is my last resort." Across the battlefield forms a cloud of dark smoke that masks Xavier's view. "His soul… I've never felt anything like this before!" Clenching his fists, he desperately rushes through the dark cloud in search of Chrome's remains. "Come on, damn it! Every move you make just inflicts more pai-"
A large gust of wind sweeps through the cave, quickly clearing the expanding smoke. Xavier lifted towards the cave's ceiling, noticing a dragon with molten-orange eyes and partially transparent flaming skulls now flying above. Acknowledging the absence of Chrome's life force from the surface, his eyes darted towards his former position.
Gone.
Then, a second later, the context clues piled together - flying above him was not just any flaming dragon: it was Chrome himself.