The flaming dragon soars above the cave's surface in a repeated loop. From below spectates Xavier, fighting the gusts of wind produced by the beast's constant movement. "So this is the full extent of his firepower… I knew it was terrifying, but this is a whole other level."
His eyes lift, noticing the dragon's abrupt halt. Its large tail whipped, further aggravating the howling wind. Xavier's eyes squinted, resisting his growing fatigue. "Something about that power… it feels different."
A ray of light as bright as the sun builds in the beast's mouth, producing a breeze blowing between the rips in Xavier's shirt. Hesitant but determined, he raises his spear towards the fiery dragon. "Saving you isn't an option anymore. No matter what you sacrifice, I WON'T LET YOUR DREAM COME TRUE!" The beam shoots towards Xavier, effortlessly creating a path of destruction. "Soul Spear - Phantom Flame!"
A sensation of white, roaring flames collides with those of Chrome's. Pushing higher into the air, the two rays of flame disperse into an exploding firework. Chrome slowly descends towards the surface, skimming the surface with his jaws.
Xavier's gaze darts towards the flaming beast. "Fighting me head on!?" Flames crackle across his shining blade, strengthening alongside his undying determination. The beast pops out a small tunnel in the ground, entrapping its vulnerable prey in its mouth. Xavier's blade fights against the dragon's closing jaws. "The Phantom Protector…" his voice strains, "slaying an almighty dragon…" A burst of energy exerts from his arms, slingshotting him into the warm skies above. "That was a close one," he exhaled. The roaring dragon climbs into the air, pursuing Xavier's falling body. Spread within its heat-filled flames thrived the remnants of Chrome's soul, completely overtaken by Pyron's great flames.
Xavier stares in the dragon's direction. "I'll protect everyone… even if I have to slay a dragon!"
Volume 13, Chapter 65 - Cataclysmic Destruction
15 years ago, Anata
Overseas from Trila and Nahata thrives Anata, famously acknowledged as one of the largest continents in the entity world. Through the nation's capital voyages a young Chrome, wearing ragged-blue jeans with a ripped, red hoodie. The sound of thunder settles onto the capital, followed by the fall of countless scattered raindrops.
"Who the hell do you think you are, unpowered freak!?" a middle aged woman screams, pushing him into a large puddle. His eyes raise, observing her disgusted expression. "I-I'm sorry, ma'am…" She rolls her eyes with an exasperated scoff, resuming her stroll through the streets. "I don't get it…" the boy whispers, wringing the water from his damp hoodie. "Why do people hate me? What have I done to any of them!?"
His gaze raises towards the sun, emerging from the spreading rain clouds. A mix of hatred and confusion persisted, and his fists clenched. "Everything in this cruel world is screwed up. Its people, its expectations, its unforgiving qualities…" His scarred hands rise, pushing onto his spinning head. "When will I be freed of this torture? When will I be rewarded with peace and happiness?"
---
Xavier's blade screeches, skimming through the beast's transparent, flaming scales. He lands on the large boulders, fighting his growing feeling of uneasiness. "Something's wrong… was that a transmission link?"
The scarred dragon loops through the air with a large screech. Another whirring orb of flame races from its mouth, ripping the rocky terrain below. The small pebbles roll across the floor, knocking against Xavier's legs. "This fighting technique won't do. Depending only on my ancient power will ultimately get me killed." His glowing spear breaks into multiple white flurries that flow into his fists. "Not only am I the Phantom Protector's descendant, but I'm also Death Desert's Protector of the Phantoms!" As the dragon's rapid descent continues, Xavier's hands erupt into glowing, white flames. These embers follow his body through the air, colliding with the beast's rock-hard scales. "The rage of Pyron's soul has ruthlessly consumed your own! I'll free you of the pain, NO MATTER WHAT OPPOSES ME!" The two forces clashed, trapping them both in a vibrant, rainbow explosion. Chrome's dragon form released a ferocious roar, effortlessly blowing through the dust cloud. His opponent, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen.
"The fallen and living's willpower fuse together," Xavier's voice sounded from above, "and create a shining light of hope!" His glowing hands pulsed, emitting a vibrant rainbow shade. From below noticed Chrome, quickly climbing into the air with his jaws exposed. Despite the circumstances, Xavier's willpower refused to wane - instead, it strengthened with each passing second. "After my father's death, I became a notorious criminal around my country, said to be unworthy of redemption!" He united his hands, reuniting the thriving glow within. "After I met Team ENTITY, I began to grow into the person I'VE WANTED TO BE!" An image of Valentino Velasquez flashes through his mind, bringing a feeling of warmth among the ongoing chaos. Xavier's growing power reacted to the cave's rocky walls, fading into a light-blue shade. From his body rose an army of white, wispy souls that circled his body. "No matter what, I'll fight for my world until the BITTER END! FOR THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T, AND FOR MYSELF!" The power of his pulsing arms combine, changing the glow's color into a vibrant rainbow. Into the sky echoed Chrome's roar, followed by the wind's repeated whips. "He's pushing aggressive currents upward! If this keeps up, I'll slam into the ceiling!" Xavier pushed off a piece of falling rock, approaching the flaming dragon with his rainbow fists. A faint echo of Chrome's voice repeated in Xavier's mind. "THIS IS IT, VELASQUEZ!" A red cloud swirled through the air, revealing Chrome's extensive line of fire. Xavier examines the delicate clouds, focusing his gaze on the rising beast. "There's no time left - enduring the attack is my only option!" That exact moment, a flaming ray emitted from the dragon's mouth. His heart rapidly beating, Xavier examined the soaring beam. He courageously dived into the light, entrapped by the large explosion following moments after.
"A rather close call…" he whispered. The rainbow energy across his hands strengthened, cushioning the explosion's inflicted damage. Out the spreading dust darted his body, reaching his arms towards the screeching monster. As his descent continued, he quickly parkoured across the falling boulders. "No matter what you do, I'll make damn sure this finishing attack will land!"
Chrome follows up with another immediate counterattack. "I'M NOT DONE!" his voice echoes.
The skin across Xavier's lower body distorts into a glowing, wispy phantom tail. Effortlessly weaving his opponent's flames, his patchy arms slide across the blazing fire's surface. "This world may not be the brightest… but the least we can do is try to illuminate it with HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY!" He clenches his fists, striking Chrome's fiery scales with his glowing fists. "PHANTOMS OF VIBRANCE!"
Embercliff, Death Desert, 5 months ago
Raja and Xavier sit in small chairs on the balcony of the president's office, watching the thriving city below. "Both you and Itama have come far since everything with DDLFO occurred," Raja admires. He lifts towards the glowing sun, brightening the mood with a slight chuckle. "I remember seeing your wanted poster and assuming you would end up like Valentino. Seems like your development has proved otherwise…"
Xavier grinned. "Even if it's starting to show, there's a long way to go. The progress I make today contributes to the progress I make tomorrow, gradually building together until I achieve my goal." His hand lifts towards the sun, boldly grasping it in his palm. "That's what Valentino and Trya would want."
---
Xavier's fists clash against the flaming, rock-hard scales across Chrome's body. "There may be flaws in this civilization, but this acknowledgement should lead to change instead of destruction! The story of this world and its people will not falter under your rule - your civilization will never arrive, and I'LL MAKE SURE OF IT!"
Fragments of Chrome's body explode in a chain reaction, pushing Xavier onto the rocky ground below. Along with Chrome's body brings the destruction of the cave - multiple scattered boulders rain from the sky, slamming onto the surface below. The glow within Xavier's fists fade, and his gaze shoots towards the ceiling. "Shit… The cave is collapsing, and I can't move a singular muscle in my body!"
That exact moment, a loud ringing sensation sounded in his brain. "Another Proximity Transmission Link?"