Taro remained still, prepared with his Azure Blade. Behind him, the four Legendary Creatures stood tall, their eyes locked in a cold, deadly glare. Armageddon clenched his fists in frustration and fear.
In the back, Vincy and the two girls stood silently, watching their friend with an unwavering belief.
"Ema-chan, do you think that will work?" Yukiko whispered.
"I honestly don't know," Ema responded, "but seeing our creatures united is a great sign. Still, Armageddon is far more powerful than anything we've ever faced. All I can say is... we have to believe in Abodo. If he fails–"
"Taro won't fail!" Vincy interrupted. "You don't know him as much as I do, Ema. Whenever there's a problem, he gives everything to solve it... and he succeeds."
"You're right. You two really are like twins," Ema said with a soft smile.
Back with Armageddon, he suddenly smirked and said:
"Hmph. No matter. You're still the same weak Azure Knight. Creatures or not, you're no match for me."
Taro remained silent, then calmly replied:
"Why don't you show me, Armageddon?"
"As you wish," Armageddon snarled.
He raised both arms, blasting a powerful beam toward Taro. Taro raised one hand, unleashing a massive shield that blocked the attack completely. The beam faded, and so did the shield.
Tsk. That insect and his pathetic shields, Armageddon thought, annoyed.
Without warning, Armageddon flew up and launched his {Dark Spikes}. Taro unleashed his {Azure Shield} from his sleeve, blocking every spike until they disappeared along with the shield.
Taro dashed up the wall and pushed off, launching himself at Armageddon. Mid-air, he declared:
"I call forth Sakura Kitsune! {Sakura Mirage}!"
His blade swung at an intense speed. Armageddon couldn't dodge and was slammed into the ground after being struck with a powerful stab.
He stood again and summoned a ring of clones around him. Taro raised his sword and called out:
"Take flight, Moonlight Falcon! {Moonlight Recharge}!"
With precise air slashes, he cleared the clones.
Armageddon dodged all the attacks. Before Taro could strike again, he exclaimed:
"Rise up, Blazing Phoenix! {Burning Pulse}!"
He launched more slashes. Though they carried no flames, Armageddon felt them burning. The pain was growing, and he started feeling drained.
How is this possible? How are these pathetic attacks actually working? Armageddon thought.
Taro rushed forward, combining all three legendary techniques once again. Armageddon dodged some under his clones and blocked the rest. Soon, the glowing spirits of the Legendary Creatures began to fade. They had reached their limits. Taro pointed his blade and returned them to their rightful owners.
Thank you, everyone, he thought, smiling. You all did great.
Then, he turned to his companion and asked quietly:
"Azure Dragon, can you hold out much longer?"
"I can. Are you ready to do it now?" The dragon replied.
"I have to," Taro responded. "We've slowed him down already. This is the perfect moment for our final technique."
"I'll stand with you to the end," the dragon said. "Whatever the cost, I'll face it with you. You were the one who found me... and I am your loyal companion."
"Thank you," Taro said. "I won't forget this. Now, allow me to resummon you properly."
Before Taro could act, Armageddon summoned more clones. Each began creating a massive spike. Taro gripped his blade tightly, then declared:
"The hope coalesces within the ancient creature. Come forth, Azure Dragon! {Azure Will}!"
The dragon's symbol appeared behind him, glowing intensely. Armageddon laughed manically, then said:
"Too late! You cannot dodge the incoming chaos. NOW SUFFER!"
The spikes shot toward Taro and the others... however, they were all blocked. Shields appeared everywhere, stopping the spikes from reaching anyone. Yet, Taro hadn't raised his arm.
"What?! You didn't even move! How did the shields appear?!" Armageddon shouted.
"The real question is... are you ready for what comes next, Armageddon?" Taro asked with a cold glare. "Unfortunately, your current situation disagrees."
Taro raised two fingers in a V-shape. Instantly, Vincy appeared behind Armageddon and grabbed his shoulder, freezing him in place. Armageddon struggled, but Yukiko fired her {Sakura Rope} at his hands, binding him tightly. Without delay, Ema launched her {Light Beam} at Taro. He absorbed the energy into his sword and gripped it.
Then without hesitation, he exclaimed:
"The warriors' determination across eras returns, sharing a united legacy. With my blade and my shield, I'll carry their memories upon my shoulders. {Azure Bond}!"
He spun his Azure Blade in a full circle. With each motion, six ethereal, blue figures appeared behind him. The shields shaped into the forms of the six Legendary Azure Knights. Among them stood HaruAbodo... Taro's father.
Too bad I still can't see your face, Father, he thought.
Taro dashed at Armageddon with incredible speed and stabbed him in the stomach. The six knights glowed and merged into the blade. Once the last one entered, a powerful light burst from the sword... inside Armageddon. Checkmate!
Armageddon stood frozen for a few moments. The other three surrounded him in a circle, ready with their weapons. Then suddenly, he fell to the ground, barely covering his wound.
Breathing heavily, he muttered:
"So... this is the seventh Legendary Knight's power. I should've killed you properly."
"Too bad, Armageddon," Taro replied. "Underestimating us was your downfall. And everything was planned from the beginning."
February 21, 2009 – Saturday. (Flashback)
Everyone leaned to hear. Then, Ema urged:
"Then tell us your instructions."
"Alright, then," Taro began. "So, after I reach Armageddon's chamber, we'll begin fighting... and I'll let him win at first."
"Before I continue," Taro added, "Vincy... there's something you didn't mention about before, am I wrong?"
"Huh? What?" Vincy asked, confused.
"There is, Abodo," Ema responded.
"I'm listening, Ema," Taro replied.
Ema explained in detail what happened with Vincy during their first battle against Malice. She mentioned his mysterious fiendish morph.
"HEH?! ALL OF THAT HAPPENED?!" Vincy exclaimed, completely shocked.
"What? You didn't see any of that?" Ema asked.
"No, but I only felt that I was attacking you for no reason," Vincy responded. "That's why I stopped myself immediately."
"I see," Taro replied, seriously. "Vincy... someone is inside of you."
"W-Who is that?!" Vincy asked, irritated.
"I don't know yet," Taro responded. "However, we can turn the table with that opportunity."
Vincy and Ema were surprised, then Yukiko asked:
"How can we?"
"From the way Ema described him, he'll be a powerful opponent against Armageddon," Taro answered. "However, he'll not be enough to slow him down. So guys, make sure to avoid standing nearby Vincy, or rather, that figure. Then, when Vincy restores his consciousness, begin fighting against Armageddon. The purpose isn't defeating him, but is to satisfy him with 'our weaknesses'. After these two massive fights, he'll be completely exhausted."
After that, Ema asked:
"And what about you, Abodo? Where will you be?"
"Right... I didn't mention that before," Taro responded. "That might be confusing, but I'll play dead."
Then... the others stared in confusion.
"D-Don't get me wrong... I know this might seem selfish," Taro continued, sweating. "My technique needs a lot of mana and energy. I need to pent-up them if I need to activate it. I learned how to restore my mana without showing my presence nearby."
"No problem, that was just... surprising," Ema replied. "And this is not selfishness, you're a strategic genius after all."
"T-Thanks," Taro said, rubbing his hair.
After that, he continued:
"So, after I restore enough energy, I'll begin my part... to make him completely exhausted... and become a bait in our trap."
"So this is our part now, right?" Ema asked, smirking.
"Correct," Taro responded. "Vincy, you know our sign, right?"
"Sure thing, pal," Vincy answered.
"Ne, what is that sign?" Yukiko asked.
"This, obviously," Vincy said, raising two fingers in a V-shape. "So, what do we do after that?"
"Vincy... you'll go behind him, freezing him in his place," Taro responded. "Yukiko, use your ropes to support Vincy. Ema, you were a genius about shooting your beam toward my blade, so repeat that again at that moment."
"So, won't you tell us about your technique or anything?" Ema asked.
"Sorry, I'll leave it as a surprise," Taro responded, winking. "However, I can reveal one thing: my shields can turn into a deadly weapon in that condition. Don't worry, guys. As long as we follow the plan, we'll seize our victory. Simple, yet unexpected."
Back in the present... Armageddon smirked, then replied:
"Plan, huh? Hmph. I was defeated by insects in the end. Pretty sure the raids will fail too."
"Indeed. Our friends will stop them," Taro replied. "Now, where is the spawner?"
"Go find it yourself, azure insect," Armageddon mocked.
"That jerk... LET ME KILL HIM!" Vincy shouted.
"Relax, Vincy," Taro said. "Don't let someone like Armageddon anger you. Even spitting is a waste."
"No worries, Abodo," Ema comforted. "I found the spawner with my {Falcon Eyes}. You can find it in a secret chamber underground."
"Thanks, Ema," Taro replied. "I'll go there by myself. You better return first."
He opened a portal with the key from his pocket.
"What about you?" Yukiko asked.
"Daijoubu. I'll return," Taro assured her, smiling.
Yukiko waved as she entered the portal with the others.
"Hmph. Pathetic," Armageddon insulted.
"The only pathetic thing here is your lack of guilt, Armageddon" Taro said, pointing his blade. "Any last words?"
"Don't get too confident. The real chaos is only beginning," Armageddon replied.
"What do you mean?" Taro asked, seriously.
"One of my minions, Valdar, is unleashing portals across the Overworld... starting from your precious town. Random creatures from all genres will spill through."
"Where is he? How do we stop it?" Taro continued asking.
"As if I'd tell you," Armageddon refused. "Chaos will spread even without me. You won't stand a chance."
Taro remained quiet for a moment, then smiled and said confidently:
"So what? I'll face it with everything I've got. As long as I'm breathing, I'll protect everyone."
Then, his tone turned colder, adding:
"And if anyone dares to hurt innocent people or my loved ones, I'll make sure they regret being born. And now, time for your punishment."
"I don't fear anything," Armageddon replied, smirking." I have never felt shame... and never will."
Taro raised his blade and stabbed Armageddon in the stomach. His body vanished, leaving behind a black cube.
What is this? His heart?Taro thought.
He struck it with his sword, but nothing happened.
He didn't die yet. He was sealed in that thing, Taro thought. I'll figure out how to destroy it later.
He picked up the cube and headed to the underground chamber. There, the spawner... a black mirror... was inactive.
It's not working anymore. Must be because Armageddon was sealed,Taro thought.
He shattered it, then walked out of the castle...
...ready for his return!