Theodore tightened his grip on the wheel of the Road Runner, his eyes reflecting the cold, harsh glow of the dashboard.
Beside him, 9S was a flurry of motion, his fingers dancing across a holographic interface that linked the SUV's systems directly to the Imperial network.
"Ardyn wants us to play his game, to walk through his front door like guests,"
Theodore said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous register.
"But we're not guests. We're the wrecking ball. 9S, initiate the Ghost Drive at 150% output. We're going to hit Gralea before they even realize the 'Accursed' has gone out of script."
The Road Runner surged forward, its engine roaring with the combined power of MagTek-enhanced fuel and Theodore's own mana.
As they approached the towering gates of Zegnautus Keep, the sky erupted in red and white—the colors of the Niflheim defense grid.
"Tapping into the central spire... now!"
9S shouted. A pulse of indigo energy shot from the Road Runner's antenna.
The massive spotlight towers guarding the entrance flickered and died.
The automated turrets, confused by the overlapping cloaking and 9S's logic virus, began firing at the empty air behind the car.
As they neared the main blast doors, Theodore funneled his 950 MP into the SUV's frontal plating.
"2B isn't here to sharpen the edges, so I'll just make the whole car a bullet!"
The Ramming Prowess perk flared to life, the bumper glowing with a white-hot intensity.
The Road Runner didn't slow down. It hit the reinforced steel doors at 120 mph.
The mana-infused impact didn't just dent the gate; it shattered the locking mechanisms and sent the multi-ton slabs of metal flying into the courtyard like scrap.
They skidded into the central plaza of the Keep, the tires screaming against the cold stone.
Theodore hopped out before the car had even fully stopped, his Carian Knight's Sword already manifest in his hand.
"Noctis! Ignis! Clear the infantry!"
Theodore commanded.
"9S and I are heading for the elevator. We need to reach the Emperor before Ardyn can finish his monologue."
Noctis, his eyes burning with the golden light of his restored resolve, warped into a squad of Magitek troopers, his blade a blur of vengeance.
Ignis, his vision now enhanced by the Grace of the Erdtree, moved with a terrifying, predictive grace, parrying bullets before they were even fired.
Theodore and 9S reached the throne room, but there was no Emperor waiting for them—only a heap of empty armor and the stench of the Starscourge.
Ardyn stood in the center of the room, his hat tilted, looking genuinely impressed as he watched the "Gamer" team bypass his carefully laid traps.
"You really do have a flair for the dramatic, Theodore,"
Ardyn drawled, though there was a hint of genuine surprise in his tone.
"I had a whole corridor of psychological torture prepared for the Prince. You've quite ruined the pacing."
"The pacing was too slow, Ardyn,"
Theodore said, stepping forward.
"We're skipping to the end credits. Give us the Crystal, and let's get you to the Hub. You've been in this nightmare long enough."
Ardyn looked at the massive, glowing Crystal behind him—the soul of Eos.
He looked back at Theodore, and for a moment, the mask slipped entirely.
"And if Crystal refuses to let me go?"
"Then,"
Theodore grinned, raising his glowing sword,
"I'll just have to hack the Crystal too."
.....
[email protected]/phelio
Currently at chapter 115
.....
*Future world*
Stellar Blade
Genshin Impact (Monstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru)
Diablo II
Cyberpunk 2077