Chapter 16
Loid walked ahead of Joan and Nemisis, appearing irritated by their conversation.
"So," Joan asked, "what's it like being a Phantom?"
"How do I put this?" Nemisis replied, "I don't really know what's normal, but is fighting the Alphar a common thing?"
Loid scoffed, "As if you did. The Alphar would kill you instantly; even your fragile human body would be reduced to a bloody mess or disintegrate from the pressure."
Joan pouted, "But the rumors..."
"Yes, the rumors," Loid said sarcastically, "like he could beat the champion of a Higher One, let alone face the Alphar."
Nemisis stopped, and Joan turned toward him. "Ignore him," she said.
"What kind of creatures are we dealing with?" Nemisis asked seriously.
"Land dragons," Joan replied. "Then I'll leave these to you."
Before Joan or Loid could respond, Nemisis blurred into motion, kicking up dust as he vanished, and four small land dragons appeared instantly.
"Damn," Joan said, drawing her sword. Loid did the same, and they charged, slicing off the dragons' heads.
"Loid, we need to find him," Joan said.
"I know," Loid replied.
They ran toward a distant farm. Behind them, an older man with a pitchfork stood with three children—two boys, one unconscious, and a little girl. In front of them loomed a large land dragon with tougher scales than those Joan and Loid had fought.
Suddenly, something crashed down from above, smashing the dragon's head into the ground, causing dust to fill the air. Joan and Loid arrived at the scene.
"What happened?" Loid asked the man. He pointed to the clearing smoke, where Nemisis stood with blood slowly dripping from his hand.
"Did he just punch it to death?" Joan asked, squinting.
Nemisis grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
Loid stared in this belief
He had just killed an S-Class land dragon with his bare hands—something that would have taken ten guards, and he was unharmed, he thought.
Then, Nemisis extended his hand, and the air parted, beheading another S-Class dragon behind them. The disturbed air settled, revealing his sword. Loid looked uneasy, eyes widening.
"The sword of Renon... " It's real," he said, dropping to his knees.
Nemisis suddenly looked puzzled, noticing their fear—not of him, but of something behind him. He turned to see a massive land dragon, larger than the ones he had slain, with dark purple scales radiating an aura.
"An SSS-Class?" Joan whispered. "What's it doing out here?"
Nemisis's sword suddenly moved towards the group, spinning around them so quickly it became a blur. The land Dragon opened its mouth, and magma-like fire headed for the group, but they were unharmed.
Nemisis dashed towards the dragon, landing several punches. Each punch carried enough force to drive the beast backward. The seal on his neck began to give a faint glow.
No, not today.
He landed one final punch. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then the air cracked. Seconds later, the land dragon froze before collapsing with a thunderous crash. Blood and magma flowed out of its mouth. His sword returned, revolving slowly before disappearing.
Loid looked shocked, "He... he took down an SSS-Class all by himself"
Nemisis gave a thumbs up and smiled at the little girl, whom he recognized from the town.
Later in the evening in the town, the atmosphere was lively as the festival began. In the center of the town was a big pile of wood, and people were gathered. Aenzil stood by the town head and other important people. Nemisis stood among the crowd with Aria standing before him.
An old woman stepped forward, and the crowd fell silent.
"Once again, the time has come, and so it shall pass," the old woman said. "Today we celebrate those who laid their lives down for our prosperity, and we also pay respect to the heroes of the Kingdom who listened to their cries."
She looked at Aenzil and smiled. She then turned her gaze to the stars, "And as always, we are grateful that a Higher One walks among us." She smiled once more.
"Now let the festival begin with her Majesty's flame."
Aenzil walked toward the old woman. She lowered her head as a woven crown of golden leaves was placed upon it. With a wave of her hand, the pile of wood erupted into flames, followed by the steady rhythm of drums.
Aenzil and the elders sat at a grand table; the town folks danced and ate. Nemisis leaned on a building, admiring the flames.
"Hey," Joan called out. "Enjoying yourself? Wait, don't tell me you are one of those heartless killers."
Nemesis's brows narrowed, "What do you mean by heartless?"
"She meant to say you are kinda acting like someone," Loid said as he appeared from the darkness behind them with a plate full of food.
"Yeah... " Joan squinted her eyes; she then snapped out of realization. "You look like Xenon."
"Hey, keep it down before someone hears you," Loid cautioned. "Come to think of it, you do look like him. How come I didn't notice?" He took a bite from a chicken drumstick.
"Uh... cause he is my father..." said Nemisis.
Both Loid and Joan stared at him, "Aha!... wait... he is your father?"
Their expressions shifted from surprise to outright terror. Loid almost dropped his food.
"You are a Xercise!" Loid exclaimed. "Then that really was the sword of Renon we saw back there? But you are a human who uses spirit energy, unlike the others who use the nameless energy."
"That actually confirms the rumors of the Alphar," Joan added.
Both of them dropped to their knees.
"P-Please spare my l... life, I beli... believed in the rumors." Joan shook.
"Please spare my life, at least let me devour this chicken before you kill me," Loid said as the chicken drumstick shook in his hand.
"No one's killing anyone," Nemisis said as he helped them to their feet. "First thing, I am not like my father, and secondly, why did you say I look like him? Now people are gonna notice."
"Now that you mention it, I think that was a mistake," Joan said.
"Well, I'm off to find myself a fine maiden to keep me company." Loid walked away, waving his chicken.
Aria approached them and raised her hand. "Yo!"
"Yo!" Joan responded, raising her hand.
"Is this some kind of greeting?" Nemisis inquired.
"Oh, I didn't notice you were there. I thought you might be all over the Princess now," Aria teased.
"I didn't know he was such a person," Joan covered her mouth.
Nemisis looked at them, confusion on his face.
"No, I am not like that," he said.
"Anyway," Aria said, "Enjoy yourself, little Xercise. Now, come along, Joan, before he makes a move on you."
She took Joan's hand, and they walked away. Nemisis shook his head and looked at Aenzil, who was dancing with children around the bonfire.
"Well, I guess nothing will go wrong from here," he said with a smile.
The next day, on a hill, the royal carriage stopped. Aenzil, Aria, Nemisis, and the escort guards looked down at the valley where a battle raged. Aria spotted Tezuka and Clara.
"It appears to be a battle involving us," she said, examining the scene again. "And our allies seem to be from Kromn; their enemies are Mavet and his dragons."
"Mavet?" Aenzil said. "I need to go help," she declared.
"No, you're staying here," Aria blocked her with her staff. "Nemisis will handle it."
"Huh? Me?" Nemisis blinked.
"Yes," Aria said. "You must protect your Princess. Now go."
Nemisis sighed and took to the sky, gaining a clear view of the battlefield. To his east, two familiar figures watched the fight. Their eyes met his, then they vanished into the forest.
What was that about? he wondered. How should I proceed with four dragons and an army?
"I know," a voice whispered in his mind. "Why don't we help?"
"Hmm... That's a good idea, Lilith. Listen, Knight, stay with the royal carriage and ensure safety. Lilith, help our friends down there. Alpahar, you're in charge of the dragons, and Sanity, prepare to possess me when I say so."
"Wait, how did you... You know what? I like that," Sanity said.
Three strands of light erupted from his chest; one transformed into a knight near the carriage, the other two rushed towards the battlefield.
"Long time no see, old friend," Arian said.
"Indeed," the knight nodded. "It looks like you've grown, little princess."
Aenzil looked at him in surprise. "Master Knight."
Back at the battle, Clara created a wall of fire to shield herself and Tezuka from the dragons. A fire-breathing attack from one of the dragons broke through the flames, but before it could engulf them, Lilith arrived, forming a barrier.
"Lilith?" Clara asked. "Wait, is he-"
Suddenly, a roar sounded as Alphar grabbed a dragon by the neck and snapped it.
"Pathetic," it said. "Hey, Kid. I am taking the one he is riding"
Nemisis gave a thumbs up. He suddenly appeared before Mavet. Before Mavet could react, he was punched off the dragon to the ground. Alpar grabbed the dragon and flew into space.
Mavet raised his head. High above him hovered Nemisis. His emerald-red eyes gleamed, while his sword revolved around him in silent circles.
[ In the dark void exists a being.
But don't be fooled-
For this being is the void itself...
and beyond even that.
The darkness is merely its presence.
Then-
a bloody red eye opened.
1/9 eyes are opened ]