September 1st 4070 - 9:43 AM
The Phantom and his newly appointed sidekick Zerofyne began their trek toward the massive city, and capital of Khourburg Dynasty known as Kelbath, to pursue the criminal Keen Odinson. Zerofyne’s mask is made of ice, as it slides upward smoothly on the girl's command, revealing herself to be Eiko Alphonia, with white hair and an extremely exhausted expression. “Why’d…” Eiko coughs, hitting her chest to regain her breath. “Have to walk through a forest for 4 hours?! Isn’t there a road or something??”
The Phantom looks back at her, a bit annoyed, giving her a pretty blunt response. “We’re assassins dude. We can’t just waltz down the main road with no problem, we’ll get apprehended and have to fight before we even get to the city.” He says, continuing to walk through the dimly lit forest. The forest is a beautiful place to be, with tall trees rising up, their branches laden with leaves that rustle in the slightest breeze. The undergrowth was lush and green, with ferns and small flowers sprouting up between the tree roots. Eiko thinks for a moment, before quickly following the Phantom through the different leaves and plants. “But…” She thinks to herself, “How are we gonna… go through a city like this?”
As she says this, both her and the Phantom make it to the main pathway. “What’dya mean?” Phantom says, as the duo step onto the main trail towards the city through the forest. The trail was soft and welcoming, with tiny pebbles and leaves crunching underfoot. The air was fresh and scented with the fragrant smells of growing things. “Like… we’re assassins right? Or that's what people call us so…. How do we walk through the city without getting in trouble? Especially this apparent big city.” Phantom realizes what she’s talking about. “Ahh…. simple enough.”
The duo stop, right as they see a clear entrance to and from the city. Phantom pulls her aside into the trees, pulling her out of sight. Eiko squeaks at the sharp pull, as she falls toward the Phantom, who quickly catches her and lifts her back to her feet. He then begins to dig through the inside of his suit, pulling out 2 elixirs in two tiny containers. “Rika is a mage.” The Phantom says, and this revelation surprises Eiko. “Mage’s specialize in making things like this.” He hands her one of the 2 bottles.
“This elixir allows us to completely mask our physical appearance and clothing with whatever persona is in it.” Eiko shakes the elixir, looking into the tiny container. The substance is a purple and pink color, swirling together with a hypnotic synchronism as Eiko shakes it. “Wow… My mom was a mage… so I kinda know how stuff like this works but… I didn’t know it could work like this..” “Yeah. But I’ve got 2 warnings.” Eiko’s ears perk up, as she looks toward the Phantom with genuine interest and intrigue. “Like…?” “Well. First things first, you can’t use your magic while transformed using this potion, nor can you access anything in possession of your old body. Second, it’ll vanish in 10 minutes.”
Phantom pulls out his pocket watch from his suit, and shows it to Eiko. “It’s 9:45. We have to make it to the Odinson shop by 9:55 or we’ll transform back to normal, and there’s gonna be commotion and we’ll have to fight. Understood?” Eiko is surprised, the pressure starting to kick in. “Is this.. Gonna be an easy mission?” “No.” Eiko sighs at this fast and blunt answer, and decides to push the worry out of her mind. She opens the elixir quick, and downs it all in one go. “What the-” Phantom sighs, opening his elixir and drinking it as well. Eiko feels the effects first and way worse, as her vision begins to get blurry.
She begins to stumble, coughing heavily as she grabs her shirt. Her heart begins to move at a rapid rate. Phantom feels the effects, but he’s used to them, as his vision gets blurry, but he stands tall and strong. Eiko’s body gets completely covered in soul energy, as her physical form completely changes. Her hair is long again but blonde, as she gets taller, and her physical features are more profound. Her clothes become a simple yellow dress. The Phantom’s body also morphs, growing a lot taller then he was before, hitting a staggering 6 '11. His hair is slicked back and jet black, with green eyes, as his clothes become a white beater tank top shirt, and sweatpants.
Roy wipes his face, sighing. “I hate dis’ one.” His voice sounds different, a bit deeper than before and having the accent of a thug. “Awwe! I think it’s cute!” She says, her accent sounding more country. Roy can’t help but laugh, watching Eiko become shocked at her voice. The girl spins around, excited by her new appearance. “Let’s bounce son. We gotta head out this bitch before this elixir hits the split, you heard?” Eiko giggles, nodding as the 2 of them walk out of the forest, with their new personas heading into the city.
Roy and Eiko make their way from the forest, into the bustling city streets, their new appearances drawing curious glances from passersby. The city is a cacophony of sights and sounds, the air thick with the scent of street food and the din of car horns. Neon signs flicker above storefronts, casting colorful reflections on the wet pavement. Tall skyscrapers loom overhead, their glass facades shimmering in the afternoon sun. The sidewalks are crowded with people—businessmen in suits, teenagers with backpacks, street vendors hawking their goods.
As Roy and Eiko step out further into the city, keeping a fast pace. The cityscape is a breathtaking blend of ancient and modern architecture, where towering skyscrapers of glass and steel stand alongside grand, centuries-old stone buildings adorned with intricate carvings and glowing runes. The sky above is a swirl of colors, painted with hues of pink, purple, and gold, reflecting the perpetual twilight that blankets the city. Each island houses small communities, gardens, and even marketplaces, adding more to scene of this already bustling metropolis.
The streets are filled with a diverse array of people. Elves with luminescent skin and flowing robes walk gracefully alongside burly dwarves in sturdy, rune-etched armor. Tall, bulky beings with animal features known as beastmen barter with merchants at vibrant market stalls, their voices a melodic counterpoint to the deeper tones of orcs and trolls negotiating over enchanted goods. Tritons also roam the streets, running different shops and having entire families.
The air is filled with the hum of magic, the scent of exotic spices, and the sounds of various street performers showcasing their talents. A group of gnomes, their hands a blur of motion, juggle orbs of pure light that change color with every toss. Nearby, a centaur plays a haunting melody on a wooden flute, his tail flicking in time with the rhythm. Wizards and sorcerers, their robes billowing, weave through the crowd, their staffs and wands occasionally sparking with stray magic.
Above the streets, enchanted signs hover, advertising shops and services with glowing, animated text. One sign shows a bubbling cauldron, promising potent potions and elixirs from other mages, while another depicts a pair of elegant wings, indicating a shop specializing in magical flying equipment. The scent of freshly baked goods wafts from a nearby bakery, where a fire elemental works alongside a human baker, their synchronized movements creating a mesmerizing dance of flame and dough.
Eiko’s eyes widen with awe as she takes in the fantastical sights. "Golly, Roy! This place is like a dream! Look at all them folks and the magic in the air! Ain't it amazin'?" Eiko smiles with genuine glee for the first time in a very long time, as Roy takes a look at her face. Roy, though still focused on their mission, can't help but agree with her. "Yeah, yeah, it’s somethin' else, ight. But lock in, we ain't here to keep yappin’. Keep your eyes on the prize, Eiko."
Eiko sighs, remembering that they’re here for a mission and probably have to fight. “Well… what does’ this Keen feller 'even look like?” “Dark skinned. Twisted hair. Green eyes. You’ll know when you’re lookin’ at the bitch when you see the aura he gives off to women.” Eiko is confused by what that means, but decides not to ask.
As they continue their walk, they pass by a colossal statue of the king, Fafnir Alphonia. His hands raised as if casting a spell that seems to hold the very fabric of the city together. Streams of light flow from his fingertips, cascading down to the streets below and weaving through the buildings like living veins of magic. The statue's eyes glow with a serene, otherworldly wisdom, watching over the inhabitants with a silent, protective presence. Eiko looks at her brother’s statue, but chooses not to mention it, keeping her thoughts and nostalgia to herself.
They keep moving, and Eiko’s eyes of wonder expand even more after seeing something like this for the first time. "Golly, Roy, this place is amazin'! Look at all them lights and fancy buildings! I ain't never seen nothin' like this in person… I only ever saw it in storybooks!”
Roy grunts, barely sparing a glance at their surroundings. "Yeah, yeah, it's a real beaut. Now keep it pushin’. We ain't got da’ minutes to be gawkin' like a couple o' tourists." The duo keeps walking, as Roy spots a few magic knights on patrol, walking through the city with their weapons hoisted to protect the citizens. He dashes into a crowd, holding Eiko’s hand. She yelps, as they weave through the crowd. Eiko spots a small, quaint shop tucked between two larger buildings. Its windows are cluttered with an eclectic assortment of items—trinkets, souvenirs, and various knick-knacks. She tugs on Roy's arm, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hey! Let's go there! I've never been to a city shop before. I bet they got all sorts o' neat stuff!"
Roy shakes his head, his voice a growl. "Forget it. We ain't got minutes for no shoppin'. We got a mission to focus on. We gotta get outta this joint before the elixir wears off, you heard?" Eiko pouts, crossing her arms stubbornly. "Aw, c'mon! It won't take but a minute. I just wanna see what they got. Pretty pleeeease?"
Roy sighs heavily, facepalming. "Alright, fine. But make it quick, ight? We ain't got all day, son." They push open the door to the shop, a little bell tinkling overhead. The interior is even more cluttered than the windows, shelves crammed with an array of items from floor to ceiling. The air smells faintly of incense, and soft, tinny music plays from an old radio behind the counter.
A man pops up from behind a stack of boxes, his face splitting into a wide grin. He has wild, curly hair and a bushy mustache, and his name tag reads "Benji." "Welcome, welcome! Name's Benji, what can I do for ya today?" His voice is high-pitched and cheerful, with a slight lisp.
Eiko beams at him. "Howdy, Benji! I'm…” Eiko freezes for a second, thinking of an alias, realizing they can’t say their real names. This second hesitation interests Benji, as Ella follows up quickly. “I’m Ella and this here's my husband, Troy! We're just lookin' around, seein' what kinda stuff you got." Benji claps his hands together, with a sly grin on his face. "Wonderful, wonderful! Take your time, take your time. We've got all sorts of treasures here. Do you like jokes? I've got a million of 'em!"
“Troy” rolls his eyes, muttering under his breath. "Awesome, just what we need. A comedian." Benji pretends not to hear him, launching into a string of jokes as he follows “Ella” around the shop. "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! Heh, heh. Oh, and why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!"
Ella genuinely starts laughing, while Troy doesn’t seem amused at all, looking at the clock above the door. It’s beat up and worn down, but the clock reads 9:51 AM. Troy walks over, "Yeah, yeah, real fuckin’ hilarious, Benji. How 'bout you cut the stand-up routine and let us get what we need, cuh?" As Ella and Troy linger in the shop, Benji continues his relentless barrage of jokes. Ella browses the shelves with fascination, while Troy’s patience begins to wear thin, he begins to realize there’s no way for them to reliably make it to Keen without transforming back to normal.
Benji winks at Ella, ignoring Troy’s grumbling. "Oh, I've got plenty more where that came from! So, what are ya lookin' for? Somethin' special? A gift, maybe? Benji sidles up to Troy, grinning from ear to ear. "Hey, buddy! Did you hear about the guy who invented Lifesavers? He made a mint! Hahaha!" Ella picks up a small, ornate box, turning it over in her hands. "Everything here is so interestin'. What's this box for, Benji?"
Benji’s eyes light up. "Ah, that's a mystery box! You never know what's inside until you open it. Could be anything—jewelry, a rare coin, maybe even a treasure map! You like surprises, don’t ya?" Ella nods enthusiastically. "I sure do! How much for the box?" Before Benji can answer, Troy steps in, his patience wearing thin. "Listen, dickhead, we ain't here to buy no mystery boxes. We got business to take care of. So if ya got somethin' useful, show us, otherwise we're outta here."
Benji raises his hands in a placating gesture. "Alright, alright, no need to get testy. How about this—I'll give you a special deal on the box, and if you don't like what's inside, you get your money back. Sound’ fair?" Ella looks up at Troy with pleading eyes. "C'mon, Troy, it's a good deal! And it sounds like fun!" Troy groans, rubbing the back of his neck. "Whatever.” Benji beams, handing the box to Ella. "There you go! Enjoy your mystery, and remember, laughter is the best medicine! Oh, that reminds me—why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two-tired!" As Eiko pays for the box using the money that came with the dress, Troy leans against the counter, his voice a low grumble. "We done here, Ella? We gotta get movin'."
Ella nods, clutching the box to her chest. "Yeah, we're done. Thanks, Benji!" Benji waves as they head for the door. "Come back anytime, folks! And remember, life's too short not to laugh!" Eiko thinks about those words, and smiles. “I’ll remember that!” Roy and Eiko exit, as the clock strikes 9:54. “Thanks a lot, Ella.” He says condescendingly, pointing towards the big clock across the street. “Oh’ SHIT!” Eiko screams out, catching the attention of the royal knights across the street. They begin to walk toward the duo, assuming that this tall thug looking guy is harassing this cute lady.
“Is there a problem here?” The royal knights say, and Roy doesn’t even bother to entertain this, grabbing Eiko and hitting the jets. “HEY!” The first royal knight says, as the 2 behind him follow. Roy and Eiko begin to feel a strong surge of soul energy surrounding the both of them. Eiko begins to feel that same chest pain, as the people around them on the street begin to make way. A mother with a child closes the windows to her house, as the 2 transform. They explode with soul energy, as Roy and Eiko and are revealed to be the Phantom and a new girl the public has never seen with him before.
Phantom charges his electricity into his feet, jumping high using his thunder to boost him, as the public sees this nation wide threat. These streets go from cheerful to shrouded with fear, going from a place of excitement and wonder to an entire street in fear of seeing this presence. The Phantom drops Zerofyne, who brings her mask down to cover her entire face. “Thanks, a whole bunch. We could’ve been at the Odin’s Cauldron by now, but no, you wanna waste time talking to that stupid ass FUCK face telling his dumbass jokes.” The Phantom seems genuinely mad, seemingly regretting bringing Eiko along for a second, but those thoughts leave his head as quickly as they enter.
“I-” Zerofyne stutters, holding the box she got from Benji tightly. “I’m… sorry.” She mutters, but Phantom doesn’t seem to hear her. Behind them, the magic knights follow, as the main one begins to ring for backup. “SEND THE CAPTAINS! WE’VE SPOTTED THE S CLASS!” Phantom spins, “Stand behind me.” He rushes toward the Magic Knights, pulling his Dragon Buster Sword from his back. He brings it down, as it erupts with a static energy. The magic knights get blasted with his reckless wave of electricity, stunning them. He then blitzes the knights, hitting them with a barrage of slashes to knock the 3 of them down. They all fall, as he speeds away. He quickly grabs Eiko, and vanishes from public view.
They drop into an ally, giving Zerofyne a second to catch her breath. She looks over to the Phantom, who stands over her, seemingly upset but giving her a chance to recuperate. “I- I’m sorry.” She says, actually getting him to hear this time. “I- I got so caught up… I’ve never been out this long before so I just..” Phantom kneels, putting his hand on her shoulder. “Nah.” He says, “It’s my fault to an extent. I can’t totally put pressure on you to stay focused when you haven’t been outside. I shouldn’t have brought you here this early. I apologi-” “N- No!” Zerofyne interrupts, opening her mask and showing her tearing up a tiny bit. “You had faith in me! I don’t want you to regret putting faith in me…”
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He’s surprised, but slowly, he begins to understand the situation from her perspective. “Look.” The Phantom says, but before he continues, he shuts himself up. He thinks for a second, before standing up, and lifting Eiko up by her hand. “We’ll talk later. We have to focus on the mission.” Eiko gets sad, but nods, putting her mask back down as it covers her face once again, the eyes of the mask glowing a yellow color. “I understand.” The duo walk through the alleyway in silence, as rats skimmer throughout it, with homeless people snorting magical substances and paying each other for sexual favors. Zerofyne gets uncomfortable, as the slums weren’t as pretty as the rest of the city.
Phantom seems unphased, but Zerofyne gets closer to him, gripping onto his arm. They make it out of the alleyway, making it to the less fortunate side of Kelbath. As Phantom and Eiko venture deeper into the city, the vibrant magic and grandeur begin to fade, giving way to the somber reality of the slums. The transition is stark and sudden; the streets narrow, and the once-glowing signs are replaced by flickering, dim lights. The buildings here are dilapidated, their facades cracked and covered in grime. Makeshift homes made of scrap metal and old wood line the alleyways, their inhabitants struggling to make a living in the shadow of the city's opulence.
The air is thick with the stench of refuse and stagnant water, and the magical energy that once hummed so strongly in the city's heart feels faint and corrupted. Graffiti, both mundane and enchanted, mars the walls, with messages of rebellion and cries for help. Street vendors still ply their trade, but the goods are far less exotic—mostly worn-out clothes, questionable food, and homemade trinkets. The people here, a mix of races, wear expressions of weariness and suspicion, their eyes darting about, ever watchful for danger.
Despite the grim surroundings, there's a raw, gritty resilience in the air. Small fires burn in barrels, providing warmth and a place for the community to gather and share stories of hardship and hope. Children play in the narrow streets, their laughter a stark contrast to the somber environment. The slums may lack the enchantment of the city's heart, but they possess a rough-hewn magic of their own—a testament to the enduring spirit of those who live there, struggling yet unbroken, finding ways to survive and even thrive in the harshest of conditions. “Welcome to the reality of this city, Eiko. Once you’ve seen it you can never look at it the same.” He whispers, as they make it down the road.
September 1st 4070 - 10:02 AM
The duo step out of the slums, as it slowly transitions back into somewhat normal looking territory. They stop, looking at a massive shop with the label of “Odin’s Cauldron.” “Here we are, Zerofyne. Prepare.” The nerves of the situation begin to get to her, as she puts her box from the shop in her bag. “I’m… r- ready.” The Phantom grips his blade, knocking on the door of the massive mega shop. The streets begin to clear, as everybody runs away seeing the Phantom, but he doesn’t seem to care at all.
He begins to hear footsteps walking towards it, and as the door opens, it reveals to be a dark skinned boy with twists. His eyes widen as his face runs cold, remembering the situation with the tritons in a second, as it flashes through his mind.
“You’re dead. Keen Odinson.”
Keen jumps back, looking over at his big brother Thorton. Thorton jumps up, seeing the Phantom at the door and immediately prepares to defend his younger brother. Keen snaps his fingers as the Phantom rushes at him, diving into a portal and closing it. The Phantom barely misses his swing, as Zerofyne spots Keen appear behind them. He hits the jets, and Zerofyne wastes no time, trailing behind him using her ice. “I’ll get him!” She yells out to the Phantom, as he turns, realizing Zerofyne is following him.
The Phantom attempts to run out the door, but he begins to feel the sense of a high wave of soul energy coming at him, he ducks, as Thortons hammer barely misses his skull. “You. I can beat you quick enough.” Phantom says, turning towards Thorton. The big brother hops out of his spot at the front of the shop, pulling his hammer back toward him. “You’ll have to tear me limb from limb before I let you get to my brother. Fuck off.” The Phantom’s sword charges with lighting, as he starts walking toward Thorton. “Never been the type to care about family.”
He charges at Thorton, swinging his Dragon Buster down at the man, who counters with a heavy swing from his hammer. The hammer is a massive clump of iron, with a small hilt to hold it. As the 2 metals clash, a wave of electricity spreads throughout the shop, bursting the windows at the front. Thorton gets a strong kick to his stomach, as he gets launched through the wall behind him. He crashes back into the storage room, as the Phantom launches a blade of electricity from his sword. “STATIC WAVE” The man yells, as the wave of electricity tears apart anything it touches.
Thorton counters, as blue lighting surrounds him and his hammer.
“GOD ARMOR!”
He yells, the hammer making a dent in the floor as the blue lightning wraps around him, covering him with magical blue armor. The lightning launched at him seeps into the armor, charging it as Thorton rushes at the Phantom. He swings his hammer, but the Phantom dodges, keeping up the pressure as he slashes Thorton’s armor in his backside.
Thorton staggers from the blow, but quickly regains his footing. His blue lightning-infused armor glows with an intense, almost blinding light. The Phantom doesn't let up, moving with fluid precision as he closes the distance between them, his Dragon Buster sword crackling with electric energy. He feints a swing to Thorton's left before spinning and aiming a low slash at his legs. "His armor seems to have a lightning resistance.... but I think I can beat through it."
Thorton anticipates the move, leaping into the air with surprising agility for a man wielding such a massive hammer. He spins the hammer fast, and zaps a beam of lightning at the Phantom, the lightning propelling him upwards and carrying him out of the Phantom's reach. He hovers near the ceiling, looking down at the Phantom with a grim determination. With a swift motion, he raises his hammer high, as the metal in the room begins to surround him, different scattered around the shop turn into one massive tornado of metal. "MAGNETIC MAELSTROM!"
The room erupts as metal fragments—tools, nails, and even the steel support beams—whirl around Thorton, creating a deadly storm of debris. The Phantom grits his teeth, narrowing his eyes as he prepares for the onslaught. He slashes his sword in a wide arc, sending out a wave of electricity to deflect the incoming projectiles, but a few manage to breach his defense, grazing his arms and legs, slashing through his clothing and into his skin. Some of the debris scatters toward the ceiling, destroying the lights in the room.
Not giving him a moment to recover, Thorton dives down, hammer first. The floor beneath them shudders from the impact, the shockwave knocking the Phantom off his feet. He rolls to the side, barely avoiding the crushing blow that leaves a deep crater in the ground. The Phantom rises, his eyes blazing with resolve. He channels his energy, the Dragon Buster glowing bright enough to illuminate the dark room. “STATIC WHEEL!” He yells, as he jumps toward Thorton, spinning his entire body in a circle, using an electric version of a spin dash.
Thorton braces himself, his God Armor absorbing the brunt of the attack, but the force pushes him back, his feet skidding across the floor. With a roar, he counters, flinging his hammer like a projectile. "GOD CRUSH!" The hammer spins through the air, trailing blue lightning. The Phantom side steps, but Thorton controls the trajectory, recalling the hammer mid-flight. It slams into the Phantom's side, sending him crashing through a wall into another room. This room is the armory, where they currently have customers. A group of generic looking adventures looking through armor for their next quest. As the girl of the group looks through some armor, the Phantom crashes into her and through the armor, scaring the adventures.
Dust and debris fill the air as the Phantom struggles to his feet, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The gang of adventures help the girl up, and step away from the Phantom. He turns toward them, and tightens his grip on the Dragon Buster, determination etched on his face. “Run.” Thorton steps through the hole in the wall, his presence commanding, his energy scaring the adventures out of the armory. "You can't win, Phantom," he says, his voice a low rumble. "My lightning is stronger than yours.”
The Phantom's eyes narrow. "I’ve already picked up on a flaw in your fighting style, dickwad!" He charges forward, his movements a blur as he unleashes a flurry of strikes. Thorton parries with his hammer, the sound of metal clashing against metal echoing through the ruined building. Sparks fly as the two warriors exchange blows, neither giving an inch.
Suddenly, Thorton leaps back, raising his hammer high. "IRON TYPHOON!" he roars, and the entire room trembles as the metal within it responds to his call. A whirlwind of steel and lightning forms around him, expanding outward with a deafening roar. The Phantom is caught in the maelstrom, forced to defend himself against the relentless onslaught of metal shards and lightning strikes. He covers himself in a shield of Lightning, repelling most of the metal from tearing through the barrier as he’s zapped with the blue lightning. He spins his blade around, gathering his limited amounts of soul energy in it.
With a powerful thrust of his sword, the Phantom breaks free from the storm, his body crackling with residual energy. He launches himself at Thorton, their weapons meeting in a blinding clash of blue and yellow light. The force of their collision sends shockwaves through the building, shattering through another wall, into a blacksmith room.
As they battle their way through the structure, the environment becomes a weapon in their hands. Thorton rips metal beams from the ceiling, hurling them at the Phantom with deadly precision. The Phantom dodges and counters with lightning-fast strikes, each swing of his sword releasing arcs of electricity that scorch the air. He uses the metal getting flung around as a distraction to charge his electricity.
In a desperate move, Thorton channels his energy into a single, devastating attack. "STORMBRINGER!" he bellows, and a massive bolt of black lightning descends from the heavens, breaking through the ceiling, striking his hammer. The weapon glows with an otherworldly power as he brings it down on the Phantom with all his might. “His lightning….” Thorton begins to think, “It’s way faster than regular lightning… even my top speeds are getting out performed by him doing normal attacks..”
The Phantom meets the blow head-on, his Dragon Buster blazing with electric energy. The impact creates a shockwave that blasts apart the remaining walls, sending both combatants flying. They land on opposite sides of the now-ruined building, breathing heavily, their eyes locked in a fierce, unyielding stare. Both warriors rise, battered but not beaten, ready to continue their epic clash. Phantom and Thorton rise from the debris, their eyes locked in a fierce, unyielding stare. The ruined building around them crackles with residual electricity, the air thick with tension and the promise of more destruction to come.
Thorton wipes a trickle of blood from his mouth, his eyes narrowing as he grips his hammer. "You’ve got some fight in you, Phantom. You’re not as overrated as I thought. But this ends now." He raises his hammer, summoning the remaining metal fragments in the room to swirl around him, creating a barrier of steel and electricity.
The Phantom doesn't reply. Instead, he tightens his grip on the Dragon Buster, the blade humming with raw power. He takes a deep breath, focusing his energy. With a burst of speed, he charges at Thorton, slicing through the barrier with a powerful swing. "STATIC FURY!" he shouts, unleashing a flurry of electric-charged slashes that light up the dim room. Thorton parries the attacks with his hammer, each clash sending sparks flying. He swings his hammer in a wide arc, forcing the Phantom to leap back. Thortons eyes begin to bleed, the side effects of using his armor for too long begin to take effect on his body.
Thorton tosses his hammer past the Phantom, and runs toward him. The Phantom dodges a punch from Thorton, who uses the Phantom’s swift movement to his advantage, using his armor hand to grab the Phantom's entire face. He then uses his power to pull the hammer back towards him, attempting to crush the Phantom skull by pulling the hammer at top speed towards the hand where the Phantom’s skull resides. The Phantom counters quickly, knowing what the end goal is instantly. He stabs his sword into Thortons gut through the armor, he winces in pain, loosening his grip enough for the Phantom to drop, dodging the hammer from completely destroying his skull.
The Phantom hurtles towards him, with Thortan countering by swinging his hammer with all his strength. The hammer connects, slamming the Phantom full force in his face. The man gets launched, hitting the cash register. The mask falls off his face in pieces, as he begins to bleed. Roy spits out 2 of his bottom teeth, standing up holding his sword, completely serious. Thorton uses his power to propel Roy upward, zapping him with lightning sending him soaring through the roof and into the open sky. Roy twists in the air, regaining control before plummeting back down. He channels his energy into the blade, aiming it at Thorton. "THUNDERBOLT DESCENT!"
He crashes down like a bolt of lightning, his sword striking Thorton’s hammer in a dazzling explosion of energy. The force of the impact sends shockwaves rippling through the ground, cracking the floor and toppling some buildings beside the shop. Both men are thrown back, but they quickly regain their footing, their eyes burning with determination.
Thorton’s blue lightning intensifies, enveloping his entire body in a radiant aura. He takes to the air, hovering above the ground. "You can’t win, Phantom. Not against the power of a god." He raises his hammer high, shooting black lightning into the sky. The weather completely changes, beginning to rain as dark skies begin to cover the entire megacity. The 2 stand in the remnants of the shop, preparing to enter the final act of the fight.
Roy looks up, undeterred. "I don’t need to be a god to beat you, Thorton. Fuck that." He braces himself, his sword crackling with electric energy. As Thorton brings his hammer down, summoning a bolt of lightning from the storm, Roy counters with a powerful upward slash. The two attacks collide, the resulting explosion shaking the very foundations of the city. The shockwave is launched through the city. Both fighters are thrown back, crashing into opposite ends of the devastated building. Dust and debris fill the air as they struggle to their feet, bruised and battered but far from defeated.
Thorton grits his teeth, his eyes blazing with fury. His eyes bleeding heavy, he raises his hammer once more, summoning all the metal in the vicinity to him. "METAL TORNADO!" The metal debris and pipes form a massive whirlwind, spinning around him at incredible speeds. The people surrounding the building begin to run, as everything metal they have is dragged toward the storm. Some magic knights begin running toward the storm, but begin to back out in fear. Roy squares his shoulders, his grip on the Dragon Buster tightening. He knows this could be the decisive moment.
With a fierce battle cry, Roy charges into the tornado, his sword slicing through the flying metal shards. He weaves through the deadly storm with incredible agility, his eyes locked on Thorton. As he reaches the eye of the storm, he leaps into the air, bringing his sword down with all his might. Thorton swings his hammer up to meet the attack, their weapons colliding in a blinding flash of light and energy. The force of the clash tears through the tornado, dissipating the whirlwind and sending both combatants skidding across the ground. They rise to their feet once more, panting heavily but ready to continue the fight. The magic knights start running at both of them again, but Thorton drops a bolt of lightning from the sky, making a cage to capture both him and Roy. Roy quickly snaps back into reality, realizing his face is exposed. He grabs his face, making a mask of lightning to conceal his identity. His rags are torn, revealing his skin and blood dripping.
With the building around them in ruins and the sky above crackling with residual energy, The Phantom and Thorton stand facing each other, both warriors refusing to back down. The outcome of their battle hangs in the balance, each knowing that the next move could decide their fate.”You ready to die?” He says, spinning his sword around his body. Thorton laughs “For my brother, sure. He’s already probably escaped your sidekick.” “Yeah, sure.” The Phantom is worried, but decides to put his faith in Eiko once more.
Thorton begins to fly, charging everything he has into this one final lightning strike. He charges his armor into the hammer, along with the energy from the black cloud above, using it to charge one final attack. The magic knights on the outside begin to beat on the box, as Roy charges his energy into the strike. He doesn’t use all of his power, but just enough to where he thinks he’ll win. The 2 unleash their finals blows at the same time, with the lightning hitting each other almost simultaneously.
“VANQUISH EXILE”
“DIVINE CANNON”
Vanquish Exile tears through the Divine Cannon like butter, slashing straight into Thorton’s chest. He begins to bleed, dropping from the sky and crashing onto the street, starting to lose his consciousness. The Phantom takes this opportunity to escape, using his lightning to jump out of the cage from the open roof, hopping onto a building, quickly zapping away. The 6 of the Royal Knights begin to follow the Phantom, as the 4 remaining continue to try to beat into the electric cage.
“Hope you’re doing good… Eiko.” He thinks to himself, holding his sword close as he looks down and recognizes that one of the Magic Knights following him is a captain. The woman doesn't seem all that strong at first, but he recognizes the emblem of a captain anywhere.