September 1st. 4070 - 10:25 AM
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, with long pink hair and her ruby red eyes. He hops to a different building, and then it begins to register in his mind. As he hits the roof of a shop, it finally does register to him. “That's a captain.” He says outloud, thinking about the emblem he saw on her black uniform. “But… magic knight captain's normally don’t wear normal attire. So what gives?”
Down on the streets below, the magic knight captain turns to her subordinates, as a girl with purple and red dyed hair runs beside her. This girl is decently tall, hitting 5’9, pushing 5’10. She wears chains around her wrists, and has a guitar latched to her back, along with wearing her magic knight uniform open like a jacket, with a short crop top underneath it. “Boss!” She says, turning to the captain. “Zara!” The captain responds, smiling towards the woman. “I’m glad to see you here. The Phantom’s on the loose. Usually… I’d be the one to handle it… but the civilians need someone they can count on and keep them at peace.” Zara rolls her eyes, the good nature of the captain as evident as always. “You’ve always been good with that.” Zara smirks, which makes the Captain smile but reminds herself she has to focus.
“You’re the second strongest person available. So can I put my faith in you to bring him down, lieutenant?” “When have I ever let ya down Sera?” Zara responds, smiling as she launches one of her chains from her wrists. The chain unravels, wrapping around the chimney it was launched at, and pulls her up. “When we’re in serious situations, You call me captain!” Captain Sera says, and Zara scoffs, giving her a thumbs-up and chasing after the Phantom. Roy is already making his move, attempting to find Eiko and Keen, but he feels a presence behind him.
“Lord…” He sighs, spinning and turning, charging his mask of lightning and keeping it activated subconsciously. “What now?” He yells out, as Zara lands behind him, her chain wrapping back around her arm. “So YOUUUU~ must be the Phantom?” She says, pulling her electric guitar from her back. The guitar is Black and Red, with purple stars on the headstock and around the base. “What's it to you? What are you? A fan or somethin’? You dress like one.” The Phantom says, which can’t help but make Zara laugh, amused by the Phantom’s childish comment on her appearance. “Nah.” She throws up a Plectrum from her jacket pocket, beginning to strum her guitar.
“I’m ZARA RIOT! THE LIEUTENANT OF SPECIAL SQUAD ONE!” Zara yells, playing a tune from her guitar to match her enthusiasm. “I’m here to apprehend you!” “I’ve heard that one before.” The Phantom spins his sword around his body, pretty annoyed but accepting. “Let’s get this done.” The Phantom charges toward Zara, as she begins to play a tune from her guitar. She charges her soul energy into it, launching a shockwave toward him. The Phantom stays on his toes, outspeeding the shockwave and dodging it completely. He swings his blade toward her neck, and she quickly counters, lifting her arm wrapped with a chain. The chain and blade collide, causing friction, sending the Phantom and Zara flying in 2 different directions.
The Phantom goes straight into a big office building, into somebody's computer and smashes it. He rolls, and everybody in the office is terrified from the combination of the loud smashing sound, and the entrance of the Phantom. The woman sitting at the computer falls to her knees, she's a smaller elf woman, and begins to cry. “That's it… I’m gonna lose my JOB!” She yells, her complaints overshadowed by the sound of everyone screaming. The Phantom doesn’t say anything, but walks past the woman, looking through his clothes, and then drops a tiny leather sack. She opens the sack, and inside is 100 gold pieces.
The woman looks up at the Phantom, who doesn’t speak, he just puts his index finger in front of his mask and says “Shhhh.” He hops out of the building, using his lightning as a boost to propel him back to where he was standing before. Zara didn’t get sent that far, crashing into a cabbage shop. She jumps up, “I’m so sorry!” She says, realizing how inconvenient battling is inside of a city. She uses her chains to pull her back up to the place where she was standing, as her and the Phantom land at the same time. “Round 2!” She says, quickly putting spinning her guitar around her back, then starts fighting with the chains around her arms.
The Phantom once again stays silent, countering the metal chains with a barrage of slashes, swinging and blocking their advance. Zara jumps, dragging the chains back around and hitting the Phantom in the face toward the ground. He falls, as she wraps the metal chains around the Phantom's body like a lasso rallying up cattle, pulling him back up toward her, then punching him directly in his face. The lightning mask shocks her, and holds back a bit of the force from the punch as the Phantom is launched.
He slides across the roof, holding his sword tight and using it like a pin, stabbing it into the wooden surface to keep him put. He slides for a few more seconds, the blade tearing into the roof. “Jeez.” The Phantom then quickly repositions himself, pulling his sword out of the ground, launching a wave of lightning from his blade. Zara quickly moves the chains to create a shield around her, but some lightning seeps through, hitting her in her stomach.
Zara's grimace turned into a defiant smirk as she shook off the lingering effects of the lightning. Her chains rattled ominously, a symphony of metal against the backdrop of the city's din. "I’m gonna test you, Phantom. Let’s see if you live up to the hype!!" Phantom's response was a sigh, his blade crackling with residual energy. "Like I haven’t heard that a million times.” With a swift flick of her wrist, Zara sent her chains snaking toward Phantom again. This time, they moved with serpentine agility, twisting and turning to encircle him. Phantom spun his blade, expertly parrying the incoming metal, but Zara's assault was relentless. Each strike was met with a deft counter, the clash of steel and chain echoing through the city streets below.
Phantom leaped into the air, his body a blur of motion as he evaded the chains. He landed on a nearby rooftop, barely pausing before launching himself toward Zara. “Her magic doesn’t seem to be related to the chains.” He realizes, as she met him mid-air, their combat turned aerial as they exchanged blows. The cityscape became their battleground, the rooftops and streets a blur beneath them. “So what… does it relate to her guitar?” He thinks, charging lightning into his blade and knocking the chains away and going to strike Zara with a charged strike. “Electro-Static SLASH!”
Zara shifted her tactics, switching seamlessly between her guitar and chains. Right before he lands the strike, she strums a note. “DOOM METAAAAL!” The Phantom attempts to get out of the way, but he’s virtually in point blank range, and gets hit with the chaotic sound. He feels his body get slower, and the chains around Zara’s wrists become thicker. She then launches her chains at him, as Phantom deflects it with a well-placed swing of his sword, the energy dispersing harmlessly. But Zara was already on the move, her chains wrapping around a chimney, breaking it off of the building and sending it flying at the Phantom. It hits the man at the back of his head, which allows Zara to get a clean strike, sending a powerful soundwave from her guitar toward the Phantom as he gets hit with the chimney. He gets blasted by the soundwave, crashing through a family’s house.
Inside the building, he spins through it fast and flies out the other window. The mom and her daughter scream out in terror for the few seconds the Phantom was in the home. Phantom flies out of the house, landing on another rooftop. He rolled to his feet, brushing off the glass shards embedded in his clothes. Zara was right behind him, her chains lashing out in a whirlwind of metal. He ducked and weaved, his sword a blur as he countered her attacks. He feels his body moving a bit slower than before, getting hit in the leg by one of the chains. “That Doom Metal thing made me slower.” Zara moves quickly, hitting the Phantom in his face with the chain as he flies back into another chimney.
"You really like making a mess, don't you?" Phantom taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Zara's laugh was harsh. "Only when it's fun!" She swung her guitar, the chains retracting around her arms. The Phantom counters, dodging the swing of the guitar, as it hits the chimney. He appears behind Zara, swinging his blade upward with an attempt to tear into her. She counters, swinging the guitar back around to counter. The impact of the guitar against Phantom's blade sent a shockwave through the air and roof of the building, the people, computers and desks toppling over from inside the building. Phantom gritted his teeth, pushing back against her with sheer strength. The two were locked in a stalemate, their faces inches apart, the tension palpable.
The Phantom charges a surge of energy into the blade, giving the energy he needs to overpower the guitarist. Phantom shoved Zara back, using the momentum to propel himself onto another roof. He landed gracefully on the roof of a neighboring building, taking a moment to catch his breath. The fatigue from his fight with Thorton is still weighing on him, affecting his performance. Zara follows, her chains extending to latch onto the edge of the roof and pulling her up with a fluid motion.
The fight resumed with renewed intensity. Phantom was relentless, his sword slashing through the air with precision. Zara countered with her chains, each strike a calculated move to keep him off balance. They moved across the rooftops, their battle a deadly dance above the unsuspecting city below. “So this is the strength of the strongest lieutenant?” Zara's chains coiled around a nearby antenna, using it as a pivot point to swing herself toward Phantom. She landed a solid punch, the force of it sending him skidding across the roof. He retaliated with a lightning-fast slash, cutting through her defenses and leaving a shallow wound on her arm. Zara hissed in pain but didn't slow down, her chains wrapping around Phantom's legs and yanking him off his feet.
"Gotcha!" she crowed, tightening her grip. But Phantom's body crackled with electricity, the charge traveling through the chains and shocking Zara. “Ack~!”She yelped, releasing her hold and staggering back. The Phantom launches lightning from his feet, ripping holes through his shoes but blasting Zara with a wave of electrostatic energy. The slides back on the roof, stunned with this burst of power. Phantom capitalizes on her momentary weakness, launching himself at her with a flurry of strikes. Zara parried as best she could, her chains whipping around to block and deflect his attacks. She strummed her guitar, sending another shockwave his way, but Phantom anticipated it, barely managing to dodge with his decreased speed, to the side and closing the distance between them.
Their battle carried them to the edge of the building, the city sprawled out beneath them. Phantom's sword clashed with Zara's chains, the two combatants locked in a fierce struggle. Zara's eyes burned with determination, her teeth gritted against the pain and exhaustion. Phantom's expression underneath the mask was one of grim focus, his attacks precise and unrelenting. He spins his sword, creating a barrier of lightning in between him and Zara. Zara played another series of notes, her guitar emitting a high-pitched whine. “DEATH METAL!” The sound waves distorted the air around them, creating a disorienting effect. It tears through the barrier, sending a blast through the Phantom’s body. He stumbled, momentarily thrown off balance. Zara took advantage of the opportunity, as her chains get lighter, and due to using Death Metal, they gain spikes/barbs. She launches them, grabbing them around the Phantom, piecing into him.
"You're tough, I'll give you that," she said, her voice strained. "Don’t underestimate the magic knights." Phantom grunted, struggling against the chains. "Show me something worth remembering then." he retorted, his body glowing with a surge of electrical energy. He discharged the energy in a powerful burst, breaking free from Zara's hold and sending her flying backward. She crashed into a nearby rooftop, rolling to her feet and shaking off the impact. Phantom followed, landing with a thud and immediately pressing the attack. Zara met him head-on, their weapons clashing with sparks and fury. The city's skyline was their battlefield, the stakes high and the outcome uncertain.
Phantom and Zara lock into a high-speed clash, sending shockwaves through the streets. The Phantom’s blade overpowers her a few times, allowing him to get a few slashes in on her arms and legs. Nothing fatal however. “I won’t lose….” She thinks to herself, “If I capture the Phantom…. Ms. Seraphine will be proud of me!” Zara goes harder with how she strikes with her chains, countering the Phantom’s wave of slashes. “Zara!” The girl imagines, thinking of her captain. “You did amazing! I’m so proud of you.” Zara blushes at the thought, and begins to amp up the pressure.
Zara stops the clash, breaking away with her chains and quickly switches back to the guitar. She strums it, launching a powerful soundwave back at the Phantom. “DOOM METAL!” She yells, as the wave of her music makes a chaotic symphony. The warrior slides back from the soundwave, but smiles under his mask. The Phantom, continuing his taunts, ever insouciant. “What? Weren’t confident of the clash so you switched to shitty metal music again? I expected someone like you to be captain level. But you’ve earned your role as lieutenant.” His voice is dripping with condescension.
The girl doesn’t seem to react much, running toward the Phantom. “A joke about my music? That's the first time I’ve heard one of those since middle school! So CREATIVE!” As she yells creative, she blasts him with another soundwave. This time the Phantom can’t even react in time, getting blasted down to the ground with the burst. “Does that doom metal shit cut my speed in half or something?!” She jumps, and launches another soundwave down the street. “DOOM METAL!” The deafening riff moving even faster, sends a concussive blast that could blow down the foundations of entire buildings, the burst amplified with her soul energy.
The Phantom moved quickly this time, using his lightning to boost his speed. He propels up with a burst of lightning, dodging the shockwave way before it gets near him, he then exerts lightning from his back, pushing him forward. He begins to spin in the air, covering himself in lightning that makes a spin dash. “STATIC WHEEL!” Zara doesn’t use her guitar, this time launching both her chains to grab the Phantom. She misses, as he blitzes her and hits her directly in the chest, hitting her and the guitar. She takes the full force of the attack, as he drags her to a building while still using his static wheel. They crash, and Zara takes this chance to adapt. She wraps her chains around the Phantom’s wheel, and jumps up, and begins to spin around with him still wrapped in chains. She launches him toward the tallest building in the entire city, a skyscraper.
This skyscraper is a monument and a museum, used to help tourists understand the culture of the land. The Phantom crashes into the wall of the skyscraper, landing in one of the small corners where he can actually stand. People in the city look up in surprise, the massive thud to the skyscraper making a loud sound. Zara takes a few seconds to catch her breath, and then uses her chains to web sling over to the skyscraper in an instant.
As the battle between Zara and Phantom raged on, the city was thrown into chaos. Amidst the turmoil, Captain Seraphine and one of her subordinates, the 3rd seat, Marlow Da Monta, navigated the crowded streets, calming the frightened populace and ensuring their safety. Marlow, a tall, stoic man with a scar running down his cheek, cast a worried glance towards the distant sounds of battle. He adjusted his grip on his sword, his brow furrowed with concern. "Captain," he began hesitantly, his voice betraying his doubt, "are you sure Zara can handle the Phantom on her own? He's the second most wanted man alive right now, and she's... well, she's unpredictable." Marlow remembers when she used him as a meat shield to take a fireblast from an opponent.
Sera turned to Marlow, her ruby-red eyes unwavering. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, her voice steady and confident. "I understand your concerns, Marlow. But I have complete faith in Zara. She's proven herself time and time again. Her unconventional methods might seem chaotic, but they're what make her such a formidable fighter. That's what makes her, her.” Marlow looks unconvinced, his gaze flickering between Seraphine and the direction of the battle, as they see something go flying into the skyscraper. "But Captain, the Phantom is quite LITERALLY known for how relentless and powerful he is. What if Zara gets overwhelmed? You aren’t afraid of her dying or acting out of line?”
Sera's expression softened, her lips curling into a small, confident smile. "Zara has something that Phantom doesn't, she has heart.” Sera remembers when Zara first joined the Magic Knights, smiling fondly. “She fights not ONLY with her power but with her whole spirit. And she's not alone in this. We're all fighting together, each of us playing our part. Zara knows what's at stake, and she won't back down." As they continued through the city, Sera and Marlow encountered groups of frightened civilians huddled in doorways and alleyways. Sera approached them with a calm, reassuring presence, her voice carrying a soothing authority. "Everyone, please remain calm. The Royal Knights are here to protect you. Find shelter and stay away from the battle zone. We’ll handle this, ok? You’ll be reimbursed for any damage.”
The civilians nodded, their fear slowly giving way to hope as they followed Sera's instructions. Marlow watched her with admiration, noting how her composed demeanor inspired confidence in those around her. Despite his earlier doubts, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his captain's unwavering resolve. As they moved to another section of the city, Marlow spoke up again, his tone more contemplative. "Captain, I just... I worry because I care. Zara's like a sister to me, and I don't want to see her get hurt. But seeing how much faith you have in her... it's reassuring."
Sera nodded, her expression warm. "Your concern is warranted, Marlow. But remember, Zara is stronger than she appears. She’s one of the 3 people I think will have enough power to become a captain. She’s already the best in her craft as a lieutenant. Even better than Dohjo!" Marlow took a deep breath, his tension easing as he absorbed Sera's words. "You're right, Captain. Zara's got a fire in her that can't be extinguished. I'll trust in her, just as you do." Sera gave him a firm nod. "That's the spirit!” She smiles, patting him on the back. “Now, focus up! The civilians need our help, and we can't let them down."
As they continued their efforts to maintain order in the city, the sounds of the battle between Zara and Phantom echoed in the background. Despite the uncertainty and danger, Sera's faith in Zara remained unshaken, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. And with every step, Marlow's resolve strengthened, fueled by the belief that Zara would emerge victorious.
Zara slings her way to where the Phantom landed, her boots skidding on the smooth surface. Right as the lands, Phantom launches a wave of lightning at her. She blocks with one of her chains, then slings the other one at him. He ducks out of the way, dashing toward Zara. The girl is close to the edge of the skyscraper, and Phantom takes advantage of his position. He swings his blade again, which gets countered by getting blocked with the chains. While she’s using both chains to block, the Phantom kicks her in her stomach.
Zara gets launched off the edge of the skyscraper, as the Phantom jumps above him. “You’re running out of steam.” He then drags his blade down, slashing into her guitar wrapped around her chest.
“Static wave.”
A wave of lightning gets launched from the blade into her body at point blank range. The lightning hits Zara directly, doing massive damage to her body and propelling her down the Skyscraper, her body is completely stunned. She crashes down into another small section of the skyscraper, making a dent in it as she coughs out blood. The Phantom jumps down, swinging his blade down, going to slash through Zara completely, but the girl reacts fast, wrapping her chain around the Phantom’s leg and sending him through a window.
The Phantom crashes into an office building, the people around him screaming in terror and running through the office. He doesn’t seem to care that much, pulling some glass from his suit. “Enough with all the screaming… shit.” He turns toward the people in the office, as some of them hide under tables while others begin to pile up near the elevator and stairs. “Calm down.” He says, “I’ll get out as soon as-” “DOOM METAL!” Before he can finish talking, a sound wave slams into his body, pinning him against the wall. The boom hits him like a freight train, the impact launching the desks and people reeling backward.
“GOT YA!” She begins to strum her guitar, going to launch an attack to slow down the Phantom again but he quickly adapts, recovering with her preternatural agility, zapping forward and speeding through the soundwave. He slams his blade into her abdomen, slashing into it and cutting her, then launching her through the window. “Told you.” He says looking back toward everybody else, then charges lightning into his feet, hopping out of the window and away from the building and destroying the glass as he jumps.
The Phantom speeds toward Zara in the air, then hits her like a baseball with her sword, launching her farther into the city. Zara crashes into a water tower, her body breaking through the metal and falling in. “Holy shit…”
He falls to the ground, his feet sliding with the pavement as he stabs his sword down in the ground to stop his movement. The Phantom stands in the middle of the empty street, looking around to check where he was. He sees a bunch of shops with broken glass, and things all over the place. “They must’ve been through here.” He says, as he uses his lightning to dash through the street. He continues his search for Eiko and Keen through the city for another 10 minutes, eventually heading into the slums.
September 1st. 4070 - 10:45 AM
As the Phantom walks through the busted slums, the streets screaming in terror as he walks by, with the magic knights on duty even cowering in fear to see the tyrant, he gets a message. He taps the band under his wrists, and a tiny hologram appears in front of him, as he listens to the message log. “September 1st. 4070 at 10:45 AM. Agent Zerofyne has.. captured and defeated… Keen Odinson.” “Strangely formal. But she did it.” Roy smiles under his mask, but he quickly realizes he has no idea where they both are.
“Next time say your location… Zerofyne.” He says, walking through some alleyways while searching for the missing assassin. After around another 2 minutes of lurking, with virtually the entire slum hiding from the assassin, he begins to pick up on some mana coming from a church. He walks through an alleyway and past a house, but before he can make his way closer to the mana, he feels a tug on his cloak. He turns, and sees a little girl who looks no older than 9. She has physical marks on her face, with a black eye around one of her eyes.
The Phantom crouches, dropping down to be at the little girl's level as she looks at him, scared but desperate. “Is there something you need, child?” He says, holding the girl's hand. “D- do you.. Food.. mister?” He looks around, searching for any sign of a parental figure for the child. His eyes narrow toward a porch, with an old man with a massive beer belly and dirt all over his white beater sitting watching them, he has a beer in his hand, and glares at the assassin. He signals toward the old man, and asks the child. “Is he your father?” “Mmmm…” The girl looks over to the man, and flinches.
“Y- yeah….” She whispers quietly. “Does he take care of you?” He asks the little girl, holding her and pulling her closer to him. “Papa… hits me…” She whispers, “and… he does things to me and my mama, bad things…” The Phantom doesn’t say anything, but seems genuinely upset learning this information. “Is there anybody else you can go live with? Any relatives or is it just you two and him.” “J- jus- just us. My granny lived in Dynathrax wh-” The Phantom stops the girl before she can finish talking “Nevermind.” He says coldly, grabbing the girl's hand and talking loudly. “I’ll buy you some food.” He walks away from the house, hoping to find some help for the girl. “I don’t think I could take her back to Rika…. A life like this isn’t safe for a child like her.”
“What's your name?” “Emma…” Emma wears rags and walks around with her bare feet, her toes dirty and her hair covering her bruised eye, but it's still quite visible. The Phantom picks up the girl, so she doesn’t have to walk on her bare feet anymore. “What's.. your name mister?” “You can call me… Troy.” He says, not wanting to tell the child his real name for safety reasons. He walks up to an empty food stand, sitting the girl on a chair and slamming the back of his sword down on the table. “I want service.” He says out loud, and the man hiding behind the counter shoots up with fear.
“H- HELLO! WHAT CAN I GET FOR YOU TWO TODAY?? ON THE HOUSE!” He says loudly, forcing enthusiasm. “What’dya wanna eat?” He asks the girl, who shrugs her shoulders. “Whatever you wanna eat mister…” The Phantom looks up at the Menu, “2 Grilled Dragon breast.” The man wastes no time, as the Phantom orders the most expensive thing on the menu. People in the distance hide in fear, but watch quietly as the Phantom and the little girl talk. The girl starts laughing, as the Phantom lifts his mask a little bit just for her to see, as he makes funny faces.
The man comes back after 6 minutes, with 2 Dragon Breasts grilled to perfection. “It- it’s free! Don’t worry a-”, “Nah.” The Phantom says, pulling out a bag of silver from his pocket, dropping it on the table. “It’s on me. No change needed.” The 2 of them eat, the girl taking her to time and enjoying the meal with a smile on her face. The 2 then get up from the stand, and the Phantom carries her to a beaten up shop. He walks in, and the people hiding in the store for cover all begin to scream and run, leaving the shop as the girl looks around.
“What’s going on mister…? Is everybody scared?” “It’s the weather.” He says, holding her hand and taking her toward the toy section. Emma smiles, hopping down and looking through the aisle to pick one toy. He looks at the busted clock on the wall, as he realizes it hit 11:00. The girl puts her hands on a special plush of a popstar. “This one mister!” The Phantom looks at the plush, he recognizes it, “You listen to starshade?” He says, looking at the artist.
As he starts talking, a magic knight jumps behind the Phantom, swinging his sword down which quickly gets blocked with the Phantom countering. “M- mister!” The girl calls out, and the Phantom doesn’t react, sending a wave of lightning behind him and blasting the magic knight away. “Her new album was pretty good, you gave it a listen yet?” He says, holding the girl's hand as she carries the plush. The plush is a light skinned elf, with long blonde hair and a pink dress.
“N- no…. But I will!” She says excited, as the Phantom walks up to the counter. He can’t help but worry about Eiko and what state she’s in, but he wants to get this girl situated before he focuses on finding her again. “Now I'm getting distracted… what a hypocrite.” He walks toward the counter, “I don’t really feel like buggin’ another business owner, so here.” He simply tosses the coins for the doll under the table, and walks out.
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As the Phantom walks out, the girl grips his hand and looks up, holding him and the doll close to him. “C- can… I stay out? I don’t wanna go home…” The Phantom’s face winces under the mask, wanting to help the little girl, “A life like this wouldn’t be good for you… I’m sorry.” He gets down, giving the girl a hug and holding her tight. “I’d find you help, but I can’t. Go find a magic knight. They’ll help you out.” The Phantom knows he can’t say this for sure, but this is all he can do for the girl. The little girl nods, hugging the Phantom one last time.
“Even.. t- though it's only been a little bit.” She mutters, “This is the best day ever!” She says to him, letting him go and walking away from the Phantom with her doll close to her chest. He watches as the girl walks away, and before he can even fully turn around, the magic knights rush him. The ones surrounding him from every corner pop out for an ambush. He’s not surprised however. “Static Disburse” He says coldly, gripping his sword and unleashing a static burst of energy in all directions. The 10 magic knights all get stunned, as he swings his blade in all directions, and tears into their body through the armor.
He then uses his electric magic to zap away fast, like a blur to the normal eye. The Phantom follows the high amounts of magic, the adventure with the little girl throwing him off track. He walks toward the outside of a church, the surrounding area completely busted. He opens the front door, walking through the door to check for Eiko or Keen. Right as he opens the door, he looks over to the seats, as he sees Eiko and Keen both sitting down. Eiko is unconscious, sleeping with her head resting on the wall beside her as Keen sits quietly, without restraints.
Phantom walks toward both of them, his eyes widening with surprise underneath his electric mask, which lights up the dim abandoned building. “Yo, Phantom.” Keen says, stretching in his chair, showing off he was sitting there waiting. “Why are you still here…?” The assassin questions, and Keen scoffs. “I lost. I’ve never been some punk that can’t admit that, so I’ll accept my punishment.” He says, looking down at the ground. “Plus, I didn’t wanna leave some cute girl in an abandoned building unconscious. In a place like this? Nah.” The Phantom sighs, picking up Eiko from her seat and looking at the injuries on her body from their fight.
“I’m proud of you.” He says, looking down at her asleep. Despite resting, Eiko snuggles up toward him, and smiles, as if her body was reacting to what he said. The Phantom grabs Keen by his hands, locking him in electric cuffs to keep him from running. “Seriously dude?!” Keen yells out annoyed, “I hate this handcuff shit! I won’t run! Promise! I’ll make a pact on it!” “Can’t trust you. You might’ve just stayed for the second reason, and because you don’t have magic left TO run.”
“Whatever.” The Phantom attaches the leash to his handcuffs to his waist, as the 2 of them walk out of the church, the Phantom holding Eiko close. It’s silent, as they walk down the empty quiet street from the aftermath of the battle between them. “Yo, lightning boy.” Keen calls out, as the Phantom turns to him. “Is my brother ok?” He asks genuinely, his voice getting serious. “He’s not dead.” Phantom responds fast, as Keen sighs with relief. “He got a massive slash in his chest and your shop is in pieces, and he’ll probably be apprehended by magic knights, but he ain’t dead. He fought for you till the end, be proud you have a brother that would risk his life for you.”
Keen smiles, wanting to put his hands in his pockets but the electric magic handcuffs shock him when he tries to move too far down. “FUCK!!” He yells out in anger, his body jittering. At the end of the street, Phantom sees something, he can’t make it out fully but it seems like a silhouette. He stops, and Keen stops too, looking ahead. “DEATH METAL!” They hear, as a soundwave is launched at the two. Phantom holds Eiko close, flying back into the ground with the handcuffs pulling Keen back as well.
“FOUND YOUUU~!” Zara yells out, her body drenched in water as he holds her guitar tight. She rushes toward the Phantom, but she quickly pauses in her tracks when her and Keen make eye contact. She jumps back, blushing heavy “K- KEEN?!” Keen looks up at the girl, smiling smugly at her “Zarraaaaa! What's yo’ fine ass doing around here?” Zara gets mad, yelling at Keen annoyed “Why are you with the Phantom?! Do you work with him or something??”
“What if I am? Would you take me back?” He smiles, and Zara doesn’t bother engaging, sighing with disappointment. “You’ll never change.” Before Keen responds, the Phantom applies the pressure, slamming his sword into her face using the flat side. She gets launched into a building, which gives him time to react. “I gotta take her out.” The Phantom says, connecting Keen’s lightning handcuffs to a street lamp. “Can I trust you to hold onto E- her.” He says, catching himself before he says her real name. “Yeah, I’ll hold onto Eher real tight.” He laughs, and Phantom looks back at him, the energy coming from his signaling that he’s not joking.
“Yeah I will.” Keen says, sighing as Phantom places Eiko’s unconscious body in his hands. “This should take 5 minutes.” Before he could even move, Zara appears above them, launching a blast at the Phantom, tearing the ground below as he quickly jumps out of the way. The backblast from the wind hitting Keen, as he holds onto Eiko so she doesn’t get hit with any rubble. “This is the most uncomfortable way of holding someone ever…” He thinks, his annoyance for the handcuffs apparent.
As the Phantom and Zara clash, their fight was a symphony of violence and skill, each move calculated and executed with precision. Zara's chains whirl around her, a deadly extension of her will, while Phantom's blade crackles with electrical energy. He counters each one of her whips with her metal chain, launching a wave of lighting toward her which she quickly dodges. She grabs his legs with one of the chains she missed with, and swings the Phantom into a hot dog stand.
Zara switches back to her guitar, playing a rapid sequence of notes that sends shockwaves through the air to blast the Phantom while he’s down. Phantom dodges and weaves, closing the distance between them with lightning speed. He lands a series of blows, each one forcing Zara back, but she fights with a tenacity that matches his own. As they clash once more, the city's sounds fade into the background, the world narrowing down to just the two of them. Phantom's eyes lock onto Zara's, both combatants determined to emerge victorious. The fight was just starting again, and neither of them were willing to back down.
The battle raged on, the city beneath them a distant blur as Zara and Phantom clashed with relentless intensity. Thunder rolled across the sky, echoing the ferocity of their combat. Zara's chains spin in a dizzying dance, their metallic gleam clashing against Phantom's electrified blade. Phantom lunges forward, his sword a blur of crackling energy. Zara counters with a deft flick of her wrist, her chains wrapping around his blade and pulling him off balance. She uses the momentum to swing her guitar, “DOOM METAL!!!”, Strumming a power chord that sent a shockwave rippling through the air. Phantom is thrown back, but he twists mid-air, landing on his feet with feline grace. He felt his body moving slow down a bit from the effects of the soundwave.
"You're out of your league." The Phantom says, jumping into the air to dodge another blast, his foot getting caught in the range. Zara smirks, her eyes glinting with fierce determination. "We'll see about that." She leaps into the air, her chains extending to anchor her to a nearby tower. From this vantage point, she rains down a barrage of sonic blasts, each chord from her guitar sending waves of destructive energy towards Phantom. He deflects the attacks, using a series of rapid sword strikes, the lightning-infused blade cutting through the sound waves. He launched himself at Zara with a burst of speed, his sword poised to strike. Zara swung her chains, meeting his blade in a shower of sparks. The force of the collision sent them both hurtling in opposite directions.
Zara lands on a rooftop garden, the plants around her rustling in the aftermath of their clash. She took a moment to catch her breath, her fingers tightening around the neck of her guitar. “Holy shit… No way I’m this worked up…” Phantom lands on a nearby building, his presence shaking her to her core as she spots him jumping toward her. “Show me something special, lieutenant.”
Zara laughs, a sound that was equal parts defiance and exhilaration. "You haven't seen anything yet!!” She strums her guitar, the sound resonating with a deep, primal force. “GLAM METAL!” A wave of energy surges from the instrument, tearing through the air towards Phantom as a massive barrier of sound, this attack seems stronger than before. He raises his sword, channeling his lightning to counter the attack. “Static RISING!” Static Rising is a new attack, channeling electric energy surrounding the Phantom. It launches a dragon shaped slashed toward the soundwave. The two forces collide in a brilliant explosion of light and sound, the shockwave rippling through the slums, causing windows to shatter in the area. Keen holds onto Eiko, the shockwave almost sending him flying, the handcuffs the only thing keeping him from getting blasted. People in the area scream, as they get sent flying. Emma, the girl from earlier, holds onto the leg of a magic knight she ran into, which happens to be one of the two magic knights who dismissed Eiko and Keen. Phantom is pushed back, but he regains his footing quickly, spitting out some blood from underneath his thunder charged mask.
He charges towards Zara, his sword a streak of lightning. Zara meets him head-on, her chains whirling in a defensive arc. The clash of metal and energy fills the air, each strike a testament to their skill and resolve. Despite the intensity of the battle, Zara's expression remains calm, her focus unyielding. Phantom snarled, frustration seeping into his movements. "You think you can beat me with parlor tricks and noise?" he spat, his strikes becoming more ferocious. Zara's grin windens, her eyes dancing with mischief. "It's not just noise, Phantom. It's music." She leaps into the air, her chains pulling her higher as she plays a series of rapid, powerful chords. “GLAMMM METALLLLL!” The resulting shockwaves formed a barrier of sound, pushing Phantom back and giving her a moment to breathe.
As Phantom stood back-up, Zara took a deep breath, her mind racing with strategies. “I know I can’t match Phantom's raw power head-on…. but I’ll show something he doesn’t expect…” She strums her guitar, “Power Metal…” She says, giving herself a temporary boost to her physical stats, along with making her chains begin glowing. “Let’s get physical…” She swung her guitar onto her back, focusing her energy into the chains that wrapped around her arms.
She launches herself at Phantom, her chains a flurry of motion. Phantom parry’s, his sword cutting through the metal links, but Zara is already moving, using the momentum to swing around him. She lands a solid kick to his side, followed by a punch that sends him staggering. Phantom recovers quickly, getting annoyed at Zara’s persistence. He launches a wave of lightning into the air, as he then brings his blade back down, slamming it into the ground. “Static DISBURSE.” “Let loose!” Rika’s words echo through his mind as he uses this attack. Zara dodges and weaves, her chains absorbing and deflecting some of the energy, but getting zapped with the burst of energy nonetheless. Phantom stops, and the two stare at each other for a few moments.
They clash again, their movements a blur of steel and energy. Phantom's strikes are precise and deadly, but Zara's agility and unpredictability keeps him on his toes. She uses her chains to create openings, landing blows with her fists and guitar that forces Phantom to stay on the defensive, "You're getting sloppy.” she taunts, her voice laced with amusement. Phantom rolls his eyes, his grip on his sword tightening. "I’m surprised you could tell, all your hits are sloppy." he retorts, his voice a low growl.
With a burst of speed, Phantom closes the gap between them, his sword flashing with deadly intent. Zara met his attack with a swift block, her chains wrapping around his blade and pulling it to the side. She swings her guitar, the sound wave catching Phantom off guard and sending him flying onto a nearby water tower. “Karma!” She yells, as Zara doesn’t waste a moment, her chains extending to pull her towards him. She lands on the edge of the tower, her guitar ready as Phantom extricates himself from the wreckage. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and admiration.
"You’re persistent." he says, his voice carrying a hint of respect. Zara grins, her eyes sparkling with determination. "You have no idea." She leaps forward, her chains pulling her towards Phantom as she strummed a powerful chord on her guitar. “THRASH METAL!” She tears into him with this soundwave, cutting through his suit. The resulting shockwave sends Phantom crashing into the side of a building, denting the wall but he quickly recovers, hopping onto the roof.
“Come on Zara! Remember what you’re fighting for… use everything you got!” The ferocity of their clash only intensified as they tore through the roof, each strike and counterstrike echoing. Zara's chains twist and turn in intricate patterns, her guitar roaring with power as she strummed chords that sent shockwaves through the air. Phantom's sword danced with lightning, each swing a precise and deadly arc of energy. Zara leaps from building to building, using her chains to swing like a pendulum. Phantom doesn’t stop the pressure for even one second, his lightning propelling him forward in blinding bursts. She lands on a clock tower, the ancient structure creaking under her weight. Phantom follows, the two combatants facing off atop the narrow ledge. Zara calls out, her voice carrying loud as it begins to rain. "I expected more from someone with your reputation."
Phantom sighs, “How many times am I gonna hear that today? Jeez.” He thrusts his sword forward, a bolt of lightning shooting towards Zara. She twists out of the way, the lightning striking the clock face and sending shards of glass raining down below. Zara responds with a powerful chord from her guitar, the shockwave knocking Phantom back. She swings her chains, wrapping them around his legs and yanking him off his feet. Phantom falls, but he quickly recovers, slicing through the chains with a burst of lightning. “MY CHAINS!!” Zara calls out, retracting the shattered metal to herself. Phantom falls back down to the streets, and Zara hops down to follow.
The battle moved down to the streets, their descent a chaotic flurry of blows and counterblows. Pedestrians scattered, seeking shelter from the storm of combat. “STATIC WAVE!” He yells, his lightning scorching the pavement, “THRASH METAL!” Zara's sonic blasts launch a destructive burst that connects through the static wave, slicing into the Phantom’s body even more. The two fighters moved through the city like a storm, their battle tearing through buildings and streets. Phantom's lightning clashes with Zara's sonic blasts, each collision sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
Keen sits quietly connected to the street light, as he hears the commotion behind them. He looks down at Eiko, who rests quietly, the rain dropping onto her face from the sky. “Why did I have to lose to you?” Keen sighs, “Stupid ass Soul Pact.” He begins to remember a deal he made with his brother, but before he can doze off into a flashback he hears a powerful explosion behind him, signaling that the fight is coming closer to them. “Dear DULLAHAN, please don’t come back here.” He watches as he sees Zara roll down the street face first, sliding through the rainy road as she quickly stands back up.
“Heyyyy sexy lady~” Keen calls out to Zara, standing up and wiping her face, with her makeup all messed up. “If you help me out of these chains babe, I’ll help ya take down that goon. Just use one of your melodic melodies m’lady!” Zara rolls her eyes, “You’re not serious.” She cracks her knuckles, and holds her guitar close. “I don’t need your help anyway!” Keen scoffs, his one ticket out of the situation not giving in. Thunder and lightning crash together, as the Phantom walks through the dark stormy street, his lightning mask the only thing lightning up the dim street.
As the storm raged on above them, Zara felt a sudden surge of fear. She begins to lose confidence in herself, gripping onto his guitar like a child on a rollercoaster, not wanting to let go. Her thoughts drifted to her past, to the moments that had shaped her into the fighter she was today. The memories flooded her mind, and she allowed herself a brief moment to reflect on herself.
July 8th 4066 - 9:40PM
Directly after the royal knight examination.
The Magic Knights' headquarters buzzed with the sounds of camaraderie and clinking cutlery as the members gathered for dinner. Conversations filled the large dining hall, but one voice stood out above the rest—Zara Riot's. Her infectious laughter and animated chatter drew attention, both welcoming and judgmental. The newest member of Squad 1, Zara was eager to get to know her teammates, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to the more reserved knights.
"Hey, have you guys heard the one about the bard and the dragon?" Zara's voice boomed across the room as she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. A few knights chuckled, but many exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and irritation. Lieutenant Valentine, a seasoned and respected knight, sat a few tables away, her sharp gaze fixed on Zara. She whispered to a fellow knight, her tone laced with disdain. "Can you believe her? So loud and brash. She'll never fit in here." Her best friend Marlow Da Monta didn’t say much, “I say don’t judge her so early. She just got here y’know?”
Valentine rolled her eyes from Marlow's words, “You’re always trying to be so positive. So annoying.” As dinner wound down, Zara continued her attempts to engage with her teammates, her loud and energetic personality a point of contention for most of them. Despite the mixed reactions, she remained undeterred, genuinely enjoying the opportunity to be part of the Magic Knights.
Later that night, after most of the knights had retired to their quarters, Zara made her way to the showers. The steam and quiet offered a brief respite from the day's events. As she finished and wrapped herself in a towel, she felt a presence behind her. She turned to find Valentine standing there, her expression cold and calculating.
"Valentine, right?" Zara said, in her usual friendly demeanor. "You good?"
Without warning, Valentine grabbed Zara by the shoulders and slammed her into the wall, the force knocking the breath out of her. Zara's eyes said nothing, as she quickly composed herself, her face gaining a stoic mask. "You think you're special, don't you?" Valentine hissed, her grip tightening. "Loud, obnoxious, trying to make everyone like you. You're a joke, Zara. People like you die in this force.”
Zara met Valentine's gaze, her expression unwavering. She refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction, her silence a form of quiet defiance. Valentine sneered, her anger boiling over. "Nothing to say? Figures," Valentine spat, pulling her fist back. She punched Zara in the stomach, the impact sending pain radiating through her body. Zara winced but remained silent, her resolve unbroken.
Valentine stepped back, her eyes filled with contempt. "Pathetic," she muttered before turning and leaving Zara alone in the steamy room. Zara slowly straightened up, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Despite the pain, she didn’t seem to mind all that much. “Nobody’s gonna break my spirit. Not some girl I hardly know.” She said, grabbing her stuff and walking out of the shower room.
As Zara made her way back to her quarters, wincing slightly from the pain in her stomach, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Seraphina, or Sera as she was affectionately known, the captain of Squad 1. Sera's long pink hair glistened under the dim hallway lights, her red eyes filled with concern for her newest and only new knight from this Royal Knight Exam. "Zara," Sera called softly, her voice a gentle melody. "Can I have a word with you?"
Zara paused, her expression a mixture of surprise and caution. "Captain," she greeted, trying to muster a smile despite the dull ache in her gut. "What's up??" Sera approached her, her gaze taking in the lingering tension in Zara's posture. "I saw what happened with Valentine. Why didn't you defend yourself?" Zara's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions. She took a deep breath, leaning against the cool stone wall for support. "Honestly, I dealt with way more back home. So.. people not liking me? Last thing I could care about.”
Sera's expression softened, a look of understanding crossing her features. "You shouldn't have to endure this alone, Zara. Just because it's not as bad doesn’t mean you deserve this, you know." Zara's stoic facade wavered for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face. "I've always been the loud one, the one who stands out. People either love it or hate it. Mom always thought I was a disappointment. So, I guess I've just learned to deal with it in my own way."
era stepped closer, reaching out to gently take Zara's hand. Her touch was warm and reassuring, a stark contrast to the harshness Zara had faced moments earlier. "Zara, you aren’t a disappointment. You have a fire in you, a passion that can't be extinguished. I believe in you, that's why I only chose you. I was watching you during this year's exam…"
Zara looked down at their joined hands, the sincerity in Sera's words touching a part of her that had long been buried under layers of self-defense. "You really think so?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Sera smiled, her eyes filled with warmth and conviction. "I know so. You have a unique spirit, Zara. It's what drew me to you in the first place. Don't let anyone dull that spark. Use it, embrace it, and show everyone just how strong you truly are."
Zara felt a lump form in her throat, a mixture of gratitude and determination welling up inside her. "Thank you, Captain. I won't let you down!” Sera squeezed her hand gently before letting go. "I know you won't. Just remember, you're not alone. We're a team, and even if the others don’t support you, just know I will.” Zara nodded, a renewed sense of resolve coursing through her veins. "I will. And... Thank you, Sera. For believing in me."
Sera gave her a final encouraging smile before turning to leave. As Zara watched her walk away, she felt a newfound strength within herself. She wasn't just fighting for her own acceptance anymore; she was fighting for the belief that Sera had placed in her. With a determined glint in her eye, she made her way back to her quarters, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The next day, Zara trained harder than ever before. Each strum of her guitar, each practice bout with her chains, was fueled by the words Sera had spoken. She pushed herself to her limits, her mind focused on becoming the knight she knew she could be. The stares and whispers from her peers no longer mattered. She had a purpose, a drive that couldn't be shaken. As the days turned into weeks, Zara's progress became evident. Her skills sharpened, her confidence grew, and slowly but surely, the respect of her fellow knights began to shift. She faced Valentine in practice bouts with unwavering determination, her silence speaking volumes more than any retort ever could. She let her actions, her resilience, and her unwavering spirit define her.
The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy as Zara and Valentine led their squad toward the entrance of the ancient dungeon. This was Zara’s first mission with the squad, and despite the tensions, she was determined to prove herself. Valentine, her partner for the mission, walked a few steps ahead, her demeanor cool and collected.
“Stay alert,” Valentine said, her voice low but firm. “Diagthro won’t go down easily.” Zara nodded, gripping the chains wrapped around her wrists more tightly. The weight of her electric guitar on her back was a comforting reminder of the magic she hadn’t yet fully mastered. They entered the dungeon, the temperature dropping instantly as they descended into the dark, winding corridors.
The air was thick with the scent of mold and ancient stone. The walls, lined with glowing runes, cast an eerie light that barely penetrated the darkness. They moved cautiously, each step echoing ominously. Zara could feel the tension between them, a silent acknowledgment of the danger ahead. As they reached a large, cavernous chamber, a chilling laugh echoed around them. The shadows seemed to shift and swirl, coalescing into the form of a tall man in tattered robes. His eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and his presence exuded dark power.
"Welcome, Magic Knights," Diagthro said, his voice dripping with malice. "You’ve come a long way just to meet your end."
Valentine wasted no time, putting out her scythe and charging at the sorcerer. Zara followed, her chains unraveling and whipping through the air. But the sorcerer was quick, raising his hands and summoning dark tendrils of magic that lashed out, knocking Valentine aside and ensnaring Zara. "You are but children playing at being heroes," he sneered, his magic tightening around Zara, constricting her movements. “This is Dullahans playing ground. You children have no use in it.”
Valentine struggled to her feet, her eyes blazing with determination. “Let her go!” she shouted, her scythe slashing through the air, sending a wave of magic toward the sorcerer. But he merely laughed, deflecting her attack with ease. "You’ll have to do better than that," he taunted, hitting her with a massive slashes, tearing into her stomach and sending her flying back into the wall, bleeding out.
Zara used her chains to slashes through the tendrils, and charged toward Diagthro. Diagthro dodged her slashes, grabbing her by her throat and slammed her into the ground. He then unleashed 3 tendrils, as one of them almost slashed her entire hand off, as the other 2 tendrils wrapped around her. Zara felt the tendrils tighten around her, the pressure almost unbearable. Pain shot through her body, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to give in. “I won’t… let you… win,” she gasped, reaching for her guitar.
The sorcerer’s eyes narrowed as he saw her move. “What are you—” he began, but Zara didn’t give him a chance to finish. She strummed her guitar, her soul energy flowing into the strings. A powerful chord echoed through the chamber, the sound waves amplified by her mana. “DOOM METAL!” The sorcerer staggered, his concentration breaking as the music blasted him. Zara didn’t stop, pouring all her energy into the melody. The sound waves grew stronger, more intense, vibrating with a power that stunned the sorcerer.
Valentine, seeing her chance, struggled to her feet and launched another attack, her magic combining with Zara’s music. The sorcerer was caught off guard, his dark magic faltering under the dual assault. Zara strummed a final, thunderous chord, “HEAVY METAL!!!” the powerful wave of sound crashing into the sorcerer and blasting him into the far wall. His body evaporates from the sound wave, killing the dark sorcerer with the chaotic blast.
Zara fell to her knees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The pain in her body was overwhelming, but she forced herself to stand, her gaze fixed on Valentine. “Are you… okay?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Valentine, bleeding out, smiles at Zara, falling to the ground “Yeah… don’t worry... We need to get the gem and get out of here.” Zara scanned the chamber, her eyes landing on a pedestal in the center, where a glowing gem rested. She stumbled forward, her movements slow and deliberate. The gem pulsed with a soft, ethereal light, its power palpable. She reached out and carefully took it, feeling its energy course through her fingers.
“Got it,” she said, turning back to Valentine, hoisting her onto her back, as her inside began to bleed out on the girl's back “Let’s go.” Together, they made their way out of the dungeon, each step a struggle against the pain and exhaustion. As they emerged into the sunlight, the rest of the squad rushed to meet them. Captain Sera’s eyes widened in shock as she took in their battered forms. “Zara, Valentine, what happened?!”
“We got him,” Zara said, her voice strained but triumphant. “And we have the gem. But… Valentine needs serious help…” Sera’s expression softened, a mix of relief and pride in her eyes, along with fear for Valentine. “We’ll take care of her,” Sera said, motioning for the others to assist. As they tended to Valentine’s open wounds with healing magic, Zara handed the gem to Sera. “Here. This is what we came for.” “You did it. You both did it.” Sera took the gem, her gaze meeting Zara’s. “You were incredible, Zara. You both were. Rest now. You’ve earned it.”
As Zara finally allowed herself to collapse into the waiting arms of her comrades, a sense of accomplishment washed over her. She had faced her first mission, her first real test, and emerged victorious. She had proven herself, not just to the squad, but to herself. And as she drifted into unconsciousness, the last thing she saw was Sera’s proud smile, a beacon of hope and faith in the future.
September 1st. 4070 - 11:45 AM
Zara smiles, her hands loosening around her guitar as she looks back up at the Phantom. “I KNOW WHAT I'M FIGHTING FOR!!” She smiles, charging all her soul energy and mana into her guitar for one final blast. The Phantom sighs, spinning his sword around his body and building up electricity. “I’m… gonna WIN!” She imagines the face of Sera, Marlow, and all of her other friends from her squad. “I’m Zara Riot… LIEUTENANT OF SQUAD ONE!! THE BEST SQUAD IN THE DYNASTY!”
Sera and Marlow make their way down the street, as their eyes narrow to the 2 about to clash. “No way!” Marlow calls out, his face genuinely turning to one of surprise as sees Zara still fighting strong even after an hour. The Phantom lifts his blade, pulling it behind him as his lightning centers in the middle of his blade. “Can’t use Exile again… so lets do this.”
“HEAVYYYYY METALLLLLLLLLL!”
“STATIC RISING!!”
Static Rising and Heavy Metal collide, the 2 bursts erupting with a burst of energy. The static rising turns into the face of a dragon, as it bursts with the culmination of everything Zara has to offer. The shockwave bursts and hits everybody in the surrounding area, the shockwave intense and blasting through the whole city. The dragon fights back against the soundwave, but it just isn’t enough, the overwhelming maelstrom of music tearing through the dragon and blasting the Phantom sending him flying back and hitting the floor as heavy metal blow through the front of his suit, cutting through it as it disintegrates, barely clothes as he hits the ground.
Keen looks genuinely surprised, as Seraphine and Marlow’s faces both turn to one of surprise, as the Phantom lays on the ground. Zara walks toward the Phantom, who lays in the ground with most of his bare chest exposed, revealing a large old scar near the bottom of his abdomen. “My music… comes from my soul…” Zara says, looking down at the Phantom. Roy can’t help but smile underneath his mask.
“And where does lightning come from?”
The split second after he finished talking, the lightning he launched into the sky early comes crashing down onto Zara as Black Lightning, obliterating her and tearing apart the street, sending everybody in the area flying as Zara is hit at point blank range.
Roy slides down the street in the same direction as Keen and Eiko, and quickly zaps toward them, putting his sword around his back as he grabs both of them with both of his arms, applying lightning underneath his feet to get out of Kelbath as fast as possible. He flies through the remainder of the city, going through alleyways until he reaches the forest, where a door is waiting for him.
Roy doesn’t waste a second, tapping the watch on his wrist as the door opens, tossing Keen and Eiko through the gate and hopping in himself, escaping Kelbath and leaving the city in ruin.