The battle resumed, Joseph soon joined by Takahiro, who, though injured, refused to stand idly by. The two fought valiantly, but their combined efforts barely fazed the mechanical monstrosity. At one point, the dragon’s massive tail sent them both flying across the battlefield. As Joseph struggled to his feet, his XPT reactor suddenly recharged, granting him a small reserve of energy—just enough to turn the tide.
Realizing his armored transformation was still damaged and incomplete, Joseph quickly adapted, constructing a holographic shield reminiscent of Captain America’s iconic weapon. With a battle cry, he charged at the mecha dragon, drawing its attention away from Takahiro, who was on the brink of defeat.
The dragon unleashed a torrent of its fiery breath, forcing Joseph to brace behind his holographic shield. The intensity of the flames pushed him back, his boots scraping against the ground as he fought to press forward. But before he could close the distance, the dragon lashed out with its massive hand, swatting him aside. Though the shield absorbed much of the impact, Joseph hit the ground hard, momentarily dazed.
Seizing the opportunity, Takahiro grabbed a nearby weapon and charged at the dragon. With a shout, he struck its massive foot, driving the blade deep into its joint.
The mecha dragon screamed in mechanical agony, its balance faltering slightly, thrashing wildly as Takahiro's attack momentarily crippled it. However, the monster's retaliation came swiftly, its massive tail slamming into Takahiro with brutal force, sending him hurtling into a nearby wall. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious, as the dragon's glowing eyes locked onto him with murderous intent.
Meanwhile, Joseph, battered but determined, regained his footing. Summoning all his strength, he charged toward the monster, shouting to draw its attention. The dragon swung its colossal tail at him, but Joseph skillfully evaded every strike, weaving through its onslaught with precision. Leaping onto the creature's back, he clung tightly as it thrashed violently, trying to shake him off.
Realizing Joseph’s position, the dragon roared and launched him into the air. Simultaneously, it unleashed a torrent of flames, the inferno exploding around Joseph as he desperately shielded himself. The force of the explosion hurled him backward, sending him crashing onto the rooftop of a nearby building.
With Joseph momentarily out of commission, the dragon turned its focus back to Takahiro. Its thunderous steps shook the ground as it approached its unconscious prey. Halting before him, the monster roared triumphantly, its massive jaws opening wide to devour him.
In that critical moment, Joseph, battered but resolute, regained his stance. Sprinting across the rooftops with unyielding determination, he closed in on the monster. As the dragon’s jaws neared Takahiro, Joseph hurled his holographic shield with a powerful throw. The shield whirled through the air at immense speed, carving a path of destruction through rooftops before becoming intangible to avoid further collateral damage.
The shield expanded mid-flight, its glowing edge slicing cleanly through the dragon’s neck. The monster’s roar was abruptly silenced as its head was severed, the massive jaws stopping mere inches from Takahiro. The shield disbursed in a burst of light, fading away like binary code dissolving into the air.
The dragon’s lifeless body collapsed with a resounding thud. Its severed head rolled forward, its once-glowing eyes dimming with a mechanical hum as strange, viscous fluids sprayed from its neck. The spray of gore splattered across Takahiro, jolting him awake. Dazed but alive, he watched in awe as the massive lifeless form of the monster lay motionless before him, sparks of electricity crackling from its remains.
As Takahiro struggled to his feet, narrowly avoiding the collapse of the dragon’s hulking body, his vision cleared. He scanned his surroundings, trying to identify who had slain the monstrous foe. The sound of approaching footsteps drew his gaze upward, and he saw Joseph descending from the rooftop. Their eyes met, and Takahiro nodded in gratitude, a silent acknowledgment of Joseph’s heroism. Joseph returned the gesture with a faint, weary smile.
The battle was over. As the remnants of the island's populace emerged from their shelters, a mixture of relief and grief filled the air. While some searched desperately for loved ones lost in the chaos, others began to cheer for their saviors.
Takahiro, addressing the people, informed them that Joseph had been the one to slay the beast. A wave of cheers erupted as the crowd turned their eyes to Joseph, who remained on the rooftop. Though their applause was deafening, Joseph’s gaze drifted over the island, taking in the destruction and smoldering flames that marred Awaji.
His heart was heavy, knowing the cost of their victory. Though they had defeated the monster, the scars of the battle would linger, and the road to rebuilding would be long and arduous. But for now, amidst the cheers and the gratitude of the people, Joseph stood as a hero—a beacon of hope amidst the devastation.
The next day, as the sun rose over the island planet of Awaji, its people began the arduous task of restoring their homeland. Repairs were initiated, and Joseph eagerly joined the efforts, working alongside the islanders. The process of rebuilding was challenging, but it fostered a sense of unity and resilience among the people. Over the course of four weeks, the island's structures were restored, the Awajion Key was recovered, and the gateway repaired, allowing the planet to thrive once more.
During this time, the remains of the monstrous mech-dragon were carefully salvaged. Engineers, warriors, and blacksmiths examined the mechanical and organic hybrid components, discovering that the parts still retained a reservoir of immense power. Using the dragon's remains, the islanders were able to upgrade their technology, weapons, and armor significantly.
The dragon's metallic scales, reinforced with unknown alloys, were reforged into durable plates for shields and armor. Its energy core, though partially depleted, was harnessed to enhance their power grids and provide a renewable energy source. The claws and fangs, infused with mysterious energy, were repurposed into formidable blades and spearheads. Even its optical systems were converted into advanced targeting modules for their ranged weapons.
These upgrades brought new strength to Awaji's warriors and ensured better defenses against any future threats. The technological advancements also unified the islanders further, as they marveled at their ability to adapt and turn a symbol of destruction into one of hope and progress. Joseph, ever willing to help, lent his expertise in incorporating the mech-dragon’s parts into their designs, ensuring the upgrades were effective and safe.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
By the end of the four weeks, Awaji stood stronger than ever, its people resilient and determined, ready to face whatever challenges the future might bring.
During this time, solemn ceremonies were held to honor those who had been lost. It was a period of collective healing, not only for physical wounds but for emotional ones as well. King Awaji, inspired by the sense of renewal, finally confessed the truth about Princess Awaji's mother's death. In a heartfelt moment, the princess revealed that she had always known the truth and understood why her father had hidden it from her. Their mutual understanding deepened their bond as they embraced warmly, the pain of the past finally giving way to healing.
Joseph, meanwhile, grew close to the people of Awaji. He became well-acquainted with the community and worked alongside the warriors, who had recovered treasures from the monster's cave. These treasures were shared among the villages, fostering prosperity. Joseph also helped the warriors deal with minor threats plaguing other regions, further earning their respect and admiration.
One evening, as Joseph sat alone in his quarters, reflecting on his past and his relationship with Yukio, he was visited by Princess Awaji. She politely proposed a walk, which Joseph agreed to. Together, they strolled through the bustling streets of the island, their path illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights. Their conversation was lighthearted, lifting their spirits as they eventually found themselves on a high bridge overlooking the flowing waters below.
The scene was breathtaking. The three moons cast their ethereal glow over the water, while the red suns had receded, allowing the night to reclaim the sky. As they chatted, Joseph expressed his amazement at the celestial phenomena, prompting the princess to explain. She told him about the natural cycles of the three red suns and three moons, which alternated in harmony. However, the monster's attack, the destruction of the gateway, and the theft of the Awajion Key had disrupted this balance.
She recalled how all six celestial bodies had appeared simultaneously during that chaos but reassured Joseph that with the gateway and key restored, the natural order had returned. She explained that the simultaneous appearance of all six celestial bodies was an event that occurred only once every hundred years, lasting a single day.
As they continued their conversation, the atmosphere grew lighter, and the princess revealed beautiful places she hoped Joseph could visit. In a moment of shared laughter, their hands brushed accidentally. Their gazes locked, and the mood shifted to something deeper, more intimate. Princess Awaji leaned in slightly, but Joseph, visibly tense, withdrew.
Although surprised, the princess wasn’t hurt. She could see the pain in Joseph’s eyes as he turned away. Gently, she approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"What troubles you, Joseph?" she asked softly, her voice filled with concern.
Joseph hesitated, but then opened up, his voice trembling with emotion. "I hurt someone I thought I could love forever," he confessed. "I've made mistakes—mistakes that most men would never find forgiveness for."
The weight of his words was palpable, and Princess Awaji could feel his anguish. Turning him to face her, she saw the tears welling in his eyes. Without hesitation, she embraced him, offering comforting words and a shoulder to lean on. Joseph, for the first time in a long while, allowed himself to be vulnerable, shedding tears as the princess consoled him.
The rest of their evening passed in quiet companionship, the emotional bond between them strengthened by mutual understanding.
The next morning, Joseph stood ready to continue his journey. With a renewed sense of purpose, he made his way to the council hall to bid farewell to King Awaji. There, he informed the king of his departure. The king, though saddened to see him leave, expressed his deepest gratitude for all that Joseph had done for Awaji and its people.
As Joseph stepped outside, prepared to leave, the islanders gathered to see him off, their cheers and well-wishes filling the air. A small crowd had gathered to witness his departure. Among them were two hunters holding the two separate parts of the Awajion Key, which the island's engineers had upgraded and duplicated as a backup for emergencies. The gateway to the next region, the planet-island of Tsushima, shimmered with energy as it activated.
King Awaji approached Joseph, his expression serious yet grateful. "Be vigilant, Joseph," he advised. "The planet-island of Tsushima may hold challenges beyond our understanding. Stay prepared for anything, and may you overcome whatever trials lie ahead." With that, he gave Joseph his farewell, his voice filled with respect and admiration.
Princess Awaji stepped forward, her gaze soft and thoughtful. "Farewell, Joseph," she said warmly. "I hope one day you’ll visit our island planet again. And more importantly, I hope you find the inner peace you seek." She stepped back, her eyes lingering on him for a moment before a faint smile graced her lips.
Next, Takahiro Nozomi approached, his gratitude evident in his demeanor. "Joseph," he began, "thank you for saving my life during the monster attack. I owe you more than I can ever repay." He handed Joseph a compact, advanced-looking device. "Here. This should help stabilize your XPT suit and repair any damage it sustains. It might not look like much, but it’s powerful. It’s been an honor fighting alongside you, both as a warrior and a friend. I hope you’ll return someday and tell us more about your adventures—and about your Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb."
Takahiro extended his hand, and Joseph clasped it firmly, the mutual respect between them palpable. With a final nod to the gathered crowd, Joseph stepped into the swirling energy of the gateway portal. As he disappeared, the people of Awaji waved, their cheers and well-wishes echoing behind him.
Though his time on Awaji had come to an end, Joseph left knowing he had made a difference—and that his journey was far from over.
Joseph navigated through the interdimensional corridor, the vibrant energy swirling around him. Moments later, he emerged on the planet-island of Tsushima, the gateway closing behind him. Ahead lay a new world, filled with unknown challenges and opportunities, waiting to test his resolve once more.