CHAPTER 54 – IMMORTAL FORCE

HIRAYA MISTELTEIN

A palpable tension gripped Lysander, his clenched fists betraying the turmoil within. "I need to go back there," he declared, his voice tinged with urgency.

Reacting swiftly, I reached out, grasping his wrist with a firm resolve. "Hold on," I urged, my eyes meeting his with a mixture of concern and determination.

Lysander's prowess on the battlefield was undeniable, his strategic acumen and skill honed through countless trials and tribulations. Yet, beneath his composed exterior lay a streak of impatience, a propensity to plunge headlong into danger without regard for his own well-being. The scars of past encounters with adversaries like Johnny Wolvesbane served as a grim reminder of the peril that lurked, a constant shadow over our aspirations for victory.

The memory of past losses weighed heavily upon me, a solemn vow echoing within my heart: I could not bear the thought of witnessing another life snuffed out before my very eyes, especially not Lysander's. With a deep breath, I mustered the strength to offer him a prudent alternative, a strategy that would hopefully ensure our safety and pave the way for our ultimate triumph.

A glimmer of hope sparked within me, illuminating a daring plan. "Without Gazelle Lockwood's influence, we have the opportunity for dragonoid reinforcements, don't we?" My lips curved into a hopeful smile, anticipating the potential advantage.

Our current alliance had been meticulously curated, composed solely of human imperial soldiers. The looming threat of Gazelle's ability to manipulate dragonoids had compelled us to exercise caution, limiting our ranks to those untouched by her insidious power. Yet, in his absence, a daring possibility presented itself—a chance to bolster our ranks and tip the scales in our favor.

Lysander's contemplative gaze met mine, his silent acknowledgment echoing the unspoken hope that flickered between us. Mustering a confident smile, I clapped my hands together, a tangible manifestation of my resolve resonating in the air.

With a flourish, a vibrant yellow-green magical circle materialized beneath our feet, its intricate design pulsating with arcane energy. "Summoning Spell!" I proclaimed, channeling my intent into the swirling vortex of light that erupted from the circle's core.

A radiant burst of light enveloped the magical sigil, dissipating to reveal the formidable figures of three trusted dragonoid allies: Kate, Charlotte, and Gaeun. Each stood poised for battle, their weapons gleaming ominously in the dim light. Adorned in full military regalia, their armor reflected a resolute determination, a testament to their readiness to stand alongside us in the impending conflict.

Kate Zephyrus stepped forward with a fiery spirit, her red hair blazing like a banner of defiance. Saluting sharply, she declared, "Ready for action, Hiraya!" Her stance radiated confidence, a beacon of determination amid the chaos.

From the shadows emerged queen Charlotte, her brown hair cascading like a golden halo around her poised figure. With a steely gaze, she shouldered her sniper rifle, its cold metal glinting ominously. "Point me to our target," she proclaimed, her voice tinged with a lethal combination of resolve and anticipation.

Amid the dynamic duo, Gaeun hesitated momentarily, her brunette locks framing a face flushed with nervous energy. Waving her wand with a hint of uncertainty, she stammered, "Um, it's Gaeun... I'm here to back you up, Hiraya." Her earnestness was palpable, a testament to her commitment despite her evident nervousness.

Lysander's brows furrowed, a mixture of disbelief and mild exasperation coloring his features. "Are those introductions and postures necessary?" he questioned, his tone laced with a hint of incredulity.

Chuckling softly, I replied, "It's their unique way of doing an entrance. Let them be." However, as the laughter faded, a sense of urgency reclaimed my demeanor. Locking eyes with Lysander, I conveyed the gravity of our mission. "Listen up, Team Lysander's Harem. Our primary objective is clear: defeat and capture Johnny Wolvesbane and Maggie Antlers. Once they're out of the equation, victory will be within our grasp."

"Yes Ma'am!" The trio, Kate, Charlotte, and Gaeun, responded with a synchronized salute, their gestures crisp and united.

Yet, with my keen elven hearing, I caught the muffled sound of Lysander's mock exasperation, "You girls have accepted now that you're in my harem, huh?"

Drawing a line of focus between us, I directed my finger towards Lysander, outlining our battle plan with unwavering determination. "Your primary objective is to incapacitate Johnny and Maggie swiftly. Kate, Charlotte, and Gaeun will pave the way for you, clearing any obstacles in your path. I'll join the fray as needed," I declared, my voice resonating with conviction.

Lysander's acknowledgment was brief yet resolute. Closing his eyes for a fleeting moment, he drew a deep breath, his concentration palpable. As the seconds ticked by, ethereal wings bathed in a radiant blue hue unfurled from his back, lifting him gently off the ground. His eyes sparkled with determination as he hovered, locking gazes with each of us. "Let's make our move," he declared, a smile playing upon his lips, his confidence a beacon of hope.

In a harmonious chorus, Kate, Charlotte, and Gaeun echoed his sentiment, their voices blending seamlessly as they chanted, "Wings of Light!" The air around us shimmered with energy, a testament to our collective resolve as we prepared to confront the looming threat that awaited.

From Kate's silhouette, fiery crimson wings erupted, casting a warm glow against the backdrop. Charlotte's form was next, as radiant yellow wings unfurled from her back, illuminating her with an energetic vibrancy. Gaeun followed suit, her figure adorned with shimmering cyan wings that glowed with an ethereal light. And as for me, neon green Wings of Light materialized, reflecting our collective dedication and the fruits of our recent training regimen with Lysander.

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"Show me what you've learned over the past few days!" Lysander's challenge echoed through the air as he surged forward, leaving a trail of azure brilliance in his wake, a testament to his accelerating pace.

Unyielding, we responded with determination, a sense of camaraderie fueling our resolve. As if propelled by a shared purpose, we ascended with unparalleled speed, each of us leaving behind a distinctive trail. Kate's path blazed with crimson, while Charlotte's route shimmered with gold. Gaeun's ascent was marked by a striking cyan streak, and my own trail glowed with an intense neon green luminescence. Together, our trajectories intertwined, crafting a mesmerizing tapestry of colors that painted the heavens in a vibrant display.

Our objective became clear as we ascended higher: Johnny Wolvesbane astride his formidable Harpy Dragon. The behemoth creature unleashed a relentless barrage of feathered arrows, each one a deadly projectile that decimated our aerial units with alarming precision. The once-formidable fleet of helicopters and airplanes faltered under the onslaught, their numbers dwindling rapidly as the dragon's devastating assault continued.

A momentary pause allowed me to observe the Harpy Dragon's imposing form, dwarfing the memories of our previous encounter. Could it be that Maggie had augmented her strength in the intervening weeks? The beast's enhanced stature hinted at a formidable evolution, but dwelling on its growth was a luxury we couldn't afford.

Regardless of their newfound might, swift action remained our best strategy. Lingering in combat with this behemoth would undoubtedly escalate the threat, potentially paving the way for Gazelle's imminent arrival and subsequent reinforcements. Time was of the essence, and decisive action our only recourse.

A deafening roar echoed through the skies as the Harpy Dragon sensed our presence, its primal fury manifesting in a torrent of viridian flames gathering within its maw. In a moment of dire anticipation, the dragon unleashed its fiery onslaught, targeting our vulnerable position with malevolent intent.

“Bubble Barrier!” With unwavering focus, Gaeun raised her wand, channeling an incantation through whispered verses. A shimmering barrier materialized around us, a resilient bubble that deflected the dragon's emerald inferno. The protective sphere held firm, a testament to Gaeun's mastery over her arcane arts and our collective determination to emerge victorious against overwhelming odds.

As we deflected its initial assault, the Harpy Dragon retreated momentarily, ascending to a higher vantage point. With a powerful beat of its colossal wings, it released a barrage of feathered projectiles, each arrow honed to intercept and eliminate our airborne presence.

Seizing the initiative, Kate brandished her sword with a fluid motion, channeling her arcane energy into a devastating spell. "Flame Geiser!" she roared, unleashing a torrent of searing flames that surged skyward. The inferno consumed the oncoming volley, reducing the Harpy Dragon's deadly feathers to smoldering ash before they could reach us.

Undeterred by the failure of its ranged assault, the Harpy Dragon altered its approach, hurtling toward us with unmatched velocity. Its maw agape, rows of razor-sharp teeth gleamed menacingly, suggesting a predatory intent that chilled us to the core. Was it truly aiming to engulf us in a single, devastating bite?

Without hesitation, Charlotte steadied her sniper rifle, taking aim with unerring precision. "Shockwave Snipe!" she declared, squeezing the trigger with calculated finesse. The bullet's impact resonated with a thunderous force, its kinetic energy manifesting as a potent shockwave that reverberated through the atmosphere. The unexpected blast caught the Harpy Dragon off guard, its trajectory disrupted by the overwhelming force as it struggled to maintain its aerial dominance.

With a ferocious determination etched across his features, Johnny vaulted from the Harpy Dragon's cranium, propelled by his formidable werewolf limbs. His predatory eyes fixed intently on Lysander, claws glistening ominously as they shimmered in the dim light.

Sensing the impending threat, Lysander surged forward, channeling an arcane surge of mana into his right hand. A familiar pain throbbed within my heart, a haunting reminder of the draconic transformation Lysander had previously undergone during our encounter with the Dragon Knight at Tasty Town's Magic High School.

"Prepare to meet your end, Lysandeeer!" Johnny's guttural roar echoed through the air, his accelerated assault aimed to cleave Lysander asunder with unmatched ferocity.

Yet, in the fleeting moments before Johnny's lethal claws could descend, my focus narrowed with laser precision. "Triple Wind Arrow!" I exclaimed, summoning a radiant magical circle to materialize at the muzzle of my pistol. Three distinct arrows of wind surged forth, each guided by my unwavering aim. They found their mark with unerring accuracy, piercing Johnny's arms and then converging on his vulnerable abdomen, disrupting his deadly trajectory and providing Lysander a crucial reprieve.

Johnny's agonized cry pierced the air, yet upon closer inspection, something felt amiss. His theatrical display of pain seemed almost exaggerated, reminiscent of the melodramatic performances of lesser actors in second-rate films.

A sinking realization settled within me; a deception was at play, and the timing couldn't have been more precarious. Before any intervention could be made, Lysander's transformed arms closed around Johnny's visage, his voice a haunting whisper that reverberated through the tense atmosphere.

"Johnny," Lysander began, his voice tinged with regret and finality, "I once vowed to be your savior, to rewrite your fate from a twisted timeline. But you've become an anomaly, a disruption I can no longer afford to mend." A palpable silence ensued, each word weighted with the gravity of a shattered promise.

As Lysander's draconic arm pulsed with surging energy, a concentrated ball of nuclear mana coalesced at its core. With a resolute cry, he unleashed the devastating force upon Johnny, the very essence of his attack encapsulated in its ominous name.

"Baryon Blaze!"

The sky ruptured with a deafening explosion, a towering mushroom cloud casting a shadow over the battlefield. The sheer force of Lysander's unleashed power sent each of us hurtling in disparate directions, disoriented amidst the chaotic aftermath.

As the dust settled and the acrid smoke dispersed, a chilling sight met our eyes: Johnny, standing unscathed amidst the devastation. Lysander's expression transformed from one of determination to sheer disbelief, his eyes widening in horror.

A malevolent smirk stretched across Johnny's face as he extended his right hand, the Mark of Vesryn etched prominently upon it. The revelation struck Lysander like a bolt of lightning, his voice faltering as he attempted to comprehend the depth of Johnny's transformation.

"That's right," Johnny boasted, his laughter echoing ominously. "I am now a Dragon Lord, an immortal force beyond your feeble comprehension." Without warning, he lunged forward, his werewolf claws gleaming with malevolent intent as they found their mark, piercing Lysander's vulnerable heart with ruthless precision.