CHAPTER 69 – TACHYON DRAGON

JOHNNY WOLVESBANE

The unexpected synchronicity of our heartbeats took me by surprise, a bond I'd believed reserved solely for the Vesryn Pulse. As a werewolf, I'd assumed its resonance was a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, destined to fade with my lover's last breath.

Yet, when Meike's heartbeat melded seamlessly with mine, a familiar surge pulsed through me. The rhythmic echo of her heart within my own wasn't just a connection; it was a resurgence, a resurgence of the Vesryn Pulse. A mission crystallized within me as I felt the harmonized beats: protect the innocents and vanquish the relentless human threat.

With a fervent cry, I unleashed the Vesryn Pulse. An explosive force erupted from where Meike stood, obscuring her in a veil of smoke. As the haze dissipated, a majestic creature unfurled before me—a towering eight-meter dragon, its scales as dark as midnight. Its eyes glowed a fierce crimson, and each movement sent streaks of orange lightning dancing in its wake. The dragon's obsidian wings, intricately edged, shimmered with an eerie allure.

She was unmistakably a Tachyon Dragon.

“Raaaaaah!” A deafening roar echoed through the air, a declaration of power and defiance, as the Tachyon Dragon asserted her presence.

“Hold your ground! Open fire!” The command echoed through the chaos as the human soldier bellowed, his gestures urging comrades to unleash a barrage from their assault rifles.

A torrent of thousands of bullets hurtled toward the Tachyon Dragon, only to find empty air as she vanished in the blink of an eye. Panic ensued among the soldiers, bewildered as their projectiles found no mark.

“What the hell just happened? Where did it go?” the human soldier exclaimed in frustration.

“Look up!” another soldier shouted.

Hovering effortlessly fifty meters above the ground, the Tachyon Dragon became a distant silhouette against the sky. From a far-off distance, artillery Lightning Arrow rained down upon her position, but the dragon's incredible speed turned evasion into a spectacle. To the human eye, she seemed to dance between dimensions, a form of teleportation defying the onslaught of anti-air projectiles.

“This... is intriguing,” muttered Erudite Anoushka, observing the unfolding spectacle.

Drawing upon the Vesryn Pulse's energy, I focused it toward my heart, tapping into the Tachyon Dragon's innate ability. Orange lightning crackled across my form as I ignited a reckless burst, streaking through the air in an attempt to confront the formidable Baba Yaga who had mercilessly held me captive.

The air crackled with anticipation as I shouted, "Tachyon Spark!"

Anoushka, the Baba Yaga, wove her magic, seamlessly phasing through matter and energy. My unleashed orange lightning passed through her like a phantom projection, and in a nimble leap, she distanced herself from me. I might not have inflicted any damage, but at least I had wrested myself free.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

As I rose, brushing off the remnants of dust from my rugged jacket, I discovered that the activation of the Vesryn Pulse had not only granted me freedom but also miraculously healed all my injuries. A subtle surge indicated that my mana was replenishing, an invisible tether linking me to Meike, the Tachyon Dragon.

Gazing skyward, I called out to my newfound dragonoid ally. "Meike! I've got this! Head to the origin of the long-range anti-air magic and make them busy."

"R-Roger," echoed Meike's telepathic reply. With a single powerful flap of her wings, the Tachyon Dragon vanished from sight.

Confidence welled within me; Meike's extraordinary speed made her adept at evading the human empire's army's anti-air magicians. I trusted she would handle the situation with unparalleled finesse.

Around me, the area teemed with over forty human soldiers, bolstered by fresh reinforcements. Among them stood Erudite Anoushka, a formidable adversary.

A human soldier lieutenant aimed his rifle menacingly at a trembling dragonoid child. "Stay still, Centurion of the Neo Arcadia!" he warned, his eyes cold. "Make a move, and this child pays the price!"

The surrounding soldiers targeted the other captive dragonoid children, their innocent faces twisted in fear, tears streaming down their cheeks.

Drawing a deep breath and exhaling slowly, I fixed the lieutenant with an inscrutable gaze, a chilling calm settling over me. "Gentlemen," I intoned softly, "I am sorry to inform you... that you are already dead. Tachyon Blitz!"

In an instant, my limbs morphed into the fierce form of a werewolf, orange lightning crackling to life across my form. Time seemed to stand still as I tapped into the Tachyon Dragon's unparalleled speed. With blinding swiftness, I darted among the soldiers, each movement a lethal dance as I struck with precision: hearts torn, necks snapped, and throats slashed.

As time resumed its normal cadence, a chilling silence settled over the area, punctuated only by the thud of fallen human bodies. Like a chain reaction, they collapsed in rapid succession, leaving a path of liberation for the dragonoid children.

"Hello, little ones. You're safe now," I assured the children, a warm smile gracing my lips.

With an orchestra of relieved voices, the children rushed toward me, wrapping their arms around my knees in gratitude. "T-Thank you, big brother!" they chorused, their voices a blend of relief and newfound hope.

I offered comforting pats on their heads, my gaze shifting to find Erudite Anoushka Park amidst the aftermath. To my surprise, her countenance was not one of fear or trepidation but rather an unsettling smile, her razor-sharp fangs gleaming ominously.

"You...are...intriguing," Anoushka murmured, her voice tinged with a curious fascination.

Protectively, I motioned for the children to take shelter behind me. Taking deliberate steps forward, I locked eyes with Anoushka, a steely resolve settling over me as our gazes locked in a silent, palpable standoff.

With determination etched in my voice, I challenged, "Dragging innocent children into this conflict? That's low. Let's settle this, you and I. Face to face. Eye to eye. Mano-a-mano. You hit me, I hit you, until this ends."

Anoushka's response was a chilling mix of amusement and malevolence. "Your confidence… borders on… arrogance," she hissed, her lips curving into a smile that would have haunted nightmares. "Being… a Dragon Knight… doesn't guarantee… victory."

In a sudden, ominous transformation, Anoushka's arms stretched out, nails morphing into razor-edged claws. A dark flame danced around her hands, her tongue snaking out, adding to the nightmarish tableau she presented.

Glancing down at the Mark of Vesryn on my palm, I found no luminous signal indicating my status as a Dragon Lord. For now, it was merely an inked design. It became clear that activating the Vesryn Pulse and the V-Mark were distinct procedures.

Though an Erudite wielded formidable power against a Dragon Knight, I recognized that confronting Anoushka was non-negotiable. To end this invasive threat and prevent further harm, she had to be stopped, now.

Gathering my resolve, I enveloped myself in a cloak of orange tachyon sparks. Crouching low, muscles taut and ready to spring, I prepared for the defining moment. The first to land a decisive blow would determine the outcome of this perilous duel.