“As arrogant as ever, aren’t you, kid?” Ralak’s clone stepped into the training ground, its face devoid of emotion. Percy gripped his spear with both hands, his jovial grin fading as his golden eyes locked onto the clone with unflinching focus.
Ralak raised a hand into the air. The atmosphere grew heavy, the tension almost suffocating. “Go.”
VZZTT-FWOSH!
Lightning exploded as Percy shot forward like a golden blur. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the clone, his spear aimed directly at its left eye.
POP.
A barely audible sound accompanied the clone’s shift, its body now to the side, moving with an unnatural speed that made it seem like it had always been there.
BOOM—CRRAACK!
Percy stomped hard, halting his momentum, and twisted his body, swinging his spear in a wide arc. The lightning-laced weapon screamed toward the clone’s neck.
VZZTT-SWISSHHH!
The spear came in hard and fast, but before it could connect—
POP.
The clone vanished again, reappearing ten feet behind Percy, hovering inches above the ground, completely untouched.
VZZZTTT!
Undeterred, Percy spun and darted toward it once more, his speed even greater than before. This damn thing is insanely fast, he thought, gritting his teeth. And it’s not even fighting back. This guy is straight-up playing with me right now.
His jaw clenched. I’ll show this Sherlock-looking motherfu—
He struck again and again, relentless, but each attack failed. The clone continued to evade effortlessly, disappearing just as Percy’s spear reached it.
Ralak’s voice cut through the crackling air. “You know, Percy, you’re supposed to hit it, not whatever it is you’re doing.”
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Percy shot a glare at Ralak, flying inches off the ground with his glowing wings, readying another strike. “You—”
Before he could retort, he felt a cold pressure on his chest. He looked down to see the clone’s hand pressed firmly against him, its blank eyes staring up without a hint of mercy.
FWOOM—BOOM!
Percy’s body rocketed backward, slamming into the wall with a deafening crash. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground, unmoving.
The clone turned away, already walking back toward Ralak.
Ralak clapped his hands lazily. “Well, that’s that. Hurry it up and get back here—I’ve got things to do. Lorna’s been on my case all day about making it to the palace on time, and I’m already—”
“AHHHHHH!”
Ralak sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This kid just doesn’t know when to give up.”
Percy struggled to his feet, his wings flaring wide as he wiped the blood from his mouth. “I don’t remember saying we were done here.”
KRRR-TZZZZHHH!
The air trembled as lightning surged from Percy’s body in overwhelming waves. The sheer intensity illuminated the training ground, forcing Ralak to raise a hand against the glare.
VZZZZZTTT-BOOM!
The lightning coalesced into Percy’s spear, sparking with lethal energy. With a roar, Percy launched himself toward the clone like a streak of golden thunder.
Ralak’s eyes narrowed. This kid… He’s incredible. Even without celestial energy, the power he draws from his Thunder Hawk Aether Cell is terrifying.
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CRASHING THUNDER☇
The clone turned, only to meet Percy’s spear slamming into its head.
VZZZTT—BOOM!
The force drove the clone halfway into the ground, its arms buried as its head tilted downward. Lightning surged around it in waves, Percy pushing with all his might to inflict damage.
“Damn it!” Percy spat, frustration mounting as he flew high into the air. Lightning began to gather in massive quantities, brightening the sky like a second sun.
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CRASHING THUNDER☈
Percy spiraled downward, spinning at blinding speed, his spear aimed to deliver the finishing blow.
From below, Ralak called out casually, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, kid.”
The clone, still embedded in the ground, slowly raised its head. For the first time since the fight began, its blank expression changed… to rage.
Nightmare☸
The words echoed in Percy’s mind like a chilling whisper. His body froze mid-spin, lightning dissipating as the training ground vanished around him.
In its place was a blood-soaked battlefield, shrouded in a dense, eerie fog. Dark, shadowy hands emerged from the mist, clawing at Percy, brushing against his skin. He tried to move, to scream, but his gaze was locked onto the clone’s burning eyes.
And then, in an instant, the clone appeared before him, its fist drawn back.
This is gonna hurt.
BOOM!