Meanwhile in Momo’s mansion.

“I’m honestly surprised. To think that you knew everything. As expected of a goddess.”

Layla’s words overflowed with sarcasm. She and Tia were standing in front of each other. She wasn’t smiling like she normally would be.

“I see you can get serious once your love one is involved.”

Tia spoke with a teasing tone. She didn’t care Layla was upset and rather enjoyed it.

“Well, I can’t take full credit. I was told the situation by a friend of mine.”

“I see. Ouroboros, huh? He’s the Higher Being closest to us after all.”

“Boris is worried about what would happen if Miko was to beat your partner. What do you think?”

Layla showed a bitter smile.

“There’s nothing complicated about it. If he dies this country will be plunged into war. Especially if Miko is the one who killed him. It won’t stop until both sides are eradicated.”

Layla paused for a bit.

“…No, it would be the same result if Miko is the one who dies. The Murder Princess and the Crimson Devil won’t take their son’s death like that. Niflheim would get involved as well…..Now that I think about it, why does this feel like something Krow would love to happen?”

“Oh, you noticed? That’s right, whether it’s Miko or your partner, just one of them needs to die and Krow will get the chance of a lifetime to take this country as his own.”

“If that’s the case, why allow them to fight? Do you think they won’t fight to the death? Because he would. Miko might not want to, but my partner wants to end everything and has prepared the perfect stage and the perfect enemy. This battle won’t end until one of them dies.”

“Perfect stage and perfect enemy, huh?”

Tia chuckled a bit.

“For Nebulous, everything began in this city; which is why it’s the perfect place to end it. As for Miko, he’s like the younger version of your partner, hence why he’s the perfect enemy. He wants the him of the past to an end everything.”

She sighed.

“To answer your question earlier, I let them be because I want to see how far Miko is willing to go. I don’t think he can kill Darry, but if he does then it would be a bittersweet moment.”

“But then it would go as Krow wanted.”

Tia shook her head.

“A war can’t happen. Not as long as that man is hidden in this empire’s shadow.”

*Bam!*

Miko and Nebulous were in a heated battle with lasers and martial arts. Miko thrust his foot forward and fired a powerful laser. Nebulous ducked under it. He cut the distance and aimed a palm strike at Miko’s chest. Miko twisted to the side and avoided his laser attack. He aimed a knee strike at Nebulous’s face. Nebulous caught the knee and hit Miko under the chin with a palm. He then grabbed Miko’s leg and swung him onto the ground. He slammed his knee on Miko’s chest.

Nebulous smiled and lifted his glowing hand above Miko’s head. Miko smiled in return, but neither of them moved. That was because although nebulous could blow Miko’s head off with his laser, Miko's hand was on Nebulous chest. One move from either of them could end the other’s life.

“Heh.”

The two fired a laser at the same time. Nebulous was blown off Miko, while Miko’s upper body was devoured in the light. Nebulous landed on his feet and rushed toward where Miko was. Miko sprung to life and into a handstand. He spun like a top while firing sickles of lasers at Nebulous. Nebulous jumped over them and aimed a kick at Miko. Miko twisted his body to get to his feet. He threw a punch and blocked Nebulous kick.

*Bam!*

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A burst of flames erupted between them and forced them apart.

“You’re full of tricks, aren’t you?”

Nebulous’s eyes were on Miko’s gloves. The one which was Ishma had smoke coming off it. He had used it to block Nebulous’ attack at point blank. It was a last-ditch effort which l paid off thanks to how high-quality Ishma was.

“I can say the same for you.”

There was a hole in Nebulous’ vest but his bare chest didn’t have a single scratch. Miko didn’t know how he did it, but he was able to stop Miko’s attack before it reached his skin.

“Fighting someone like you is really fun. It’s like I’m fighting myself.”

“Then you’re about to commit suicide.”

The two rushed at each other again. This time Miko summoned Ishma and Regis and pounced at Nebulous. He swung down the swords. Nebulous covered his hands in the light and formed two hand blades.

*Bam!*

Nebulous blocked the swords with the hand blades. He kicked Miko away and pounced at him. Miko leaped back and avoided the blades and slashed at Nebulous’ neck. Nebulous blocked it and thrust his hand blade forward. The blade extended just as Miko moved to escape and pierced through his abdomen.

“Ugh!”

Miko groaned at the sensation of his insides being scorched by the blade made of concentrated flames. He activated his Dragon Rage and formed several arms. The arms lit up and fired lasers at him. Nebulous retracted his handsword. He started deflecting the lasers with his swords.

He rushed forward while swatting away the lasers. Miko approached him while firing at him. The two entered each other’s range and swung their swords at each other’s bodies.

*Bam!*

The two pairs of swords clashed and locked together. That’s when Miko turned his extra limbs made of aura into swords. These swords cut down on Nebulous’ body.

“Heh.”

Nebulous smirked. Several limbs made of light, holding laser swords, appeared from behind Nebulous. They blocked Miko’s swords.

“What?!”

This was outside anything Miko could’ve expected. Nebulous control over flames and lasers were beyond his comprehension.

*Bam!*

Nebulous swords forced back Miko’s extra limbs. He cut them into pieces before attacking Miko himself. Miko leaped back to avoid being slaughtered, but several cuts were already on his body. His blood flowed from the shallow wounds and stained his clothes.

(Miko, why don’t you let us fight too? If we outnumber him, we should be able to kill him.)

Regis spoke inside Miko’s head.

(He can’t do that. Can’t you tell, this is a battle with their pride and life on the line. Not even Miko would accept a victory like that.)

Ishma answered back.

(But he outclasses Miko….)

“Don’t worry, Regis.”

Miko planted his swords in the ground and ripped his sliced-up shirt off. He tied the torn cloth around his chest to stop the bleeding. He pulled the swords back out of the ground and pointed them at Nebulous.

“I won’t lose.”

“That’s funny.”

Nebulous ripped the burnt vest off his body and threw it to the side.

“Me neither!”

The two moved at the same time. Miko slashed at Nebulous’s neck. Nebulous stepped back and avoided it. He swung his leg at Miko. Miko ducked under the laser sickle and thrust Ishma at Nebulous’ neck. Nebulous moved to the side and swung his handblade at Miko’s exposed side.

*Bam!*

Nebulous was hit by a powerful burst of flames and was forced back. Miko released his other sword and fired the flames from his free hand to stop the counter. He stomped the ground. Flames burst open the earth and rushed towards him. Nebulous jumped in the air and readied himself to attack.

“?!”

But Miko was no longer in his sight. He saw a shadow looming over him and looked up. Miko’s sword was right in front of his face. He moved his head out of the way so fast, that it looked like his neck was going to break. The sword cut into his shoulder and his blood gushed out.

He grabbed the other sword that was coming for a follow-up. His hand was almost cut off as a result.

“I got you.”

Miko grinned. He opened his mouth and light started gathering in it. When Nebulous saw that, his face stiffen.

*Bam!*

Miko fired a laser from his mouth and forced Nebulous out of the air and into the ground. The explosion caused flames to spread in waves and engulf the area.

“…….”

Miko landed on the ground breathing heavily.

“My magic is almost depleted. I used too many big moves right after the other.”

He looked into flames and saw Nebulous laying down on the ground. After a while, he saw him slowly get to his feet.

*Drip!*

His blood drained from his body as he stood up. Miko saw his state and moved to attack him again.

*Flash!*

But at that moment, the sky brightened causing Miko to look up. His eyes peeled open at the sight of a giant laser falling from the sky. The laser swallowed Miko where he stood.

“Haha.”

Nebulous smiled at the sight of Miko still standing with severe burns all over his body.

“I guess we’re both tough or should I say stubborn.”

He created a laser in his palm. He pressed the laser on his cut-up hand. A sizzling sound could be heard along with the smell of burning flesh. The hand that was barely holding together had its wound sealed shut. He did the same thing for the wound on his shoulder.

“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve almost died over the years. Wounds like these can’t stop me.”

“…….?”

Strange markings appeared on Nebulous’s body. It was like a vine art with a burning heart at the center. When the markings appeared, the wounds on Nebulous’ body started to disappear, including the ones he burnt shut.

“You’re gonna need more than that to kill me.”

Miko recognized the burning heart symbol. He heard rumors of a technique that could grant the user power and high regenerative abilities. But this technique and symbol belonged to a specific clan.

“The Flameheart Clan?”

The Flameheart Clan was one of the three royal clans along with the Dragna Clan and the Saevus Clan. It was a Clan that existed from the beginning of the empire and was currently locked in a meeting with the two other Clans.

“You, who are you?”

“Me?”

Nebulous laughed.

“I’ve forgotten a long time ago. Right now, I’m simply Nebulous. Nothing more, nothing less.”