Chapter 82: My Last Hope

Amphere Harrison

Before me stands an immense platinum behemoth, soaring seventy meters into the sky - the Futuretech Dragon. What sets it apart is the crimson hue of its photon dragonfly wings, an unexpected deviation from convention. Its stance is more akin to that of a humanoid than the traditional draconic posture, and its eyes emit an unyielding scarlet glow. Adorning its back is an enormous electric fan, a device designed to absorb and harness light particles from the surrounding natural world. This awe-inspiring creature is none other than the fabled Monolith Dragon.

Confronting such a force seems insurmountable. Airi, dear Airi, remains in the clutches of her former lover, Zac Schneider, whose true identity unfolds as the mastermind of malevolence. In a feat of malevolent mastery, he has seamlessly amalgamated two distinct dragonoids into a single, nightmarish entity, an abomination beyond compare.

"Amphere," a voice crackles through my earpiece communicator, belonging to none other than Rudolf. "We've positively identified Dragunov and the Princess. Reinforcements from your end are imperative."

However, Rudolf's words fade into the background as my focus zeroes in on the looming Zac. His visage is tainted with sinister anticipation, a sight that fuels a surge of wrath and despair within me. My fist clenches involuntarily, fingers digging into my palm as I yearn to exact vengeance upon the man who has ensnared my Airi in his clutches.

The Monolith Dragon, its maw aglow, accumulates energy to unleash a formidable particle ball. A searing beam hurtles forth, its diameter so vast that it could decimate ten city blocks in the span of a heartbeat. Its sheer might transcends comprehension, rendering entire buildings into minuscule, imperceptible fragments that meld with the atmosphere.

Imminent doom beckons.

Yet, a twist of fate occurs as the Portal Dragon intervenes, forging a warp gate that instantly propels us aloft, suspended twenty-five meters above the Crimson Dragonfly. Ensnared by my own tempestuous emotions, I remain oblivious to Reina's prior use of the Vesryn Pulse on Richard. It is only now that I realize my perch - the expanse of the white dragon's nape - where I find myself situated, caught in the intricate weave of emotions and events.

"Pull yourself together!" Reina's voice pierced through my turmoil. "I'm opening a portal to summon Exceria."

As Reina exerted her concentration, her fingers danced in the air, struggling to crack open a dimensional gateway. In response, I placed my hand over my chest and uttered, "Canceling Vesryn Pulse." Yet, my efforts were in vain; it dawned on me that I wasn't the one wielding Airi's Vesryn Pulse. The puppeteer of this power was none other than the malevolent Zac.

A solution surfaced in my mind. An idea born from desperation and determination. If I harnessed the power of my Eye of Deus to manipulate the Vesryn Pulse belonging to others, I could surely wrest Airi from Zac's control.

"Stop." Exceria's sudden presence materialized, her touch gentle and warm as she grasped my right eye. "Reserve your ability to command Vesryn Pulse for our ultimate adversary. Overloading the Pulse is a resource we can only employ once a week."

"But Airi..." Tremors shook my voice as I struggled to convey my thoughts.

"We'll devise a strategy to liberate her, Amphere. For now, let's unleash our own Vesryn Pulse."

Though Exceria's logic carried weight, the turmoil within me threatened to overwhelm my resolve. Witnessing my beloved Airi manipulated by her former partner was a torment beyond measure. If a solution didn't manifest in the next five minutes, I was prepared to risk overloading the Vesryn Pulse, consequences be damned.

With a transformative surge, Exceria morphed into the form of a resplendent white Pulsar Dragon. Bathed in radiant light, our presence drew the attention of the colossal robotic dragon, prompting it to prime another devastating beam. Amidst the brilliance, Exceria's moonstone core on her chest gleamed, gathering luminous energy, akin to the Monolith Dragon's photon beam channeled through its mouth. In an explosive display, the Pulsar Dragon unleashed a searing beam of light, momentarily rupturing the Monolith Dragon's maw in a blinding burst of force.

The agony that Airi must be enduring cuts deeply, but my faith in her resilience provides a sliver of solace. She's strong – I know she can hold on long enough for me to rescue her. Just endure a little while longer, my love.

However, any damage inflicted on the Monolith Dragon seemed to be in vain. The concealed colossal weapon nestled within the depths of its maw remained unscathed, a hidden arsenal of destruction. Zac's maniacal laughter rang out, his jubilation at our failed attempt echoing through the air. The intensity of my loathing for him surged, a visceral desire to inflict harm upon him building within me – a punch to his gut and a swift strike to render him impotent seemed far too kind.

Another titanic burst of photon energy surged forth from the Monolith Dragon, targeting Reina and Richard. Swift and elusive, Richard evaded the assault by employing his tremendous velocity and teleportation through his warp holes. The aftermath of the attack left a sinuous, jagged trench etched into the earth, the Crimson Dragonfly inadvertently sketching its destructive artistry upon the already ravaged landscape of Twilight City.

"Someone can help us!" Reina's voice resounded, a beacon of hope amid the chaos. "A Vesryn Pulse canceler!"

The idea sparked a revelation in my mind. Of course! Mark Anthony Octavius, the General Class-Dragon Knight, and his stalwart Gladiator Dragon possess the power to nullify Zac's Dracaryx and Vesryn Pulse. They're the key to liberation!

"Amphere! Keep them occupied while I open a portal!" Reina's directive propelled me into action. With a fervent nod, my determination blazed. Victory was within our grasp, and I would seize it. I signaled my agreement with Exceria, our plan crystallizing. It was my task to divert the colossal enemy's attention, to act as the relentless irritant while Reina set the stage for salvation.

Exceria surged forward, her movements akin to a dogged mosquito's, as the Monolith Dragon unleashed its continuous barrage of photon beams, each pulse a desperate attempt to obliterate us. Despite its lumbering attempts to swat us aside with its immense claws, its sheer bulk and ponderous reactions rendered it a sluggish adversary, unable to effectively neutralize our persistent evasion.

The audacious plan formed in my mind, and I resolved to execute it. "Lower me onto the head, where that demon guy is," I whispered urgently to Exceria. If I could reach that fiend and tear his heart from his chest, Airi might finally be freed from his grasp.

Exceria responded with lightning swiftness, lifting me into the air before releasing me onto the spacious, flat expanse of the dragon's head. Landing gracefully, I rolled thrice before unsheathing my dual photon swords, their energy humming at my fingertips. With determined purpose, I surged forward, intent on obliterating the malevolent presence before me.

Zac's astonishment was palpable, his step backward a testament to his surprise. My first strike loomed, but he raised his hand, conjuring a photonic force field that materialized as a barrier, effortlessly deflecting my attack. Unyielding and impenetrable, the shield thwarted my subsequent slashes, each blow met with stoic resistance. He was utilizing Airi's powers as his own – a stark reminder of her torment.

Retreating swiftly, I vaulted back onto Exceria's head, my mind racing. I needed to activate my dynamos or Deus Ex Machina to shatter his shield, then launch a close-range assault. Just as I was about to initiate my clearance systems, a familiar voice reverberated through the stratosphere, a belated arrival that interrupted my intentions.

"I apologize for my tardiness!" The resounding declaration was not what I had anticipated. It wasn't the voice of Mark Anthony Octavius, but rather that of an irksome twelve-year-old girl who had a knack for getting on my nerves.

"Duchess Corasell?" My incredulous mutter escaped me.

Proudly poised, the young duchess stood atop the head of a blue Fairy Dragon, presumably Eva. The sight was beyond baffling – what could these children possibly contribute to our dire circumstances? My skepticism grew, skepticism that they could offer anything beyond juvenile cries and complaints.

"I find myself as your final recourse, Sir Amphere." The duchess's words dripped with an aristocratic amusement, her laughter muffled by the golden fan she delicately pressed to her lips. "It appears you lack the mastery to command your dragonoid, a truth that casts doubt upon your claim as a knight."

Her taunts ignited an instant surge of irritation within me, my patience wearing thin. In the face of our dire predicament, her nonchalant mockery grated on my nerves, threatening to raise my blood pressure to dangerous levels. This was no time for triviality; the fate of Airi and our mission were hanging in the balance.

"Enough with the theatrics. Can you truly restore Airi?" My impatience was palpable as I implored her.

"Observe and assimilate, my dear Sir Amphere." The duchess's laughter persisted, igniting my frustration. Her dismissive demeanor rankled – a mere child, acting with such audacity.

With an exuberant clap of her hands, Duchess Corasell initiated a graceful display. Her golden fan circled her form like a dance, an intricate performance that concluded with a swift closure of the fans, the resulting sound reverberating through the atmosphere like a haunting echo.

"Negate!" Her command pierced the air, yet seconds ticked by without a discernible effect. The Monolith Dragon's deafening roar filled the air once again, its photon beam charging, a harbinger of the annihilation about to be unleashed upon us. But just as the release of the attack seemed imminent, the Monolith Dragon's back erupted in a billowing cloud of thick smoke, followed by a searing flash of light.

From a distance, two star-like lights streaked down from the former location of the Crimson Dragonfly, the massive creature vanishing as if it were but a fragile bubble. Duchess Corasell's influence had proven pivotal.

"Amphere!" Reina's urgent call snapped my attention, her portal materializing directly before me.

"Got it!" Without hesitation, I leaped into the portal, my surroundings shifting as I found myself suspended midair. Airi's unconscious form lay before me, and I extended my hand, my fingers brushing against her soft skin until I secured her hand firmly within my grasp. The connection seemed to rouse her from her stupor, her eyes fluttering open to reveal a feeble yet radiant smile.

"Amphy, you... you saved me again," Airi's voice quivered weakly. "You always do..."

"You're safe now." I enfolded her in a tender embrace, my emotions surging to the surface, an unbidden torrent of tears staining my cheeks.

But our respite was short-lived, shattered by a resounding, masculine proclamation that pierced the air. My gaze lifted to find Zac Schneider, the very embodiment of malevolence, brandishing a sinister object in his grip – a black heart.

The battle was far from concluded.