Chapter 71 - Hindel(1)

The control room loomed in the distance, a monolithic structure surrounded by the remnants of the Fantasian forces.

Nathan and Natasha moved like shadows, their nano-tech suits blending seamlessly with the environment.

Nathan's mechanical katana hummed softly at his side, its blade glowing with a faint blue energy.

Natasha's energy rifle was slung across her back, her movements precise and calculated as she scanned the area.

They were close. Too close to turn back now.

Just as they were about to take another step, the ground beneath them erupted in a deafening explosion of dust and debris.

Nathan instinctively spread his wings, shielding Natasha from the worst of the shockwave.

When the dust settled, a figure stood in the center of a massive crater, his golden hair gleaming like sunlight.

His piercing green eyes locked onto them, and a smirk played on his lips.

"Well, well," the elf said, his voice smooth and mocking. "I was wondering when you'd show up. I am Hindel, leader of this little expedition. Pleasure to meet you."

Nathan's grip tightened on his katana, his wings flexing slightly as he stepped forward. "Hindel, huh? So I'm guessing you're the one calling the shots here?"

Hindel chuckled, his spear flying into his hand from the control room with a flick of his wrist.

"Indeed. And you must be Nathan Hunt. I see now that Jero failed. And even Daizel couldn't take you down. Impressive.

Though, I must say, our intel was woefully inaccurate. You're clearly a Class 2. A pretty strong one, at that."

Nathan's eyes narrowed. "You don't say. But just so you know flattery won't save you."

Hindel's smirk widened. "Oh, I don't need saving. But you might."

Without warning, Hindel lunged, his spear a blur of motion.

Nathan barely had time to raise his katana, the clash of metal ringing out as the two weapons met.

The force of the impact sent Nathan skidding backward, his wings flaring to steady him.

Natasha darted to the side, her energy rifle already aimed and firing.

Bright bolts of energy streaked toward Hindel, but he moved with inhuman speed, dodging each shot effortlessly.

"Is that all you've got?" Hindel taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. "Come on, try harder."

Nathan gritted his teeth and surged forward, his wings propelling him with incredible speed.

He swung his katana in a wide arc, aiming for Hindel's side, but the elf blocked with his spear, the force of the clash sending sparks flying.

Hindel countered with a swift kick, his mana-enhanced strength sending Nathan crashing into a nearby tree.

The trunk splintered under the impact, and Nathan groaned, shaking off the pain as he pushed himself to his feet.

Natasha fired another volley of energy blasts, forcing Hindel to divert his attention.

He deflected the shots with his spear, the weapon glowing faintly as it absorbed the energy.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," he said, his tone almost bored. "But persistence alone won't save you."

Nathan charged again, this time using his wings to augment his movements.

He feinted left, then spun, his katana slicing through the air with deadly precision. Hindel blocked the strike, but Nathan pressed the attack, his wings acting as an extension of his body.

He used them to deliver a powerful swipe, the sharpened edges cutting through the air like blades.

Hindel dodged, but not before the wing grazed his arm, drawing a thin line of blood.

Hindel glanced at the wound, his smirk fading for a moment. "Not bad," he admitted. "But you'll have to do A LOT better than that."

He then retaliated with a flurry of spear strikes, each one faster and more precise than the last.

Nathan struggled to keep up, his katana clashing against the spear as he was forced to retreat.

Natasha continued to provide cover fire, but Hindel's movements were too unpredictable.

He closed the distance between them in an instant, his spear slashing toward her.

She barely managed to dodge, the weapon grazing her shoulder and leaving a shallow cut.

He suddenly shifted his stance, his spear glowing with a brilliant light. "Now let's see how you handle this."

A beam of pure light energy shot toward Nathan, who barely managed to dodge by using his wings to propel himself upward.

The beam struck the ground, leaving a smoldering crater in its wake.

Natasha then took advantage of the distraction, firing a barrage of energy blasts at Hindel.

He deflected most of them, but one grazed his arm, leaving a faint burn. His expression darkened, and he turned his attention to her.

"You know, you're starting to annoy me now," he said, his voice cold.

He rushed toward Natasha, his spear aimed at her chest.

Nathan immediately intercepted him, their weapons clashing in a shower of sparks. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the air, the ground cracking beneath their feet.

Hindel pushed Nathan back with a burst of mana, then delivered a series of rapid strikes, each one forcing Nathan to retreat.

Natasha joined the fight again, bringing out daggers as she aimed for Hindel's blind spots.

But the elf was way too fast and too strong for a non-closecombatant like her. He then disarmed her with a swift strike quite easily, before he kicked her to the ground.

Natasha groaned, clutching her side as she tried to stand.

Hindel walked toward them, his spear resting casually on his shoulder. "You two are really full of surprises," he said, his tone almost admiring. "But this is the end of the road."

Nathan spat out a mouthful of blood, his grip tightening on his katana. "Not… yet."

He launched himself at Hindel one last time, his wings flaring as he put everything into the attack.

Hindel met him head-on, their weapons clashing with a deafening roar. But it was clear Nathan was reaching his limit.

Hindel disarmed him with a swift twist of his spear, sending the katana flying.

He followed up with a brutal punch to Nathan's gut, the mana-enhanced strike knocking the air from his lungs.

Nathan collapsed to his knees near Natasha.

Natasha had tried to raise her rifle, but Hindel already being there, kicked it from her hands. He loomed over them, his spear pointed at Nathan's throat.

"You fought well," Hindel said, his voice almost gentle. "But this is the end."

Hindel then raised his spear to deliver the final blow when a sudden explosion rocked the area.

BOOM