Drettonus(English Version)

15. Two decisive battles

    The showdown between Kder and Hayato begins with Hayato saying:

   "Let's see if you can keep up with me, legendary swordsman!"

    Hayato starts running in various directions with his super speed. Trying to guess his opponent's every move, Hayato tries to escape Kder's field of vision at every opportunity he finds, while trying to find a blind spot. After several attempts, he finally manages to confuse the swordsman, and then starts punching the opponent's unprotected areas. Each punch carries enormous force thanks to the kinetic energy accumulated in his body. Kder recognizes his opponent's strength:

   "Already revealing your full power... I shouldn't expect anything less from apprentice Noogard. But it's a shame. Because even if you've acquired such a level of control in combat, I'm trained to face opponents like you, after all I also possess such ability...!"

    After saying this, Kder counterattacks one of Hayato's punches using his sword. Hayato retreats after receiving a slight wound on one of his arms, but before he can think of his next attack, Kder uses his super speed to reach him, which leaves him astonished:

   "You... possess the same power as me?!"

   "I have developed my physical abilities as much as possible for battles like this. However, there is no need to be afraid. As I said earlier, I have no intention of harming you. All I wish to do is take control of your airship."

   "Kh...! As if I would give up like that!"

    Hayato begins a series of high-speed attacks, but Kder defends himself from all of the hits using his sword. After finding an opening, the swordsman counterattacks again, but this time Hayato manages to dodge, and then tries to attack his opponent in his blind spots again, as at the beginning of the battle. However, this time Kder's reactions are almost instantaneous. Aware of this, Hayato continues to dodge the counterattacks.

    Little by little, Hayato's overexertion causes him to gradually lose his energy, while his opponent merely reacts without moving from his spot. In a moment of distraction, he gets cut on the leg when he fails to dodge one of Kder's counterattacks, and this small slip is what causes him to lose his balance and fall to the ground.

    Tired, Hayato tries to keep fighting, but he is unable to even get up in time to stop Kder from sheathing his sword and heading to the control panel of his airship. Upon realizing this, Hayato reluctantly declares defeat. The showdown between Kder and Hayato ends as quickly as it began...

    The duel between Mitsuko and Reiko, in turn, begins with Mitsuko teleporting in front of Reiko, who creates a light clone behind her opponent, who after seeing her punch go through the princess, sees the same disappear into light, at the same time as the light clone materializes as the original and kicks her in the back. Confident but somewhat reluctant, the princess asks:

   "Why don't you use your beloved weapons?"

   "I won't waste them on you. My strength alone is enough!"

   "I suppose you don't understand the difference in our levels. Very well, I'll make you understand soon."

    Reiko splits into 10 light clones, which surround Mitsuko before advancing. Any of the 10 Reikos can become the real one in an instant.

    Mitsuko then teleports upwards, but another light Reiko is made in front of her, and all the other 10 clones disappear. Reiko tries to attack her, but she teleports behind her rival.

    The two begin fighting in mid-air. Whenever Reiko attacks, Mitsuko teleports behind her. Whenever Mitsuko attacks, Reiko creates a light clone behind her and dissolves herself into light, turning the clone into her true form. Every now and then, one of them lands or blocks a hit.

    This vicious cycle continues as Vektor admires the black and white fireworks display unfolding before him.

   "A- Amazing...!"

    After this intense aerial battle, experience in combat speaks louder. As time passes, Reiko runs out of energy, opening the door for a combo attack from Mitsuko, who finishes her off with a powerful kick to the back. Defeated, Reiko uses the rest of her power to fall to the ground safely, creating a light clone on the ground. Mitsuko then teleports to the ground.

    With both battles over, Kder steers the giant airship to Drettonus Castle, while Reiko, who has had her wishes granted, agrees to ally with Vektor, who thus concludes his journey to reunite the Etykiran apprentices. All that remains to be done is to wait for Kder to arrive with Hayato and Sych with Yuko to finally begin the ritual to remove the curse...

    However, while everything seems to be running normally, slow footsteps walk over the metal floor of Hayato's fortress, footsteps that lead to the airship's engine...

    After a few minutes of waiting, Reiko suddenly panics, shouting to Vektor and Mitsuko:

   "Hey, you two!!"

    Confused, Vektor is lost in the face of the situation:

   "W- What happened? Your face looks really scared..."

   "You have to get out of here right now! This place will-"

    Reiko gets interrupted by Sych's voice that is heard from the entrance of the arena:

   "Vektor! We made it!"

    Vektor becomes even more confused when he sees Sych and Yuko both panting in the arena:

   "Huh? Sych, Yuko? What happened to you two?"

   "Hahh, hahh... There's a commotion down there. Hahh... There were guards running everywhere, so we took the opportunity to run all the way inside. Apparently the castle staff are evacuating for some reason... Something's wrong."

   "Evacuation...?! Hey, Reiko, what-"

    Vektor is interrupted by Reiko's screams:

   "That's what I'm trying to talk about! I just got an emergency message from my father! Hayato just announced that his airship's engine exploded, and now his fortress is on a collision course with this arena!!"

   "What?! We need to get out of here as soon as possible!"

   "I guess it's too late now..."

    As everyone looks in the same direction Reiko is looking, they notice the gigantic shadow of an airship approaching the translucent windows. It is too late to escape. In an act of pure reflex, Mitsuko taps Reiko on the shoulder and teleports them both to the Arsenal of Shadow.

    While Reiko is confused by the sudden change in location, Mitsuko stares at the gigantic airship approaching Drettonus Castle:

   "How did we get to this...?"

    Reiko's confusion disappears the moment she sees her home being destroyed by the gigantic airship financed by herself.

   "It... It can't be... The castle..."

   "...Let's take a look over there. We need to see if the others are okay."

    After Reiko silently nods, Mitsuko taps her shoulder again and teleports the two to the highest floor of the still standing Drettonus Castle. Mitsuko looks down from above at the spot where the airship crashed on the surface. The spot is located in the ruins near the Valley of Music.

   "If those three are still alive, they must be around there. I'll take us there, so I want you to help me find them."

   "As you wish."