Chapter 25: Starry Night
The sounds of debris and distant cries filled the air as the battle unfolded across the chaotic landscape of Sakura Square's southern edge. Michael and Kail stood back to back, their breaths steady but filled with tension. The night was alive with streaks of floating concrete, and the air buzzed with magic and electric energy. Somewhere above them, Galaxy floated, a haunting grin plastered on his face as he surveyed his opponents with a deadly gleam in his eye.
Kail clenched his fists. "Michael, if we're gonna take this guy down, I'll have to use a fraction of my Extreme State." He hesitated for a moment, his fingers twitching as he felt the energy simmering beneath his skin. He wasn't sure what 25% would do in this state, but it was better than watching Galaxy turn the entire place to rubble.
Michael nodded, his face set in a grim determination. "Do it. Just... don't overdo it. We need you in one piece." He took a quick look around, plotting out his own path through the chaos. "I'll keep him distracted. Make it count."
Kail nodded and took a breath, feeling the weight of his powers awaken. As he let the energy course through him, a faint layer of bone armor began to form over his body, wrapping around his arms and shoulders. The ground below his feet rumbled, and sharp bone spikes shot out from the earth, angling towards Galaxy with deadly precision.
Galaxy watched with a mixture of amusement and rage, his form flickering under the light of the floating buildings around them. His gun arm shifted, metal parts twisting and contorting until it transformed into a massive grappler. With a swift movement, he launched the grapple towards one of the elevated buildings and swung himself high, dodging the incoming spikes with ease.
But before he could land, Michael was already on him. With a blur of movement, Michael teleported up to the building's edge and, with a swift swing of his short sword, severed Galaxy's arm mid-swing. Galaxy tumbled through the air, a look of shock flashing across his face for a split second before his sinister grin returned.
"YOU THINK THAT'S ENOUGH TO STOP ME?!" Galaxy roared, his voice booming. A dark, viscous energy oozed from his shoulder, and within seconds, his arm regrew. The newly-formed limb was larger, pulsing with an unnatural strength. Without hesitation, he swung a massive fist at Michael, who barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the blow shattered a nearby wall.
Kail leaped into action. With his newly-formed bone axe, he charged forward and aimed for Galaxy's chest, driving the weapon deep into his flesh. Galaxy let out a guttural roar, the impact making him stagger back momentarily. But his expression was undeterred, filled instead with an ecstatic madness.
"IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT? YOU CAN'T FUCKING MATCH ME!"
He grinned wickedly, his form pulsing with an unearthly glow as he prepared his next attack. Galaxy opened his mouth, charging a blast with the power of a railgun, the star-like energy swirling violently. In one smooth motion, he shot a coin into the air, and with a flash of light, the energy blast zeroed in on it. The coin ricocheted, striking Kail square in the chest with explosive force and launching him backward, skidding across the ground with a gasp of pain.
Galaxy watched with smug satisfaction as Kail struggled to get back up. "FACE IT. I'M UNBEATABLE. YOU'RE NOTHING BUT AN INSECT COMPARED TO THE ULTIMATE LIFEFORM!"
Michael seized the opportunity, dashing forward with a determined glint in his eye. His hand flicked, and in a series of calculated moves, he drove a dagger into the ground, creating a small chain of teleportation points around the area. With a fierce cry, he launched himself toward Galaxy, teleporting in and out of range, making it nearly impossible for Galaxy to keep up with his movements.
