In the midst of battle, I, Mina, along with Scarbol and Kyrawl, stood back-to-back, fending off our attackers as best we could. Viz and Rox had emerged from the shadows, lending their strength to our cause, utilizing their abilities to keep the kolkobalts and the encroaching praiyeblasis at bay. Despite their valiant efforts, it became evident that the enemy forces were gradually gaining the upper hand, their numbers swelling as they flooded into the plaza.

  My attention was drawn to the slightest movement, a shadow gliding meticulously across the floor toward Tilz. In that moment, Tilz's gaze flickered in my direction, causing him to tense. The kolkobalt lidded his eyes, spinning to confront Nex, brandishing his fists. The Nexperbax erupted from the shadows as Tilz struck the ground with ferocious intent, the impact echoing through the din. Nex grimaced, attempting to retreat, but it seemed increasingly unlikely, for Tilz was always a step ahead, relentless in his pursuit.

  ???

  {Nex's APeX}

  [21859] Units

  ???

  "Shit," Nex muttered, twisting his body midair in a desperate attempt to evade.

  Just as Tilz was poised to continue his assault, he abruptly paused, sensing an unseen threat behind him. He whirled around just in time to see me leaping toward him, my claws outstretched in an aggressive arc.

  "Glad to see you've finally made it," he remarked, a grin breaking across his face as he raised his arms to block my [Fire Slash] attack. The flames curled around his hands, leaving them unscathed. In swift retaliation, Tilz swung his bladed tail at me, compelling me to leap back to avoid being cleaved in two.

  My eyes widened as I beheld the blade slicing through the air once more with astonishing speed. My senses sharpened, and though I met the strike, particles sprayed from the wound it inflicted upon me. With Tilz poised for another strike, I flipped back to distance myself, seeking respite.

  "KiAera, your right!" Scarbol shouted.

  I twisted my body, freezing a boomerang with my [Spectral Flame] before it could reach me. Then, I turned and launched it at one of the attacking kolkobalts. The guard attempted to dodge, but he was not quick enough, and the weapon struck him squarely in the chest. He collapsed to the ground, bursting into particles as it passed through him.

  ???

  {KiAera's Status}

  APeX: [33430] → [39490 Units]

  [15 | 15] {Conquest Limit Reached}

  ???

  I turned away as the kolkabalt dissolved into a swirling cloud of dust. As Nex engaged with Tilz, my flames erupted into a brilliant blaze. I activated my [Evolution Slide], transforming into my Mearcritt form, and unleashed my spiraling [Spectral Flames] upon the other kolkobalts. The flames ignited into freezing blues, engulfing the creatures in their path. Their howls echoed through the air as they perished instantly. This brief display slowed their advance, forcing a number of the remaining soldiers to begin their retreat. However, a few more units hastened toward me, undeterred.

  My ears flickered before Kyrawl's arrival; he roared as he charged through the kolkobalts, sending them flying with each swipe of his wings and claws. He continued his rampage, crashing through them, before finally bulldozing straight for Tilz. I prepared myself as I was ready to fire a blast from my throat.

  But the leader of the kolkobalts was no ordinary opponent. He quickly pivoted, kicking aside Nex, and counterattacked with a fist that unleashed a fierce gale, sending Kyrawl staggering back. The wyvern growled in anguish as the shockwave from the punch sent him skidding across the cobblestone street.

  "Kyrawl!" I cried, darting sideways to avoid the massive bulk of his frame. I turned, witnessing Kyrawl crash nearby, where Rox and Loa had managed to free the Dorvus and Willow. They ushered the two into the shadows, where safety awaited them—for the moment.

  Satisfied with that objective being completed. I sped through the field.

  "Tilz!" I exclaimed.

  The kolkobalt leader keened his attention on me, a smirk spreading across his face as he prepared to strike again. His tail swung through the air with a dizzying speed, a rapid flurry of lethal intent, while he kept his arms crossed as if mocking me.

  I relied on my agility to dodge each strike, but the speed of his tail made it a challenging endeavor.

  It was time for me to take the initiative. With a deep breath, I launched myself, slamming into Tilz. The impact sent us both tumbling to the ground, but as we rolled, I managed to gain the upper hand, pinning him in our struggle. Yet, he was remarkably strong, effortlessly tearing free from my grasp.

  His next move resembled an arm grab, and before I could react, he followed up with a suplex that sent alarming waves of force crashing into me.

  He hurled me, and I hit the ground with a resounding thud, landing on my back. Pain blasted through me as I fought to rise once more. My vision blurred, everything spun, and in that disorienting haze, I struggled to regain my footing.

  Tilz raised his claws to deliver a skewering blow, but before he could strike me, I altered the surface where we stood, and at my command, it transformed into a field of blazing blue fire.

  [Fire Field].

  He growled as the flames began to scorch his skin. He struggled briefly as the flames started to encase his body in ice, but in his attempt to break free, he somehow managed to escape. With a mighty bound, he succeeded in evading the blaze.

  I was alarmed as he broke free and almost closed the distance between us.

  Yet the field of fire still surrounded us both. If I could maintain this blaze, he wouldn't be able to harm me anymore due to the ailments that should have begun to afflict him.

  But he resisted, and Tilz had other ideas. He gathered all his strength, and I could feel it—his abyssal ambiance concentrating in his fist. I sensed the sheer volume of raw, focused energy before he struck the ground. A thunderous roar erupted as he punched the terrain, the resulting shockwave knocking me off my feet.

  I cried out in agony as I was thrown back, slamming into a nearby building. I grunted in pain, struggling to get back on my feet. As I attempted to stand, I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked over just in time to see Tilz charging straight toward me, his claws extended. Forcing [Spectral Might] and flames around myself, I clashed my fiery claws against his metallic ones, both of us fighting for dominance.

  We pushed against each other, neither of us giving an inch. Our claws ground together, sparking against one another and emitting an intense heat as we struggled to overpower each other.

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  Nevertheless, Tilz was much stronger than I had anticipated, and I knew that if I didn't act soon, he would overwhelm me. My mind raced with options: Osseod. LeagLeap. Sapkin!

  In a split second, I converted my flames into solid tendrils—roots that coiled around Tilz's arms and legs. They held him tightly, preventing him from moving as I pinned him to the nearest den. He struggled against my grasp, but this time, he couldn't break free.

  "Well, I must say, this is quite unexpected," Tilz remarked. "It seems you have some hidden talents."

  I narrowed my eyes at him as I tightened the vines around his body. "Don't get any ideas. I'm not letting you go."

  "Helz." Tilz's sudden smile perturbed me, but my awareness immediately sharpened. I heard a noise coming from a rooftop, and then it fell over me—the shadow. I glanced up just in time to see another kolkobalt descending, visibly growing faster and larger by the moment, his pike poised to pierce.

  ???

  Creature: Kolkobalt

  Faux Nym: [Helz] the Kolkobalt

  Titles: "Tilz's Lieutenant"

  APeX: [21160 Units]

  Attributes: [Brawl] [Cryptic]

  Evolution Stage: [Emergent]

  Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]

  Brief description: greater kobold monster.

  ???

  I was poised for a fiery retaliation, that was until Scarbol bound to my aid with his fist raised, striking the kolkabalt on the chin. The blow sent it flying back, and it landed hard on the ground with a loud thud.

  "It's been awhile, Helz," Scarbol snarled at the downed kolkobalt. "How've you been?"

  "No. It can't be. Scar...?" Helz muttered weakly as he struggled to get back up.

  Scarbol raised his claw to strike.

  But before he could land the blow, Tilz broke free from my roots with a harsh twist, so great, that it created a visible twister. He then used his martial might to create a gust of wind, blowing me and Scarbol backwards. I remained anchored to my position, but the impact sent Scarbol crashing into one of the buildings behind us. "Ack. Scarbol! Are you okay?" I cried out.

  "Ugh. Yeah, I'm fine. Just dazed," he replied as he picked himself up from the rubble.

  I turned my attention back to Tilz and saw him standing over Helz, who was assisted to his feet by the [Rare] kolkobalt.

  "You two know each other?" Tilz asked.

  "Yes...he was my friend." Helz said, before resuming. "That's right. We were like brothers," "It's been a long time, Scar. The last time."

  "Not long enough, Helz." Scarbol growled. "And, yes, it shall."

  "So, you're working for this girl now?" Helz shook his head.

  Scarbol took a step forward and pointed at Helz. "You see, she's trying to stop your leader from enslaving all of Zeldritzon. He needs to be stopped!"

  Tilz's eyes lidded. "Kolkobalt, you have nerve speaking ill of Lord Jalkra."

  Helz placed a hand on Tilz's shoulder. "Let me handle this, Tilz. This is between us."

  "Fine. But do not forget what you have sworn. Our cause is too important for any foolish sentimentality."

  "Yes, I know, Tilz," Helz said as he walked forward. His gaze was set on Scarbol.

  Scarbol moved forward as well, stepping toward Helz.

  The two stared at each other for a moment, neither saying anything. Then, suddenly, they both charged at the same time, attacking each other. Their claws and fists clashed in explosions of sparks. As Scarbol and Helz fought, Tilz watched from the sidelines. He crossed his arms and shook his head. "Idiots," he muttered under his breath. "What a waste of time. Anyway, shall we continue?"

  I turned my attention to Tilz and scowled at him. "You're the one who's wasting our time. I came here to get my friend back, so why don't you just give up to end this unnecessary skirmish?"

  Tilz took a stance. "You want me to give up? Now, that's rich! Think again. You don't stand a chance against me."

  "Fine. Let's settle this once and for all, then."

  "Ah. May I have your name? If it would be too much, then..." Tilz smiled.

  "KiAera. KiAera the Mearcritt."

  "Well then, KiAera," Tilz said with a smirk. "Let's see what you're capable of."

  I dashed toward him. He blocked my first strike with his arm, but I continued with a second and third blow, which he managed to parry as well. I never expected a monster to have technique in their attacks. To remind me of fighting against a person. But it wasn't over yet. I attacked again and again, faster and faster. Each time, he blocked or avoided my strikes, while keeping an eye on my movements.

  As we fought, I noticed something strange. Tilz had a strange aura around him. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was orange, swirling around him like smoke. The markings streaking his skin seemed to glow faintly. Was this some kind of ability? Or was it natural? Either way, I didn't have time to think about it. I needed to focus on beating him.

  I swung my claws, aiming for his throat. He easily ducked beneath my attack and countered with a kick to my stomach. I winced in pain as his foot collided with my abdomen, sending me stumbling backwards. But that moment was perfect. The hit did not come free as I had wrapped a fiery tendril along his leg, trapping it. I grabbed onto his ankle and pulled, throwing him off balance.

  Before he could react, I pounced on him. He twisted onto his back and tried to swat at me with his tail, but I dodged to the side and brought my fiery claws down onto his chest. They sliced through his armor, piercing deep into his flesh.

  Tilz groaned in agony as particles oozed out of the wounds.

  He raised his hands to attack me again, but I kicked him in the face, knocking him through the air. His head lolled to the side as his body went limp. But the twitch of his tail made it taut, allowing him to sit on it uncannily like a kangaroo. He then launched himself into the air with a burst of wind, flipping over me and landing behind me. I twisted around to face him, but he struck out with another kick that sent me flying backwards.

  I landed hard on the ground, skidding across the surface. I felt dizzy, and my vision blurred. I struggled to stand up, but my legs didn't cooperate in time as he used an [Arcane Sweep] attack to knock me off my feet. I twirled uncontrollably midair from the motion before his fist drove into my chest. As I flew, I detected another presence.

  ???

  {Viz's APeX}

  [16434] Units

  ???

  "KiA!" Viz called out to me. I could barely see as he zipped through the air like lightning. He channeled his electricity, having it snake around his form to fire his [Sound Shock] at Tilz. Tilz didn't falter as he took another stance before redirecting the lightning into the sky.

  Nex darted out of his shadow in an attempt to strike at Tilz while he was distracted by Viz's lightning, but Tilz quickly saw his attack coming and dodged out of the way. Nex tried again and again, but every time, Tilz would dodge and counterattack with a punch or kick. Nex was getting frustrated. I saw the Nexperbax rear back as he threw his wings out, outstretched wide. His following maneuver came as a surprise as he unleashed an onslaught of [Shadow Shurikens] at Tilz. They sliced through the air like knives. But again, Tilz parried every single one.

  "Tsk. Fine!" Nex said, scaling the air. "Enough holding back! You're going to tell me my mother's whereabouts!"

  In that instant, the air erupted with brilliant light and a shockwave as Nex emerged in a more formidable form—his evolution: the Nexburst.

  ???

  {Status Update}

  Creature: Nex the Nexburst

  Faux Nym: Awaiting Confirmation…

  APeX: [23861 Units]

  Evolution Stage: [Emergent]

  Brief Description: extreme speed bat monster.

  Attributes: [Sound] [Wind]

  Current Variant Grade: [Rare] (68%)

  ???

  Once again, Nex zoomed through the air, breaking into Mach speed to engage Tilz. But he wasn't alone. Viz shot off like an electrified bullet, flying straight toward Tilz. However, Tilz was ready for them this time; he ducked and dodged their attacks before countering with a kick-and-punch combo. He landed a solid hit to Viz's jaw, sending the Nexperbax crashing into the side of a building. Nex followed suit, landing on the ground with a thud.

  "Annoying little brats," Tilz growled as he glared at the two Nexperbax. "If you want to live, stay out of my way!"

  Nex got to his feet and glared at Tilz. "We're not going anywhere! Not until you disclose where that woman is!"

  "Well then, I guess you leave me no choice..." Tilz raised his hands, preparing to attack. "I'll kill both of you if that's what it takes to stop you!"

  Suddenly, he staggered back as he took a step forward. "My… hearing. Vision? What happened—those darn darts—" he bolted toward Nex. But before he could strike, I hit Tilz hard with a fiery punch to his face. "[Burst Flame]!" I cried out.

  The force of the impact sent Tilz flying, crashing through the walls of the buildings behind him. He slid down to the floor, gasping for breath. His body twitched slightly, and he struggled to move. But he refused to yield by him lifting to a knee.

  I approached him. "You're finished."

  "Not yet!" Tilz hissed, struggling to get back on his feet. "I'm not done with you yet!"

  I shook my head. "You're weakened. You can barely stand."

  Tilz let out a growl of frustration as he staggered forward, stumbling toward me. At that moment, his arm froze just before he could reach me, allowing me to easily avoid his attacks and counter with another powerful blow to his chest—a combination of [Spectral Flame] and a powered-up [Ear Punch] enhanced by [Spectral Might].

  The attack looked like it knocked the wind out of him as he crumpled onto his face.

  "Gah...damn it!"

  I frowned. "Now then, where were we?"

  Tilz glared up at me. "You're stronger than I expected," he said through gritted teeth.

  "Same to you," I replied. "But if you want to walk away, call off your men. You can save yourself or continue this pointless fight. Your choice."

  "Is it true?" Tilz began. What was he asking? "Is she well?"

  "Who—?" I asked.

  "Tailza's doing fine. You have our word on that," Mina said, approaching us.

  Tilz slackened, laying his head on the ground. "Then so be it."

  "RED FANGS, BACK DOWN!"