Emperor's Reckoning



Lyon stood firm, his gaze unwavering as he surveyed the scene. It was a declaration of his strength, his determination, and his unwavering resolve to protect those he held dear.

Drogan lay sprawled on the ground, his body battered and broken. The impact of Lyon's thunderous roundhouse kick had taken its toll, leaving him in a state of disarray. His limbs ached with searing pain, each movement sending shockwaves of agony through his body.

His breathing was labored, his chest rising and falling with great effort. Blood trickled from a split lip, staining his pale complexion. His eyes once filled with confidence and defiance, now reflected a mixture of pain and disbelief.

Drogan's body trembled, a testament to the overwhelming force of Lyon's attack. Every inch of his being screamed in protest, aching for respite from the relentless assault. His mind raced, desperately searching for a way to regain his composure and mount a counterattack.

But as he lay there, the weight of Lyon's kick pressing upon him, Drogan couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability. The realization dawned upon him that Lyon's power far surpassed his own, his martial prowess reaching unimaginable heights.

With great effort, he managed to push himself up, his muscles protesting with every movement.

Bruised and bloodied, Drogan locked eyes with Lyon, a fire igniting within his gaze. Despite the pain coursing through his body, a steely resolve burned within him. The clash was far from over.

( I could only see a glimpse of the future, and he actually took advantage of that... ) thought Drogan as he gritted his teeth. He knew if he could only see further he might have seen the afterimage coming, however, he was lacking. He couldn't underestimate his opponent now, not even if he tried to fake it. He knew he was outclassed, and the man showed him off.

"How come you can become so powerful?" asked Drogan.

"The same as you," said Lyon. "You brought forth the power of the runes, yet you understand none of it, otherwise, you would share some skin a patch of sunlight than ink."

"You didn't even use a single rune, yet you, a True God Cultivator against me an Origin God Cultivator, at my peak, and you are still alive.," said Drogan. "I know that cultivation realm means nothing in most combat, but even an ant can't lift an elephant if it tries!"

"Lyon, if you are taking the battle too long, your body won't make it," said Rui. "You're drawing my blessing at full potential and the other three as well altogether."

"I know, Mother," said Lyon as his eyes turned sharp. "However, I need your incredible speed to outrun his foresight."

"The way you are now, you are not yet ready," said Rui as she shook her head, "Your speed is subpar, limited by your cultivation realm."

"I understand," Lyon answered, "But even so, I will kill him and every fiber in my muscles agrees with me!"

Lyon blitzed before his enemy, vanishing once more.

Drogan gritted his teeth with his eyes widened in rage. "Same trick again?! What are you a pony?!"

Drogan activated his foresight before turning and throwing a punch against the air before Lyon appeared himself right in the same direction. Once again his fist met no weight but the air resistance grazing his fingers.

( Fool me once shame on you ) Drogan smirked. ( Fool me twice, shame on me! ) He looked down and saw Lyon resuming his previous position, almost identical to the previous roundhouse kick. However, Drogan's other fist was already launching even before the previous fist identified the afterimage.

"Huh!?" His pupils shrunk as his breath was taketh away. The other fist also went through him without any resistance. His eyes sunk into the foresight, his pupils radiating before blood seeped out.

"Moon Hare Art..." a cold voice brimming with killing intent struck straight into his soul, clutching it like a tight shackle.

Lyon was already behind him, and his feet were basking with mana. The realm bow beneath his prowess before he launched a devastating kick toward Drogan's thick back. At the moment of impact, the flesh tore off a bit and sent ripples across all of Drogan's limbs.

He was launched up to a trajectory before Lyon leaped over his victim and was ready on the receiving end. Another devastating kick against his chest ensued as his body flew up like a ragdoll to the opposite trajectory. Then Lyon did the same thing again.

Drogan's body was ping-ponged ascending the heavens as Lyon kept going even through the thickest clouds. The devastating blow got louder each time and scattered the sky clear until the sun was left. 

"Hah!" Lyon kicked his chin vertically from the bottom up sending Drogan to a vertical jump whilst his body spun. His eyes barely dimmed as under the light glow of the sun, his skin could be seen shredded. The intense agony flared within him but he was not rich enough to scream.

Lyon leaped over him before he reached his greatest height. Lyon closed his eyes a surge of memories flooded his mind, images of his beloved ones etched vividly in his thoughts. Luna, his love interest, whose radiant smile could brighten even the darkest days. Lumina, the woman who had captured Lyon's heart with her grace and unwavering loyal heart. Karina who he owed so much to, and of course the one with the auburn hair, his wife, Cecile.

With each passing memory, Lyon's resolve intensified. The weight of his emotions, the love and protectiveness he felt for his cherished ones, coursed through his veins, igniting a blazing determination within him. The destructive power that resided within Lyon found focus and purpose, as he channeled his immense strength into a single devastating blow.

His eyes opened explosively. Four images of the mystical beasts appeared altogether, with Rui leading them.

"Die!" Lyon glared as he plunged himself downward with a boost before both feet landed on Drogan's vulnerable chest before they blitzed to the ground, shattering the air and bringing about a cataclysmic shockwave to the forest. Rendering the greens into the post-disaster state in an instant for those that didn't mold into a crater.

Selena had her hair fluttered and her ears only heard the riddles of the devastating wind as she watched the clash from both sides. Her husband had used the same art that she had used to subdue the Seraph guarding the gates toward Hell in Mortal Realm, however, he was amplified by the other three mystical beasts to achieve this devastating result in mana dense realm of Second Heaven.

The faculty office of Nirvana School had their instinct kicked in before the whole building tremored. Magnificent bursting energy had been unleashed. Meanwhile, the principal with his vice was staring at each of their windows to see something they had never seen in their life.

Clouds of dust billowed into the air, obscuring the once-clear sky, while the ground shook beneath the weight of the immense power unleashed. The whole realm trembled, caught off guard by the force and intensity of the battle unfolding before them.

The three students had seen their teacher's incredible strength and skill in action before, but this was on a whole new level. Their minds raced with a mix of emotions - admiration for their teacher's incredible skill and power, but also a lingering doubt and concern. They had witnessed Lyon's formidable strength throughout their training, but the battle with Drogan had been on a whole new level. 

In villages and towns far and wide, people felt the ground beneath their feet quiver and heard the distant rumble of the earth's upheaval. The sudden disturbance unsettled even the most steadfast souls, as whispers of the momentous clash reached every corner of the realm.

Those who witnessed the cloud of dust rising into the sky and felt the tremors in their bones knew that something extraordinary was transpiring. It was as if the very fabric of their world had been shaken, a testament to the titanic forces at play.

As the dust settled, revealing the aftermath of the fierce battle, Lyon stood tall atop Drogan's unrecognizable corpse. The once formidable foe now lay defeated, his body broken and lifeless. Lyon's expression was a mixture of determination and exhaustion as he surveyed the scene before him.

His formidable upper body to lower body was battered and blue with blood leaking out. The combination of three power amplifying one pure form of another was taking a huge toll on his body. It was the first time he had utilized an art while having it amplified, the result was destructive albeit both ways.

However, it's not done. He knew that there is another one coming. One that will reveal it all.

Selena quickly hovered over with a smile and stood beside him, before a small red bolt of light was striking through the clouds. Niamh had come, he was the one that Drogan had sent to the Mortal World, Drogan's win would have been secured were he a bit faster.