The sky above the deserted industrial district turned leaden gray, as if the city itself felt the weight of the impending clash. Kael and Ryujiro stood motionless, facing each other, only the wind tugging at their coats. The smell of metal, oil, and adrenaline mingled with the silence before the storm.
"3… 2… 1… Launch!"
The two peons slammed into the concrete track at the same time. The Axiom and the Dragon Vortex began to spin at insane speeds, sparks tearing from the metal with each impact. The force of the impact cracked the track's edge, sending dust flying into the air.
Ryujiro raised his hand, grinning.
– Dragon Vortex — Storm Spiral!
The Dragon Vortex suddenly accelerated and began to circle the stadium like a wild vortex. The wind swirled around him, whipping up dust and debris as blue lightning zigzagged around him. A deep, animalistic roar echoed through the industrial district.
In the next moment, the dragon broke through the vortex and plowed across the stadium. Its wings beat away the dust cloud, then the Dragon Vortex suddenly changed direction and crashed into the Axiom.
Kael stepped forward, gritting his teeth.
"Axiom — Flame Guard!"
Red flames erupted around the Axiom, spiraling skyward. The armored warrior emerged from the fire, drawing a glowing shield around himself.
The dragon slammed into the defenses with full force.
BOOM!
The blast of the explosion briefly illuminated the factory grounds. The shockwave shattered nearby windows, and the concrete beneath the court cracked open in deep cracks. The Dragon Vortex continued to spin wildly, slamming into the Axiom again and again.
Ryujiro's face contorted with excitement.
"It's nothing! Dragon Vortex—Thunder Fang!"
The Dragon Vortex shot out to the edge of the court, then crashed back down, surrounded by lightning. The dragon roared down from above, enveloping the entire stadium in electrical energy.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Then let's end it! Axiom—Inferno Crash!"
The Axiom's flames suddenly intensified. The fireguard warrior charged forward, his blazing fist aimed straight at the dragon.
The two forces collided head-on over the court. Lightning and flames exploded in all directions. The stadium's foundations shook in the clash, and the ground continued to crack beneath Kael and Ryujiro's feet.
The smoke slowly began to rise.
Kael's gaze immediately locked on the Axiom… and his heart skipped a beat.
The Axiom was still spinning, but it had become unstable. A thin crack ran along the outer ring of the peonza, deepening with each turn.
"No… the Axiom…"
Ryujiro's soft laughter echoed in the silence.
"My dragon has only just begun to enjoy the fight, Kael."
Lightning flashed again around the Dragon Vortex, and the dragon circled higher and higher above the stadium.
The Axiom's flames flared once more… but the crack spread further.
Kael could feel it.
If the next attack hit… the Axiom would shatter into pieces.
To be continued