Reika stared at Jarreck for a moment before scratching the back of his head.
"What's good, man... you okay?"
"Reika!!"
Jarreck's eyes widened slightly.
"What are you guys doing here? And what's with the squad you tagged along with you...?"
"Enough with the act." Captain Meji stepped forward.
"We are here to bring you into custody."
"Huh!!" Jarreck blinked.
"Don't play dumb with me," Meji continued. "We all know you're the Nightmare Terror."
"Sheeesh..." Reika sighed "Captain, you're so impatient, really."
"I am not the one wasting time."
For a brief moment, silence lingered
"Kufufufuhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!"
Jarreck burst into laughter.
"What gave me away?"
"Well..." Reika shrugged "You're not smart enough to fool us. That's what."
The laughter stopped immediately.Jarreck's expression darkened the atmosphere around him shifted.
Heavy. Oppressive. Cold.
"Say what now—?"
"Look, man..."Reika's smile disappeared "You're the one that killed Melina."His gaze hardened " I swear I'm not gonna forgive you for that"
Jarreck clicked his tongue. "All talk." His eyes narrowed "Let me see what you got, Reika."
A dark grin slowly spread across his face.
"You and this disgrace of a captain don't stand a chance" His gaze shifted toward the knights "Let alone all these weaklings."
The surrounding soldiers instinctively tensed.
"I got no time for you people." Jarreck took a step forward "Move out of my way..." His aura flared "...or else."
Reika didn't move.
Instead He stepped forward as well.
Slowly. Calmly.
"Or else what?" faint glow began gathering around him.
"Don't get a fat head with that ability of yours" The air around Reika started trembling.
"We know it lets you reflect attacks." His smile returned "But you should know this..." The glow intensified "I'm not the type to let you do whatever you want."
Jarreck frowned.
Reika stretched his neck.
Crack. Crack.
"Let's get serious here." A grin appeared on his face "I've been wanting to try my ability on someone" His eyes locked onto Jarreck.
"Looks like you'd be the perfect match."
"Oh well..." Jarreck raised his blade
"I warn you—"
SHOCK.
The world changed….Jarreck's voice stopped.
His eyes widened.
"...What happened?" The forest was gone
The sky was gone everything was gone,Only endless light remained.
"What is this...?" Realization struck him.
"Reika's ability?!"
A voice echoed throughout the white world.
"Welcome." Reika stood in the distance.
"This is my domain" Jarreck's pupils shrank.
"World of Baptism."
.
A realm of purification.
The moment he stepped in, all his abilities destabilized. He couldn't control them... couldn't activate them. Because of his corrupted and twisted mind.
Reika's skill [Apostle of Purity] was fully effective.
Corrupted soul. Corrupted mind. Corrupted power,Everything suppressed.
Leaving Jarreck with nothing...but raw physical strength.
"Well what do you know..." Reika folded his arms and smirked. "Looks like you're vulnerable in my World of Baptism... kuhahahahaha."
Jarreck's eyes narrowed.
Wait... I can't activate any of my abilities...but why...? Hold on... did he say World of Baptism?! Damn... I'm in his personal domain...
A smirk slowly formed on his face.
"Clever... looks like I underestimated you."
He drew his blade.
"Guess we'll show who's stronger... with our blades enh!!"
"Sure..." Reika rolled his shoulders. "I'm not going to use any more abilities since you're here."
Captain Meji watched calmly from outside.
Is this Reika's ability...? He's this powerful...!!
Reika raised his sword "Shall we?"
Jarreck grinned "Oh yeah... we shall."
BANG!!
Their swords collided.
Pure force no abilities,Just raw strength.
Shockwaves rippled through the ground as steel crashed against steel again and again. They exchanged blows at insane speed, each strike carrying enough force to tear apart an ordinary man.
"My..." Reika smiled during another clash. "I'm impressed to think you could hold your own against me like this... Akube was right... you really are no joke."
"Akube huh...?" Jarreck pushed forward. "So he's the one who told you about me...? I've always hated that kid... he gets on my nerves. Once I'm done with you... I'll go take care of him after."
"You fool..." Reika laughed. "You won't last a minute against him, I assure you that... kuhahahahaha."
"Don't be a coward..." Jarreck roared. "We are not done yet!!"
BANG!!
They continued clashing….Their physical strength alone was insane a normal man would be sliced into pieces just by getting close.
Captain Meji watched in shock.
Meanwhile, from the side, Akube and Scorpy observed the battle.
"Looks like we were not really needed in this battle," Akube said.
"Yeah..." Scorpy nodded. "Your friend got everything under control."
Then Soral's voice echoed through their minds.
"Don't leave yet... that guy Jarreck is not a joke. I doubt Reika ability will hold him down for long."
And she was right.…Suddenly, Jarreck's expression changed.
Focused. Sharp his corrupted mind... stabilizing.
then...His sealed power began to return.
Jarreck stared at his hand.
"What's this... looks like I am gaining myself now..." His voice became low.
"Fate Breaker." A ripple tore through the domain.
Jarreck forced it.
Denying his own fate,Breaking every restriction placed on him.
Reika's World of Baptism became useless.
"How...?!" Reika's eyes widened. "How is it that your abilities are not sealed?! I don't believe this!!"
"Kufufufufu..." Jarreck laughed as dark energy returned around him. "Did you actually believe that ability of yours could drag me down? Ahhh... think again. Not in a million years, mah boy."
"Seriously how—"
Suddenly, Reika dropped to his knees.
His strength faded rapidly.
His domain collapsed.
He couldn't even stand.
This was Jarreck's Authority Drain.…The failure of Reika's ability became Jarreck's strength.
Reika weakened instantly.
"Kuhahahahahahahaha!!" Jarreck spread his arms. "That's it? I thought you were stronger... turns out I was worrying for nothing. What a joke."
His grin widened.
"Melina was more powerful than you honestly... I only won because of her lack of experience... and my will was stronger... kuhahahahahahaha!!"
"Looks like I remain above... the universe wants me at the top." His eyes locked onto the kneeling Reika.
"Once I'm done with you... I'll go after that brat Akube."
Cap Meji stepped forward and placed himself between Reika and Jarreck.
"Stay down soldier..." His voice remained calm. "I'll take it from you."
"Captain..." Reika clenched his fists.
"I will handle this. You've proven yourself... now I'll prove mine."
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
Energy exploded outward.
A violent aura erupted from Meji's body as his hair shifted and crest marks glowed brightly on both hands.
Super Shieyo.
Jarreck looked at him and smirked.
"Sweet... changes that won't do you any good mah boy. Just give it up huh!!"
Meji ignored him.
A massive energy sphere formed above his palm before he launched it into the sky.
The sphere shot upward.
Then came crashing down.
But not directly at Jarreck.
BOOM!!
The ground shattered countless rocks rose into the air before rapidly taking shape.
Statues.Hundreds of them.
Mindless without intent….They rushed toward Jarreck from every direction.
Jarreck smirked "Oh I see... clever move."
His eyes glowed faintly "But that won't work on me"
"[Command of Submission]"
CRACK!!
Every statue shattered instantly not a single one survived.
"Kneel before me."
The command surged toward Meji.
His body trembled…His knees bent slightly but he resisted.Barely.
Jarreck's smile widened.
"Interesting... you resist it huh... guess I'll have to finish you myself."
He shot forward.
BOOM!!
Something slammed directly into him,Jarreck was blasted backward.
His eyes widened in shock "Huh?! What was that?!" He looked up.
Then froze.
"...You."
Standing before him was Akube and then Scorpy stood behind him with his arms crossed.
"This battle has gone long enough you know," Scorpy said.
Jarreck slowly stood up and dusted himself off.
"I see... trying to stop me enh. We'll see. I thank the universe for bringing you to me."
Akube stepped forward "Enough talk... time to end this"
Energy gathered around his hand.
Nova Spear.
Quickly, Soral's voice echoed through his mind.
"Don't do it!! He can reflect it and amplify it. It will destroy everything... even Shugia... maybe half of Lumeria."
Akube clicked his tongue "Then what should we do...?"
"Just let him go."
"Seriously...?"
"Aku... do as I say."
Akube remained silent for a moment "Alright."
Far away, Soral quietly smiled "He's already here..."
A hidden presence was watching everything.
Dranexx.
Jarreck suddenly smiled "Well... looks like it's time for me to bail" He turned around.
"I'll see you again soon Akube... don't you worry."
His figure vanished.
Scorpy immediately stepped forward.
"I won't let you get away—"
"Let him go" Scorpy stopped.
"Wait... are you serious? This guy is dangerous."
Akube sighed "Don't worry... he'll be dealt with. Lady Soral says so."
Scorpy stared at him before finally nodding.
"Alright. If you say so."
Reika slowly pushed himself up.
His body still weak from the fight.
"Thank you... I couldn't believe how powerful Jarreck is... I thought I had him"
"Nah..." Akube shrugged. "It's cool. But next time get stronger."
A grin appeared on his face "When you see him again... don't lose."
Reika smiled bitterly "Easy for you to say..."
He paused for a moment "By the way... why did you let him go?"
"Don't worry about that."
But inside his mind Akube's thoughts raced.
What is Lady Soral planning...?
Then suddenly His eyes widened.
*Wait.….*Is he—
Dranexx...?
Akube shook his head "Hmmm... let's head back. You guys are too banged up."
Cap Meji smiled "Thanks... we appreciate it."
Akube laughed "Nah... what are friends for?"
Everyone laughed "Hahahahahahahahahaha!!"