Chapter 50: Blood Brothers

Rudolf Azregon

2 Hours Ago…

We finally set foot on Twilight City. As a Dragon Knight, we were able to command some troops and give them misleading information in order to avoid clashes against Arcadians. Communications was made easier thanks to Amphere’s Futuretech Dragon. Airelina, in her dragon form, released two wireless earpieces with microphone function that can intercept and replace radio waves. It also have the function to change voices.

Now I know how the Neo Black Phantom and the Arcadia’s stealth work. Airelina is their bread and butter of almost all their operations.

“Charlie six, we have multiple hostiles clearing up the northern area. We advise that you must take a detour to avoid an imminent threat. Baseplate out.” Amphere said, while covering his nose. He has succeeded misleading fifteen platoons out of battle, but that’s not my problem about him. He doesn’t need to cover his nose to change the voices.

“You’ve been enjoying that job, totally…” Airelina was slightly embarrassed. “Time to move to the second phase of our plan, so get off from that earpiece now!”

Right. Our first plan is to lessen government troops from engaging battle against the Arcadia, and let them focus on finding Duke Dragunov to be transferred to our custody. Second plan is to divide the teams into two; first team is the one who will lead the government troops on the field to gather information about the duke’s whereabouts, while the second team will be hunting the so called Another Black Phantom and Emy the Ice Dragon as reported earlier by an Arcadian informant.

The first team will be consisted by me, Kyrie, and Amphere, while the second team consists of Airelina, Reina, Richard, and the Arcadian kid. We have to separate Amphere and Airelina because we needed emergency communication, since the radio signals are almost jammed in this warzone. Amphere and Airelina can communicate via telepathy because of the mystic power of the Vesryn Pulse. Aside from that, the two can act as a medium for both opposing parties since they are both Arcadian and a Chevalier Unit member at the same time.

Actually this plan is a mess considering we don’t even know what faction we’ll be helping. Our main objective is just to extract information from the duke. We got Arcadian and military units to search for us, so we expected him to be here in out care in just one hour.

As we thought, an unarmed Duke Dragunov reported himself to the military, seeking for protection against Estoff Wraith and the Arcadians. Since General Kyle is busy fighting Estoff Wraith as of the moment, I became the commanding officer of the whole Twilight City Troops. I commanded them to send Duke Dragunov immediately after they have taken custody.

Everything falls under the plan.

As soon as Dragunov opened the door to the commanding office where I sat, his face made a bewildered expression. Before he can afford to run, the soldiers handcuffed him and held both of his arms.

“It was your plan after all, huh? Amphere Harrison!” Dragunov’s voice echoed throughout the room. “Too bad, I have a plan for your plan.”

Suddenly, white crystal claws ripped the walls of this very office! The roof was converted into wooden and cements chunks. It was Emy in her Ice Dragon form again! Just how many times have this bitch made some explosive unexpected entrance! She grabbed the duke with her other icy crystal hand, and then flew upwards to make an immediate exit! The empire troops fired their rifles, but obviously, bullets have no effect on Emy’s steel-hard ice scales.

“Rudolf, take it from here! I have to chase the ‘other one’!” Amphere said and dashed away, without waiting for my answer. What was the ‘other one’ he’s talking about!? It seemed like an emergency business.

“Activating Vesryn Pulse!” As soon as Kyrie transformed to the golden Chaos Dragon, I rode on her and made the most dramatic dragon chase in the history of cinemas.

Our obstacle course consisted of several skyscrapers, rushing tank shells and lines of bullets, bazooka rockets and other exploding objects. Kyrie can certainly keep up with Emy’s speed. My only trouble is that if Emy is in her dragon form, who performed the Vesryn Pulse with her? Is it really true that another Black Phantom has appeared? Just how many Black Phantoms are there!?

I got tired of this air chase, so Kyrie and I decided to end it with a blast! “DRACARYX!!! Activate Swords of Eternal Light!”

It was already dark, but our Dracaryx made the heavens brighten for a short amount of time. Eight gigantic swords of light surged relentlessly to the Ice Dragon, tearing away her wings, tail, arms and legs. Emy crashed towards a five-story building. Using her semi-human form, Kyrie carried me as she slowly flapped her wings for us to land where Dragunov is supposed to be.

Dragunov, still on his handcuffs, tried to run again by rushing downstairs but it’s no good for an athletic knight like me. I managed to do a slight parkour and stomp his face in the process. The duke had his face slammed on the ground. Then I carried him through his cuffs. Kyrie had Emy’s hands shackled, so we decided to get out of the building. But then my radio gave a message.

“Rudolf, are you still there?” It was General Kyle’s voice, and he seems to be panting heavily. “The Black Phantom has been sighted a hundred meters north of your direction.”

Something is fishy. How did the general know my certain location? Is he watching me from above?

Anyway, it’s not the main issue now. The Black Phantom must be really close to me; maybe he will be trying to retrieve Emy and the duke. I have to take action.

Thankfully, there is this sniper rifle lying on the ground. Actually, there are three of them. Other are pistols and grenades. It seems like Arcadians had this place a few hours ago. I used the scope of the sniper rifle to scan the surroundings for the Black Phantom.

Right as where the general described it, I saw the Black Phantom facing this way. His posture looks sluggish as if he’s walking like a zombie. He takes a few step forward, getting nearer to here every second. It will be impossible for him to block a surprise bullet, so I loaded up the rifle, aimed for the chest. I took a deep breath and then…the gunshot echoed. The masquerade fell down, with a severe puncture on his chest.

Now the only thing left is to know who is behind the Black Phantom mask again. Maybe the empire should call me the Black Phantom Unmasker next time I get a medal of valor. Kyrie and I slowly dragged our captives to the scene. But then I realized that the duke was holding an evil smile at me.

“What’s with that smug?” I asked him. He continued to glare at me as if he’s trying to drag my soul to hell.

“I told you. You’re all playing in my hands.”

There was a chill down on my spine. An impossible idea entered my cerebellum as I was engulfed in fear. Don’t tell me…

I rushed to the scene where the Black Phantom is lying. He’s still breathing, but the blood has been gushing rapidly. It will be safe to say that the masquerade will die on his own… But he shouldn’t be! As soon as I removed the white mask, an unconscious familiar face gave me the ultimate horror.

“A-Amphere!!!” I cried! “H-How did you-“ Before I was able to finish my words, someone shouted from behind.

“DRACARYX!!! Activate Spear of Judgement!”

There was a flash of light! When I came to it, I discovered that my right shoulder, as well as my right arm and leg are no more. Blood fountained out as I lose my ground and got my body smacked on the asphalt. An unspeakable pain surged through my brain that even rendered me unable to scream.

I turned around, and saw the evil general Kyle Leviticus. He just impaled my love Kyrie with his sword, which made my love unconsciously drop down a few meters from me. Blood started gushing out from her chest as well.

I can’t believe it. I shot my best friend, and got my love killed by those bastards! That Kyle Leviticus! He’s in cahoots with the duke!

“Rest eternally, Sir Rudolf Azregon.” Duke Dragunov arrogantly said. Then he stomped on my face.

Everything became black.