Arc II: “Universal Threat”
Chapter II: “Mythical Kaelithian”
Episode II: “Team Deathmatch”
[Two hours ago – A.S.S Gang’s Arrival]
Zane shouldered through the resort’s food lines, eyes on a pretzel stand.
I know I should be watching Lian’s match right now, but I’m sure he’ll win. Besides, he’ll need a snack after his match.
He looked at all the people in uniforms at every entrance to the arena.
The Cosmic Guard? There sure are a lot of them…
He bit into a warm, salty twist—
BOOM
The island lurched.
Screams rippled as a vast shadow swallowed the boardwalk.
“What the hell is that!”
Zane looked up.
That ship is ginormous! And I couldn’t even sense when it got here!
“Oh no!”
Zane looked toward the arena and saw the criminals dropping from the sky.
I can’t sense Lian’s energy!
He dropped the food and rocketed toward the arena as fast as he could.
[Two hours later – The Infirmary]
“Alright. Now that everything is settled, I can start healing Lian now,” Asuka said as she rolled up her sleeves.
“What? You’re a healer?” Zane asked.
“Yeah.”
“Then what are you doing! Heal him as soon as possible.”
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“Yeah, yeah, don’t rush me. Good work takes time.”
She pressed her palms to Lian’s chest; green aether bloomed from her hands, seeping into his skin like warm light.
“So, what are you going to do— guard the door?”
“Of course not. I have something more productive to do.”
Zane set a toolkit on a tray, unfolding compact modules and a slender core.
“What is that?”
“My next suit. This one will be at least twice as strong as my last one!”
“R-right,” Asuka chuckled, refocusing on the healing.
[A few moments prior - The Arena]
Rikito and Kyte traded blows, shockwaves drumming the stone. Rikito’s Spirit Resonance wasn’t enough to keep up.
Dammit! How is he so strong!
“Don’t get ahead of yourself! I can reach higher levels than this!”
Kyte’s gaze stayed flat, an unreadable expression.
“Don’t take me lightly! Demon Pressure!”
Rikito enhanced his yield with his new dark energy as he also advanced into Spirit Ascension.
“Hrm!” Kyte grunted as he transformed.
His creamy-white aura kindled, shot through with gold-lime filaments. His frame tightened— compact and heavy, while his eyes washed to white.
“That accursed form… You beast,” Rikito took his stance.
Kyte stood, unguarded, patient.
“I told you not to underestimate me! Oblivion Break: Cataclysmic Verse: Abyss Breaker!”
Kyte’s aura compacted the blow, swallowing its force before it reached his skin. He stood unfaltering in the face of Rikito’s aether.
“Dammit! This guy really pisses me off!”
Rikito closed in to clash again, but Kyte had the advantage— he flowed past every feint.
He’s agile for his size! He looks massive, yet he can still move like a ballerina!
“Alright, let's try this! Nox Aeterna: Pallium Noctis: Black Lightning Cloak!”
Black lightning mantled Rikito’s frame; speed and force spiked.
Now, his physical attributes were enough to keep up. He began blitzing Kyte, tagging him clean— again, and again.
After the onslaught, Rikito jumped back to catch his breath.
Kyte’s battle cry ripped across the arena, “AHHHHH!”
“Dammit, this monster is going to go on another rampage!”
Power surged; the earth groaned underfoot.
Kyte exhaled, a long, steady breath; the hum under his aura deepened.
He seized the momentum back— sliding in on tight, economical steps. He turned his hips to pin Rikito with shoulder checks and short hooks.
Rikito just barely managed to struggle his way free, but it wasn’t over—
Kyte strode toward him before ascending upwards with a leap. He thrusted both his arms downwards, spiking Rikito into the tiles.
“Ugh…”
Rikito slowly stumbled to his feet.
“I’ll show you a monster so scary that it makes you look like a joke! DEMON FORCE!”
Rikito finally pulled out all the stops. He unleashed the full extent of his Utopic aether to supercharge his yield.
Kyte’s eyes narrowed, surprised by the sheer pressure.
Brother…? No— this energy is… Dystopian.
“Looks like you’ve finally calmed down. Have you come to your senses after witnessing my incredible power?”
“Don’t kid yourself,” Kyte said.
The light returned to his pupils and his bulk receded; the spilling aura drew inward—focused, controlled.
The air thickened around him as tiles bowed as a low hum, more felt than heard, rolled across the arena.
Something feels different about him now… It’s like he’s in control of his power instead of just rampaging.
It’s similar to the change that occurs between Spirit Resonance and Spirit Ascension, yet it still seems different.
The two of them moved at such high speeds that to any other fighter, it would appear as if they were teleporting as they soared into the sky.
That’s an interesting bout over there… the ringleader mused while crossing fists with Akira.
“Abyss Breaker!”
“Juggernaut Blast!”
Their arts collided. Rikito held the advantage, until—
“GrrAHHHHHHH!” Kyte powered up even further.
His lime aura burst, now veined with blue and violet streaks of aether.
“Dammit! How strong will you get!?”
The blasts canceled in a snapping shock ring.
“You’re strong…” Rikito said panting, “So why are you working for scum like that—”
He pointed behind himself with his thumb in the direction of the ringleader.
Kyte stared at him blankly.
“He promised to help me find my brother, who is all I have left of a family. Regardless, as long as I wear this collar, I’m hopeless before Ronin.”
Just then, Ronin finished Akira.
“Akira! Dammit!” Rikito gripped his fist, “I’ll beat you, then I’ll beat this Ronin too!”
“Hmph.”
Kyte Aether-Skipped behind him.
“You still have a long way to go to reach Ronin.”
A chop to the neck— and Rikito blacked out, plummeting to the ground.
[Next Time on Lyte of Utopia]: “Team Deathmatch II”
[Yield Levels]:
Zane: 3m
Lian: 40b
- Weakened: 5
Leo: 1b
- Weakened: 100m
Asuka: 50m
Rikito: 3b
- SR: 300b (Physical)
- SA + DP: 600t
- SA + DP + BLC: 6qd
- SA + DF + BLC: 6qt
- Abyss Breaker: x100
Kyte: 5t
- SR: (MSR): 2.5qd
- SR: (MSR) + Rage: 5qd
- SR: (Mastered MSR): 25qd
- SR: (Limit-Breaking MSR) + Rage: 10qt
- Juggernaut Blast: x100
Akira: 2b
- SR: (USR) + GEML20: 40qd
Ronin: 1qt