In the distance, deep within the forest...Jarreck had successfully escaped from Akube and Scorpy.
But he had no idea what he was walking into.
He was about to meet his end.
Jarreck (speaks faintly): "Ahhh… lucky they had to let me go… but why though…?"
(he walks slowly, brushing past trees)
"Well… I don't have to worry about that anyway…"
(pauses)
"And besides… if Akube were to fight me for real… I doubt I would even do well against him honestly…"
(he exhales)
"And that guy behind him… what was his name again…? Scorpy right… yeah… that guy is on the same level with Akube… if not stronger…"
(he smiles faintly)
"Looks like I need to forget about hunting down Akube… if I ever try that… I doubt I would even survive against him… or that guy…"
"…damn it… what a hassle…"
(stops walking)
"They let me go… but I'm really curious… why did they let me go like that…?"
(thoughts racing)
"…are they tricking me!?"
A voice echoes.
Cold.
Familiar.
???: "Well… you kept me waiting for too long…"
A pause.
"…I was starting to think you wouldn't show up, enh…"
(voice sharpens)
"Jarreck… the great bully."
Jarreck freezes.
His body stiffens.
Jarreck (shocked): "You—?!"
(slowly turns)
"…who would have guessed… I'd run into you…"
"…Dranexx Waltarnabi…"
Dranexx stands there.
Calm.
Unmoving.
Smiling faintly.
Dranexx: "That's Lord Dranexx to you."
(steps forward slightly)
"In this world… I am way above your league."
(pauses… then smirks)
"But anyway… scratch that."
"I heard you've been entertaining yourself lately…"
"And what's even more amazing…"
(eyes narrow)
"…is that you believe you can dominate all of us… enh?"
(quiet laugh)
"Looks like you still have that same habit from school…"
"You haven't changed… kufufufufu…"
Jarreck (thoughts racing): No way… is this really Dranexx…?
He's… different…
His presence alone is terrifying…
Damn it… there's no way in hell I stand a chance… not today… not ever… I'm doomed…
(pause)
Wait… I should reason with him… maybe he'll join me…
Jarreck (out loud, forcing confidence): "Hey man… I've been looking for you…"
"I wanna ask… what if you and I team up together…"
(grins slightly)
"…and dominate this universe we're in?"
Silence.
Then
Dranexx's expression drops.
Cold.
Dranexx: "…Don't you dare try to make a fool out of me."
The air—
Crushes.
Pressure builds instantly.
The ground trembles slightly.
Jarreck (terrified):"Wha—?!"
Dranexx steps forward.
Eyes locked on him.
Dranexx: "So tell me…"
"What made you believe… you could stand at the top of this world?"
Jarreck suddenly bursts into laughter
Jarreck:
"Kuhahahahahahahahahahahaha!!"
"So what you think I'd be scared of you just because you have more energy than me?"
(grins)
"And besides… you only stand a chance right now because I'm drained from my fight with Reika…"
(leans forward slightly)
"Don't ever believe… you could stand against me at full strength."
Dranexx pauses.
Then looks at him
Almost confused.
Dranexx:"…Huh?"
(head tilts slightly)
"Hold on…"
"…are you implying… you're stronger than me?"
Jarreck (smirks):"You wouldn't stand a chance against me."
Suddenly—
Jarreck's body begins to glow.
Energy surges through him.
His stamina restored.
His power refilled.
Everything
Back to 100%.
Jarreck (shocked, thinking):I'm healed…?!
Did… Dranexx just heal me?!
Jarreck (out loud, grinning):"Hmmm… so you wanna suffer a humiliating defeat, enh?"
Dranexx (cold, unbothered):"Don't hold back."
"Give me everything you've got… son."
(eyes sharpen deadly)
"And if by any chance… your attack becomes useless in my presence…"
"…you're dead."
"Do you hear me?"
Jarreck (grins wider):"You'll regret that…"
"Trust me."
"Domination Field."
The world shifts.
The entire area bends to Jarreck's will.
His domain.
Within it
Weaker enemies freeze.
Stronger ones struggle to move.
Abilities weaken automatically.
The battlefield
Now belongs to Jarreck.
But—
To Dranexx…
It meant nothing.
Dranexx (shamefully asks):"…Is this the best you could do?"
Jarreck (angry):"Quiet!! You haven't seen anything yet!!"
His aura
Explodes.
Like a raging storm tearing through the forest.
Energy surges violently
The ground cracks
The sky trembles
And Dranexx…
Just stands there.
To be continued....