★242
THIRD POV
Aka was descending like a meteor. The scene of Void Dragon-kins fighting Hypergods, Shadows, and other strong Stars appeared underneath them.
Umbra picked up Atlas's signal and looked up into the sky.
'He's back.-
Despite the dangers he faces, he felt relieved.
"Can't get a hold of yourself?"
Aka was falling uncontrolled, and Atlas, who was in charge of momentum, questioned him. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, his black eyes blazed red. Then, like a Dragon, he breathed crimson flames at Atlas.
"Static World."
When the world ceased for an instant, he snapped his finger to launch another strike. He unleashed a fiery amethyst spear, which penetrated Aka's flames and pierced his fragile body.
'I felt it...time just stopped..'
"You'll pay!"
As he roared, his entire body erupted in massive crimson flames that coalesced into the form of a Dragon. The blazing inferno shaped itself into jagged, spiked scales of living fire, two black horns crowning its head like obsidian blades.
Beneath its neck, the flames turned pale, forming a streak of white scales that stretched down to the base of its tail. With its wings spread wide, it roars.
'Dragon's Fear.-
A roar powerful enough to render all weaklings comatose and likely to cause their deaths.
Everything happened in a flash, as it belched red flames. Atlas remained standing, confronting the flames. Aka closed the distance with its keen claws, seeking to mutilate him after detecting his existence between the flames. Atlas attacked back immediately.
"Static World."
Intending to freeze the world once more, Aka opened his mouth for a second breath.
"It's futile! Spiral Red Vortex!"
A swirling vortex of crimson flames that pulls and evaporates anything before contact. More than half of the current Hyperworld was erased that instant. Everything was totally incinerated; not a single subatomic particle remained.
"An attack that destroys energy and fabric of space. Stopping time will not work since time was burned as well."
The Dragon's words guaranteed its triumph. Or so he thought... Atlas was standing completely unharmed, a faint glow of violet emanating from his body. Unaware of the energy he was releasing, Aka's eyes flared.
"What's this...?"
He said excitement warping his voice.
"As a Nebula, a rank second only to the Dark Nebulas. I, Aka Ryu, the Hollow Prince of Vhager, will be the cause of your death."
Atlas simply chuckled.
"Your existence will be terminated by Atlas, the Usurper of Death."
The tension between them was palpable before Aka made the first move. He unleashed flames, but Atlas responded with a command.
"Die."
The tangible manifestation of what fueled the flames was extinguished with it. Startled, Aka stepped backwards.
"Do not be alarmed, it just died."
"That's not possible."
It tried to erupt another wave of red flames, but it was unable to form in the first place.
"They all died."
He remarked while launching a black arc of death with a finger swipe. Aka attempted to counter, but was unable to release further waves of flames. It felt like a winged dinosaur impersonating a Dragon so it quickly evaded but didn't escape in whole, its right horn cut off.
'So that's what he meant. Conceptual erasure of attacks. If he can do that, he can target Archetypes too. However, an Abyssal Calamities-kin like me won't be affected by such.'
"I won't miss next time."
Atlas replied with a smirk, and Aka was irritated as he unleashed the Spiral Red Vortex again, but quicker this time. The crimson waves were extinguished without a movement; Atlas had slain them.
"My turn."
He unleashed waves of darkness, which crashed down on Aka from all sides. Even his scales failed to shield the waves as predicted.
'Lord Atlas, several Void Dragons have gotten through the last line of defence. They will be interacting with universes in no time.'
-How? The Fallen have descended; there is no way the Dragons could have passed on their watch.'
It is as if they have discovered a different path or a gateway has materialised in the depths.
'Leave it to me..'
Umbra replied to him telepathically.
'I survived?'
Aka Ryu asked, surprised he's alive.
'It wasn't death...you'll regret not finishing me off.'
"Oh, you survived?"
Atlas inquired, as if he hadn't chosen to keep him alive. Atlas' aura transformed into a black arrow that appeared to his right, charging up and growing. His arm fell, letting go of the arrow.
Aka saw the danger and used his trump card. Energy was building, forming an unstable sphere of black, violet, and red between his teeth. Atlas made the initial call, extending his empty hand toward the Dragon.
"Apocalyptic Red."
While the fiery orb and the arrow clashed and destroyed the whole Hyperworld, the Hyper Space was illuminated with a variety of colours, including violet, crimson, and black.
Aka, in contrast to Atlas, breathed the erratic flame continuously with his mouth open. That is when his eyes spotted something.
'The feathers..'
"Necromantic Grasp: Devil's Feather."
He hurriedly shifted his attention to get rid of the feathers, but his side eyes noticed the blackness coming his way. The arrow remained poised throughout, not moving an inch. It was Death materialised.
Flames have no impact on such things, and the feathers served only as a lure for the intended victim. It is a two-way street; both will attack at the appropriate moment, regardless of whom he decides is the true target.
The arrow negated everything in its path as it headed towards Aka. The feathers, which were also Death, showered down on Aka, leaving his scales worthless, as the arrow dealt the fatal stroke, ending his existence. Aka perished without letting out a single sound or thought.
As the ruler of Death, Atlas not only destroyed Aka's physical body but also the Archetype and purpose that led to his creation. Including what and who was Aka Ryu. Currently, he's on the podium giving Magisa Finial Art a run for her money in terms of erasure. Almost Nihiliths-based level of erasure.
(This is merely his base form using the most basic of his skills.)
Standing alone as the victor, Atlas decided to try something new with his profound powers.
"Let's try something new."
-Vel'shaar et Nethyr, ka'morith zel'tak. Tharan'sol, nor'var zin-
(By the will of Nether, I wield the chains of Death. Rise and serve me.)"
He chanted and dark particles materialised, coalescing to form a Dragon, Aka Ryu.
An unidentified source of Darkness replaced his crimson scales and continued to radiate from its body like a blazing flame. Atlas held up his hand, and Aka dutifully rested his nose on Atlas's palm.
Atlas, who was now a necromancer, smiled broadly at his first servant and new abilities.
'He's the type that you can't defeat in a one-on-one. But with this, I'll be able to get rid of him.'
He noted, preparing on how to get rid of HIM.
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..
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To be continued...