Huff...
"What do I even get out of being your subordinate?"
"Benefits? Seriously? You think this is the time to talk about profits and losses?"
Cough. Cough.
"Damn... you really got me, bro."
Blood dripped from Canis' lips as he fought to stay conscious, the wound in his side pulsing with pain.
"You've got potential," Atomic said, eyeing him carefully. "I don't know where you picked up that strength or those moves... but walk with me. Aigis could use someone like you."
"Being useful to Aigis is the last thing I'd ever do."
Huff... "And what's with the hatred? Where's all this bitterness coming from?"
"I've never believed in that fake nation."
Atomic's eyes flared crimson. Canis' words struck a nerve.
"You've got some nerve, trash-talking Aigis while bleeding out at my feet. Do you really think there's a way out of this besides groveling?"
Canis smirked through the pain. "You think I'm out of cards? Please."
"Oh yeah?" Atomic cocked an eyebrow. "Then show me."
Blue flames flickered to life on Canis' fingertips. In a blur, he moved his hands through the air, tracing intricate patterns.
Atomic watched with unsettling calm, unmoved. He knew Canis was strong, but not strong enough to threaten someone like him.
"Wait... is that—Algebra?"
"Damn right it is."
Canis completed the motion and pressed his palms together, forming a glowing blue triangle. A halo emerged from the center, echoing the sigils he'd drawn in the air.
"This might get messy... for both of us."
"Bring it," Atomic snarled, stepping forward.
Before he could close the distance, Canis struck.
"GUMILAR METORETE!"
A loud buzz pierced the air as the halo shot forward like a bullet, slamming into Atomic's chest and sticking there.
"What the hell is this? Some kind of trick?" Atomic grunted, unfazed. "You really think this'll stop me?"
"Not that," Canis said, pointing upward. "That."
Atomic glanced up—nothing. But then... five seconds later, a meteor appeared overhead, descending fast.
It wasn't massive. But big enough to level a house—and anyone near it.
Atomic's eyes widened—not at the meteor, but at the man who had summoned it.
"Summoning meteors now? Just how many damn tricks do you have?"
"As many as it takes."
Atomic put his hands together in prayer. His voice echoed with power.
"BAJDA TA DRAGUN!"
The ground rumbled. A metallic cocoon erupted from below, swallowing Atomic whole. It looked like a gleaming silver egg.
Canis stood nearby, not even flinching. Not running. Just—
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The meteor crashed.
The entire island shook from the impact. A shockwave tore through the earth. Smoke billowed into the sky.
Panic spread across the island like wildfire. People ran for boats, shouting to each other in fear.
Minutes passed. The silver egg remained intact, untouched.
It cracked open with a hiss. Atomic stepped out, brushing dust off his coat, completely unharmed.
"What a lunatic," he muttered. "But a clever one."
He looked back to where Canis had stood. Gone. Not even a trace.
Most would assume Canis had been obliterated. But Atomic wasn't most people.
He smirked, impressed.
"He used the chaos to escape. Smart bastard. But I'll get him next time. Fighting any longer would've wrecked this whole island anyway."
Kring... Kring... Kring...
A phone rang through the silence.
Atomic reached into his robes and answered.
"Yeah?"
"Where the hell are you?"
"Handling something. Is there a problem?"
"Of course there's a problem! The event starts tomorrow! Get your ass back to the Capital. We've got a briefing with Trisula and the Supreme Leader."
"Understood. I'm on my way."
---
Above the wide blue ocean sky...
Two figures soared through the air, streaking flames behind them.
"My god, that was close," Aron said, rifle blazing as it propelled him forward. In his free hand, he carried Canis. "If I hadn't caught you when I did... you'd be toast."
"I knew you'd catch me. That's why I didn't panic."
Aron rolled his eyes. "Your faith in me is flattering. But seriously—we made it. We're off that damn island."
The land behind them was now just a speck, swallowed by the horizon.
"So... where are we even heading?" Aron asked.
"I aimed us northeast. If we're lucky, we'll hit Aigis mainland."
"Lucky, huh? Yeah... let's hope so."
Their escape marked the end of a long, brutal day. And the beginning of something even bigger.
{Chapter 10 End}