Chapter 22: Ascend

POV - Yellow

An afterimage of lightning flashed as a high-speed kick, delivered from a mid-air inversion, lunged for Chrono’s temple—only to be intercepted by the back of her hand.

"..."

But why... why did it feel so slow?

Watching Chrono sway as she desperately weathered a chaotic barrage of blows, I felt certain she was losing her edge. I was going to hit her.

"Thunder God’s Hammer: Told Nova!"

A subsonic heel drop swung down toward the crown of her head. Chrono moved to brace herself with both arms, a seemingly futile gesture of resistance.

"Heh."

A finger lightly brushed against my leg as it descended.

Tap... tap-tap, tap-tap-tap-tap-tap—

Even at the speed of sound, she was faster. With every touch, the force of my strike was methodically stripped away—!

"Gah... whew...!?"

"Your visualization is lacking. You can't kill me with that!"

Still... it's not enough?!

"Try imagining something that represents raw power. A dragon, Zeus, maybe a Chidori? Just picture something along those lines. At this rate, I’m actually getting bored. The thrill is fading."

She stifled a yawn while patting the shoulder of my trembling frame.

"This is pathetic, don't you think... Yellow?"

Shut up. I’ll show you visualization...!

"Sanctuary: Kirin!"

The intensity of the battle surged once more. Every snowflake dancing in the wind was vaporized by sharp, blinding flashes of light.

"I... did it!"

"Haha! Now that’s what I’m talking about!"

A cluster of electrodes spread across the area, calling down lethal bolts of lightning on everything in sight. She dodged every single one, so I followed up with a full-power swing aimed right for her head, anticipating her movement.

Of course, I was the one who ended up being sent flying! But god, this was fun!

Higher! Let it roar!

The circuits throughout my body screamed, and steam vented from the cracks in my skin. It doesn't matter! My legs buckled and I dropped to one knee. So what?!

Right now, this atmosphere felt incredible. This sensation of climbing past my own limits! Rise, rise, rise, rise... Ascend, ascend, ascend, ascend!

"It’s here! A jolt running from my spine to the top of my head! I’m the strongest I’ve ever been!"

I’m going to surpass you right here!

Guided by a vow I didn't even realize I’d made, my body was enveloped in a longcoat made of pure lightning.

"Haaaaaaaaaaaa!"

I readied my Phantom Sword.

This is the end!

"Phew... even for me, that was a close one."

Among the crossing blades, Chrono was the one left standing. As she held me under her arm, my frustration gave way to a strange sense of peace... I had found the person I wanted to become.

"Who’s next?"

Out of everyone here, she was the most human. And I would spend the rest of my life trying to surpass her.