Surrounding the ma.s.sive Arkhan s.h.i.+p from all angles are the hundreds of Guardian aircraft. From afar, the scene looked like an alien invasion, with their s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps hunting each other instead of the humans.Composing the Guardian air armies are the four larger s.h.i.+ps that are responsible for channeling the web-like energy that secured the whole Arkhan s.h.i.+p and trapping the remaining Arkhans inside. Besides these s.h.i.+ps are other smaller s.h.i.+ps that are about fifty meters in length and width.
KSSSSK~
Simultaneously, the exit hatch opened from different sides of the smaller aircraft, and Guardian soldiers, flying with antigravity boots and advance looking weapons on their arms, flew out and headed towards the Arkhan mothers.h.i.+p.
Each of these Guardian soldiers has tall and solidly built of about seven meters in height. A transparent helmet with glowing holograms reflecting before their heads can be seen. Like a Jarvis system of Tony Stark except without the helmet.
Their skin tone is of the pale blue, their whole body is covered by a white flexible and bulletproof suit that seems to change colors whenever they liked while giving them an amazing blending ability.
Like ants zerging out of the hundreds of hovering Guardians.h.i.+ps, these soldiers have stiff and serious expressions as they further secured the whole Arkhan s.h.i.+p while pointing their gun at any signs of resistance from the trapped Arkhans.
"Now where am I?"
Elric"s first words after fully recovering and waking up. He is now standing in the middle of a messy room with advance looking machines making error beeping sounds from system overloading, while the rest are left to pieces of scorched devices.
"That was a close one huh..." He mumbled as he observed the broken devices and getting a full view of the entire area. There are faint flickering lights from the distant rooms and sparks from broken electric devices everywhere.
"Oh well..."
It did not take long before Elric finally found an exit path. However, the moment he saw the exit door, he saw the energy field coating the entire Arkhan s.h.i.+p. As Elric went closer to the energy barrier, a distant shout from the outside immediately greeted him.
"Don"t move Arkhan!"
"Do not step further or we will have to end your miserable life right here, right now!"
"Resisting is futile! Just surrender and you will still get the chance to live, although behind bars."
Elric, with a tired face, looked at the floating Guardian soldiers thank"s to their anti-gravity boots. The moment they saw Elric, a surge of intimidating aura a.s.saulted them, causing their instincts to stay on guard, raising their weapons and pointing them at Elric.
"Can you let me pa.s.s? I am really not in the mood right now." Elric, without a hint of fear of worry, asked.
"You can"t fool us Arkhan. We know how you are capable of changing your biological structure and imitate anyone as you will. That"s why we can"t let any single one of you go past the barrier." The one closer in front replied with a stern look.
"Look. I really have to go. My turtle friend is waiting for me."
"Turtle my a.s.s! You think that lowly trick will work on us Guardians?" The one behind b.u.t.ted in, then with a whisper to his comrades, he asked, "He can"t be the Alpha Dragon right?"
"I am not quite sure, but data reports from the headquarters reveal that the Alpha Dragon"s energy has suddenly weakened and dissapeared inside the middle of the s.h.i.+p." Replied the one floating further back.
"Then it is really possible that the Alpha Dragon is dead?"
"That is why securing the Arkhan s.h.i.+p and making sure that no one escapes is our priority. As for now, his body and energy frequency is not emanating any threat at all." Explained the leader in front.
Unable to wait anymore, Elric started to step forward and closer to the energy barrier that is trapping him inside.
Seeing Elric disregarding their warning, the floating soldiers immediately repointed their guns, charging it and ready to fire any second.
"Last warning! One more step and you are as good as dead!" The leader declared with a threatening shout.
But Elric still continued walking, not heeding an ounce of their threat. His hand is even poking his nose, trying to get rid of sticky dust inside his left nostril.
The moment his body made contact with the barrier, it created a sharp cracking sound like a gla.s.s slowly being shattered.
WOOOOM~BAAs.h.!.+
Elric popped out of the barrier without even feeling any strong resistance. Compared to an ordinary Arkhan or Guardian, leaving the energy barrier by brute strength is but a miracle for them.
And witnessing Elric flawlessly breaking it left their mouths gaping in shock and eyes wide in disbelief.
Finally, after seeing Elric leaving the barrier without any hard effort, the commander immediately issued his command.
"Kill this Arkhan!"
SLAAs.h.!.+
SLAAs.h.!.+~
SLAAs.h.!.+~
The three soldiers that were just about to fire their advanced weapons unexpectedly s.h.i.+t themselves instead.
SHHEEEESH~
Elric"s movement was just too fast for their eyes to follow. All they saw is a Sword of Flaming, blazing fiercely in Elric"s hand. Their weapons are gone, and so did to the blood in their faces.
"H-he r-really is the Alpha Dragon!?"
"The one responsible for taking down the Arkhan and the three Dragon race..."
"Did I just pointed my weapon to him?! s.h.i.+t!"
The three hovering soldiers felt like their body is melting in fear before the terrifying presence of Elric.
Just moments ago, the latter looked like nothing but a tired young man just getting out of the bed. But right now, with the burning sword in his hand, he looks nothing but an angel of death!
"Get out of my sight!" Elric, with a cold voice and a terrifying Dragon eyes, sent the soul of the three soldiers for about three seconds before they finally came back to their senses and burst their anti-gravity boots away from Elric.
"Finally." Elric sighed as the annoying Guardian soldiers had already fled his front. He was just about to leave the place when another distant voice came.
"As expected of the Alpha Dragon. You truly are far beyond our expectations." The sound came from a confident and n.o.ble-looking Guardian standing atop one of the bigger Guardian aircraft.
Following behind him are a hundred more floating Guardian soldiers and fighter aircraft, ready to protect the latter the moment Elric revealed the slightest intention of harming the respected one.
His eyes were deep blue that is filled with calmness and wisdom, a bald hair with a figure standing over eight meters tall.
Covering his entire body is a plain white silk dress that looks incredibly breathable. And judging from his looks and presence, Elric recognized him as one of the founding Guardian Elders.
Seeing the new incoming guardian coming with a creepy smile, Elric breathed a tired sigh before facing him.
"You did well in using me to eliminate your own enemy," Elric told the still-smiling Elder Guardian.
"You were supposed to arrive earlier but you choose to delay just for me to deal with Khan and the whole Arkhan race in one go. Am I correct?" Elric told him with a hint of coldness.
The Elder dropped his smile and changed now with a solemn face.
"It is inevitable and such unfortunate indeed. But we have no choice but to save as much of our people for the incoming Realm Wars."
Hearing the reply, Elric immediately frowned.
"I am too tired of fighting. I just fought Shadows, a puppet of Ancient Humans, three Dragon Races, and the Arkhans. Please do not drag me any further into these!"
"I am afraid you have no choice Alpha Dragon," The Guardian Elder said with a weighty gaze, before adding, "...or should I call you Elric de la Cruz?"
Hearing his full name after how many years, Elric felt an unexpected sense of renewing.
"That name..no. That person does not exist anymore." Elric mumbled to the Elder before facing a certain direction. Eyes full of yearning and sadness.
"Wings of Fire"
Elric, not wanting to continue the conversation, revealed his flaming wings and was just about to leave when the Elder added,
"Leaving too soon Alpha Dragon? I just happen to know vital information that might help you in saving your charming grandmother."
Elric"s wings of fire went to a perfect halt. his eyes gleaming with interest as he turned to face the tall figure of the Guardian Elder.
"I am listening."
Seeing the interested eyes of Elric, the Elder smiled before pointing to the nearby Guardian aircraft.
"You should know how we live our lives through science and endless calculations - all in hopes of protecting this human world. That is why we are called Guard-"
"Get to the point." Elric, with a murderous gaze, interjected.
"To tell you the truth, we wanted to kill you long before you obtained the Ancestral Dragon essence. But our calculations went to a different output we never expected... an inevitable is coming."
For some reason, Elric felt like he is being used again. However, as long as they have what he needs, any clues regarding how to save his grandma, he is more than willing to take the risk.
"We should talk inside." The Elder added before leading the way towards the inside of the bigger Guardian s.h.i.+p.