"Okay. The Great I will start. Follow the Great I," announced Nyxtharion #2.
The dragons turned and moved deeper into the cavern.
Neo followed, feeling their hivemind hum in his head.
The tunnels twisted, widened, and the air grew cold.
They stopped in a huge open space.
It was a cave five times the size of the Luminera continent.
Shadows hid the ceiling, and the ground stretched flat and dark.
A smaller cave sat to the side. Neo sensed a powerful presence inside it, but the place was ignored by the dragons.
"What is this place?" asked Neo.
"This is the center of Zone 2. The Great I train you here," replied Nyxtharion #28.
"To use Void?" Neo looked around at the empty, quiet space.
"Yes. First, you need stronger skills," explained Nyxtharion #2.
"Stronger skills? I've got plenty," argued Neo.
"Not good enough. You need to fight better for real Void," corrected Nyxtharion #69.
"How do I do that?" wondered Neo.
"You will fight the Great I. Two of the Great I," decided Nyxtharion #4.
"Fight you? With what?"
"You can copy the abilities of Great I, correct? Learn Voidfaing Rain, and Space Lock," answered Nyxtharion #2.
Neo nodded. He could rank up Death Sword too.
As the dragons had regressed, they knew Death Sword, and Neo did not have to teach them the skill.
Nyxtharion #4 and #69 stepped forward, scales glowing faintly.
Neo summoned Obitus and activated Death Sword.
[Death Sword (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme) total: 157.1%]
"Here we go," growled Nyxtharion #69.
Nyxtharion #4 lunged, and swept the Death Sword low across the ground.
Neo leaped over, landing as Nyxtharion #69 slashed high in a tight arc.
He swung his own Death Sword, meeting the strike with a loud clash, sparks scattering.
Dark spikes rained from above as Nyxtharion #69 flexed its claws and used Voidfang Rain.
The attack came sharp and fast.
Neo used Hydraulic Motion Technique and Pseudo Gap to dodge.
Yet, one spike grazed his shoulder.
Nyxtharion #4 used the opportunity and advanced, slashing Death Sword in controlled, diagonal cuts.
Neo blocked, feeling their smoother rhythm, and countered with a quick thrust.
[Death Sword (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme) total: 157.1% → 159.8%]
The air thickened as Nyxtharion #69 locked space around Neo, freezing him in place.
He strained, breaking free slowly as Nyxtharion #4's blade sliced toward his chest.
[Space Lock (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Savant) +0.5%]
Neo rolled aside, tapping the power of the Protector, Sovereign of Three Thousand Shadows.
"Heed my call, O Two Kings and the Legion of Three Hundred."
Shadow Elementals churned inside Neo's Core.
"Be my Hand, Be my Claws."
Three hundred Exalted-rank shadow wolves emerged, misty forms with glowing red eyes.
Two Grade 5 Fabled-rank shadow titans rose behind, towering with jagged claws. They bowed to Neo, then charged.
Wolves swarmed Nyxtharion #4, snapping at its legs.
It swept Death Sword wide, cutting through a dozen, shadows dissolving into mist.
A titan roared, slamming a fist at Nyxtharion #69.
The dragon sidestepped, raking its blade across the titan's arm, black blood oozing.
Neo dashed in, slashing at Nyxtharion #4 with Death Sword.
The wolves kept it busy, letting his strike land on its side, mimicking their clean cuts.
[Death Sword (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme): 159.8% → 163.2%]
Nyxtharion #69 used Voidfang Rain, and unleashed a storm of dark spikes, spiraling outward in a deadly swirl.
They shredded twenty wolves and grazed Neo's arm, forcing him back.
[Voidfang Rain (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Savant): 20.2% → 25.6%]
Nyxtharion #4 locked space again, pinning the wolves mid-leap.
Neo felt the heavy grip, breaking free as the second titan charged Nyxtharion #4, smashing it into the ground with a heavy claw.
Neo followed, slashing Death Sword upward, syncing with their precise style.
[Death Sword (Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme): 163.2% → 166.7%]
Nyxtharion #69 carved its blade in a spinning arc, slicing a titan's leg clean off.
The monster collapsed, fading into mist.
Neo countered, and swung Death Sword in a low, sweeping cut at Nyxtharion #69's legs.
The dragon blocked, scales sparking.
Nyxtharion #4 sent spikes arcing in a tight cone, shredding more wolves.
The last titan roared, clawing Nyxtharion #69's back, keeping it off balance. Neo struck Nyxtharion #4, blade humming stronger as he matched their flow.
[Death Sword (Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme): 166.7% → 170.1%]
[Space Lock (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Savant) +0.6%]
Space tightened as Nyxtharion #69 froze the air again, catching Neo mid-step.
He pushed through, slashing at Nyxtharion #4 as the wolves bit its tail, slowing it down.
The titan punched Nyxtharion #69, making small cracks appear on its scales.
Neo swung Death Sword in a high arc, copying their strength and speed.
[Death Sword (Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme): 170.1% → 173.5%]
Nyxtharion #4 swept its blade low, scattering wolves with a single slice.
Neo blocked, feeling their power ripple through his arm.
Nyxtharion #69 sent spikes spiraling upward, piercing the titan's chest.
The monster staggered, giving Neo an opening. He slashed Death Sword at Nyxtharion #69, aiming for its wing, syncing with their smooth strikes.
[Death Sword (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme): 173.5% → 176.9%]
[Space Lock (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Savant) +0.6%]
Nyxtharion #4 locked space, freezing the wolves again.
Neo broke free, lunging at Nyxtharion #4 with a quick jab.
The titan slammed Nyxtharion #69, knocking it back.
Neo followed, slashing Death Sword in a tight, controlled burst, matching their rhythm perfectly.
[Death Sword (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme): 176.9% → 180.3%]
[Death Sword (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme): 180.3% → 183.7%]
[…(Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Savant): 183.7% → 187.1%]
The wolves and the titan fell over the course of battle, leaving behind Neo.
He continued to clash with the dragons repeatedly. Reviving, Dying. Again, and again.
[Space Lock (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Savant): 20.2% → 26.8%]
[Voidfang Rain (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Savant): 25.6% → 31.9%]
[Death Sword (Rank: Stage 2, Mastery: Supreme): 199.3% → 200%]
[Mirror Echo is activating]
[Death Sword (Rank: Stage 2 → Stage 3, Mastery: Supreme → Apprentice)]
The aura warping around Neo's Formless Sword suddenly surged.