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Chapter 177 - The Shadow of Zero

🩸Scene: The Separated Realm--Reina Watches. In a distant, sealed-off realm when the laws of reality bent like mist, Reina Amethyra and her surbordinates stood before a floating projection of Void ling's aura trail. The air trembled around them.

Reina:

(Cold, calculating, eyes glowing)

"He's moving again. Every step he takes reshapes the fabric of existence."

Drakkan:

(Arms crossed, voice deep)

"He's evolving without restraint. If he continues like this, he'll surpass every known boundary."

Himari:

(Soft, analytical, expression tense)

"He's growing infinitely...without limits. His evolution curve is impossible to measure."

Rex:

(Serious, jaw clenched)

"This being...he's becoming troublesome. More than troublesome. He's becoming a threat to everything."

Reina:

(Calm, faint smile)

"I'm certain he already knows we're tracking him. Let him know. It changes nothing."

The projection flickered. The hunt continued. ⚔️Scena: Arena--Vitana VS Ultimate Zero. The Arena roared with excitement. Vitana stepped forward, aura blazing, confident overflowing. And Vitana spoke.

Vitana:

(Smirking, aggressive)

"Get ready to be beaten, stranger."

Ultimate Zero didn't even blink. And he spoke.

Ultimate Zero:

(Expression blank, voice flat)

"If you think your power is so great...then try it on me."

Vitana:

(Snarled, Furious)

"I'll show you, arrogant bastard!"

She surged forward--so intense that, billions of lights shattering behind her. The crowd gasped. Ultimate Zero didnt even move.

Ultimate Zero:

(Calm)

"Don't think you can outpace me with that lowly speed."

Vitana:

(Thinking, panicked)

"What?! He's unfazed... What is he...?"

She delivered a powerful blow-But Zero caught it with a single open palm. The entire arena froze in horror. The announcer dropped his microphone.

Vitana:

(Shocked, trembling)

"What...?!"

Ultimate Zero:

(Tilting his head, bored)

"Flabbergasted?"

Dark energy swirling around Ultimate Zero hands--A suffocating aura that made Vitana feel as if her very existence was been peeled away. Her breath hitched. Her instincts screamed.

Vitana:

(Thinking, sweating)

"This aura...it feels like I'm being erased..."

Zero pulled his fist back. He was about to strike. Until.....⚠️Scene: Void ling Intervenes

Void ling:

(Shouting, voice echoing across the arena)

"ZERO!!!"

Ultimate Zero stopped instantly and turned. The entire arena went silent. People started at Void ling--even in disguise, his voice carried authority that shooked the air.

Void ling:

(Stern, commanding)

"Don't deliver that punch."

Confusion spread through the crowd. In the Spectators. Aoki's eyes widened as she started at Zero. And she spoke.

Aoki:

(Whispering, horrified)

"No...that aura...that presence...it can't be...is he really that Zero...? It better not be him... as far as I know.. Zero is the infamous villain who casually fought Emperor Void ling 2 years ago."

Odin:

(Jealous, Dismissive)

"Oh please. What could that guy possibly do? He looks like a regular nobody."

Madina:

(Shrugging)

"Yeah, Aoki, you're overreacting."

Aoki clenched her fists.

Aoki:

(Thinking, trembling)

"No...i know that name. I know that power. If it's really him... we're in extreme serious trouble."

⚔️Scene: Vitana Regains her Breath...Vitana staggered back, shaken. And she spoke with breath panting.

Vitana:

(Thinking, breathless)

"If that man didn't shout... i would've been erased completely..."

She looked at Zero. And questioned him. As she spoke again.

Vitana:

(Weak voice)

"Who... who are you?"

Ultimate Zero:

(Cold, Dismissive)

"I'm nobody. It doesn't concern you."

Vitana:

(Anrgy)

"Your name... Zero.. It sounds familiar. You are the Infamos Ultimate Zero aren't you?"

Ultimate Zero:

(Annoyed)

"Stop talking and fight me already."

Vitana:

(Gritted her teeth)

"Fine. Then I'll got all out."

She summoned countless beams--appearing from every direction, omnidirectional, overwhelming.

Vitana:

(Shouting)

"Take this! This attack can wipe an entire continents!"

The beams surged forward. Breaking anything that disturb it way. It swamped everything. Ultimate Zero sighed. And spoke.

Ultimate Zero:

(Bored)

"Is this all you've got?"

He completely outpaced all the entire beams. So fast, that the beams froze mid-air. A heartbeat later, he appeared behind Vitana and struck her back. Vitana flew across the arena, collapsing extremely hard. She wasn't gravely harmed--but she was shaken, breathless, and overwhelmed.

👁Scene: Observes Realize the Truth. Gilga's eyes widened in despair.

Gilga:

(Serious, stunned)

"This ain't a regular fighter... Vitana is facing something else entirely. When that man in the black coat shouted 'Zero'... something was suspicious. There's only one being with that name... and the name as Ultimate Zero..."

Nero and Ares exchanged looks. Both were starting to be scared. ⚠️ Scene: Vitana's Desperation. Vitana struggle to stand, trembling. And then Vitana spoke.

Vitana:

(Angry, desperate)

"You...bastard!!!"

She unleashed a final attack--so intense the battlefield shook violently. And then she spoke again.

Vitana:

(Screaming)

"This attack distort space-time itself! Not that I think of... And since you don't claim to be Ultimate Zero... try and evade this attack, if you wish..."

Ultimate Zero:

(Mocking)

"An attack that distort space-time? Give me a break."

He activated a faint aura--His weakness ability. ANTI-EXISTENCE. A wave of pressure swept across the arena--forcing weaker beings to the edge of reality, making them feel as if they were fading. Vitana gasped as the atrack overwhelmed her. Her form flickered--not harmed, but destabilized, as if she were slipping out of existence.

Vitana:

(Panicking)

"No-no-no!!! What's happening to me?!"

The crowd screamed. In horror. As they were scared.

Void ling:

(Thinking, tense)

"Zero...what are you planning? You could've ended this cleanly... why push her this far?"

Ultimate Zero:

(Cold)

"Are you going to surrender?"

Vitana collapsed to her knees. As she had nothing to say, as she was helpless and was in despair. Zero lowered his hand. His aura Softening. Vitana stabilized instantly--her form returning to normal, her injuries fading. The crowd gasped in shock.

Aoki:

(Shocked)

"He...healed her?"

Odin:

(Jealous, irritated)

"Tch. Show-off."

Gilga:

(Dark tone)

"I swear...I'll make this guy pay... if I face him."

Vitana:

(Respectfully, breathless)

"You're...one hell of a powerful guy. It was an honor fighting you."

Ultimate Zero shooked her hand. And then he spoke with calmness.

Ultimate Zero:

(Calm)

"You fought well."

📢Scene: Announcer's Verdict. The announcer raised his voice, still shaking. And the announcer spoke.

Announcer:

(Shouting)

"And the winner is... ULTIMATE!!!"

The crowd erupted--shocked, confused, terrified, amazed. But they applauded. The announcer continued:

Announcer:

(Firm)

"Next match... AOKI VS MADINA!"

🌌Scene: Aoki vs. Madina--The Stage Prepares. Aoki and Madina stepped onto the arena stage, both stretching, both focused, both both ready to fight, The Crowd roared with excitement as the announcer hyped them up. But before the battle begins--

⭐️Scene Shift: Astral Kingdom--Waiting for the Emperor. Inside the Astral Kingdom, the atmosphere was lively. King Ryder, Blaze, Natasha, Glaciana, Millim, and Rinara were gathered in the courtyard. The rest of the organization had gone out to train or shop. Millim swung her legs on a bench, pouting.

Millim:

(Pouting, impatient)

"Blaze, when will my lord be back? It's boring without him."

Rinara:

(Romantic, wiggling her tail)

"I just hope he returns safely...Lord Void ling always looks so calm and cool when he fights..."

Natasha's eyes twisted. Jealousy hit her like a meteor. She stepped forward, face red, voice trembling.

Natasha:

(Embarrassed, as hands on her chest)

"I-I don't care how cool he looks! I just...I just wanted him to come back so I can see his smile again...His presence makes the whole kingdom feel warm..."

Millim:

(Teasing, giggling)

"Oooh...someone is very in love with our lord!"

Ryder:

(Hands at his back, grin)

"I already knew Natasha loved Lord Void ling. She's terrible at hiding it."

Blaze:

(Offended, protective)

"Don't say that about my lord, Blaze!"

Blaze:

(Raising his hands)

"Yes, yes...I know. Relax."

Everyone burst into laughter. ⚔️ Scene Shift: Arena-Aoki Wins. Aoki and Madina had already finished their match. Aoki stood victorious, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Aoki:

(Friendly, respectful)

"Better luck next time, Madina."

Madina nodded, catching her breath. The Announcer raised his voice.

Announcer:

(Smiled)

"Next up--Gilga VS. Odin!"

👁Scene: Ultimate Zero Waits--Taig Fang Appears. Ultimate Zero stood calmly near the arena wall, arms crossed, waiting for his next match Suddenly--Void ling teleported right beside him, still disguised as Tai Fang. Nero and Ares noticed the sudden appearance. Both jumped slightly.

Nero:

(Confused, squinting)

"Who are you? I didn't even see you walk up. And I didn't even sense your aura."

Void ling:

(Calm, polite)

"I am Tai Fang."

Ares:

(Scoffed, insulting)

"Tai Fang? What kind of boring name is that? You look weak anyway."

Void ling:

(Deadpan)

"What's up with your attitude?"

Vesper:

(Tired, rubbing her temples)

"She always talks to people like they're here classmates."

Morgana:

(Annoyed)

"Yeah, she's rude to everyone."

Lilith:

(Deadpan)

"You can say that again."

Valdaa:

(Bowing slightly)

"Pleasure to meet you, sir."

Void ling:

(Soft smile)

"You too..and you are...."

Valdaa:

(Smiling)

"Valdaa is the name, sir."

Void ling;

(Smiled back)

"My name is Tai Fang."

Ares:

(Mocking)

"Tai Fang, whatever your name is... Do you even have enough power to defeat me if we fought one-on-one?"

Void ling:

(Calm, Dismissive)

"I don't know. Not my problem."

Ares:

(Face turned red with anger)

"I bet you can't even lay a finger on me!"

Ultimate Zero:

(Annoyed)

"Ares, whatever your name is... If Emperor Void ling were here, would you talk to him like that?"

Ares:

(Serious, dreamy)

"Of course not! Who would dare talk to the Emperor like that? Besides...he's my crush."

Ultimate Zero:

(Blinked)

"He has a wife, genius."

Ares:

(Pouting)

"I know, Ballon head! He's just my crush! I want to date him, that's all!"

Ultimate Zero:

(Raised an eyebrow)

"And what makes you have a crush on him?"

Ares:

(Romantic, dramatic)

"Because he's strong, mysterious, handsome, calm, powerful, elegant--he's everything a woman could want!"

But Ares.. didn't realize the Emperor she was describing was standing right in front of her. Ultimate Zero leaned toward Void ling.

Ultimate Zero:

(Whispering, teasing)

"Looks like your handsomeness is too much for women to handle. Seraphina is lucky to have you."

Void ling:

(Soft, sincere)

"Seraphina is the only girl I love. Nothing else matters. I don't give a shit about people having a crush on me. I just ignore it."

Nero:

(Annoyed)

"Are we going to ignore Gilga and Odin fighting right now?"

Lilith:

(Thinking, uneasy)

"This Tai Fang guy... Why does the arena feel like it's about to be erased from existence? His aura...it beyond boundaries...infinitely expanding..."

⚔️Scene: The Tournament Progresses.

Gilga Vs. Odin--Odin won.

Nero Vs. Ares--Ares won.

Vesper Vs. Morgana--Morgana won.

Lilith Vs. Valdaa--Lilith won.

The rounds continues smoothly, the crowd roaring with excitement. ⭐️Scene: The Semi--Finalists. The announcer raised his voicd dramatically.

Announcer:

(Smirked)

"Ladies and gentlemen--we have reached the SEMI-FINALS!"

The crowd exploded with cheers. And then he spoke.

Announcer:

(Excited)

"The semi-finalists are... Lilith vs. Aoki and Odin vs. Ultimate!!!"

Odin:

(Cracked his knuckles, and cocky)

"Finally...I can beat the shit out of Ultimate.

Ultimate Zero didn't even look at him. Because he knew fighting Odin is by killing him.

Ultimate Zero:

(Bored)

"Get some help, Odin."

The crowd roared. The stage was set. ODIN VS. ULTIMATE, LITITH VS. AOKI, The real battles were about to begin.

NEXT EPISODE UPCOMING!!!

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