Extra Chapter
Let's reach 800 Power Stones for an extra chapter
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-NeoDevimon-
"You…" I snarl, my voice laced with disbelief. "It can't be?!"
She's been here all along, hiding her true power. I should have realized sooner. I could sense a faint aura from her, but it was so well hidden. It was only because I reached the Ultimate level, and my senses heightened, that I was able to see her for what she truly is.
Her body shimmers, distorting like a faulty hologram. The transformation is unlike anything I have seen. It's as if her human form is being peeled away, revealing the raw digital code beneath. Light explodes outward, blinding and pure, and I am forced to shield my eyes.
When the light subsides, she is no longer the human woman. In her place stands a being of immense power and regal authority. Black armor encases her form, trimmed with gold and accented with vibrant blue. A flowing cape, lined with an inner blue light, billows behind her. On her back, a ring-like sigil of energy—the Digitalize of Soul—manifests, pulsing with raw power.
This... this is a Royal Knight.
The wave of power that washes over me is immense. It overshadows my own dark aura, pressing down on me with the force of a thousand suns. It's a power that speaks of justice, duty, and an unwavering commitment to balance.
"How?" I manage to croak out, the word laced with disbelief. "How is this possible? How are you here?"
For a being of such immense power to come to this world this early is impossible. It shouldn't have happened.
The Royal Knight's eyes, glowing with quiet determination beneath their sleek helm, fix on me. The gaze is both piercing and serene. A being of ultimate power looking down on me.
"It does not matter how," she says, her voice echoing with authority. "What matters is that you are here, threatening the balance. That ends now."
Without another word, she attacks. I barely have time to react. The Royal Knight moves with a speed that defies my senses, closing the distance between us in an instant.
I raise my claws, channeling my dark energy, but it's like trying to stop a storm with a twig. She sidesteps my attack with ease, her movements precise and economical.
"Guilty Claw!" I scream, unleashing the attack with all my might.
But the Royal Knight merely raises a hand, a barrier of shimmering energy forming before her. My attack slams into the barrier, dissipating harmlessly.
"Is that all?" she asks, her voice laced with disdain.
Before I can respond, she strikes. A fist, clad in black armor, connects with my jaw. The impact sends me staggering backward, my head reeling. I try to regain my balance, but it's no use. She is already upon me, unleashing a flurry of blows that I can barely block.
Each strike is a hammer blow, sending jolts of pain through my body. I try to retaliate, but she anticipates my every move, dodging my attacks with effortless grace.
"Deep Sorrow!" I scream, unleashing a wave of despair and negative emotion. I pour all of my energy into the attack, hoping to unnerve her.
The Royal Knight pauses for a fraction of a second, but it's not enough. She shrugs off the attack as if it were nothing, her eyes unwavering. It seems to not affect her.
"Such paltry tricks," she says, dismissing my attack with a wave of her hand. "They are useless against me."
She resumes her assault with renewed ferocity, her blows growing stronger and faster. I can feel my strength fading, my energy dwindling. The fight is a losing battle. I try to summon more power, but the more I resist, the more my body is strained.
Then, she strikes. Her sacred sword, Seiken Gradalpha, appears in her hand, summoned from pure energy. It's a blade of immense power, shimmering with holy light. With a swift, decisive movement, she brings the blade down, cleaving through my armor as if it were paper.
I scream in agony as the blade tears through my body, severing my connection to this world. I can feel my data unraveling, dissolving into the digital ether. This is it. I have lost.
My injuries are too severe, my data is being deleted.
As my data begins to disintegrate, I know that I have lost. I can no longer fight.
"You may have won this battle," I manage to say, my voice weak and raspy. "But you cannot stop what is coming. Neither you, nor the other Royal Knights."
The Royal Knight stands over me, her gaze unwavering. Even as I stare into the face of my death, I can't help but wonder if she truly understands what is at stake.
"I will do my duty," she replies, her voice filled with determination. "I will protect the Digital World, and this world, no matter the cost."
I can't help but smirk, even as my data fades away. Her words are noble, but naive. She has no idea what is coming, the true extent of the darkness that is about to engulf everything.
"We shall see," I say, my voice fading to a whisper.
Then, I am gone, my data dissolving completely, leaving no trace of my existence.
-???-
I spare NeoDevimon's disintegrating data one last glance before turning away. The battle is won, but the war... that is far from over. More will come, I can feel it.
My attention shifts to ensuring no trace of this conflict remains. With a subtle manipulation of digital energy, I scrub the surveillance systems, erasing any record of my presence and NeoDevimon's demise. The humans below will remember nothing but a strange tremor and a sense of unease.
I revert to my human guise, feeling the familiar shift as code becomes flesh. It's a disguise I've worn for years, a way to observe and guide without revealing my true nature.
"Grow stronger, Ethan," I whisper, my voice echoing with both hope and concern. "I can't always be around to protect you. But I will do what I can, from the shadows."
The power that sleeps within the boy is a flicker compared to those to come. He needs to be ready. The role the boy has to fulfill is growing. And I cannot be the one to decide for him.
I fade into the night, a guardian watching from afar.
***
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