Ruling as the Next Dragon Sage!

She moved gracefully, dodging each slash as if it was a line of text she already seen. Didn't bother countering, but once she did, she spun around quickly with full momentum and gripped her left hand tightly.

There, white light materialized, and forged into something greater. [White Spirit Sword] was utilized, and Koga saw this, taken aback. Her raw speed was something he had been trying to decipher for moments, now.

It was just impossible.

Was she really Apex?

No…no. Had to be far something above that, now. Dare he say she was Ascendant at this point in time, but something within him wouldn't admit it. Her sense of strength, her power, her ability.

It was…uncanny.

He quickly clashed blades, but was sent back, sliding across the grounds within his black-steeled boots. Vaniti landed with quickness, as if her entire body was made for this purpose. To be quick, agile, cunning.

Koga had spent the last few moments trying to understand her, get to find her weaknesses, but he just simply couldn't. Her [Spirit Magic] was doing far too much for her than he would like to admit.

Almost as if it was a cheat code, honestly.

He looked towards Sultan, who had just finished the ritual, then back towards Vaniti. Sheathing his sword, he spoke to her.

"Tell me, where did you learn all of this?"

Vaniti only stared, and released her clenched hand. Her very own blade dissolving within mana. The greaves of her armour illuminated slightly, but only she returned a blank stare and look, not thoroughly responding.

However, with one grip of her right hand, she clenched it. The ring on her finger started to pulse, just slightly. Koga didn't notice it, but if there was anything that would tell you that Vaniti was going to kill you.

It would be that.

Glad that I managed to get there in time.

I descended before them, feet first. One, than the other. Slight dust escaping underneath it. Keeping a stern look, I stared directly at Koga, and even he was shocked.

"H-he's back…? Then…where is Cloudjump–"

Koga thought of it before I even had to chance to admit it. But at this point, since Cloudjumper's mana signature is so weak currently that no one else could pick it up. Koga assumed the worst.

Because, it's obvious.

If two dragons fly away.

And only one comes back.

What do you think happened to the other?

Vaniti stepped by my side, and there I took a further look to inspect her. Not a single bruise nor scuff on her. As if the entire time she was fighting Koga, she herself was holding back—no, maybe trying to stop the ritual and couldn't find a way to do so.

She bowed her head slightly, "I apologize. I wasn't strong or tactical enough to find a way to stop the ritual."

I shake my head, "No need to apologize. I wasn't expecting you to. You've done more than enough already. You bought time for me, too."

She nodded without turning her head towards me. What was she planning? Was she really about to activate the artifact right then and there?

"With Cloudjumper. Is she…" She trailed off, but not in a questioning way. More in the way to confirm. Should I confirm? I didn't necessarily kill her…and if Vaniti found out that Cloudjumper pushed me to such extent and level that I had to harm myself…I think she would take that personally.

But right in front of Koga? No, I can't admit that.

I scoff, then point my finger towards the sky. "I don't know anyone who could survive that, really."

Then, I look directly at both Sultan and the Admiral.

"Your strongest tool not only failed…but failed to kill the one you needed dead the most,"

"Me."

Koga seems bothered, taken aback. He took a step back, and Sultan came with a heavy-face. As if he knew this was coming. I still haven't figured how the direct steps on how he could see the future.

There's no spell being activated, not one Vaniti could see or I could sense. My best bet would be that he's relying on something outside of linear magic…but I doubt him. No shot he would. And after 10,000 years…I think that type of magic would fade out and become nonexistent.

I don't even think those type of events even exist anymore. She might've moved on a long time ago after seeing Gaia become what it is today.

Back to Sultan, though, whatever future he sensed must've showed him Cloudjumper's demise, because he hasn't called out my bluff…unless his type of foresight only allows him to see his own future?

Perhaps, a lot of explaining to do from him, but as it stands, not now.

The ground shook, several times. Vaniti clenched and tensed, getting into a familiar stance, but I just happened to point at the ritual.

"Don't be alarmed, whatever he's doing is coming from the familiar that's about to make contact with this world," I say.

"And we are about to find out what Sultan truly has as his ultimate trump card."

With my words, Vaniti eased slightly, still tense, though. Maybe it's just in her to be ready for a fight. Before I knew it, a large hand escaped from the ritual circles, amidst the golden beacon of aura that shot out into the sky.

The being climbed through, and before we knew it. It came as a bony figure, my eyes widened as I realized what this was.

"N-no way…" Two simple words left my lips. The monster fully made contact, the golden sigils closed and faded away as it held all four swords.

Vaniti looked at it, trying to make sense of it. I would too, if it's my first time.

Sultan didn't just manage to pull out a trump card, no.

He pulled out an entire dungeon boss from the game.

How did these things even still exist nowadays? Even after 10,000 years…undead bosses still exist? I should've figured when even Aarx's immortal status was put to the test.

They don't die, and if no one is strong enough, they can't be beat.

As simple as that.