Location: Cardinal World
Feldway POV
As I stared up at the motionless, three-headed Titan, still standing despite everything I unleashed, I let out a quiet sigh. Still on its feet after that barrage... ridiculous. But the stillness, the complete lack of response in its Magicule flow—it told me everything I needed to know.
"Unresponsive," I muttered. "Like it just... shut down. That thing's out cold."
Just to be sure, I activated Analysis. Can't be too careful—not with something like this.
The results came in quickly. The Magicules were nearly static, like time itself had stopped flowing through them. Definitely unconscious. Not dead, but close enough for now. Good. That's one less headache to deal with.
I let my shoulders relax. He won't be waking up anytime soon... not before Veldanava gets his turn to meddle. Let him handle the cleanup.
Now then, priorities.
Obera.
She has to seen it. The whole thing. She should know that I brought that monster down. And now? Now she'll understand—she'll see me for what I am. Worthy of her respect. Her loyalty.
I turned, calm and composed as ever, a slight smirk tugging at the edge of my mouth.
For some reasons... something doesn't feel right, I turned around and saw the Titan still standing unconscious, and unchanged.
Still on his feet. Seriously?
Unconscious, yeah... but not even a twitch. No collapse. Just standing there like a statue.
That's not normal.
Alright, let's think this through.
Fifteen worst scenarios... ten with less than a 30% chance of being true... three with more than 50%.
First scenario — Some kind of auto-defense. Probably built to stay upright when it goes down—no crash, no damage. Almost like time itself has stopped around its body...
Second scenario — Illusion? Could be a decoy. Wouldn't be the first time something faked a fall and made it seem like time had frozen.
Third scenario — The Titan has three heads—maybe I only knocked out the middle one. The other two could still be waiting. But that still doesn't explain why his body seems to be frozen in time.
I glanced back once more.
Doesn't feel over. Not yet.
Wait... all three of the most likely scenarios have one thing in common.
...
...
...
"Frozen tim—"
3rd Person POV
Before Feldwaycould finish and, just as he turned to escape from the place.
A hand burst through his chest.
His eyes widened. He looked down slowly... and saw it. A fist. Familiar.
Same shape. Same feeling.
One of the six hand that the Titan possessed.
"So, what were you saying... 'frozen time'?" a voice mocked behind him entering Feldway's right ear, with bit of amusement.
"Hah... smart one, huh? Figuring out my new technique just by looking? That's impressive—really."
Another voice chuckled, the more familiar one, entering from middle.
"But not impressive enough."
An arrogant voice entering Feldway's left ear
The fist inside Feldway twisted violently. This led to the wound widening, flesh tearing as the pain surged through his core. Magicules leaked from his body in waves, with mouthful of Magicule spilling out as he coughed.
"Ghhk... Damn... you're really draining me dry," Feldway growled, magicule trailing from his lips.
"But let me tell you... one thing."
He twisted his neck slowly, locking eyes with the Titan behind him—his voice rasping but firm.
"...You'll never see me in despair."
A beat.
"Because I... *cough*... am the one who cause...despair... right now and before"
The glance from Feldway was enough to make all three heads of the Titan to stumble, but one thing that both snapped them out and infuriated them at the same time.... is the lack of despair in that seemingly defeated man.... and the conviction and truthness coming out of that man.
"You sure talk a lot for someone who's about to DIE!" the Titan roared.
With that, it ripped its hand out of Feldway's chest in one brutal motion. Before Feldway could react, the Titan grabbed him by the head and hurled him into the sky like a broken doll.
Feldway spun through the air, Magicules trailing behind him.
Midair, Feldway focused, trying to force his body to heal—but just as the magic began to stitch body together, he felt it.
A presence. Above him.
His eyes snapped upward—
The Titan was already there, levitating, staring down at him with that same, merciless grin.
WHAM!
The Titan's punch slammed into Feldway, rocketing him back down to the ground like a meteor. The impact shattered stone, cratered the earth, and cracked the armor on his back wide open.
"...It's... unfair, don't you think... cough ...gorilla," Feldway muttered, coughing as he struggled to lift himself—without success.
The Titan's middle head tilted slightly, with a twisted grin spreading wider.
"Really? I don't think so. You've got your little tricks—why can't I have mine?"
He leaned in slightly, mock curiosity in his voice.
"Seems fair to me now... Hmm, what was your name again?"
Feldway chuckled weakly, pain twisting his features.
"First it's Feldway... and second... the difference is—*cough*—my tricks come from using my brain."
He managed to shift his arm slightly, pushing against the ground.
"You, on the other hand... used something that doesn't require a single thought."
As he tried to rise again, a surge of raw Magicule exploded from his bare, torn back, still burning from the impact. The pain hit like a wave, and he collapsed with a grunt, coughing harder as more Magicule spilled out around him.
"How pitiful... let me put an end to your pathetic existence, Feldway. You truly gave me a wonderful experience," said the middle head of the Titan with a grim smile.
It raised its massive hand, aiming it directly at Feldway's head.
"I'll make sure to disintegrate your very fabric of existence."
With that, the Titan launched its hand down like a hammer. Feldway looked up at it... then slowly closed his eyes in quiet acceptance.
But nothing hit him.
Feldway's eyes opened slowly—
And there, standing between him and death, was a figure.
"Not on my watch," said a firm, feminine voice. "I will protect Commander Feldway, no matter what."
The Titan paused, then let out a low, amused snicker. "You... the one from before."
Feldway blinked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"...Obera?"
To be continued