"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.