Volume One, Chapter 98: The Flame Warrior and the Mirror Knight

"Who are you!"
Despite being kicked far away, the King of Ailord maintained his composure; after all, he was a master of cosmic level and did not appear particularly disheveled.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Three more figures descended from the sky, joining the silver-armored warrior, each striking a dramatic pose.
Their dazzling entrance was so breathtaking that Taiga and his two companions could hardly believe their eyes.
But soon, excitement erupted among them.
"It's Zero!"
"And the Mirror Knight."
"Steel Brothers, let's go!"
The newcomers were none other than the four members of Zero's squad.
"Taiga, it's been a while," Zero greeted Taiga and the others, then slowly turned his gaze toward the King of Ailord.
"Let's take him down together."
"Alright!"
All four advanced, preparing to encircle the King of Ailord.
But midway, a sudden burst of energy shot through the air.
Zero and his squad halted instantly, instinctively raising their defenses.
Boom—
The energy exploded before them, sending up a towering wall of earth.
"Who is it!"
All four looked up in unison at the dimensional array hovering above.
"Hehehe... Long time no see, Zero."
Hearing this voice, Zero's expression froze, then grew deeply grave as he uttered a single name: "Torekiya!"
Since sending off Glijo last time, he and his team had searched the cosmos for Torekiya, believing he had vanished into another dimension. Who would have thought he was still on Earth!
"Heh." Zero smiled as well, flexing his arm. "In that case, let's settle this once and for all!"
Torekiya's figure emerged from the dimensional array, floating aloft, casting a disdainful gaze on Zero and his companions.
"So that's Torekiya?" The Flame Warrior beside Zero spoke up, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
They had heard of Torekiya before, but never seen him.
"Be careful!" Zero warned. "His power is formidable—don't rush in recklessly."

Zero knew the Flame Warrior's temperament better than anyone; once a fight broke out, he was always the first to charge, heedless of caution.
Normally, Zero would let him be, but against Torekiya, he could only exercise the utmost vigilance.
"Hehehe..." Torekiya laughed, his eyes full of mockery. "I'm not your opponent. That one is."
He meant, of course, the King of Ailord.
Zero and his team turned, watching as the King of Ailord stood, now shrouded in blue flames.
"Fine, let's deal with him first."
As soon as he spoke, the Flame Warrior charged ahead. A flash of fiery light in his hand, and the blazing staff appeared.
He closed in on the King of Ailord, raised the staff with both hands, and brought it crashing down.
Scorching flames carved a half-arc through the air, accompanied by a terrifying heatwave, surging toward the King of Ailord.
"So you play with fire as well?" the King of Ailord said coolly, a cold smile on his lips. He raised his arm, and blue flames instantly coalesced into a shield.
Bang—
The flaming staff struck the shield with a deafening boom.
"Looks like you've got some skill," the Flame Warrior remarked, a trace of surprise in his eyes. The staff dissolved into flames, then reformed as a giant fist, smashing into the King of Ailord.
Boom—
The King of Ailord’s face remained unchanged, but his eyes suddenly hardened.
The blue flames enveloping him boiled up, swiftly wrapping the Flame Warrior completely.
Immediately, the Flame Warrior felt his inner energy draining uncontrollably.
Within seconds, he felt hollowed out.
"What’s happening!" The Flame Warrior exclaimed, instinctively trying to break free.
But the King of Ailord lunged, wrapping his arms and legs tightly around him, his voice crazed: "Hehehe, now you'll understand what divine power truly is!"
The blue flames erupted, spreading from the King of Ailord to engulf the Flame Warrior.
From afar, the two looked like phoenixes entwined in fire, locked together in deadly embrace.
"Damn you, you disgusting creep, let go of me!"
The Flame Warrior struggled violently, but the King of Ailord's strength was astonishing. He could not budge him in the slightest.
And inside the blue flames, his energy was draining away uncontrollably.
"What’s happening... What is going on!"
The Flame Warrior was panicking now, turning to shout desperately, "What are you three waiting for? Help!"
"Hahaha!" Mirror Knight laughed, delighted at his comrade's predicament.
But his actions were swift; with a tap of his toe, he soared into the air, firing a silver cross slash.

The Flame Warrior pushed himself to the limit, igniting his energy core. Flames burst forth from his chest, radiating fearsome power.
"Let... me... go... NOW!"
With each word, the Flame Warrior finally broke free from the King of Ailord’s embrace, collapsing onto the ground.
Whoosh—
The silver cross slash grazed his scalp, slicing into the King of Ailord.
Boom—
The explosion engulfed the Flame Warrior’s vision, and he scrambled backward on all fours like a spider.
Mirror Knight smiled faintly, turning his gaze to Torekiya above. "What now?"
"Heh—" Torekiya laughed coldly. "The game is far from over."
No sooner had he spoken than the explosive flames contracted bizarrely, exposing the King of Ailord and vanishing into his blue fire, utterly consumed.
"What!"
Mirror Knight’s face shifted; he spread his arms wide.
Countless shimmering mirrors appeared around the King of Ailord.
"Silver Cross Slash!"
Mirror Knight intoned, crossing his arms over his chest and unleashing a cross-shaped blade of light.
Entering the mirror field, the light blade refracted instantly, multiplying into countless blades.
From a distance, it was as if myriad stars were shining at once, dazzlingly bright.
"Fall!"
On Mirror Knight's command, all the silver crosses poured down like a torrential rain, targeting the King of Ailord.
"Hahaha, bring it on!!"
The King of Ailord seemed exhilarated, whether from madness or Torekiya's control, his entire being radiated ferocity.
Shing, shing, shing, shing, shing, shing... shing...
Each silver cross, glowing with white light, pierced into the King of Ailord.
Within moments, he was transformed into a white-haired porcupine, an image utterly beyond description.
Mirror Knight smiled, snapping his fingers lightly.
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!