บท 27: Chapter 26: Sync

Atlas is a nocturnal animal because he is always active at night. Predators of any type savour darkness over direct exposure in sunlight.

Despite relishing the contentment of living in serenity, a weirdo like him who's acclimatized to walking on the razor's edge, prefers the stimulation of perils.

The intense bass chiming from his earphones replaced the eldritch quietude he abhorred. Music allowed him to hear the surrounding better for some reason. It implies during battle too.

He was ambivalent to all genres of music, nevertheless, he listens to them constantly. Maybe it can be described like a mother's embrace. Warm. Safe. But he'll probably never discover that feel. Did his parents abandon him cold heartedly? Atlas always denied the idea. They must have had a reason.

Sauntering into the heart of a park within the Kolt property, Atlas sat down, legs crossed. Subdued winds carried the soft murmurs of his music. There were rustles from many directions, yet nothing emerged, concealing in the darkness behind lush greenery, till Atlas unfolded the foil that wrapped around the Giftir Amaryllis.

Figures burst out from the shadows. Atlas welcomed a fist with his own, shattering the bones of the Tier 7 Aura Specialist. Planting the Giftir Amaryllis in the ground, he jabbed at the another man's face. The Tier 9 Tyro ducked, allowing a Tier 9 Expert behind to flip over him, Aura engulfing his fist. Atlas kicked upwards to deflect the fist, and the Tier 9 Tyro made a dirty move, aiming for his crouch.

"This is not a bar fight man! Not cool!" Atlas yelped, leaping away by using the fist as a pivot point, elbowing a Tier 8 Expert who tried sneaking up.

"Oh yeah, here comes to best part! Thump thump thump. Bang!" The pinnacle of the intense bass dropped, and delirium overtook Atlas from the adrenaline in his veins! His shadow vanished, appearing behind one of the Warriors in an instant. The Tier 9 Expert rocketed towards a Tier 9 Tyro with a single punch, toppling over like a lifeless mannequin. There was a needle in his spine, immobilizing him.

"Bravo! Bravo!" Claps efferented from the woods. The old man who's most likely responsible for Hugh's families death, is here.

"Boy. So powerful at such a young age. Blue earphones. Rhythmic, graceful steps. Who would think that a young teen like you, would be a Tier 10 Zenith known as Sync?! How old are you? 20? 21? Yet you're topping the Dexter Billboard at No. 1! Genius! I'd love to cross killing a genius off my bucket list!" Charles exclaimed, reaching for the large hilt behind his back. "This double edged axe is called the Kent Axe. Quite a powerful souvenir it is."

With a ground-shaking thump, the axe landed. Grass that met the sharp edge split into thin silk. There was a large 'K' carved on the face on the axe, now painted over with a bright red 'R'.

The other Warriors dragged their fallen companions away, scurrying away from the inevitable clash between the two greats.

"Yes, I am Sync. What gave away my identity?" Earphones still on, Atlas questioned, needles squeezing between the gaps of his fingers. [Kent Axe. It definitely belongs to Hugh.]

Gripping the axe, Charles lifted it with both hands. "Your Spiritual Projection. I don't how an Aura User can obtain that ability. But hey, I didn't believe it was scientifically possible to reach Zenith. It still doesn't change the fact that Aura Users can't generate Spiritual Energy. Your Spiritual Projection has no Spiritual Energy. Functional yet soulless. Oh god, I'm explaining to much."

"Thanks for the info! I'll let you die a peaceful death now." Several needles rained towards Charles as Atlas charged towards him, preparing the second wave.

"Puny needles." He blocked them with the axe, using it as a shield to encroach Atlas.

Atlas glided a foot closer, flinging more Aura veiled needles at Charles, specifically at the acupuncture points. But as a seasoned Axonn, Charles recognized this knowledge as well, rotating the axe and himself to deflect and dodge the sneaky weapons.

"Solid needles. Looks like Zeniths cannot discharge Aura!" A beam of translucent Aura lasered out his hand, demolishing the grass patch where Atlas leaped away from. Cloudy Aura enveloped the edge of the axe as it sliced across the soil, swinging vertically where Atlas landed. He scarcely dodged, earphone wire slashed apart nonetheless.

The music paused.

"That was expensive earphones!" Shouting, Atlas held his arms before his chest, protecting himself as the face of the axe slammed forcefully like a hammer. He propelled backwards, returning to the original spot where the Giftir Amaryllis is planted.

With determination, Atlas snatched one leaf out of the three and took a sniff. "I swear I'm buying Bluetooth wireless earphones after this."

He stuffed it in his mouth. [Cool lemony scent.]

He munched it.