Extra's Ascent-Chapter 164: Setting It Up

"Go, Malakaih!"

Aldrich's shout tore through the air as he sprinted alongside his familiar. The sleek beast galloped on all fours, a blur of blue and silver, keeping pace as they surged toward Fiona and Saldrich with unrelenting momentum.

Twin fireballs flared to life in Aldrich's hands, which he hurled ahead with precision. Their molten arcs lit the sky for a split second before crashing forward, except the explosions never came.

Tulip, Fiona's familiar, dashed ahead with unshaken resolve. Her fox-like form shimmered as the flames met her fur and disappeared. Not suppressed. Not dodged. Absorbed entirely, without even a flicker of detonation.

'She just absorbed Fire Art like it was a treat?! What kind of busted ability is that?' Aldrich gaped inwardly, still in full sprint, undeterred by the turn of events.

"Let's see what you're really made of, Malakaih!" he roared.

The beast beside him responded with a low, thunderous growl, its aura surging.

Even though still in his growth phase, technically just an infant despite his imposing size, Malakaih radiated power. And not just any power. Two distinct elemental affinities pulsed from his core.

Aldrich's eyes widened. 'Two elements?! Already?!'

He could barely contain his excitement. If this was the power Malakaih wielded before crossing into maturity, what kind of legendary creature would he become at full strength?

But there wasn't time to marvel.

Aldrich's mind clicked into gear. A strategy began forming, intricate and risky, but plausible. Without breaking stride, he transmitted the plan mentally to Malakaih.

The beast immediately halted and took position. Aldrich pressed on alone, charging straight for his targets.

Before he could close the distance, Saldrich darted in to intercept him. Her movement was swift and sure, the two-leaf clover she wielded glowing faintly in her eyes as she prepared to counter.

They clashed in a furious exchange of fists and kicks. Each blow was calculated; every block was a near-miss. They traded strikes with relentless rhythm, neither gaining an edge.

They disengaged briefly, only to collide again. Their bodies moved in perfect tempo, the intensity reflected in the flicker of their Clover Eyes, watching, tracking, predicting.

"I'm impressed," Saldrich said mid-flurry, her voice cool but edged with admiration. "Didn't think you had unarmed combat down like this."

"Right back at you!" Aldrich shot back, twisting around to dodge a sweeping leg.

They surged at each other again, only to be interrupted by a sudden crash.

Something dropped from above, landing between them with enough force to fracture the ground. Debris flew outward as Fiona straightened her frame, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.

"Hope you didn't forget about me, Al," she said casually.

'Of course… just what I needed.' Aldrich's inner sigh was laced with sarcasm and mounting frustration.

Now the odds were truly against him.

Without pause, Fiona joined Saldrich. The two launched into a coordinated offensive. Their synchrony was breathtaking. Fiona struck high with rapid jabs, Saldrich sweeping low with pinpoint kicks. Their rhythm was flawless, their timing merciless.

Aldrich was forced onto the defensive, his movements growing desperate as he evaded hit after hit. Every motion from the pair felt rehearsed, choreographed through months of practice and natural understanding.

He raised his right guard just in time to block Fiona's spinning kick, one that would've cracked his neck if it had landed clean.

'She's not pulling any punches.'

No softness, no mercy. The fact they once shared feelings didn't even register in her current assault.

And Saldrich if anything was even more ruthless. She read Fiona's openings instinctively, delivering a punishing left hook aimed at Aldrich's ribs. He barely ducked in time, the fist grazing past his shoulder.

After a few glancing hits that still left their sting, Aldrich propelled himself backwards in a desperate retreat. But the duo pursued relentlessly.

"Wind Art: Wind Wave Palm!" he cried out.

A powerful gust exploded from his palm, spiralling outward in a controlled shockwave. The sheer force of the blast compelled Fiona and Saldrich to break formation and leap away to avoid being caught in the turbulent radius.

'Finally… breathing room.'

But he knew better than to relax. That wasn't enough to turn the tide. He needed more.

"Malakaih! Now!"

From his waiting position, the familiar responded. The ground before the blue-silver tiger shimmered as an enormous glowing inscription unfurled, stretching across the terrain like a woven seal of power.

Saldrich's eyes narrowed. She recognized the glyphs immediately.

"Fiona!" she called, urgency sharpening her tone.

"I see it!" Fiona responded, summoning Tulip with a burst of mana. The fox darted forward, leaping to her master's side.

"You're quick," Aldrich muttered. "But not quick enough."

He expected Saldrich to decipher the move, it was the same Art she would've used if their roles were reversed. That was part of his plan.

As Saldrich and Fiona regrouped with their familiars, playing the defensive hand, Aldrich took the opening to fall back toward Malakaih.

The girls remained cautious, unwilling to engage head-on while the large inscription pulsed with unknown energy.

They were right to be careful. Whatever Aldrich was planning, it wasn't simple.

"But this is only the first step," he whispered.

He turned to his familiar, eyes shining with resolve.

"Ready, Malakaih."

The beast growled low, maintaining the integrity of the sprawling inscription.

Aldrich placed his palm gently against Malakaih's spine. A second, smaller inscription flared to life, this one etched precisely to fit within his open hand.

"Familiar Synchro!" Aldrich declared.

Gasps echoed across the battlefield.

"Familiar Synchro?! Has he lost his mind?!" Saldrich's heart seized with panic.

No one in their right mind initiated Synchro without proper harmonization, especially not mid-battle. The risk was monumental. One misalignment and the feedback could shred Aldrich's mana channels or worse.

Without hesitation, Saldrich surged forward, abandoning all strategic thought as she sprinted only with thoughts of saving her brother from doing something extremely stupid.

The thought that they were currently on opposing sides never registered to her. She saw Aldrich about to cause himself harm and to her? That was enough to throw in the towel. As long as he remains safe!