Chapter 265 Ember's Reemergence
"Who are you?"
The Transcendent who released his Aura asked my clone who flew up to face him.
In his hand was a huge warhammer which glowed in the black-colored hue of Dark Energy. His eyes were darting around, wary of any other Transcendent that might come ambushing him.
For sure they were already informed about the last battle against them. One on four and they failed to kill a native Transcendent until her reinforcement came. If that's not disgraceful enough for a higher world, one of them died and one of their pawns was seriously injured.
That's most likely why even after charging through their Mortal Ranks, only one of them dared to come out to face us. They were wary of Fleur and me fighting them and losing more Transcendents.
This one was probably tasked to check the situation and they would act accordingly based on what he would experience.
Since the clone was also affected by Boris' Illusion Eye, it doesn't look like me at all. I had him copy Jayna's disguise of me during the competition arranged by her father. Right. The Legendary Natal Spirit. The iconic flowing red hair, green eyes, and sharp oval face that was confirmed to be the dream guy of most girls from that world.
"Hey. Don't you know me? I'm one of the Zenith Magus of the Human Race. Ember!"
The clone answered and pointed at himself before releasing a similar Transcendent Aura. However, this time, it only has the traces of Fire Elemental Energy to match his current appearance.
Of course, I also have the same look beneath the hood I am wearing. The same for the two clones from the other Arrow Formations.
Err… It's not that I miss disguising as Ember. It's just the first thing that came to my mind, you know?
"Stop lying. There's only one Transcendent among them and that's not you. Who are you? Are you someone from another world?"
"Tsk tsk tsk. Don't assume that just because you're from another world we'll also invite some to help. True. There are the Helpers. Can't you see what I am?"
"Eh? You! You're not even a real person. You're a clone! You're that guy!"
He shouted after observing the clone's body in detail. The warhammer in his hand rattled as he seemingly raged upon the realization.
"Really? Is there a clone as strong as me?"
By purposely gathering the Fire Elemental Energy in his hand, he was trying to show off his Energy Control. When it reached the size of a basketball, he ignited the energy and threw it to the enemy Transcendent like a fireball. There's no need to cast an Elemental Spell. Just by igniting the pure Fire Elemental Energy, it's enough to intimidate this guy.
Using only Energy Control might not have the intricacies and the effects if it was fitted into an Elemental Spell but there's a reason for this act.
When the warhammer Transcendent felt the heat coming from the ignited Fire Elemental Energy, his face turned serious as he stepped back before brandishing his hammer forward. Bluntforce covering it merged with his Dark Energy to create a barrier in front of him.
The fireball caught up and hit the barrier made of Dark Energy. The flame raged and lit it up. At that moment. The clash between a Level 1 and Level 2 Source Energy started.
Though I expected the result, seeing the fire made from the ignition of Energy visibly weakened once it hit his barrier, it's a bit of a letdown. The difference in the quality of Source Energy was shown through it.
However, there's one more difference that could be observed.
The clone, while controlling the ignited Elemental Energy, lifted his left arm and produced another ball of pure Fire Elemental Energy. Once it reached the desired size, he once again threw it forward, merging it to the seemingly undying combusted Fire Elemental Energy which continued to burn through the Dark World Transcendent's barrier.
With the Energy Zone in place, the surrounding Elemental Energy was made abundant and through that the Elemental Energy that the clone could use was inexhaustible.
1 minute.
2 minutes.
3 minutes.
As the flames and the barrier continued their clash, the sturdy Dark Energy barrier started to melt away from the relentless fiery heat brought by the clones' Energy Control.
This time, it's showing the difference between the two through its quantity rather than quality.
Once his barrier was breached and became completely engulfed in flames, the warhammer Transcendent made a quick judgement to retreat and stop maintaining the barrier.
He knew that if he continued, he's Dark Energy would be used up.
Though they have the ability to convert the Elemental Energy to Dark Energy, he couldn't do it while in combat.
"How's that? Do you still think I'm a clone?"
Still maintaining his act, the clone shouted to the now far-away enemy.
With him blocking that, the massacre below continued which already broke the morale of the Mortal Ranks on their side. The Arrow Formations were already stuck deep which separated their ranks to four.
With every cast of Elemental Spells or every slash of a Sword, a Noxian or a Dark World Mortal would fall down. Without proper command or formation, they're fighting by themselves or by groups of 3 or 5. But none of their efforts were bearing fruits.
Also aside from the first Transcendent, no other Transcendent flew out to help them. Through the clone, I could feel the senses of the other four locked on it. They were just observing from wherever they are.
I don't know if they're too wary of us or just really couldn't be bothered with the lives of their troops.
Either way, it's a plus for us that were outnumbered. Not only would they be able to reduce the number of enemies, but a lot of them would also experience a breakthrough during or after this.
"Of course, you idiot! No one will fall from your blatant lie. Don't be smug just because you have a strong clone. This isn't enough to defeat me. Either take your real body out or continue hiding!"
After shouting that, his Dark Energy surged out which instantly blotted the sky, darkening the ground before him. His body bulked up and seemingly grew. From being a normal-sized human, he became a giant with half of his body turned black. The whites of his eyes from that side also turned black and his black iris changed to red. If I could describe what just happened to him, it's like he was demonized.
The dense Dark Energy started exuding out from his blackened half as it somehow solidified and covered him like armor. Only on that side though. And from the intensity of the Aura he's giving off, it wouldn't be wrong to estimate that his Power Level reached more than 200.
Now I want to have a skill similar to a G*iger Counter. So that in the future, I can say, 'His Power Level is over 9000!'
Err… That would be a monster if someone had a Power Level that high. Forget scanning him, I will die with just a flick.
Ugh. I'm going off-topic but seeing that Transformation... The guess about their Source Energy type being the Spirit Type somehow strengthened.
The werewolf guy transformed as well. And this guy transformed into this. Though their Transformation slightly differed from the World of Spirits, it's still a Transformation nonetheless.
The Dark Beastmasters most likely have the ability to merge with their beasts. But why do the Dark Elves didn't have any kind of Transformation?
Wait. I'm looking at this as if they're all originally natives of the Dark World.
Do they have different Mortal Pathways from different Source Energy types? Or do they have different Spirit Mortal Pathways? The latter was more logical but without proper information, it's still the same guess.
Haa… Either way. I guess it's time to cut this act.
"Fleur, it's time."
I whispered to Fleur who was watching the battle happening above with me. Well. I was also controlling that clone otherwise it wouldn't have the ability to talk. That's why while I'm doing that, she's supporting my body as we continued to advance along the Arrow Formation.
"I understand. I'll start casting."
Looking at her closed eyes fully concentrating on building up her strongest Elemental Spell to date, it's my turn to support her. This time, it's my turn to support her as she concentrates to fill up the 13 Elemental Nodes of her Transcendent Elemental Spell with the necessary Elemental Energy.
Within this chaotic battlefield, the absorption of her spell was being masked by the numerous Elemental Spells flying out from the Elementals and Luxians around us.
After making sure that she wouldn't be interrupted, I looked up and used one of the features of Phantasmic Doppelganger.
Interchanging with the Clone!
"Is it really that unbelievable? Then I'm done playing with you. All of you, you should come out as well and see this clone's true strength!"
As my body switched with the clone facing the demonized Transcendent, I responded to what he said before spreading out my Transcendent Aura and located the other four locked onto this position.
With a smirk. I taunted them by casting Manifold Aether Burst to each of them.
As the four spells flew through the sky, it's size gradually grew as more and more Elemental Energy was absorbed and enhanced it. Before the four spells landed at where I aimed at, four different kinds of attacks burst out and cut through the Spell before the four hiding Transcendents flew out of their hiding spot. Some were glaring furiously while some were still proudly lifting their chins.
One thing that's similar about them is that they're most likely hailed from the same tribe. Upon appearing from their hiding spot, all of them were already Transformed into their demonized form.
As much as I wanted to cut their numbers down, they're the same.