Talking: Nice to meet you.

Whispering: That's wild.

Thinking: (What the hell is happening?)

---------------------------------------------------------

{3rd Person POV}

*BANG! BANG! BANG!*

*WHOOSH–SLASH!!*

*POW! BLAM–CRACK!*

The sound of fighting echoed through The Cretan Hollow. The swarm of Etherials just seemed to be endless! Kiba flicked his wrist and slammed an Elpeca's head into a railing, denting the metal.

Anby ran up to a pair of monsters but instead of simply slashing she pivoted to the side and jumped! She planted her feet on the wall and pushed off of it! In the air, the white-haired girl spun around while holding her sword with a reverse grip and sliced the pair of monsters in half!

The black-and-white-haired boy was about to continue wrestling another ethereal but stopped dead in his tracks when he felt two bullets barely whizzing past his head! He snarled and scratched the back of his ear, turning to look at the only guy who had guns!

Kiba: Oi! You almost hit me, jackass!

Billy: Look behind you!

The boy glanced over his shoulder to see a disintegrating Ethereal. It was about to attack him but the gunslinger robot had shot it down. Kiba grumbled under his breath.

Kiba: Ngh, whatever...Just watch where you're shooting!

Billy: Hey! I didn't hear a thank you!

Kiba: Tch, fine!

He dashed towards the cyborg who became startled! His eyes widened and he put up his arms to protect himself!

Billy: Wait wait wait wait wait wait wait!!!

He closed his eyes in anticipation, ready to get kicked, punched, slammed into the ground, or something. he had seen his fighting ability firsthand after all! Kiba jumped into the air and reeled back his leg!–

*BLAM*

But the pain never came. He looked behind him to see that the boy had landed a spinning kick to an Alpeca behind him. The monster got laid out on the hard concrete floor. The boy looked up at Billy with his usual grumpy look.

Kiba: There, that's my thanks.

Billy seemed to chuckle and smile. Again, Kiba didn't really know because he didn't have a goddamn mouth. Alas, the taller man spun one of his revolvers around his finger and pointed the barrel at the Ethereal on the floor.

Billy: Sorry, it's nothing personal. We're regular people, and you're monsters...We're destined to be enemies.

The shorter boy tilted his head quizzically.

Kiba: What the hell are you saying?

Billy, trying to be cool, ignored him and continued his sick execution speech.

Billy: I'll aim for the weak spot, it won't hurt.

He pulled the trigger...

*Click*

Nothing happened. The tall cyborg looked at the gun's cylinder while giving his back to the Ethereal.

Billy: Hm? Uh-oh, forgot to reload!

Kiba: 💢ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!💢

The boy bristled also carelessly turned his back to the recovering Etherial. He stood on his tip toes to try to appear bigger, all to chastise the cyborg better. He didn't have time for it though as the Etherial pounced on them with a screeching roar!

Billy: Okay buddy, wait a sec! Time out!

*⚡️WHOOSH-ZAP⚡️*

A blue streak of crackling lightning suddenly dashed past them in a flash and, after a second, the Ethereal fell to the ground sliced in two. Anby stood a few meters away, small sparks surrounding her sword.

Anby: ...Stay Focused.

She looked back at the two males over her shoulder.

Kiba: H-Hey! T-That wasn't even my fault!

Billy: Ahaha, whoopsy-daisy!

The tall cyborg rubbed his head and sat up but...he saw something in the distance. Within the dusty darkness of a train station stood an ominous figure. It looked like a man with strange spikes sticking out of his back. Billy squinted his eyes and a bead of...Sweat? Oil? Dripped down his forehead.

Billy: Huh– Wait, who's that over there?

The trio approached to see the man killing multiple etherials. His strained groans echoed through the station as the black rocks around his body continued to painfully spread throughout his body. They all looked confused and Kiba was even a little horrified, that is until Anby noticed something!

Anby: The Strongbox is right at his feet!

Billy: Ahhh! You're right! Awesome. Saves us the hassle of searching for it.

Kiba: The what?

The white-haired girl tightened her grip around her blade's handle and began to step forward. Before she could, her arm was grabbed by the heterochromatic boy.

Kiba: Hey slow down. What's your plan?

She felt a small, almost untraceable shiver run down her spine when he grabbed her. She looked back at him with her usual cold gaze but a light rosy tint on her cheeks one could easily pass off as being heated from the fighting earlier.

Anby: Catch him, then recover the strongbox.

Billy: Just wait...

The three looked at the man. His arms and face were almost completely taken over by the stones. His bones were broken and snapped back together by black minerals. The blood that fell from him mixed with a strange neon-green liquid. The man heard them. He looked back at them, foaming from the mouth, eyes bloodshot.

"I... Ughhh— Destroy... Ughhhh!"

Kiba's eyes widened in shock!

"🐕No way...is that...Miguel?🐕"



Billy: Yep, looks like Ether corruption. This mutation is so intense, I don't think this guy has any Ether aptitude at all.

The black-and-white-haired boy took a step back. He had never witnessed Ether corruption before. His breath became shaky after witnessing the horrific mutations on The Red Fang Gang's leader's body. he flinched when he felt a large hand on his shoulder. He looked up to the gunslinger cyborg.

Billy: Take it easy dude. I was freaked out too when I saw my first live corruption.

Miguel: ...Ughhh— Destroy... Can't... take... Ughhh!

Anby: His consciousness is still holding on!

Billy: It's too late, Ether Crystals are forming all over his body, he's already—

Miguel: ...Ughhh—Help... Destroy... Ughhh!

The black ball that took up half of his face began to swirl and expand, almost as if it was completely consuming his humanity inside out!

Billy: It's the black thing!

Kiba: Dammit! He's almost completely mutated!

His skin was replaced with black stone, blood replaced with liquid Ether, and his soul consumed. No longer human.

*☢️Fwom–BOOOOOOOOOSH☢️*

A gigantic neon green burst of energy ruptured through the air from Miguel's once-human body.

Wind picked up around the train station and the trio had to brace themselves to not be blown away from the shockwave, covering their eyes from the scattered debris!

After a few seconds...they finally opened their eyes.

https://youtu.be/q6Qc09XRQSA

【☢️Ethereal: Dullahan☢️】



Billy: This guy's a tough one! Get ready guys!

Anby and Kiba nodded. The girl dashed to the left while the boy ran to the right, attempting a pincer tactic on the massive knight! At the same time, Billy stayed back with his trusty guns! Dullahan's broad figure towered over the three of them as it stood there, menacingly.

*BANG! BANG! BANG!*

Billy peppered the monster knight with a barrage of bullets! They did nothing but bounce off when Dullahan raised his giant shield! Anby took advantage of the distraction and slashed but his massive blade blocked her attack! It was literally bigger than her whole body!

Suddenly, the black and white-haired boy jumped on its back, wrapping his arms around Dullahan's neck, and tried to choke out the monster!

Kiba: Even when dead you're a pain in the ass aren't you?!

Dullahan suddenly flailed violently with an ear-piercing screech! Kiba was forced to let go of the giant monster. Suddenly, Dullahan whipped around and struck the boy mid-air with his shield!

He spat out as the wind was knocked out of him! He was sent flying back into a wall, feeling a few of his ribs cracking due to the impact.

Anby: Kiba!

Billy: You alright buddy?!

Kiba could only couch in response. He watched Anby try and slash at Dullahan, but none of her strikes seemed to do any damage or its shield! The same thing happened with Billy's bullets!

Kiba: (Shit!...How are we supposed to hit him if his guard is perfect!?)

He could only watch as Billy spun his revolvers around his fingers and shouted with an excited and cocky tone!

"[🤖FATAL SHOT!!🤖]"

The bullets whizzed through the air! With pinpoint accuracy, they managed to hit Dullahan's sword, shield, and chest with enough accuracy to make it step back!

Anby saw this as her chance, but was a moment too slow as the Ethereal's shield blocked her sword and she was kicked away!

Kiba: (I got it! Oh Miguel you're so FUCKED!)

He grinned like a maniac, bearing out his fangs. He flicked his wrist before turning to Billy.

Kiba: Billy! Pull that move again!

Billy: Um, roger! This better be a good plan dude!

He quickly reloaded his guns and charged them with yellow energy that sparkled like the stars.

"[🤖FATAL SHOT!!🤖]"

The second the shots were fired he pushed off the ground as hard as he could! He dashed while signaling Anby to get ready for his signal with a nod of his head. She ran closer as well!

*CRACK! — Crackle Chirp Crackle*

Anby sheathed her sword and pulled the trigger, her blade getting coated by blue arcs of lightning once more!

Dullahan saw her clearly telegraphed attack and was about to take a slash at her with his sword but—!

*PLI-PLI-PLINK!*

The three bullets fired by Billy hit his sword, giving it no chance to retaliate with the massive blade! It then attempted to defend with its stalwart shield!

Unfortunately, it didn't account for The Mad Dog sliding between his legs, grabbing his shield arm, and holding it down for just enough time! Kiba and Billy shouted at the same time!

"🐕🤖NOW, ANBY!🤖🐕"

"[🔋Rolling—!🔋]"

She slashed upwards, her momentum carrying her into a backflip! Electricity trailing behind her blade!

"[🔋THUNDER!!!🔋]"

*⚡️CRAACKA—BOOM!⚡️*

The massive cut made to Dullahan's torso was accompanied by the booming echoes of a thunderclap! The towering mutant was sent stumbling back from the hit.

Billy: Oh yeah, we got him, baby! Woohoo!

Anby: Don't celebrate so early, it's not over.

The black and white-haired boy's grin dropped into a scowl when he saw Dullahan recover quickly, getting into a battle-ready stance again.

Kiba: Seriously?! We had to do all that just to wound it once?!

Billy: Is his Ether activity still increasing?

Anby: Keep up the attack?

Billy: Nah! We don't have the firepower to fight for long!

The boy with dual-colored hair bristled at this statement. He wanted to keep fighting. He wanted to get rid of this threat once and for all. But deep down, he knew they were too weak.

The cyborg aimed both his guns to the sides. Bullets were fired at the fire extinguishers scattered on the ground, giving them the perfect smokescreen.

Billy: Let's bounce!

The two teens nodded before running away behind the taller android. Dullahan thrust his blade into the smoke before slashing wildly, dissipating the cloud.

The Ethereal looked around...but they were nowhere to be seen. The knight looked down at his feet and saw the metal box Billy and Anby were looking for...

~Meanwhile, in downtown New Eridu. At a video store on the corner of Bofurin's Sixth Street, over in Janus Quarter~

A pair of siblings. An older boy with silver hair and a younger girl with blue hair could be seen intently watching TV together. The same news broadcast from before continued to provide live updates after the explosion at the highrise.

"📰...We're returning now to the scene on Fourteenth Street, where an explosion occurred on one of the upper floors of a residential building shortly after the appearance of a Companion Hollow.📰"

"📰The bomb squad is on the way. Please stay away from Fourteenth Street! We'll continue—📰"

*SLAM*



The door of the dimly lit room suddenly slammed open! Belle and Wise turned to the door to see a woman with long pink hair. She was panting and sweating, looking incredibly distressed. It was clear she had sprinted all the way over to Random play.

Nicole: Hey, listen up! *Pant* I was there when that explosion took place.

She dashed over to the TV before turning down the volume so the constant stream of media slop wouldn't interrupt her.

Nicole: This is an emergency! Billy, Anby, and the target of my commission have fallen into that Hollow! I need a Proxy's help! Now!

The two could only smile and laugh nervously at her sudden entrance.

Wise: Hello Nicole... It'd be nice of you to knock next time.

Belle: I feel like I hear of your urgent needs at least three times a month, Nicole...

A bead of sweat formed on the pink-haired girl's brown in response to their quips.

Nicole: You can make fun of me all you want after you help me deal with this crisis. Please, legendary Proxy Phaethon!

The two siblings couldn't help but smirk. They looked back at the desperate woman with a confident glint in their eyes.

"🎥📼What trouble did you get yourself into this time?📼🎥"

【🎥Wise🎥 & 📼Belle📼】 [̶-̶?̶?̶?̶?̶?̶?̶?̶?̶-̶]̶ [Phaethon]



{TO BE CONTINUED...}