850  The Final Battle IV

    Meanwhile, on one of the smallest planets filled with greenery in the universe, Nine and Asher slowly stepped out of a spatial crack, their auras concealed.

    Asher narrowed his maroon-gray eyes.

    "Are you sure this is the place?"

    He was clad in armor over his clothes.

    The golden scales adorning his exposed skin itched at just how pristine the planet before him was. It stood in stark contrast to the rest of the universe, which was filled with dark energy, bloodshed, and shadows.

    Nine grimaced at the sight as well.

    "So, that bastard likes places like this? Clean and pure. He doesn''t fit in. Not at all."

    He glanced at the familiar dark phoenix flying behind him, observing him and Asher with a bored yet curious gaze, anticipating what was to come. Nine muttered. @@@@

    "Darkbird, are you sure he is here?"

    The phoenix''s eyebrow twitched at the name. It was the title Bia had given him at the Sacred Divine Land after he formed a bond with Nine. So, they could ensure he would never betray them and could also contact their spy whenever necessary.

    He sneered inwardly. He wasn''t a bird; he was a full-fledged huge phoenix! However, he kept his thoughts to himself.

    "I am certain. I saw him here last time. He was here when he commanded me to steal the remaining fragment of the fruit of fate. This is also where he nearly killed me when I failed to do what he ordered. So, how could I possibly forget this place?"

    He groaned in the end, remembering how his body was tossed around like a rag when Ceano beat him up. The man only stopped when he was half-dead and unconscious.

    Sensing his emotions through the bond, Nine felt a twinge of sympathy. However, in reality, he didn''t truly care. Even though this dark phoenix had joined their side, he was not innocent and had killed many. He also wielded dark energy. Who knows what he might do in the future, given his nature? They would tolerate him as long as he was useful and didn''t cause trouble. But if he did, that would be his last day alive.

    ''This freak creature! Is he even someone from the mer race anymore? At this rate, he alone is enough to wipe us all out!''

    Asher had already vanished from the spot when he felt like throwing up. Nine and the phoenix followed behind him, only to find the half-dragon seated beside a tree. He stared at them with a pale expression.

    "I am traumatized by that bastard. Now, even if I had the ability, I wouldn''t want to form another body for myself."

    He stood up with a groan.

    "What''s next?"

    Nine turned toward the spot where Ceano was seated. If possible, he wanted to fight him and eliminate him, but he knew that if he lost, it would jeopardize their plan.

    "We leave and wait for the rest at the designated location that was agreed upon."

    He grabbed Asher''s hand and pressed the symbol Kyle had engraved on Asher''s skin. The symbol glowed before detaching from the half-dragon''s hand and quickly fading into the ground below them.

    Then they both created a rift in space to leave. However, the dark phoenix refused to follow them. He wanted to stay back and watch the battle between Kyle and Ceano.

    Nine frowned at his stubbornness.

    "Know that we won''t come to save you, even if you''re dying. Do whatever you wish."

    He and Asher left through the rift, while the dark phoenix shrank in size to that of a bird.

    Then, he quickly found a good spot where he could observe the impending battle very clearly and concealed himself.

    ''This is going to be fun!''