Chapter:57: The Monarch's Wrath**
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The battlefield was a maelstrom of destruction, the air thick with the oppressive energy of two titanic forces clashing. Huey's colossal wooden dragon roared, its massive form writhing with glowing red veins of Shen energy. Its eyes burned with an ancient, malevolent light as it surged toward Bartoni, its wooden scales grinding against each other with a low, guttural **CRRRRRRRRRRRR…**
Bartoni leaped into the air, his movements fluid and precise, distancing himself from the approaching dragon. The dragon's roar erupted, a shockwave of raw energy blasting outward.
**FWOOOOOOOOOM!**
The shockwave tore through the air, but Bartoni had already landed on the ground, his feet glowing with a reddish hue as Shen energy augmented his stance. He planted his feet firmly, his ten toes digging into the earth as he tanked the roar head-on. The ground beneath him cracked, but he stood unwavering, his expression calm but determined.
Then, he moved.
**WHOOSH!**
Bartoni blurred out of sight, his hands now glowing with the same reddish Shen energy. He reappeared in the air beside the dragon's massive eye, his movements so fast they seemed to defy time itself. Huey, standing atop the dragon's head, spotted him immediately, but it was too late.
Bartoni stretched his hands outward, a condensed ball of Shen energy forming between his palms. The energy was small, no larger than a marble, but its power was immense. "Domination Strike," he muttered, his voice steady.
**BOOOOOOOOOOM!**
The energy exploded, a blinding flash of light engulfing the dragon and Huey. The force of the blast tore through the wooden scales, shattering the dragon's form and sending debris flying in all directions. Huey's body was caught in the explosion, his form disintegrating into dust.
Bartoni landed heavily on the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He stared at the settling dust, his eyes narrowing. "It's not over," he muttered.
From the debris, a faint sound echoed—**CLACK… CLACK… CLACK…**—the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Huey emerged from the dust, his body unscathed, the glowing cross symbol on his forehead pulsing faintly.
"I never knew, Sensei," Huey said, his voice calm but laced with amusement. "You've mastered the three phases of Shen. Impressive. But I'm surprised you use Domination differently—compressing the energy and blasting it instead of overwhelming wills with it. Clever. Although, I must say, you're still weak with it."
Huey stepped fully out of the dust, his expression darkening. "Come forth, My Other… Huey the First."
The air around him seemed to freeze, the pressure intensifying as a godlike power erupted from his body. **KABOOOOOOOOOM!** A massive shockwave blasted outward, the force of it shattering the ground and sending debris flying.
When the dust settled, Huey the First stood tall, his presence overwhelming. Every part of his body bore a glowing cross symbol—his legs, his arms, his chest, even his face. His eyes burned with a cold, ruthless light, a stark contrast to the playful demeanor of Huey the Second and his pupils where cross like.
Bartoni regained his stance, his expression grim. "So, you've finally decided to bring out the real warrior. Huey the First… a monarch of his own league I shall take you serious now."
Bartoni slammed his hands into the ground, his voice echoing through the battlefield. "Arise, Gram Fafnir!"
The ground trembled as a massive dragon emerged, its scales shimmering with an emerald hue. Its wings stretched wide, their surface gleaming like polished jade. Its eyes burned with a fierce, intelligent light, and its claws dug into the earth as it let out a deafening roar.
**ROOOOOOOOOOAR!**
Huey the First chuckled, his voice low and menacing. "Bartoni, you defy my existence by summoning a pretty dragon in front of me. How quaint."
Fafnir opened its maw, a torrent of black flames erupting from its throat. **FWOOOOOOOOOSH!** The flames surged toward Huey the First, their heat intense enough to melt stone.
But Huey the First didn't flinch. A giant cross symbol appeared in front of him, its surface glowing with an otherworldly light. The black flames collided with the cross, but instead of burning through, they were absorbed completely.
**SHHHHHHHHHHH…**
Huey the First slid beside the cross, his movements smooth and deliberate. His eyes locked onto Bartoni, a cold smirk on his lips. "Where am I? Find me!!!" he taunted, his voice echoing eerily.
Bartoni's eyes scanned the battlefield, but Huey the First was already in front of Fafnir. He raised a single finger, a tiny cross symbol forming at its tip.
**FWOOM!**
The cross shot forward, a beam of godlike power tearing through Fafnir's body. The dragon roared in agony, its form disintegrating as the beam ripped through it. **CRAAAAAAASH!** Fafnir's massive body collapsed, its scales scattering like leaves in the wind.
Bartoni screamed, his voice filled with anguish. "Fafnir!"
Huey the First tilted his head, his expression cold and unfeeling. "The reason you're going to die, Bartoni, is because you care too much."
He raised his right hand, a long red rod materializing in his grip. "Creation Order: Devouring Rod."
**SHHHHHHHHHHH…**
The rod shot forward, its power capable of distorting reality and bypassing time itself. **BOOOOOOM!** It struck the ground, the space around it collapsing into nothingness. Bartoni barely dodged, landing beside the remains of the bleeding Fafnir.
The dragon's voice echoed weakly in Bartoni's mind. *"You must not get hit by that rod. Transform me… I will assist you."*
Bartoni nodded, his hands glowing with Shen energy. "Transform."
Fafnir's body shimmered, its massive form condensing into a sleek, green-colored sword. Bartoni gripped the hilt, his resolve hardening.
Huey the First chuckled, his eyes closing as he muttered, "Shen Domination."
**ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…**
Sparks of black lightning erupted from his body, an overwhelming aura filling the area. The pressure was so immense, forcing Bartoni to his knees. The walls of the Encampment Order: 66 shattered, bringing them back to reality in Bartoni's office.
The aura spread across Seoul, its oppressive force felt by everyone in the city. Mujin froze, his eyes widening. Thomas clenched his fists, his expression grim. Even those without Shen felt the weight of Huey's power.
Castle and Roshi exchanged glances, their voices low but resolute. "It's time," they said in unison.
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