79 – The bigger fox always comes out on top

The air grew unnaturally cold, every breath turning into icy mist. The ground beneath us shimmered with a thin layer of frost, expanding outward in a rapid wave. The mimic, once a formidable opponent, started to slow down, its movements becoming sluggish as the temperature plummeted.

"Absolute Zero," I whispered, feeling the immense power of the nether flames surge through me. The azure light of Yuki's blade intensified, the icy flames roaring to life and casting an eerie, otherworldly glow across the throne room.

Suddenly, my body began to transform. From my back, a pair of majestic ice dragon wings sprouted, their crystalline structure glinting. My hands and feet morphed into deadly claws and talons, sharp and unyielding. The poison that once threatened my life was now frozen within me, rendering it harmless for the next three minutes.

Shadow's confident smirk faltered as he watched the mimic struggle against the encroaching cold.

"What... what is this power?" he stammered, taking a step back. The poison in my veins was a distant memory, replaced by a chilling resolve.

"You thought you could defeat me with my own reflection," I growled, my voice echoing with the power of the nether flames. "If that thing can do anything I can, the answer is simple. I have to exceed myself and force it into submission beyond my 100%."

With a swift, decisive motion, I lunged at the mimic, my wings propelling me forward with incredible speed. Although the mimic tried to copy my power, any ice power she tried gathering instantly crumbled. As expected, it can't copy such a rapid growth. The mimic barely had time to react before I slashed at it with my claws, the icy talons cutting through its rubbery surface. The mimic retaliated, its purple flames clashing with my azure ones, but I was relentless.

Blow after blow, I pummeled the mimic with ferocious strength, my attacks growing faster and more powerful. The mimic's ability to absorb impact was formidable, but I pushed beyond its limits. My wings whipped around, striking with the force of a hurricane, while my claws and blade tore through its defenses.

Shadow watched in horror as his creation was systematically dismantled. "No... this can't be happening!" he shouted, his voice tinged with panic. "Mimic, fight back! Use everything you've got!"

The mimic tried to mount a counterattack, mirroring my movements with eerie precision. It swung its katana with deadly accuracy, aiming for my vital points.

“Pathetic. Such dull swordsmanship can't reach me. Let's wrap this up. Nakajima style Rondo Stance: Everflowing Crescent Moon.”

I parried and dodged, our blades clashing in a symphony of steel and ice. Each time our swords met, sparks of azure and purple flames lit up the throne room, casting wild shadows on the walls.

As our duel raged on, I could feel the strain on my body. The poison, though frozen, was still a ticking time bomb within me. I had to finish this quickly. I unleashed a flurry of strikes, pushing the mimic back. My wings beat furiously, creating gusts of icy wind that swept through the room, adding to the already frigid atmosphere.

The mimic staggered, its movements becoming less coordinated. It was evident that the freezing cold was affecting it, slowing it down. Seizing the opportunity, I launched myself into the air, wings spreading wide, and dived down with all my might. My claws raked across its chest, leaving deep, freezing gashes.

The mimic fell to one knee, struggling to maintain its form. Shadow's expression twisted with rage and fear. "No... this isn't possible. You... you're a monster!" he spat, backing away.

"Look who's talking," I retorted, my breath coming in heavy puffs of frosty air. "You've toyed with powers you don't understand. Now, face the consequences."

Before I could deliver the final blow, Shadow raised his hands, summoning dark tendrils of energy. They lashed out at me, but I was ready. With a sweep of my wings, I created a barrier of ice, deflecting his attack. The tendrils shattered against the frozen shield, falling harmlessly to the ground.

Desperation was clear in his eyes. Shadow conjured another spell, but it was too late.

“Did you really think I would ignore you?”

With the mimic on its knees, I changed my attack towards Shadow. I was already upon him. With a powerful swing of Yuki, I sent a wave of icy flames towards him. Shadow barely managed to dodge, the flames scorching the edge of his cloak. He stumbled, fear now fully etched on his face.

"This isn't over!" he shouted, retreating further. "You may have won this battle, but the war is far from over! Simone! Quickly, we need to escape!!"

“Roger, master! The situation isn't in our favor.” (Simone)

With those final words, Shadow turned and fled, his form dissolving into the darkness. Needless to say, the same happened with that pipsqueak. The room fell silent once more, the echoes of our battle slowly fading away.

I turned my attention back to the mimic. It was struggling to rise, but its movements were weak and sluggish. I could see the resolve fading from its eyes. Summoning the last of my strength, I delivered a final, decisive blow. My claws pierced through its core, and with a shuddering gasp, the mimic crumbled into a pile of frozen debris.

Breathing heavily, I stood over the remains of my opponent. The transformation was taking its toll. My wings and claws began to recede, the icy armor melting away. The three-minute timer on my Absolute Zero form had run out, and the exhaustion hit me like a tidal wave.

I staggered, my vision blurring. The poison, no longer frozen, began to course through my veins again. I could feel my body growing weaker with each passing second.

*Cough*

I vomited blood once more.

"Darling!" I heard Yuki's voice, faint but concerned. My girls, freed from the poison mist, rushed to my side. Their worried faces swam in and out of focus.

"You... you did it, Shishou," Sasha said, her voice filled with awe. "You beat them."

"Yeah... but it wasn't easy. It took quite a toll to chase them away." I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm... so tired..."

Sasha, Stella, and Gamma gathered around me, their expressions a mix of relief and worry. They supported me as I sank to the ground, the strength finally leaving my limbs.

"Shishou!! This is bad sis!!”

“Calculating! Potentially this could be the illness that was foretold to strike onee-chan.”

“Then quickly!! Yuki, where's that antidote?”

“Calm down. We can are not losing Edelweiss no matter what!”

As the darkness closed in, I allowed myself a small, weary smile. We had won, but the battle was far from over. There would be more challenges ahead, more enemies to face. But for now… the pain was too much and my consciousness was fading.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was the comforting sight of my companions, standing guard over me, ready to face whatever came next.