The core ring of the Light Kingdom resembled the outer ring, without the strange gravitational distortions found in the inner ring.

Michael’s hair whipped to the side, the hot air creasing against his eyes.

The fox beneath him traveled in eerie silence. Unlike the real deal, her motorcycle form didn’t bear an engine in reality, allowing her to move unnoticed.

Riding from one highway to the next, Michael slowly came to the realization that reuniting with the others might not be feasible.

Even if they had managed to defeat their mimics and be transported deeper, the chances of encountering each other in such vast terrain were close to null.

"No choice but to use the Titan in the middle as a beacon." He spoke out loud. "In cases like this, where comrades are separated from one another, they tend to base their next course of action on the environment. Since the other Lords would move deeper into MSAP-8’s territory, we shall as well."

Glancing downward, he observed the bike he rode. Honestly, he wasn’t sure if the fox was capable of comprehending his language.

Since he had let her take a peek inside his mind to assume her current form, he was led to believe that she had gained at least a partial understanding of the human tongue.

The fox neither objected nor agreed with his words. If she understood him, she found his plan acceptable. The more they were, the better their odds of survival.

Slowly, the tension thickened. The core ring proved hauntingly still, with no trace of life or illusions in sight.

At long last, an explosion rang out from the side, drawing Michael’s attention.

"Better check it out." He exclaimed, gently guiding the handlebars to the side and steering their course.

"Prepare for battle." Michael warned his soul weapons.

Squeezing through the narrow gaps of alleys he normally would have avoided, he raced toward the sound of the disturbance.

Coming out into the open, he witnessed a colossal illusion with a centipede-like body. Six legs spread outward like a spider’s, each ending in palms for better grip.

Longer than a hundred meters, yet suspiciously thin, it bore two sets of translucent wings and a tail with several golden circles around it.

Its head had morphed into a human skull-like shape, with two colossal tusks protruding outward. The creature emitted a disturbing light akin to the other illusions.

Soaring high, the entity flew just like the fox could, without even using the wings on its back. Bending with unnatural flexibility, it dodged a meteor shower of icy pillars.

As for the enemies it fought, the sister Lords, Eliza and Elina, resisted the advance of the enemy with everything they had.

Clearly outmatched, their once mesmerizing presence as members of the Golden Vanguard was utterly gone. Now they panted heavily with pale faces, their limbs trembling from sheer exhaustion.

With gravity restricting their movements, they were incapable of rising into the skies like the centipede-like creature could.

Positioned on the uneven roof of a building they barely held onto, they had been reduced to mere sitting ducks and nothing more.

"Forgive me, sister. I think this is as far as we go." Eliza whispered, her usual icy demeanor shattered. "I will try to hold the creature off. Use the moment to get away."

Elina bit her lower lip.

"Never!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. "A life paid for with the sacrifice of a sibling is not one worth living!"

"You stubborn girl!" Eliza barked back. "That’s the least I owe you... It’s not like I ever took the role of a sister seriously, always keeping you at arm’s length. At least let me do one thing right and atone!"

Elina smiled faintly.

"That’s just... how you are with everybody. I can’t hold it against you since I’ve long gotten used to it by now. We are staying together until the end!"

Before either of the sisters could utter another word, their eyes locked onto the distance, witnessing a trail of fire approaching them.

"Is that Michael?!" Elina’s eyes regained newfound hope. "Here! We are here!"

Logically speaking, Michael was one stage below them. It was unreasonable to expect him to be able to help. Regardless, Elina had enough faith to believe that he could at least find a solution to their problem.

"Wait... is he... riding a motorcycle?" Eliza said, baffled.

Meanwhile, Michael observed the colossal illusion with a frown.

The creature was shorter than the serpent that had guarded the gates to the inner ring yet emitted an overwhelmingly more powerful aura.

"Can we kill it?" He asked with uncertainty.

For the first time, the fox responded by letting out a low rumbling sound.

"No chance?" Michael sighed. "Fine, pursuit is it..."

He squeezed the handlebars firmly and raised the front tire of the motorcycle.

Accelerating caused the illusion to spot him. Shifting priorities, it turned toward him.

Disappearing from sight, the creature teleported right above him, its two front legs reaching out eagerly to grab him.

However, the fox proved faster and more wicked. The trail of fire left behind by her tires suddenly surged upward and crashed against the illusion’s colossal body.

It wasn’t enough to cause real harm but proved sufficient in slowing it down.

ROAAAAR!

Letting out a deafening cry, the illusion responded in kind. Creating small portals of purplish hue, it unleashed a rain of meteors all headed toward Michael.

Before the projectiles could hit their target, the front tire of the motorcycle reached the building.

Thanks to its speed, there wasn’t a problem scaling the structure in a flash.

"Hold on!" Michael ordered in a tone that left no room for disagreement. Reaching out with both hands, he took Eliza by the waist and Elina by the hand.

One advantage of mounting the fox was her ability to move on her own without the need for his constant input.

Instantly, Eliza sat behind him, her body pressing tightly against his. She also ensured Elina was on board, positioned at the very end.

"Floor it!" Elina called out, her eyes locked on the approaching enemy with worry.

No need to be told twice, Michael signaled the fox to go at full speed.

Vrooom!

Letting out a shrieking noise, the motorcycle fractured the roof they were located on and dashed away.

"This is as fast as we can go." Michael said, his eyes fixed on the front. "What about the illusion? Are we losing it?"

"No." Eliza answered, her eyes darkening as she glared backward. "It’s getting closer."