The Extra Wants Control

It was in this moment of exhausted respite that a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall and imposing, the figure exuded an aura of power that eclipsed even that of the combatants. His voice, when it finally came, was deep and resonant, carrying a sense of authority that silenced the battlefield.

"Is that it?" the figure asked, their tone laced with disappointment.

Axl looking up and still guarded, made an annoyed response. "Who are you?"

The figure smiled, a chilling expression that sent shivers down the spines of those who witnessed it. "I am your surprise... or at least one of them," he replied.

Axl, despite his injuries, felt a surge of anger. "An enemy, then," he growled, his voice filled with defiance.

The figure nodded, their eyes glinting with amusement. "Precisely," he said.

"But I suggest you save your strength. You'll need it."

With a gesture, the figure unleashed a wave of power, binding Axl's forces in place because they moved to attack him.

The young dragon prince was enraged.

"I'll only fight you at your best, kid," the figure said, his voice carrying a hint of condescension as he appeared right before Axl.

With a touch, they placed a hand on Axl's shoulder, a gesture that was both a challenge and a taunt.

Axl, humiliated and infuriated, growled in defiance trying to threaten the man.

***************

The global audience watched in stunned silence as the events unfolded on their screens. The sudden appearance of the mysterious figure had sent shockwaves through the world.

"Hey, who is that guy?" one viewer exclaimed, their voice filled with disbelief.

"I think he's the leader of the mercenaries that entered the sub-dimension," someone replied, their tone laced with uncertainty.

"I know that, genius, but who is he? Have you ever heard of someone that strong? Cause he shouldn't be an unknown." another voice demanded.

The identity of the mysterious figure became a topic of heated debate. Theories were floated, ranging from a secret Babel agent to an ancient being awakened from slumber. But one thing was certain: this was no ordinary individual.

"Speaking of strong," someone said, breaking the silence, "how strong is he? Can an upper seven-star even do that?"

The question hung in the air, a challenge to the limits of human comprehension. The figure's casual display of power had defied all expectations, pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible.

"Well, the Blessed have been doing crazy stuff since the beginning," someone offered, attempting to provide a perspective.

"And monsters like Zehn and Draven have shown us what raw power looks like. Maybe this guy is just another one of those freaks."

The global audience was a hive of activity, a collective consciousness buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The appearance of the mysterious figure had ignited a firestorm of speculation and debate.

"But why is he so arrogant, saying he will only fight Axl at his best?" one viewer asked, their voice filled with disbelief.

"It's probably a rage bait," another suggested, trying to explain the enigmatic behavior of the newcomer.

The desire for action was palpable. "I just wish they would stop yapping and fight already," someone exclaimed, expressing the sentiment of millions.

The conversation turned to the potential outcome of the conflict. "Who do you think is the favorite to win?" one viewer asked, sparking a new wave of discussion.

"Didn't you see the odds? It's either Lara or Azrael," someone replied, citing the prevailing opinion.

"Axl is not far behind, though."

The allure of gambling proved irresistible to some. "I don't gamble," one person said, their voice filled with caution. "My cousin lost his entire life savings once."

But others were more daring. "Well, I just used my entire net worth," someone boasted, their voice carrying a hint of bravado. "If I win, I get generational wealth."

" ... What if you lose?"

" I can always become a Babel streamer." He replied.

The risks were high, but the potential rewards were even higher.

" Oi can you shut up, I want to hear what the 'statement' was about." A muscular dude with popcorn shouted at them.

The battle for supremacy was about to reach its climax, and the world was watching.

But even as they tried to rationalize what they had seen, a sense of awe and fear remained. The figure's appearance had shattered the illusion of reality, revealing the true nature of the sub-dimension - a place where anything was possible, and where the unexpected was the only constant.

The world watched, captivated by the unfolding drama, eager to see what would happen next. The mysterious figure had arrived, and with their appearance, the stakes had just been raised to unimaginable heights.

***************"

The standoff between Axl and the mysterious figure continued, a silent battle of wills. The figure, with a casual indifference, pressed down on Axl's shoulder, exerting a subtle but undeniable pressure.

"Where was I?" the figure mused, breaking the silence.

"Hmm... Right, the 'statement'. Do you know what that means?"

Axl, was still looking at the figure's grip, growling in annoyance. He was being toyed with, and he didn't like it.

The figure continued, ignoring Axl's anger. "Draven, before he died, made a statement. He showed the world that a blessed, atleast at the current level isn't wholly invincible, that they can be defeated. Look at the state you're in now. It's not pretty."

Axl's fury grew. The implication was clear: the figure was suggesting that the Blessed were overrated, that their power was not absolute.

"But there could be other statements," the figure continued, their voice dripping with condescension as well as sarcasm. "... Like dragons aren't any better than hybrids or lesser dragons. Or that he is just as worthy of the throne as you are... I couldn't be sure though, I don't know how dragon politics are so these are mostly my assumptions.

So unless the blessed have something better than just being chosen by the Goddesses and are all hiding something else, they aren't special, well atleast for now." Said the man and with each sentence he was pissing off the Dragons as well as Axl and this was exactly what he wanted.

The words were like daggers, piercing Axl's pride. The figure was playing a dangerous game, but it was working.

"Enough!" Axl roared, his voice a thunderclap, literally, he shot lightning out of his mouth,. He struggled against the figure's grip, his muscles straining. But the figure held firm, their grip unwavering.

With a final effort, Axl broke free, his body surging with power. He lunged at the figure, his fist a blur of motion. But the figure was faster, disappearing in a blink of an eye.

************

Axl stood at the heart of the battlefield, a figure of imposing stature. The recent encounter had been a shock to the system, a stark reminder that the sub-dimension was a place of constant surprises.

"Aqua," he called out, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "Send out scouts. We need to know where these 'surprises' are coming from."

Aqua, a loyal companion, nodded. "Already done, sir," she replied, her voice calm amidst the chaos.

Axl took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. "Get the injured treated," he ordered.

"We need everyone at their peak for what's to come. This is the climax, the final act. We must be at our 'BEST'."

As he spoke, a faint blue glow enveloped his body. A mysterious power was beginning to mend his wounds. As dark clouds gathered and lightning rumbled.

In another area of the sub-dimension, Neveah stood amidst a holographic display of the battlefield.

**************

"He's angry," Neveah mused, referring to Axl as he saw the dark clouds... "Now where should I head to?"

As if in response to his thoughts, a report arrived. Lara and Astrid were engaged in a fierce battle on the plains, their forces clashing with brutal intensity. Kim and Azrael were about to clash. And the mercenaries, those shadowy figures, had infiltrated multiple bases waiting for further orders.

A sudden realization dawned on Neveah. The stage was set for a final confrontation. "All according to plan," they said, their voice carrying a sense of satisfaction.

" I should probably 'reveal' myself as an 8 star cause I am not going to hold anything back! And I don't want people getting suspicious..." He thought.

With a gesture, a series of red stars appeared above Neveah's head, a visual representation of his power. The revelation was shocking, a testament to their hidden strength. The world had underestimated him as an upper 7 star, a mistake they would soon regret.

" I should say this forgery skills come in handy. I really hope they buy it." He thought.

Meanwhile, Seraphina watched the events unfold with growing concern and frustration. The appearance of the mysterious figure had caught her off guard. She had sent her own agents to infiltrate Babel, but they had vanished without a trace.

" So this is Babel, I wonder what else they are hiding..." She said as she broke the armrest of her chair before quickly meding it.