Chapter 161: Thoma and Burst Form

"Burst Mode?"

Looking at ShineGreymon, whose appearance was somewhat different, Craniummon felt a glimmer of curiosity, yet the trace of contempt in its heart remained unvanquished.

"Then let us put it to the test."

Craniummon raised its slender sword high, and a crescent-moon-like energy manifested above its head.

"End Blade... God Breaker!"

"Ha! Corona Blaze Sword!"

Seeing Craniummon prepare its strike, ShineGreymon in Burst Mode instantly merged its burning sword and burning shield into one, condensing an intensely scorching and towering giant blade.

"Boom!"

A wave-like torrent of flames instantly swallowed Craniummon's attack.

"What?!"

Feeling the terrifying energy, Craniummon's expression shifted, and it hurriedly leaped away from the spot.

It had never anticipated that its own assault would be forcefully repelled by the ShineGreymon before it.

"To possess such formidable power... I admit I underestimated you. It seems subduing the likes of you will require some effort."

With that, Craniummon's body morphed, transforming into the swifter leopard form.

However, before it could make a move, a tenacious binding force suddenly wrapped around its waist, instantly tying its four limbs together.

"How...?"

Leopard-form Craniummon looked down, a look of utter incomprehension crossing its features.

A whip, initially translucent red, slowly materialized around its body, and the diamond-shaped blood grooves scraped against its flesh, making every single struggle feel like the agony of flensing.

Following that, alongside the slowly materializing whip, a curvaceous female Digimon appeared behind it, her hands tightly grasping the handle of the crimson whip that bound her captive.

"Indeed, when dealing with formidable adversaries, a sneak attack is entirely acceptable."

BlackLopmon smiled slyly, pulling fiercely on the whip.

"Haah!"

Craniummon finally grew somewhat unsettled. It had never imagined that an invisible Digimon would resort to such a cowardly sneak attack against it. Observing ShineGreymon, who had also noticed its battered state, Craniummon could only endure the excruciating pain at the bindings and struggle unceasingly.

"Mas... Masaru, hurry! While we can still hold it down temporarily!!!"

Witnessing BlackLopmon's hands trembling as she exerted force in the stalemate, Feiling realized that given Craniummon's strength, BlackLopmon could not hold out for long.

The level of any Royal Knight far surpassed that of ordinary Mega Digimon; being able to temporarily restrict Craniummon using an Ultimate form was already a testament to BlackLopmon's extraordinary performance.

Daimon Masaru, watching Craniummon struggling desperately in mid-air, understood that such an opportunity was rare, and immediately commanded ShineGreymon to charge once more.

"Leave it to me! ShineGreymon, finish it in one go!"

"Understood, Big Brother!"

Rushing swiftly before the immobile Craniummon, ShineGreymon instantly threw its arms wide as countless scorching energy gathered at its chest.

"Final Shining Burst!!!"

"Ah!... Despicable humans, resorting to such vile tactics. The Human World... Yggdrasil shall surely bring... retribution..."

Watching Craniummon dissolve into a Digi-Egg amidst the raging flames and plummet, though everyone let out a sigh of relief, it brought little joy.

For they had learned from Craniummon's words that Yggdrasil truly seemed intent on targeting the human world.

...

A short while ago.

"Craniummon!"

Seeing their comrade plunged into peril, LordKnightmon attempted to move to the rescue.

"Where are you looking? Your opponent is me!"

Thoma and the battle-scarred MirageGaogamon persistently blocked LordKnightmon's path.

"Hhm? You can still stand? It seems I was too merciful after all."

LordKnightmon raised the rapier in its hand, looking coldly at MirageGaogamon before it, and said, "There will not be a next time."

"Still, I am curious. Knowing full well you cannot defeat me, what is it that sustains you in continuing this fight until now?"

Thoma looked at LordKnightmon and shook his head. "I do not believe victory is impossible; we simply have yet to find the right catalyst."

"I believe in my comrades, and there are those I wish to protect. Should Yggdrasil seek to destroy the human world, I will step forward to stop it no matter what, for there are friends and family who mean the world to me."

With that, Thoma looked at his scarred partner and asked solemnly, "MirageGaogamon, can you still fight?"

"Yes, Master!"

The instant MirageGaogamon replied, a blue Digisoul surged from Thoma's body toward the heavens, as if under the weight of his unwavering conviction, the Digisoul had finally broken through to a new level.

"This is..."

Gazing at the Digivudice suddenly radiating brilliant light in his palm, Thoma began to understand. Guided by the steadfast conviction of sacrifice and protection, the Digisoul could unleash astonishing power.

"Let's go, MirageGaogamon... Charge!"

Thoma placed his hand over the Digivice and roared, "Digisoul Burst Mode!"

A white light resembling a full moon instantly enveloped MirageGaogamon, coalescing into a weapon featuring dual heads: a hammer and a crescent blade.

White, horse-like manes immediately sprouted from the back of its head, giving MirageGaogamon's Burst Mode a wilder, more untamed aspect.

"Just as Feiling predicted, I succeeded."

Seeing MirageGaogamon's brand-new form, Thoma felt a surge of intense emotion.

"..."

"Thoma, we've come to help!"

At that moment, Daimon Masaru and the others, having resolved the situation with Craniummon, immediately rushed over to reinforce Thoma.

"This is the fight between MirageGaogamon and me—please, do not interfere!"

Yet, Thoma stopped his companions' aid, fixing his gaze upon LordKnightmon as if confronting an adversary of paramount importance.

"Your carelessness will cost you your life."

LordKnightmon showed no fear of the enemies surrounding it, brandishing its golden ribbon-sword as it charged directly at MirageGaogamon.

*Clang!*

The ribbon-sword in LordKnightmon's grasp was instantly shattered into pieces by the weapon of MirageGaogamon in Burst Mode.

"Wh—What?"

LordKnightmon was somewhat in disbelief.

Yet, lingering in shock for only a moment, it attacked MirageGaogamon once more. The loss of a weapon mattered little; LordKnightmon possessed absolute confidence in its own speed.

"Symphonic Flurry!"

LordKnightmon vanished into the blur of extreme velocity.

However, MirageGaogamon vanished alongside it at the exact same moment.

*Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang...*

Amidst the two fleeting afterimages that flashed intermittently came the sound of weapon impacts as rapid as a torrential downpour.

*Bang!*

With a final dull thud, LordKnightmon was violently knocked down to the ground.

"Th—What is this power?"

Clutching its agonizing wounds, LordKnightmon finally awoke to the reality that the opponent it had previously dismissed was now quietly overwhelming its own strength.

"Full Moon Meteor Impact!"

Without answering LordKnightmon's inquiry, MirageGaogamon seized the opportunity of its momentary daze and struck it with full force.

"Ah!"

LordKnightmon's pink armor shattered piece by piece, crumbling into fragments like fragile porcelain dropped upon the floor.

"..."

"Thoma, well done!"

Daimon Masaru cheered enthusiastically for Thoma, who had attained this brand-new power.

He failed to notice the crestfallen expression on Miki's face nearby.

"Even Thoma..."

Gazing at MirageGaogamon's Burst Mode, the sense of desolation within Miki's heart grew only deeper.

"..." *(To be continued)*