The Pillar of Enera

[Book II Chapter 82] HOPE: Recuperating Astrolis

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Seven mobile armors hovered over the Blue Abyss. Hope observed the gathering from Gunhell’s cockpit, scrunched up at the feet of Dorothy Lace.

“Zen, this is where we leave you. Sorry I couldn’t finish Doom Haunt’s weapon systems in time.” Argon Blaster declared.

“Understood, I’ll remain here with the fuel packs for the return trip.” Zen Requis responded. Attached to a chain, a crate floated weightlessly at her mech’s side.

Taking the lead, Argon’s War Machine turned to face them. “They’ve likely sensed us coming by now. Once we leave Doom Haunt’s foresight scrambling, they’ll know for sure. Don’t think this will be a walk in the park just because there won’t be any immortals. We’re assaulting a major city of an old power. It will be nothing like the petty skirmishes so far.”

“I usually never say this, but, for this operation, target equipment over personnel and try to minimize the loss of life. Especially avoid civilian casualties.”

Hope remembered this from the briefing. The Grey King had judged there wouldn’t be any reprisals for Astrolis’s theft. To the Empire, the mobile armor had no military value and had been abandoned as tourist attraction on one of Palos’s seaside square. The emperor might even be glad to be rid of the reminder of Jenna’s murder. However, any destruction they caused in securing their prize was another story.

“I am speaking to you Leon. Keep Nihilister’s fire under control this time, or I swear, when the Samuel Lithorn comes asking for tribute, I’ll give him your head.”

“Roger that,” Leon acknowledged.

“That’s all. We move out.”

They skimmed the water’s surface in a tight formation. At the speed they were moving, there was little risk of anything catching up, but Hope still watched the waves nervously. After a few minutes, land came into view.

“Jettison your fuel packs.” Argon instructed. “And remember your roles.”

Hope wriggled around for a better view, adrenaline pumping through her veins. This was an attack by six immortal entities, one of them paragon level. She wanted to witness every second.

Dorothy zoomed in, and she saw a fleet of warships stationed above the city. Underneath was a mass of indistinguishable black dots which were undoubtedly flying summons. In the middle of the swarm was a creature so large its serpentine body could be made out. Fins in the shape of wings held it aloft. Palos’s guardian beast, sea dragon Tiamat. From land and sky, blazing meteors shot towards them.

“Deploying Aegis” Argon stated. A transparent disk with pedal patterns emerged from War Machine’s back and expanded in from of them. The first volley smashed harmlessly into this shield, as did the second. However, the third came at them slower in a wide arc.

“You’re on your own.” Argon warned. After they’d scattered to avoid the projectiles, Gunhell readied its two main riffles and snipped the army summons. Mortal Fusion opened fire too, and a huge blast of energy zipped by them. It struck the force field protecting the Palos fleet in a blinding explosion, yet there was no damage.

More and more of Gunhell’s barrels came into action as they approached. While Dorothy targeted and dispatched dozens of foes at a time, a spiral of fire accelerated pass them towards the giant sea dragon over the city.

“You’re my partner today Tiamat.” Leon cried, releasing bright fireballs. The sea dragon roared, retaliating with pressurized water lasers.

Hope had better view now that they were closer. Palos’s defensive wards had been charged to the point where the defensive dome could be seen. From within, smaller military crafts and ground installations sent out an unending barrage of offensive magic. Hope watched Blade Ruin dive towards the dome, turn shadowy, and slip right through. Hurry up and take out those cannons!

Hope’s stomach was growing queasy as Gunhell twisted and rolled to evade. Above, the fleet was intensely bombarding them from inside the safety of the forcefield generated by their shielders. On top of that, there were the summons. Resorting to suicidal tactics, they obstructed their path while desperately attempting to ram into them. Many were strapped with explosives so they could self-detonate.

War Machine let loose a flurry of miniature missiles, and hundreds of fiery blasts cleared the skies, giving them room to maneuver. “Dominique it’s your turn to shine.” Argon called out.

Hope searched and located Green Envy descending from up high, a cyclone forming around him. This twister collided the fleet, the intense wind penetrating the protective barrier and pushing the airships apart.

“Opening a path.” Ulrich announced, aiming Mortal Fusion’s full power at a stress point between to shielders. For a second, a hole opened up and War Machine slid through.

Argon Blast dismantled the opposing forces. The immortal had incorporated his metal bending into his design, and War Machine’s exterior shape-shifted rapidly as it rotated through its arsenal. Dozens of weapons were utilized in succession: bullets, lasers, plasma swords, energy whip… What Hope found most impressive were the caster guns which fired off enchanted bolts that disabled unshielded airships instantly. Soon most of the fleet drifted lifelessly.

“How’s the progress on the dome?” Argos asked.

“Halfway done.” Ulrich answered, unloading his cannons.

“Then let me help.” Argon dropped cluster bombs, blanketing the city’s barrier in bursts of crackling static. Those must be specialized in weakening wards. It took barely a minute to break through.

“Three mechanized paladins incoming from the Northwest.” Dominique reported. “By their speed, they’re newer models. ETA two minutes.”

“Damn.” Argon sighed. “I would’ve love to test out the White Mountain’s fabled mobile armors in different circumstances. Dorothy, drop off your passenger and go intercept them with Horace. I’ll handle things here.”

“Dumping passenger.” Dorothy confirmed. Oh, great… The cockpit door opened, and Hope was jettison from Gunhell. Plummeting, she spotted a red and orange knight in the square directly below. Wow… This is really happening.

Envy Green followed her down, and, once she’d landed, it spread its arms conjuring up a tornado around them. The fierce winds isolated them from the battles raging around Palos.

Hope turned to Astrolis. It knelt on a thick slab, its hands gripping handles in the metal. This is my original’s, Jenna Crystal’s, masterpiece.

War Machine appeared and Argos jumped out. “Let’s be quick about this.” The severing collar fell from her neck, clinking on the ground.

“You have ten minutes to get Astrolis into operation.” Argos informed her, dropping a bag at her feet. “After that, we return to the original plan, and Mortal Fusion fires a full power blast where you stand.” With that, he left.

Hope grabbed the bag. It resembled a lugger pack except it had six times the space and felt weightless. I’m definitely keeping this. Inside was a huge amount of bright crystals. She dumped them on the slab and watched them dissolve. She could sense their power traveling into Astrolis through its arms. Good, its charging.

She climbed up and approached the mobile armor. How will this work? She reached out tentatively, only to yelp when the chest opened to reveal a cockpit.

“I hadn’t even touch it yet…” She murmured.

Not wasting time, she hopped inside. While her training had taught her to fly, she had to adapt this knowledge to whatever control scheme Jenna had implemented. There were two orbs with hand shaped indentations at the end of her armrests. She seized them.

<> Came a voice in your head. <>

“What… What are you?” She stammered.

<>

“You’re name is Secret?” Hope repeated stupidly.

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“Wait, forget about that…” Hope organized her thoughts. “How do you know about me?”

<>

“Does that mean you saw what happened the night the pillar was destroyed?”

<> Secret replied. <>

Hope sat wondering. “Where did you get the power to stay active all these years?”

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