In the blink of an eye, the arc boots propelled forward at physics-defying speed, faster than the human eye could perceive.
"Yaaaaa!" Lupus screamed, her golden eyes blazing with mana.
Her double-kick struck the titan's head dead-on, sending shrapnel exploding in all directions.
The bunny Wildren landed against a building's wall, the concrete cracking beneath her boots. She inhaled sharply, then sprang off again.
The shockwave rippled outward, shattering nearby glass as she became a blur of motion, reaching terminal speed — boot-first, aimed for the kill.
The enemy Gold's hatch hissed open, revealing Aurum Specter, clad in his knight armour.
"Bring it on!" He bellowed, raising his blade to swat Lupus aside.
She double-stepped mid-air, dodging the attack with effortless agility.
In an instant, she landed atop his green Armatus, silver hair billowing like angel wings as she drove her heel down in a crushing blow.
With inhuman reflexes, Aurum pulled back with his thrusters, the arc boot grazing against the metallic hull.
His eyes widened with exhilaration.
Lupus struck the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and smoke.
Almost instantly, Jack reached his effective combat range, his giant sword swinging down.
Aurum flicked his fingers, bringing his blade up to counter.
Siiiiinnnnng ~ Szzzzzzzt!
The ionised blades clashed, their edges grinding against one another in a shower of sparks.
Suddenly, Aurum spun his suit, using its good leg to generate a devastating sweep with centrifugal force.
Jack raised his cannon arm to guard — but in a flash, Aurum's blade severed it clean off.
"Now!" Jack signalled, boosting his Armatus and ramming it into his enemy. His hands gripped Aurum's hilt, engaged in a tug-of-war with full force.
The wild card remained hidden. Blonde hair fluttering in the wind, Frain leapt for the nearest building. "Yaaaaaa!" She roared, bringing her giant axe down with immense power.
The axe blade cleaved through its backpack, sending thrusters spiralling out of control. Two titans wrestled against one another, chaos in its purest form. Lupus dashed back, regrouping with Frain.
As it turned out, Rhok had been climbing the building. Upon reaching the top level, he shouted, "Die! Damn it!" Rhok boosted into the air, his plasma hand ready to strike.
Bzzzt! He fired just as Aurum's open hatch turned towards his line of fire.
"Ahhhhhh!" Aurum screamed in agony as the plasma hit, shredding his personal armour.
His helmet split in half, revealing his bloodshot eyes. "I'm not done yet!" He snarled, swinging his blade blindly.
Jack dodged to the side and drove his blade into the enemy's hull.
The heat seared through Aurum's chest, blood spilling from his mouth. He gasped his last breath before his body and Armatus went limp.
The wreckage, heavy with mass, crashed to the ground with a loud metallic thud.
Jack turned, his eyes filled with worry as he scanned the area for his friends.
Below, Rhok flicked his wrist in a reassuring gesture, signaling that he was fine. Jack gave a brief nod from within his Armatus before shifting his focus back to the battlefield, searching for Lupus and Frain.
"Here! Jackie!" Lupus yelled, her cheerful face bright as Frain helped her up.
Jack opened his hatch and descended, retracting his helmet into the neckpiece as he rushed towards them.
"Victory hug?" Lupus asked playfully, her smile faltering as she suddenly collapsed.
Jack caught her in time, hand on her lower back, preventing her from hitting the ground. His eyes widened with shock.
"Lupy?! Lupy?! What's wrong?" Jack screamed in panic, shaking her. His face drained of colour as fear gripped his heart.
"Woah? Lupy?" Frain asked, agitated as she was kneeling beside them.
"I'm just tired... um... the evil man batted me like a ball..." Lupus mumbled, eyes closed as she was purring softly.
Jack chuckled softly, "Hehe, of course... of course, you're a furball after all," He whispered, recalling her essence and their interaction at the Hotel Tasmania.
"I want lots of carrot cake after this," She mumbled in her half-asleep state.
"Thank goodness..." Jack's voice faltered as he sobbed, caressing her cheek and the dirty silver strands of her hair.
His blood ran cold as he stared at the crimson staining his trembling fingers.
"Lupus... your head's bleeding," He muttered, his voice shaky and barely above a whisper.
Blood trickled down her ashen face, and Lupus's heartbeat grew slower.
"No... no..." He pleaded, holding her tight and his eyes became glassy.
Frantically, Jack's finger brushed his gauntlet, connecting to the comm. "I need a medic now!" He ordered, his voice laced with urgency.
Almost immediately, the hum of an Arcanite engine filled the air as the DebrisX spacecraft made a smooth landing nearby.
The hatch hissed open, and Novitcius mages from Virgo rushed towards them. Jack was momentarily speechless, a heightened sense of relief washing over him.
"Jack! It's fine..." Frain said gently, cupping his shoulder. Her purple eyes offered silent comfort.
Jack nodded, wiping tears from his eyes. He stepped back with Frain, allowing the mages to perform their healing.
"Good job with the axe, Frain. I owe you one," He said sincerely, his fingers brushing her hair.
She tilted her head, smiling. "This is what friends do!" Her violet eyes hinted at a touch of innocence.
Jack grew fond of her, as though she were his own child. A warm smile tugged at his lips.
"Iasis!" Triss chanted, her spell casting a soothing green light, and a few minutes, Lupus sprang to her feet.
"Awwww! Triss-y!" Lupus cried, pulling the mage into a tight embrace, as though no injury had been occured.
"Wow... she's already up and about," Jack thought, watching Lupus's reinvigorated persona.
"Howdy, cowdy!" David bellowed as he approached, his wide eyes sweeping over the concrete rubble and destruction around them.
He stopped before Jack and Frain. "My good man! You look terrible, but at least you took down a Gold Knight. Hahaha!" He quipped, laughing boisterously, his big belly shaking.
"Ugh... thanks for bringing the medic," Jack replied reluctantly, crossing his arms.
"That's alright, that's alright," David said cheerfully, tapping his temple. "My good man, one can't step out of a fight with an Armatus knight unscathed!" He proclaimed coolly.
"Except me!" Frain chimed in, flexing her bicep. Not even a dent on her armour, except for the ragged grey cloak she wore — it had been torn before the battle.
"Awwww! She's so cute!" David involuntarily reached out to pat her head, but she growled in discontent. Read full story at novel-fire.ɴet
David pulled his hand back, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Maybe not..." He muttered, offering Jack a weak smile.
They threw their heads back, giggling in unison, their laughter easing the tension in the air.