Soren and Jaun exchanged bewildered glances after her surprising revelation. As he leaned in closer, a wave of embarrassment washed over her, prompting her to look away and touch her cheeks. Soren, sensing the moment, encouraged her to share what he had heard. Jaun cleared her throat and explained that the company was behind several groundbreaking research projects, claiming it was at least fifty years ahead of its time. "The CORE was the driving force behind many of the inventions we have today, and they were also responsible for the initial design that brought Eldorin to life." Soren listened closely as she continued, revealing that after the fracture, the people who had contributed to its success had disagreements over a secret experiment they conducted, one that could ultimately save humanity. "Experimentation?" Soren asked, intrigued. Jaun nodded, saying, "Yes, although the files were classified, my father, the CEO of the company, decided to halt it until his passing." Soren's expression turned somber upon hearing this. "I'm sorry…" he said softly. Jaun shrugged it off, assuring him that it had been years and she had moved on.
Soren then shifted the conversation to his late mother. "Dr. Sally Crowe was an incredible mentor and teacher, she taught me so much and even helped me develop my abilities." A warm feeling filled Soren's heart as he recalled those cherished moments. Jaun then pulled out a fairy-tale book she had received as a birthday present when she was five, saying, "This has been my treasure ever since." Soren's eyes lit up as he recognized the book, sharing that he had a copy left at Eldorin. Surprised, Jaun asked, "You're from the sky fortress?" Soren nodded, and when she inquired about his mother, he gently shook his head. Jaun felt a pang of sadness, but Soren reassured her that even in her absence, she had left a lasting impact on their hearts. They both agreed to hold onto their memories and became the closest of friends from that moment on.
At hid bed Soren have difficulties sleeping, thinking of the conversation he had with Jaun, while Jaun in her suit with dimply lit light looking at the book.
The following day, the captain gathered everyone to kick off the next phase of their missions. He informed the crew that they had finally tracked down the Ecrea responsible for all the chaos. He pointed out that the underground tunnel was a network they had mapped over the past few days using the company's cutting-edge technology. Handing over the map, he indicated the exact location of the nest and emphasized that the next big step was eradication. "The other teams will stay behind to conduct reconnaissance and rescue any survivors, while the capable ones will move forward with the mission to confront the Ecrean Queen. That's all," he concluded.
The guild members lined up neatly, heading toward a nearby forest where a hole awaited them. Meanwhile, their crewmates were busy setting up communication systems for real-time updates during the mission, with each guild leader receiving one. As they entered the hold, they were greeted by a vast network, and a few floating orbs scanning the area. Soren was captivated by this invention, which also caught Jaun's eye.
As they ventured deeper, some monsters began to appear but were quickly dispatched. "Relax, this is just a breeze," Fira Lucia said half-heartedly, resting her arms behind her neck. However, Zereth didn't respond this time, which annoyed her enough to kick him on the shin. Lilia turned to confront her, but Zereth simply shook his head and quickened his pace. "What a loser," she muttered under her breath. Soren touched the walls of the tunnel, and Vixra'al noted that the soil was unusual, containing mineral deposits, and mentioned that the Ecrea had been digging it up with raw power.
As the tunnel grew narrower, their forces began to spread thin. Zereth checked the map and informed everyone that they were approaching a checkpoint a tunnel intersection that led into a confusing maze. He pointed them in the right direction, but then they felt a presence closing in from all sides. "An attack!" Soren shouted, and everyone braced themselves. To their surprise, the insectoids pursuing them were different, larger, stronger versions capable of coordinated attacks. They spread out, ambushed from left to right, above and below. Mustering their courage, they prepared to fight tooth and nail. Lilia was providing support while also attacking, though it was wearing her down. Unbeknownst to her, a jaw was about to snap at her from the tunnel wall. Soren noticed just in time, rushing to her side and pushing her to safety. The Ecream worm clamped down on his arm, dragging him upward as Lilia tried to help, but her wisp missed. "Soren!" she cried out. Jaun saw this and pushed an Ecrea away, breaking their formation. Zereth shouted to her, "He'll survive, don't worry! We just have to hold on, and we'll find him." His voice was filled with conviction. Reluctantly, Jaun returned to her position, tears in her eyes as she punched at the monsters.
Soren fought his way through the narrow tunnel punching the Ecrean worm repeatedly but its hard exoskeleton and momentum didn't allow him to make serious damage, as he gets dragged deeper into the narrow path, he took out his dagger but even this did not make much effect, he then turned to his base form and finally able to break free, crushing the worm's head with ease as green blood splashed everywhere pulling its body inside the tunning, Soren found himself stuck in a huge network, he expand his senses and realized he's completely lost and that his location was not mapped, he struggled to find his way out but the worst part of it, red eyes lurks in the darkness, "this is bad!" he muttered.
Back with the group, Zereth and the others were finally catching their breath after taking down the last Ecrea. He planted his lance against the tunnel wall, and Fira Lucia couldn't help but tease him, "What's the matter? Getting a bit senile?" Zereth, however, was not in the mood for her jabs. He simply ordered everyone to keep moving and find Soren as quickly as possible. He strode off, leaving Fira Lucia feeling frustrated. She was itching for a fight, but Thrun placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. With a huff, she shrugged him off, trying her best to hold back her temper. As they pressed on, the battles seemed to tilt more and more against them. The deeper they went, the smarter and more organized their enemies became, and they were facing overwhelming numbers. Other guilds were starting to feel the strain, with some even falling to defeat. With each step forward, new challenges emerged, and the brave few who managed to survive stumbled upon a vast, empty chamber where the Ecrean queen lay in wait, flanked by her soldiers, all poised for war.
Fira Lucia was ready to charge into battle, but Zereth, keeping his cool, urged everyone to take a breather first. He suggested they replenish their energy before the final showdown, asking the supply team to hand out rations. He instructed those who could still fight to check their wounds, while the seriously injured would stay behind to be looked after by the medical staff. Feeling overlooked, Fira Lucia grabbed his collar, demanding to know what was wrong with him. He shrugged her off without a word. "Hey, talk to me!" she insisted, as her teammates tried to calm her down, reminding her that Zereth's decision was the right one. She shot them an angry glare, declaring she would take their rations. Meanwhile, Lilia, still worried about Soren, found some comfort in Jaun's presence.
Soren was struggling to find his way back to the fray, but the longer he stayed hidden, the stronger he became, collecting various cores from the brood's different variants. He also discovered he could send out sonar signals and intercept them, which helped him map the entire network and find the easiest escape route.
After a long search, he finally made a significant discovery, a massive hollow opening that led down into a chamber. With a leap of faith, he jumped in. Once inside, he was engulfed in complete darkness, so he pulled out a glowing crystal from his pocket and crushed it, releasing a burst of light falling gently like feathers that illuminated his surroundings. What he saw next left him in shock, a woman wrapped in a membrane, being pulled toward the ceiling like a mass of flesh holding her captive, and beneath her feet lay a pristine pool of blood.
Soren instinctively drew his weapon, ready to free her from her bondage, but as he stepped closer, Vixra'al warned him, "She's also… a vessel." This revelation stunned Soren, who braced himself for a fight. The woman extended her arm toward him just as the ground began to shake. The group above felt it too, the Velkrys rose and mobilized her army, screeching as they charged toward their nearest prey. "Everyone, prepare for battle!" shouted Zereth, rallying the troops as they leapt into the fray, charging against the horde of monsters before them.
The toll of the battle is clear as the losses mount for both sides, blood staining the ground where warriors refuse to back down. Zereth, leading the charge, glances at the queen and decides to push forward, shoving the Ecrea aside, convinced this is the only way to end the fight. Beside him, Fira Lucia, in her demi-beast form, sprints ahead, kicking and clawing her way toward the queen. She challenges Zereth, who isn't in the mood for a contest and focuses on his attack instead. Gritting her teeth, Fira Lucia accelerates, closing the gap to the queen. Suddenly, her instincts kick in as she looks up at the massive enemy looming over them. Just as Zereth catches up, he lunges at the queen's front legs with his Regalis Overdrive, but it barely makes a mark. "So tough!" he mutters as the queen swats him away, sending him sprawling to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth. Fira Lucia glances back, seeing him hurt, and panic grips her, leaving her frozen in place as the Ecrea's legs tower over her. Thankfully, Thrun is there to yank her out of harm's way. "Boss!" he shouts, while other members of Velvet rush to shield her. "Are you okay, boss?" they ask, concern etched on their faces. It's the first time they've seen her like this, trembling and scared, realizing she has her own vulnerable side.
Despite the pain, Zereth managed to stand up, swaying slightly as he gathered every bit of strength he had left. Lilia, who was busy healing him, pleaded with him to take a break while the members of Ashen Steel watched on. Swallowing his pride, Zereth finally sat down, accepting their sincere offer to rest. Even during his brief pause, he kept an eye on the queen, searching for any weaknesses, while Fira Lucia was still trying to regain her composure. Suddenly, the queen made her move, stepping forward and shaking the ground beneath her. Her massive form, with strong limbs and a tough exoskeleton, resembled a living fortress, shrugging off every attack. She opened her mandibles and unleashed a spray of acid, decimating many, including her own brood. The warriors instinctively backed away as she prepared for another assault. Zereth thought it was time to fight, but Lilia insisted he needed more time.
Just then, Jaun tapped him on the shoulder and stepped up to the challenge. Activating her Belligerent Factor the Deus Ex Machina, she transformed her suit into its most advanced form, pushing its durability to the max. Two blazing chainsaws extended from her suit's arm, launching toward the queen and slicing through her face with terrifying speed. The queen staggered back, reeling from the brutal blow as several of her eyes were slashed.
Zereth was taken by surprised as Jaun landed on the ground victorious, the crowd erupted in cheers, inspired they also attacked with renewed determination, just then the queen stood up again and to everyone's horror, it manages to heal her face completely and rapidly, "this can't be!" Jaun muttered as she dodged an attack, in-flight launched barrage of missile towards it but the wounds just boiled and healed almost instantly, running out of ammos Jaun proceed to fight melee but it was her biggest mistake as the monster grabbed her suit by its legs and sprayed acid to her directly melting her suits outer part as system blares in giving her multiple damage reports inside the cockpit is red, as the queen threw her away in the distance smashing towards the rocky walls, Zereth looked out to her but her cockpit turned dark losing control and she also fainted.
Lilia nodded, signaling to Zereth, who stood up and raised his lance high into the air, energy erupted and tears through the ceiling as he was enveloped in a brilliant white energy. With a fierce shout, he declared, "Belligerent Factor… Bellerophon!" Instantly, his body was encased in shimmering crystal armor, a striking blue cape unfurling from his back as he mounted a majestic crystal horse, charging into battle with incredible force. As the queen attempted to strike him, his shield intercepted her attack, leaving her wide-open. Seizing the moment, Zereth unleashed his skill, Sky Piercer, delivering a devastating blow that created a massive hole in her chest, causing her to collapse to the ground. But Zereth didn't relent, he urged other guild to attack. Sorcerers began chanting, unleashing a powerful barrage upon it.
Fira Lucia, watching from behind Zereth, was flooded with memories of her childhood when he always stood up for her against bullies at the facility. She used to look up to him, but as she entered a rebellious phase, the idea of him as a hero became nauseating, and she felt compelled to surpass him instead. Now, witnessing her comrades charge into battle while she felt humiliated was a blow to her pride. Closing her eyes, she felt her aura surge, and she took on a fierce stance, activating her Belligerent Factor as she shouted, "Ifrit!" Flames enveloped her, igniting her joints, eyes, and tail, transforming her into a vibrant, fiery figure. With a primal roar, she leaped into action, leaving a trail of fire, slicing off the monster's legs one by one. Zereth glanced at her and smiled, softly muttering, "Welcome back…"
Fira Lucia caught her breath as she regrouped with Zereth, who flashed her a smile and praised her for a job well done. She stole a quick glance at him, her cheeks flushing as she tried to hide her face. Thrun and the others, witnessing her actions, cheered from behind, but she shot them a glare that quickly silenced them. Soon after, Zereth and Fira Lucia set their sights on a shared goal. "Let's finish this!" Zereth declared.
Just then, the Ecrea's body began to convulse, and its limbs burst forth from its chest. "Is it molting?" one of the guild members wondered aloud. Suddenly, the Ecrea shed its skin, revealing a newly molted form with an even more pronounced exoskeleton and menacing protrusions. Its eyes glinted with malice as it devoured the last of the unhatched eggs, leaving everyone frozen in horror. The creature then scaled the ceiling of the hollow chamber, raining down sticky webs upon them. "Watch out!" Zereth shouted, raising his shield, but the thick webbing ensnared him and the others, making them easy prey as the Ecrea descended with ominous intent.
As Soren fought to keep pace, his opponent, the lady standing on a pool of blood, summoned blood weapons that shot at him in rapid succession, turning the battlefield into a chaotic mess. Even in his base form, Soren found it tough to keep up. He fired a bullet from his holster, but she effortlessly conjured a weapon to block it. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the swords exploded on impact, leaving behind shards that floated in the air, resembling deadly projectiles rather than mere liquid. Realizing the danger, Soren aimed his weapon again, but this time, the sword manifested right at the barrel, slicing it cleanly. He jumped back, gasping for breath. Vixra'al warned him that he was nearing his limit and needed to finish this quickly. Soren considered severing the flesh connecting her above and drew his last gun blade to shoot at it, but to his shock, she didn't block the attack. Instead, the flesh absorbed the impact effortlessly and reformed. "What?" he exclaimed, caught off guard as a flurry of swords surrounded him, burying him beneath a storm of steel and blood.
With swords hanging ominously above him and wounds covering his body, Soren's eyes began to redden as the darkness in his heart surged with rage once again.