Chapter 32: Act I End - It's Just a See You Later

  They all headed toward where the ships were stationed. The wind howled through Tokyo's broken skyline as they flew, neon lights still flickering in defiance of the city's decay, casting pink and blue shadows across the abandoned streets below. The contrast between the vibrant artificial glow and the desolate ruins created an almost dreamlike atmosphere—a ghost of humanity's final days.

  Zhon threw cluster bombs at the pursuing androids, forcing them to scatter. Ravine executed a barrel roll to dodge a volley of rockets. The missiles struck a nearby broken skyscraper, and the structure began to collapse toward them. They moved aside while Ravine flew straight through a gap in the falling building, emerging on the other side as it crashed with a thunderous impact. Smoke enveloped the area, mixing with the perpetual haze that hung over the city.

  "What is your plan after we leave?" Ravine called to Irene, looking back at her captain. "You can't just stay here. We need you up there with us."

  Irene glanced at the pursuing androids and sighed. "We can't let them be either. If they're like us, this means they can evolve and absorb creatures' abilities. If it gets to that point, I don't know if we'll be able to get rid of them, which is why—"

  Ravine suddenly embraced her mid-flight. "I guess you have your mind set." She looked at Irene with a serious expression. "But you'd better join us up there."

  Irene nodded with a smile. "Of course. It's been an honor serving with you so far."

  Ravine nodded back and dodged another attack before diving, using her Razor Arms to tear apart another android. "We're almost there!"

  She looked up at Zhon, who was using the other two mechs in a coordinated assault on the high-jumping androids, blasting them clean from the sky. "Can you clear a path?"

  Zhon nodded and descended, dropping mini-missiles on the ground. Irene chained the attack by slashing the air with her greatsword, sending flashes of electricity toward the stunned androids. She created small electricity bubbles around the area and teleported between them, slashing through androids and clearing a path.

  "GO!" she shouted toward Ravine and Roan.

  They flew to the landing site and started running toward the first ship on their left. The world blurred around them as they sprinted. Zhon, along with the other two mechs, dashed and slammed any enemies that tried to intercept them. Irene cut in half an android attempting to explode near Roan, sending them flying forward.

  They were caught by Zhon, who threw them toward the ship. The vessel began shooting at them. Roan placed himself in front of Ravine and blocked the blasts with his armour. Zhon shot down the ship's defensive turrets as they approached the entrance.

  A massive android suddenly kicked them back, sending them flying.

  "What the hell is that?" Ravine gasped.

  "Doesn't matter—we need to pass him no matter what," Roan replied.

  "Let me take care of it," Zhon said, clashing with the android. The android's eyes turned blood red, and from its mouth shot an oppressive red laser, slicing the mech in half. With great reflexes, Zhon ejected and jumped to another mech.

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  He turned to them. "Go! We got this. Trust me."

  Ravine's eyes showed concern. She hesitated for a few seconds before entering the ship.

  Once inside, they found themselves in an empty vessel filled with blinking buttons and holographic displays. The interior was sterile, utilitarian—designed for function rather than comfort.

  Roan went to the main console. "Okay, okay, now how do we start this thing?"

  Mother Phoenix partially materialized. "The coordinates are still set to Earth. You need to switch them using the blue keyboard over there."

  Roan groaned and started typing. "Is it this one? The one with the big green pin?"

  Mother Phoenix nodded. "That would be correct. Once in space, the rest should be easy."

  "Now, how do we launch?" Ravine asked.

  "You first need to pull that green switch, then sit in that seat right there." Mother Phoenix pointed at a large red command chair.

  Ravine sat, and holographic handles appeared beside her. Her eyes widened. "Woah."

  "Put your hands on them. This will start the ship."

  As she gripped the controls, a loud whirring filled the cabin as the engines roared to life.

  Outside, Irene continued her onslaught. The massive android shot her, and she was immediately caught by a swarm of smaller androids who beat her mercilessly. One stabbed her in the stomach, making her gasp. She clutched her wound, managed to gain some distance, then electrified her attackers before slamming her sword into the ground, attracting them to it like a lightning rod. She clawed through them with her beast form.

  As she caught up to the large android, it shot multiple laser beams at her. She dodged, leaped into the air, and severed its left leg. It screeched, and mechanical tentacles erupted from its body, attacking her. She stepped back and looked at Zhon—his last mech was about to explode.

  She closed her eyes, then dashed to him and pulled him out of the mech.

  "Hey, what are you doing?" he said, panicked. "We're not done here yet! The others haven't left yet!"

  "You mean you haven't left yet."

  "I-I don't get it, ma'am. I—"

  Before he could finish, Irene accelerated, holding him tight, and threw him through the ship's entrance. "They will need you more than they need me. Go get our girl Aria back."

  She winked, then sealed the entrance shut.

  As the ship began to lift off, Roan looked back. "Zhon? What are you doing here? You and Cap were supposed to—"

  "Why is she so stupid?" Zhon interrupted. "We had it together! There was no reason to do that!"

  "What is going on? What happened?" Ravine demanded.

  "She trapped herself with them alone and forced me to come." Zhon continuously tried to open the door, but it didn't budge. Through the window, he saw Irene continuing to fight with only one functioning arm, in full beast form, slashing through enemies while taking devastating damage.

  As she clawed another enemy, she thought, You three must be questioning why I did such a foolish thing and went against protocol. The truth is, even I am not sure. I guess stripping Zhon of being able to possibly see Aria didn't sit right with me.

  She looked at the ship. It is clear that I will not make it out of here alive, but I made myself a promise that not one of you would perish beyond what happened to Aria.

  She took a blow to the torso.

  CRITICAL FAILURE. CRITICAL FAILURE.

  She smiled as the ship finally took off. Today I perish with the others who have come before us, but I entrust you with our will to finish things once and for all. May Mother Phoenix be with you, my soldiers.

  She managed to raise her remaining arm in a salute toward the ascending ship just as she was decapitated. Her head hit the ground with a hollow thud among the ruins of Tokyo.

  As they climbed higher and higher, Zhon cried in frustration, banging on the ship's entrance. Ravine stayed silent, unshed tears glistening in her glowing eyes. Roan paced back and forth, stressed and helpless.

  Mother Phoenix looked at Earth as it grew smaller beneath them—a blue and green marble marred by humanity's scars, now receding into the infinite darkness. "I am truly sorry for your loss. If you can find comfort in it, I assure you that I will make sure she will be avenged while I help you."

  Ravine's voice was cold, steady, and deadly. "We will kill this bastard. Now, how long do we have before we can make it happen?"