Standing at the elevator entrance, the debris and corpses on the ground remained uncollected. The gruesome scene could induce nausea, yet for the four special operatives, it was merely a facet of existence...
Returning to the surface loomed, and the trio, fresh from battle, felt weariness, yet the new adversaries nearby instilled uncertainty. If 13's identification of the beasts' weakness offered hope, the silent Yamata epitomized despair.
Pulling up the black collar to cover mouth and nose, 13's expression reverted to its customary frigidity, as if mid-conversation one moment, capable of ending a life the next.
Donning the helmet, adjusting visuals to night combat mode, the serpent lingered quietly in the screen's corner, aiding 13's preparations.
With the massive COOL-FIRE5 secured on his back, preparations concluded.
Yet the trio blocked his path, their helmeted faces inscrutable to 13.
"I know what you're thinking," Overall, their joint combat tenure was brief, but each survival from death's brink fostered profound understanding...
"I won't use SEED carelessly; rest assured." 13's assurance bred worry, for "carelessly" implied potential use.
"We're not concerned about that," 36, ever evasive with emotions, responded, "But reckless SEED use endangers us all. Death I don't fear, but perishing by your hand is regrettable..."
"36's point is valid," 1's voice seemed to smile, "More importantly, the secret art the serpent mentioned, if it counters your SEED launch, your demise serves no purpose."
"Have you forgotten your vow?" 24 hesitated to mention it, "You promised to protect Zheng Xian; firing it would doom her too!"
"She won't..." 13's voice softened, "If necessary, I'll opt for a planar backward launch, evading Mount Wu Tai and you all. Then, you'll survive. Without those 230 km/h monsters in pursuit, escorting her is feasible." 13 had evidently planned everything, foreseeing each outcome.
"Indeed, that's you—always shouldering everything alone. You're so noble it's infuriating!" 36 fumed, clenching his fist.
"If you die, I'll join you," 24 stated without jest.
"Me too..." 1 still smiled.
"Leaving me out would be dull," 36 disliked being shortchanged.
"You..." 13 was speechless.
They were like divinely woven threads; as the narrative unfolded, the ends intertwined inseparably. Once knotted, they only tightened further.
"Yet the end isn't as bleak as imagined. Forgot our other potent weapons?" 1 recalled the overlooked.
"Right, I have the sub-ion cannon!" 36 boasted.
"1 means beyond that," 24 doused 36's enthusiasm, "Always discussing SEED, yet forgetting SEED isn't singular?"
"You're referring to other SEED variants?" 13 had considered, "Nie Yun's unaware of effects; using unknowns in a life-or-death battle, I can't convince myself..."
"Not entirely unknown!" 24 recalled Nie Yun's hint, "Black No. 3, Nie Yun calculated its trait—'penetration'!"
"Still unclear." That was 13's honest thought. "Enough planning; battle's unpredictable. Leave it to fate..."
Approaching the elevator interior, glancing at the minuscule exit above evoked a well-bottom sensation.
Raising his right hand, the suspension system activated. The sturdy metal head with fine Titan silk anchored into the rock above the orifice, ascending rapidly.
Facing this uncooperative comrade, the trio treated their words as suggestions, hoping he'd ponder them. If 13 opted for SEED Zero, they'd delay with their lives for its flaw's five seconds—that unspoken pact, which 13 understood.
Following 13, the three swiftly launched their Titan silk upward.
Traversing the cave, save for beast-ravaged spots, the structure remained intact. The ceiling lacked bat shadows; they'd likely fled with their kin to evade the chaos. Occasional cool droplets fell on 13's armor, like tears gliding across his chest, vanishing before he noticed.
Emerging, massive searchlights turned the cave mouth to day. The beast horde retreated a step, gazing at the foe. 13 smiled genuinely.
"This is the raw truth..." 13 inwardly sighed.
The illusion's mundane life had faded, unlikely to resume writing at the computer, calculating with earnings, or being roused by a puppy alarm. Perhaps never encountering that "writer"-calling aunt again. Strolling? Unconsidered. Arm-in-arm? Impossible.
Facing armed enemies, 13 sighed helplessly. This was the authentic self; dreams end, and battle persists.
"I am me,
I am the fighting me,
I am the me navigating corpses and blood,
I am the me forever denied dream's offerings.
But I know, I am the enemy's nightmare, a true terror."
Now awake, he sighed, drawing the Titan war blade. Awake, so fight on...
His comrades arrived, weapons drawn; for them, this was reality.
"Finally emerged?" In the cockpit, Shuumei eyed distant 13, "It begins!"
Shuumei's voice, amplified through Yamata, echoed in the night, resonant and eager.
"Kill!" The 100,000 soldiers' blood ignited, humanity's primal combat urge unleashed.
The mechanical beasts seemed to echo the battle cry.
Their red glow intensified, charging with steady steps toward the most dreadful enemy. Blades overhead, frames quivering—as if excited...
"Just like that..." Watching 13, Shuumei smiled distantly, that effortless combat stance his pride—invincible, unforgettable, absolute power. The more he wielded his "privilege," ending lives, the clearer his strengths. Yet such a formidable 13 would fall to him, for he was the true deity, power in hand.
"Artillery assault..." Shuumei commanded with a smile.
Rear tanks adjusted aim.
"Boom!" The explosion struck where the four stood, the shockwave destroying beasts and hindering movement.
Only darting through ensured survival.
The blast's fire consumed the forest, massive trees as colossal torches, drawing forest moths. Flaming branches fell like meteors.
"Can't continue!" 13 decided, "Head toward Yamata, leave the forest."
"Now you say leave!" 36 raged over the intercom, whether intentional or not, the high-explosive shells around him proliferated, surrounding trees ablaze; persist minutes more, and he'd roast first.
"At the town, rendezvous!" 1 said.
"Go!" 24's word fell, and the four simultaneously darted toward the town, bypassing beasts—for the next second, allied fire would shatter them.
"Too close!" All tank crew shared the thought; fire couldn't continue, as the four entered the defense perimeter. Compared to the Titan-armored indestructibles, these rectangular "iron blocks" were adorable; even 24's handgun pierced their armor. Crew felt like sitting in cake, 13's group wielding cake knives, themselves awaiting slaughter.
Easily mounting a tank's cannon, COOL-FIRE5 against the driver's spot. Through thermal imaging, the soldier crossed himself.
Divine mercy is release from this hell...
13's finger on the trigger, before granting mercy, the serpent panicked, "Evade now!"
Without thought, he leaped back...
"Boom!" The tank obliterated, the shockwave hurling 13 ten meters, landing in a crouch.
Rising, brushing off debris, he stared at the distant interrupter.
Yamata's cannon smoked, the massive shell casing ejected.
In the cockpit, 13's enlarged head filled half the screen.
"I want to 'play' too..." Shuumei smiled.
The battle raged on...