The battlefield was in complete chaos.
The land had been engulfed by deformed creatures—now, it burned in a sea of fire. But these flames were not of destruction—they were judgment, meant for those abominations.
The guardians pushed back in unison, yet it was a struggle. No matter how many they killed, more creatures kept pouring in.
Fierce clashes erupted on both sides.
Amidst it all, the King stood motionless, eyes locked on the battlefield.
"It seems things are balanced," he said calmly. "If that's the case, then we need to apply more pressure."
"System—activate Annihilation Protocol."
"Loading orders."
At his command—
Alongside the system's activation—
The guardians triggered the annihilation protocol.
Their eyes glowed crimson as the sound of grinding gears filled the air. From within their cores, magic circles flared to life, pouring energy through their frames.
Steam blasted from their bodies—so hot it seared the creatures on contact. The mist swirled around them, like a forge surrounding burning steel. They weren't just guardians now—they were weapons being reforged mid-battle.
The creatures could only watch as their enemies grew stronger.
Roaring in fury, they turned away, abandoning the guardians to rush toward the kingdoms behind them.
They had no idea… they'd already sealed their fate.
The moment they broke through the smoke, a barrage of cannon fire erupted—tearing them into shredded flesh.
On the ground, storms of blades surged from the smoke. Swords etched with vibrating red energy sliced through the enemy in an unrelenting wave.
The creatures halted, fear in their movements.
Then—from within the smoke—
The guardians charged forward.
They no longer resembled their original forms. Armor had shifted to increase mobility and defense. Magic circles hovered around them, and cannons roared in their hands, firing non-stop.
Thrusters blazed at full capacity, launching them with blinding speed.
They looked like demons from hell itself—dragging any creature in their path back into the abyss.
Or perhaps… this battlefield had become hell for the invaders.
This was the price of provoking the King's wrath.
He remained still, overseeing it all.
Eventually, he spoke:
"What's the status of the guardians' systems?"
"Visual data confirms that the Star Eater's creations are being pushed back."
"Good. Keep pressing. Make them feel pain—make them fear. Don't worry about energy use. Drain it all if necessary. Push them back, no matter the cost."
"Understood. Updating guardian directives."
With the new order, the guardians intensified. Their attacks grew more brutal—relentless and merciless.
But the enemy adapted.
The creatures began fusing—devouring each other to create grotesque giants. Patchwork bodies the size of guardians, forged from flesh and rage, emerged with twisted weapons.
Driven by hunger and fury, they charged.
A massive clash followed.
The giants swung their sharp, massive arms—but the guardians dodged with fluid precision. Their strikes hit nothing but air.
In response, the machines countered. Blades cleaved through flesh. Bullets riddled their bodies until all that remained was mangled meat.
It was swift. Ruthless. Perfectly executed.
The message was clear:
Even if these monsters were mimics of some original force, they were nothing more than instinct-driven beasts—no match for intelligent, adaptive machines.
Yet the King frowned.
"Fast... too fast," he muttered. "At this rate, they'll learn. And if they do… the guardians won't be enough."
He stood in the heart of a battlefield drowned in blood and gore, encircled by his protectors.
It reminded him too much of his first battle with the Star Eater. It had started easy—until it wasn't. He recognized the pattern, and he wouldn't let it happen again.
"Send word to all leaders near the front. Begin immediate evacuation of all civilians to outer kingdoms. Assign guards for escort. Move swiftly."
"Understood. Sending the order."
The King narrowed his eyes toward the horizon.
"It's time to release them."
On the front lines, kingdoms held their defenses—but barely. Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, they refused to back down. Too many had suffered in silence. Now, they fought for those they loved.
Giant monsters charged the walls under relentless turret fire and magical bombardment. Wounded but wild, they howled and surged forward—only to be intercepted by the guards.
One clean slash halved a beast. Bullets followed, ensuring it stayed down.
But it wasn't enough.
"They just keep coming!" a leader yelled.
"Sir!" a soldier ran up. "The eastern gate's collapsing! What are your orders?"
"Split your forces! Don't let them through!"
"But we're already spread thin—if we divide more, every front will weaken!"
"Then what's your suggestion?! We can't rely only on the guards—and forbidden magic is out of the question!"
"Please… calm down. If you fall, so will everyone's hope."
"Damn it! We've lost all contact—we're cut off!"
Just then, a guard smashed through the enemy ranks and landed before the leader, kneeling.
A voice echoed:
"Message from the King: All neighboring kingdoms must begin immediate evacuation. Civilians will be relocated to distant zones."
"What?! That's surrender—abandoning our homes!"
"I'm only the messenger. All other kingdoms have been notified. The King is preparing to release them."
"Them…?" The leader paled. "He's serious…?"
"According to his analysis, these creatures will soon adapt beyond control—just like the Star Eater. He intends to end it before that happens."
"…I understand. Those weapons are too dangerous to deploy near civilians. Begin evacuation. Hold the line as best we can."
"Order received. Proceeding now."
The guard rose and took off, signaling the others.
Together, they formed towering walls of defense as civilians poured through evacuation gates.
"Are we really abandoning our kingdoms?"
"Maybe it's part of the plan…"
"I hope everything turns out alright."
Whispers spread across the field.
But no panic broke out.
The people obeyed.
They left, trusting their leaders.
The cities emptied, leaving only ruins and a few remaining defenders.
"We're counting on you, Your Majesty…" one leader murmured, glancing back before vanishing through the gates. "Don't die."
Back at the front, a report came through:
"All civilians evacuated. Awaiting orders."
"Divide the guards into two groups—one to encircle the battlefield, one to defend the kingdom. Hold your ground. I'll handle the rest."
"Order confirmed. Forming defensive lines."
Guards moved with precision, forming an impenetrable shield around both fronts.
The King nodded.
"Everything's in place… You may begin."
He raised his voice:
"AWAKEN—Gods of Utopia, let those creatures know your power."
The earth rumbled.
Rifts tore open the ground. Ocean waves surged. The winds howled as storms erupted.
Sensing something unnatural, the creatures went mad—charging the King with everything they had.
They knew.
He was the threat.
But before they could strike—lightning ripped from the skies, vaporizing them mid-charge. Eyes turned upward in terror.
Through the clouds, a massive mechanical figure descended—wings of steel stirring violent gusts, gears grinding like thunder.
Ziz—He who splits the heavens.
Titan of Wind and Thunder, forged from the sky races' legacy, shaped like a mighty falcon. His gaze pierced the battlefield.
From the deep sea, a glowing eye pierced the abyss. A whirlpool formed, swallowing enemies. Then emerged a mechanical serpent, body adorned with blades and flexible joints.
Leviathan—The Eye of the Deep Sea.
Titan of Water and Echo, forged from the underwater races' legacy, gliding through waves with terrifying grace.
Then, the ground trembled as thunderous steps approached.
Behind the King, a massive gate creaked open. Smoke bled out—
And then it emerged.
A behemoth of gears and steam, towering and unstoppable, its presence alone crushing.
Behemoth—The Devourer of Earth.
Titan of Earth and Gravity, forged from the land races' legacy shaped like a monstrous bull, a weapon of raw destruction.
These Titans had been hidden since the last war—secretly prepared, never revealed.
Now, their true purpose had come.
The King teleported atop Behemoth. Ziz landed beside him. Leviathan curled protectively at his feet.
"Connect to all Titans."
"Synchronization complete. Control transferred."
"All parameters optimal," he confirmed, eyes on the glowing console.
"Now… let's end this quickly."
The Titans roared—shaking the sky and the world below.
"Go," the King commanded.
"Show them the power of Utopia."