Positioned at the elevator's threshold, the remnants and cadavers remained unaddressed. The ghastly display might incite revulsion, yet for the quartet of special operatives, it was merely an element of their routine...
The ascent to the surface approached, instilling fatigue in the trio following combat, compounded by the emergent foes nearby, fostering doubt. If 13's discernment of the beasts' vulnerability provided solace, the reticent Yamata embodied sheer desolation.
Raising the obsidian collar to veil mouth and nose, 13's expression reverted to its quintessential frigidity, as though prepared to terminate conversation and existence simultaneously.
Affixing the helmet, calibrating optics for nocturnal skirmish, the serpent lingered unobtrusively in the display's periphery, facilitating 13's preliminaries.
With the imposing COOL-FIRE5 secured upon his dorsum, arrangements culminated.
Yet the triumvirate obstructed his path, their helmeted countenances inscrutable to 13.
"I perceive your sentiments," Collectively, their joint engagements were ephemeral, but each extrication from mortality's grasp cultivated profound comprehension...
"I shall not deploy SEED imprudently; harbor no apprehensions." 13's assurance engendered disquiet, for "imprudently" suggested contingency.
"We harbor no such disquiet," 36, perpetually reticent with affections, responded, "Yet reckless SEED utilization endangers us collectively. Mortality holds no terror for me, but perishing by your hand is lamentable..."
"36 elucidates a viewpoint," 1's voice conveyed mirth, "More crucially, the esoteric technique the serpent alluded to, should it counteract your SEED projection, your demise serves naught."
"Have you forsaken your oath?" 24 reluctantly addressed, "You vowed to safeguard Zheng Xian; invocation would consign her to perdition as well!"
"She shall not..." 13's tone softened, "If necessity dictates, I'll elect a planar retrograde expulsion, evading Mount Wu Tai and yourselves. Thus, endurance is yours. Absent those 230 km/h monstrosities in pursuit, her conveyance is attainable." 13 had evidently orchestrated all, foreseeing outcomes.
"Indeed, that's your essence—bearing all solitarily. Your nobility is vexing!" 36 fumed, fist clenched.
"Should you expire, I'll accompany," 24 affirmed without jest.
"As will I..." 1 retained levity.
"Excluding me renders it monotonous," 36 abhorred omission.
"You..." 13 was bereft of words.
They resembled divinely interlaced filaments; as the narrative unfolded, extremities entwined inseparably. Once conjoined, they constricted further.
"Yet the conclusion isn't as somber as presumed. Overlooked our alternative armaments?" 1 recalled the neglected.
"Correct, I possess the sub-ion cannon!" 36 vaunted.
"1 implies beyond that," 24 moderated 36's enthusiasm, "Perpetually discoursing SEED, yet neglecting SEED's multiplicity?"
"You allude to divergent SEEDs?" 13 had contemplated, "Nie Yun's oblivious to effects; deploying unknowns in mortal combat, I can't persuade myself..."
"Not wholly unknown!" 24 evoked Nie Yun's intimation, "Black No. 3, Nie Yun computed its attribute—'penetration'!"
"Still opaque." Such was 13's verity. "Sufficient planning; warfare's capricious. Entrust to providence..."
Approaching the elevator's interior, espying the diminutive egress aloft evoked a well's profundity.
Raising his dexter appendage, the suspension mechanism activated. The robust metallic apex with delicate Titan filament anchored into the rock above the aperture, ascending swiftly.
Confronting this uncooperative associate, the triad interpreted their words as counsel, hoping reflection. Should 13 opt for SEED Zero, they'd delay with their lives for its imperfection's five seconds—that implicit covenant, which 13 comprehended.
Trailing 13, the trio expeditiously propelled their Titan filament upward.
Navigating the cavern, barring beast-ravaged locales, integrity prevailed. The vault lacked chiropteran silhouettes; they'd likely absconded with kin to evade tumult. Intermittent cool droplets alighted on 13's armor, akin to tears traversing his thorax, evanescing ere perception.
Emerging, gargantuan searchlights transmuted the cavern's maw to daylight. The beast horde recoiled a pace, scrutinizing the adversary. 13 grinned authentically.
"This is unadulterated verity..." 13 inwardly sighed.
The illusion's mundane existence had dissipated, improbable to recommence composition at the console, computing with proceeds, or being aroused by a canine chronometer. Perhaps never encountering that "scribe"-denoting matron again. Strolling? Uncontemplated. Arm-linked? Inconceivable.
Facing armed antagonists, 13 sighed helplessly. This was the veritable self; fantasies conclude, combat endures.
"I am myself,
I am the combative self,
I am the self traversing carcasses and ichor,
I am the self eternally deprived of fantasy's boons.
Yet I know, I am the foe's nightmare, a veritable specter."
Now awakened, he sighed, extracting the Titan war blade. Awakened, thus engage...
His comrades arrived, armaments brandished; for them, this was actuality.
"Finally emerged?" In the cockpit, Shuumei observed distant 13, "It commences!"
Shuumei's amplification via Yamata reverberated in the night, resonant and anticipatory.
"Slay!" The 100,000 soldiery's blood surged, humanity's innate belligerence unleashed.
The mechanical beasts seemed to resonate with the clarion.
Their crimson luminescence intensified, advancing with resolute strides toward the most dreadful quarry. Blades overhead, chassis quivering—as if exhilarated...
"Just so..." Observing 13, Shuumei smiled remotely, that effortless martial poise his conceit—invincible, indelible, absolute authority. The more he exercised his "privilege," terminating existences, the more lucid his attributes. Yet such a redoubtable 13 would succumb to him, for he was the veritable deity, dominion in grasp.
"Artillery barrage..." Shuumei ordained with a smile.
Rearward tanks realigned.
"Boom!" The detonation assailed where the quartet stood, the concussive wave annihilating beasts and impeding mobility.
Only weaving through ensured subsistence.
The ignition's blaze devoured the forest, colossal arborea as titanic flambeaux, luring sylvan moths. Incandescent boughs plummeted like celestial bodies.
"Can't persist!" 13 resolved, "Proceed toward Yamata, forsake the forest."
"Now you decree departure!" 36 raged via intercom, whether deliberate or fortuitous, the high-explosive ordnance around him burgeoned, enveloping arborea in flames; endure minutes more, and he'd precede as cinder.
"At the township, convene!" 1 articulated.
"Depart!" 24's utterance fell, and the quartet synchronously darted toward the township, circumventing beasts—for the subsequent instant, allied fire would pulverize them.
"Excessively proximate!" All tank complement concurred; barrage untenable, as the quartet infiltrated the defensive circumference. Contrasted with the Titan-clad indestructibles, these rectangular "iron blocks" were endearing; even 24's sidearm penetrated their plating. Complement felt ensconced in confection, 13's cohort wielding culinary implements, themselves awaiting evisceration.
Effortlessly ascending a tank's artillery, COOL-FIRE5 against the operator's locale. Via thermal imaging, the soldier genuflected.
Divine clemency is liberation from this inferno...
13's digit on the trigger, ere bestowing mercy, the serpent in trepidation, "Evade forthwith!"
Devoid of deliberation, he vaulted rearward...
"Boom!" The tank obliterated, the concussive wave expelling 13 a decade of meters, alighting in squat.
Ascending, brushing detritus, he fixated on the distant disruptor.
Yamata's ordnance smoked, the monumental casing ejected.
In the cockpit, 13's magnified cranium occupied half the display.
"I desire to 'play' as well..." Shuumei smiled.
The engagement persisted...