As Mr. Nightingale watch the Archangel explode. He knew when the battleships came through unscathed. The fight was lost. He issued the Protocol Zulu Niner Alpha.
"I'm sorry, my daughter. I created this group to protect you and save humanity. I failed you..." Misha Nightingale said under his breath.
"Keep firing onto the enemy!" Relayed a sailor.
The Impaler and Blood Castle fired everything they had at the mermanian fleet. The vessel's shields blocked the entire barrage. The fleet then began charging their mana cannons. The eight undamaged ships fired onto the two human boats.
Lucy snapped out of it, and a tear went down her face as the Blood castle was destroyed before her.
The mana beams tore through the hulls of the Blood Castle and Impaler. The ship was ripped apart, and those on board died quickly. The crews were either obliterated or burned alive.
The mermanian fleet was not done. Seeing the other two ships in the distance, they started to follow in pursuit.
Dreaso then gave the order to fire long-range weapons at the escaping fleet.
The commander of the Demon looked at the Life-Giver. The only ship with civilians on board.
"Tell the Life-Giver to continue onwards to the shore." The captain of the Demon said to his communications officer. "Tell the crew it's our turn to stall the incoming fleet."
The battleship, the Demon, turned around and the captain heard a chant across the ship.
"Renegades. Renegades. Renegades."
The captain smiled. "For the Fleet Admiral! Open Fire!"
The Demon started to fire all its long-range arsenals. The ballistic and explosives bombarded the incoming fleet but sadly did little to no damage.
The mermanian ships aimed their cannons at the Demon. Several blasts were launched at the Demon. A large shroud of smoke covered the ship. When the dust settled the Demon was still standing.
Ten airships stood in front of the Demon, and a large mana shield guarded them.
"The winged humans?" Dreaso asked himself.
Many were asking the same thing, and then the Demon received a message. "This is Thunder Knight. The Angel Corps and Storm Sect are here to rescue you."
The airships deactivated their shields and Paziel flew out from the front airship. He released his aura, and everyone knew instantly he was Construct Warrior.
Dreaso knew if they battled his fleet would be demolished. He flew out of his ship into the air to come to some agreement.
"Are you in charge of this fleet, Avatar warrior."
"Yes. My name is Dreaso. Seeing those hammers and your aura, you must be Paziel the Blacksmith."
Paziel nodded his head. "We also were attacked by assassins."
These few words shocked the mermanian. The winged humans were also attacked. He needed to report this back to his princess immediately. "How can we make amends?"
Paziel looked around at the battle that took place. He then pointed to the two damaged ships. "Those two are enough."
Dreaso looked at the ships. It would difficult to explain, but he saw no other way. "May you give us time to embark from the ships."
"I'll allow it."
Dreaso gave the order and returned to his fleet. The mermanians moved off the damaged ships and departed. The only thing on Dreaso's mind wasn't anger anymore. It was curiosity. "Who would attack the leaders of our races? It must be a mutual enemy." Dreaso told himself.
Tai Sun sent a message asking to speak to the Thunder Knight. He then received a message to land on the Demon.
The Dragon Knight flew the airship over to the Demon and landed on the top deck. When Zodiac Team and Lucy exited the craft, Hiro walked towards them.
"Thunder Knight! I'm glad you returned." Tai Sun said as he walked up to Hiro.
Hiro knocked away Tai Sun's hand and walked past Team Zodiac. He walked right up to Lucy and hugged her. "I'm sorry, Lucy. I was too late."
Lucy started to cry. Team Zodiac looked back and realized that this wasn't a moment to celebrate. Alice who came here with Hiro watched the whole thing play out.
Hiro then leaned in and whispered into Lucy's ear. "I will save the human race from this disaster." He then paused and said, "and I will avenge the Renegades and your father."
Lucy looked into his eyes like she did all those years ago and knew he meant what he said. She nodded and mouthed out the words "thank you."
Paziel in the sky issued an order. "The Angel Corps will escort the ships back to the Divine Kingdom. The Storm Sect will bring as many of the wounded back right away."
Hiro and Alice asked if Team Zodiac could help him them rescue any of the survivors. They took off towards the wreckage of Blood Castle and Impaler. Lucy rode along in the airship Hiro and Alice were in. She mostly just looked out the window.
The Storm Sect recovered only sixteen people. Most were sailors who abandoned ship or blasted off the deck. Team Zodiac found the Ice Knight unconscious and suffering from an abdominal and leg wound.
They decided to head back to the Divine Kingdom after finding no more people.
In mid-flight, Alice walked back to Lucy and sat next to her. "Hi. I'm Alice. I've heard a lot about you."
Lucy looked at Hiro and then at the beautiful black hair and blue-eyed woman talking to her. "I'm Lucy." Lucy sounded depressed and not wanting to talk someone right now.
Alice still smiled. Hiro looked back and nodded seeing the two get along. Alice then leaned in and whispered to Lucy.
"I don't care who you are, but I'm the strongest here. I don't want you to join my sect. Got it."
Lucy rolled her eyes but nodded.
"Good," Alice replied. She smiled and got up and walked back over to Hiro.
In the Zodiac Ship, Du Yi said, "I heard Paziel himself forged those giant metal walls."
"Yeah, who told you that?" Zi Xin asked.
"Heard it from one of the disciples of the Storm Sect."
"You two get ready. When we land, carry the Ice Knight to get some assistance." Tai Sun ordered.
The two looked down at the Ice Knight. "Poor bastard." They whispered.
The Storm Sect airship landed along with Zodiac's airship. Storm Sect disciples lead the wounded into the medical building. Team Zodiac was given a structure to stay in. They started to unload their craft and get settled.
Lucy, on the other hand, escaped from all the chaos and wondered around. She then climbed the outer walls and sat up on top watching the sun go down.
Just as the sun almost vanished, she said two words. "Goodbye, papa."