Chapter 17:
Yue Fei and Yue Yang charged at the same time. Weapons swinging from opposite directions, one form above, the other coming down below. However, even this didn't hinder their foe aligning its polearm axe with near perfect precision, catching both Yue Fei's Electrical Spear and Yue Yang's Chainsword. Guiding them away, sliding the death articles of destruction across the staff, controlling the flowing. Before a shift in the motion, shoving aside each one in turn. A swift gesture the staff shot forward, clashing against Yue Yang's helmet causing him to reel back. The next blow came for Yue Fei, catching him in the chest. The impact was nullified by his armor but the kinetic force behind the blow still knocked him backwards.
Only catching himself on the balls of his feet, digging into the stone pavement floor. Causing spiderwebs of cracks and groves to form under his armored boot. Steadying himself, Yue Fei looked up back to see the battle still happening around him. The situation didn't look favorably for his team. They all still stood tall, fighting hard, but he didn't see a shift in the flow of combat. Every single soul locked in heated combat. The air quaked with each weapon blow; wind currents spilt the air around them. The earth trembled beneath them.
Yet still the pressure didn't lessen, only seemed to intensify. Yue Yang found his Chainsword connected once more with their foe. Before suddenly with a simple twist using the motion of his strike upon the staff of the pole arm. Throwing Yue Yang off balance due to him leaning into the blow, then his armored head was then meet with but of the staff. The blow knocks him down to his knee. Clutching the side of his face that was struck trying to steady himself. The axe polearm next swung around once again catching Yue Fei's Electrical Spear, causing a surge of electrical charges to spark and explode around the head of the two clashing weapons.
Twisting the head just slightly, the axe head latched onto the shaft of Yue Fei's weapon. Then with a tug the weapon was ripped out of Yue Fei's hands. Though he was without a weapon. He wasn't out of options. The moment the shaft of his spear left his fingers, his hands balled into fist and thrusted forward. The effort was redirected out of its intended path. and the opposing fist connected with Yue Chen's own armored helm.
"Ah~!" Yue Fei couldn't help but cry out. The pain even through his helmet was immense, the impact knocked the breath out of him. The world was spinning around him. Everything was fuzzy now. His ears were ringing, he hadn't felt this pain for a while, it felt almost foreign to him. Then another impact sending him falling backwards. This sent him senses back straight. Just in time to see the armored figure lunging towards him.
Causing Yue Fei to jump back towards the side narrowly missing the pole axe swiping down towards him, from high above. He needed a weapon. Reacting on instinct still remembering his own still clinging onto him being dragged along the ground with his movement. Pulling on the cord still attached the base of the spear connecting it to his power pack. The spear came spinning back like a wheel. Twirling past him then with another tug, the weapon like a yo-yo came now hurling towards his opponent as he intended.
The figure in question sidesteps out of the way with ease. Rushing again toward him pole arm extend intending to impale him. Yue Fei wasn't having it. His hand darted forward grabbing at the head. Push back on his heels as the two collided with one another. Spiderweb cracks formed underneath their feet, as the two adversaries held their ground. Yue Fei now having both hands griped tight upon the foe staff due to the collusion.
They held the position for just under a minute longer. Then with his right fist Yue Fei brought it down smashing against the shaft of the polearm breaking the weapon into two. In response, now free of the one obstacle of hindered its movements. The stone knight immediately balled its fist and thrusted forward in one swift smooth motion. The distance to its path wasn't far. The proximity was too close to evade, connecting it deep within his stomach. Thought the plate protected him from most of the impact. The kinetic force still ripping into his guts internally still hurt, dropping him to his knee.
Thudding heavily upon the ground below. Yet still his grip upon the statue's left gauntlet still held firm pulling it down along with him. Though normally this wouldn't have any effect however, Yue Fei's heavy weight suit helped in bring his opponent down slightly. The stone statue was thrown off balance, enabling Yue Yang to come in Chainsword thrusting forward. Teeth spinning, engine roaring the weapon tore through the back near the spine.
The stone knight writhed and what seemed to be agony to Yue Fei's eyes, as the Chainsword tore apart the stone knight. Falling into two pieces upon the floor.
"Can you stand!?" Yue Yang questioned reaching a handout for Yue Fei. Grabbing at the limb lifting himself up, while yanking on the cable pulling the spear twirling into the air. Timing it right, grasping the shaft tightly in the palm of his hand. Its head sparking as he thumbed the activation switch.
"I'm still functional let's get back to it then."
Without another word the duo left their spots sprinting towards different directions. The resounding boom of the air split around them, at the sudden sprint. Waves of dirt and dust parted waves as they made impact with their targets. Yue Fei choosing a stone knight wielding a heavy hammer in the process of bringing it down, upon Mi Liu. Who was down on the ground. Crashing against it sending it in pieces against the farthest wall. Before spinning on is armored heels and lancing through another one that stood to the side. Piercing where the neck should have been on a human. Then just as swiftly as Yue Fei had impaled the target, with a quick strong pull. He wretched the helmet clean off the shoulder. The rest of the body fell limply upon the ground.
"Come on get up~!" Yue Fei shouted, pulling Mi Liu up.
"I believe the proper words is, are you okay?" came the sarcastic reply from Mi Liu. Grunting helping himself with great effort.
"Whatever smartass!" Yue Fei said with a laugh, before he then sprinted towards another target. Again, repeating the process, or taking the opportunities provided to strike down the foe. The tide was finally turning slower than what he had hoped. Slower but it was finally tipping towards their favor. The sound of scattering stones and marble indicated the shift that came about of their actions. Tipping the tide of the battle due to the efforts.
Though they were outnumbered like before, through working together as a unit rather than as an individual. Against a singular target, as the rest contested with the others not to defeat them but to hinder them from aiding the ones being besieged. Using this strategy slowly but surely, they were widowing down the opposition numbers. Time had flown through the flow of combat. None knew how long they had been engaged. However, as all things begin so too must it end. Only when the last few constructs had ceased functioning, did the team let out a sigh of relief. One they didn't even realize that they held together in unison. Only when a few moments after since the statue knights had fallen. Did the tension seem to fade, the still air was now filled with the quick panted breath. Some having removed their helmets to intake larger quantities of air.
"Damn that was a workout." Lee Shin spoke in between gasps of breath. His hands on his armored knees holding himself up. Many of the others of the party murmured and groaned in agreement. Many collapsing down where they stood.
"Even more so than digging out a tunnel in a mountain?" Qin Xa retorted at the side. His exposed face baked in sweat.
Yue Fei was in the same situation. Having removed his helmet feeling the refreshing the cool air brush upon his drenched skin. Drinking it all in. Suddenly a thought came to his mind, the heat, the one thought seemed to occupy his mind at the moment. It never seemed to occur to him that the armor was too damn hot. Especially when they find themselves engaged in intense battles such this.
'This is an issue that I'll have to bring up to Huo An later.' Yue Fei made a mental note in his head.
"Is everyone still in one piece?! Lou Feng are all your guys all accounted for?"
"Somehow~." Someone groaned out loud.
"Yeah, my guys are still alive, no wounded I think." Came the responses. Soon the moaning and groaning voices were silenced by the next event that started to occur.
"Hey guys, something happening here!" The cry startled everyone back into alertness. The change was already happening long before the warning came. As well as the fact everyone knew it was coming. The walls light up like light shows and the area shifted parts of the wall retracted, and other structure protruded from the ground. Changing the scenery just slightly. Several sections of the ground panels illuminated the grounds and then up the walls. Power surged through the air, though invisible to the naked eye. The unmistakable pressure and the uncomfortable prickling at their skin, despite their protective armors.
Proof to the unnatural phenomenon happening before them. It raised their damp hairs up their instincts screaming into their being of danger. First a metallic sphere of some arcane design hovering above the ground. Another similar model suddenly appeared, this one however suddenly morphed extra limbs. Standing upon these limbs now resembling that of an insectoid creature. The image and name of a daddy long leg spider suddenly popped into Yue Fei's mind seeing the construct. Then morphed another object, this figure didn't resemble the others but had a humpback appearance. A miniature knight armored contrast like those before it.
It was not alone as more phased into experiences. Each one held a device in their hands that seemed to resemble a handle. Then power fluctuated through the mini knights. Which caused the handle to morph and expanded. Taking shapes of various weapons designs the most telling feature is that they seem to glow with an otherworldly energy at their edges.
"Theres more~!" by now everyone was up grasping tightly to their weapons. Taking up position beside one another.
"Where are they coming from?!" Yue Yang exclaimed revealing his Chainsword into life once more. Taking his stance beside Kim-sing. Who drew his own sword once again. Hefting his lengthy Ming Dynasty Dandao, while drawing another shorter blade in his left hand.
"Who cares brace yourselves! They're coming!" Yue Fei roared through his helmet though muffled, his words still carried far through the air. Gripping his spear tightly, thumbing the switch power sparked along its edges. Not long after he was lunging forward towards the nearest one. Attempting a preemptive strike, before he could truly commit, he halted. Stalled by another slight tremor.
"What now?" Frustrated Yue Fei could help but feel aggravated at the rapid developing situation they now find themselves in. A section before them opened, opening what appeared to be a dark abyss before the group. Then slowly something high above moved. Looking skyward, everyone saw that it was a platform, which was hovering down slowly before them. A stone platform with no hint of running engines or technology they could make out. An impossible thing which is happening before their eyes. Yet here it was happening right before their very own eyes. Soon that detail became irrelevant to the for another stole their attention.
"Hey what's that?" Someone gestured towards the lowering platform originally hidden from sight due to the height of the platform. Now that it had lowered enough the cargo it carried was now visible for all to see below. The figure that stood in the center of the platform was massive easily three times the height of a human.
"Oh, great here comes the raid boss fight already." Mou-ming said sarcastically. Though the humor wasn't as entertaining for the others of the party. No one made any moves, not even the minions. Everyone and everything seemed to be waiting, waiting for the hovering platform to set down fully. Inserting itself perfectly in the opening within the ground that was unveiled as though waiting for it.
Not long after the towering giant's massive helm's silt positioned seemingly where the human eyes would be located shone brightly. The massive, towering blade in its right hand, along with the equally sized tower shield on its left hand, shone with the same otherworldly energy. Much like its smaller lessor kin however more prominent in its intensity. It lumbered its first heavy step forward, heading towards the outsiders. Everyone visible flinched hearing the heavy footfall that vibrated through the ground and echoed off the walls.
Then without any warning before anyone could react. With the sound of rocket engines and crackling surge of energy. The massive hulking figure darted forward at blinding speed. Defying all the laws of the physical world that should bind all things. Living or otherwise, its great blade held up high ready to strike down. Its target is the cluster gathering of the front most team. Most of which were that of Lou Feng party.
"Get out of the way!"
"Move-move!"
Many among them cried out. The massively oversized blade swung down. Shattering the entire group whom all dove, jumped in all directions to avoid the incoming blow. This drew most of everyone's attention from the rest of the dangers. As the other minions had also made their move. The floating sphere entire form discharge energy before shooting forth. Like a bullet from a barrel slamming itself, in its entirely into the nearest member of Lou Feng's team.
The poor soul never saw it coming. The collusion alone channels the force similar to that of cannon shell. Sending the armored figure screaming into the air then the wall.
"Han Xin~!" one of the boys shouted, recovering from his quick leap, to avoid the blade of the giant.
"Wu Song look out in front of you~!" The one named Wu Song barely had any time to react, raising his weapon up high. Catching the mini knight's weapon just in time before it could connect with his armored head.
"Get up we need to regroup and gah~!" another voice was quickly cut short as a flash of energy beam interrupted the poor speaking soul. The beam of energy connected with the breast plate. Sparkes and fire spout forth. And the armored boy in armor was sent reeling backwards.
"Zhongqing~! Zheng Qing~! On me we need to support them! Everyone else on Yue Yang distracted these buggers!" Yue Fei barked. His spear crackled with electric currents. The twin without any complaint, or any acknowledgement to his command. Simply fell in behind Yue Fei their weapons two combat hands in hand.
Being in front Yue Fei was the first to encounter the enemy two of the sphere long legs stood in front of him. their forms crackled with energy. Concentrating at the front at a circular portion of their front 'face'. Resembling an eye before long, a beam of light sprang from the 'eye' of the constructs. The trio spung on their heels, sliding out of the trajectory line yet not halting in their steps toward their objective.
Another volley came, this time they didn't dodge but simply braced themselves letting the energy impact upon their armor. The beam of ethereal light connected with the surface of the armors of the trio. The impact halted them in their tracks just briefly. Letting loud grunts of muffled pain and frustration before they continued their track. The heat was scorching, it was agonizing even through the plate. If it was hot inside the armor before now it would be deadly close to becoming an oven.
"Shit~!"
"Ow that is hot!" came the cries of the twins. Yue Fei too wanted to scream; he wanted to hurl. Yet he knew he couldn't, he had to keep moving.
"Don't stop keep at it!" summoning all his willpower to endure, he let out this particular scream in denial of the pain eating at him.
Each of the trio though not vocalizing their thoughts all thought the same, they couldn't endure another, though the surface was scared and rent within the blast it didn't penetrate through. Now the plate was comprised. Yue Fei knew it would only last one more strike from the energy blast.
Just before the trio had reached the daddy long legs golems, several of the mini knights constructs intercept them on course.
"Out of the way." Yue Fei batted the first one who had jumped at him. connecting with its weapon with his own spear. Carrying on the momentum and brute strength he sent the golem flying away. The twins also engaged with their respective targets, their weapons clashing. Now clear of all obstacles Yue Fei rushed at the true adversity. The massive, armored giant leveled its equally sized shield towards Yue Fei bracing for what to come.
And he answered. Moving to the side within the thing blind spot and thrusted forth his spear with all his might. Though Cleary the thing knew what he had planned. Reangling its shield catching Yue Fei's spear tip upon the surface of its shield. Ignoring the shockwave produced from the collision he pressed on the attack. Jumping to the side avoiding the swiping motion of the blade in retaliation. Again, he tries to attack the blind spot and the points of potential weakness. Yet again and again his effort was thwarted each and every single time.
This was frustrating, this foe was clearly unlike any other they have faced since coming to this world. Though he should be frustrated, annoyed at the fact, he hasn't made any progress towards ending this fight. The sensation he was feeling wasn't that of true irritation but of happiness. Underneath his helm his lips couldn't help but lift slightly at the corner. His heart was pumping the pain, the tiredness he was feeling faded away. Like a fever dream. Yue Fei understood why he was feeling such a sensation.
The joy of combat! Finally, at long last they now have a challenge. For the last few weeks, they've had nothing but feral mindless beasts to contend with. No small feat to contend with but the lack of any noticeable intelligence soon rendering the hunts boring to the young lads. Adrenaline was feeding into his blood. All sensations were kicked into overdrive. His senses became sharper; Yin Chen could feel it, hear it. The loud beats of his heart, the flow of the battle happening around him. It felt as though he was looking upon it in third person. Like that of a third person view video game. This however was no video game, the death and screams of the dead and fallen echoed in the back of his mind.
Reminding him of the grim reality they all must accept. They must fight with all they have to survive there is no holding back. He had no interest in holding back or interested in dying today. However now he was in his primal state he couldn't help but feel more alive than he could ever in his whole life. Being put into such a raw natural physical state of survival now the beastly nature within him was live filling him with strength and sensation he hasn't felt before. Living the monda lifestyle of their old home, dulled all-natural senses of humanity. Now reverting to their primal instincts and environment the dormant was now beginning to resurface once more.
"Ha-ha." A chuckle came about at first Yue Fei didn't know who was laughing. Even as he moved, parried and thrusted that sound echoed in his ear. Then realization came about that the laugh came from his own throat.
"Ha~! Ha-ha!" but then he didn't care as he continued his laugh. He let himself free, he was alive, and it felt good.
Stepping rapidly his foot barely on the ground for more than a second of time. Keeping him in motion, always on the move. He moved like the wind despite the heavy weight upon his body. Even with the aid within his armor the weight was still considerable. In that moment however it felt as light a feather. Yet despite all that he continues to fail finding any opening to deal any decisive blow against the foe. Every move it made was deflected and countered back in kind, the duo was locked in this cat and mouse dance game, of exchanging blows when suddenly a new player joined the fray.
"Incoming~!" Came the thundering voice of Yue Yang, along with the familiar revving roar of his chainsword. Cannonballing straight into the giant's massive tower shield. Sending the giant sliding backwards just slightly. Before halting itself from it track from the impact of Yue Yang's tackle, the two soon came to a deadlock with both side refusing to give ground. The chainsword still revving along the surface where he kept the weapon jammed against the shield.
"Up high!" then from above having leapt straight into the air. Came the form of Mi Liu
held in his right hand a hunting blade, the rest of his limbs spread, ready to catch himself on the giant. Once grasped upon the giant sending the figure tumbling from the sudden weight. Using the momentum Mi Liu then plunged knife into the socket joint of the shield bearing arm. Grunt with the effort of twisting the blade, along with the oncoming fight form being cast away from the frantic movement of the construct. Trying to get Mi Liu off it, yet he still held on firm.
Digging the blade deeper as much as possible, but there was only so much Mi Liu could do. Mi Liu with one final twist and the loosing grip of his hand, was bashed away from the shield he was sent flying away like a ragdoll.
"Here's round two~!" Next came Lee Shin came next swing skyward with his hefty sledgehammer towards the same joint. Hitting it with such force the already damaged joint shook and trembled but still didn't come fully loose.
"Third times the charm!" the finally blow came from Yue Yang who had repositioned himself for this prefect opening. The teeth connected with the outstretched exposed joint. The bite came swiftly and brutally.
The chainsword's teeth bite true, latching onto the opened wound, digging deeper within and finally wrenched the shield bearing limb clean off. Yue yang was rewarded with a swift swipe of the massive sword, its keen edge connected with the chest plate of his armor cutting deep. Not deep enough to draw blood and Yue Yang was similar bashed away like trash. His form flying through the air like all the rest before him.
"Rah~!" not letting his worry or concern for his comrades halt his actions. Though he did worry about them. Yue Fei knew, he knew this was no time to worry. He had his opportunity given to him by his comrades. Letting out a primal roar of rage, he lunged at the exposed giant, now to slow and weathered down opponent, this was the only chance for him to bring it down for good, once and for all.
Yet fate had other ideas. For he was hindered once again from his goal.
It was one of the smaller ones. It leaped at him, weapon held high aiming to strike him down.
"You son of a-" he cursed. Furious at the brazen interloper he removed his right arm from the haft of his spear adjusting himself. Just to back hand the offending thing. He didn't realize, however, through his blind spot one of the spider ones had its eye on him. Yue Fei realized all too late seeing only the bright flash of energy having long build up now heading towards him.
"On shit!"
Yue Fei reoriented himself trying to dodge, to get away. Though it was too late, it was going to colloid with him. Suddenly a mass shadow intercepted the path of the raging energy bolt. It was Lou Feng, his machete blade's flat side swung towards the incoming energy projectile. In a perfect baseball player, he batted away the danger in a perfect home run. Sending it up high into the ceiling.
"Leave the minions to us just take down that big guy. We'll join in two minutes once we're down with them." Lou Feng said turning to Yue Fei before rushing at the minion that shot at him.
With a quick overall glance Yue Fei could see members of Lou Feng's team engaged with the smaller minions while his own were gathering upon the giant that he was originally contending with.
Yue Fei towards Lou Feng's departing back calling out after him. "Understood take care!" before rushing over to where he was needed.
"You as well~!" was the response he received in kind behind Yue Fei.
"Take it down~!" Yue Fei roared, leaping high into the air covering the distance between him and his prey, rejoining the fray this time, however his team was with him.
After some time, unknown amounts of time. Only the resounding clank and thud of the massive armored giant construct hitting the ground. Its once pristine armored plating now deformed and dented, no one made any move. even as the ethereal energy that course through the thing seemed to fade away. Its armored helm was detached rolling away from its body having been ripped off by Yue Fei who dealt the final blow cleaving at the weakened joint. Through the combined effort of everyone.
Only after a few minutes of waiting and nothing seemed to occur did everyone seem to finally lose the tension within them. Many dropped and collapsed on the stop. Weapons clanged upon the ground, helmets ripped off faces and tossed aside. Gasp and hushed filled the void in the air once more. Loud thuds of body crashing down soon after.
"Now that." Yue Yang huffed breathing out heavily taking in a large gasp of air into his lungs before contouring "That was a true workout." The tone seemed hinted at excitement and joy.
None, however, responded for everyone was too busy wheezing and fighting for breath.
"Alright take five and let's get moving we've delayed far too long." Yue Fei huffed rising back up to his feet. His armored boot thud heavily upon the stone pavement. Echoing within the confined space, acting as the signal for the others to follow. One soul did but not in the manner that he wished. This soul was Lou Feng. He walked up to Yue Fei side placing a hand on his shoulder. Causing Yue Fei to stop in his tracks and face him.
"We need to go back up and get more supplies we're far too under prepared for this raid."
Yue Fei couldn't help but scoff out loud hearing those words. His eyes didn't hide the sheer contempt and disgust he just heard. His hand gripped at his helmet in his hand. Fury was beginning to flow in his veins. Yet he didn't let it overtake him not fully.
"We fought worst things than these we can handle it." Mi Liu said, taking Yue Fei's side. The others of Yue Fei's party responded with similar hear-hear or nods of agreement. All of whom rose to take their de-facto leader's side. In response Lou Feng's team members scrambled to their leader's side. As the two now were in a silent yet intense standoff. None moved, waiting for either or to make the first move.
Yue Fei then made to move towards the corridor leading further deeper into the depth of the underground dungeon. Steeping between the formation that stood before him, cutting in to their lines uncaring. He was stopped by the armored form of Lou Feng who intercepted his path.
"I'm just saying." Was what he began "We need to be smarter about this. Even these numbers are too much for us to handle right now, we're still at the entrance not even fully through halfway in this 'dungeon' yet, we need more help if we want to procced."
"Where?" asked Yue Fei, baffled by that statement as if hearing the biggest joke of the century. Then mockingly gazed about them. Swinging his head and upper body from side to side, before returning his gaze at Lou Feng, who was clearly unimpressed by his antics.
"Where do you think we're going to get any help around here? We're about a day's worth from the school. Even if we send a runner back to get more bodies, it will be too late by then."
"Yes~, that's why I'm not suggesting we-" Lou Feng began but was cut off by Yue Fi.
"We don't have the time to double back, I thank you for your suggestions, but Mengya can't wait. We must find him now. We push on."
Yue Fei pushed past Lou Feng before he could take another step. Lou Feng's gauntlet grasped onto his own holding onto Yue Fei in place.
"Once again, I'm just saying it might be in our best interested to do this smart. We don't know what we're up against in here."
"Let go." Yue Fei growled softly but the intent was clear.
"I can't do that you need to calm now." It was a simple reply from Luo Feng.
The tension was heavy in the atmosphere, despite being comrade in arms the difference of approach and ideology between the group was beginning to tear them apart. One group worried about their member, the other being more passive in their ways of approach. The tension was about to boil over suddenly.
"How?" now Mou-ming stepped forward. Everyone turned their attention to him.
"What is this smart approach that you seem to have that will solve all our problems?"
"Well~." Lou Feng began gesturing with his free hand, back towards above the ground they stood upon. Causing everyone to look upwards towards the ceiling that hindered, they gazed upon the true sky. "What about those toys that we found in the storage units back above?"
"What toys?" Yue Fei his mask of fury now replaced with the slightest hint of curiosity. Lou Feng turned back at Yue Fei. A smile slowly creeping onto his lips as he continued.
"Oh, ones you will like for sure."