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Chapter 43 - THE START OF THE WAR

Megan clings to Duke's burnt remains as it slowly crumbles into ashes. Wiping away her tears, she searches of clothing, she discovers an outfit in the adjacent room, dresses herself, and proceeds down the hallway. Encountering a maid, Megan demands assistance in locating her weapons. The maid guides her to the storage room, where Megan dons her magnet boots and retrieves her staff. When questioned about Master Jarvis, Megan reveals that she sent him flying out of the Mansion. The maid expresses relief, imploring Megan to rescue the remaining maids and slaves. Megan nods in agreement and follows the maid to another floor.

Arriving at a sturdy door, the maid reveals that all the slaves are behind it, inaccessible without Jarvis's key. Megan instructs the maid to step back, propels the top half of her staff into the heavy door, shattering the lock. Together, they enter to find several dozen slaves confined in jail cells. Megan promptly breaks the locks, liberating the slaves, who express their gratitude. However, Megan's attention is drawn to an elderly woman bearing a resemblance to Ezzy. She approaches and queries if the woman is Ezzy's mother. The elderly woman nods and introduces herself as Ember. She inquires about their escape plan. Megan responds that she will clear a path for everyone. As they discuss, a dozen maids enter the room. Megan questions if this is everyone as one of the maids confirms it's everyone not affiliated with the Riders, Megan instructs everyone to stay close behind her.

Leading the group down the hallway, Ember takes a moment to share something important with Megan just in case she doesn't make it out of here. She reveals that she and her husband fled their cursed clan from the northwest, seeking a new life near Old Berry Town. The reason for their escape was the scarcity of resources in their clan, prompting them to venture out for their own survival. Megan inquires about the nature of Ember's clan's curse. Ember explains that her people are called Nova, and in the distant past, their leader attempted to slay a God but failed. As a consequence, the God cursed him along with his entire clan. The curse is a magical fire affliction that consumes the body from within. Without the right resources, the fire curse intensifies, leading to flames erupting from the body until it eventually succumbs to a fire explosion. Curious, Megan asks about the resources used to mitigate the flames. Ember somberly discloses that the only substance capable of calming their fire curse is "human blood."

Megan remarks that the last time she encountered Ezzy, she showed no signs of being affected by the fire curse. Ember clarifies that Ezzy is her shortened name, and her full name is Elizabeth and that she has no knowledge about the details of the clan's curse, explaining that the fire curse only afflicts Nova children when both parents passes away. She reveals that the maids and slaves have been offering their blood to her so she wouldn't explode and to prevent Ezzy from suffering the curse. Observing the slaves and maids bowing their heads, Megan absorbs the gravity of the sacrifice. Ember further articulates that her intent was for Ezzy to experience a normal life for as long as possible, expressing her determination not to die today as she wants her daughter to live out her adult years. In response, Megan affirms her commitment, stating that she will do whatever is necessary to ensure their safe escape.

Meanwhile, in the vicinity of the island's front gates, Kiren, Mikey, Xai, and four other soldiers peer through their scopes from behind some trees, observing numerous Riders stationed at the gates. Mikey suggests waiting for the rest of the team to bomb the gates before they can swim over. Kiren notes that there's something peculiar about these Riders, sensing a difference about them. Xai dismisses the concern, emphasizing the importance of focusing on their rescue mission. At the front gates, the Riders spot an approaching figure walking down the road and promptly they raise their guns, instructing the person to stop. Upon closer inspection, they identify the individual as Ezzy. Unfazed, Ezzy declares that she made a vow to return to eliminate all the Riders from her home island. Taking charge, she commands her team to release the bombs, and the Riders soon realize that numerous launched explosives are heading their way. Despite their attempts to alert Henry through the radio, the explosives strike the front gate, resulting in a series of explosions that obliterate the gate and claims the lives of many Riders.

Ezzy quickly commands all battle units to move towards the gate. While overseeing the chaos, she spots a Rider emerging from the flames, extinguishes the fire around him before transforming his lower body into that of a goat monster. This goat-like Rider charges at Ezzy, prompting her to draw her dual pistols and opens fire. Although the goat rider evades most of the bullets, he attempts to run Ezzy over. Anticipating the attack, Ezzy leaps in time to deliver a powerful kick to the goat rider's face, causing both rider and goat to flip and crash onto the ground behind her. Before the goat rider can rise, precise sniper bullets from a distance bring him down. Approaching the fallen rider with disgust, Ezzy informs her team about the Riders' newfound powers, urging caution. With a final shot to the rider's head, she ensures his demise.

The initial battle bus proceeds past the front gates, prompting numerous Riders from the island to leap into the lake, morphing their lower bodies into monstrous fishes. Swiftly swimming, they emerge from the water, launching attacks on the battle bus from both flanks. In response, Michael leaps onto the bus's roof, channeling lightning to execute powerful kicks that repel the attackers into the water. Simultaneously, soldiers inside the bus fire at the Riders along the road. Michael continues to neutralize numerous fish Riders. Observing this, Kiren and his team dive into the water to make their way across.

Within the mansion, Megan and her group encounter three armed Riders, originally en routed to the main battle. The Riders halt and point their guns at Megan and the group. One of the Riders speculates that Megan managed to escape and is attempting to flee with the maids and slaves. Another Rider suggests that capturing them might earn them a promotion from Jarvis. The Riders orders everyone to get on the floor, but Megan disregards the command. Utilizing her magnetic boots, she swiftly propels herself forward and employs her staff to attack from one of the Riders away. The remaining two Riders open fire at Megan. Lifting her feet, Megan's magnetic boots immobilize the bullets, and she redirects the bullets back at the Riders in which they both jumps out the way. Reacting quickly, Megan releases the top half of her staff, propelling one of the Riders away. Stepping onto the last Rider, she employs magnetic forces from her boot to crush them against the ground, causing the floor to crack around them.

Megan retrieves the top half of her staff and notices a nearby Rider transforming his lower body into a monstrous spider. The spider Rider shoots a net web that propels Megan towards the group, entangling them in the process. Asserting that he has captured them all, the spider Rider laughs. Megan, infuriated, bites through the web net, using her magnetic boot to propel herself forward. She skillfully deflects the web shots from the spider Rider with her staff. Striking the floor with her staff, Megan causes it to break beneath the spider Rider, who falls to the lower level amid within the rubbles. Megan descends, and the spider Rider attempts to shoot a poison blast. Using the magnetic forces from both of her boots, Megan hold the poison blast in place. She then releases the top half of her staff, thrusting it through the spider Rider's chest. Activating a button on her staff, it generates electricity between its two parts, shocking the spider Rider. She then release the bottom half of the staff as it reconnects with the top half of the staff inside of the Rider's body. The staff then rapidly spins, cutting off the Rider from the monster spider. Leaping atop of the fallen Rider, Megan queries if there are alternative routes off the island. The Rider chuckles, responding that the only escape is via the road, unless they fancy a lengthy swim with the risk of drowning in the lake. With a few final breaths, the Rider succumbs to his wounds. The Mansion trembles slightly, and the sounds of ongoing battles outside reach to Megan's ears. She then assumes that the war has finally begun and that it is perfect timing.

Returning to the main battle, Michael confronts a big shark rider emerging from the water. Utilizing his lightning abilities, Michael immobilizes the shark rider and tears them asunder with his electric power. Amidst the gruesome spectacle, he notices Henry in the distance, leading a legion of transformed riders. The battle bus reaches the island, accompanied by ten additional battle buses and two armored vans, establishing a defensive formation. All the soldiers, including Stella, Rune, Simbad, Agustin, and Jean, disembark and point their weapons at the approaching Riders, who are only 50 feet away. Ezzy emerges, standing atop the bus, declaring that today marks their victory, and there will be no more Riders. The proclamation boosts the morale of her team. Henry, however, grins, asserting that he is the system and that it must live on, and also they are now all true Riders. With these conflicting declarations, both sides unleash a volley of gunfire at each other.

Stella then takes out her bazooka, launching five missiles toward the Riders. Suddenly, Rudda swiftly intervenes, utilizing her needle blade to redirect the missiles skyward, causing explosions in the atmosphere. Michael and Rudda engage in a magical confrontation amid the chaotic battlefield. Henry, with a sinister smile, says that Michael was the one who harmed his father. Enraged, Rudda utters, "You hurt my family, you die!" Intensifying the magical clash, Rudda forces them out of the island, and they crash onto a battle bus near the front gates. Soldiers comes out from the armored vans and open fire on Rudda, who adeptly spins her needle blade to deflect the onslaught of bullets Subsequently, she kicks Michael into the forest before descending to dispatch a dozen soldiers with her lethal needle blade. Numerous snipers take shots at Rudda, and although she is initially hit by a couple of sniper rounds, she swiftly adapts, evading the remainder. Subsequently, she accurately identifies the locations of the snipers.

Mai then addresses all the snipers through their earpieces, instructing them to flee. However, before they can react, Rudda hurls dozens of needle blades connected by strings at the snipers, piercing their heads and bodies. With a swift motion, Rudda pulls the strings, propelling all the snipers towards her at high speed. She then yanks the strings upward, causing the snipers' bodies to collide and erupt in a shower of blood. Bathed in the rain of blood, Rudda is interrupted by Michael's entrance, executing a lightning kick that sends her crashing to the ground. As Michael stands, enveloped in a lightning armor, lots of needle blades flies in from different directions, undeterred, he uses his arms to block the projectiles, his armor proving impenetrable. Asserting his determination, Michael declares that he won't lose this time.

Suddenly, the needle blades surrounding Michael alter their trajectory, and the strings attached to the back of the blades entangle him in a cocoon of strings. Employing his lightning powers, Michael fractures the string cocoon and breaks free, only to find Rudda charging at him with scissor blades aimed at his armored chest. A moment of fear strikes Michael as the scissor blades cracks the armor on his chest a bit. Quickly leaping away, he shoots bolts of lightning in a desperate attempt to evade the impending threat. Rudda effortlessly avoids the lightning bolts and unfolds the scissor blades, unleashing an energy beam from their tips toward Michael at a staggering speed, catching him off guard. The beam collides with Michael's chest, resulting in a powerful explosion. Crashing to the ground, he witnesses blood on his chest and the unmistakable evidence that his armor has been compromised.

Michael, overcome with fear , he struggles to control his breathing, receives guidance from Mai through his earpiece. She advises him to calm down, reminding him of his well-stocked supplies. Realizing he has blood bottles, Michael retrieves a small one and consumes its contents, witnessing his chest wound heal and the armor reform. Expressing gratitude to Mai for helping him maintain compose, Michael receives a warning from her about Rudda's impending move. Prepared, Michael engages in a magical clash with Rudda, acknowledging that this battle will be significantly more challenging than his encounter with Simon.

Kiren and his team finally arrives at the island from the lake, witnessing the intense battle between Rune, Simbad, and Agustin against the Riders and their monstrous mounts. Mikey urges Kiren to stay focused on the mission. Led by Xai, the group follows the marked spot on the map he holds in his hand. Xai detects something beneath the grass and uncovers a hidden door leading underground. Entering the tunnel, they discover a long passageway that leads to Ezzy's secret room. Xai speculates that this was Ezzy's initial hiding place during the world's end. While exploring, Mikey finds another hidden door, leading them to a dead end where a button on the wall opens a concealed passage. Quietly exiting, they find themselves in the lobby of the Mansion. Kiren guides the team down a hallway, where they take cover behind a wall upon hearing numerous footsteps ahead. Reacting swiftly, Kiren brandishes his SMG gun, and simultaneously, Megan swings her staff. However, they quickly realize there is no threat and halt their attacks. Overjoyed to see each other, Kiren and Megan embrace. Mikey and Xai express relief, recognizing that the mission seems to be progressing smoothly as they observe the slaves and maids gathered behind Megan.

Suddenly, they hear Eleon's voice emanating from behind the slaves and maids. Eleon expresses his desire to join them, prompting the slaves and maids to quickly retreat behind Kiren and his team. Upon seeing Eleon in a precarious state, Kiren questions why he would turn his back on the riders. Eleon explains that Henry has corrupted the system and altered his body. Both Kiren and Mikey raise their guns at Eleon. Despite Eleon's pleas to be allowed to join them, Megan, suspecting that Eleon may also harbor a monster within, readies herself for battle. Eleon insists he poses no threat to their group, but before he can finish his sentence, his body starts shaking intensely. Mikey promptly instructs Xai to lead everyone off the island. Xai takes the maids, slaves, and a few soldiers back to the lobby.

Eleon offers his apologies, revealing that Henry subjected him to an increased dosage of magic fluids, rendering him unable to control his inner monster. He expresses a desire to end his suffering. Subsequently, Eleon undergoes a transformation into a massive crab monster. Mikey and Kiren open fire, but the bullets only leave dents on the Crab's armor. The monster charges at them with its claws, demolishing the surrounding walls. Seeking refuge in the lobby, Kiren observes the hidden door closing and acknowledges that they must confront this monstrous threat. Mikey concurs, stating that they have more open space here in which they can fight more effectively. The Crab roars, gearing up for its next attack.