Chapter 15 - Awakened

At that moment, as Jericho and the Hell Brothers successfully subdued the prison guards' mechs, an unknown mech descended from the sky and landed with a graceful ease. In a calm, composed voice, the unknown mech remarked, "Three against one?" Without any delay, the enigmatic mech opted to engage Jericho's mech first, launching an attack with unwavering determination.

 

As the unknown mech moved with astonishing speed, Jericho found himself in a state of shock and struggle, desperately trying to defend against the relentless assault. Amidst the intense battle, Asher's voice came over the comms, "That voice... is it you?"

 

Jericho, grappling to fend off his enigmatic adversary, replied in surprise, "What?! You know this guy? Why don't you help me first?"

 

Asher responded, "The man piloting the deep emerald-colored mech are called EMERALD PHANTOM and its pilot is Lucil Zacharias, one of the elite. His family serves under the Azure King. He's not an ordinary opponent."

 

Felix chimed in, "Brothers, it doesn't matter who they are. What's important is that we must do our best to eliminate this threat."

 

Eliza's voice came over the comm, "I'll inform Joseph to come to your aid. Do your best, and good luck."

 

Upon hearing these words from Eliza, Jericho and the Hell Brothers fought valiantly against EMERALD PHANTOM.

 

When Joseph arrived, he was met with the sight of EMERALD PHANTOM overpowering Jericho and the Hell Brothers, their mechs in ruins. He exclaimed in shock, "What is this?"

 

Luther, though injured, managed to respond, "Be careful, that man is Lucil Zacharias, from an elite family in the service of the Azure King. His deep emerald mech, EMERALD PHANTOM, possesses overwhelming combat abilities, a deep emerald body, and a mono-eye sensor. We don't know the full extent of its power."

 

Eliza's voice came over their comm system inside GENESIS, "I see... Lucil Zacharias. I wonder what connection he has to this Stillwater Regional Prison. Be cautious, GENESIS."

 

As EMERALD PHANTOM's mono-eye sensor locked onto them, Luther warned Joseph, "Here it comes." The enemy mech closed in rapidly, brandishing its lightsaber. Joseph expertly maneuvered GENESIS to dodge the impending attack.

 

Luther observed, "He's got a lightsaber."

 

Joseph, with GENESIS wielding a steel sword, questioned, "Will this be effective against that lightsaber?"

 

Luther's response was uncertain, "I... don't know."

 

Eliza's voice came through their communication system, "It seems they've got a lightsaber, GENESIS. Wait for the right moment, and utilize your steel sword. Your steel weapon should withstand the lightsaber's heat and might even melt through it."

 

Joseph replied to Eliza, "I see... well then, the best choice is..." GENESIS activated its assault rifle and began firing at EMERALD PHANTOM. However, EMERALD PHANTOM extended its hand, allowing it to spin rapidly and create a defensive barrier, effectively blocking the bullets from the assault rifle.

 

GENESIS and EMERALD PHANTOM clashed with incredible force. EMERALD PHANTOM's spinning defense proved to be a formidable obstacle, making it difficult for Joseph to land a hit. Despite GENESIS's agility and powerful armaments, it struggled to penetrate the emerald-colored mech's defenses.

 

In a desperate attempt, Joseph deployed a smoke bomb from GENESIS's right shoulder. The thick smokescreen enveloped the area, obscuring their vision. Seizing the opportunity, Joseph activated the Steel Sword, drawing the gleaming blade with precision. GENESIS lunged forward to strike EMERALD PHANTOM, but Lucil Zacharias, the pilot of EMERALD PHANTOM, displayed uncanny reflexes, dodging GENESIS's attack with grace. EMERALD PHANTOM retaliated by grabbing GENESIS's arm and slicing through it with a precision strike, severing the right arm.

 

With GENESIS now disarmed and reeling from the damage, EMERALD PHANTOM delivered a powerful kick, sending the mech tumbling backward. Meanwhile, Jericho, despite his own injuries, made a valiant effort to defend GENESIS. He thrust his remaining arm forward, hoping to deter EMERALD PHANTOM, but the elite mech's overwhelming combat ability was too much. It swiftly dispatched Jericho, forcing his mech to crash to the ground.

 

Joseph, deeply concerned about Jericho's safety, shouted out, "Jericho!"

 

In response, Jericho reassured him, "Don't worry about me; I'm still in good."

 

However, their relief was short-lived. Lucil Zacharias activated EMERALD PHANTOM's secret body system, CRUEL STALKER. As this mode kicked in, EMERALD PHANTOM became even faster, moving at speeds surpassing the sound barrier. It closed in on GENESIS with blinding swiftness, leaving Joseph in a state of shock and uncertainty.

 

Joseph, struggling to maintain control, prepared GENESIS for the impending onslaught, uncertain of what to expect next.

 

Luther chimed in with a sense of resignation, "It appears that… it's time for play is over. CRUEL STALKER is the most advanced technology ever developed by the Azure King. It's bestowed upon those who are fiercely loyal to his rule. I never imagined that the Zacharias family possessed such technology."

 

EMERALD PHANTOM delivered a devastating kick to GENESIS, launching the mighty mech through the air and crashing into a massive rock formation. Lucil Zacharias began to explain, his voice still calm but resonating with authority, "CRUEL STALKER is a state that enhances EMERALD PHANTOM's speed to that of sound, while its combat capabilities are boosted fivefold."

Observing the dire situation from the control center, Eliza couldn't contain her frustration and smacked the table. Everyone in Silver Prism Motherbase are in frustration.

 

"I will deal with you later," Lucil calmly declared as he approached the partially destroyed Jericho mech, his EMERALD PHANTOM's lightsabers aimed menacingly at it.

 

Joseph, alarmed and concerned, demanded, "What are you going to do?!"

 

Meanwhile another side of Seven Sword Unit and Black Hound Unit operation

 

Meanwhile, in a distant location, the Seven Sword Unit, loyal to the White King, and the Black Hound Unit, serving the ARTIFICIAL, arrived at a mysterious old house. The White King's commander ordered his soldiers to ambush the house, and with a swift kick, they forced the door open before entering the building.

 

Inside the old house, the soldiers discovered a table with an old computer still turned on. "Commander, there's nothing here but this computer," reported one of the White King's soldiers. Hearing this, Ariarathes Weisman, the White King himself, instructed his commanders to have the soldiers check the computer for any valuable information.

 

As the soldier accessed the old computer, a mysterious document was revealed. Unexpectedly, a video footage began playing, featuring the enigmatic old man Joseph and Erina had encountered.

 

EMERALD PHANTOM halted its deadly strike toward Jericho's downed mech, and Joseph urgently yelled to "STOP!" But what really brought everything to a standstill was the unexpected appearance of the mysterious old man's footage on their comms. This eerie figure had the power to command their attention.

 

The sudden appear of mysterious old man footage causing even Lucil Zacharias to pause, bewildered by the sudden interference. It was as though the entire world was momentarily gripped by this enigmatic presence.

 

Eliza, deeply immersed in devising a plan to counter the relentless EMERALD PHANTOM, suddenly found her thoughts interrupted. The mysterious old man's footage had begun to play on every screen throughout the Silver Prism Motherbase it froze everyone in their tracks.

 

As the old man's began "Welcome, everyone, or should I say, the people of ARTIFICIAL," he began. "You've stumbled upon something beyond your understanding. Heed my words, the people of ARTIFICIAL. I am the man who once breached the Surface."

 

The mention of the surface sent ripples of confusion and intrigue throughout the gathered crowd. Whispers and murmurs spread like wildfire. "The surface?" some inquired, their voices tinged with disbelief. Others questioned, "What is this surface he speaks of?" And a few openly wondered, "Is this man simply delusional?"

 

In the midst of the growing commotion, every citizen that react to the recorded footage found themselves teetering on the precipice of a revelation that defied their comprehension.

 

The old man's continue "Know this, people of ARTIFICIAL, the existence you've known is a fabricated lie, a mere illusion. I implore you not to place your faith in the ARTIFICIAL government. Seek the surface, for there you will witness the revelation of our genuine world!"

 

His words struck like thunder, casting doubt. The idea of an authentic reality hidden beneath their artificial lives ignited a deep, resonating curiosity and a profound sense of uncertainty among the residents.

 

The old man's revelation stirred the people of the ARTIFICIAL into a whirlwind of hushed conversations, disbelief, and excitement. Their voices melded into a cacophonous symphony of astonishment.

 

"Our real world?" they pondered, their whispers growing louder. "Did you hear that?"

 

The idea of a concealed reality, whispered in hushed tones for so long, suddenly burst into the open, leaving many in awe and questioning the life they had known.

 

"Could it be true?" they wondered, their curiosity piqued. "Or is this just another conspiracy?"

 

In a resolute and unyielding the mysterious old man, the man who had dared to reveal the secrets of the ARTIFICIAL, reveal his name one final time.

 

"My name is Christopher Topwells," he declared, his words echoing with purpose and determination. "The man who has traversed the depths and reached the Surface. GENESIS will rise once again."

 

As Joseph watched the recorded footage, he couldn't believe his eyes as GENESIS began to stir, its core radiating a brilliant ruby glow. He muttered in astonishment, "What is this?"

 

On the control panel, the letters G.E.N.E.S.I.S appeared, and the voice of Christopher Topwells addressed Joseph through the video. "Young man, this is a gift for you. Use GENESIS for the greater good, and do not let it fall into the hands of the ARTIFICIAL. In this awakened state, I've activated a code that unlocks GENESIS's true potential, although it may not be at its fullest yet. May fate guide us once more."

 

With GENESIS now awakened, its capabilities enhanced, and its speed doubled, Joseph wasted no time. GENESIS surged forward, its power rivaling that of EMERALD PHANTOM in CRUEL STALKER mode. The battle begin

Meanwhile as the footage came to an end, the atmosphere in the mysterious old house grew tense. Suddenly, with a deafening explosion, the old house was reduced to rubble. Ariarathes Weisman, the White King, He instructed the Seven Sword Unit to return to the Empire of the White Land immediately. Turning to the Artificial Intelligence Being, he declared with determination, "We will hunt down that man, Christopher Topwells."

The air was charged with an aura of mystery and determination, setting the stage for a thrilling pursuit.

In the Empire of Crimson Land, Karina watched the recorded footage with a mix of hope and melancholy. She held a picture of her and Alice Whittalker, Joseph's real mother, close to her chest. As the video ended,

"Did you see that, Alice?" Karina murmured to the image in the photograph. "Your son, Joseph, was fated to become a beacon of hope in this cruel world. But, Alice, I wonder if you're still out there, somewhere, watching over him."