(Chapter 69 Warden Class II)
"Remember, our mission is to bring that thing back to Fontaine, so we can't afford to damage it beyond repair."
Tempest instructed his knights, his voice calm but firm.
"Use Hatsume's inventions to paralyze it. Target the parts and core, slow it down, don't destroy it."
"I'll keep it distracted. Move quickly, and stay sharp. I want everyone back alive."
Tempest added, his eyes narrowing with focus as he prepared to charge toward the colossal Primal Construct. His knights, without hesitation, readied Hatsume's inventions, an Electro-infused net gun, and a specialized Electro-infused harpoon gun, both designed specifically for situations like this.
'Young Pasha, I will need your guidance once more.'
Tempest inquired mentally.
'I have your back, Tempest. You can count on me. I will watch over you, support you, and guide you on this confrontation. You are not alone. You have my unwavering support.'
Nahida said her voice resolute and determined.
At last, the Warden-Class Primal Construct stirred to life, its imposing frame whirring as it made its first move. A faint glow emanated from its core as it marked the ground beneath Tempest and his knights with a pulsating, blue light. The Construct's repulsor blasters began to charge, humming with deadly energy. Tempest could feel the ground vibrating beneath his feet, and he quickly glanced at his knights, signaling them to spread out.
"Move! Scatter!"
Tempest shouted, knowing full well the destructive force that was about to be unleashed.
The knights swiftly obeyed, scattering in all directions to take cover behind the ancient stone pillars of the pyramid. Tempest sprinted ahead, his instincts kicking in as he dashed to escape the marked zone. Just as he cleared the area, a barrage of laser beams rained down, scorching the ground where they had once stood. The blasts left smoldering craters in their wake, shaking the very foundation of the pyramid.
"Stay sharp!"
Tempest shouted his voice cutting through the chaos. The Warden-Class Construct, towering and menacing, shifted its gaze toward him. Its sensors locked onto Tempest, recognizing him as the leader of the intruders.
'Tempest! Don't stop running!'
Nahida's urgent voice echoed in his mind, snapping him into action. Without hesitation, Tempest obeyed, sprinting across the ground as fast as possible. The Warden-Class Construct whirred ominously, combining its repulsor and reshaper to form a deadly, tracking laser that locked onto Tempest. He could feel the heat of the beam closing in, cutting through the air just behind him as it chased his every move.
The knights, seizing the perfect moment, aimed their Electro-Infused harpoon guns and fired in unison. The harpoons whizzed through the air, trailing sparks of electric energy as they struck the Warden-Class Construct's tracking laser system. The impact sent a cascade of crackling electricity through the machine's components, temporarily disrupting its functions.
But the reprieve was short-lived. The Warden-Class Construct shook itself violently, its mechanical limbs thrashing as it overpowered the harpoon restraints. The sudden force yanked the ropes of the harpoon guns taut, sending several knights flying into the air. They cried out as they were flung across the chamber, their armor clattering loudly as they hit the stone floor. The Construct's movements were erratic but powerful, the ropes snapping under the strain as it freed itself from the paralysis.
"Get up!"
Tempest shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. As the Warden-Class finally cloaked itself in invisibility, it left behind a dangerous aftermath: two deadly spinning blades from its repulsor and two floating prospector parts that drifted menacingly through the air. The spinning blades whirred with a menacing hum, their deadly trajectory unpredictable, while the prospector parts hovered ominously, adding to the looming threat. The knights scrambled to their feet, their eyes scanning desperately for any sign of the now-invisible enemy. Tempest gritted his teeth, knowing that the real challenge was about to begin.
The repulsor blades pursued Tempest and his knights with relentless precision, while the prospector cannons fired deadly laser beams that streaked through the air. As the group scrambled to evade the onslaught, one unfortunate knight was struck by a laser beam. The impact sent him flying backward with brutal force, his body crashing against the pyramid's walls before collapsing lifelessly to the ground. The chaos of battle intensified as the remaining knights fought to stay alive, their focus divided between evading the spinning blades and seeking cover from the relentless laser fire.
Tempest's Pyro Delusion ignited with a fierce blaze, enveloping his arms in vibrant Pyro gauntlets. As the repulsor blade pursued him, he braced himself and leaped into action. With a burst of strength, he seized the spinning blade, halting its trajectory. Tempest lifted it with a heave, then hurled it forcefully to the side, away from his knights. Meanwhile, the remaining knights, who had managed to avoid being flung by the Warden-Class's violent shake, took advantage of the opening. They swiftly aimed their harpoon guns and fired with precision, targeting the prospector parts in a coordinated effort to disable the formidable construct.
'Tempest! Now! Signal your knights to fire!'
Nahida's voice took on an urgent, commanding tone. The Warden-Class had momentarily halted its relentless assault, retracting its scattered parts and summoning a swarm of smaller machines, resembling drones, to begin repairs.
"Now! Open fire!"
Tempest, seizing the critical moment, quickly shouted to his knights, urging them to unleash their firepower. The knights, having witnessed the Warden-Class's brief pause, immediately sprang into action. They aimed their harpoon guns at the vulnerable parts of the construct, determined to capitalize on the temporary lapse in its defenses.
A barrage of harpoon hooks struck the exposed parts being repaired, each one electrified with a powerful surge of Electro energy. The ropes, now charged with electricity, ensnared the parts and effectively disabled their repair efforts. As a result, the Warden-Class revealed itself once more, immobilized and paralyzed by the coordinated assault. The once menacing construct now lay vulnerable.
"Now! Go go go!"
Tempest shouted, urgency in his voice. Without hesitation, his knights sprang into action. They quickly swapped their harpoon guns for Electro-Infused net guns, charging towards the immobilized Warden-Class. The knights worked in unison, casting their nets with precision, aiming to ensnare the colossal construct and secure it for transport. The tension in the air was palpable as they moved swiftly to contain their formidable quarry, determined to complete their mission.
'Tempest, something's not right. I have a bad feeling. I sense danger. Please, command your knights to retreat immediately!'
Nahida's voice was filled with alarmed concern, and Tempest's eyes widened in realization. Despite the Warden-Class being ensnared, it continued to thrash violently. Suddenly, it began to gather all its scattered parts, drawing in energy with a low, ominous hum. The construct was preparing to unleash a devastating shockwave.
"Fall back, now!"
Tempest commanded, his voice sharp and urgent. His knights immediately turned to him, eyes wide with alarm, as he gestured for them to retreat, pointing towards the farthest cover they could find. Without hesitation, they scrambled to get as far from the thrashing construct as possible, knowing that whatever was coming would be catastrophic.
*Boom!*
The Warden-Class unleashed a devastating shockwave, sending a tremor through the air. Three of Tempest's knights, caught in the blast, were thrown back violently, their bodies lifeless before they could even reach cover. The shockwave sent dust and debris flying, and for a moment, the battlefield was a storm of chaos. As the smoke cleared, the Warden-Class stood tall and menacing, completely unfazed by the earlier assault. It had returned to full strength, and now they were back to phase one, the cycle beginning anew. Tempest clenched his fists, his mind racing for a new strategy.
"You gotta be shitting with me..."
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An exhausting hour had passed, and Tempest's situation had grown dire. Out of the fourteen knights who had been locked inside the pyramid with him, only seven remained. Tempest now faced the relentless Warden-Class construct alone, with only Nahida's voice guiding his every move in his mind. His remaining knights rested at the edges of the battlefield, their faces etched with fatigue and despair. Half were wounded, and their equipment was battered, completely depleted of its functionality. Even their harpoon guns and nets were useless now.
'Tempest, you must rethink your strategy. You cannot afford to hold back any longer. The lives of your remaining knights hang in the balance. Their safety must be your top priority now. Forget about trying to paralyze that thing, focus on annihilating it altogether. You need to end this.'
Nahida's voice echoed urgently in his mind.
Tempest gritted his teeth as he dodged another barrage of attacks from the relentless Warden-Class. The construct's powerful strikes sent shockwaves through the ground, and with each narrowly evaded blow, he knew Nahida was right. His plan to capture and take the machine back to Fontaine had to be abandoned. His knights, injured and depleted, couldn't endure much more, and the construct showed no signs of slowing down.
'Tempest, remember this. You are fighting a machine, a relentless construct that does not feel fatigue, hunger, or pain like mortal beings. But you... You are only human. Exhaustion is creeping in, and it's only a matter of time before your body gives out. How long do you think you can sustain this fight, especially against an opponent that never tires?'
Nahida's words hit Tempest like a cold wave of truth. His breath was coming in sharp, ragged bursts, his chest rising and falling heavily with each labored inhale. Sweat dripped down his forehead, stinging his eyes, as the weight of his Pyro gauntlets began to feel heavier with every passing second. His once precise, fluid movements had slowed, just enough to dodge the relentless onslaught of the Warden-Class's attacks.
"Fine..."
Tempest muttered under his breath, his voice laced with frustration and exhaustion. He had finally reached his breaking point. His eyes, which had been hardened with resolve, began to glow with a golden hue, a sign that he was about to use Ra's power. He had tried restraint and followed the plan, but enough was enough. His mission was no longer about capturing the Warden-Class, it was about survival.
Tempest's mind raced, but one thought stood clear.
'Rip and tear this thing apart.'
Tempest unsheathed his sword with a swift motion. As he drew it, the blade was immediately engulfed in a fierce, golden flame that danced and flickered with raw power.
*Boom!*
Just as Tempest was about to charge at the Warden-Class with the intent to annihilate it, the entrance of the pyramid exploded outward. Through the dust and debris rolled one of Hatsume's Siege Engines, its massive wheels grinding over the rubble.
"Cavalry is here, chief!"
Hatsume's voice rang out from within the Siege Engine, her excitement palpable even through the chaos.