(Chapter 70 Mission Complete)
"Hatsume...?"
Tempest muttered, as he turned toward the Siege Engine. There, poking out of the hatch, was Hatsume, her eccentric grin wide and unapologetic. Her iconic goggles sat firmly over her eyes, reflecting the flickering light from the battlefield, while her wild hair danced in the wind.
"Surprise!"
Hatsume called out, her voice filled with excitement.
"Saw your distress signal, chief! Couldn't let you have all the fun, now could I!?"
Hatsume shouted with a mischievous grin, her voice brimming with excitement.
As she spoke, the massive barrel of the Siege Engine rotated toward the Warden-Class, revealing an enormous, harpoon loaded and ready. The engine hummed with power, gears turning, and the weapon primed for action.
"Let's see how this baby fares against that oversized scrap heap!"
Hatsume added with a chuckle, clearly thrilled at the prospect of testing her latest invention in battle.
The Warden-Class immediately shifted its attention to the new threat, its mechanical eyes locking onto Hatsume's Siege Engine. It ceased its attacks on Tempest and began charging its prospector beams, aiming to obliterate the approaching machine, but Hatsume was quicker.
"Not today!"
Hatsume shouted, firing the harpoon before the Warden could release its deadly beams. The harpoon shot through the air with a loud thunk, piercing the Warden-Class on its side. The towering construct staggered under the impact, briefly thrown off balance.
However, it was clear that Hatsume had deliberately missed its core. She grinned wildly, her eyes gleaming from behind her goggles.
"Not yet, big guy."
Hatsume muttered under her breath, her grin widening as she prepared for the next move.
Hatsume climbed out of the hatch, grabbing the thick rope of the harpoon that connected her Siege Engine to the Warden-Class. Sparks of energy flickered around her as her Electro Vision flared to life, sending a jolt of Electro energy coursing through the rope.
She gritted her teeth, holding the rope tightly as bolts of Electro traveled down its length, surging toward the Warden-Class. The construct shuddered violently as the energy reached it, arcs of purple lightning crackling across its metal frame.
"Hahahaha!"
Hatsume's laughter echoed through the pyramid, her voice filled with both excitement and mischief as she watched the Warden-Class struggle. The construct, usually so precise in its actions, was now twitching and sputtering under the relentless surge of Electro she poured into it.
It attempted to activate its invisibility once more, its shimmering form flickering on and off, but the constant interference from Hatsume's Electro made it falter.
'She's really eccentric, isn't she?'
Nahida's voice echoed gently in Tempest's mind as she observed Hatsume through his eyes.
'She is, that's what makes her unique.'
Tempest replied, sheathing his sword. As he spoke, more reinforcements arrived, their Electro-Infused harpoon guns at the ready. They quickly joined Hatsume in the fray, unleashing a barrage of harpoons aimed at the Warden-Class. The combined assault further immobilized the massive construct, its movements becoming increasingly sluggish as it struggled against the coordinated onslaught.
"Brother!"
Penance shouted as she rushed to Tempest's side.
"Good work, Penance. Can you please go and find any available knights to help get the wounded out of here?"
Tempest requested, his voice steady despite the ongoing battle.
"We need to ensure everyone is safely evacuated while we deal with this construct."
"Mm! Got it!"
Penance nodded with determination before swiftly turning on her heels and dashing back to where she had come from.
"Just stay down already!"
Hatsume shouted in frustration. Tempest turned to see that the Warden-Class was still not going down; it continued to struggle and slowly attempted to rise again despite the ongoing barrage of attacks.
The Warden-Class managed to lift one of its prospector beams and fired a single, powerful beam that struck the ceiling, causing debris to rain down. Despite this brief show of power, it continued to struggle, its systems clearly strained and faltering.
'Tempest, I have an idea in mind that could potentially neutralize that threat before it causes any further destruction. However, I must first obtain your permission to proceed. Will you allow me to share my plan with you, and give me your consent to execute it?'
Nahida's voice takes on a more solemn and serious tone as she speaks.
'Do tell, Young Pasha.'
Tempest replied.
'Tempest, allow me to take control of your body and fuse my power with yours. You need the element of Dendro to aggravate the Electro. I'm offering you my full support. However, I must ask for your permission and make sure you're alright with this arrangement.'
Nahida's tone becomes assertive and resolute, yet tinged with a touch of caution.
'Very well, I consent.'
Tempest replied, Tempest replied, his tone resolute, agreeing with Nahida.
'Very well, Tempest. Close one eye, and prepare yourself. You might experience a momentary headache. I apologize in advance for any discomfort you may feel during the process.'
Nahida's voice becomes soft and reassuring as she offers a forewarning.
Tempest nodded in response, closing his left eye. Moments later, a sharp migraine erupted in his mind, causing him to grit his teeth and place a hand on his head. The pain was intense but fleeting and soon subsided. His right eye then shifted from its usual gold to a deep green with a small cross as its pupil, marking the change.
With Nahida now in control of Tempest's body, she surveyed the surroundings. Hatsume and the knights were engaged in a tense tug-of-war with the Warden, each side struggling to see who would give in first. The scene was chaotic, with the Warden-Class thrashing and attempting to break free, while Hatsume and the knights pulled with all their might, their faces set in determined grimaces.
"Although I am imprisoned and my powers are limited, I am not entirely helpless. I still have the ability to summon some allies who can assist us in this time of need."
Nahida spoke through Tempest's voice. As she extended Tempest's hand, Dendro Crystalflys began to materialize, hovering gracefully above it. With a gentle motion, she cupped Tempest's hands together, and soon, an arrow of pure Dendro energy formed, radiating with a vibrant green hue.
"I'm placing my faith in you, Tempest. I'll leave it to you to handle this situation."
Nahida said, her tone both reassuring and confident. She gently closed Tempest's right eye and opened his left, allowing him to regain control of his body. With a deep breath, Tempest felt the familiar sensation of his own consciousness returning, ready to take charge of the situation once more.
'Thank you, Young Pasha... That was an unsettling experience. For a moment, everything was just darkness. I couldn't hear, feel, or see anything.'
Tempest thought, still holding the Dendro arrow in his hand.
'The destination of the consciousness is something we should not question, Tempest.'
Nahida's tone turns philosophical, her voice filled with an air of mystery.
'I suppose you're right. Let's get this over with it.'
Tempest replied. He quickly moved to the side, retrieving a harpoon gun that had been dropped during the initial confrontation. With swift, practiced movements, he loaded the Dendro arrow into the gun.
"Hatsume! Pour in everything you've got!"
Tempest shouted, his voice filled with urgency and determination.
"Does it look like I'm not giving it my all?! Aye aye, chief!"
Hatsume shouted back, her Electro Vision blazing brightly. She gripped the rope hooked to the Warden-Class tightly, pouring every ounce of her energy into it. Another surge of electricity surged through the rope, intensifying the strain on the massive construct.
Tempest aimed the harpoon gun and shortly...
*Bang!*
The Dendro arrow struck the Warden-Class on its side. As the effects of Dendro and Electro began to merge, a vibrant display of sparkling currents flickered across the construct's surface. The combined forces of Dendro and Electro finally overwhelmed the Warden-Class, causing it to convulse and shudder before coming to a complete halt. The once formidable machine had finally succumbed, now thoroughly paralyzed and subdued.
"Fuck... Finally..."
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Tempest stood in silence, watching as his knights solemnly carried the bodies of their fallen comrades. Each fallen knight was handled with care and respect, their lifeless forms gently loaded into a carriage. The atmosphere was heavy with grief, yet tinged with honor, as they prepared to bring their brothers-in-arms back home to Fontaine.
"I apologize we couldn't make it in time, Your Grace."
Rohan said, standing beside Tempest as they both watched the somber scene unfold.
"They fought bravely, Rohan. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, this expedition better be worth it in the long run."
Tempest finally replied, his voice calm yet filled with a quiet resolve.
The two then turned toward the entrance of the Dune of Elusion, where Hatsume's Siege Engine was rumbling forward, slowly dragging the massive Warden-Class behind it. The construct was entangled in a web of Electro-infused nets, crackling faintly as they held the once formidable machine in a paralyzed state. Sparks flickered intermittently as the nets ensured that the Warden-Class remained immobilized, its heavy frame scraping against the desert floor as it was pulled along.
"Set up camp here for the night. Send riders to the Tanit camps and have them regroup at this location. We'll need everyone ready to move at dawn. Tomorrow, we head for Caravan Ribat."