All hydraulics online. Weapon systems confirmed. Engaging the enemy.
Kayra tried to calm his quickening breaths. His only companion was death. He piloted the last mech on Earth, the Atlas-XT, a relic of a bygone era.
"Last stand, Atlas. This is for humanity's final push," he said with a bittersweet smile. Devastation stretched before him. A monstrous eight-tentacled creature with a shark-like head mocked him, standing on its four thick legs. A constant stream of smaller minions poured from its back. It was a grotesque, nightmarish beast.
Engagement protocols confirmed.
The autopilot's words spurred Kayra into action. He activated his laser cannon and fired at the beast. Some shots hit, but the cunning creature dodged the rest.
Activating long blade. The AI, recognizing close-quarters combat, deployed the mech's secondary weapon.
"Come get some, you son of a--"
The shark-head lunged, but Kayra dodged right and sliced off its front right leg. He immediately focused fire on its head, emptying a whole clip of energy cells. The beast crumpled.
The fight wasn't over. He needed to incinerate the creature's corpse.
Atlas to command. Request inferno bomb deployment.
A long, agonizing silence.
"Damn it!"
Seismic activity detected from behind. Exercise caution, pilot.
Kayra tried to turn, but his footing slipped. The colossal mech lurched forward, and a massive, worm-like creature erupted from its torso, piercing it clean through.
"What in the hell is this?!"
Critical damage detected! Torso integrity compromised at 95%. Long-range combat capabilities active.
Kayra attempted to turn his back. His mech's right arm transformed into a powerful long-range rifle.
"Eat this, you damn worm!" He emptied the entire clip into the worm's body, reducing it to a pulpy mess.
Critical systems failure detected. Egress function initiated. Establishing connection... connection failed. Red alert activated. Self-destruct sequence initiated.
Two Titan signatures detected. Distance: 1km.
"Fucking Titans. Useless government bastards! Why'd they scrap the Titan Hunter program? Now, humanity teeters on the brink! Elves, dwarves, even goblins... all gone. Gods be damned! Curse you all!"
Silence hung heavy for a moment.
Targets closing on Atlas. Distance: 900 meters.
"Activate self-destruct sequence."
Acknowledged. Initiating pilot escape protocol.
"Negative. Cancel escape protocol."
The AI paused. Command unrecognized. Please clarify.
Kayra smiled, a weary and sorrowful expression etched on his face. It was a smile of defiance in the face of despair. "Haven't you heard? Captains go down with their ships."
Command not recognized. Override escape pod ejection?
"Affirmative."
Unable to establish connection with central command... Override accepted.
Kayra closed his eyes, accepting his fate. His life flashed before his eyes.
Target closing on 500 meters... 400... 300... 200...
Self-destruct sequence initiated in 10 seconds.
"Goodbye, you ugly sons of--"
ACTIVATED: ARCHAIC PROTOCOLS. THE FIGHT CONTINUES.
"What?"
A blinding explosion engulfed the two monsters and the surrounding city. It wasn't the end. Old Gods, you think you've won? Not by a long shot.