A sense of excitement filled his heart, but Zyro wasted no time to idle and directly headed to the starship entrance at the back.
The question is, will it work?
Raven had carried him in a vast galaxy before bringing him into this world at the expense of its energy. The last time he had boarded it, his starship power reserve was finally drained completely. Which leads it to crash here, in the lake bottom. Fortunately, the water and sands cushion its impact, so it wasn't damaged severely. However, the fact remains. Raven has no power anymore, and he had no way of charging it.
That said, Zyro did not risk luring the Gricks and the guardian out to fight each other for no reason.
His aware of Raven mechanism, and Aizra gave him an even more detailed information about the starship. And if there's anything all vessels meant for space ventures have in common, that's energy conservation through heat rays from distant stars. Because fuel took up so much space and was not suitable for prolonged travels in the galaxy, star crafts switched to electricity based components, engine included. Stored energy is limited too, but the sun rays serve as a source that provides recharge for the ship reserves.
However, due to the extended amount of time wandering the void. Raven solar panels were burned beyond function. Still, similar to his cybernetic suit battery, Raven energy system possesses self absorption feature. If the solar plates cannot provide charges anymore, then the circuits have to rely on other sources. It just so happens Raven was drowned in a lake overflowing with electricity for months.
Zyro prayed as he touched the identity confirmation lock behind Raven, where the hatch is located. It was silent for a moment, then... Almost unnoticeably lasers scanned Zyro's armored figure, then the ship's system connected to Shroud of Night programs through his fingertips.
[Raven permit entry of [Troop 0000] namely, Zero of the onyx unit.]
He heaved a sigh of relief, but realized he could barely control his mouth. Apparently, the prolonged exposure of his body to excessive electrical contents was really close to destroying him. There's no pain, but the accumulating damage is there.
He could transform into fog, but Zyro wasn't sure of what will happen if he does so underwater. Will he stay in the same place or be suddenly shot up because mists were gast, thus, liquid pressure would push it out like what happens to air bubbles underwater.
So, he dismisses the idea. All he has to do now is go in, anyway.
With a mechanical clutter, the hatch parted upwards and downwards. The starship internals were filled with waters already, so no more gushed in. Despite this, the controls and various lightings function properly as if liquid cannot damage them. Actually, waters are helping the electrical components cool down rather than causing haywires.
Human technology had long overcome liquid vulnerability after a thousand years of innovation. So even though it has been submerged for almost half a year, Raven systems were not defected.
Somehow, it felt strange to board a ship filled with waters. As if his in zero gravity, but different. If only these waters were not so torturous.
The hatch closed as soon as Zyro went in, then immediately ordered the system to initiate throughout drainage of the whole internal. He may not feel the pain, Zyro knew his body was breaking down.
The water level within Raven drop, revealing wet electronics and various components. Eventually, the iron chamber inside was free of liquids. Leaving behind dripping remnants of the previous overflow and wet iron floor.
Only then did his body relaxed. His finally free from the torturous waters.
However his not feeling good.
Zyro fell to his knees, took off his helmet hurriedly which bounced on the floor. Then... blood came coughing out of his mouth. Splattering on the soaked floor.
'Damn... I think some of my organs got cooked.'
Fortunately, his perception of pain was cut off right now. If not, he would be screaming horridly due to the lingering electricity on his body.
Still, for him to withstand such torments was miraculous. His body structure must have been more robust than average human to take on an assault of that degree and continue functioning.
Although, nothing much change in his appearance. Aizra's analysis confirmed that Zyro's anatomy had evolved to a superior version of human body because of foreign influence. Namely, soul cores effecting his original soul.
After resting for a bit, he looked at the empty pilot seat facing the framed window showing deep, dark waters outside Raven.
Zyro made his way to the pilot seat and sat, feeling the comfort of modernity after spending months in the fantastical, yet old fashioned world. For some reason, being here felt like home. To his home planet, where his kind lives accompanied by technology. Although, his life there were not pleasant. It was still he came from and grow up.
Raven and Shroud of Night were the only things he have to remember Earth and was made by his kins. His eyes were touch by glint of longing upon remembering his world and kinds. Sadly, Zyro is destined to be alone in this world with no way of coming back.
He heaved a sigh of relief... Whispering in a wistful tone.
'I finally got you back.'
At least he have Raven now. This starship can be his new home. It's large enough to be, too.
Sense of bitterness dawned on him upon thinking back when he considered abandoning Raven. Luckily, the ashen orb gave him the perfect ability to support his daring plan of retrieving Raven despite the dreadful guardian nesting at the lake bottom.
How ironic... The Great Wall of Fog trapped him in Foggy Ring, yet it became his key to freedom from its embrace. The Gricks that were supposed to hunt him down ended up aiding Zyro's escape by distracting the guardian. Added, their job here is prevent the Fallen Knight from acquiring his airship.
It's really ironic.
Zyro held the rectangular control, and looked ahead. The sight outside display a gloomy, unchanging view of dark waters.
It's a shame. Because the window his looking at now had shown millions of stars, all shimmering like glitters in the vast void. Extraterrestrial planets of various colors that possess their own unhabitable spendors. Rings of meteorites, clusters and so on.
It had seen the beauty of the galaxy. Reached the height of stars and surpassed the heavens.
That's why it's such a shame for this space wanderer to be stuck here, at such a low height.
"Dont worry, I'll get you back up."
The complex controls displaying varying intels and multiple bottons lit up. As if to express it's gratitude to its long awaited pilot. With a flick of a finger, Raven came alive. It's electronic engine hummed, as the four folded wings swing forward. The lit up with blue lights.
Raven began to float off the sands, it's thrusters spreading ripples underwater that blurred the waters as it pushed sands away.
Tightening his grip, Zyro made his starship tilted up and saw distant lights of flames dancing above. A grin found its way on his pale face. I'm the next moment, the starship thrusters unleashed a sonic boom as it darted up. Which throw the lakes dark and calm bottom in shambles.
Raven was like a bullet shot underwater.
Outside, the fierce exchange between warriors and beast was still ongoing. By now, both side sustain considerable casualties. Wrecked
battleships can be seen on the forest below, either dismembered by the devastating logs or burned. Smokes was raising from the broken remains of the fallen vessels, corpses of winged warriors are there too. Those who's fortunate to be alive keep firing their bows, even the injured ones.
The Gricks airships were had decreased in number, but not without wounding the guardian.
The guardian had been in a disadvantage because the Gricks were relying on ranged attacks, enabling it from utilizing it's electrifying power. Still, it fought despite the odds to teach this warriors it wasn't to be trifled with.
However, the situation was not looking good for it, either. It's smooth, milky white skin was stained by inky blood. Oozing from the wounds delivered by countless arrows and flaming spear struck on its body. It's lustrous hive had become a garden of injuries, where uncountable projectiles were planted. Yet, it continue to send tree's flying with its clawed tentacles above and below. For the high battleships and pestering Gricks on ground.
Even the forest were not spared in the devastation of their clash. trees were topple and uprooted around the guardian, while large timbers thrown by the rampaging abomination messily laid ahead. Some, accompanied by a wrecked airship they hit.
From time to time, the airborne shout their war cries while the guardian shrieks in pain.
Their indignant voices and chaotic exchange envelope the surrounding wilderness. No one dared join in... Until it came.
Amidst the intense battle, the lake suddenly exploded. A gush of flaming waters shot up, carried by a dashing black figure that leaves behind blue trails..
For a moment, the Gricks and the guardian turn to look. However, it's too fast and has already disappeared into the sky.
The next moment, azure beams and blazing bullets rained down at them. Each sent with dreadful speed and carried force that no shield of theirs can block.