As Tomi, Ace, Zane, Blaze, Arande, and Layla split off to aid the civilians, the weight of the unfolding chaos pressed down on them. They scoured the wreckage, searching for the main threat—the two elusive enemies—but all they found were terrified families, injured bodies, and the lingering echoes of destruction.
Layla's eyes widened as she spotted a dark, hulking mecha zeroing in on a family huddled in fear—a mother clutching a baby to her chest, the father shielding them both with his arms. The mecha's cannon glowed ominously, charging up a deadly red beam.
"Damn this creature!" Layla thought, her blood boiling. Without hesitation, she darted forward with a speed born from adrenaline and fury.
In one swift motion, she scooped up the family, pulling them to safety just as the crimson beam fired. The blast tore through the space where they had been standing moments before, disintegrating part of a nearby building with a deafening crack. Half the structure crumbled to dust.
"Alright, you're safe now," Layla reassured the shaken family, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.
She guided them to the nearby GF2 massive drone aircraft, where other soldiers were already helping civilians board.
Medics rushed about, tending to the injured, while automated systems onboard prepared to take off. The scene was a whirl of frantic movement—people crying for their loved ones, the injured being bandaged, and others desperately clinging to hope.
Just as Layla turned to assist more civilians, her visor flashed a warning in bright red: [Purified Dark AI Incoming:]
A shiver ran down her spine, and the civilians around her began to scream as a dark, towering AI approached with menacing strides.
Layla's heart raced, but before she could react, she caught sight of Arande, who was already a blur of motion, charging toward the monstrous AI.
The dark AI mecha had a sleek, unsettling design, its helmet shaped like the head of a weasel, with glowing eyes full of malice. Its presence was terrifying, but Arande was undeterred.
Her light lancer flashed in the sunlight as she blocked the creature's path, her feet sliding in the dirt as the force of the impact sent a gust of wind whipping through the battlefield. Her determination was palpable, every movement precise and fueled by adrenaline.
The civilians, the medics, and the remaining GF2 soldiers stood frozen for a moment, watching in awe as Arande engaged the mecha head-on.
The clash of metal echoed in the air as sparks flew from their weapons, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of their fight.
Meanwhile, Layla continued to usher the civilians into the aircraft, her voice calm despite the turmoil. Medics worked swiftly inside, dressing wounds, while cooks handed out what little food they had left to those who could eat.
Some of the civilians sobbed quietly, mourning family members who were either lost or still trapped under the debris.
"Thank you for saving my family," a small voice piped up, drawing Layla's attention.
She glanced down to see a little boy, no older than six, staring up at her with wide, tear-filled eyes. He clutched the edge of her uniform, his tiny fingers trembling.
Layla smiled, her heart softening for a moment amid the chaos.
"You're welcome," she said gently, her visor flickering with the faint glow of her lancer system. She then pointed toward the ongoing battle. "But the real thanks go to them."
The boy's gaze followed her finger to where Arande was now in the midst of a vicious strike, her blade slicing through the core of the weasel-shaped AI.
Sparks erupted from the machine as its systems failed, collapsing under the precision of her attack.
Layla glanced down at the boy, his wide eyes filled with admiration as he watched her and the others in awe.
His innocent smile tugged at her heart, a reminder of why they fought so hard in this chaotic world.
Waving to the boy and his parents, she said softly, "Take care now."
"I'll see you again when I grow up and become an F2!" the boy shouted, his voice full of hope and excitement as he waved vigorously.
Layla's smile faltered slightly when she noticed the horrified expressions on the faces of nearby civilians.
The boy's parents quickly covered his mouth, their eyes pleading with her not to encourage such dangerous dreams.
"I'll see to it," Layla said softly, her words carrying a mix of warmth and caution as she turned away.
She moved with purpose, exiting the aircraft to rejoin Arande, who was waving her over.
"Hurry up, Layla. We need to catch up with Tomi and Ace," Arande called, her voice firm but tinged with urgency.
Layla nodded, quickening her pace to meet Arande's side. Together, they moved through the chaotic remnants of the village, their eyes scanning for Zane and Blaze as they prepared to regroup.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion ripped through the air, the shockwave slamming into Layla from behind. The sky turned red with the glow of the blast, and a massive gust of scorching wind swept over them, tearing at her mecha and sending clouds of dust swirling into the air.
Layla's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in horror. She felt her chest tighten, frozen in disbelief.
She didn't want to look back—didn't want to face the possibility that the aircraft, full of terrified civilians, had been caught in the explosion.
Her mind screamed at her to move, to turn around, but her body was locked in place, her muscles refusing to obey.
A manic laugh sliced through the chaos, cold and twisted, echoing in the desert air behind her.
"Are you kids supposed to be handling our invasion?"
The voice was smooth yet chilling, dripping with arrogance. Layla's stomach twisted. Slowly, she forced herself to glance toward Arande, whose black lancer stood still, facing the reality Layla didn't want to confront.
Arande's clenched fists and tense posture told Layla everything she needed to know. The explosion wasn't a nightmare—it was real. And now, standing amidst the destruction, was the source of that mocking voice.
Layla's blood ran cold as she braced herself, knowing that whoever had spoken wasn't just another foot soldier. This was someone far more dangerous.
"Nightshade, please quiet down," a calm, controlled voice broke through the tension.
Twilight stepped forward, her gaze steady, silencing her partner's overenthusiastic nature.
"Come on, Twilight!" Nightshade responded in a cheerful, almost playful tone.
"Don't they seem like people we could be friends with? I mean Look at them!" Her grin widened, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Layla's fists tightened as a surge of rage swept through her. She could barely contain the fury bubbling within.
The mocking laughter, the smugness—they were toying with them. Her pulse hammered in her ears, the heat of her anger rising like wildfire.
"Disintegration!" she roared, her voice trembling with fury.
Without thinking, she unleashed a devastating beam, its power crackling through the air like a deadly storm.
Arande's eyes widened in horror as she watched Layla's attack tear toward Nightshade and Twilight.
The energy ripped through the air, promising destruction that could reduce the entire landscape to nothing. This was not the place for such force.
Nightshade's smile only grew as the beam neared. She watched it with a twisted kind of glee, ready to play.
But it was Twilight who stepped forward, her movements graceful, her demeanor as cold as ice.