As the giant robots stomped through the city streets, their metallic clanks reverberated ominously. Mark and his team stood outside the Seirei Exorcist building, facing Kaki, who stood atop one of the towering robots. Around him, dozens of mechanical giants loomed, their weapons humming with energy.
Kaki sneered down at them, his voice dripping with contempt. "Since you refuse to cooperate and have chosen violence, you will now face the consequences."
The ground quaked as the robots began their slow march forward, weapons firing at the team. Mark and the others scattered, dodging the barrage. Mark's thoughts raced as he ducked behind cover, realizing that he needed a weapon to turn the tide. His gaze locked onto the lightsaber-like sword in Kaki's hand.
"Jack!" Mark called, urgency in his voice. "Can you now duplicate other objects?"
Jack nodded hesitantly. "I can, but only if I can touch it."
The team leader, known simply as "Boss," issued commands swiftly. "Jack, your priority is to get that weapon for Mark. Rin, make sure Jack gets back in one piece. Ninda and Miwafe, you're on the frontlines. Slow those robots down before Mark joins in to even the odds. Smith and I will stay back to handle any aerial threats."
Vanessa stepped forward, a determined look on her face. "What about me? What should I do?"
The Boss hesitated, knowing Vanessa's abilities weren't suited for this battle. "Head back to the Seirei Exorcist building and guard the seal on the second building. Stay with the appointed guards. If anything happens, contact us immediately."
Vanessa frowned, clearly unhappy. "But I want to fight—"
The thunderous roar of gunfire cut her off as the robots drew closer. The Boss's voice hardened. "Just do as I say!"
He counted down. "Three… two… one… move!"
The team sprang into action. Jack sprinted toward the towering robot where Kaki stood, while Rin used his Standz ability to manipulate the sand beneath Jack's feet, propelling him upward.
Kaki watched Jack's approach, a mocking grin spreading across his face. "Is this your plan? Sending a weakling like you to face me?"
Jack narrowed his eyes. "Weakling? I'm more than enough to bring you down."
Kaki's grin turned into a scowl. He swung his glowing sword at Jack with terrifying speed, forcing him to dodge frantically. Rin quickly created a sand barrier to intercept the blade, buying Jack precious seconds to evade.
Kaki's voice boomed, his irritation evident. "Pathetic tricks won't save you!"
While Kaki was distracted, Jack lunged forward, reaching for the sword. He managed to graze its hilt before Kaki delivered a brutal kick, sending him tumbling off the robot. Snapping his fingers, Kaki commanded the other robots to unleash a relentless barrage of firepower.
Rin frantically manipulated sand walls to shield his team. Jack, struggling to recover, recalled a lesson from Smith: "There will come a time when your Standz isn't enough. You'll need to rely on your own skill and instincts."
Summoning his resolve, Jack dodged Kaki's next attack and caught his wrist mid-swing. Using momentum, he threw Kaki off balance and grabbed the lightsaber. Triumphantly, he duplicated it before tossing one of the swords to Mark below.
"Catch!" Jack shouted.
Mark snatched the weapon mid-air as Kaki snarled in frustration. He lunged at Jack again, but Miwafe acted quickly, unleashing a massive snow wave that swept Jack off the robot and safely to the ground.
Shivering, Jack muttered, "So cold…"
"Be grateful," Miwafe said, smirking.
Mark activated the glowing sword, charging at one of the robots. "Smith, now!"
Smith extended his Standz ability, using strings to bind the robot's legs. Mark dashed past, slicing through its joints with ease, sending it crashing down. Before Kaki could react, another robot lifted him to safety, placing him on its shoulder.
Anger flashed across Kaki's face as he barked orders. "All units, focus on the Seirei Exorcist building! Destroy them all!"
The robots shifted their attention, converging on the building. Rin turned to the Boss, panic in his voice. "My sand doesn't affect their armor! What should I do?"
"Stick to support and defense!" the Boss commanded. Rin nodded, forming sand walls to block incoming projectiles.
Meanwhile, Ninda darted toward the advancing robots, expertly dodging their attacks. Rin used his sand to launch her upward, giving her the height needed to strike. She swung her metal pole at one robot's head, but the impact merely dented the surface. The pole snapped in half, leaving her defenseless mid-air.
"Jack!" Mark shouted. Jack touched Mark's sword, duplicating it again, and hurled the second blade to Ninda. She caught it and, with newfound confidence, sliced through the surrounding robots.
Miwafe unleashed her ice powers, freezing most of the robots around her solid before shattering them with a single blow. The team stared at her in awe, momentarily distracted by her overwhelming strength. Miwafe turned and raised an eyebrow. Flustered, they quickly refocused.
From his perch, Kaki observed the battle with mounting frustration. "I didn't expect this much resistance, but it changes nothing."
He raised his palm toward the hospital above the Seirei Exorcist building. The ground trembled violently as weapons installed in both buildings sprang to life under his control. Mark turned to the Boss, incredulous. "Why are there missiles and guns here?"
The Boss chuckled nervously. "After the Cobi incident, I installed them as a precaution…"
Kaki's voice echoed menacingly. "You're outmatched. Surrender now!"
The Boss clenched his fists. "I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice." He pressed a button on his communicator, sending out a distress signal. Moments later, the doors of the building burst open, revealing a group of 200 workers armed and ready.
The team stared in disbelief. "Where did they come from?" Mark asked.
Smith smirked. "They're not fighters. They're cleanup crews. But their leader's Standz makes him immortal. He'll be useful."
The leader of the workers stepped forward, grinning confidently. "Shall we begin?".