[Book II Chapter 62] HOPE: Defending Beacon

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Hope installed herself on the fortifications, double checking her equipment. The Grey Kingdom’s armada had arrived at Beacon, the Dwarven Kingdom’s western trading city, and she’d joined Eren on the outer walls to greet them. In the distance, countless airships hovered ominously.

This is it, I’m actually going to fight in a war. She wasn’t sure how her mother would react to her decision, but, after a year in Corthia, this was her way of repaying their hospitality.

“Don’t worry, they’re only testing our defenses today.” Eren reassured her. “While we originally suspected the Grey Kingdom had advanced knowledge of the Dark Age given their rapid expansion, it’s become apparent their preparations only began around the time of Arther Bard’s murder on the Isle. Three weeks can only take them so far, and they’ll need to consolidate their supply lines before a real attempt.”

“If you say so…” Hope replied uncertainly. As a dwarven saint, Eren was privy to Ravelin’s war planning, something she was not.

“It’s beginning.” Eren observed.

Swarms of flying creatures poured out of the carriers. At the same time, battleships opened fire. Meteors of pure energy slammed Beacon’s protective wards. From the Dwarven side, magical cannons returned fire, and flocks of gargoyles took flight, engaging the Grey Kingdom’s harpies.

Hope pursed her lips and raised her gatling gun. She’d been unsatisfied with her firepower during the rupture in Corthia, and had crafted this monster of a weapon as a result. Hundreds of rounds sprayed out of the rotating barrel. The bullets were steel with just enough mythril to add a homing effect. Dozens of harpies dropped to the ground riddled with holes.

Satisfied that the gargoyles had a decisive edge, Hope ceased firing and turned to find Eren watching impassively. “Normally this is when their immortals would take to the field to overwhelm us.”

“So it’s just going to be an exchange of long range fire and summons?” Hope asked.

Eren smirked, “That’s what the Grey Kingdom intends. However, our intel suggests most of their immortals are scattered on other fronts. We’re going to make them pay for even thinking of attacking us.”

Across the battlefield, a shout echoed out, “Impossible Expansion.”

Enormous slabs of rock exploded out of the cavern ceiling above the fleet, growing endlessly in size. The descending stone smashed into several battleships as the rest scrambled lower. By the time the geology had settled, the tips of the obelisks were scratching the surface below.

Then the words ‘Weightless Earth’ rang out, and the underground trembled again. Chunks of bedrock ripped their way out of the ground, filling the air.

The Grey Kingdom’s forces found themselves divided by the deformed stalactites from above and surrounded by ocean of floating boulders. Before they could organize, four titans appeared in their midst. Hope recognized Edgar Firson swigging his mace.

“Our five immortals.” Eren declared proudly. “You can’t see her, but Lara Torrent, the stone sage, is there too. Her strength is Geo-Telekinesis.”

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Almost simultaneously, two voices yelled out.

“Winds of Hell.”

“Indomitable Lightning.”

Green tornadoes and arching electricity assaulted the giants, knocking them back. Eren’s smiled faded. “It’s time for us saints to go join the assault. Stay here.” With that she left to hop across the levitating boulders.

Glancing at the raging tempest sending broken debris in all direction, Hope decided to listen to her friend. As she settled back to spectate the hectic battle, she noticed a building-sized black mechanized armor approaching their position. Flying with amazing agility, it deflected cannon fire with its shield and took aim at the dwarven saints with its lance. Oh no, you don’t.

Hope unleashed her gatling gun. The mech instantly twisted to block the bullets. She waved her weapon from side to side, but the obsidian shield successfully intercepted her homing projectiles. Then let’s go with pure power. Hope doubled the speed of her rotating gun barrels, then tripled it. The kickback became so intense she struggled to aim steady. The relentless barrage finally overwhelmed the mech’s pilot, shattering the mobile armor. Elated by the falling wreckage, Hope suddenly realized what she’d done. I killed someone else…

The battle soon ended, with the Grey Kingdom extracting themselves from the rocky ambush. Hope waited impatiently for the return of Ravelin’s fighters.

“Tonight will be a great celebration!” Eren announced. “Also, I saw what you did, thanks for the help.”

“I want to go see the mech I shot down.” Hope said.

Eren paused to frown. “Everyone has retreated to Beacon. Going beyond the walls is risky.”

“My original created Astrolis, so I really want to study a mobile armor up close.” Hope pleaded. The truth was, she also wanted to witness the consequence of her actions.

“Fine, I’ll accompany you.” Eren relented.

They found the remains at the edge of a ravine, riddled with holes. With a certain dread, Hope slowly detached the cockpit door. However, what was inside made them both gasp. An undead sat welded to the seat by metal glowing with dark runes. It stared back with hate-filled eyes.

“This must be a prototype someone released in panic.” Eren guessed.

“Correct.” Came a deep voice. They only had time to spot the tyrant before they were ensnared, its tail squeezing the life out of them. “This belongs to us.”

The lizard observed its captives struggling for breath. “What to do with little spies? Capture or eat?”

Hope managed to reach a pouch and grab a spell. The tyrant snarled at the blinding flash she released. When it faded, Eren was gone from within its coiled tail. At least she got away.

The tyrant roared, crawling along the ground at tremendous speed. Stopping at a fissure, the ground shock as it tried to pry open the earth. It then took a great breath and screeched. The rock shattered into pieces. As it buried into the ruble, Hope at last lost consciousness.

…

She awoke to a large slam and found herself still held aloof. They were on a grassy plain with the Grey Kingdom’s fleet moored around them. The black mech’s torso rested besides the tyrant’s feet. He must have carried it back.

The lizard scurried over to a battleship and made his way to a dimly lit room. In it stood a woman with silvery black hair. Hope recognized her as Ashaya Horn, the immortal who’d approached her on the Isle. She was conversing with the projection of a large black man with white dreadlocks and weird goggles.

“Rivon’s back.” The man announced.

“Did you recover the armor?” Ashaya asked.

“Yes, and I seized a spy.” The lizard dropped Hope on the ground.

Ashaya appraised her emotionlessly. “Hope Skyfell. I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon. You picked a bad time, as I am in no mood for nonsense.”

“Hello,” Hope answered awkwardly.

“She was tinkering around with our equipment.” Rivon hissed.

Ashaya crossed her arms, “That makes her a legitimate war prisoner. Sadly, while I’d love to release some frustration by locking her away, it’s probably not a smart move…”

“Bring her to me.” The man cut in. “I could use her for the project I mentioned. This is too appealing a coincides to pass up.”

“Is it really worth angering her mother over this?” Ashaya asked.

“It is to me.” The man affirmed.

Ashaya sighed and shrugged. “Then I guess it’s settled.” She turned to Hope. “You’re heading to Cloud Fortress Omega Nine.”