Kapitel 14: The Colossus Approaches
The ground quaked with each step of the gargantuan monster, its roar echoing like a thunderstorm across the arena. The air was thick with dust and dread as the team hurried to assemble the weapon.
"Techie (Haruto), this is your show!" Captain (Reika) barked, tossing him the power cell.
Techie caught it with shaky hands, dropping to his knees as he laid out the weapon components. "I need time to align everything! Cover me!"
Captain snapped into action, her rifle aimed and ready. "Shadow (Mika), keep the smaller ones off him! Ace (Kaito), focus on slowing down the big guy!"
Shadow darted into the fray, her blades flashing as she intercepted a group of smaller creatures that had swarmed in. Their claws raked against her armor, but she held firm, her strikes precise and lethal.
"Techie, hurry!" she shouted, kicking a creature off the ledge before spinning to block another.
Ace planted his feet, aiming the cannon at the behemoth's advancing form. He fired shot after shot, but the blasts barely slowed it down. The monster's hide was thick, each beam leaving only a shallow scorch mark.
"This thing's a tank!" Ace yelled, stepping back as the creature closed the distance.
Captain fired a barrage of rounds into the monster's legs, aiming for the joints. "We just need to buy time. Techie, give me good news!"
The behemoth slammed its clawed hand into the ground, sending out a shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet. Ace rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow.
"I'm trying, okay?!" Techie shouted, his voice trembling as he pieced together the final connections. Sparks flew as he worked, the weapon beginning to hum with power.
Shadow stumbled to her feet, wiping blood from her mouth. "We can't keep this up forever!"
Captain pulled Ace to his feet. "You good?"
"Barely," Ace muttered, gripping his cannon tightly.
The monster reared back, opening its maw to unleash a deafening roar. Energy crackled around its mouth, and a glowing orb began to form—an attack that could obliterate the entire area.
"Done!" Techie shouted, holding up the completed weapon. It was massive, sleek, and brimming with a pulsating energy that radiated heat.
"Captain!" he called, tossing the weapon to her.
She caught it, bracing it against her shoulder. The weapon's HUD flickered to life, and she quickly calibrated the targeting system. "Ace, I need you to guide its fire. The core has a charge time, and I won't get a second shot!"
Ace nodded, moving in front of her to act as a spotter. "Aim for the glowing patch on its chest! That's where it's weakest!"
The behemoth roared again, its energy attack building to a crescendo.
"Everyone, clear the area!" Captain shouted.
Shadow and Techie sprinted to safety while Ace stood his ground, guiding Captain's aim. "Lower… a bit more… there!"
Captain exhaled, pulling the trigger. The weapon released a blinding beam of energy, cutting through the air like a lance of pure light.
The beam struck the monster square in the chest, piercing through its tough hide and detonating the energy core within.
For a moment, there was silence. Then the monster let out a final, ear-shattering roar as its massive body began to crumble. The shockwave from its collapse knocked everyone off their feet.
Dust and debris filled the air as the battlefield fell eerily silent. The team lay scattered, battered but alive.
Techie coughed, sitting up slowly. "Did we… did we actually kill it?"
Shadow groaned, pushing herself to her feet. "Looks that way."
Ace helped Captain up, the heavy weapon still in her hands. "Nice shot."
Captain nodded, her face unreadable as she gazed at the monster's smoldering remains. "Let's not celebrate yet. If the BIO gave us that mission, it's because there's more to come."
The BIOs on their wrists buzzed again.
"CONGRATULATIONS. YOU HAVE SURVIVED THE ROUND. RETURN TO YOUR CAGES IMMEDIATELY."
Their BIOs flashed red, and a low-pitched whine filled the air. Around the arena, drones descended, armed with tasers. It was clear they weren't asking.
Ace clenched his fists. "We're nothing more than pawns to them. They don't even let us breathe after this."
"Move," Captain snapped, her voice carrying a sharp edge. "We're not dying to drones after surviving that thing."
Reluctantly, the team began climbing back to their cages, exhausted and battered. Each step felt heavier, but the cold gaze of the drones left no room for defiance.
As they reached their cages, the locks clicked shut behind them. The metal walls seemed even colder now, the silence more oppressive.
Shadow sat back against the bars, her head tilted up to the dark sky. "One victory down. A hundred more to go, I bet."
Captain didn't reply, gripping the bars tightly as she stared at the monster's remains in the distance. "This isn't over."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein