Chapitre 5: Chapter 5 Stigma Activation
The red light was blinding as the danger alarm echoed through the control room. Objects shook, and explosions went off one after another. Everyone could feel it.
A crisis was coming!
A dragon-shaped claw broke through the space station's shield. The map in the control room showed the source of the attack.
"Doomsday Beast".
Using fragments of the Dusk Leviathan as the foundation and the weeping bones of thousands of the dead in the Warforge as the agent, the Antimatter Legion cast the Doomsday Beast.
The resentful spirits' senseless obsession turns into a tangible hand, and the shadow of the old disaster conceals the heavens. The Doomsday Beast detains the will of all beings that are not at ease and have yet to die.
Orion Astra felt this before. Even though he didn't know what this creature was, the pain in his mind and the pounding of his temples told him one thing:
Run!
"You guys take the train and leave," Asta said calmly, even in the crisis. "I'll stay."
Her eyes were full of determination. As the leader of the space station, she seemed to have already accepted her fate.
Himeko called the Astral Express members, and Orion and Stelle joined her.
Himeko grabbed Stelle, who was still in shock, nodded to Asta, and led everyone to leave.
Before leaving, Orion looked at Asta at the control desk. Her small body seemed tiny in the huge space station, as if the crisis would swallow her any moment.
"Believe in her," Himeko said to Orion, with Dan Heng leading the way.
"Yeah." Orion turned to follow the others. He didn't know how much he would change the world, but he knew he had to stay true to himself.
They retreated along the path to the control room. After walking for a while, the shaking lessened and the red light faded. They were safe for now.
"The shield in the support compartment won't last long. You need to get here quickly." Asta's voice came through Himeko's device intermittently. The battle there must be intense.
Himeko stopped and seemed to have something to say to everyone.
"Communication is down," Himeko said, looking at everyone for their opinions.
Dan Heng spoke first, "Do you want to go back? Remember, that's the Doomsday Beast, the legion's anti-astral weapon."
"This space station was built by the IPC. If Lord Annihilation doesn't take action, there shouldn't be any serious problems," Himeko replied.
"But we can't just run away," Orion said, hesitating, not wanting to flee.
"The legion is blessed by the Aeon Nanook. They came prepared, and the people here can't defend against it." Dan Heng shook his head, doubting the station's defense.
"Going back won't help. We need to understand the true purpose of the [Antimatter Legion] and find a way to stop them!"
Orion thought about it. Though he woke up in chaos, the legion's attack had to have a reason. Even if their soldiers only had the instinct to kill, there must be a plan behind it.
"That's right," Himeko agreed. "That's why we have to leave—and take Stelle with us."
"Is she crucial?" Everyone looked at Stelle. She didn't react much and looked to Himeko for an answer.
"She is the key—though I could be wrong." Himeko looked at Stelle calmly, then added to Orion, "If you want, Orion, I also invite you to join the Astral Express. I can't tell you why, but you can refuse. I won't force you."
The sudden invitation stunned Orion. After thinking, he replied, "Let's wait until this crisis is over."
Though joining the Astral Express was Orion's idea before, he needed to think carefully. Even if he wanted to join, he needed to answer calmly. He also had things to figure out.
Orion felt the vibrations from the pistols on his waist, feeling joy and melancholy, as if facing an old friend.
"Okay, don't rush your answer. Think carefully. Remember, it's your choice." Himeko seemed to agree now wasn't the time.
"...Alright. What should we do next?" Dan Heng asked.
"This is the support cabin where the maintenance team works. It leads to the nearest platform. Let's go there and meet Welt," Himeko replied.
"Uncle Yang? He's here too? Didn't he stay in the train?" March 7th was surprised but seemed confident in Walter, relaxing a bit.
" Welt, Yang?" Orion took a deep breath. The weight of this name couldn't be explained quickly. He understood why the judgment of Shamash was shaking.
"Hurry and get out of here first. I'll explain later." After explaining the seriousness to Stelle and others, Himeko planned to leave quickly.
After defeating several Antimatter legion soldiers, they reached the platform smoothly. Orion saw the bright stars but felt more uneasy.
Walking on the wide, comfortable avenue, March 7th seemed much more relaxed.
"I see the platform, great!"
"The train hasn't arrived yet," Dan Heng remained cautious.
"I'm sure it's nearby! I have good eyesight, so I'll check." March 7th was optimistic.
Orion's unease grew. "March, be careful," he reminded.
Just as March 7th stepped onto the platform to look for the train, an unnatural wind appeared.
"Wait, March," Dan Heng stretched out his hand to warn, and March turned sharply.
"Here it comes," Orion's eyes moved up, feeling the target's presence.
A huge dark shadow covered the starry sky above the platform, and an enormous sense of oppression, like facing a giant human foot, filled their view.
"Come down!" March 7th aimed with her bow, saying a classic line. The Doomsday Beast descended.
Two giant hands grabbed the platform, blocking all routes. Its wings and the planet behind it became the backdrop. The purple crystal and silver dragon body had a powerful presence under the starry sky.
"Doomsday Beast..." Himeko's tone showed the enemy's trouble. If she were alone, it wouldn't be a big deal, but these children... She glanced at Stelle subtly.
Stelle's eyes were serious. This might be the strongest enemy she has ever faced.
The same was true for Orion.
"Pre-emptive strike!" Orion frowned. Feeling more pressure than those around him, a voice in his mind kept telling him:
"Protect...protect...protect the people..."
The voice became a warm current flowing into Orion's heart, spreading courage.
Orion struck, initiating the fight!
"Roar---!"
With the sound of gunshots and the Doomsday Beast's roar, the battle began.
Their previous attacks had no effect. The rays, enough to melt steel, couldn't harm the astral weapons made from ancient beast fragments. Orion's judgment of Shamash attacks were like a child's toy to an adult.
Stelle and Dan Heng turned into two streams of light, rushing at the Doomsday Beast's claws to restrict its movement.
The Doomsday Beast didn't sit still. Its antimatter core emitted huge energy, using its claws as carriers to strengthen its defense and next attack.
Seeing their attacks fail, Orion increased the Judgment of Shamash's power, at least to break through the outer defense. March 7th, and Himeko ranged attacks for cover.
White light and cyan hit the Doomsday Beast's hands. Did their attacks work?
Apparently not. Dan Heng swung three spears, the cyan wind entangled between them, and cutting sounds continued.
Stelle's blow was strong, with an explosion between the white light and the giant claw.
But with the antimatter engine's energy, it only scratched the surface.
Orion aimed at the core, intending to hit the weak point.
Unfortunately, experience doesn't mean perfection, and intuition isn't always accurate. To break the core, they needed to break its hands first.
Dan Heng and Stelle heard Orion's words, "Continue to weaken; I'll cover!"
Stelle trusted Orion, and after Himeko's confirmation, Dan Heng did too. They continued to dodge the Doom Beast's claws.
The three behind them kept attacking, focusing on the claws. Their attacks became stronger, confirming Orion's idea.
Dan Heng and Stelle's high mobility helped them avoid the claws, while the others sniped from behind.
"Hold on," Himeko encouraged. Whenever the battle seemed to turn, she seized the chance to break the siege or set the rhythm. Though Orion suggested the method, Himeko controlled the battle.
Sweat evaporated from Orion's forhead, his eyes fixed on the Doomsday Beast. He was the main attacker among the three, but at a cost. His temples felt like needles were pinching them, but he persisted; victory was in sight.
Even as strong as the Doomsday Beast, endless grinding wore it down. It lay on the platform, exposing its core.
"It's now!"
Orion's eyes widened, and the Judgment of Shamash glowed. On March 7th, "Let me show you how strong I am!" She shot countless ice arrows.
Himeko turned the drone to maximum power, and small cannon fire flew out.
Success!
Their combined attacks cracked the Doomsday Beast's core, about to burst.
Just as Orion felt they could celebrate, it was like time reversed. The damaged core was repaired, and the huge body seemed uninjured.
"Ah?!" Orion's eyes widened, his hands drooped, almost wiping his eyes with the Judgment of Shamash.
"Darn, stage two!" Orion complained.
Though he didn't see their faces, they probably felt the same.
"Hey, don't give up."
"Trouble."
"Dan Heng, Stelle, fall back!"
Everyone was exhausted, and only Himeko was in good condition. But Orion didn't trust her alone to defeat it.
"That's the only way."
Orion took a deep breath and focused.
He dug deep into his memory and fully unleashed the power of his weapon, the Judgment of Shamash.
In his mind, he heard a voice saying, "Kaslana is the shield of the people. For the people I cherish, I am willing to give my life."
He saw a white-haired figure standing on top of ruins, red fire burning in their blue eyes. The figure had determination, will, and strength.
With the heart of preservation, they carried out acts of destruction.
As the same fire burned in Orion's eyes, a deep red mark appeared behind him.
"We can't hesitate any longer," Himeko said calmly. She planned to use the rail gun. Even if Asta objected, she couldn't let the kids get hurt again.
A red figure flashed past Himeko, like a flying flame. It was so fast that Himeko could only see a blur.
If Orion was a shooter before, now he was a warrior!
Everyone, including the Doomsday beast, watched as Orion ran straight towards the core.
The Doomsday beast's claws, faster and stronger than before, blocked the way. If Orion got hit, it would be fatal.
But in Orion's eyes, the attack was in slow motion. The huge, unstoppable attack now seemed easy to dodge.
"Orion, be careful!" someone shouted.
Orion saw the giant claw right in front of him and even noticed the texture between its fingers.
"Get out of the way!" he shouted.
Using his waist, he moved his body with powerful force, focusing everything on the gun in his hand.
"Bang bang!"
Two shots knocked the Doomsday beast's claws away. At that moment, Orion's power completely suppressed the Doomsday beast!
The Doomsday beast gathered destructive light in its mouth, sensing death from the small human in front of it.
But it didn't get a chance to attack. Orion delivered a heavy kick to the Doommonster's chin, lifting its entire body several feet into the air.
It tried to fly up to deal with these "insects" from above.
When Orion landed safely with both guns in hand, everyone noticed his amazing transformation.
His black hair had turned white, flames wrapped around his arms, and his silver eyes had turned blue.
"I can't hold on for long, Himeko. I can hit its core again, and the rest is up to you," Orion said. No one could see his expression, but they felt his determination from his words. Himeko replied, "Don't worry."
"Good."
Orion raised his gun silently, ready for battle again.
With the deep use of the Judgment of Shamash, Orion connected with the "battle memories" of the previous generations of Kaslana family leaders.
The memory became a mark: a "stigma."
This blessing enhanced his speed, strength, combat intuition, and skill with the Judgment of Shamash. These combined blessings gave Orion the power he needs to fight.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone