บท 22: Slicing Chaos In The Factory!

"Huff! Huff!"

Breathing heavily, Hao clung to the support bar on the Ramp-Train, his knuckles were turning white from the intensity of his grip. The vehicle was moving at breakneck speed, causing him to sway violently with each bump and jolt. Some of the other passengers glanced at him with curiosity, undoubtedly noticing the strange blindfolded youth who seemed to be in a hurry. Hao had hastily covered Judgment Day and placed it at his rear, hoping it would go unnoticed.

His mind kept replaying the gruesome scene where Colgate's arm had been severed, leaving him heavily disturbed. He realized that he had to take Judgment Day's power more seriously. "I need to escape my pursuers first," he thought. "And I need to figure out the best way to exit the Blade Engineering Guild."

As he contemplated his next move, Hao noticed an upcoming factory ahead. The Ramp-Train wasn't set to stop at that particular destination, but Hao couldn't afford to wait any longer. Hence he removed his hand from the rail, bracing himself, and leapt off the speeding vehicle. The passengers on-board were flabbergasted.

Hao landed on the ground with a thud, his legs buckling from the impact. He found himself in a vast area where a massive craft factory was situated. The facility used scraps to manufacture an array of parts, from gears to components for various machinery. The factory process was mostly automated, so there were only a handful of workers present, dressed in heavy protective gear and helmets.

Gritting his teeth, Hao ventured into the factory, taking in the surroundings while trying to devise an escape plan. "There's an exit that leads to the east corridor of the guild from here," he noted, spotting an area in the distance. "I need to get there quickly."

While he hurried towards the exit, the interior of the factory unfolded before him. Conveyor belts twisted through the vast space, carrying various parts and components to their designated stations. Glass openings in the ceiling allowed for sunlight to filter through, casting shade and highlighting the multitude of exhaust pipes that crisscrossed overhead. The factory was massive, with several levels and platforms hosting workers in their uniforms. The ongoing factory activities were a cacophony of clanking, grinding, and hissing, punctuated by the occasional shout of a worker.

The smooth concrete floor gleamed under the harsh fluorescent lights, reflecting the sparks that flew from the welding machines. A combination of metallic and burning smells tousled the air, giving the factory a unique atmosphere. Amid the mechanical chaos, Hao's Vibe Sense was working overtime to process the overwhelming amount of sensory information.

Suddenly, his ears perked up, catching a faint whizzing sound in the distance. He had a feeling that Diana was closing in on him, and he had to act fast. Despite the din of the factory, Hao's Vibe Sense was sharp enough to pick up the specific sound of her approach.

With a surge of adrenaline, he increased his speed, weaving through the factory while his Vibe Edge guided him. He wanted to reach the exit he'd spotted earlier in order to escape Diana's relentless pursuit.

Whoosh!

The tension mounted as the whizzing sound grew louder and closer, leaving Hao's heart galloping as he raced towards the unknown.

"Where are you, bastard?"

Diana's sharp instincts guided her through the factory. Her Blade Edge's power was shimmering with energy as she pursued Hao. While moving swiftly she leapt onto a platform where she searched the area for any sign of him. The factory was a clutter of sounds and activity, but she was confident she'd be able to locate her target.

"Huh!" Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Hao in the distance. Therefore, she acted fast to catch up to him. With a burst of speed, Diana launched herself from platform to platform like a predator desperately chasing her prey.

Down below where he was running, Hao felt a chill down his spine. His senses told him that Diana was metres away from him. He expanded his field of view just in time to see her land on a platform a short distance away. This prompted him to go a bit faster.

"Stop running, Vee!" Diana shouted, her resounding voice echoing through the factory. "You can't escape!"

"Watch me." Hao smirked, unfazed by her words, furthermore, he added, "How is the macho man's arm, is he still breathing?"

Diana's expression darkened when she heard his taunt, moreover, identified the smug grin on his bruised face. Her anger quickly rose to the boiling point. The factory workers who noticed the tension between the two individuals, paused their tasks and observed the scene unfolding before them. Each worker was clad in heavy protective gear, helmets obscuring their faces, with swords attached to their belts – these aided with the dangerous nature of their work.

Boom!

The air rippled with energy as Diana and Hao faced off. Diana was the first to make a move, launching herself at Hao with her sword thrusting ahead. However, Hao was quicker than she anticipated. With a fluid motion, he activated Night Tamer's level 2 ability, Twin Portal Slash. Two narrow linking portals materialized, one behind of Diana and the other behind Hao.

Before Diana could process what was happening, Hao had slipped through the portal and reappeared behind her. He slashed at her back but she was able to minimize the damage by flipping forwards. Diana gasped in pain, realizing she'd been outmanoeuvred.

The battle commenced with a destructive ferocity, the clanging of metals was echoing throughout the factory. Hao and Diana traded blows and taunts, their swords dancing and weaving around one another with the grace of a deadly ballet.

"You're going to pay for what you did to Colgate!" Diana spat, her speed and agility proving to be a challenge for Hao.

Hao countered her attacks with a mixture of martial arts and swordplay, his Vibe Sense assisting his movements. "You really think you can stop me? Pathetic!" he retorted, trying to throw her off balance, he was also deflecting her heavier blows with Judgment Day's scabbard and launching powerful slashes with his Vibe Edge.

Initially, Diana seemed to have the upper hand because her attacks were overwhelmingly brutal. But as the fight went on, Hao began to find his rhythm. He moved with the motion of water, his sword and body working in harmony to deflect Diana's strikes and launch his own.

The factory environment played a significant role in their battle. They leapt between platforms, used machinery to their advantage, and even hurled discarded parts at one another as makeshift weapons. Their battle was a glorious symphony of violence and destruction, echoing throughout the vast space.

During the intense fight, Diana's speed posed a significant challenge for Hao. He struggled to keep up with her lightning-fast strikes. This forced him to rely on his instincts to anticipate her attacks.

Eventually, the battle reached a boiling point where they both landed powerful blows on each other. Hao kicked Diana in the stomach, sending her flipping backwards, while she delivered an uppercut kick to his chin, making him recoil like a serpent.

Boom!

After regaining their balance, they both paused to catch their breath, for their fight was far from over.

A few metres apart, Diana and Hao locked heads. Diana's gaze was filled with a burning intensity. The same could be said for Hao in his own unique way. The distance between them crackled with visible animosity as if charged with electricity. They were both battered and bruised, but their determination to win this fight outweighed any pain or fatigue.