At the front of the building, Missak and Babar stood face-to-face with Myu.
The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating. The real battle was about to begin.
"What now?" Babar asked tensely.
"Formation C," Missak replied firmly.
Babar immediately stepped forward, shielding his comrade, while Missak took a step back, the strategist positioning himself in reserve.
"The second round is about to start," Ikku muttered, focused on the fight."Exactly," Zeno answered, his eyes sharp.
Myu activated small reactors on the back of his legs and shoulders. With a metallic roar, they ignited, propelling him forward at blistering speed toward Missak and Babar.
Babar planted his feet, bracing himself to charge. Missak raised his arms, summoning a massive stone pillar to block Myu's path. But the cyborg didn't even flinch—he tore straight through it, pulverizing the rock into rubble.
Damn… this fight is going to be tougher than expected, Missak thought, gritting his teeth.
Babar lunged forward. Their hands clashed, locking in a brutal test of strength. Muscles bulged, veins strained, neither willing to give an inch.
Myu broke the stalemate with a vicious headbutt, forcing Babar back several steps. He was about to follow up when a stone column erupted beneath his feet, launching him high into the air.
"Now!" Missak shouted.
Babar reacted instantly, his palms glowing as spheres of energy burst forth, soaring toward Myu. Suspended in midair, the cyborg seemed like an easy target—until his thrusters roared again, holding him in place as he hovered above them like a predator eyeing its prey.
His gaze locked on Missak.
"Looks like I'll have to get rid of you first," he said coldly.
He extended his arm. The metal split open, and from his forearm launched two mini-rockets, streaking toward Missak at full speed.
But instead of panicking, Missak smirked. He spun toward Babar, raising a dome of stone around them both. The projectiles exploded harmlessly against it.
"Hmm… nicely defended," Myu said with amusement. "But that only delays the inevitable."
Around the dome, fresh spheres of energy began to form, floating ominously.
"So that's your plan… hiding behind defenses and striking from the shadows? Pathetic," Myu sneered. "That just makes you easier prey."
Dropping back to the ground, he spread both hands. His body opened, revealing a dozen sleek missiles ready to launch.
But suddenly, Myu snapped his head around. His hand shot out, clamping around a throat.
Missak.
The cyborg lifted him effortlessly, crushing his neck in an iron grip.
"H… how… did you know?" Missak rasped, struggling for air.
"You used the dome as cover to tunnel underground and try to strike me from behind," Myu explained coldly. "Smart move. You even erased your Prana to mask your presence… but I have motion detectors. You can't surprise me."
"Bastard… piece… of… scrap metal…" Missak hissed through clenched teeth.
"It's over for you. Don't worry, your friends won't be far behind."
Despite the pressure on his throat, a defiant grin spread across Missak's face.
"Idiot… you think… you're the only one… with a secret weapon?"
"What?!"
"Stone Armor!" Missak roared.
In an instant, his body was encased in solid rock. He flicked his fingers, and Myu's legs sank deep into the ground, trapping him to the knees.
The stone dome split open. Babar burst out, surrounded by dozens of blazing energy spheres.
"Missak! Are you sure about this?!" Babar shouted, panic in his voice.
"Yes! Do it now!"
"Damn it..." Myu cursed.
Babar unleashed everything. The spheres shot forward, colliding with Myu and Missak in a thunderous explosion. The shockwave shook the earth, and a thick cloud of dust engulfed the battlefield.
High above, Ikku watched with bated breath, torn between awe and dread.
"I hope Missak's okay…" he whispered.
"He knew the risk," Zeno said gravely. "The only way to stand a chance against Myu was to sacrifice himself. That stone armor might've softened the blow… but there's no way he came out of that unscathed."
At the rear of the building, another battle raged.Momo, Gamch, and Nenew were pinned down as the enemy forces opened fire.
Nenew moved in front, his massive frame shielding his allies. Bullets clattered against his body, bouncing off his skin, harder than steel.
"What the hell?!" one soldier cried out in shock."That thing's not human!" another shouted."Don't panic! Fire! Fire!" their officer roared.
But before they could squeeze their triggers again, a flock of birds swarmed out of nowhere. Wings flapped violently, feathers sliced through the air, and weapons were ripped from trembling hands before the creatures vanished back into the sky.
"What..what the hell is this?!" a soldier screamed.
"Sorry… guess that was my doing," Nenew said with a grin.
"They're manipulating spiritual energy!" a commander barked. "We have to take them out before they pull another trick!"
But as he shouted, his eyelids grew heavy. Around him, soldiers stumbled, their guns dropping as their limbs weakened. A strange smoke had crept through the ranks, seeping into their lungs.
"It's… another… one of their… tricks…" a soldier slurred, collapsing.
"Exactly," Momo said, appearing in the middle of the dazed troops. "Normally, I'd knock every last one of you out myself… but I'll let my smoke do the job."
Within moments, the entire rear division lay unconscious. Victory at the back was swift and absolute.
"What now?" Nenew asked, turning to his comrades.
"Simple," Gamch replied. "Either we return to help Missak, or we reinforce another squad."
"Let's check on Neuneu and Ninou first," Momo suggested. "Then we'll circle back to Missak. So and the others are three, they'll manage for now."
Back at the front, the dust cloud finally cleared.
Babar's heart sank.
Missak was sprawled on the ground, bloodied and broken. Myu stood tall, untouched, his body gleaming without a single scratch.
"How… how is this possible?!" Babar roared.
"My alloy is unbreakable," Myu said coldly. "You won't harm me with such feeble attacks. Don't underestimate me. I am one of Mekira's trump cards… and now, it's time to finish this."