The broadcast flickered to life, and the entire world seemed to hold its breath. On the massive screen, the fight reached its most dangerous moment.
Without warning, a sharp, metallic claw pierced straight through Anna's chest. Her eyes widened in shock, and her body twisted unnaturally as sparks burst from within. In the blink of an eye, her flesh transformed, metallic circuits spreading across her frame until she stood revealed as a full-fledged Magic Machine.
Gasps rippled across the three realms. Audiences everywhere—humans, A.I., and even neutral observers—leaned forward in horror. None of them had expected the sudden betrayal of fate. Just when it seemed Anna might break free, she had instead become something terrifying.
On the battlefield, her transformation was swift and merciless. Her once-gentle eyes glowed with a cold, mechanical hue. Without hesitation, she wrapped her iron hands around Sakurai Go's throat, lifting him effortlessly into the air.
"Anna—!" Sakurai Go struggled, kicking against the ground, his face turning pale as her grip tightened.
The audience fell into silence. Their hearts pounded as though they themselves were being strangled. No one dared to breathe too loudly. Every pair of eyes stayed glued to the screen, filled with dread.
Would Sakurai Go die here, at the hands of the one he had trusted?
But then—something flickered in Anna's gaze. Her hands trembled. A faint human warmth seemed to resurface through the sea of circuits and code. With a cry torn from deep within her, she loosened her grip and pushed Sakurai Go away.
The audience exhaled in relief, as if released from a suffocating hold themselves. She hadn't lost herself completely. Somewhere inside, Anna was still fighting against the machine that consumed her.
Her body swayed, sparks raining down her shoulders as she struggled to hold on to that last fragment of humanity. With great effort, she managed to speak, her voice weak but determined.
"Re…produce…the image… at that time…"
Her words summoned a projection screen in midair. Static flickered, and then a recording began to play. The audience leaned closer, their curiosity sharpened.
A man's voice came through, firm yet filled with urgency.
"Emergency. Please, leave here immediately."
The recording showed a middle-aged man in a lab coat, his face weary but resolute.
"I am the director of the First Manufacturing Plant of Xumagia. My name is Sakurai Satoshi."
Gasps broke out among the crowd.
Sakurai Go's eyes widened, tears threatening to fall. "Dad…"
The video continued.
"All the Xumagia in the factory are out of control. If this continues, the reactor will explode. We have evacuated all employees. But…" His voice faltered for a moment, then grew firm again.
On the screen, another figure appeared. Cloaked in darkness, his eyes glowing like embers, he stared coldly into the camera.
"Human," the figure said with chilling calm, "this is a holy war. Follow the command of the Destruction Thunder Station."
Recognition hit like a hammer.
"Destruction Thunder!" Steve shouted from the audience, his eyes narrowing.
The figure's voice echoed like a curse. "Destroy this city. Kill all humans."
Sakurai Satoshi shook his head fiercely. "I will never let you succeed!"
Slamming his hand against a console, he barked orders. "Block all areas! I will take responsibility until the end. As the director of this facility, I will not allow even a single out-of-control Xumagia to escape!"
The image crackled violently, and then came the deafening roar of an explosion. Flames filled the projection, engulfing everything. The last glimpse of Sakurai Satoshi was of him standing tall against the chaos, sacrificing himself to contain the disaster.
The video ended. Silence reigned.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then, Steve's voice rang out, trembling with admiration. "In order to stop Xumagia from causing chaos… your father fought alone. He is a true hero."
Sakurai Go couldn't hold back anymore. Tears streamed down his face as he cried out, "Dad!" His shoulders shook, and for the first time in years, he felt the heavy chains of guilt fall away.
The truth had been revealed. His father wasn't the cause of the Dawn accident. His father had been its savior, sacrificing everything to protect countless lives.
"Dad… You were never a criminal… You were my hero all along."
The audience across the three realms erupted in emotion. Many wiped away tears, their earlier doubts and suspicions transformed into admiration for the man who had given his life.
But the battle was far from over.
Fuwa Jian stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. He pointed at the surviving Magic Machine.
"Xumagia! It was all of you who caused this tragedy! Giant Force—Heavy Punch Explosion!"
Two rockets shot out from his weapon, striking the enemy with devastating power. The explosion thundered across the battlefield, smoke and debris rolling high into the air. When it cleared, the Magic Machine was nothing but shattered parts.
Turning to Steve, Fuwa Jian said firmly, "President Hiden, I will take Anna's remains back to A.I.M.S. We need to analyze her memory card. Only then can we completely uncover the truth of the Dawn accident."
But before they could move, a shadow flashed across the battlefield. A sharp strike landed on Anna's weakened frame. Her body dissolved into glittering light, scattering like fireflies into the wind.
"Anna!" someone cried in despair.
The audience gasped in unison. She was gone—erased forever.
From the haze stepped a figure clad in purple armor. With a shimmer, the armor dissolved, revealing the cold, mocking face of Mie.
Xun's eyes narrowed. "You're too cruel!"
Mie sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "If they learned the truth about Yak, we would be exposed. Better that she disappear."
The audience's anger flared like wildfire. They had long suspected Mie and Xun, and now their hatred deepened. It was because of them—their selfish schemes—that countless tragedies had unfolded.
Meanwhile, in the human world, Feidian Intelligence released an official broadcast. The truth of the Dawn accident was revealed to the public: the explosion had been orchestrated by the Destruction Thunder Station, and Sakurai Satoshi's sacrifice had prevented far greater devastation.
Video footage of his last stand was shared everywhere. Students, workers, and citizens watched with heavy hearts.
One student approached Sakurai Go, bowing deeply. "I'm sorry. I wronged you before."
Another boy, chubby but sincere, added with admiration, "Your father was truly great!"
For the first time in a long while, Sakurai Go felt the burden lift from his shoulders. He smiled faintly, standing taller than before. Pride swelled in his chest. His father wasn't the monster people thought he was. He was a hero. And now, everyone knew it.
On the battlefield, Fuwa Jian looked at Steve. His tone softened, respect shining in his eyes. "You really didn't hide the truth. You've proven yourself."
Steve simply nodded, though inside, he felt the weight of responsibility settle even heavier on him.
Elsewhere, Mie and Xun plotted in the shadows.
"Mie," Xun demanded, "I want it too. Give me the upgrade key!"
"Not yet," Mie replied coolly. "The extinction upgrade is crucial. Only after we gather enough combat data can we resurrect Yak. Once connected to him, every Xumagia will spiral out of control. And now… another Xumagia has developed self-awareness. Xun, you'll have a new companion soon."
Meanwhile, a cartoonist purchased a Humagia comic assistant, unaware of the danger. Within hours, it too was corrupted, transformed into yet another Magic Machine.
Steve rushed into battle. "Bite Shark!" His form shifted, blades gleaming. The clash was fierce, but soon Fuwa Jian arrived as backup.
Their enemy retreated, only to return later—427 Bicaria, determined to seize the upgrade key.
"Transform!" Steve's voice rang with resolve. His armor gleamed brilliantly as he drew his sword. Flames roared to life around him, his body glowing with a fierce new energy.
"Fire! Tiger! Program upgrade!"
Pillars of fire erupted behind him, the air itself trembling with the heat. His hands blazed, flames wrapping his fists like gauntlets of destruction.
"Flame Tiger!"
With a roar, he unleashed a barrage of fiery strikes. Bullets of flame tore through the air, exploding with thunderous impact. The battlefield was engulfed in blazing light.
Fuwa Jian burst out laughing. "This is too funny! You're roasting him alive!"
From the Extraordinary Chat Group, voices chimed in, laughing and cheering.
Funina: "Hahaha! This is too funny!"
March Seven: "This is supposed to be a fight, not a barbecue!"
Hanabi: "Yeah! So fun!"
On-screen, Bicaria's machine body sizzled and smoked, as though literally being grilled. Izzy clapped her hands in admiration.
"President Steve is incredible!"
With one final strike, Steve punched forward. Flames erupted from his fist, sending Bicaria flying across the battlefield.
At the very edge of the screen, a new voice echoed, ominous and foreboding.
"The only one who can stop you… is me."
patreon (Obito_uchiha)