"Look, I'm sorry about that... the sparring's over. No complaints. With you two, I can trust you to watch my back."
When we got back via the elevator, there was Heisenberg in his human form, looking all smug. I glared at him in silence to show my anger, and he finally apologized like that. ...Should I tell him about Chris? Hiding it is starting to feel wrong.
"So, about the plan. I'm thinking we combine our powers. Let's call it the Miranda Buster—arming the Molded Gigante with my abilities. That'll double our strength straight up. We'll have Sturm charge in, then hit her all at once with the Soldat legion, the Miranda Buster, and me. Not a bad setup, right?"
['Avengers?']
"We're up against the great evil that is Miranda: I'm the iron man, Iron Man—me—and you're the tech guy who turns into a big brute, Hulk—you. Though you're more like Venom. Either way, we can call ourselves that, no problem?"
['I don't like being left out.']
"If you were an adult, I'd let you be Black Widow, but as a kid... nah."
['I can become an adult.']
"Whoa!? Shape-shifter, huh? This is gonna be fun!"
Eveline puffed out her chest in her adult form, and Heisenberg got all excited. I hated to rain on their parade, but as I steeled myself to speak up, sirens blared and red lights spun. We looked around in confusion, and Heisenberg's face turned serious as he drew his hammer close.
['Whatwhatwhat!?']
"What the hell!?"
"...They're here. I paid that bastard Duke to set this up—an alert that goes off when Miranda gets near the chalice. Meaning Rose is in danger."
"You should've said that sooner! Let's go!"
"You two go ahead! I'll follow with the legion! Everything's prepped, so it won't take long, but we can't let her take Rose! If you can snag even one flask, lure her into the factory grounds!"
"Got it. No turning back now. Let's move, Eveline! Quick form!"
['Roger!']
We burst out of the factory, and she switched my legs to Quick Molded ones, using the enhanced mobility to sprint at full speed. As the ceremonial site came into view, I leaped high, diving straight down toward Miranda, who was just reaching for the chalice. She noticed the shadow over her and looked up, but it was too late.
"Eveline, normal Molded on the right foot!"
['I get what you want! On three!']
["'Rider... Kiiiick!'"]
"What? Gah!?"
My full-force flying kick exploded into Miranda's face, sending her tumbling head over heels. I kicked the lock, sending the four flasks flying, and shoved them all into the bag in my right hand. Eveline switched both feet back to Quick Molded, and I leaped again to head back to the factory grounds—but.
"Ethan Winters. Stay out of this. Come, Varcolac Alpha."
Miranda spread her six wings with a flap, and something lunged from the shadow of a nearby statue, sinking its teeth into my gut. I slammed the bag into its head instinctively, dropping to the bridge and slamming my back hard. Looking up, it was a beast just like the one I'd encountered on the way to Moreau's reservoir—but this one had spears and junk embedded in it, giving off a battle-hardened vibe. Varcolac Alpha, huh? Then the one before was just a Varcolac. Clearly stronger. Blood gushed from my stomach, but no time to worry about that.
"Come, my servants."
['Ethan, there's a ton coming...!']
"Just run...!"
Miranda descended to the bridge, raising her hand, and Lycans appeared one after another, falling in behind her. There were still this many left...? Then, without warning, she shifted into Mia's form from the night of the attack, approaching me. Trying to throw me off?
"Ethan. Give me Rose. She's our child. Please, listen to me."
['That's cheap, but it doesn't matter! Ethan would cut down Mia without mercy if he had to!']
"Exactly. Mia or not, I'll attack. Your tricks won't work anymore, Miranda. She's not yours. She's ours!"
I yelled and unloaded my handgun. But she instantly reverted to her true form, blocking with her folded wings. Taking the opening, I bolted full speed toward the factory grounds. Miranda followed leisurely, leading the Varcolac Alpha plus three more Varcolacs, and a horde of Lycans including larges. She thinks she's cornering me, but it's the other way around. Right?
"I brought 'em, Heisenbeeerg!"
['Group party incoming~!']
"You kept me waiting, Ethan!"
With Heisenberg's voice, the factory doors swung open, and out poured a horde of humanoid figures: headgear on, drills on their left arms, glowing red cores like Iron Man's reactor on their chests—the Soldat legion. Their numbers didn't just match the Lycan horde; they dwarfed it. Some had drills on both arms, others jetpacks for flight, and there were even three fully armored ones. Leading the front was (probably) Sturm, with its absurd propeller-engine head and torso.
The whirring of drills and propellers was deafening, but the sight was awe-inspiring otherwise. Finally, Heisenberg emerged, hammer in hand, tossing his cigar and grinding it underfoot. He tipped his hat up and grinned.
"Hey there, Miranda! Nice weather, huh!"
"...Heisenberg. Just to confirm, what are you playing at?"
"Oh, just enjoying a good betrayal. We teamed up to take you down. Your reign ends here!"
"I see. Then die."
She raised her hand, but nothing happened. Eveline couldn't hold back a snort, and Heisenberg burst into laughter.
['Pfft. Lame!']
"Hahahahaha! Too bad, Miranda! We're not under your thumb anymore! You tried to crush our Cadous, but I modified them myself—with mechanical brains and control cores on the Soldats that dominate the Cadous via electrical signals! Your control can go to hell!"
"That's how it is, Miranda. 'Get ready.'"
I poured healing fluid over the bite wound in my gut, letting the Mold envelop me as Eveline and I transformed into the Molded Gigante, our voices syncing. Heisenberg did the same, pulling in metal from the factory and grounds to shift into his monstrous form. Two giants and a fearless steel army lined up in formation.
"...As expected. Ethan, so you've learned to wield the Mold's power too. But it's a flawed imitation—it won't reach me. Heisenberg, I never thought you'd resist this futilely. But do you really think this level of force can beat me?"
Miranda spread her six wings, glaring down from beneath her mask. I struck a fighting pose. What did she mean by 'flawed'? Then Heisenberg raised his hammer—looking tiny in his massive arm—and shouted.
"Doesn't matter. Soldats... no, Avengers army. Assemble!"
"""""Raaahhhh!"""""
And so, Miranda's Lycan (plus extras) horde clashed with Heisenberg's Soldat legion. Flesh and blood sprayed through the air.
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