Lu Tianming knew perfectly well that with the Strike's PS Armor, as long as he focused on dodging the Aegis' attacks and tanked the GINN's hits with the PS Armor, waiting for Mu to arrive wouldn't be a problem at all.
He didn't do this not because he doubted Mu's ability to turn the tide, but because of Xia Chuan.
He didn't know how Xia Chuan felt when the Strike Gundam was hit—whether the damage to the machine felt like real physical pain or if it was just watching a mechanical shell get destroyed.
He never asked, because if he did, the brash but fiercely proud Xia Chuan would definitely answer, "It doesn't hurt, just pilot it like a normal Gundam."
Regardless of whether it hurt or not, or if there was some deeper pain and suffering.
So, Lu Tianming simply equated the Strike with Xia Chuan.
At least for now, the Strike was Xia Chuan, and Xia Chuan was the Strike—the good brother, the dear friend he'd grown up with, had separations from, but spent most of his time alongside.
Lu Tianming couldn't bring himself to prioritize his own survival and let his brother take the hits for him.
Either they'd both win gloriously together, or they'd just fucking die here together.
"Yeah! Screw dodging, let's just go all out!"
Xia Chuan was also bloodlusted. Unlike Lu Tianming, he only knew that these MS in front of them were trying to kill Lu Tianming, so he just wanted to kill them too.
It was at this moment that the value in the bottom right corner of the screen changed again.
[Resonance Level reached over 70%, Sword Pack Special Armament unlocked]
At the same time, Xia Chuan felt as if some restriction had suddenly been lifted. As that inexplicable connection between him and Lu Tianming deepened, a unique power violently erupted within him.
It felt similar to when he'd released the Lightning Ball before... but this time it was more intense, clearer.
Then, behind the Strike—a pair of massive wings made of light exploded into existence, like a bird breaking free from its cage spreading its magnificent feathers to soar through the sky.
"Holy shit, why do I have Wings of Light?!"
Xia Chuan was utterly bewildered. He just felt his body had become much lighter; even without deliberate thrusters, he could hover normally in the air—it really felt like he'd grown wings.
"Don't worry about it! With wings and an Armor Schneider, what's the next move?"
"Damn! Forward dash, forward dash, and fucking forward dash again!"
"Right! Leave the maneuvering to me, you just focus on cutting them down!"
Lu Tianming grinned fiercely, the previous pressure completely gone—the Strike, which had just been harassed by the GINN, instantly turned and performed a horizontal pivot around the GINN, using the mobility of the Wings of Light to circle directly behind it.
The GINN's pilot was dumbfounded—what kind of performance was this, what kind of maneuver? If you had this move, why didn't you use it earlier? Were you just toying with me?
His complaints were useless; the Strike was already charging from behind. To avoid a backstab, he had to counterattack.
The GINN hastily turned, unleashing all the missiles from its missile pods.
But it was useless—the Strike sliced through them with one slash.
Machine gun fire for disruption... cut down along with the gun.
Greatsword to block... seriously, dude, how dare you clash blades with me? Also cut down.
After these three attempts, the GINN's pilot was shocked to realize—he had no usable weapons left.
"Then you're useless, you get chopped up too."
Xia Chuan mercilessly brought down his blade, and the GINN—unable to escape or block—was cleanly sliced in midair, transforming into a spectacular firework display.
"Auroru!"
Seeing his comrade killed, Athrun roared and accelerated toward the Assault Suit—so what if it had wings? He could still win!
But... clearly, he had underestimated the mobility of the Wings of Light.
The Assault Suit flickered, almost instantly appearing directly above the Aegis—then a Lightning Ball came crashing down!
"This move is called Flying Thunder God Second Stage, remember it well!"
Xia Chuan's chuunibyou roar made Lu Tianming want to facepalm.
You didn't teleport, what kind of Flying Thunder God is that... You're more like Shin Asuka.
With Wings of Light, an Armor Schneider, a palm cannon (Lightning Ball), and a shoulder boomerang... isn't this basically the Destiny Gundam?
The high-speed Aegis was struck point-blank by the Lightning Ball and now fell like a downed helicopter—but Lu Tianming didn't pursue it, instead turning toward another GINN.
He couldn't take down Athrun quickly, so better to clear the mobs first.
The other GINN pilot, Matthew, had been happily harassing the Archangel when he suddenly heard an explosion—turning to see the Assault Suit that had just finished chopping Auroru and blasting Athrun now charging straight toward him.
Matthew's face immediately paled—he immediately abandoned his harassment and went into full retreat, trying to create distance.
But just like Athrun's earlier mistake—he severely underestimated the speed boost from the Wings of Light.
Even though he reacted quickly enough, the distance between the Assault Suit and himself continued to shrink—watching the approaching Assault Suit, Matthew felt like he was watching a sharp blade slowly piercing his chest.
This blade wouldn't just run him through... but would make him experience the despair of struggling yet being powerless to resist.
"Matthew, hold on! I'm coming to support you!"
Athrun was, after all, an elite pilot, and ultimately didn't crash like the Victory Team. After performing an aerial adjustment like a carp leaping, Athrun eagerly transformed back into Mobile Armor and charged toward Lu Tianming.
This time he abandoned his plan of grabbing first then firing... I'll just aim and shoot directly, let's see how you handle that!
If I miss, I'll just swing the barrel and sweep—let's see if you can dodge faster than I can sweep!
"Lock-on alert... It's that brat Athrun, he wants to snipe our butts with the Scylla!"
"Not ours, yours."
Lu Tianming corrected him, but remained calm...
"He wants the kill? Then let's give it to him!"
"Huh?"
To Xia Chuan's astonishment, Lu Tianming fired the Rocket Anchor integrated with his arm and shield directly at Matthew's GINN—clamping onto the mobile suit's body and yanking the fleeing GINN back.
Even Xia Chuan understood Lu Tianming's plan now... the two shared a knowing smile without saying a word.
Behind them, the Aegis had already completed charging the Scylla, and a massive energy beam capable of piercing the heavens came rushing straight toward the Assault Suit.
Just as Athrun thought this move would surely hit—the Assault Suit suddenly turned and swung the Rocket Anchor, hurling the GINN directly toward the crimson Beam torrent ahead, while using the recoil to retreat and evade.
"No!"
Witnessing the scene, Athrun cried out in despair—he hastily adjusted his mobile suit's heading, but the Assault Suit seemed to have calculated everything. The angle of the throw, combined with free fall, made the GINN appear as if it were actively charging toward the cannon's muzzle. Even its struggling maneuvers were interrupted by a Beam Boomerang.
Thus, Athrun listened to Matthew's desperate screams over the comms and watched with his own eyes as his last remaining comrade in this battle turned to ashes under the very fire he had unleashed.