Lungmen, Eastern Residential District - Day 1 of Operations
The cleaning operations began with coordinated precision that belied the massive scope of what Rhodes Island and LGD were attempting. Across Lungmen's sprawling districts, operators deployed in their assigned sectors, each team carrying medical scanning equipment disguised as standard healthcare outreach tools.
Surtr moved through the industrial sectors with her characteristic disregard for subtlety, her presence alone enough to make anyone with something to hide reconsider their choices. The abandoned factories and warehouses that dotted this area provided perfect hiding places for Mephisto's Possessed, spaces where dozens or hundreds of transformed civilians could wait in darkness for activation orders.
She entered each structure methodically, flames creating illumination while simultaneously serving as threat display. Empty rooms, decaying equipment, signs of recent occupation but nothing concrete. The first day yielded possibilities but no confirmations.
Schwarz operated with sniper's patience along the waterfront, her enhanced vision allowing her to observe from distance while maintaining cover. The docks presented unique challenges, constant traffic of legitimate workers mixed with potential Reunion operatives or hidden Possessed. She documented movement patterns, identified irregularities, and marked locations for follow up investigation.
Nearl's assigned residential zones brought her into direct contact with civilians, her knight's bearing and obvious good intentions helping ease the natural suspicion people felt toward armed strangers asking questions. She posed as Rhodes Island medical outreach, offering free health screenings while using the scanning equipment to check for Mephisto's biological signatures.
The searches continued throughout the day, dozens of operators conducting systematic sweeps while maintaining communication through encrypted channels. By evening, they had covered approximately five percent of Lungmen's total area, identified three dozen locations requiring deeper investigation, and found exactly zero confirmed Possessed.
The scale of the task was becoming brutally apparent. Searching a city of two million people for hidden victims of biological warfare would take weeks even with coordinated effort, and they had forty three days remaining.
Chernobog, Abandoned Industrial Complex - Day 2 of Operations
Amiya crouched behind a collapsed wall section, her rabbit ears twitching as she tracked sounds of movement from the building ahead. Beside her, Blaze checked her chainsaw's fuel levels with practiced efficiency, the Feline operator's relaxed demeanor suggesting this was just another routine operation despite the obvious danger.
Dobermann occupied position on Amiya's other side, the strict instructor's presence both reassuring and slightly intimidating. The Perro woman's military bearing never wavered, her posture maintaining perfect discipline even during tense waiting periods.
"You're overthinking this."
Dobermann said quietly, her tone carrying the firm instruction that defined her teaching style.
"I can see it in how you're breathing. You're second guessing your tactical decisions before you've even made them."
"I just want to make sure I do this correctly."
Amiya replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"The Doctor sent me on this mission because he believes I'm ready. I don't want to prove him wrong."
"The Doctor sent you because you need real combat experience, not because you're already perfect at field operations."
Blaze added, her casual tone somehow making the reassurance more effective.
"Nobody expects you to handle this flawlessly. We just expect you to learn from it and get better."
"And you have support."
Dobermann continued.
"Blaze and I are here to ensure the operation succeeds even if you make mistakes. That's how training works. You take calculated risks while experienced operators prevent those risks from becoming catastrophic failures."
Amiya felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders. The reminder that this was a learning experience rather than a test she could fail helped quiet the anxious thoughts that had been building since they arrived in Chernobog.
"Thank you. Both of you. I know the Doctor trusts me, but sometimes I worry that trust is misplaced."
"It's not."
Blaze said firmly.
"You've got good instincts and your empathic Arts give you advantages most operators don't have. You just need experience applying those advantages in real situations instead of training scenarios."
"Contact in thirty seconds."
Dobermann shifted the conversation back to the immediate tactical situation.
"Single target, moving cautiously through the debris field to our east. Probably Crownslayer conducting reconnaissance."
Amiya activated her empathic Arts, reaching out with carefully controlled tendrils of perception. She felt the approaching presence, the emotional signature carrying wariness mixed with determination. Not hostile exactly, but definitely ready for violence if discovered.
"She's alert but not panicked."
Amiya reported, her empathic reading providing intelligence that visual observation couldn't match.
"She knows this area well, feels confident in her ability to navigate and escape if needed. But she's also... lonely? No, not lonely exactly. Isolated by choice, carrying responsibility she wishes she could share."
"Good analysis."
Dobermann approved.
"You're reading deeper than just surface emotions. That's the kind of intelligence that makes empaths valuable for field operations."
The footsteps drew closer, and Amiya could see Crownslayer's silhouette through gaps in the ruined wall. The Lupo woman moved with practiced stealth, her agile frame allowing navigation through debris that would slow normal operators. She wore her distinctive mask and carried weapons positioned for rapid deployment.
"Remember the objective."
Dobermann reminded quietly.
"We want intelligence about Reunion's activities in Chernobog, not necessarily combat. If you can get her talking, that's preferable to fighting."
Amiya took a breath, steadying herself, then made her decision. She stood and stepped into view, hands visible and positioned non threateningly despite her weapon being readily accessible.
"Crownslayer. Rhodes Island. We need to talk."
The Reunion operative froze, her body language shifting instantly to combat readiness. Her hand moved toward her weapon, but she didn't draw yet, apparently recognizing that Rhodes Island wanted conversation rather than immediate violence.
"Talk about what?"
Crownslayer's voice carried suspicion mixed with curiosity.
"Rhodes Island doesn't chase people across Chernobog for two days just to have polite conversation. What do you really want?"
"Information about Reunion's plans here. Why you're establishing presence in Chernobog, what objectives you're preparing for, whether this connects to the larger operations we know Reunion is planning."
Amiya kept her tone even, diplomatic without being condescending.
"And what makes you think I'd share operational intelligence with enemy operators?"
"Because maybe we're not enemies. Rhodes Island works with infected populations, we provide medical care without discrimination, we advocate for peaceful solutions to the conflicts that drive organizations like Reunion."
"You also work with governments that oppress the infected."
Crownslayer countered.
"You provide medical care while supporting the systems that create the need for that care. That makes you complicit regardless of your stated intentions."
Blaze leaned around the wall corner, her chainsaw visible but not activated.
"You know, the whole revolutionary purity argument would be more convincing if Reunion wasn't planning to kill fifty thousand civilians in Lungmen through biological warfare. Kind of undermines the moral high ground."
Crownslayer's posture shifted slightly, surprise flickering through her emotional signature in ways Amiya could detect even if visual cues were masked.
"You know about Mephisto's operations."
"We know enough to understand Reunion crossed a line from resistance movement to terrorist organization. There's no justification for transforming tens of thousands of civilians into Possessed and deploying them as weapons."
The Lupo woman was quiet for a moment, internal conflict visible in her stance even through the mask.
"I don't control what Mephisto does. That's Talulah's decision, and she doesn't consult with field operatives about strategy."
"But you know it's wrong."
Amiya said gently, her empathic Arts reading the discomfort and moral uncertainty emanating from Crownslayer.
"You joined Reunion to fight for infected rights, not to participate in massacres. That conflict is creating doubt about whether you're serving the cause you believe in or just following orders from someone who's lost sight of the original mission."
"You don't know anything about my beliefs or my reasons for serving Reunion."
"I know you're questioning. I can feel it. The loyalty, the dedication, the conviction that brought you to Reunion in the first place, it's all still there. But it's being strained by actions you can't reconcile with the principles that matter to you."
Crownslayer's hand tightened on her weapon, defensive reflex against emotional vulnerability being exposed.
"Even if that's true, it doesn't change my situation. I can't betray Reunion without consequences that would destroy everything I've worked for."
"We're not asking for betrayal."
Dobermann interjected, her military precision making the offer sound practical rather than idealistic.
"We're asking for intelligence that prevents mass casualties. You can provide that without compromising Reunion's legitimate operations or putting yourself at unacceptable risk."
Before Crownslayer could respond, the Reserve A4 team that had been maintaining overwatch position apparently decided the conversation was taking too long. One of them launched a flashbang toward where the Reunion operative stood, the device detonating with disorienting light and sound.
Crownslayer reacted on pure instinct, her movement Arts activating as she retreated at speeds that made tracking impossible. She vanished into the industrial complex's depths before anyone could coordinate pursuit.
"Damn it!"
Blaze cursed with genuine frustration.
"We were making progress! Why did they have to escalate?"
"Reserve A4 was following protocol."
Dobermann replied, though her tone suggested she shared Blaze's annoyance.
"Extended conversation with hostile operative creates risk of ambush or reinforcements arriving. Their intervention was tactically sound even if poorly timed."
Amiya felt disappointment settling heavy in her chest. She had been close to getting through to Crownslayer, to establishing rapport that might have yielded valuable intelligence. The forced interruption had destroyed that possibility and turned potential cooperation into confirmed hostility.
"So what now?"
She asked.
"We pursue?"
"We pursue."
Dobermann confirmed.
"The operation's objective hasn't changed, just the method of achieving it. If we can't extract intelligence through conversation, we apprehend Crownslayer and conduct formal interrogation."
They began tracking the Reunion operative through the industrial complex, following signs of her passage and using Amiya's empathic Arts to maintain awareness of her general direction. The chase would likely take hours, and success was far from guaranteed given Crownslayer's agility and familiarity with this terrain.
But the mission continued, experience being gained even if not in the way Amiya had hoped.
Unknown Location, Mostima's Safehouse
Silver Wolf's eyes opened slowly, consciousness returning with the gradual awareness that came from extended unconsciousness. Her head throbbed with residual pain from Merlin's dream manipulation, and her body felt weak in ways that suggested she had been out for significant time.
The ceiling above her was wrong somehow, angles that shouldn't connect the way they did, lighting that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. Architecture that defied normal physics, creating space that felt simultaneously confined and infinite.
"You're awake."
A female voice spoke from nearby, calm and measured.
"Try not to move too quickly. Your body is still recovering from the temporal acceleration we used to extract you from Merlin's dream prison."
Silver Wolf turned her head carefully, fighting the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm her with even that small movement. Two figures sat near what might have been a bed or might have been a platform suspended in conceptual space, it was hard to tell with the geometry being so uncertain.
The woman in the pure white dress was recognizable from her last conscious moments, Lady Avalon who had snatched her from Merlin's grasp. The other was a Sankta with a black halo, the distinctive marking of one who had fallen from grace in their society's eyes.
"How long was I out?"
Silver Wolf's voice came out hoarse, her throat dry from disuse.
"Two days."
The Sankta replied, manifesting water from nowhere and offering it with practiced ease.
"Breaking Merlin's hold required accelerating the dream's internal timeline until it concluded naturally. You experienced subjective years in those two days, which creates psychological and physical strain."
Silver Wolf accepted the water gratefully, sipping slowly while her mind processed the implications. Two days unconscious, subjective years of dream experience compressed into moments, her body and mind struggling to reconcile the temporal displacement.
"I'm Mostima."
The Sankta continued.
"The woman who rescued you is Lady Avalon. We pulled you out of Victoria because we're allied with Rhodes Island and you were working with them when you got captured."
"How did you know I was in trouble?"
Silver Wolf's thoughts were clearing gradually, professional instincts reasserting despite the lingering weakness.
"We monitor Rhodes Island's operations and maintain surveillance on Victoria's activities. When you infiltrated the palace, we positioned ourselves to extract you if things went wrong."
Lady Avalon's musical voice added gentle explanation.
"Merlin and I are opposing aspects of the same legend. Where he traps people in beautiful dreams, I free them from nightmares. When I sensed his skill activating on someone allied with Rhodes Island, intervention became necessary."
"So you're saying I was saved by conceptual opposition between legendary figures and strategic alliance monitoring."
Silver Wolf felt a laugh building despite the circumstances.
"That's the most complicated rescue operation I've ever been part of."
"Welcome to Terra, where divine authority and legendary summons make everything unnecessarily complex."
Mostima's dry humor suggested she had experienced similar frustrations.
Silver Wolf tried sitting up again, moving more carefully this time. The weakness was still present but manageable, her body remembering how to function despite the temporal displacement.
"What's the situation now? Does the Lion King know I escaped? Is Merlin hunting for me?"
"Artoria knows someone infiltrated her palace and was subsequently rescued by forces opposing her. Merlin reported the incident but we don't believe he can track you here. This safehouse exists partially outside normal space, protected by my temporal Arts and Lady Avalon's conceptual manipulation."
"So I'm safe for now but can't risk returning to Victoria without better preparation."
"Correct. Merlin will be watching for reality hacking signatures, and the Lion King has ordered increased security measures. Your initial infiltration provided valuable intelligence but also revealed your existence to entities who will now actively counter your capabilities."
Silver Wolf processed this assessment, already thinking through alternative approaches and tactical adjustments.
"What about the hostages I saw? The people being held in Victoria's dungeons? Did Rhodes Island receive that intelligence before I got captured?"
"Unknown. We extracted you before you could report back. Whatever you observed will need to be communicated to the Doctor and their team."
Lady Avalon manifested food alongside the water, simple but nutritious provisions.
"You should eat and continue recovering. Once you're at full strength, we'll coordinate with Rhodes Island about your intelligence and how to proceed with operations against Victoria."
"And what about you two? Where do you fit in the larger strategic picture?"
"Mostima coordinates with Laterano, which has formalized alliance with Rhodes Island."
The Sankta explained.
"I provide temporal manipulation capabilities and serve as liaison between the Sankta nation and Rhodes Island's operations."
"I oppose Merlin and by extension the Lion King."
Lady Avalon added.
"My nature as Merlin's opposite compels me to counter his actions, which currently means resisting Victorian expansion and supporting those who fight against divine tyranny."
Silver Wolf accepted the food, her body demanding nutrition with sudden urgency. As she ate, her mind was already cataloging allies and resources, building tactical frameworks for future operations.
"So we're all working toward the same goal through different paths. Rhodes Island coordinates the resistance, Laterano provides military alliance, Mostima offers temporal manipulation, Lady Avalon counters Merlin's dream magic, and I provide reality hacking for infiltration and intelligence gathering."
"That's an accurate summary."
Mostima confirmed.
"Though there are other players we haven't mentioned. The Stellaron Hunters are involved, entities from the Astral Express are investigating Terra, and there are forces gathering that even we don't fully understand."
"Multiversal convergence creating chaos that nobody can completely predict or control."
"Exactly. Which is why coordination between allied forces is critical. We can't afford to waste resources through miscommunication or conflicting operations."
Silver Wolf finished eating and felt strength returning more substantially. The weakness was fading, replaced by her usual confidence and determination.
"When can I contact the Doctor? I have intelligence about Victoria's interior layout, hostage locations, and security measures that Rhodes Island needs."
"Give yourself another few hours to fully recover, then we'll establish secure communication. The Doctor will want complete debriefing about everything you observed."
Silver Wolf nodded acceptance, settling back to rest properly. Two days lost but valuable lessons learned about the Lion King's capabilities and awareness. The next infiltration would be planned better, executed with more caution, and hopefully succeed without requiring dramatic rescue.
But for now, recovery took priority.
Highway Approaching Lungmen
The vehicle hummed along the well maintained highway, Lungmen's skyline visible in the distance as their destination drew closer. Inside, the four members of the Astral Express were engaged in casual conversation, the kind of comfortable exchange that came from spending weeks traveling together.
"I still think we should have stayed in Sal Viento longer."
March said, reviewing the notes she had taken during their time in the settlement.
"There was so much more to learn about the Reunion attack and how that Shiki person fought against Talulah. We barely scratched the surface of what happened there."
"We gathered sufficient intelligence for our mission parameters."
Dan Heng replied with his characteristic precision.
"Extending our stay would have created diminishing returns. The most valuable information was obtained in the first few days, additional time would have been spent on increasingly minor details."
"But minor details can be important! What if there's something we missed that ends up being critical later?"
"Then we adapt when that situation arises. Intelligence gathering is always incomplete, you can't account for every variable before taking action."
Stelle listened to their familiar dynamic with quiet amusement. March's enthusiasm and Dan Heng's pragmatism had become background comfort, the constant interplay making even tense situations feel more manageable.
Firefly sat in the back of the vehicle, SAM's armor currently inactive and stored in whatever dimensional space the Stellaron Hunters used for equipment. The young woman looked more relaxed without the mech's bulk, though her nervous energy was still evident in how she fidgeted with her sleeves.
"What do you think we'll find in Lungmen?"
She asked, her voice carrying genuine curiosity mixed with apprehension.
"Elio's script said Rhodes Island would have information about the Stellaron signature, but he didn't specify what that information would be or how it connects to everything else happening."
"Probably because the script is fragmenting and he can't predict with normal accuracy."
Stelle replied.
"From what you've told us about how his abilities work, Terra is uniquely resistant to his precognition. Too many variables, too much reality warping, too many entities operating outside normal causality."
"Which makes everything more exciting!"
March declared with enthusiasm.
"We're investigating mysteries that even people who can see the future can't fully predict! That's way more interesting than just following a predetermined script."
"It's also more dangerous."
Dan Heng pointed out.
"Predictability provides safety margins. When outcomes become uncertain, risk increases exponentially."
"You worry too much. We've handled plenty of uncertain situations before and we're still here."
"Survival doesn't validate recklessness, it just means we've been fortunate so far."
Their debate was interrupted by Stelle's danger sense flaring sharply. She had been idly watching the road ahead, her Preservation Path maintaining passive awareness of potential threats, when her instincts screamed warning.
"Get down!"
She barely had time to shout before manifesting her lance, the Preservation weapon materializing in her hands as she braced against the vehicle's floor.
A wave of compressed air and energy screamed across the highway, a sword beam so powerful it carved trenches through the reinforced pavement. The attack would have bisected their vehicle completely if Stelle hadn't interposed her lance, the Preservation Path's defensive authority manifesting as golden barrier that absorbed the catastrophic force.
The impact still sent their vehicle skidding sideways, tires losing traction as momentum transferred through Stelle's block. Dan Heng grabbed the steering controls, his experience and reflexes helping guide them through the uncontrolled slide until they came to rest on the highway's shoulder.
"What was that?!"
March's voice was higher pitched than normal, adrenaline overriding her usual cheerful demeanor.
"Hostile contact."
Stelle replied, already scanning the area for the attack's source.
"Someone with serious firepower just tried to kill us."
Firefly was transforming even as she spoke, SAM's armor deploying with emergency protocols that prioritized speed over normal safety checks. Within seconds, the Strategic Assault Mech stood at full readiness, weapon systems online and targeting solutions calculating automatically.
They exited the vehicle in coordinated rush, forming defensive perimeter while searching for their attacker. The highway stretched empty in both directions, no visible cover that could conceal someone capable of that kind of attack.
Then he simply appeared, walking out of empty air as if space itself had parted to allow his passage. Armor gleamed silver and blue in the afternoon light, a sword held with casual perfection suggesting absolute confidence in his capabilities. The bearing was unmistakable even before his features became clear.
Lancelot, Knight of the Lake, one of the Knights of the Round Table serving the Lion King.
"Astral Express."
His voice carried across the distance with perfect clarity, formal but not hostile.
"I apologize for the aggressive greeting. I needed to confirm you possessed capabilities worth evaluating before initiating proper conversation."
"You tried to kill us to see if we could defend ourselves?"
March's indignation was evident despite the danger.
"That's insane!"
"It's efficient. If you couldn't block that attack, you would have died quickly rather than suffering through extended combat you had no chance of winning. If you could block it, as evidenced by your survival, then you warrant more considered approach."
Lancelot's logic was circular and fundamentally disturbing, but his tone suggested he genuinely believed this was reasonable methodology.
"What do you want?"
Stelle asked, her lance still ready despite the Knight making no immediate aggressive moves.
"The Lion King has been monitoring your organization since you arrived in Terra. Your investigation into anomalous energy signatures and reality distortions represents potential threat to Victorian interests."
He shifted his grip on Arondight slightly, the adjustment subtle but meaningful.
"I've been tasked with determining whether the Astral Express should be eliminated as complications or if your capabilities warrant allowing you to continue operations. The assessment requires combat evaluation, hence my presence here."
"So we have to fight you to prove we're worth not killing."
Dan Heng's tone was flat, already accepting the necessity despite the absurdity.
"That's correct. The Lion King values strength and capability. Demonstrating both through combat will determine how she classifies your organization going forward."
Lancelot settled into proper combat stance, Arondight held in perfect guard position.
"I'm authorized to use lethal force if you prove inadequate, but I'm also instructed to avoid unnecessary casualties if you demonstrate sufficient skill. Consider this an examination rather than execution, though the distinction may seem academic during the actual fighting."
Firefly's voice emerged from SAM's speakers, mechanical modification not quite hiding her nervous determination.
"If combat is necessary to prove ourselves, then we'll fight. But we're not interested in killing you or being killed. This can be a demonstration of capability rather than a duel to the death."
"Acceptable terms. I have no particular desire for corpses, just confirmation of your combat effectiveness."
He gestured with Arondight, the blade catching light in ways that suggested it was sharper than physically possible.
"I'll allow you the first strike as courtesy. Coordinate your assault and demonstrate how the Astral Express handles opponents of superior capability."
The four of them exchanged glances, silent communication establishing coordination without verbal discussion. They had trained together during their journey from Sal Viento, developing synergies that made them effective as a unit.
Stelle maintained her Preservation shields, the golden barriers extending to cover all four of them. The defensive authority would buy time to establish their assault pattern and protect against Lancelot's counterattacks.
March created ice platforms that elevated her above ground level, giving her superior vantage point for ranged attacks. Her arrows manifested immediately, perfectly formed icicles that gleamed with frozen Arts.
Dan Heng moved to flanking position, his spear ready for rapid strikes when openings appeared. His fighting style emphasized precision over raw power, finding vulnerable points and exploiting them with surgical accuracy.
Firefly advanced directly, SAM's heavy frame and armored construction making her ideal for frontal assault. The mech's weapon systems came online fully, targeting solutions calculating optimal firing patterns.
"Ready?"
Stelle called to her companions, confirming coordination before they committed.
"Ready!"
March replied with forced enthusiasm.
"Prepared."
Dan Heng confirmed.
"Engaging."
Firefly's mechanical voice carried determination despite the nervousness underneath.
They attacked in concert, each filling their designated role. March's arrows launched first, creating opening barrage that forced Lancelot to respond defensively. Dan Heng followed immediately, his spear targeting gaps that appeared during the arrow deflections. Firefly charged forward with SAM's thrusters engaged, closing distance with speeds that shouldn't be possible for something so massive.
Lancelot met their coordinated assault with perfect technique, Arondight moving through precise arcs that intercepted March's arrows while simultaneously blocking Dan Heng's spear strikes. He pivoted smoothly as Firefly reached melee range, positioning himself to address all three attackers without being overwhelmed by their numbers.
"Good initial coordination."
He commented, his tone suggesting genuine assessment rather than mockery.
"You understand how to combine ranged pressure with flanking attacks and frontal assault. That's fundamental but executed well."
Arondight blazed with increased intensity, the unfading light of the lake manifesting as radiance that made the weapon nearly impossible to look at directly. Each swing released focused energy that carved through SAM's defensive positioning.
Firefly blocked with reinforced armor, the impacts creating shockwaves that rattled debris on the highway. Her return strikes came with SAM's full strength, mechanical power exceeding what human physiology could generate.
Lancelot met each blow with perfect defense, Arondight's edge finding angles that deflected rather than absorbed the force. His footwork was flawless, constant repositioning that maintained optimal defensive coverage while creating opportunities for counterattacks.
Dan Heng's spear found an opening, the tip scoring a line across Lancelot's armor that didn't penetrate but demonstrated the ability to land hits. The Knight acknowledged the strike with slight nod, apparently pleased that his opponents could actually reach him.
March intensified her barrage, ice arrows now carrying enhanced skills that created freezing zones on impact. She was attempting environmental control, slowing Lancelot's movements through accumulated cold rather than relying purely on direct damage.
Stelle maintained her shields while studying the Knight's pattern, looking for rhythms she could predict and opportunities to contribute offensively. The Preservation Path gave her defensive capabilities that exceeded her offensive potential, but that didn't make her useless in combat.
The battle escalated as both sides committed more fully to the engagement. Lancelot activated Arondight's properties beyond basic manifestation, the blade resonating with power that suggested he was taking them seriously enough to use actual techniques.
Firefly pushed SAM to higher output, thermal vents opening as the mech's internal temperature climbed from increased energy consumption. Her voice rang out through the speakers, carrying intensity that made even mechanical modification sound passionate.
"I WILL SET THE SEAS ABLAZE!"
SAM's fist, superheated through thermal cycling to temperatures that distorted the surrounding air, drove toward Lancelot with everything Firefly could channel through the mech's systems. The attack carried her full determination, courage made manifest through overwhelming firepower.
Lancelot raised Arondight in perfect defensive position, his technique so precise that the blade's edge met SAM's fist at exactly the angle needed to deflect maximum force while absorbing minimum impact.
"Arondight Overload!"
His Noble Phantasm activated at full power, the unfading light exploding into brilliant radiance that consumed everything within a ten meter radius. The energy didn't just block SAM's attack, it overwhelmed the assault completely and drove back with force that sent even the mech's massive frame sliding across pavement.
The light was blinding, forcing everyone to shield their eyes against radiance that exceeded solar intensity. When it faded, Lancelot stood unmoved, Arondight still held in perfect guard position, while the Astral Express team had been scattered by the shockwave.
They were outmatched, clearly and decisively, but they were still standing. Still fighting. Still refusing to concede despite the obvious power disparity.
And in Lancelot's eyes, something that might have been approval flickered across his usually impassive features.