Fung spoke, his face hardened by fatigue and the relentless fighting.
"We already have enough problems here in China. Fronts are opening up everywhere. You'll have to deal with the flying fortress yourselves." Maki lowered his eyes slightly, his fists clenched.
"We can't even count on help from other states… this is truly the worst-case scenario." Aika nodded slowly, her cold gaze fixed on the data scrolling across the screen.
"The global elites share the same ideals as the extremist organization. Chaos, disasters, fear… it all works to their advantage. A world in ruins is easier to control." Daru took a deep breath, as if absorbing the weight of this truth.
"So it's clear. We're on our own." A few rebel groups scattered across the globe, each fighting in the shadows, doing their best to prevent the extinction of this world.
A brief silence followed, broken only by static. Then Suka's voice rang out, firmer, charged with urgency.
"We have to leave you guys. Find a way to get here to us quickly. If this flying fortress isn't stopped, the world doesn't stand a chance."
The signal cut out abruptly.
A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by the hum of screens and surveillance systems. Aika, Daru, Maki, and Yamero remained motionless for a few seconds, each lost in their own thoughts, aware that time had just been brutally snatched away from them.
After what seemed like an eternity, Aika raised her head. Her gaze, usually calm, shone with an almost chilling lucidity.
"Actually… the solution to putting an end to the extremists' cataclysmic project is right before our eyes." Maki turned her head slightly toward her, surprised.
"What do you mean?" Aika replied directly, her voice firm:
"We simply have to go to the Sahara Desert and launch the assault directly on the floating unit." Daru frowned, crossing his arms.
"Easier said than done. We'll be completely exposed." Between the defense regiments, the weapon systems… and especially the completed prototypes of their project. Some could be on the same level, or even worse, than Momoshi.
Aika raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Who is this Momoshi?" Yamero spoke, his tone more serious than usual.
"A lackey created in Griselda's laboratory. A monster. His fighting level and power were off the charts. Our confrontation nearly wiped Kabukichō off the map of Japan." Aika took a slow breath.
"I, too, have encountered 'perfect' projects and others that were unfinished from this cursed organization. But nothing I've seen reached this level. If creatures of this caliber—or worse—exist on this fortress… then the threat surpasses anything we've faced so far." Maki clenched his fists, his gaze determined.
"Let's be realistic." All our battles, all our sacrifices since the beginning, have led us to this very point. We're one step away from the finish line. We don't really have a choice anymore. We must confront the three leaders of this organization head-on and put an end to it once and for all.
Aika rose from her seat, crossed her arms, and declared:
"I can gather a few units ready to follow us. Not enough for all-out war, but enough to divert the attention of the floating fortress, neutralize key sectors, and minimize unnecessary losses. Meanwhile, we'll go straight to the point... confront the final bosses." Yamero let out a dark laugh, an almost demonic smile spreading across his face.
"Perfect. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. It's time I finally finished my fight against Har'Arm... and avenged Azaku's death."
Aika declared firmly,
"We have two days left. Two days to prepare, establish a precise plan, and gather the essential equipment for the final battle. Now, please follow me; I'll get you settled." Yamero offered a mocking smile and replied,
"Sorry, little brat... but we have to return to our HQ." Aika stopped abruptly, turned slowly, and continued relentlessly,
"Your HQ is currently being seized and demolished, ordered directly by Griselda. As we speak... nothing but rubble remains." Maki, in shock, exclaimed,
"What the hell?! Destroy our HQ?! Wtf... since when did they find our location?!" Aika took a deep breath before revealing the truth:
"A few months after Merphis left, my mythic power awakened." "I've acquired extraordinary abilities, allowing me to achieve an extremely advanced level of mental and intellectual clarity, despite my young age. I understood the true situation in the country, that of the rebels… and then yours." She paused, her gaze hardening.
"I've been observing you for a long time. And recently, I intercepted a communication between Griselda and the head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. She gave them the exact location of your headquarters, how to access it, and several of your internal documents. Shortly after… your base was burned down." A heavy silence fell over the group. Yamero, Daru, and Maki remained frozen, unable to grasp that the headquarters that had supported their fight against the extremist organization for years had just been reduced to ashes.
Aika continued, her voice surprisingly calm for her age, yet brimming with confidence:
"You can stay here as long as you like. For now… follow me. I'll show you your new setup." Yamero, Maki, and Daru exchanged a glance. There was still mistrust in their eyes, but also a burning curiosity. After everything they had just learned, they didn't really have any other option. Without a word, they set off behind Aika.
They passed through a heavy metal door that opened with a whoosh of water, revealing a pristine corridor bathed in white light. They had barely taken a few steps when an elevator opened before them, silent, almost too perfect.
As the doors closed, Yamero broke the silence, arms crossed, his gaze hard but intrigued:
"Tell me… how is it possible that our HQ, packed with cutting-edge technology, has been spotted… while yours remains completely invisible?" Aika turned her head slightly toward him, a confident, almost provocative smile playing at the corners of her lips:
"I already told you. I'm not ordinary. My technology far surpasses yours. They'll never find this place. Never." Yamero stared at her for a second, then let out a short laugh, a mixture of amusement and disbelief:
"Seriously… after all the times you've called me a braggart and arrogant… Daru, Maki, I'd like to introduce you to someone even worse than me." Daru burst out laughing, shaking his head:
"I admit… she's dangerously confident." Maki smiled gently, but her eyes shone with a mixture of admiration and unease:
"Or perhaps… she has very good reason to be." The elevator continued its descent, deeper and deeper. A strange feeling settled over them, as if they were leaving the surface world behind for good. Finally, with a soft "ding," the doors opened.
Before them stretched an immense underground complex. Perfectly appointed rooms lined up as far as the eye could see: a rest and dining area, spotless sanitary facilities, a colossal surveillance room lined with screens displaying data from around the world, and a state-of-the-art laboratory overflowing with technological prototypes.
Further on, hangars opened onto high-tech aircraft, armored vehicles, drones, and combat robots, all neatly lined up. Everything exuded power, preparation, and anticipation.
Yamero remained silent for a moment, his eyes taking in every detail. He felt a surge of excitement mixed with a shiver:
"Damn. This doesn't look like a headquarters. It looks like a fortress ready for the end of the world." Daru took a deep breath, impressed despite himself:
"A real treasure trove... apocalypse style." Maki gently clenched her fists. For the first time in a long time, she felt something other than flight and survival:
"If we have to fight our final battle... then this is where it all begins." Aika observed them one by one, her gaze serious, almost solemn. Behind her girlish appearance lay a cold and implacable determination.
"Welcome home. Here, you will prepare... and here, we will put an end to all this."