CHAPTER 20: AUTHORS OF OUR FATES

“Lockheed—full name Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, one of the largest, most powerful military transport planes ever built, first flown in 1968, capable of…”

“CINDY!! YOU SURE THIS WON’T CRASH!?”

“It’s fine, Lune—I replaced all critical parts and reinforced it with shields in case it falls…”

“THEN WHY’S IT SHAKING LIKE THIS!?”

Lune and Cindy’s bickering drew laughs, easing the prior tension. Muse sat beside Snow, pensive. She recounted how Lune found her when she’d lost the will to exist. The Knights of Treachery gave her a second chance, a reason to live. Snow squeezed her friend’s hand, promising that after it all, they’d travel the world together.

“We’ll land in five minutes!”

Mordred stood mid-cabin, a golden sword materializing in his hand. All eyes turned to their leader.

“Many of us may not return from this. I thank you for humoring my selfish request—risking your lives for someone I’ve never met. But remember: Kira and Snow are our inspiration, our hope. Write your own stories—become the authors of our fates!”

Mordred raised his sword; cheers erupted, morale blazing. Beyond the clouds, Neo Babylon emerged. Hours ago, it thrived, fueled by Babel Corporation’s Android production. Now, ruins bore Branwen’s razor feathers, Ifrit’s whirlwind ravaged afar, and Sleeping Beauty’s thorny roots sprouted amid corpse piles. From dark clouds, Kulshedra loomed—its heads spewing fire and lightning at Lockheed. Explosions and impacts tore the plane apart, smoke trailing as it plummeted.

“CINDY!! YOU SAID IT HAD SHIELDS!?” Lune shrieked.

“NO SHIELD CAN TAKE THAT MANY HITS!!” Cindy yelled, frantically tapping controls. A faint barrier enveloped Lockheed’s remnants, skidding across a plaza before crashing into a building.

“…Everyone okay!?” Mordred scanned around.

“I’m fine, I’m fine—lost an arm, but it’ll regrow,” Lune replied. “We need to move now.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

They retreated into the building. “We’ve lost over half our forces and gear,” Cindy reported. Homunculi focused on regenerating, Androids self-repaired with N9NE LIVES. Outside, Kulshedra’s heads roared, eyes fixated on Lockheed’s wreck.

“With such losses, we avoid fights where possible. Androids lead and protect; Homunculi support from behind. Cindy, check remaining gear and distribute it. Lune, scout for Kira’s location,” Mordred ordered briskly. Everyone prepared in silence. Cindy approached Snow with BR1SC0E:

“I fixed it and added a new form. But you can’t use it freely—it drains all nano reserves. Save it for the final moment.”

“Thanks, Cindy,” Snow said, equipping it. The new form’s data surprised her. Lune returned, reporting a horde of ancient warriors guarding Babel’s headquarters. “Kira’s there,” Snow affirmed. Mordred updated the plan:

“We move in formation—Lune and Illusionists disguise us. Muse and I guard Snow in the center; her armor’s key to this.”

“What about me?” Cindy asked.

“With me,” Snow offered her hand. “Let’s end this together.”

“Some won’t make it back—ready?” Lune asked.

“Are you kidding? I died once before you found me,” Muse nudged her.

“We’ll carve a bloody path straight in. I swear on my sword—you won’t be forgotten! Knights of Treachery, be fearless!” Mordred raised his blade; cheers rang out, heedless of danger.

Lune and the Illusionists led, casting disguises. Nearly fifty beings marched to their doom, yet fear was absent. They crept through ruined streets teeming with low-tier Beasts, crossing fields of corpses. Babel’s tower loomed, its gate guarded by ancient warriors in diverse historical armor.

“Enemies block the entrance—we can’t proceed,” Lune whispered.

“THEN BREAK THROUGH!! KNIGHTS OF TREACHERY, SHOW THEM OUR STRENGTH!!” Cindy bellowed, THE SHIEL2 encasing her as she charged, swinging TESTAMEN7 into the foe.

“…That’s my line,” Mordred smiled. “KNIGHTS OF TREACHERY, ATTACK!!”

ST1NGs fired relentlessly; fireballs, ice spears, and lightning surged. 6EEKERS pressed from above, spears and swords flashing. “Don’t let the spectral warriors hit you—wounds won’t heal!” Snow shouted. Muse deployed 8ODYGUARD to shield her; Mordred wielded sword and fire, clearing Snow’s path. Chaos erupted.

“ANDROIDS!! RAISE SHIELDS!!” Cindy yelled.

“ELEMENTALISTS!! BIND THEIR FEET!!” Lune coordinated.

8ODYGUARDs formed a wall, funneling spectral warriors aside as earth rose to trap them. Though ethereal, they were still physical. “GATE’S BLOCKED FROM INSIDE!!” the front reported. “DRUIDS!! BREACH IT!!” Mordred roared. Two Homunculi morphed into rhinos, smashing the gate’s sides. The Knights retreated inward.

“HOW MANY LEFT!?” Mordred bellowed.

“ABOUT THIRTY!! I’LL HOLD HERE—KEEP GOING!!” Lune replied, casting illusion clones that charged into battle.

The rest raced up the stairs, grabbing debris and corpses to slow pursuers. At floor twelve, thorny roots blocked their path. A tree-like Beast with a grotesque face emerged from a corpse pile.

“Sleeping Beauty…” Snow gritted her teeth.

“Leave it to me,” Muse stepped forward. “For Poppy. For Edward!”