Salvation
This was taking longer than expected.
The machines had been slow and their attacks easy enough to dodge he could see them coming from a mile away literally so in this case. The problem was their defense, they continually ate up any and all damage. Hundreds of swords were stuck in their armor, various slashes and cuts littered their form, one of them even had their arm hanging unusable scrapping unto the floor… but they still kept coming.
He panted slightly as he gained some distance from the two Goliath's, resting on the rooftop of a nearby building.
This was taking far too long, it had worked for a time to slowly whittle them down while trying to conserve as much energy as possible in case the machines had something up their sleeve, but it was time to take more drastic measures.
From the fog an arm was brought down destroying the building the man was standing on, the machine gripped the remains it could grab of the now wrecked building, crushing whatever it could hold in its hand showing a bit of emotion in its showcase of power. Fear, anger… it was far more likely it was simply desperation.
However...
"You know." the eyes of the machine moved to the left almost with surprise, for what was on its shoulder but the being thought to be crushed. Amber eyes locked unto its own rooting the machine into place "I met a little machine before, all it wanted was peace and safety for its own, what makes you so different?"
The machine simply stared unable to answer, perhaps not even having the capability for it… it opened its mouth regardless though instead of words it gave out a metallic pained screech as the other Goliath decided to attack regardless of friendly fire.
Shirou jumped back before any actual danger befell on him, spinning in the air bringing back his large bow into his hands aiming it towards the machine already getting attacked by another. Three arrows appeared on the bow getting quickly shot causing explosions upon reaching the machine, much like the artillery fire its brethren recklessly aimed, further pushing back the Giant as it fell to one knee near the edge of the ravine the ground shaking upon impact.
"Just a bit more." he panted slightly the machines had been relentless in their pursuit. They weren't fast but constantly used their ranged weapons and their size to keep him constantly on the move.
It was getting tiresome but everything was in place now...
The large machine's frame started to shake as it forced itself to stand back up, rock formations started to break and fall behind it unto the ravine due to its weight as the ground itself started to crack as any movement it did was enough to shake the flimsy platform a little push was all it would take…
Before it could fully stand up its right leg buckled as something blurred past it, a neat cut appeared near its knee making so that the appendage could not possibly hold the massive weight thus breaking in half and making it fall sideways unto the ravine. It scrapped on the two edges eventually getting stuck with no hope of actually getting up.
It didn't even bother to try and move considering any shift in weight would probably bring itself and everything around it down further into the abyss.
Shirou seeing this immediately went unto the offensive with a clear intent on downing the stuck machine once and for all.
A laser stopped him on his tracks though as the other Goliath tried desperately to keep him away from its fallen brethren as it quite literally spat out a red beam that destroyed the surroundings.
Shirou huffed as he jumped back dodging the desperate attack "Better to deal with you first then." his eyes moved and glared as the machine finally stopped its attack. His hand clenched… "Time to finish this…"
That thought was stopped however as he noticed something peculiar…
The air…
It was heating up…
His eyes widened as he looked back noticing the machine's state as it bubbled and melted due to unnatural heat coming from within… realization came quickly, this was an attack a suicidal one… and he was far too close to not get hit by it.
His mind ran through every possible course of action he could take quickly forming a plan.
Blades appeared around him as he turned and ran in the opposite direction trying to make as much distance from the overheating body as he could.
He dodged an attack from the other machine as it tried to keep him in place losing focus on defending the ticking body just a bit further away. The blades that had been hovering behind Shirou shot out in different directions as they hit the parts of the ravine the machine was stuck on breaking them apart making the doomed giant fall deeper...
It wasn't enough...
Suddenly his vision turned white as a shock wave hit him launching him at a great speed only stopping when his body hit a wall.
Rubble and stone fell around him as he tried to keep his eyes open, his right vision clouded as a red viscous liquid poured unto it from an open wound on his head. Looking down he could see his left arm's bone sticking out, the rest of the arm uselessly hanging.
He tried to look outside but couldn't quite make out the level of destruction made on the surrounding area, but he felt the tremors and the change in inclination. Smoke and dirt were all around him surely the other machine was destroyed with its brethren.
No time to worry about that...
He groaned in pain and displeasure already knowing what comes next…
Clenching his hand he allowed his eyes to close...
(Devola, Popola)
They walked in silence during their venture through this dark environment, their weapons kept in hand gripped tightly despite the lack of enemies, an air of awkwardness surrounded them as neither was quite able to approach the other.
Popola looked at her sister trying to figure out what's going through her mind but drawing a blank, the woman was seemingly lashing out at everyone and it's not as if she didn't understand why… but there had to be better ways to deal with the situation at hand. Walking into the darkness not knowing what comes next or what was waiting for them it was very much the same type of situation as the suicide missions the other androids kept pushing them into.
"We're nearly outside."
Popola was startled out of her thoughts by the voice of her sister "What do you intend to do once we get there?"
Devola scoffed "Didn't you hear it, we're here to talk."
Popola stopped walking glaring at the back of her head "You know being like this to me won't help in any way… It's not my fault things have gone this way."
Devola merely gripped the railing denting the metal murmuring quietly as Popola got past her "I-I know..." she stood there for a second a hand clenched near her chest "Do you… do you think he's doing okay?" scorn and worry mixed together inside of her… it hurt just to think about.
"What do you expect me to say Devola, I don't know." Popola sighed shaking her head "Let's just get this over with." she stopped near a door as it opened without the need for command their vision adjusted as the natural light shun around the formerly dark inside.
Popola looked back before shaking her head, stepping out of the industrial complex leaving her sister behind.
Devola took a few moments watching the inside of the factory from above. It was dark, damp, and rusted out much like everything else in this demented place. It still worked somewhat doing things out of routine rather than any sort of objective, going through the motions as it were…
If given the chance would it become something better…
Sighing she pushed herself off the railing her back hitting the wall before she stepped out of the factory her feet almost dragging through the ground. She took a deep breath as she left behind the darkness the door closing behind her.
Her sister was there already tapping her foot on the ground… she looked at her, truly looked this time for the first time since they got separated from him beginning to finally notice the same trepidation and swirling emotions as she felt, she had been suffering like she did she just had always been better at focusing on matters, focusing on trying to do better... while she simply got stuck in her own feeling of inadequacy. She nodded at her sister receiving a look of acceptance as a reward.
It wasn't quite the apology she tried to express but it was enough for now.
"I don't see anything you know…" Popola murmured loud enough for her sister to hear.
Devola looked questioningly at her.
"I mean a machine with the power that White described, shouldn't we have seen it by now." she talked maneuvering her hands as if not able to explain fully "I don't know… just kinda questioning what we're getting into." she pushed her hair behind her ear.
Their path continued as they walked down the metal stairs carefully avoiding any holes in the structure, from here, everything seemed rather peaceful away from the tumultuous and hellish grounds that the city became even if the objects littered around had become rather generic from seeing them so much, the rusted color seemed nauseating at this point.
It wouldn't be long until they reached the place fated for combat… or whatever it was that the machine wanted.
They stopped at the edge of the industrial complex watching the waves hit the rocks below their feet for a second, trying to reign in whatever nerves that had sprouted. In front of them stood the end of their journey a cavern made of metal the front of it blown out from the outside, they gripped each other's hands, interlocking their fingers, walking in evened pacing towards the unknown.
"Well you sure took your time." a girlish voice called out as they finally entered the hallowed grounds.
The unknown was rather surprising…
In front of them stood a normal machine, nothing could differentiate it from countless others they had seen time and time again… it was simply just a machine no upgrades no size changes, no... nothing. The surprise must have shown in their faces as the life form started giggling.
It started moving in slow steps their eyes narrowed as they took battle stances, its mechanical hands went up in a placating way though its giggle made it more mocking than peaceful "Now now we're all friends here, I can just easily blow this place up like I did your friends you know." as it said that something started to move as even the factory shook, there was something massive in the ocean, something impossible to fight against.
The duo frowned before looking at each other, throwing their weapons onto the floor.
The machine simply stood there waiting its head tilted slightly "Thank you, doesn't this feel much better?" the voice turned male contrasting nicely with the dangerous situation.
"What." Devola spoke through gritted teeth her eyes wide with rage glaring down at the life form "Do. You. Want?"
The machine looked on, its face unable to show emotion "What everyone wants… a purpose."
Devola laughed at that her emotions and stress going haywire so much so that her sister looked on with worry "Right… killing everything around you it's all you're good for."
"We didn't kill the Resistance despite having the best chance of doing so."
Popola scoffed finally able to tear her eyes away from her disheveled sister who was now panting "That rings rather hollow you are after all the ones who attacked us in the first place, also don't joke around you were using them as hostages. Do you really think we don't know what you're after?"
The machine hummed "Do you now? Tell me then what does the machine kind want from this city."
"It's rather easy to tell you were waiting for him to attack… is it fear I wonder? Even Pascal seemed to shake every time it layed eyes on him."
The machine started giggling once more before turning into full-blown laughter as the voice changed back to a male tone "How the two failed ones seem to jump to conclusions and yet know so very little about what surrounds them… about themselves even." the machine sighed "You were right about one thing though we are here for him but not for what you think, we are merely trying to see how he thinks… how he works."
The lifeforms eyes changed from yellow to red "After all a human is hard to come by…"
The sister's eyes widened horror gripping their very being "You know?"
"We knew before you did... we know more than you do, even right now."
This was worse than anything they imagined… if they knew then what was stopping them. Panic clear in their faces as Devola started talking once more "Why are you doing all of this? What do you hope to gain?"
"That remains to be seen and it's not for you to know anyway." the machine waved its hand in dismissal "Just know that everyone's eyes are on that person… the one loved by the beast."
The sound of an explosion could be heard all around the city.
(Shirou)
His body was burning, sweat poured out of his body as he groaned in discomfort on the hotel bed. The bed itself had seen better days as it was ripped apart by something sharp.
He trashed again as another blade pushed through his left-hand blood pouring from his wound before closing in again due to an unknown power.
This was getting worse.
His body was fighting against something furiously, if this continued on he was more likely to destroy himself than whatever got inside of him.
His hands went to his head as he let out a silent scream his body contorting upwards as another pang of pain surrounded his form. Something desperately wanted to change him even as his very being tried to keep itself normal.
Two types of powers battled.. his body the coliseum.
Even still the worst part of all this was the whispers… the screams that he refused to listen to. If he did he would surely lose everything.
Thus their contract continued unanswered.
Suddenly his breath was held still… he wasn't alone in the room anymore. His eyes roamed around desperately trying to find who it was...
He could barely make out the form of a woman in white near his bed, she remained there stoically staring as if she had words to say but was unsure on how to start.
Suddenly she was kneeling near his bed, no sound was made during her movement… no actual movement appeared to happen in the first place. Perhaps his mind was finally breaking due to whatever ailment afflicted him.
She touched his arm his pain turning worse until he desperately reached out in an attempt to throw her off of him. His arm simply passed through her as if she bared no weight in the material world.
Still, though she seemed to be able to touch him without any sort of complication as she ran her fingers through his silvery red hair as if to calm him down, it felt like someone was ripping every single strand each time her hand passed through it.
She looked at him in the eyes for the first time, he stopped breathing at that moment as the rest of the world went mute.
Despite her looks... she was well beyond human… in her eyes, he saw the abyss itself. Something that wanted to destroy all of humanity.
But he couldn't look away… no matter what he could not look away…
Because he also saw someone who wanted desperately to be saved… but that nobody could.
Why? Despite her nature that he could clearly see even with half-lidded eyes… he still couldn't take it when someone looked like that...
His right arm moved once again… this time more gently.
She didn't attempt to stop him just like before but this time… this time...
His fingers brushed through the skin of her left cheek, she reached out to his hand grasping it, still locking her eyes unto his, now showing pure confusion.
She seemed to think for a second before standing up, his vision started to blur further but he still tried to reach out desperately to her as she disappeared as if nothing was there, to begin with.
His eyes soon after started closing fully as exhaustion took a hold of his body but before that, he noticed something in his left hand...
Something started to appear as if flourishing out of the back of his appendage.
A white flower settled in his skin brimming with power… before disappearing as if it were never there.
He heard no more whispers since then...
He woke up with a gasp.
A hand came to grip his face as he panted for air pushing himself off the wall and debris before falling once more, sliding down the wall into a sitting position.
His knees came up to his chest as he secured them in his arms, his form trembling slightly...
He finally let out a deep breath as the tension left his body finally being able to calm down, fully able to stand up now. He moved his left arm clenching his fist, his other hand trailing his skin, there was no damage it was as if there had been no grand battle just before only his ripped outfit remained as evidence.
That's when he felt the tremble as something massive took a step.
He couldn't quite make out its form as the fog of smoke and debris clouded everything inside it, but it was quite easy to tell what it was.
The man sighed in frustration "Still standing huh." Shirou shook his head.
The machine took another step fully revealing itself and the messy state it was in. Half broke its midsection destroyed burning melting unto the floor. It took one last step before it got to be too much as it was brought down once more kneeling looking down at the human, the force of its weight shaking the surroundings and cracking the ground it stood.
Shirou's hair and clothes waved as he glared deeply unto the machine's own…
The mouth of the Goliath opened… a red light coming from within...
He could dodge it if he wanted to it was taking longer to charge up probably due to its sorry state but he couldn't take for granted that if it saw no way out it would simply do as its brethren...
One strong hit would be enough it was barely alive as it is… but he needed to make sure.
Searching his mind he found a candidate…
"Steel is my body,
and fire is my blood."
His trusty bow appeared in his right hand as a black blade appeared on the other.
He pushed the string the blade fitting the bow as it glowed with power.
Two red lights could be seen even from afar, facing each other almost like two stars shining within the fog.
The one who shot first would win…
Therefore this was his victory...
Shirou's eyes narrowed "Seek, Hrunting."
The machine had no time to even perceive its final moments as a shot cleaved through its head… and much of what was left of its body.
The shot was so powerful that it even pushed back the machine as it slid down into the even larger ravine much like its brethren before.
Shirou fell down to one knee soon after as he panted slightly, sweat shined on his skin as it trickled unto the floor… he regained his breathing before a second later standing back up.
Soon enough the sounds of combat returned though not from him but somewhere else further inside the ruined city. He didn't have to think twice about the possibilities, quickly moving away leaving behind the destroyed remains of machine kind letting the very city itself bury them, forgotten.
(Devola, Popola)
The duo stared at the machine in confusion trying to make out what it exactly meant "Beast..? What? I… don't understand?" Popola's voice seemed to tither off as she gripped with what the machine just said.
The little being once more giggled, making Devola growl at the sound "That is a question for another don't you think, after all…" the alien life form stopped abruptly as its head snapped to the right in the direction of the city "Oh? Seems the little human won, isn't that wonderful."
Devola's eyes widened "Wait… do you mean?"
The machine looked back at the twins doing its best impression of a nod "The Engels have been destroyed."
Devola and Popola let out a sigh of relief as a new light of resolve shun on their eyes now fully glaring down at their diminutive tormentor "Then this stupid battle is over, you lost."
The machine tilted its head in confusion "What do you mean?" It pointed its fingers at the duo "I still have you two… and I do quite want to see what his choice will be."
"Choice?" Devola asked before the ground started to shake… no the very building did.
The machine's eyes glowed red before they flashed out the small body hitting the floor with a thud that was barely heard.
The factory continued to shake and tremble as they heard the ocean part away as if something massive moved from it.
Suddenly even that stopped as no sound could be heard, still though the twins stared at nothing fear griping them, as a presence shadowed the factory itself...
Something grasped the ceiling and ripped it apart, startling the duo as they grabbed their weapons eyes wide in fear...
For something terrifying now had them in its sight.
It was a writhing mass of machinery, it was indescribable, it had no limbs, no eyes, no facial structure to speak of it was just a bloated giant form that reached the top of the factory, the only part that could vaguely resemble something normal was near the top of the monstrosity as a line could be seen near the head in a facsimile of a mouth. Something started… moving in its body as wiring and plating slithered around in it's form creating a bulge of mass near the thing's neck… it exploded a moment later in movement as it shot out towards the two at great speed, hitting the ground a moment later with great force.
They barely were able to defend themselves as they dodged the attack, they went on the counterattack a moment later their swords sinking deeply into the mass of objects without any result.
They tried to pry their weapons away but they sank further into the machine until they disappeared the appendage going back into the body.
They looked at each other in panic as they now stood weaponless against an entity beyond either...
The machine's mouth opened up revealing something inside it... it was still made out of metal much like everything else but it was indisputably made in the form of a young girl as it giggled down on them through red eyes "Do you like it?"
"What?" Popola asked still standing defiantly at certain defeat.
The girl caressed the thing's head "I created it to resemble an old being from the past… something very powerful."
Devola glared baring her teeth "Is that suppose to mean something to us?"
"Well the time where it was from should… but then again you have no memories of it… of your grand failure." the girl giggled "They left you without power and only guilt, would such a duo who barely understand even themselves be good enough companions for my human I wonder."
Devola moved forward only stopping once her sister gripped her sleeve "Stop saying that." she was nearly frothing at the mouth as she said this… something coiled inside of her using her emotions as fuel.
The girl stopped grinning as she stared stoically "Am I saying something wrong… I don't understand, isn't that your wish? To keep humanity safe? To keep them alive? I can do that… better than Yorha… better than the resistance... better than you two."
Devola growled at the machine a red power flashed around her "Shut up! He's not yours."
The little speck atop the gargantuan body tilted its head in confusion "Is that all there is to it? Ownership? Is that the limit of your love for humanity..? Or simply not the limit of your arrogance… if you truly think you won't kill humanity again due to your incompetency."
"SHUT UP!" something flickered around Devola as a red stream of power flowed in the air…
The machine simply smiled gently "….aaah seems I was wrong… It's fear of being forgotten, how simple…"
The ground trembled as Devola's emotions ranged further into chaos "I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!" she raged on as power came out of her in waves violently shaking the platform they were standing ripping the walls apart. She stared with wide eyes as the rest of the world became muted, the only thing she could see and focus on was the machine.
Popola shielded her face as she was caught in the eye of the storm though the waves passed harmlessly through her, she didn't know if her sister did that unconsciously in an effort to not hurt her or something else was happening, as she felt her very being resonate with the power Devola was dishing out.
The little girl atop the monstrosity simply looked on emotionlessly even as the waves of power pushed and hit its body taking bits and pieces of metal away from it. The power being let out by the android was strong but wasn't being used carefully enough or at all really, it was just an emotional outburst something that she probably didn't even know she was doing and because of it, she wouldn't focus on vital areas.
The girl lifted her arm in front of her as the machine roared in preparation for an attack…
An attack that would never exist as she had to dodge out of the way, her arm being ripped apart by a white beam.
The Yorha team had finally caught up showing itself by their usage of Pod attacks as they littered the machine in fire though not being able to so much as graze her a stark contrast to their initial attack.
9S's eyes narrowed in thought realization coming quickly "That girl part is vulnerable whenever she is preparing to attack…" he muttered as if talking to himself though loud enough for the group to hear.
2B hearing that gave a look to the rest of the team they nodded immediately ceasing their attack… preparing for an opportunity.
The little girl atop the monstrosity simply tilted her head looking down at her arm as it reformed touching it as if it barely recognized the thing, soon enough though her eyes drifted down to look at her attackers without any hate or anger simply staring stoically at the group of androids. She pushed her arms down allowing the monstrosity to close itself off around her hiding back inside its body.
The machine soon reached its limit as it was violently ripped in half by the red-haired woman's vicious power, the lower half falling back into the depths of the ocean.
Devola continued still even as the machine fell face-first near them such was her rage that she barely noticed, parts of her started to break, Popola could only look on in worry as her skin was ripping apart around her neck and hands… her body could not possibly hold such force much longer.
She walked towards her sister each step becoming heavier, almost pushing her to the floor until she was finally able to reach her grabbing her hand finally snapping her away. She hugged her tightly to her chest both of them going down into the ground.
They remained there quietly for a few moments just their continuous breathing could be heard. "I'm sorry." Devola said suddenly gripping her sister's clothes desperately.
Popola simply patted her head "It's fine… I'm just glad you're okay."
The Yorha group seeing as the machine was neutralized regardless of their help started moving along in an effort to get closer to the hugging twins, only 9S staying behind.
2B looked back at her companion "Is something wrong?"
"Maybe." 9S moved his head to the mass of metal laying on the structure "The machine gave up too easily."
2B looked back at the body with trepidation, before her eyes widened as the machine stirred back to life.
The metal itself started moving erratically blocking whatever entrance it could find leaving only itself and the red-haired duo.
The Yorha group could only look on trying to make sense of what to do… and how much time they had to do it.
(City Grounds)
Her sword once again embedded itself into another machine as they recklessly kept moving towards the group. She huffed staring at those in front of her as they started once more surrounding her and her allies.
Anemone looked around seeing the numbers dwindle down as they slowly lost ground to the machines. She grit her teeth glaring hatefully at her sworn enemies… she promised here and now that nobody else would fall… no more.
She swung her sword recklessly trying to take on too much at once the combat-able androids following after her.
That was until all the machines fell at the same time each one by a sword to the head.
A tall figure appeared in front of them wearing a type of armor she had never seen before though it had seen better days with his left side pretty much ripped apart and singed. Based on the hair and color scheme it could only be one person "So we finally meet."
He looked back at her still ready for combat "You must be Anemone."
Her eyebrow rose at his words "You know me?"
He chuckled slightly "Devola likes to complain."
"I see…" The woman looked around for the android in question not having seen either of the twins in quite some time though that part wasn't necessarily surprising, they often left whenever the hatred got to be too much but from what she gathered they had kept close to the man in front of her never leaving his side.
She shrugged a question for another time.
He looked at her once more this time more serious "How grave is your situation." his eyes moved around noticing the pilling up carcasses of machine bodies near the entrance of the resistance camp.
"Not good we've been losing a lot of ground, for every ten machines we destroy twenty appear, it's an endless horde." she stabbed her sword into the ground leaning into it "They started pouring in once that Goliath was destroyed… I'm guessing that was you?" she looked at him questioningly.
He nodded as the sounds of machines became present once more "Is there any place you could go, away from the city?"
She gave a look to the last group of able men ordering them back into the camp "There may be a village near the forest..."
Shirou shook his head "You'd have to cross the city besides I don't think Pascal's village really exists anymore." he turned around and started walking away swords appearing in his hands "I'll defend this entrance, make sure to get your people fixed something tells me the machines have an objective in all of this and it won't end until then."
Anemone's eyes widened when he said Pascal "How do you..?" she shook her head before sighing "Can you really keep us safe for some time?"
He didn't bother looking back this time, merely going into a stance "None of you will die while I'm here."
She nodded walking back into the camp, just as machines of every kind started to appear.
Shirou now alone narrowed his eyes preparing himself for combat once more…
That was before one of the machine's eyes flashed green "Save us."
His eyes widened at the sound "Popola?" he sounded unsure, the name coming out of his mouth without his noticing.
Another machine crawled atop a building flashing green as well "You promised."
His mouth opened but no words came out… he just stood there as the machines surrounded him as more and more of their voices joined together saying the same thing, in the same two voices. They didn't even attack him despite his state as his arms went limp and the blades disappeared before hitting the ground.
"SAVE US"
He let out a strangled yell as swords of all kinds appeared behind him shooting quickly at each of the alien beings, killing them in a single hit.
That's when he felt it…
From the factory, it was like flames… a power he had felt long ago but in a person that he didn't think possible.
His legs started moving unconsciously towards the industrial complex as his eyes stayed widened looking deeply at it.
A machine attacked him then…
He swung quickly cleaving it in half. His head snapped around looking wherever, it was just like Anemone said he killed one another one replaced him.
He couldn't leave… not yet.
But…
"What do I do?" Shirou questioned to the air nobody responding back.
They needed him right?
They always looked at him in such wonder as if he was a treasure.
But he couldn't leave yet… the people behind him numbered far more than two.
They kept to his side even as he continued towards an endless dream.
Even if he killed all of them right now more would simply take its place, this is what it was like to fight against the machines an unlimited force that would eventually overwhelm anyone.
I really want to hear them sing again.
His teeth clenched against one another, his mind not being able to decide.
I really can't save everyone… huh?
His left arm trembled slightly as he made his choice.
Before that was taken from him…
White hair filled his vision as another body took its place in front of the armada of machines.
Ripped barely hanging on clothes.
Blackened parts as if the skin was ripped.
A blade in hand, body well focused on the battle ahead.
This could only be…
"A2?" his hand reached up as if to grab unto her.
The woman simply continued to look towards the enemy not answering him, her back facing him. She swung her sword once before stopping as she pointed towards the industrial complex "We'll meet again, right?"
He stared at her for a moment
And then ran as fast as he could.
The woman let her arm go limp as she sighed towards the sky, shaking her head angrily before glaring at the machines red lightning flashing around her.
(Factory)
"What a meddling bunch those Yorha." the girl-machine said as she slipped out of the monstrosity that now made up the walls of the room "I honestly didn't think you two had the power to force me this much… this reminds me of a human saying." she tapped a finger to her chin "… live and learn, right?"
Popola stared at this being with a tired look as she pushed back her sister "Dammit…" she tried to say more but she couldn't this was an impossible situation to get out from.
"Come now, you're not dead yet. Not until he makes his choice." she looked around crawling on the floor "Besides this body only has enough for one more attack… we're on borrowed time too."
Devola groaned around her sister's arms "I don't understand why are you doing all of this, the machines... I've seen it you can be much more than…" she moved her arm with great difficulty looking at her"… this war."
The machine's eyes softened somewhat "Perhaps, but we aren't doing it for the war. We just need to know, we need to understand…" a weird emotion could be noticed coming from her. It wasn't anything they could fully understand but if they put it into words it was almost like the machine was obsessed with something...
Popola glared at her… no, it "Understand what?"
It grinned "The king… what do you think he'll choose the Queens… or the kingdom?" the monster lifted its arm energy building around its body.
The twins stared at her with acceptance before closing their eyes.
Until warmth engulfed them…
An arm draped around the body of both dragging them back into safety, they looked up eyes clouding with tears…
"I have created
over a thousand blades"
The machine looked at him in surprise "Aaaah… seems I forgot about the knight." it stared on disappointed still continuing to charge regardless.
Shirou lifted his left arm "Rho Aias."
A flower appeared in front of them its beauty enrapturing.
With a metallic screech, the machine let out a huge beam of power hitting the flower flush the attack flowing around them as if water.
The two abilities squared up the surroundings shaking to their might.
Until one finally gave out…
The yellow light coming from the machine started to tither off into nothingness the machine itself seemed to be rather willing to give up as she stared seemingly annoyed at something.
They gasped as his chest moved in rapid bursts as his lungs tried to take in as much air as possible, the flower breaking away soon after.
"Shirou are you okay?" Popola immediately asked her hand grasping his cheek turning his head down so she could look at him.
He simply smiled at her, both of the twin's eyes widening at it.
It was… something else.
He engulfed them fully this time his head burying itself in their hair. They did the same after the surprise ended.
The three of them were together once more, nothing else mattered…
The moment stopped unfortunately as they heard a metallic groan a distance away from them.
Shirou glared at the body of the machine before standing up, Devola grasped his hand desperately, not willing to let go.
The man simply patted her head with the other hand "I'll be back soon enough okay."
She nodded allowing him to leave her side with heavy eyes following his steps towards the monstrosity of metal.
He finally reached it "You're the one who orchestrated the attack right?" Shirou glared at it "You're different from other machines, just what exactly are you?"
The girl made of metal gave him a crooked grin, answering little "The crown…" the light in its eyes went out soon after as the body hit the ground dead for good this time.
He continued to stare for a moment trying to understand what exactly it meant before sighing and returning to the sisters as they tried to get up. He helped them to their feet gently his eyes roaming their forms until he noticed the state Devola was in, his hand coming up and trailing a scar in her neck.
"I'm okay Shirou." she smiled softly grasping his hand in hers.
They stood there making sure all of them were safe and sound, the serene scene juxtaposing the devastation around them.
"Scanning…"
Devola and Popola's eyes widened as they heard the robotic voice, they rapidly tried to move in front of him but Shirou grasped their shoulders shaking his head.
Things have gone too far, it was time to become an active piece.
One by one the Yorha units took their blindfolds off as the Pod continued to extract data.
"Organic bone structure found…"
Their eyes stayed with him following each and every movement.
"Respiratory system and blood vessels found…"
The signs of worship almost too clear in their stare.
"Muscle tissue and organic skin found…"
Nobody at this point was hearing the little Pod already having made out their own conclusions.
"Chances of target RED being human… 100%."
The sun shone behind him making it almost hurt to stare, but they still did regardless their eyes unmoving,.. unblinking.
"Before you all start, I have but one question…"
He smiled at them, invitingly.
"… is everyone okay?"
Salvation had finally come.
Sooo yeah here it is the end of the city war. Honestly speaking I'm really afraid of this chapter. For one it's a combat-heavy chapter and I don't feel comfortable writing it at the best of times. Two it's kinda where the plot starts huh, until now all I've done is give hints to things... Shirou's past the machines, but it has been really simple, the story up until this point has been shirou understanding the world seeing its people, and making the trio feel like they care about each other but now everything just kinda opened up and I've been trying to connect the past and the future of these characters.
I do have a planned story, I have created a timeline of events from when the queen beast appeared up until when this story starts and i have an ending planned and where i want to take the characters and the machines are a part of it... it's just a big process getting there.
I really hope you all like this, this was by far the hardest thing I've written and I really hope it's good.
Next chapter? I don't really know... I really want to edit and make the first five chapters more readable they are very rough so I might work on that but if nothing appears in Feb you can be sure of something happening in March.
Anyway that's that.
Really big thanks to Ivan Tridelan for helping me out.