Chapter 22: The Highwind Fleet Battle
A dozen airships came into view over the Jonun horizon. Each one carrying full capacity of missiles and bombs. The famed Highwind fleet soared without their captain in the Jonun sunrise. They approached the high cliffs of the Inner sea at top speeds. The wind felt good against the airship crew'' backs. The sun was over the horizon, bringing dawn to the eastern world. The dozen airships continued their pace.
"Attack at full force. I don't even want to see a single rock left!" Captain Gabric shouted. He was a tall man, dressed in red with a gray helmet and visor with huge shoulder pads.
"Aye aye sir!" Lieutenant Wayne replied. He was shorter and skinnier than Gabric, wearing a blue outfit and the same helmet and shoulder pads. He ran down the hall of the Tradewind, the Highwinds' sister ship.
The guns were loaded and aimed. The bomb doors loaded, and the missiles stacked. All that was left was to arrive over the position. Sweat trickled down the side of Gabrics' face.
** *
"C'mon! You guys can do it!" Reeve shouted at the TV. He was in a room filled with the top men of ShinRa, except Cid. The executives all stared at the television, Hopefully this will stop EONs' draining of the planet. Suddenly, a spec appeared on the television.
** *
"Sir, something has appeared on the horizon." Lieutenant Wayne announced to Gabric.
"Get the thing on screen!"
A small television flickered on the control panel and the speck was there, flying above the inner sea.
"Zoom!" Gabric shouted. Wayne turned a small dial and the screen zoomed in. Hovering above the sea was Judgement.
Judgement hovered in place above the small ocean. His four black wings flapping silently, he unsheathed his long narrow sword and watched the arrival of Jonuns' finest.
"Yes. Come to me. Your worthless lives will soon join the lifestream and be infused within EON." Judgement whispered.
"FIRE!" Gabric shouted. Wayne nodded and repeated Gabrics' words into the intercom.
The dozen airships let loose a cannon volley at Judgement and the surrounding area. The missiles shot out of their launching bays. The bombs fell from the bottom and into the sea. The turrets blasted at Judgement. Judgement narrowed his white fiery eyes. "FLARE STAR!"
A huge blast of red and violet energy engulfed the incoming shells and missiles. The flare immediately destructed the missiles and shells. "FLARE STAR!" Violet spheres surrounded the Tradewind and the other airships. The spheres circled, then exploded into fiery red and violet energy. A few of the airships exploded immediately while the Tradewind and a few others took severe damage.
"Shit! Fire again!" Gabric shouted.
"Ultima!" Judgement shouted. His wings raised themselves into extended positions. This wasn't the familiar Ultima this world was used to. This was much different, and much more powerful. White energy flew towards the zenith, intertwining back and forth, making a double helix pattern. The energy then fell back from the sky as red pointed trails. The many pieces of Ultima crashed into the fleet. Many of the airships started to descend, while others exploded. The Tradewind leaned dangerously to the right side. It still flew towards the Inner Sea. Judgement vanished into thin air.
"Damn. We're …not going to * cough* make it…" Gabric whispered. He clutched his bleeding side. Sparks flew everywhere. Damaged machinery lined the helm. It was amazing it still flew.
"Don't say that sir. Of coarse we'll make it!" Wayne shouted. His leg was bleeding severely though. He cringed and crawled over to his captain's side.
"Wake up boy. * cough* there's no way in hell we'll make it. That damn thing is too strong."
Behind the bleeding lieutenant, Judgement appeared. He was breathing heavily, and was exhausted. That Ultima spell took a lot of energy. Judgement slowly advanced towards the ship crew. Crewmembers ran to defend their captain, but it was to no avail. Judgement swung his weapon left and right, slaying all that opposed. The ill-fated ship continued to fly. Sparks flew spilled from damaged electronics. Judgement was mad. There was nothing he could do about those bombs, but he was sure that EON would recover. EON was too evolved to be killed by mere explosions. Judgement folded his wings and continued walking. They helm was now filled with the dead crew. The only two survivors were Wayne and Gabric.
"…All that oppose EON must die. Taste my blade, the divinity." He stabbed the 5 foot long sword into Waynes' chest and slowly pulled it out. Judgement wiped the blood off divinity and stepped on the lieutenants' body.
"Now you will become part of the lifestream and aid EONs' evolution." Judgement said coldly. He then held his sword up high and swung it down. Gabrics' body flew across the room. Judgement then walked towards the steering panel. Breathing heavily, he pulled the lever that read nosedive. Judgement then teleported away.
** *
Reeve put his head into his hands. The television played the Tradewind falling into the mountainside, then exploding. All of the executives put their heads down and their hands over their hearts.
"…Damn it. AVALANCHE has to come back!" Reeve said as he got out of his chair.
"Sir! Where are you going?" An executive asked.
"To get our last hope…" He replied and walked out of the room.
** *
Judgment teleported inside EONs heart. Dozens of small, white spider like creatures scurried about, repairing any damage done to the tissue or mechanical devices. Judgement then limped towards a large, bloody chamber. He went inside and a steel door closed.
"It will take a couple of days to heal. These insects are stronger than I anticipated. Destroying their world will bring more pleasure…" He closed his eyes and let divinity drop to the floor. Tentacles and wires came out of the bloody walls and suctioned onto him. "Ultima must be drawn back into me…"
In the background, EON made a long whale song, as the chattering of the white mechanical and flesh spiders scurried about…