Chapter 37: 70 Hours War Part 4

The South Irnetia Sea had become a cauldron of war, boiling with the tension of a high-stakes naval battle that neither side could afford to lose. On one side stood the Chinese First Expeditionary Fleet under Admiral Li Pengcheng, a hardened strategist and master of electronic warfare. On the other, the Milishial Task Force commanded by Rear Admiral Kaelith Morvannis, a fleet imbued with the mystic energies of magic that had dominated the seas for centuries. Yet, in this clash of magic and technology, neither side had fully anticipated the ferocity or complexity of the battle that was unfolding.

The engagement had begun as a test of wills, each fleet posturing for dominance. The Milishial fleet, with its imposing Orichalcum-Class battleships and near-invincible Adamant-Class dreadnoughts, seemed invulnerable. Their gleaming hulls, infused with magical alloys, radiated power. Milishial's magical radar systems, honed over decades of arcane mastery, could see beyond the limits of traditional technology, tracking targets with pinpoint accuracy across vast distances. But Admiral Li Pengcheng, always two steps ahead, had one key advantage: the ability to blind the enemy.

The opening move of the Chinese fleet was swift and devastating. The Milishial fleet, renowned for its advanced magic-based radar systems, had lost the edge as Chinese electronic warfare capabilities took over. Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) jammers flooded the electromagnetic spectrum with false signals, disorienting Milishial's radar systems. GJ-11 stealth drones equipped with electronic decoys penetrated the airspace around the Milishial fleet, sowing further confusion, while YJ-91 anti-radiation missiles homed in on the magic radar systems, knocking out the fleet's primary eyes.

Rear Admiral Kaelith Morvannis, ever the pragmatic tactician, had immediately launched his fleet's visual drones to compensate for their crippled radar. Each of these drones was equipped with high-precision optics and protected by powerful magic shields, making them difficult to shoot down. The visual drones flew high above the Milishial ships, guiding the massive Orichalcum-Class and Adamant-Class battleships' main guns with deadly accuracy.

The Chinese fleet found themselves under relentless attack from the Milishial fleet's most terrifying weapon: 20-inch magic shells. These glowing, blue projectiles streaked through the air at hypersonic speeds—25 times the speed of sound—leaving behind trails of shimmering energy as they barreled toward their targets. Each shell, charged with arcane energy, exploded with the force of ten GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bombs, making even a near miss enough to capsize a modern destroyer.

"Incoming barrage, 120 kilometers and closing fast!" came the urgent report from the combat information center.

"Prepare the HQ-19 interceptors!" Admiral Li ordered without hesitation.

The Chinese fleet's only hope of surviving the onslaught was the HQ-19 anti-ballistic missile system—an advanced missile defense system designed to intercept hypersonic threats. At nearly 10 meters long and weighing 12 tons, it used a two-stage rocket motor to reach speeds that allowed it to intercept targets traveling at Mach 25. The missile's kill vehicle was equipped with a sophisticated kinetic warhead designed to destroy its target through sheer impact force, a technique known as hit-to-kill.

The HQ-19s, each as tall as a three-story building, shot from their vertical launch cells with a thunderous roar. Their engines ignited with a flash of light as they streaked skyward, chasing down the incoming magic shells with blistering speed.

Each HQ-19 missile was equipped with a sophisticated guidance system that used multiple targeting methods: radar, infrared, and optical sensors all working in concert to track the incoming magic shells. The magic shells themselves, propelled by an unknown form of arcane energy, moved so fast that the HQ-19s had to predict their trajectory seconds in advance.

On the tactical display, arcs representing the HQ-19 interceptors raced toward the glowing blue trails of the Milishial magic shells. As the two lines converged, the first HQ-19 missile detonated in a brilliant flash of light, sending a shockwave through the air. The explosion was not enough to destroy the shell outright, but it disrupted its path, causing it to veer off course. A second HQ-19 missile followed, and then a third, each one chipping away at the magic shell's momentum until, finally, the shell detonated mid-air in a cataclysmic burst of energy.

Despite the success of the interceptors, the sheer volume of magic shells bearing down on the fleet was overwhelming. For every shell destroyed, another two took its place. The water around the Chinese fleet erupted into towering columns of water as the magic shells exploded dangerously close to their targets. The shockwaves rocked the ships, shaking crew members off their feet and causing alarms to blare across every vessel.

"We can't keep this up," The radar officer muttered, his trained eyes locked on the tactical display. "There are too many of them."

Admiral Li knew he was right. The Milishial fleet's bombardment was unrelenting, and it would only be a matter of time before one of those magic shells struck a ship directly. The only way to survive was to take out the Milishial visual drones that were guiding the bombardment.

"Launch all available fighters. We need those drones out of the sky, or we're done for," Li ordered.

Within moments, squadrons of Shenyang J-15 Flying Sharks, Shenyang J-35 Gyrfalcons, and Chengdu J-31 Hidden Tigers were roaring off the deck of the carrier Nanjing. The J-15 Flying Shark was a carrier-based multirole fighter equipped with advanced radar and avionics, capable of carrying a wide range of weapons. For this mission, its air-to-air loadout included PL-12 missiles—medium-range, active radar-guided missiles with a range of over 100 kilometers and a sophisticated guidance system that made it an excellent choice for targeting the enemy's drones.

But the pride of the fleet was the J-35 Gyrfalcon, a fifth-generation stealth fighter that combined advanced avionics with unparalleled maneuverability. Its design emphasized stealth, with radar-absorbing materials and an internal weapons bay to reduce its radar cross-section. The Chengdu J-31 Hidden Tiger, although not as stealthy, was capable of speeds approaching Mach 3 and carried the longest-range hypersonic air-to-air missile in the Chinese arsenal—the PL-24, designed to engage high-speed aerial targets at extreme distances. For now, though, the drones required the precision of the PL-12.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As the jets streaked toward the battlefield, the Milishial fleet found itself under attack from another front.

The YJ-18 missiles, racing just meters above the surface of the ocean, were a terrifying sight for any naval commander. These sea-skimming missiles flew at high subsonic speeds before accelerating to supersonic in their terminal phase, carrying a massive 300-kilogram high-explosive-anti-bunker warhead designed to tear through even the most fortified warships. At their final sprint, the YJ-18s could reach speeds of Mach 2.5, making them exceptionally difficult to intercept.

Milishial's Battleships were massive, floating fortresses. Their hulls, heavily armored and enhanced by magic, were the equivalent of four meters of solid steel—an impossible feat for any modern engineering alone. The magical wards woven into the hulls created a near-impenetrable defense, strengthening the metal with energy that could disperse kinetic impacts and absorb explosions. These battleships, revered for their seemingly indestructible nature, were now the main target of the Chinese assault.

Rear Admiral Kaelith Morvannis stood resolute on the bridge of his flagship, the Orichalcum-Class Battleship HMES Invictus Arcanum, as alarms echoed through the command center. His deep blue robes, embroidered with sigils of power, flowed with the latent energy crackling around the room as the ship's mages focused all their strength into maintaining the magical shields.

"Admiral, the Chinese destroyers have launched waves of YJ-18s!" shouted one of the officers, panic clear in his voice.

Morvannis remained calm, his piercing eyes fixed on the tactical display. "Activate the Ixion Blasts. Clear the skies of those missiles."

The Ixion Blast was a modified version of an ancient spell, once used by the Milishial Empire to fight massive magical beasts. It was a powerful area-effect spell that unleashed a massive beam of magical energy, similar to the wave-motion cannon from Space Battleship Yamato or the Frizz Cracker magic spell from Dragon Quest. In its original form, the spell had been dense and concentrated, capable of vaporizing even the toughest of foes. But now, the Milishial engineers had modified it for fleet combat by expanding the size of the beam, reducing its energy density, and making it capable of sweeping across large areas.

The Milishial battleships' massive crystal arrays glowed as they powered up the Ixion Blast. The air crackled with energy, and the very fabric of reality seemed to bend around the battleships as the spell was unleashed.

"Beam firing in 3… 2… 1…"

With a deafening roar, the Ixion Blast fired. A massive beam of pure energy shot forth from the Orichalcum-Class battleships, traveling at 7 kilometers per second. The beam, wide and powerful, swept across the ocean, aimed directly at the incoming wave of YJ-18 missiles.

The first YJ-18 missile was vaporized instantly as the beam struck it, the sheer power of the blast leaving nothing but a trail of smoke in its wake. The beam continued its deadly path, sweeping across the ocean's surface like the blade of a scythe, striking several more missiles before dissipating into the sky.

Despite the success of the Ixion Blast, many YJ-18s had evaded the beam, and now they were closing in on their targets.

"Three missiles through!" shouted a crewman. "Brace for impact!"

The missile's warhead detonated against the magical shields, causing an explosion that lit up the horizon. The shield flared brightly, absorbing the initial shock, but cracks began to form in the magical matrix. The wards strained to hold the energy together, but the sheer power of the YJ-18's detonation, combined with the high-velocity impact, began to unravel the magical defenses. But the Orichalcum-Class Battleship did not fall. Its magical armor, though heavily damaged, held firm. The internal bulkheads, reinforced by layers of spellcraft, absorbed the impact and contained the damage. Fires broke out along the deck, and the sky was filled with smoke and debris, but the Invictus Arcanum and her sister ships continued to fight.

"Damage report!" Morvannis demanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.

A damage control officer, face smeared with soot, hurried to his side. "The external hull is compromised in several places, Admiral. We've sustained hull breaches, but the internal bulkheads, reinforced with spellcraft, have contained the damage. No critical systems hit—however, we're dealing with multiple fires and some structural stress in the forward sections."

"Deploy damage control teams and begin repairs immediately," Morvannis ordered, his voice firm. "We must maintain combat readiness."

Below decks, the crew sprang into action. Fire suppression systems roared to life, releasing clouds of magical fire retardant. Damage control teams worked tirelessly, sealing breaches and extinguishing fires. The ship's internal systems, enhanced by magical wards, ensured that critical functions remained operational despite the external damage.

The Invictus Arcanum, though battered, was far from defeated. The battleship's resilience was a testament to the strength of Milishial magic combined with its engineering prowess. Its sister ships, also under attack, fared similarly. The entire fleet, though shaken by the missile assault, remained a formidable force, their magical defenses and armored hulls still holding firm.

The Chinese Navy, witnessing the stubborn resistance of the Milishial fleet, adjusted their tactics. The waves of YJ-18 missiles continued, each aimed with precision and intent, but the relentless defense mounted by the Milishial battleships forced the attackers to adapt. The sea became a chaotic theater of missile trajectories, magical beams, and exploding warheads, each side pushing their strengths to the limit.

The battleships' return fire was no less intense. Their heavy cannons, firing shells imbued with magical enhancements, streaked through the air, targeting the Chinese destroyers and frigates. The projectiles, while not as accurate as the YJ-18s, carried immense destructive power. Each shell detonated with a massive explosion, sending shockwaves through the water and damaging any ships caught in their blast radius.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

High above the South Irnetia Sea, the cobalt expanse of the sky stretched endlessly, broken only by the crisscrossing vapor trails of the Chinese jets. Squadrons of Shenyang J-15 Flying Sharks, Shenyang J-35 Gyrfalcons, and Chengdu J-31 Hidden Tigers cut through the atmosphere with deafening roars, their engines straining as they surged toward the conflict raging below. The calm ocean surface, once serene, now churned with violent waves, disturbed by the fury of war. The Chinese destroyers and missile frigates exchanged relentless fire with the Milishial Orichalcum-class battleships, whose colossal forms loomed like ancient, mythical beasts of the deep. But in this battle, it would be the skies that would determine who gained the upper hand.

The primary objective loomed ahead: 37 Milishial visual drones. Small but deadly, they hovered like silent sentinels above the sea, watching and relaying vital intelligence to the Milishial fleet below. These drones, protected by shimmering magic shields, used their advanced visual systems powered by magic crystals to cut through the electronic fog of Chinese countermeasures. Not only did they provide crucial targeting data, but they also controlled the dreaded Ixion Blasts, a weapon capable of unleashing devastation on any incoming missile swarms. If the Chinese hoped to break through the Milishial defenses, these drones needed to be neutralized.

Major Tang Rui, strapped into the cockpit of his J-15, felt the tension in his chest as his fingers gripped the throttle. His heart beat to the rhythm of the roaring twin engines, his eyes constantly darting between the HUD and the endless sky around him. Far below, hidden beneath a thick layer of clouds, the Milishial fleet awaited, its battleships' guns ready to unleash their fury. But the fight in the heavens had already begun. His squadron was hurtling toward the invisible line between dominance and destruction.

"Phoenix Squadron, this is Eagle Eye," came the clear voice of the AWACS operator through his helmet. "Be advised, Milishial drones are equipped with magic shields. It'll take three PL-12s to bring each one down. You'll need precision and patience. Expect erratic maneuvers once the shields are weakened."

Tang grimaced as he checked his missile count. "Three missiles per drone?" he muttered, a hint of disbelief creeping into his voice. "Damn, that's a lot of ordnance."

"Phoenix Leader, this is Phoenix Two," Lieutenant Shen Yi's voice crackled over the comms, firm but tense. "Looks like these drones are more nimble than we thought. They're dancing around incoming fire like flies."

"We'll have to outmaneuver them," Tang replied, his voice steady with determination. "Stay sharp, everyone. We hit them hard and we hit them fast."

The squadron banked hard to the left, forming into a diamond attack pattern as they raced toward their targets. Far ahead, the Milishial drones darted across the sky like silverfish, weaving in and out of the clouds, their shields shimmering with an ethereal glow. Their movements were erratic, almost unpredictable, as they evaded missile after missile with an agility no human could match. Even with advanced targeting systems, the Chinese pilots were going to have their work cut out for them.

Tang's HUD lit up as it locked onto a drone hovering just above the cloud layer. His targeting reticle danced across the screen, finally locking in on the elusive machine.

"Target acquired," Tang whispered, his fingers tightening on the trigger. "Fox Three!"

The PL-12 missile screamed out from the underbelly of his J-15, a white streak of vapor trailing behind it as it sped toward its target. The Milishial drone reacted instantly, its shield flaring up in a brilliant cascade of light as the missile slammed into it. The explosion was absorbed entirely, the shield shimmering briefly before stabilizing.

"First hit," Tang reported, his voice calm but urgent. "Two more to go. Fox Three, Fox Three!"

Another missile roared off the rails, homing in on the same target. The drone veered hard to the right, but the missile adjusted course mid-flight, slamming into the shield again. This time, the shield flickered violently, a sign of its imminent failure. The drone's movements became more erratic, its flight pattern less precise.

"Now!" Tang barked, squeezing the trigger for the third time. "Fox Three!"

The final missile streaked forward, breaking through the now-unstable shield. The explosion rocked the drone, shattering its hull in a brilliant fireball that sent debris raining down into the clouds below.

"One down," Tang breathed, scanning his radar for the next target. "Thirty-six to go."

Across the sky, the battle unfolded with a chaotic beauty. Jets twisted and turned in a deadly dance with the drones, their pilots struggling to maintain locks as the Milishial machines outmaneuvered missile after missile. Lieutenant Shen Yi, Tang's wingman, cursed as his second missile streaked wide, the drone performing a dazzling barrel roll before diving into a thick cloudbank.

"I've got it," Shen muttered under his breath, banking hard to keep the drone in his sights. He squeezed off another shot. "Fox Three!"

His missile shot forward, tracking the drone through the cloud. Moments later, the missile detonated against the drone's shield, causing it to flicker and wane. A second missile followed close behind, breaking through and sending the drone spiraling into oblivion.

"Two for us," Shen called out, his voice laced with satisfaction.

Further ahead, Captain Zhang Wei and his J-31 Hidden Tigers were struggling against the sheer speed of the drones. The J-31, though more advanced in stealth, lacked the raw maneuverability needed for this kind of dogfight. Zhang's HUD beeped as he locked onto a drone streaking across the horizon.

"Fox Three!" Zhang shouted, launching his missile. It raced toward the target, only to detonate against the drone's shimmering shield. The drone performed a sudden loop, evading the follow-up shot with ease.

"Dammit," Zhang growled, pulling his jet into a sharp turn to re-engage. His radar flashed, indicating another lock. "Fox Three!"

The second missile hit its mark, the drone's shield flaring up brightly. But it wasn't enough. The drone twisted away, leaving Zhang's missile to explode harmlessly in its wake. He cursed again, knowing that each wasted missile was a critical loss in this battle.

"Phoenix Squadron, listen up," Major Tang's voice cut through the comms. "We need to adjust tactics. Pair up and coordinate your attacks. Hit the same drone from different angles and overwhelm their shields."

Zhang quickly fell into formation with Shen Yi, their jets streaking through the sky side by side. They targeted the same drone, their missiles launching in tandem from opposite directions. The first missile hit, weakening the drone's shield, and before it could recover, the second missile struck from the opposite side, piercing through and obliterating the drone in a flash of light.

"Got it!" Zhang shouted, exhilaration surging through him. But the thrill was short-lived. Another drone was already bearing down on him, its shield shimmering as it accelerated toward his position.

On the far left flank, Captain Wang Lei in his J-35 Gyrfalcon was locked in a deadly dance with two drones at once. His hands moved with surgical precision, guiding his jet through a series of sharp evasive maneuvers as the drones fired back with their laser-guided weapons. Wang grit his teeth, waiting for the perfect moment.

"Fox Three!" Wang called out, launching his missile at the first drone. The missile exploded against the drone's shield, and without hesitation, Wang targeted the second drone, firing again. Both drones weaved and dodged, but the onslaught proved too much. The first drone's shield collapsed, and Wang's follow-up missile turned it into a fireball.

"One down," Wang muttered to himself, immediately re-engaging the second drone. He felt the strain as his fuel reserves dipped and his missile count dropped. Each engagement was becoming more costly, but the fight wasn't over yet.

"Keep it together, Gyrfalcon Squadron," Tang's voice came over the comms. "We're making progress. Let's not give them a chance to regroup. Tighten those formations and stick to the plan."

As the Chinese jets tightened their formations and paired up to overwhelm the drones, the tide of the battle began to turn. Missile after missile found its mark, breaking through the magic shields and sending drones crashing from the sky in fiery spirals. The Milishial machines, once seemingly invincible, were now falling one by one under the relentless assault.

But victory came at a price. Several Chinese jets had been forced to disengage, their fuel and missile counts critically low. Tang, now down to his last missile, locked onto the final drone of the engagement. His HUD flashed red as the targeting system locked in.

"Fox Three," Tang whispered, firing his last PL-12.

The missile streaked toward the drone, piercing its weakened shield and disintegrating it in a final, brilliant explosion. The sky, once filled with the chaotic symphony of battle, fell silent. The Milishial drones had been wiped out.

"Mission accomplished," Tang said, exhaling deeply. The weight of the battle lifted slightly from his shoulders. "All drones are down."

The sky, once a battleground of magic and missiles, began to clear. The Chinese pilots regrouped, their jets battered but victorious. The destruction of the Milishial visual drones had crippled the enemy's targeting capabilities, leaving the Milishial fleet vulnerable to the Chinese assault.

As the squadrons headed back to their carrier, the pilots could finally take a moment to breathe. The battle had been grueling, but their precision and coordination had turned the tide. The skies above the South Irnetia Sea were now clear, and the path to victory seemed just a little bit closer.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rear Admiral Kaelith Morvannis, still at the helm of the Invictus Arcanum, faced a difficult situation. His ship, though heavily damaged, was holding its ground. He paced the command deck, his mind racing through the options available to him. The tactical display showed a fleet in disarray, with several battleships sustaining critical damage and the remaining visual drones now targeted by the Chinese fighters.

"Admiral," a senior officer approached, "we've lost contact with the remaining visual drones. Our targeting systems are now blind."

"Dammit," Morvannis muttered under his breath. The once-reliable sight of their magic shells and the guidance provided by their drones had been wiped out, leaving them vulnerable to the Chinese assault. His mind raced through possible strategies, but the situation was dire.

"Admiral," the officer continued, "our radar systems are still disabled by the Chinese electronic warfare. We cannot effectively counter their missiles without the visual input."

Morvannis clenched his fists, frustration evident. The loss of the drones was a massive setback, but he couldn't afford to retreat or show weakness now. His fleet was still formidable, and he needed to find a way to turn the situation around.

"Commander Laelia," Morvannis said, his voice carrying the weight of command, "activate lockdown mode immediately."

Laelia's eyes widened slightly at the gravity of the command, but she quickly composed herself and nodded. "Yes, Admiral. Lockdown mode commencing."

Lockdown mode was a desperate, last-ditch measure. It was a protocol designed for scenarios where traditional combat strategies had failed. The procedure began with a rapid series of commands issued through the ship's advanced systems. Every crew member knew the stakes—this was a measure of survival, focusing all available energy on defensive capabilities.

"Reactor team, release the limiter!" Morvannis barked into the comms.

The reactor team moved with practiced efficiency. The Invictus Arcanum was powered by four massive reactors, each a marvel of engineering designed to provide the immense energy required to operate such a behemoth of a ship. Under normal conditions, the reactors operated within strict limits to ensure stability and prevent overheating. But in lockdown mode, these limits were overridden, and the reactors surged with an unprecedented influx of energy. The core of each reactor began to glow with an intense light, a visual manifestation of the raw power now being channeled into the ship's defenses.

"Engineering, report on shield and armor status!" Morvannis demanded, his voice cutting through the tension in the command deck.

The response came swiftly over the comms, filled with a mix of urgency and professionalism. "Admiral, shields are at maximum strength. The armor reinforcement output is equivalent to 12 meters of steel. All non-essential systems are offline. The crew has retreated to the armored sections as per protocol."

Morvannis nodded grimly, the information validating his strategic gamble. The Invictus Arcanum's shields, already formidable in their own right, now pulsed with an intensified brilliance. The ship's protective barrier had become an impenetrable wall, absorbing and deflecting incoming attacks with a newfound resilience. The armor, reinforced by the redirected energy, had gained a protection equivalent to 12 meters of steel—almost impervious to conventional weaponry.

"Good," Morvannis said, his voice resolute. "Prepare for impact. Helm, set a collision course for the nearest Chinese battle group. Full speed ahead!"

The crew sprang into action, their movements precise and coordinated. The helm officers adjusted the ship's trajectory, their hands flying over controls as they set the course for the heart of the enemy fleet. The engines roared to life, their power surging as the Invictus Arcanum began to move. The immense vessel, weighing over 200,000 tons, began to accelerate, its sheer mass making its advance a force to be reckoned with.

"Helm, report speed and trajectory!" Morvannis commanded.

"Admiral," came the response, "we're reaching full speed—110 knots. Trajectory set for collision with the nearest Chinese battle group."

The Invictus Arcanum, now a juggernaut of metal and might, hurtled toward the Chinese fleet. The deck shuddered under the strain of the acceleration, and the crew braced themselves as the ship's massive hull cut through the void. The ship's trajectory was a precise line of destruction, aimed squarely at the center of the enemy formation.

The Chinese fleet, initially caught off guard by the sudden and aggressive maneuver, scrambled to reposition. Their smaller, more agile ships attempted to evade the oncoming threat, but their efforts were futile against the unstoppable force that was the Invictus Arcanum. The behemoth of a ship moved with an unstoppable momentum, its reinforced armor and shields making it virtually impervious to the enemy's attempts to intercept or slow it down.

"Admiral," Laelia's voice broke through the cacophony of alarms. "Chinese destroyers are launching everything they have—missiles, torpedoes, everything. They're throwing the kitchen sink at us."

"Then let them come," Morvannis growled, eyes flashing with steely resolve. "This is what the Invictus Arcanum was built for."

The Chinese Type-55 destroyers, sleek and bristling with advanced weaponry, unleashed their full arsenal.

First came the YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles, streaking through the sky toward the mighty Invictus Arcanum. The Chinese missiles were fast, agile, and deadly, designed to punch through even the toughest armor. But as they closed in on the Milishial battleship, the Invictus Arcanum's magic shields flared in response, absorbing the impact of each missile. Explosions rippled across the shield's surface, brilliant flares of energy that would have decimated a lesser vessel.

But the Invictus Arcanum was no ordinary battleship. The missiles failed to penetrate, their energy dissipating harmlessly against the glowing barrier.

"YJ-18s neutralized, Admiral," Laelia reported, though her tone remained tense. "But more incoming."

Next came the YJ-21 anti-ship ballistic missiles, dropping from high altitudes and striking with devastating force. These missiles were designed for brute power, slamming into ships from above with kinetic energy that could shatter a hull. But again, the Invictus Arcanum's shields held firm. The impacts were immense, the entire ship shuddering as each missile struck, but the energy was dispersed across the barrier, leaving the hull untouched.

"Shields holding at 90%," the engineer reported.

The CJ-100 long-range high-supersonic land-attack cruise missiles followed, their high-speed approach creating sonic booms that echoed across the void. They were faster, more dangerous than the previous waves, and capable of evading many traditional defenses. But the Invictus Arcanum's augmented shields adapted, flickering with a brilliant light as the missiles exploded harmlessly against them.

"Still holding, Admiral," Laelia confirmed. "But they're launching torpedoes now."

Beneath the surface, the Chinese destroyers had deployed their Yu-11 lightweight torpedoes and the terrifying Yu-12 supercavitating torpedoes, designed to skim through water at blistering speeds. The torpedoes hurtled toward the Invictus Arcanum, cutting through the depths like predatory sharks.

But even beneath the water, the Invictus Arcanum's defenses were ready. The ship's underwater shields activated, creating a shimmering barrier that rippled beneath the waves. The Yu-11s exploded prematurely, their payloads dispersed by the protective field. The Yu-12s, despite their immense speed, found themselves unable to penetrate the reinforced armor. The ship surged forward unscathed.

"Admiral, all torpedoes neutralized," came the report from below decks. Morvannis exhaled, his eyes narrowing as the distance between his ship and the Chinese battle group shrank rapidly.

"Prepare for impact," he ordered, his voice grim.

The Chinese destroyers, realizing too late the impending catastrophe, scrambled to evade. Their smaller, more nimble ships tried to outmaneuver the massive Milishial flagship, but they were too slow. The Invictus Arcanum was a force of nature now, an unstoppable juggernaut that bore down on its prey with terrifying momentum.

The first Type-55 destroyer in its path, the Lhasa, fired a final volley of missiles in desperation, but it was futile. The Invictus Arcanum's shields absorbed the attack effortlessly. On the bridge of the Lhasa, tension hung in the air like a noose tightening around the crew's necks. The Invictus Arcanum, a monstrous war machine, loomed ever closer on the tactical display, each second that passed bringing the terrifying Milishial behemoth within range. Captain Wei Cheng stood stiffly at the helm, watching the juggernaut barrel toward his ship. Sweat trickled down the side of his face as his heart hammered in his chest. He had faced daunting odds before, but nothing like this.

"Captain," Lieutenant Ji Tan, the weapons officer, shouted, his voice trembling as he monitored the incoming data. "Missile strikes have no effect! Shields are holding! We… we can't stop it!"

"All guns, fire at will!" Wei barked, gripping the edge of the command console so hard his knuckles turned white. The order was one born of desperation, not strategy.

The Lhasa's decks trembled as the 155mm dual-purpose naval guns roared, sending shell after shell toward the oncoming Milishial warship. They had no time for finesse—every turret, every gun was turned on the invader.

But it was hopeless.

The Milishial flagship's shields absorbed it all—the shells exploded harmlessly in midair.

"All power to engines! Evasive maneuvers, now!" Captain Wei Cheng ordered, his voice rising in pitch. The Lhasa's engines roared to life as it desperately tried to turn aside, to escape the unstoppable behemoth.

But it was too late.

Through the viewport, the crew could see it—the vast, menacing form of the Invictus Arcanum, its hull glowing with the energy of its shields. It was impossibly fast for a ship of its size, cutting through the void of space and sea like an ancient leviathan.

Onboard the Lhasa, the crew was in chaos. Ensign Zhao, pale and shaking, muttered prayers under his breath as the looming shadow of the Invictus Arcanum fell over their ship. Lieutenant Ji was furiously tapping at his console, desperate to bring something—anything—online. The rest of the bridge crew sat in terrified silence, paralyzed by the inevitability of their doom.

"God help us…" someone whispered, their voice barely audible.

Wei's mind raced, but he knew, deep down, there was no escaping this. His destroyer was no match for the sheer weight and force of the Milishial flagship. All that was left now was to brace for the inevitable.

"Prepare for impact," Wei Cheng said again, this time more to himself than to his crew.

The destroyer's hull groaned as it pushed every last ounce of power into its engines, but the Invictus Arcanum was too close, too fast. The Milishial battleship was a behemoth, over 19 times the weight of the Lhasa, its hull glowing with the energy of its shields as it cut through the water with terrifying grace. The sleek, majestic lines of the Milishial warship contrasted with the mechanical panic aboard the Lhasa, where alarms blared and crew members scrambled to abandon their posts.

On the deck of the Lhasa, sailors clung to railings and bulkheads as they braced for the inevitable. From the bridge, Captain Wei could see the Milishial flagship up close for the first time—a shimmering wall of reinforced armor, nearly impregnable, like an ancient sea monster preparing to devour its prey. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking, yet horrifying, as it bore down relentlessly.

Then, the collision.

The first contact was like a thunderclap, a low, guttural sound that seemed to reverberate through the very bones of the Lhasa. The prow of the Invictus Arcanum slammed into the destroyer's hull with an earth-shattering crash. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the Lhasa, bending steel and shattering windows instantly. The bow of the destroyer crumpled like paper, folding inward with a terrible screeching of metal. Bulkheads buckled under the strain, and the deck plates tore apart as though they were nothing more than tissue.

The Lhasa's bridge was thrown into chaos. Crew members were tossed like ragdolls across the room. Consoles exploded in showers of sparks, and the lights flickered madly, casting eerie shadows across the walls. Captain Wei was hurled from his command seat, his body slamming into a nearby bulkhead with bone-crunching force. He gasped as the air was knocked out of his lungs, his vision swimming as he tried to regain his footing amidst the chaos.

"Captain! We're breached!" Lieutenant Ji shouted, his voice barely audible over the deafening sound of tearing metal. But before Wei could respond, another jarring impact shook the ship as the Invictus Arcanum plowed deeper into the Lhasa's hull.

The prow of the Milishial battleship carved through the destroyer like a knife through butter, slicing its way through compartments and machinery. The Lhasa's forward magazines ignited in a fiery blast, sending plumes of flame and smoke into the air as explosions tore through the ship's innards. Fireballs erupted along the destroyer's deck, blasting sailors into the sea and incinerating equipment in seconds. The inferno consumed everything in its path, turning the once-proud warship into a flaming ruin.

Down below, the Lhasa's engine room was a scene of absolute devastation. Steam pipes had burst from the pressure, sending scalding clouds of vapor into the confined spaces. Engineers, desperately trying to keep the engines running, screamed in agony as they were enveloped by the searing heat. Machinery groaned and sputtered before giving out completely, the power flickering before plunging the ship into darkness.

The entire ship lurched violently as the Invictus Arcanum pushed forward, its massive bulk shoving the Lhasa sideways. The destroyer, already crippled by the initial impact, began to break apart at the seams. The hull split open like a cracked egg, and seawater flooded in, filling the lower decks at a terrifying rate. Crew members scrambled for the lifeboats, but many were cut off by the flames and rising water. Those that made it topside found themselves facing the terrifying reality that there was nowhere to go. The Invictus Arcanum's towering form dominated the skyline, blocking out the sun as it pressed onward.

"Mayday! Mayday! This is the Lhasa! We are taking on water!" the ship's communications officer shouted into the radio, his voice filled with panic. But there was no answer. The radio had been destroyed in the collision, and the ship's systems were failing one by one.

Above, the bridge of the Lhasa was in shambles. Captain Wei, bloodied and dazed, tried to rise, but his body refused to obey. He could feel the ship sinking beneath him, the deck tilting at an impossible angle as the Lhasa began to break apart. Around him, his crew lay scattered, some unconscious, others dead. Smoke filled the air, choking him as he struggled to breathe.

Through the thick haze, Wei caught a final glimpse of the Invictus Arcanum as it passed overhead, its massive hull gleaming in the dying light of the day. The Milishial ship hadn't even slowed down. It continued its unstoppable march forward, leaving the Lhasa's ruined carcass in its wake.

The final moments were swift and merciless. The Lhasa, split nearly in half, began to sink rapidly. The bow of the destroyer dipped beneath the waves, and water rushed in with terrifying speed, pulling the rest of the ship down with it. Fires still burned on the surface, casting an eerie glow over the scene as the Lhasa was swallowed by the sea.

Captain Wei closed his eyes, accepting his fate as the cold water surged up to meet him. The last sound he heard was the roar of the ocean as it claimed the Lhasa, dragging the shattered ship—and all those aboard—into the depths.

On the bridge of the Invictus Arcanum, Rear Admiral Kaelith Morvannis watched the destruction unfold. His expression was cold, calculating. There was no satisfaction in this. Only necessity. The Invictus Arcanum didn't stop. It plowed forward, its reinforced armor and shields allowing it to carve a path through the Chinese fleet. Destroyers, frigates, and smaller vessels were obliterated on impact, their remains scattered like leaves before a storm.

"Admiral, the enemy fleet is in chaos," Laelia reported, her voice filled with awe. "They're retreating, trying to regroup."

Morvannis allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. The bold maneuver had worked. The Chinese fleet, once a cohesive and deadly force, was now in disarray. Ships that hadn't been destroyed were fleeing, their formations broken.

"Press the attack," Morvannis ordered, his eyes still fixed on the tactical display. "We can't let them recover."

The Invictus Arcanum, though battered and scarred, pressed forward, its crew rallying behind their admiral's unyielding resolve. The battle wasn't over, but the tide had turned.

As the massive flagship continued its relentless assault, the Chinese fleet struggled to regroup. Their most advanced weaponry had failed to pierce the Invictus Arcanum's defenses, and now they were paying the price.

Victory was within reach, but Morvannis knew better than to celebrate too soon. The Chinese were cunning, and they wouldn't go down without a fight.