Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided-Chapter 73: Buff II

Jack's eyes swept across the battlefield, stopping a few hundred meters from Friederich's rampage. In the center, Aurelia held her ground, conjuring globe-shaped barriers around herself as enemy forces relentlessly bombarded her with plasma and missiles.

"This is getting on my nerves!" She grumbled, frustration evident as she braced against the continuous assault.

Then, suddenly, the firing ceased. Wasting no time, Aurelia shifted into an offensive stance. She traced a fiery triangle in the air and chanted sharply, "Empyrion ~ Fire!" Her eyes burned with determination.

A condensed beam of raging fire erupted from her hands, slicing through an enemy giant and piercing two more behind it. The massive Armatus twitched violently before detonating in a thunderous explosion.

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"Nooo!" A bronze pilot screamed, watching his allies turn to scrap. Rage overtook him, and without hesitation, he throttled forward at full speed.

"Die already! Brat!" He bellowed, raising his blade high as he closed in on Aurelia.

On the ground, she had already anticipated his move. Channeling her power, she extended her hands. "Empyrion!"

A red beam shot forward, searing through his suit and melting into the cockpit.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the battlefield — then silence. Another enemy had fallen.

But before Aurelia could relax, a shadow loomed behind her.

"Aurelia!" Jack's voice rang with urgency as he raced to intercept the threat. His silver Armatus dove at impossible speed, its engines roaring as he tried to reach her in time.

Too late.

The bronze warrior's blade came down —

Clang!

A deafening ring echoed as the enemy's sword bounced off harmlessly.

Aurelia's eyes widened in realization. "The Adamas barrier!" She gasped, exhilaration lighting up her face.

A smirk tugged at her lips as she spun, her crimson hair flowing regally. "You sneaky rat! Empyrion!"

A brilliant beam surged from her hands, tearing through the enemy's back. The massive war machine stumbled before erupting into a fiery explosion.

The shockwave howled, whipping her fabric and hair as she shielded her eyes. When the dust settled, she sensed movement behind her —

"Huh?" Aurelia spun, her expression suddenly wary.

A silver Armatus loomed close, its pilot raising a hand.

"Don't shoot, Aurelie! It's me, Jack Squire!" He blurted before she could react.

She hesitated, then her eyes flickered to the Hoffmann crest emblazoned on his armor.

"Mr. Jack!" She exclaimed, clasping her hands to her chest. "You came for me?" Her eyes shimmered with joy.

Jack raised a brow at her reaction. "Uh... I thought you needed a hand." He toggled his shield, scanning for more threats.

Plasma fire rained toward him, but his barrier held firm.

"Do you have any juice left?" Jack asked, watching the enemy force inch closer.

Aurelia's face turned crimson. "J~Juice?!" Her voice shot up an octave, flustered by the unintended innuendo.

Jack blinked. "What?"

"What?!" She screeched, mortified at her own thoughts.

"I meant your mana — do you have enough left to fight?" He clarified.

Aurelia cupped her cheeks in embarrassment before shaking off her flustered state. "Y~Yes! I can still fight!" She answered quickly.

"Good! Only a few left! Let's proceed cautiously!" Jack commanded over the comms.

"Fufu," Aurelia giggled softly, covering her lips.

"What?" Jack asked, confused.

She smiled playfully. "You just sounded like my father."

"Oh..." Jack had no comeback. It wasn't the first time someone teased him about acting old, and it wouldn't be the last.

With no time for banter, Jack refocused as an enemy lunged for him.

He dodged at the last second, countering with a brutal cleave that severed the enemy's arm. Another suit charged — he spun, boosting forward, and beheaded it with a clean strike.

Plasma bolts rained upon him.

"Futile!" Jack roared, his mind slipping into a trance-like state. He moved instinctively, cutting down foes with ruthless precision.

When he finally turned, he saw Aurelia had already finished off her own opponents.

"She's incredible," He thought, admiring the princess's prowess.

The last remaining enemy hesitated before making a desperate charge, thrusting its blade toward Jack's torso.

Jack sidestepped smoothly, twisted his Armatus, and brought his ionized blade down in a devastating arc.

The strike cleaved through the enemy's hull, sending it crashing to the ground with a final, deafening thud.

"Haa... haa..." Jack panted, standing amidst the battlefield's eerie stillness. His eyes lingered on the carnage around him — the destruction he had wrought.

"So many deaths... War begets tragedy, and tragedy begets death..."

"And the cycle continues..."

"Mister Jack! Are you alright?" Aurelia's voice snapped him from his train of thoughts.

He turned toward her. "I'm... I'm alright," He managed between breaths.

From a distance, a white-robed figure rushed toward them. "Aurelia! Are you okay?!" The elven mage called, his voice thick with concern.

Aurelia offered a reassuring smile. "Yes! I'm more than fine! The Adamas protection saved me!"

Soon, the Virgo mages emerged, treading cautiously. Triss led the group, her eyes lighting up at the sight before her.

"Oh, Mother Gaia! You two are unharmed!" She exclaimed, her gaze locking onto the elven mage.

"I'm glad you Novitcius are safe too," He replied coolly, a bead of sweat trailing down his sharp nose.

Friederich found himself smiling — an unfamiliar but welcome warmth rising in his chest — as she hurried toward him, her black veil billowing behind her like a wisp of midnight smoke.

Aurelia peeked over his shoulder. "Thank you for your divine blessing!" She chimed at Triss Mercie.

The Novitcius mages of Virgo shared a moment of triumph. Despite the harrowing battle, they had emerged unscathed, while the enemy Armatus fleet lay in ruins.

"Ah! We're too late!" A playful voice rang out.

Jack turned to see Lupus and her squad arriving at the clearing. Frain, Lunice, and the Stellius mages followed closely behind.

Fatigue weighed on all of them, but satisfaction gleamed in their eyes.

Lupus approached Jack, hands on her hips. "You're looking great — not even a scratch on your paint," She teased.

"High five!" Frain urged, lifting her hands up high.

The man in the giant suit indulged her as he motioned the Armatus to lightly tap with a finger.

The Lioness beamed with pure joy, her eyes fluttering shut with contentment.

Jack chuckled. "Thanks, Frain, Lupus, everyone..." Then his eyes fell on his blue hologram screen, checking on the former gold knight.

His blood ran cold. The dark Armatus on his screen was missing an arm. In the city centre, something wasn't going right for Rhok Wagner.

"Holy Gaia!" He gasped, pivoting sharply. "Rhok's in danger!"

"I'm coming with you!" Lupus declared, halting him with her resolution.