CHAPTER 6: DUSK AND DUST

The dark clouds gradually parted, giving way to the sun’s final rays. The golden light of dusk bathed the ground, illuminating the chaotic battlefield. From afar came the sounds of shattered machinery and desperate screams. Fresh legions from Midgard, overwhelming in strength, pursued the retreating Homunculi, who were withdrawing under orders.

“Kira, what’s happening!?”

A barrage of bullets whizzed toward Kira, forcing her to step back before she could answer Serah. 6EEKERS—spherical drones equipped with firepower—closed in, tightening their encirclement around Kira.

“148, you’re breaking Android protocol…” 129 gasped, but before she could finish, 148 slammed her head into the ground with such force that half her synthetic face peeled off. He then tossed her toward 002. “Listen up, I’m the star of this show. You two just shut up and watch,” he laughed gleefully. “Reaper, I studied all your data on the way back. Your core can be destroyed, but you’ll heal, right? So I brought this—perfect for freaks like you.” He drew the longsword from his back. “Let’s dance!!” 148 bellowed.

The drones continued shrinking the circle around Kira, firing in unison. She raised an ice wall to shield herself, but it quickly shattered under the relentless gunfire. At that moment, 148 activated his shield and charged, delivering a vicious slash that severed Kira’s right arm. She stumbled back, dazed, as a thrust came straight at her. In an instant, she tilted her head aside, the blade grazing her face, blood streaming down. She hurled fireballs to push 148 back, then summoned ice arrows to counter the drones, but their agility and compact size let them evade her attacks. Kira tried to regenerate her lost limb, but something strange happened.

No matter how hard she tried, her severed arm wouldn’t regrow, and blood continued to pour from her wounds.

“Strange, huh?” 148 chuckled. “This sword’s called TESTAMEN7. Its venom slows your healing!” He lunged again, the drones firing in tandem. All Kira could do was endure the onslaught, waiting for an opening.

002 stood silently, head lowered, her trembling hand still aiming her weapon at the Reaper’s earlier position. 129 clung to her, dragging herself up on broken legs. “002, listen…” 129 wheezed, grasping the gun. “I’m a Midgard soldier, sworn to the Kingdom. But 148’s madness must stop—it’ll harm our comrades…” Her legs buckled, metal fragments falling, yet her eyes burned with resolve. “002, help me do this…”

Back in the fray, 148 pressed Kira relentlessly. His ash-gray hair and silver eyes gleamed like a predator’s. Kira gasped, blood gushing from every wound, her severed arm barely regenerating despite her efforts. Cornered by 148 and the drones, she was in dire straits. “Let’s recap,” 148 drawled. “First loss today was to that crippled runt, second to the white scrap heap, right?” He laughed, then continued, “This last one’s mine. Reaper, your luck’s run dry!!” He raised his sword for the killing blow, the drones tightening their aim on Kira.

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“Not yet,” a voice rang out from behind 148. He turned—just as a gleaming silver plate slammed into him, pinning him to the ground. Behind it, 002, her face cold, unloaded bullets into his head. The drones flickered erratically, crashing into each other before dropping. Kira, stunned, didn’t understand what was happening. “6EEKERS are controlled by an implant in an Android’s head,” 002 explained. “Scan its location, destroy it, and they stop.” She kicked 148 aside, the force sending his body rolling away. “148, hear this: I’ve never liked you from the start!” 002 shouted. “You called me obsolete junk, said 006 and I should be decommissioned. Now you insult 129. I’ll show you why I’m still here!” Rage erupted, her long-suppressed fury unleashed.

148 staggered up, half his jaw blown off, synthetic skin peeling around bullet-riddled holes. “I’ll… ou… KILL… OU!!” he roared, his silver eyes turning red, firing wildly with his left hand. 002 advanced fearlessly, raising her silver shield, charging her most hated foe. 8ODYGUARD—disguised as a bracelet on guardian Androids—synced with ELIT3, boosting her defenses. She closed in, aiming behind the shield at his chest. He dodged, swinging his sword in retaliation. She blocked, but 148 yanked the shield away, tearing off her hand with it. His red eyes blazing, he tackled her, sword poised to finish her. An ice spear suddenly struck, forcing him back.

“Snow White, I hate this bastard too. Mind if I join?” Kira grinned.

“Call me Snow. Your nickname’s too mocking.”

Kira’s smile widened. She found this machine intriguing. “So, Snow, got a plan to win this mess?” she offered her hand. Snow grabbed it, and Kira pulled her up. “Third-generation combat Android, CBT-148. Bloodthirsty, relies heavily on brute strength, especially when his eyes turn red. Reaper, you—”

“Call me Kira. Reaper’s for enemies only. One life for one life—we’re even.”

Chaotic data danced in Snow’s mind again, but this time, it didn’t feel like despair.

“I’ll ou… KILL OU!!” 148 thrashed like a trapped beast. “Slow him down!” Snow yelled. Kira nodded, blocking his sword with an ice shield, shards flying on impact. She reinforced the shield, encasing his sword and hand in ice. “Now!” she signaled. Snow snatched up the fallen shield, slashing 148’s arm in half, sparks crackling from the severed circuits. He roared, firing with his remaining hand. Snow leapt into the barrage, shielding Kira. Kira flanked from behind, blasting his other arm with a fireball, the explosion knocking him back. “I’LL…” he rasped his last as Snow and Kira struck together—shield and lightning piercing his head. His body convulsed, then stilled. The mad Android was defeated.

Snow and Kira stood, gazing at each other wordlessly. Suddenly, the sky darkened, black clouds rolling in. From the direction of Midgard’s camp, a vortex rose, sucking in everything around it. Above the whirlwind, a horned Mythical Beast with clawed hands emerged, its head brushing the clouds. Ifrit appeared, its roar echoing across the battlefield as it clawed through everything in reach. After a spree of destruction, it paused, retracting its arms, wings spreading wide to block the last rays of sunlight. With a final bellow, it transformed into massive rings of fire that swept across the battlefield. “GET DOWN!!” Snow shouted, pulling Kira behind a rock.

Ifrit let out one last roar before vanishing into nothingness, leaving thick dust cloaking the area. Battlefield No. 7, alive with combat moments ago, fell silent. As the dust settled, a chilling stillness remained.