“Drill beam firing,” Commander Preston announces.
A bright beam of light brightens the battlefield, exposing the shadows and crevices the Krix are emerging from as a large laser passes overhead. The loud surge of energy temporarily deafens Dante as the shock wave ripples through.
The light suddenly dissipates before the emergence of sky-high flames and smoke erupts to the northwest, where the majority of the Krix army is stationed.
“Direct hit,” Rebecca's voice briefly appears over the comms.
Dante tries to see beyond the sea of white light with hopes of observing the Krix military collapse. But, before he can get a good view, the red on his HUD blips. Drawing his attention back to the fight.
The Wyrm quickly slithers around Dante, flanking him whilst Target B, the second spider, charges straight at him.
The low-tier one first, Dante’s mind notes, prompting him to sprint straight towards it- creating a larger distance from the Wyrm. His hula-blade jostles around his body and he runs with skips between every few steps. Allowing flexibility in his movement.
As the spider approaches, it grinds to a halt with three of its legs raised above Dante like fangs. The spider strikes down at Dante and he manages to avoid impalement from each of the legs as they pierce the ground around him. Using his rhythm to slip between the attacks and the rotation of his blade to slice each leg as he passes by.
_TARGET: B
_KRIX: SPIDER (TIER FIVE)
_HP: 31 (-69)
The wyrm, he turns his head to see it as it reaches striking range behind him. It swings its tail with full force and Dante manages to duck below it this time. The bastard’s sneaky and keeps attacking him when he’s focused on one of the spiders.
As the thought crosses his mind, Target A with its two remaining legs manages to push itself towards Dante and repeatedly jabs its blade-tip legs at him. It’s much slower, and doesn't have the agility it used to- so Dante doesn't need to worry about it too much.
He slices both legs as they strike at him and with a quick motion, he steps forward and cuts down the middle of the spider, splitting it in two.
_TARGET: A
_KRIX: SPIDER (TIER FIVE)
_HP: 0 (-100)
“Nice,” He mumbles to himself as he shifts his head to keep an eye on the wyrm.
He notices Target B also waddling in his direction and he briefly contemplates finishing it off- but, that wyrm will strike at him again if he doesn't have the space to do so.
Target B takes no liberties and jumps at Dante whilst his eyes are on the wyrm. He turns back to the spider in a panic, and barely dodges the two claws as they tear past his body, subtly slitting Dante on the shoulder.
_HP: 59 (-41)
_MANA: 35% REMAINING
_DETAILS: 81/230
_NOTES: Multiple broken ribs.
Before he can regain his footing, the wyrm lashes its hard, steel tail at him again- whizzing past his face as he leans backwards.
Dante’s lifeline isn't looking good, but he has what he needs to win the fight. The broken ribs aren't too bothersome, although he’s noticed he’s slower than usual. Good thing he’s mainly been on the defensive, if he takes another hit from that wyrm he is done for.
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This sparks an idea in Dante’s mind, and he realizes a counterplay to the Krix attacking him. With this in mind, he readies his Hula-blade- oscillating it as he shifts in position with his capoeira dance.
The Spider, he glares at it before sprinting in its direction. The wyrm follows him, ever so slightly behind but it’s close enough- he vaults at the spider as it raises its remaining legs to strike him, and the wyrm gets behind him to attack. As Dante and the spider prepare for impact, Dante shifts the direction of his momentum entirely and turns at the wyrm whilst it is mid-strike.
He cuts the end of its tail clean off before it collides with his body and a loud screech fills the air with the grinding of metal and surging energy.
_TARGET: C
_KRIX: WYRM (TIER FOUR)
_HP: 33 (-67)
Good hit, he notes to himself before turning back to the Spider- It’s already attacking, and as both of the legs strike for Dante, he evades one whilst the other impales his leg.
_HP: 34 (-66)
_MANA: 35% REMAINING
_DETAILS: 81/230
_NOTES: Multiple broken ribs. Muscular damage from stab wound. Be aware of blood loss.
“Gaaah!” Dante yells in pain as he tries to pull his leg away in fear, but he can't. The blade of the spider’s leg has gone straight through his, pinning him in place as the blade protrudes out the other side of his leg and into the ground.
Upon realizing this, he looks back at the wyrm, which is preparing to strike with the full force of its body.
I lose, he squirms as his body braces for impact.
Right as the wyrm looks over Dante, its body nearly collides with his own before Nadia’s whip lasso’s around the wyrm, and pulls it away from Dante.
_ID: NADIA MEHDI
_HP: 61 (-39)
The remaining claw of the spider raises in the air, bringing Dante’s attention back to the threat in front of him and as it releases its attack, one of Cassie’s blades severs it mid-air.
The spider wails with a mechanical screech before another one of Cassie’s blades slices the spider in half. Dante drops to the floor along with it, loosening the pinned position he was in and allowing him to slide the blade out of his leg.
_TARGET: B
_KRIX: SPIDER (TIER FIVE)
_HP: 0 (-100)
The loud crack of Nadia’s whip breaks the sound barrier, and shards of the wyrm rain across the area.
_TARGET: C
_KRIX: WYRM (TIER FOUR)
_HP: 0 (-100)
“Ah, fuck,” He writhes in agony as he removes the arm-length dagger.
“Get up,” Cassie orders, grabbing Dante by the shirt and lifting him to his feet, “Push through it,” She adds, tearing off a sleeve of her shirt and handing it to Dante.
He promptly wraps up the nasty wound as best as he can. Looking away from it as soon as he’s done in an attempt to get it off his mind.
_OVERWATCH: ORDER FROM COMMAND
_DETAILS: Protect the drill beam.
“Shit,” Cassie grunts as she turns to face the centre of the garrison, “We need to get to the drill,”
“Yes, Heir,” They both nod before Cassie starts figuring out a transportation plan.
“I’m surprised you aren’t dead,” Nadia grins.
“Same,” Dante pants at a loss of breath, “Thanks,”
“Meh, they were basically dead,” She shrugs.
“Turns out the drill beam did some damage,” Cassie grins as she walks up to Dante and Nadia, “Took out about a third of their troops,”
Dante looks around him, somewhat in a daze and also curious about the state of the fight. There are a lot fewer Spiders and Wyrms around, with the scattered remains of technology littering the landscape. A few troops have already gotten back in the Humvees to assist different areas of the garrison.
On the other side of the shield, the main corps of the Krix army is on standby, this time with a more prominent shield protecting their units. They weren't prepared for the power of the new drill beam- but they’ve already adapted to the situation and won't be surprised like that again.
They learn quickly.
“The Drill Beam is fine at the moment, but the Commander is certain that’s the Krix priority,” She adds.
“There’s no way these Wyrms and Spiders could take it down,” Nadia says
“It's not them I'm worried about,”