Piltover - The Memorial Ceremony - [Continued]

As the massive Chemtank and Ezio charged at one another, the ground trembling under the weight of the massive machine. The Chemtank raised its massive blade high, aiming for a devastating strike. Ezio, with impeccable reflexes, ducked beneath the swing, the blade whistling past him as it cleaved the air. Without missing a beat, Ezio sprinted behind the Chemtank, his eyes darting for a vulnerable spot.

The Chemtank swiveled its head, its glowing eyes searching for its nimble opponent. Ezio's sword swung multiple times with precision and force, each strike landing with a resounding thud. His expression shifted to shock as he realized the blows left no mark on the Chemtank's thick armor. "Medra! (Shit)," he cursed under his breath, his frustration barely masked.

The Chemtank, sensing its adversary, turned sharply, swinging its massive blade in wide, erratic arcs. Ezio barely dodged, twisting his body as he tumbled to the ground, the sharp edge grazing perilously close.

Just as the Chemtank loomed over Ezio, ready to finish him off, Steb yelled, sprinting toward the towering machine. With a determined cry, he slammed a pickaxe into the Chemtank's leg. Sparks flew as purple liquid gushed from the ruptured valve. The Chemtank roared, turning its massive bulk toward Steb.

Seeing the danger, Steb dropped his weapon and bolted, his movements frantic but desperate to lead the Chemtank away. Ezio, still catching his breath, spotted Steb's peril and acted instantly. Activating the grappling mechanism on his gauntlets, he hooked the Chemtank's damaged leg, using the pull to launch himself forward with incredible speed.

Ezio soared underneath the Chemtank's legs, landing in a smooth roll that brought him up beside Steb. "Run! Keep going!" Ezio barked, his voice urgent but steady as they sprinted side by side.

The Chemtank, enraged, dragged its blade across the ground, carving deep trenches into the earth. The sheer force of the attack sent debris flying, chunks of rock and metal exploding toward the two. Steb and Ezio both leapt, narrowly avoiding the destruction as they tumbled across the ground, landing hard but alive.

Ezio and Steb lay sprawled on the ground, their breathing heavy and hearts pounding as they turned to see the massive Chemtank looming over them. Its glowing blade was raised high, poised for a final, devastating strike. The Chemtank let out a guttural roar as it brought the blade down with terrifying force.

CLANG!

Standing between it and its targets was Loris, holding a large metal sheet like a makeshift shield. The force of the impact reverberated through the shield, but Loris held firm, his stance unwavering.

Ezio and Steb scrambled to their feet as a series of sharp cracks echoed through the air. Four precise shots rang out, each hitting the Chemtank's armor. The fourth round struck a vulnerable pipe, and purple gas hissed out, clouding the area.

From the smoke, Caitlyn emerged, her rifle raised, her eyes sharp and focused. She hen positioned herself alongside the group. Moments later, Maddie regrouped with them, her face determined as she drew her weapon.

The group barely had time to catch their breath before they realized the gravity of their situation. The massive Chemtank, though damaged, remained standing. To its left and right, two more Chemtanks emerged, their glowing eyes scanning the group with deadly intent.

Ezio's jaw clenched as he activated his comms. "This is Ezio Auditore. We need immediate assistance!" His voice was calm but urgent.

Static crackled in his earpiece, followed by silence. He tried again. "Anyone, we're surrounded. Repeat, we are surrounded!"

No response.

Before he could speak again, Viper's voice finally came through, strained but clear. "We're dealing with a situation of our own. You're on your own for now."

Ezio exhaled sharply, his frustration barely hidden. Caitlyn glanced at him, her rifle ready, and asked, "Anything?"

Ezio shook his head grimly. "No." His eyes flicked toward the three towering Chemtanks, then back to his team. "It's just us."

The group tightened their formation, their backs against one another as they prepared for the next onslaught. The air was thick with tension, the Chemtanks advancing with heavy, deliberate steps. The odds were stacked against them, but none of them wavered—they knew the fight wasn't over yet.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Behind the group, on the stage, Jayce crawled painfully across the stage, the bright spotlight illuminating his battered form. Blood dripped from the deep cuts on his shoulder and back, inflicted by the roaring chainsaw of the woman who now loomed over him. Her cold, calculating gaze bore into him as she raised the weapon, its teeth whirring menacingly, mere inches from his face.

Jayce managed to roll onto his back, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he looked up at his attacker. The woman smirked, her voice filled with venom. "For my son," she spat, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the chainsaw tighter.

Just as she moved to press the weapon closer to his face, a surge of blue energy blasted from her left. The beam struck with enough force to send her staggering, forcing her to use the chainsaw as a shield. The impact knocked her off the stage, and she disappeared into the shadows below.

Jayce groaned, his head tilting toward the source of the blast. His vision blurred for a moment before it cleared, revealing a familiar figure stepping onto the stage. Vi, holding Jayce's Mercury Hammer, the weapon's glowing Hextech cannons slowly dimming as they deactivated.

Vi's eyes locked onto Jayce, concern flickering briefly across her face as she strode toward him.

Before Jayce could respond, a deafening roar echoed from the front of the stage. Vi snapped her head toward the sound, her grip tightening on the hammer. Standing before the group was the massive Chemtank, its glowing eyes burning with rage. Flanking it were the other two Chemtanks, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground as they closed in on the team.

The stage lights cast an eerie glow on the mechanical giants as they loomed ominously over the battered and outnumbered group.

Caitlyn fired a precise shot at the massive Chemtank's helmet, the bullet cracking the visor and halting its advance momentarily. The beast staggered, letting out a guttural roar, its glowing eyes fixated on her. Caitlyn kept her rifle trained, firing controlled bursts to keep the Chemtank at bay.

On the stage, Vi gripped the Mercury Hammer, her hands fumbling with the handle. She pulled it once, the weapon crackling as it began to charge with electricity, the cannon humming to life. Aiming it at the massive Chemtank, she prepared to fire—but the weapon suddenly deactivated, the energy dissipating with a faint whine. "Shit," Vi muttered, frustration flashing across her face as she yanked the handle again, trying to reactivate it.

Below her, Jayce, still on the ground and barely able to move, watched the struggle. Summoning his remaining strength, he began crawling toward Vi, his arms trembling as he dragged his battered body forward. Caitlyn's rifle cracked in the background, holding the Chemtank back as Jayce finally reached Vi. With effort, he grabbed the hammer's handle and twisted it firmly. The Mercury Hammer hummed back to life, the energy in its core building rapidly.

The two yelled in unison as they aimed and fired, the hammer releasing a massive, pulsating ball of energy.

The energy shot toward the massive Chemtank, but just as it was about to hit, a barrage of projectiles rained down from different directions. Throwing spears hit the two of the flanking Chemtanks as they we're struck and one projectile hit the massive Chemtank square in the head. The combined force staggered it, and the cannon shot from the Mercury Hammer veered off course, missing its target.

The massive Chemtank collapsed, hitting the ground with a deafening crash, its remaining arm still clawing toward the group in defiance. Its guttural roar echoed across the square, but before it could act further, a resounding thud silenced it. A Gravity Hammer, swung with brutal force, crushed the Chemtank, ending its rampage for good.

The smoke began to clear, and Caitlyn lowered her rifle, her eyes narrowing as the figure wielding the Gravity Hammer emerged. It was Atriox, the imposing leader of the Banished, his growl low and menacing as he stood tall amidst the wreckage. His crimson armor gleamed under the flickering lights, and his presence alone seemed to command the battlefield.

Ezio, from his position, stared in disbelief, his voice barely above a whisper. "Who are they?"

As the smoke cleared further, revealing Noxian soldiers clad in blood-red armor with masks obscuring their faces. They moved with deadly precision, forming ranks as they advanced. Among them was Rictus, one of Ambessa Medarda's most feared lieutenants, his presence exuding danger.

From the shadows, Ambessa herself stepped forward, her imposing frame clad in battle armor, her golden mask covering the upper part of her face. In her hand was a bloodied knife, and at her feet lay the lifeless body of the woman with the chainsaw. Ambessa had ended her with a swift, brutal slice to the neck. Her cold eyes turned toward the group as she surveyed the scene.

The battlefield fell eerily quiet, the tension thick as the remaining defenders realized the full weight of what they were up against.

Caitlyn's sharp eyes darted around the battlefield, her breath hitching as a dreadful realization washed over her. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "Mother... Father..." Without a second thought, she turned and bolted toward a different direction, panic driving her steps.

"Cait!" Vi shouted from the stage, her voice filled with alarm as she saw Caitlyn sprinting away. She looked to Jayce, who was still kneeling, blood staining his clothes. He raised a weak hand and nodded. "Go," he rasped, his voice barely audible but resolute.

Without hesitation, Vi left his side, jumping off the stage and breaking into a run, her boots pounding against the debris-strewn ground as she chased after Caitlyn.

Maddie climbed onto the stage, her expression filled with concern as she knelt beside Jayce. Her hands moved quickly to check his wounds, her voice steady but urgent. "You're losing blood. Stay still," she ordered, pulling out a medkit from her belt.

Ezio, standing amidst the wreckage, glanced toward the stage, watching Vi and Caitlyn disappear into the distance. His gaze then shifted back to Ambessa and Atriox, both towering figures exuding authority and menace. The tension in the air was palpable as the two formidable leaders stood side by side, their forces looming behind them.

Ezio's grip on his sword tightened. His sharp mind worked quickly, but the uncertainty of their intentions gnawed at him. Were they here to aid or destroy? The battlefield felt eerily still, a fragile moment of calm before the storm that was sure to follow.