-Present Day: Operation Swan Song-
"Hey kid. Stop daydreaming and haul your goddamn ass! We're running a tight schedule here."
Lt. Cmd. Ken Hoshikawa's voice bellowed from the comms. Sora was snapped awake from his reverie.
"Sorry sir." he apologized and flared his units auxiliary thrusters. He quickly caught up to the rest of his comrades. They continued to fly in formation towards the target.
"We've just breached the third defense line. Better brace yourselves people. It's about to get even crazier in here." the lead units pilot said with a chuckle.
Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa quickly issued commands.
"All units listen up. Once we reach Point Alpha, we'll immediately proceed with Phase 3. Halsey, Khaleed, Portman and Juarez. You guys make a quick sweep up front. Mop up any hostiles that come within your kill zones. Dela Cruz, Yen and Motombo. You guys watch the rear. Potter. Evans. You're with me. We go topside. Velez. Hirano. Mc Reid. Down below. Kid, front and center. Ready the "big guns" and fire on my signal.
All right people. Let's get this show on the road! Move! Move! Move!"
They quickly positioned themselves and fended off any Arc unit that came within range. Sora also made preparations.
"Dora, switch Homura to long range artillery mode. Connect ether circuits and lift the limiter restrictions. They got us clearance somehow. We're going all out."
A small holo projection of a young violet haired maiden popped up on Sora's left shoulder. She wore a simple white dress that, despite being rather plain, still managed to highlight her delicate build and features. Her face held a somewhat sleepy expression that displayed little emotion.
"Acknowledged. Artillery mode initiated. Connecting ether circuits. Optimizing targeting and fire control systems. Activating unit stabilizers."
Sora glanced at the petite, fairylike figure and smiled.
"Hey Dora. Been a while since our last major battle huh. Who would've thought we'd be reunited like this."
The girl didn't reply. She cutely puffed her cheeks and turned away. Sora sighed at her reaction and grinned wryly.
"Are you still mad at me for handing you over to High Command? Look, I really am sorry for that. But there was nothing I could do. You know how it is. I can't disobey orders."
The girl turned towards Sora slightly. You couldn't read it from her expression at first glance, but she was actually pouting. A bell like voice came from her dainty mouth once more. Or at least, it seemed like it did. It actually came from the cockpit speakers. But the audio synced perfectly with the holo projection.
"I know. Of course I know that. But you could have at least acted like you were reluctant to part with me. You handed me over like it was nothing. You didn't even hesitate you idiot!"
Sora's expression turned complicated at her retort.
"I was a bit... preoccupied. I had a lot of things going on back then. I couldn't even manage to think straight. I truly am sorry Dora."
The girl called Dora, a highly advanced support AI installed in Sora's personal T-Arms unit, found her icy expression wavering after Sora's sincere apology.
"In the end, it's still because of that woman huh? Even if she helped program me, I still refuse to acknowledge her. Kiii!" she mumbled almost imperceptibly; her sleepy, deadpan expression never breaking.
An annoyed voice called out from the comms.
"Could you guys please quit it with the rom-com and focus on the mission. Is that thing ready yet kid?" Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa exclaimed in an annoyed tone.
"Sorry. We're almost good to go sir. Start making our friendlies clear out of the line of fire." Sora replied.
"Bout goddamn time. Dela Cruz, send notice to all friendlies."
"On it sir." came the immediate reply.
"Ether circuits connected. Fire control and targeting systems are go. Homura: Daitenhou mode prepped for charging. You can go ahead lieutenant." Dora notified.
Sora immediately tapped into the ether reserves within his units power core. He quickly refined and redirected the energy towards Homura - his personal unit, TA Mk. 6S Kai: Kagutsuchi's main weapon.
In terms of pure destructive potential, it only paled in comparison to the weapon of one of the early Far Eastern branch prototype units, Izanagi's Ame No Ohabari.
It looked like a large blade that was almost as tall as Kagutsuchi itself. It was now held in place by hardpoints located on Kagutsuchi's left arm as it pointed forward, essentially turning it and Kagutsuchi's entire arm into one huge cannon.
The blade was parted from the center, revealing the main ether condenser located at the top of the blades guard. It resembled a dragon's open maw, preparing to unleash hellfire upon its foes.
Crimson waves of energy started accumulating at a rapid pace within the center of the weapon. In a span of only a few dozen seconds, Homura was primed and ready to fire. The volatile energy swirling at the center of the weapon carried an extremely intimidating air.
Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa finally gave the order to fire.
"Homura: Daitenhou, firing!" Sora exclaimed.
A highly destructive wave of crimson ether energy shot forth from the weapon. Like a voracious beast, it devoured anything and everything within its path.
Within moments, a gaping whole was suddenly punched through the Arc's defense net. It was the chance the UEDF forces were all waiting for.
"Phase 3 clear! Proceed to Phase 4!" Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa bellowed.
Sora's smile turned into a savage grin.
Part 2
"Dora, purge all auxiliary parts! Revert Homura to blade mode." Sora commanded his support AI.
"Purging auxiliary armor and thrusters. Reverting Homura to Totsuka mode."
Pieces of dark green armor and parts flew off of Kagutsuchi's body, revealing a sleeker, sharper form.
The auxiliary parts served to lessen the burden on Sora in order to save his strength, which was to be used at the most opportune time. That time was now.
Kagutsuchi's red, black and gold body gleamed dangerously under the illumination caused by intermittent explosions that peppered the battlefield. A plume of crimson ether energy gushed forth from the back of its head, forming a fiery, ethereal mane.
One of the reputed most powerful T-Arms units ever produced was now revealed in all its glory. Even Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa couldn't help but admire its visage.
"Sweet mother of... Now that's one bad ass ride! Where can I get one of those man?" one of the team's assault specialists, Lt. Santino Juarez joked.
"Sorry. This baby's custom made." Sora replied.
"All right. Enough of that. We have work to do." Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa admonished.
"Kid, from now on, it's just a straightforward mad dash to that warp gate. We're not stopping for anything. Even if some of us get killed in the attempt, don't you dare look back or slow down.
Your job is to get to that gate and destroy it. Ours is to make sure you get there in one piece. Understood?"
"Understood." Sora answered. He'd seen his fair share of death. It shouldn't be an issue for the current him.
"Good. All troops, move out!" Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa commanded.
The group flew full speed towards the gate through the hole Homura created in the Arc defenses earlier. The response was a bit slower than normal, but Arc forces eventually followed them in hot pursuit.
"Sir, hostiles coming in hot at four o'clock. Closing in fast." Dela Cruz warned.
"Keep going. Shake them off." Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa instructed.
They kept going full throttle and headed straight towards their objective. But the pursuing forces were just too fast. They closed the gap within moments and started firing at the group.
Three units from Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa's team broke formation and headed towards the pursuing Arc forces.
"The heck are you idiots doing?!" Hoshikawa yelled.
"We'll hold them off boss." Khaleed replied.
"Just get that package through. It's about time we earn our keep anyway." Yen chimed in.
"We'll give em hell sir. Godspeed." Potter added.
Hoshikawa gritted his teeth but he knew there was no other way. They had to destroy the Arc warp gate at all costs. They sped off, leaving the three behind.
***
As they neared the gate, opposition became even more fierce. The Arc forces were starting to reorganize themselves - faster than expected. Several more of Hoshikawa's team fell in battle while trying to fend them off.
They soon found themselves wedged in a massive pincer attack. As the remaining units took refuge at a nearby wreckage of a UEDF destroyer, Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa hailed Sora through the comms.
"We've just about made it kid. It's now or never. If even one of those things make it through and gets detonated, this operations' as good as done."
He was referring to the newly developed ether anti-matter bombs based off of Arc technology that they managed to swipe from the Initiative armory. They forcefully and violently ripped apart molecular bonds and had an extremely large area of effect.
Only five ether anti-matter bombs were successfully taken. Each was placed in the care of veteran EX-Seed aces. Sora was one of them.
Even if there were only five available, every other team that scrambled for the operation carried dummies to confuse the Arc forces. Even if the conspirators somehow managed to send word about the plan, it'll still be difficult to pinpoint the real bombs in the ensuing confusion. Or so the UEDF splinter forces hoped.
"We'll hold them off right here kid. As soon as you get through the blockade, head straight for the gate and rip it to shreds."
"Got it..."
Sora briefly paused after replying. He then hailed Lt. Cmd. Hoshikawa back and asked a question.
"You do know there's almost no way we're coming out of this alive right?"
"You're point being?" Hoshikawa asked back.
"You're the sub commander of a Valiant class UEDF space destroyer. Why'd you...?"
"Accompany you guys to this hellhole?" Hoshikawa interrupted.
"Simple actually. I trust you've already looked up my background?"
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Sora made a complicated expression and nodded.
"Hoshikawa Karen... She was the only family I had left. She had her eccentricities, but she was still a nice enough sister." Ken Hoshikawa continued.
"Somehow, I already noticed even before I saw your name on the roster. You kinda have the same air about you."
Ken chuckled at Sora's casual remark.
"Now that's new. People always said we looked nothing alike."
He made a light sigh and fixed his gaze on Sora's image on the comms.
"They killed my sister. Those bastards at High Command and these damn aliens. I really just want to personally deliver a good kick to their collective nuts before I get done in.
I don't actually believe succeeding here would lead to ending the war. Utilizing an appropriate show of force to push for peace talks is just about as far fetched as they come. We're also not clear on whether this is the only warp gate available to the Arc. Or if it's even essential for interstellar travel.
But who am I to judge huh? Bottom line is, I just don't want my sister's work and accomplishments to be turned into a mere farce. If we go down, those bastards at High Command will go down with us."
Sora smiled bitterly after Ken's short tirade.
"Our actions here could potentially put humanity in even greater danger." he pointed out.
"Did I sound like I cared?" Ken spat.
"Humanity can fend for itself. We're as tenecious as cockroaches... Nah, that might even be an insult to cockroaches in general.
I just want to get back at the a**holes that let my sister die. Nothing else matters. You're the same right? And you can't possibly plan to remain being the militaries loyal lapdog?"
"We're both goddamned idiots aren't we?" Sora remarked; still smiling bitterly.
"Well, we're certainly not heroes." Ken replied.
"Boss, we've got hostiles coming in fast." Dela Cruz cut in.
"Ready your weapons. As planned, the kid'll head straight to the gate after we punch through the encirclement. After he makes a break for it, we pin those bastards down right here. Hold nothing back!" Ken howled, possibly, his last orders through the comms.
"Alright kid. Time to bust some balls."
"There are actually more than a few women in High Command sir." Sora remarked with a wry grin.
"It's a figure of speech kid. When did this turn to a debate on gender equality anyway? Just get out there and give em hell!" Ken retorted.
Sora gave him one last "Yes sir." and saluted briefly. He then fired up his units power core and prepared to wade through the incoming wave of enemies.
Part 3
The remaining members of Ken Hoshikawas team carved a path through the throng of enemies and Sora capitalized. He'd already broken through the final defense line and was now approaching the Arc warp gate. Dora suddenly issued a warning.
"Multiple energy signatures detected. Cross referencing database. Identified as Arc elite units. Closing in fast."
Sora clicked his tongue.
"So they did keep some units in reserve." he thought.
"Open all ether circuits to maximum. Prepare for Full Burst." he ordered.
Several portions of Kagutsuchi's armor transformed. It also started emitting crimson light, which grew in strength and magnitude each passing moment.
Sora quickly refined a large amount of ether energy and sent it coursing all throughout Kagutsuchi's entire frame. It overflowed and transformed into fiery plumes of sinister crimson energy that erupted from several places on Kagutsuchis body.
It truly resembled a fiery demon from hell.
Homuras blade was also covered with intense crimson energy. It expanded to thrice the blades length and radiated extreme heat. Strangely enough, neither Kagutsuchi, nor Homuras blade were affected by the tyrannical heat.
Soras azure eyes turned fiery red and exuded strength. He let out a fierce shout and furiously charged at the incoming enemies.
Countless Arc units fell with each swing of Kagutsuchis weapon. Soras attacks were relentless. He strode through the battlefield like a resplendent god of war, cutting down all that stood in his path.
***
His rampage continued unabated, despite taking quite a few hits himself. He was like a berserker steeped in bloodlust. He unleashed all of his pent up fury at his enemies as he steadily approached his objective.
He burned away every ounce of his strength. He held nothing back. There was no reason not to.
Bellowing a battle cry, Sora performed a final series of devastating slashes at the remaining Arc forces that stood between him and the warp gate.
"Rekka-ryuu: Daiguren Rengekizan!" (Raging Flame Style: Great Crimson Lotus Slash Storm)
Slash attacks flew from Homuras blade like a veritable storm. It resembled a huge blooming flower of fiery crimson energy. All the enemies that got caught up in the attacks were ruthlessly cut to pieces and scattered to the cold reaches of space.
***
"Confirming status. No hostiles detected. The area is clear."
Doras bell like voice resounded in the cockpit, signaling the end of the battle.
Sora was panting wildly. He had brought out every ounce of his strength and virtually annihilated all of the Arc forces within the general area. He proceeded to land on the surface of the warp gate.
"Dora, prime the ether anti-matter bomb." he muttered under his breath.
"Priming." came the curt response.
Sora looked at the holo image of his AI partner and gave an apology.
"I'm sorry I dragged you into this."
Dora turned to face him and tilted her holographic head slightly.
"There is no need for apologies. I am a support AI. My fate is unconditionally tied to Kagutsuchis pilot. I will accept and follow any decision you chose to make."
Sora smiled bitterly at her reply, delivered with the usual deadpan expression.
"We really are two of a kind aren't we?" he mused.
"Ether anti-matter bomb is primed and ready for detonation." Dora informed.
"Good. Here goes."
Sora activated the bomb. The timer read three minutes.
"Not enough time to get away..." Sora thought.
"Oh well. Now's as good a time to finally die as any..."
He found himself strangely welcoming his own demise. He had already gotten tired of his existence. Living as someone else's puppet tethered on invisible strings wasn't living at all.
EX-Seed weren't capable of ending their own lives. Falling in battle was the one of the ways for them to die. Either that or reaching the end of their low life expectancies.
Even now, Soras enhanced survival instincts were urging him to escape. But he was truly spent. He could not muster any strength.
His eyelids felt heavy. The earlier effort left him utterly exhausted. He soon completely lost consciousness.
***
"Phase 2 of Prometheus Project complete. Now moving to Phase 3." an electronic voice resounded.
The holo projection of the AI moved her gaze to the unconscious Sora.
"This PANDORA wishes you a pleasant rest. We shall meet again. Til the "box" is pried open..."
Though it was delivered with the usual apathetic expression, there was a hint of warmth and tenderness in her tone.
"Initiating quantum jump procedures. Sending to preset coordinates."
Soras body was enveloped in light and disappeared from the cockpit.
***
Before long, the anti-matter bombs finally detonated. The ensuing reaction engulfed the entire warp gate and the area within its immediate vicinity, reducing all to nothingness.
___
Notes:
Kagu-tsuchi or Kagutsuchi (カグツチ?), referred to as Hinokagatsuchi (火之迦具土?) in the Kojiki, and Kagutsuchi (軻遇突智?) or Homusubi (火産霊?) in the Nihon-Shoki, is the kami (god) of fire in Japanese mythology. Was tragically killed by his father Izanagi after his birth caused his mothers death.
Izanagi (イザナギ?, recorded in the Kojiki as 伊邪那岐 and in the Nihon Shoki as 伊弉諾) is a deity born of the seven divine generations in Japanese mythology and Shinto, and is also referred to in the roughly translated Kojiki as "male-who-invites" or Izanagi-no-mikoto ("Lord Izanagi"). It is also pronounced Izanagi-no-Okami ("The Great God Izanagi").
Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (十拳剣?, lit. "Sword of Length of Ten Fists") is not a specific sword, but a common noun for any sword of this length. In Japanese mythology, numerous deities own a sword of this kind.
*In the story setting, Totsuka mode refers to the sword or blade form of the Special Variable Weapon System available to select T-Arms units; Kagutsuchi's Homura being one of them.
Ame no Ohabari - A divine blade that appears in Japanese mythology. It was used by Izanagi to slit Hinokagutsuchi's throat, and the blood that poured forth gave life to new gods.
*In the story setting, Ame no Ohabari is from the Special Variable Weapon System series. It holds the title of most destructive SVWS ever developed. But it's also highly inefficient because of its extremely high ether consumption rate and unstable control. The technology used in its development later resurfaced in the form of the ether anti-matter bombs used by Sora to destroy the Arc warp gate in this chapter.
It also held the ability to break down and forcibly rip apart molecular bonds. But just one miscalculation on the users part would likely result in his or her own death because of the weapon going out of control.
Homura - This name can be written as 炎 (en, honoo) meaning "blaze, flame, inflammation" or 秀邑 with 秀 (shuu, hii.deru, ho) meaning "beauty, excel(lence), surpass" and 邑 (yuu, ure.eru, kuni, mura) meaning "rural community, village."
As a word, Homura (炎) refers to a blaze or a flame.
Rekka: Guren Dai Rengekizan - Not sure how to make it sound cool in English. Here's an attempt anyway:
Raging Flame Style: Great Crimson Lotus Slash Storm (or Combo if you wanna stay truer to the Japanese meaning of Rengeki)
*Update: Changed the technique name to Rekka-ryuu: Daiguren Rengekizan (Makes better sense in Japanese)
*Info from Wikipedia