First Existences' War, The Frontline Battle (2)

"5 minutes. They've given us that time, sir." At this point, a piloting expert said as he turned his head and twisted his neck to look at Heian Ciemnosc. Heian Ciemnosc maintained his darkest eyes narrowed as his arms were crossed and said, after 3 seconds. "Strict communications from hereon, advance and enter the ring. We aren't waiting for a ceremonial welcome or starting sound. Enter the battlefield!"

“Hua hua!” The piloting team experts roared lightly. They punched fists in the air with 1 arm before relaxing, as the Low Battleship wasn’t about to utilize a spatial phenomenon. The spaceships had just been resupplied, and doing that would only put their spaceships at a disadvantage, no matter how small it was.

Heian Ciemnosc’s assistant, otherwise known as the commanding assistant, took a deep breath as she stared at the 4th, last ring. Although every spaceship’s hangar and central command was the safest place, as even a few rockets wouldn’t destroy it, the place they were going was far from any safe haven. They were marching into a sure death or magnificent survival.

The future was unpredictable, but somehow, when she looked up at the tall commander, she felt a sense of returning home with not only her life but a superb achievement. Even if it wasn’t possible and they all died, or at least her, she still felt as if her body was lifted and empowered.

Heian Ciemnosc’s force wasn’t the only one moving as the vanguard. From the 4 portal-like rings, the ‘first’ was at the far left, while theirs was at the far right. Heian Ciemnosc was 3 kilometers more advanced than anyone else, and his Large Flotilla would pass through the ring earlier.

But only the first and second rings were not for Mythical realm-focused forces. The first was for Life-Long realm-focused forces to fight the enemy of the same caliber, and the second was for Central Formation realm-focused forces of both sides.

The third and fourth rings were for Mythical realm-focused forces, and that’s where 40% of the cultivators and spaceships flew to. Where the battle’s most brutal scenes and outcomes would be displayed from the moment everything started until it ended. Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t overconfident as he led his force but wasn’t fearful either.

In a strange notion that spread everywhere from the Quiongu Fanhui Existence as its young blood departed for a cruel war, ethereal nebulas blinked in and out of sight. Heian Ciemnosc was startled as he looked down. His Spirit Sense felt pleased and comforted as it reached as down as he could but couldn’t go that far with only 3,000,000 kilometers. Nebulas would always be at the places with fewer bits of life to appear and never near gray moons, let alone Kingdoms.

“...” Without noticing, Heian Ciemnosc’s lips formed a little grin, which his central command glimpsed but didn’t dare look for long, or else it could be rude. Only the commanding assistant looked at Heian Ciemnosc curiously as she gazed below, and the Low Battleship showed the beautiful, ghost-like, transparent immense nebula seemingly bidding them farewell.

“Bid your farewells to any previous lives we had. What’s ahead will be all we got,” Heian Ciemnosc said. Although strict communication sounded like it would be quiet, it didn’t mean it was a tight status-based exchange of words.

Whenever information came into anyone within the force, and they had to immediately act, said spaceship or several could directly speak to the commander, Heian Ciemnosc. He would reply affirmatively or negatively, and if Heian Ciemnosc was too busy, they would receive a notification to proceed or refuse them.

As Heian Ciemnosc spoke, and they weren’t battling, this opened a small room for discussion. Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t saying some bullshit. Whatever happened, as this Change had just started, and they lived, this would mark a tremendous achievement in their records. Yet, as Heian Ciemnosc waited for their small murmurs, they spoke to him from his central command to other spaceships whose personnel had never interacted with Heian Ciemnosc before.

“Honestly, sir. If we can survive this, it would have been one of the greatest honors in my life- no, in our lives!” - “Young black monster, after this, because- uh… you can’t die. You ought to command something more than just those twin Frigates. I’ll be there to follow you.” - “Sir, I’ll be frank. So far, I’m excited, and if I survive… I’d also like to follow.” - “Damn, he’s our Team Leader, stop stealing him away from us!” - “You can still move those twin Frigates even if he leads a Flotilla, haha!”

“...” Heian Ciemnosc showed a tiny trace of a smile that wasn’t a smile as he relaxedly placed his hands behind his back. His emblem glowed differently. It gave his dark coat covering most of his uniform a different gleam. And as his commanding assistant scanned him slightly from the front, she felt dazed, as if she was looking at a future General amidst the black of the world and as monumental as every inch of all Kingdoms and stars…

“It’ll be an honor to serve you, commander.” The reporter said, not doubting her words. Heian Ciemnosc looked slightly down at the young woman 2 meters before him as he communicated with his darkest eyes… Heian Ciemnosc was pretty much unaware of how to respond. All he knew was to keep doing as he was so far.

“We’re entering,” a piloting expert voiced. The noise in the communications and central command immediately quelled, and Heian Ciemnosc stared at the ring ahead of them. It was about 2,000 km in diameter, enough for the entire column to rush inside. But that would, of course, be extremely stupid. The enemy wouldn’t send all their forces one way, although they could only accord a 3-way section of the battlefield for all cultivation realm who can participate.

“Engage,” Heian Ciemnosc ordered, not to his central command but to all his force. He then stepped back and flung his left hand, opening and spreading his fingers as one of the boxes opened, revealing an orange flower with a uni-petal that sped towards his hand. Heian Ciemnosc immediately invoked inscriptions on his back, and as the reporter saw this, she lightly gasped with widened eyes.

“Rush forth when it’s completed. We’re coming in hot.” Heian Ciemnosc calmly said. Meanwhile, his piloting experts continued working, nervously gulped, and their minds rumbled. The commander wanted to be the first, didn’t he?! He was pushing everyone into the battlefield faster than anyone else!!

“I don’t hear you,” Heian Ciemnosc’s quiet, somewhat hoarse voice elicited something deep within his piloting experts’ hearts. Something primitive. They responded, affirming Heian Ciemnosc’s words. “Yes, commander!” - “Our group is ready to advance, all spaceships within range!” - “All engines are heating up. 10 seconds before they reach maximum potency.”

Calm, excited, and even nervous but thrilled voices rang out, reporting their status as Heian Ciemnosc slowly lifted his hand and started softly crushing the flower with his fingertips. When 10 seconds went out, Heian Ciemnosc finished offering the flower to nature, and its properties started being consumed as Heian Ciemnosc’s lips ordered again, “Full speed ahead.”

WYYUUUMP!! WYYUUUMP!! WYYUUUMP!! WYYUUUMP!!....

Engines went up at maximum potency and were ready to be activated so the semi-incomplete fleet could go off at Heian Ciemnosc’s whim. Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes watched ahead, but he wasn’t staring at the rings but at what lay beyond these portal-ish instruments.

Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeemmmmmmmmmmmm~~~~~!!!!

The Low Battleship finally activated its engines and shot forward as its Large Flotilla reacted similarly, and the spaceships from other organizations did the same. At last, Heian Ciemnosc’s force was already far ahead of the other 3 as the column divided into 4 lines. The one formed by Heian Ciemnosc made a severe gap in between as they turned into a glow comet shining through space towards the 4th ring.

Electrifying energy sparks went off wherever they flew, leaving contrails of such behind, where others could barely have a look to discern the activation of a battle array formation before hundreds of spaceships suddenly rushed forth. Nearly no one could distinguish which battle array formation was used, but if it was used, it meant only one thing… all or nothing.

“That’s Incinerating Bolt!! Incinerating Bolt battle array formation.” But many Crimsonbreaking Faction Flotillas were left behind, yet all of them remained in the vanguard and, slowly moving forwards, managed to remember which battle array formation was used.

Some shouted its name right away, while others were shocked. That battle array formation wasn’t used in their Faction, at least not like any other of the few were yearly. The information spread throughout the rest of the column, still far from forming part of any line heading towards a ring. Yet, that would be less important for what was about to come.

… After Heian Ciemnosc activated the Incinerating Bolt battle array formation, they were swiftly impulsed into the empty space territory along a deaf sound, becoming ghostly figures zooming far into the distance. Heian Ciemnosc felt the immense boost of speed rage the other spaceships still not close enough to the ring to be slightly pulled inwards.

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However, it wasn’t harmful to them, and instead of suffering some setback as they were instantly pulled forth, it was as if the ring’s effects had expanded over in an instant and covered all the spaceships in Heian Ciemnosc’s force.

“Everything’s stable. The 2 Soldiers you asked for are on their spots and will do their task if you’re busy, commander.” The commanding assistant informed Heian Ciemnosc. She looked back at where the 2 serving tables were and the 2 Soldiers placed beside them. They had an ample array formation experience. If Heian Ciemnosc was too busy to keep the battle array formation going, but only if it was exhausted or somehow afflicted, they would sacrifice the ingredients.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc kept silent for 2 seconds more before turning to the dutiful commanding assistant and turning his body towards the commander’s seat. Heian Ciemnosc caressed the chair, and the reported stepped closer to gesture him to sit. Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t planning to sit as he wanted to stand in his first space battle commanding… but.

The chair was slender, metal-black, and gleamed with the lights from the ceiling and walls. Heian Ciemnosc gave the reporter one look before turning, lowering his body, and sitting on his little ‘throne’ made of metal and simplistic.

Step, step. The reporter bowed until her waist was straightly bent. Her right arm, hugging it, was gently held with her left hand as she took 2 steps back but retreated 2 meters from him. Heian Ciemnosc looked at her and nodded, to which she stepped closer until she was .8 meters from his seat. And then, Heian Ciemnosc rested his darkest eyes, still open and gazing at radars and camera angles. He focused on the one showing images ahead of the Low Battleship.

The trip was smooth, and nothing happened so far. All Heian Ciemnosc’s force could sightsee was the majestic sight at their sides of a wind-like phenomenon as their enhanced speed rushed them into the battlefield still far ahead. And on the rear, they watched as if the universe plummeted and shrank, leaving it behind at a mind-blowing speed only beings could treat as child’s play and Universal Gods overcome.

Heian Ciemnosc could sense all his spaceships with his overly extensive Spirit Sense, which only high-end Third Step cultivators can compare to and see their state.

Ruo Wei was fine but earnestly wished she could go into battle and fight in her Offensive Frigate in Beto's and the Eternal Return Team’s name. The rest of his Team members in the Defensive Frigate were more at ease, but they knew Ruo Wei, so they were planning to let their twin Frigates show their Eternal Return Team’s heart and decisive determination.

The Obscure Orb Sect and Phosphorescent Flower Sect were the calmest among everyone else. Riquel was a vice commander of a Frigate, while the Tenos and Pera led a Low Battleship each. Pera still had a youthful appearance and always seemed polite and soft-hearted. But after the meeting with Heian Ciemnosc, her aura was stern, and she irradiated the same determination she once did when she nearly died at a powerful enemy’s hands in about 2 decades ago. Just to fight together with Heian Ciemnosc against the odds.

Yun Nitu and Yun Tang led a Low Battleship, too. Yun Tang was no idiot, at least not in its purest sense. And it could be seen as anyone who walked past or talked to him respectfully did so and even bowed their heads just a little after he uttered a command or replied to a petition.

Yun Nitu appeared exceptionally calm and was approached only in the most modest and graceful ways by both males and females. Whenever she spoke, it was as if all the central command’s personnel paid attention, and their unity was mighty stable.

The other Flotillas and spaceships were steady and focused. Heian Ciemnosc couldn’t scan into them because he wasn’t at the Third Step, but after sensing it was his Spirit Sense, they would allow him ‘permissions’ to do so. But they were limited to the central commands, as even Heian Ciemnosc couldn’t read past his Low Battleship’s central command module. This was just from the nature of the Third Step materials the spaceships were used.

All of Heian Ciemnosc’s force consisted of the Third Step. A smallish percentage belonged to the Dark/Light realm and even some Breaking Point realm cultivators, but they were only for personnel within the spaceships that wouldn’t act outside of them and could only defend themselves if they suffered an assault.

Once Heian Ciemnosc broke into the Third Step, even without the Vigor Energy, his enhanced dark Neutral Energy would his Spirit Sense not be blocked by even his own walls. For now, though, Heian Ciemnosc had to suck it up and continue.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes blinked and momentarily shook before moving to look in a slightly different direction. His nature reading was more far-stretching than any radar of Third Step spaceships. The commanding assistant noticed this and asked as she became serious. “Orders? Commander?”

“Ask the other rings’ battlefield situations,” Heian Ciemnosc stretched his hands behind his back, and his body arched forwards. The reporter nodded and carried her clipboard device to walk to the piloting experts. After 25 seconds, she returned once the Space Station transmitted the information safely.

“Nothing, sir. Approximately 25 minutes before they reach their side of the battlefield, but according to that volume, they should meet enemies at the 40 or 50th minute mark.” The young woman said. Heian Ciemnosc looked at her from his seat, which was still slightly above her eye level, and nodded before shocking her, his central command's personnel, and all his military units’ cores.

“Got it. Prepare for engaging in combat. At my orders, we’ll begin phase 1. Get in line!” Heian Ciemnosc’s voice suddenly half-roared his last 3 words. The reporter’s eyes widened after he finished speaking, and the central command became like a market, with Heian Ciemnosc remaining calm in his commander’s seat.

“Enemies detected! 5 minutes before we meet each other at firing range for missiles!” - “We’re being pre-locked by their targeting systems… These are a force 3 times our size!” - “Targeting systems have locked onto the enemy!” - “Sir, orders?!”

“... At my signal, lift them.” Heian Ciemnosc heard all the status reports with his commanding assistant standing on his right. She grew nervous as she heard them. But, when the commanding assistant looked at Heian Ciemnosc’s seemingly dead, calm, darkest eyes, she gained a strange, sudden peace that placated her thoughts. Although the piloting experts were strangely calming down as they waited for orders, they didn’t look at their commander for that.

“... Yessir!” A leading figure in a ‘particular’ expert team responded, becoming stern and strict as he positioned his Spirit Sense and hands on his panel along with his co-workers beside him, who slightly sweated.

“4 minutes… 3 minutes…!” A different piloting expert kept notifying the estimated time before any possible fight broke out. The central command was quiet, and the reporter beside Heian Ciemnosc breathed negligibly heavily. He placed his right palm on her left shoulder, and she immediately felt as if her heart was touched by strings or tendrils, cold and dark, but helped her relax.

“1 minute!” The piloting expert licked his lips with wanton nervousness. His chest started beating and heaving up and down, like many more were, but Heian Ciemnosc remained silent and hadn’t didn’t lift his hand or say a word. His Spirit Sense didn’t hide as the personnel felt it stagnant in the air.

“Exit the enhancement,” then, when only a few tens of seconds remained, instead of ordering them to fire, their commander made their eyes widen with those words. However, they followed suit, and their military force suddenly halted before proceeding at a low speed.

The Low Battleship lowered its front and then upwards, arching slightly as the rest of the large formation behind it moved and dispersed but remained in a fine line behind the leading Low Battleship. Then, the other Low Battleships joined the leading one, rapidly remaining hundreds of meters behind its front.

The leading Low Battleship slowly advanced with a medium speed. The other Low Battleships followed, and the others behind him could only rush to not be left behind by even a few tens of meters. The still active Incinerating Bolt battle array formation aided their speed, but they still had a slightly high potency from their engines to not lag too much.

As 7 Low Battleships took place to Heian Ciemnosc’s spaceship, 8 Low Battleships faced the front, where lights finally showed, and the enemy continued to rush with enhanced speed in their direction without opening fire.

“We are the firsts to find an enemy and engage in battle… This battle. When this is over, and we return, remember that… because those who’d walk the cultivation and other paths after us will.” Heian Ciemnosc offered some words, and all his military force heard them. Not a speech, at least not even short, but… they seemed to rock where his soldier units needed the most.

They didn’t understand what Heian Ciemnosc meant with other paths, maybe Craftsmaking or a more Soul or body tempering-focused path, which might have already been inspired by Heian Ciemnosc’s achievements.

3 Low Battleships to Heian Ciemnosc’s left and another 4 to his right, Heian Ciemnosc activated his Spirit Sense and made their commanders’ medallions heat up. The other Low Battleships separated, forming a line of 24 kilometers, while the rest of the military force lined behind them.

FUTOOOMP~~~!!

The enemy suddenly stopped, and just as a piloting expert wanted to say that they were already in missiles-firing range, Heian Ciemnosc sent a Spirit Sense bout towards him to keep quiet. That 1 minute became longer after Heian Ciemnosc exited the road to the enhanced speed the ring proportioned them. However, that was over, and the enemy had similarly stopped a few seconds before landing at the distance, where a battle could sparkle at any moment.

But nothing happened. Be it Heian Ciemnosc’s side or the enemy’s, they only stared at each other as they came closer. Then, the same piloting expert wasn’t suddenly a coward and insecure, so he continued doing his job and checked his panel before reporting status. “2 minutes before artillery and machine gun are at their most optimal accuracy.”

Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes were still deadly calm, but the lifelessness he always carries seemed to become more proficient this time. Today. In this imminent space battle. He narrowed his darkest eyes, and the personnel looking at him suddenly felt excited. Their pores throbbed, and blood boiled as if their calling had come forth…

Heian Ciemnosc still didn’t lift his right hand, which he kept steady, and the assistant commander began gulping nervously again. But, this time, not out of the sensation of entering war… Instead, it was due to their military force, unit, and group started the battle before anyone else. Because they were already in the enemy’s missile range and they were in theirs.

Because the enemy was seemingly not daring to attack as they should’ve. A contest of unknown stares to unknown eyes began. And as the firsts to come and slow down, while the enemy was the last, signified their small victory already!

…