In the morning, Chella and her companions get in their vehicle and wait for Junko to ready herself to come along with them. They know that the upcoming battle will be tough so rushing isn't recommended. After Junko is done with preparations, she hops on the vehicle with them. And thus they set of from the town as its people give them cheerful goodbyes.

For Junko, she has spent hours of last night contemplating wether to trust Chella and her team or just go off on her own. In the end, she decided to trust them for once. That's why now she's here, sitting along with a group of people inside a huge red vehicle with a large drill on the front. She convinces herself that taking down an infamous indivual could attract the right people to give her intel in order for her to continue on her search. Whatever she is searching for, she would rather keep it to herself. Opening up to someone is a challenge on its own.

No sounds are heard other then the spinning wheels, machines operating and the wind blowing in the air. Though the sounds outside are isolated by the layers of the vehicle's body, only the machine sound accompany the awkward silence. Even someone as cheerful as Chella is pondering on which word to use to break the everlasting ice.

The crystal controlling girl initiates a conversation. Perhaps she doens't like how silent it is today, especially when Chella doesn't talk either.

"Um... I know everyone is trying to mentally prepare themselves for what comes next but not talking it out would make it harder." *turns her head down slightly*

*sighs* "She's right." *rubs his moustache* "It's not like any of us is going at it alone. We have each other."

From a corner, Junko silently observes her temporary companions. She hopes that they won't hold her back in battle. She has never fought alongside someone before, let alone a bunch of people.

Noticing Junko observing, Evaline turns to her.

"Do you perhaps have something to say?"

*shakes her head gently* "No. I don't feel the need to say anything. I wish to ready myself surely."

*fidgets a device* "Just let her be. It's best not to pester the likes of her."

"Are you still bitter about her catching you for cheating in poker?"

*widens her eyes* "Hey! We don't talk about that anymore."

*nods her head understandingly* "If you say so..." *turns to Chella* "May I have another comic book of yours? I wish to ingrain the earthling cultures into my soul."

Seeing her friend being interested about her stash of well-drawn comics, Chella takes one and gives it to her. Part of Chella feels grateful for Evaline for ending the silence in her stead. As if fate has decided to give her a chatting partner for the day, Gilbert turns to her, seriousness shown all over his facial muscles.

"Do you mind... telling me more about you past?"

*looks visibly startled* "Why now? Of all times..."

"I know it's inconvenient for you, but I think knowing more about your origins and abilities might give us a chance to emerge victorious on the upcoming fight."

*lets out a sigh* "Unfortunately, I don't remember anything before being... taken care of by Bit."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

*nods understandingly* "Is that so? Bit, do you know anything?"

"Affirmative, let me access to my memory databa-"

Suddenly, a strong force hits the vehicle causing the passangers inside to almost fall of their seats. Chella looks at the monitor only to be notified about several unknown signals approaching their location.

"Caution, Omega Driller is being attacked. Engaging in defense mode."

*Nova looks around* "Why the heck are we attacked so suddenly?"

*Evaline tries to balance herself* "Has the enemy decided to come for us first?"

*Gibert readies his laser rifle* "The enemy must've been tipped off of our movements. We have no choice but to fight."

With that, the old man climbs to the top of the vehicle and proceeds to aim at the approaching aircrafts. At the same time, Nova tries to fix the damaged engine. Evaline, Junko and Chella hop of together to deal with the enemies approaching on land.

Evalines materializes crystal spears out of thin air as she refers to them as condensed light, hurling them at the enemies riding the hoverbikes. Many of them are knocked off their ride due to the impact. In another direction, Junko is surrounded by a few armed men but she confisicates their weapons with a simple gesture. Unbeknowsnt to her, a sniper tries to shoot her from afar until a voice inside her mind warns her. She takes down that guy as well.

*Junko folds her arms* "So that's your Addition? You would make a good scout."

"I can fight too, you know." *Chella grabs a guy's weapon and attacks the others* "Still, this is out of character for the lion... to hide behind his men like that."

"Doubt it, that guy must be gauging our level of strength. Which means we should prove ourselves worthy of his roar."

*Chella nods* "Exactly what I have in mind."

Seeing the two girls fighting excitedly, Evaline thinks to herself that fighting is also a form of culture for some people. She decides to try it herself too. Despite the enemies louging on her while holding spears and stuff, she still possess a clear advantage as an Apex. The shining stones containing light are her friends in the battlefield. No enemies shall surpass the compressed willpower she has in order to strive for the life she wishes for on the surface.

Meanwhile, Gilbert tries to deal with the aerial forces approaching from afar. Few of his shots along with the vehicle's cannon manage to take down some of them. Right now, he and Bit are like two soilders in a war, fighting alongside each other. Which temporarily blurs the different between humans an A.I's.

Nova also tries her best to fix the engines, tools and equiptmey nts laid all over the surroundings of where she's sitting. Though she'd rather helping out in the battle due to being an Apex herself. The thing she's doing right now is however as important as what the others are doing out there.

*wipes her forehead* "I have to do my best... My friends are out there... fighting, ornly my hands could fix this thing."

No matter how many are deployed into the battle to stop their track they still fight on. Eventually, the enemies decide to retreat. It is not known if they are terrified that the number has decreased or due to order from higher-ups. Regardless, this allow Chella's group to rest. Nova has also successfully fixed the engine. And then, they continue on the way as they board the vehicle.

Then, they finally notice the sight of a metal fortress on a high mountain. It is truly a perfect place for a lion to reign over its land.

The place resembles an old castle described in the archived history but in this case, the structures are built fully with metal. The four wachtowers that formed a square isolating the place inside from the wasteland. Each tower has a large light put on top so that the guards patrolling there could carefully secure the fortress, ensuring nothing will disturb their king.

Although, such lights won't be necessary for the upcoming intrusion from Chella's group will be done under the sunlight. As the vehicle heads off to the mountain, some men patrolling the towers have noticed the uninvited guesses approaching and raised the alarm.

Meanwhile, the very owner of the fortress where he reigns over the lands underneath is already expecting the advances of his foes. The lord whom he has served has warned him and the others of the threat their organization is facing. Which is why the process of the great plan is speeding up to avoid risks.

However for the mighty Lion himself, this is a golden chest burried deep in the sea of chaos. Every fiber of his being is itching for battle. He hopes that the intruders could make it pass the challenge prepared for them inside his domain before fighting the big boss which is himself.

Perhaps, the next meal the lion has might be the best it has ever tasted. The lion wishes for nothing other than to enjoy its life to the fullest, not held back by the social norms and face those of the same mindset as their talk using fists and screaming.

*chuckles* "I'm looking forward to meet you... sparing partners."