Chapter 8: We are friends,,

They hadn’t expected the dominions to be waiting for them the moment they emerged from the tunnel. The Ranged Combat Robots had already taken their positions, missiles locked and ready to fire at will. The Melee Combat Robots formed the vanguard, ensuring no one could either escape or get close to the Ranged units. Tactical/Utility Combat Robots stood in place, their red eyes glowing as they fixed their gaze on the pair, silently waiting for orders.

Haruka’s expression darkened. She had anticipated this, but it didn’t make it any easier to face. She could handle a situation like this alone, but protecting Ai while fighting was a whole different challenge. A sword materialized in her hand, and she gripped it tightly as the air around them thickened. Ai noticed the shift in her demeanor and spoke up, her tone defiant yet with a trace of concern.

“Don’t worry about me, Haruka. Despite my age, I can hold my own. This time, focus on protecting yourself.” Ai smirked, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead.

Haruka, however, bit her lip. She was torn. Her instincts screamed that Ai should be protected, but this was a fight they might not walk away from. Suddenly, a male voice echoed from the ranks of the robots, cold and commanding.

“We’ve surrounded you with heavy weaponry,” the voice said. “If you think you can escape, reconsider your decision and surrender now.”

The man emerged from behind the robots, smirking as he tried to undermine their position, his posture relaxed yet condescending. Haruka stepped forward, her gaze unflinching.

“There’s no point in interrogating us,” she said, her voice firm. “No matter how many robots you send, no matter how many of you come after us, we will never stop.” Her resolve was unshakable.

The man’s face twisted with frustration. “She's really acting on her own,” he muttered under his breath. Then, with a sigh, he continued, his voice laced with venom. He pointed at Haruka. “You are a dominion. That girl next to you is a human. You are two entirely different creatures. We dominions despise humans, because they used us for their own benefit in the past. They are the devils of this world, and we must eradicate them, or we will become their slaves.”

Ai looked at Haruka, her face serious as she waited for her response. The weight of the man’s words hung in the air, thickening the atmosphere between them. For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of wind and distant machinery.

Haruka took a step forward, her expression resolute. “Yes, you’re right. Humans used us in the past for their own gain. But that’s all behind us now. The ones who used us... they’re dead.” Her voice was low but filled with conviction. She pointed at Ai, who was startled by her sudden gesture. “This ‘devil’ you speak of smiled at me—genuinely smiled. She’s fragile, but she’s beautiful in her own way, full of passion, full of life. She’s fighting to survive in a world that’s bent on crushing her... a world that was shaped by my kind! She’s a human, and I will protect her—no matter what!”

Her voice rose in anger, the grip on her sword tightening as she glared at the man. The rage that had been simmering within her now boiled over, raw and fierce.

The man’s face darkened, his eyes narrowing. “Here I am, trying to show mercy, but I see now that your ignorance will be the one that will kill you.” He raised his hand, signaling the aether sentinels to prepare for the attack. “Fire!”

The command rang out, and the sentinels immediately unleashed a barrage of missiles, their deadly precision aimed straight at the two. Haruka and Ai barely had time to react as the missiles streaked toward them at breakneck speed.

Ai’s eyes narrowed. “Pelly-chan, activate the defense system immediately!” she whispered, her voice steady despite the chaos.

Almost instantly, a shimmering barrier surrounded them, enveloping their figures in a protective shield. The missiles slammed into the barrier one after another, each explosion shaking the air and sending shockwaves through the ground. Smoke billowed around them, obscuring the scene and temporarily masking the outcome.

The man stood, arms folded, smirking as he assumed the barrier would crumble under the assault. But when the smoke cleared, his expression faltered. The shield was still intact, the missiles having failed to penetrate it. Not even a crack.

Haruka glanced at Ai, her eyes wide with surprise. Ai met her gaze, her expression calm, almost smug.

“I told you,” Ai said with a slight smile. “I can protect myself. Now, focus on your fight.” She gave a small but firm nod, clearly trying to reassure Haruka that she was fine.

Haruka looked back at the advancing dominion forces, a new fire in her eyes. She had been worried, but now... now, they had a chance.

Once again, the Ranged Combat Robots fired their missiles at them, each one cutting through the air with terrifying speed, accompanied by a deafening whistle. Haruka took a deep breath, her focus narrowing as she gripped her sword tightly. With a single, decisive step forward, she swung her blade through the air, unleashing a massive shockwave that intercepted the missiles mid-flight. The missiles tore apart in mid-air, their fiery remains scattering into the sky.

Without wasting a moment, Haruka made her move. She dashed toward the Melee Combat Robots with overwhelming speed, her eyes locked on the enemies in her path. But the robots were prepared. In perfect unison, they activated their shields, forming an impenetrable barrier to block her advance. Haruka's eyes widened in surprise—she hadn't expected the robots to be so well-organized.

She stopped mid-charge, analyzing their formation. Thinking quickly, she swung her sword once more, sending another shockwave hurtling toward the emerging shields. But to her dismay, the shockwave was easily deflected, the force rippling off the shield like water against stone.

Haruka paused, recalculating her next move, but before she could react, missiles launched from multiple directions, speeding toward her with pinpoint accuracy. With a grim expression, she sprinted across the battlefield, cutting through the missiles with precise shockwaves, narrowly dodging laser beams that buzzed past her, and desperately attempting to destroy the emerging shields. But despite her relentless efforts, she could sense that her attacks were futile. The robots were adapting too quickly, and her strikes were no longer making an impact. She was growing frustrated, lost in her thoughts as she fought to maintain control.

Her lapse in awareness was costly.

A massive shadow loomed over her, and before she could even raise her sword in defense, a Utility Combat Robot appeared in front of her, its hulking frame blocking her path. Shocked, Haruka tried to react, but it was too late. The robot’s massive arm swung toward her with tremendous speed, the sound of its motion echoing like thunder.

The blow landed with a deafening crash. Haruka was sent hurtling backward, her body colliding with the buildings behind her, crashing through walls and windows as she was flung from one structure to the next. The sheer impact was enough to knock the wind from her lungs, and she vomited a mouthful of saliva onto the ground, her body aching from the brutal strike.

For a moment, everything was a blur. The world spun, and her mind swam with pain. But despite the agony, Haruka’s determination remained unbroken. She pushed herself up from the rubble, her body trembling but standing firm. Her eyes, now sharp and resolute, glowed with the intensity of stars in the night sky.

She wasn’t going to give up. Not now. Not ever.

She gritted her teeth, shaking off the dizziness in her mind. Her resolve was stronger than ever. She would fight until her last breath, no matter the odds.