Chapter 20: This is our battle,,

As the battle intensified, the monster’s massive hands once again slammed into the ground with terrifying force. Haruka knew that a direct assault was futile; the creature was adapting to her telekinetic counterattacks. The ground beneath them trembled violently, the shockwaves so powerful that Freed could barely maintain control of the Humvee. The road in front of them cracked and crumbled, as if the monster had planned for this very moment—to break the path and leave them stranded.

Freed's hands gripped the wheel, his knuckles white with frustration. “HARUKAAAA!” he bellowed, panic creeping into his voice. “DO SOMETHING, OR WE’LL FALL ALONG WITH THE CRUMBLING ROAD!”

Kaede’s gaze fixed on the cracked earth ahead, realizing the danger. Haruka, unshaken, held onto the car and extended her hand toward the sky. With unwavering determination, she summoned a powerful gust of wind that surged around them, lifting the Humvee off the ground and carrying it over the treacherous chasm. They soared through the air, landing safely on solid ground beyond the destroyed road.

The group gasped, the tension and relief overwhelming them. It had been a close call, but they couldn’t afford to dwell on it. They had to keep moving. Freed slammed the accelerator, pushing the car forward.

“KAEDE, WHERE DO WE GO NOW?” he shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Kaede’s eyes scanned the horizon, and then she spotted a familiar landmark—an old river that wound through the landscape. Her face lit up with hope. “FOLLOW THE RIVER!” she shouted, her voice filled with conviction. “It’ll lead us to the Sakuta Port. From there, we can escape this country—ALL of us! We can make it!”

Her words resonated with the group, each of them feeling a renewed sense of determination. They couldn’t afford to fail now.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the air—Haruka’s voice, urgent and sharp. “BE READY! ATTACK FROM THE EAST SIDE! MISSILES ARE COMING STRAIGHT AT US!”

Without hesitation, Haruka extended her hand toward the incoming threat. Her powers flared as she gripped the missiles in midair, twisting the air around them. One by one, the missiles evaporated in blinding flashes, their explosive force sending shockwaves that rocked the surroundings. The resulting blasts created plumes of smoke and debris, but the Humvee remained unscathed.

Suddenly, just as Haruka was about to focus on the giant monster, a barrage of massive debris—huge stones—hurtled toward them at breakneck speed. She tried to stop them all at once, but there were too many, and their size was beyond anything she had anticipated. The stones struck the ground one after another, creating a web of cracks that weakened the road beneath them. The surface tore apart once again, sending tremors through the air.

Despite the chaos, Freed managed to find a way out, narrowly avoiding the destruction. He smiled nervously, grateful to have found a safe path for now. But Haruka knew escaping was going to be increasingly difficult as long as the massive monster was on their tail.

She gasped, torn between wanting to deal with the creature and not wanting to leave the others behind.

Suddenly, Ai leaned out of the window, her eyes filled with an unwavering determination. “HARUKA! WE’RE HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THE SAKUTA PORT! FOLLOW THE RIVER, AND WE’LL WAIT FOR YOU THERE!” she shouted, her voice full of resolve. It was as if Ai had read Haruka’s mind.

“IT’S ALRIGHT,” Ai continued, “WE CAN HOLD OUT FOR A WHILE. PLEASE, DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT MONSTER!”

Her words sparked a fire inside Haruka. She smiled, nodding in agreement. “Please, keep safe until then,” she said, her voice filled with trust. They had each other's backs, no matter the odds.

As the Humvee sped away, Haruka knelt on the rooftop, closing her eyes. The wind around her began to grow stronger, as if she were controlling it. In a burst of energy, she leapt off the roof and landed with grace, then ran toward the giant monster at a speed that defied logic.

The monster, sensing her approach, slammed its enormous foot down in an attempt to crush her. But as it hit the ground, it exploded from the force of Haruka’s telekinesis, severing its leg up to the waist. Haruka, undeterred, jumped into the air, propelled by the wind. She reached the monster’s head just as a deadly laser beam shot toward her at the speed of light.

Haruka didn’t react in time. The beam struck her with devastating force, and for a moment, it seemed like the impact would be enough to destroy her. A normal metallic dominion or Aether sentinel would have been liquefied by the intense heat, but Haruka’s skin was too resilient to be damaged so easily.

The sheer force of the attack, however, sent her crashing into the ground with brutal force. Pain radiated through her body, and she felt as though every bone had been shattered. But then, something miraculous happened.

A glowing aura surrounded her body, and in an instant, her energy and her injuries began to heal. She stood up, smiling despite the pain, and glanced at the monster’s feet, which had already begun regenerating.

“I guess this is a battle of endurance,” she muttered to herself, her face now steely and focused. “I have no time left. I’ll finish this once and for all.”

Kaede and the others finally arrived at the Sakuta Port, safe but uneasy. The Humvee slowed to a stop near the boats, yet the atmosphere felt wrong. The stillness in the air was unnerving, as if something was waiting to pounce. Freed frowned, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Even though their enemies knew what they were planning, there was no immediate sign of resistance. It was too quiet—too calculated.

As Saul reached for the door handle, Ai’s hand shot out, stopping him mid-motion. Her sharp, cautious eyes darted around the surroundings. “Wait,” she whispered, her voice steady but tinged with tension. “This feels... familiar. It reminds me of Chiba.”

The memory was vivid—a similar ambush where they’d barely escaped with their lives. She didn’t want to repeat that nightmare. Ai reached into her sock and pulled out a pen. “Pelly-chan,” she said, her voice low but commanding, “can you scan the area? Tell me if it’s safe.”

The pen responded with an almost cheerful tone. “Yes, Ai. Please wait a moment.”

Seconds felt like minutes as the group sat in tense silence. Then, an image projected from the pen’s tip—a detailed map of their surroundings. Red dots scattered across the area, marking enemies lying in wait. Ai’s stomach tightened as her suspicions were confirmed.

“We’re surrounded,” she said grimly, her gaze meeting Kaede’s. Her voice held a mix of fear and resolve. “Pelly-chan, if they launch an attack, deploy a defensive barrier around us immediately.”

“Yes, Ai,” the pen replied, its tone clear and precise. “But I can only sustain the barrier for a short time.”

Ai swallowed hard, her nerves on edge. “That’s fine,” she said. “Just give us enough time.”

Kaede stepped forward, her presence commanding as she surveyed the group. The weight of the moment was heavy on her shoulders, but she bore it with determination. She could feel the fear radiating from everyone, but fear wouldn’t save them now. Her voice rang out, strong and resolute.

“Everyone, listen to me.” Her tone was firm, and her words cut through the tension like a blade. “This moment—this battle—will decide everything. If we want freedom, we must fight for it. I know you’re scared. I am too. But nothing—nothing—is scarier than having your freedom stripped away.”

She paused, letting her words sink in. Her gaze swept across each of them, meeting their eyes with unwavering intensity. “Haruka is out there, risking everything to protect us. She’s putting her life on the line because she believes in us. We can’t let her sacrifice be in vain.”

Kaede took a deep breath, her fists clenched at her sides. “This is our fight—not just to escape, but to prove we’re more than what they think of us. We are human! And no one, no dominion, no monster, has the right to take that away from us.”

Her words hit like a surge of electricity, reigniting the fire in their hearts. Freed, Saul, Sean, Clint, Lux, and Ai straightened, their fear giving way to determination. They knew she was right. This wasn’t just about survival—it was about reclaiming their humanity, their dignity, and their freedom.

Freed glanced at Ai, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Let’s give them hell,” he said, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

The group braced themselves, the tension palpable. They had no choice but to fight—not just for themselves, but for the future Haruka was fighting so hard to protect.