Halochassis

Azazel’s crimson eyes flared like burning embers, their sinister glow intensifying as bloodlust consumed him. The air around his power armor trembled with violent energy as he lunged forward, pursuing Lireina through the sky with relentless fury. Twin energy swords carved brilliant crimson arcs through the atmosphere, leaving glowing trails in their wake. Each slash was powerful enough to split stone and steel, yet every attack met the same frustrating result.

Lireina danced effortlessly between the strikes. Her Autonomous Evasion activated with uncanny precision, moving her body mere fractions of a second before each blade could connect. The swords sliced through empty air, creating sharp whistles and bursts of displaced wind. Despite Azazel’s increasing speed and aggression, he couldn’t land a single hit. Every swing only scattered clouds and sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.

“Die! Die! Die!” Azazel roared.

Lireina remained on the defensive, weaving and spinning through the air while Azazel relentlessly chased her. Gusts of wind tugged at her golden hair as she twisted away from another flurry of attacks. The constant pursuit was beginning to irritate her. Azazel attacked with the stubbornness of a rabid beast, refusing to give her even a moment to breathe.

“Enough!”

With a sharp motion of her hand, Lireina created an Air Trampoline beneath her feet. The compressed platform of wind shimmered briefly before launching her upward with explosive force. She flipped in midair and brought her leg down in a devastating axe kick empowered by wind magic. The impact struck Azazel directly on the shoulder.

“Get a hint already!” Lireina shouted.

A deafening boom echoed across the battlefield.

Azazel plummeted toward the earth like a meteor. The moment he crashed, the ground erupted beneath him. Chunks of rock and dirt blasted into the air as a massive crater formed at the impact site. Dust clouds rolled outward in all directions while cracks spread across the frozen terrain.

Inside the armor, warning lights flashed violently across Shin’s HUD. The crimson orb embedded in Azazel’s chest began blinking rapidly.

[Warning: Hybrid Armor at 1%]

The warning filled Shin’s vision with crimson text, but he ignored it. Sweat dripped down his face inside the cockpit while pain coursed through every muscle in his body. His armor was depleted. His chances of survival were practically nonexistent.

Even so, Shin gritted his teeth so hard that his jaw ached.

If he surrendered now, he would die anyway. At least if he kept fighting, he could go down on his own terms.

“DIEEEE!” Shin screamed.

Azazel’s energy wings burst open behind him in a dazzling explosion of crimson light. The wings expanded like those of a demonic angel, illuminating the battlefield with an eerie glow. A moment later, the armor shot into the sky, leaving behind a thunderous shockwave.

Countless energy arrows materialized around the wings.

Then they were unleashed.

The crimson projectiles rained across the heavens like a deadly meteor shower. They screamed through the air at terrifying speeds, turning the battlefield into a web of destruction.

Lireina immediately reacted.

She twisted, flipped, and spun through the barrage with breathtaking agility. Her movements resembled an elegant dance more than a battle. Energy arrows exploded around her, sending bursts of heat and wind across her skin, but none could touch her.

As she gracefully sidestepped another volley, she drew both pistols.

While continuing her aerial waltz, she squeezed the triggers.

Six shots rang out in rapid succession.

The enchanted bullets streaked through the air and struck Azazel’s armor. Sparks erupted from the impact points as rounds hit his shoulder, legs, and helmet. Small fragments of armor chipped away and scattered into the sky.

“This is tougher than Semjaza!” Lireina mumbled through clenched teeth. “But I’m finally damaging it. I can do this!”

Far from the battlefield, atop the frozen hills, Croft remained hidden in her sniper position.

The icy wind howled across the snow-covered landscape, tugging at her coat as she lay perfectly still. Before her floated three intricate magical circles, each layered atop the other. Arcane symbols glowed with pale blue light as they amplified the power of her Magic Snipe skill.

Through her scope, Azazel appeared as a distant figure locked in combat with Lireina.

“Now let’s see who’s behind the mask,” Croft said with a confident grin.

She steadied her breathing.

Two kilometers away, Azazel remained unaware of the danger.

Croft pulled the trigger.

The enchanted bullet erupted from the rifle with a brilliant flash. Accelerated by layers of magic, it tore through the atmosphere almost as fast as lightning. A piercing crack echoed across the frozen hills as the projectile streaked toward its target.

Yet Azazel sensed the attack.

A warning flashed across Shin’s systems a fraction of a second before impact.

Without hesitation, Azazel’s energy wings wrapped around his body, forming a protective cocoon of crimson energy. The magical bullet struck the barrier an instant later.

BOOM!

A brilliant explosion of light erupted around Azazel, scattering crimson sparks across the battlefield. The force pushed him backward, but the barrier held.

“Shit! Almost got him!” Croft cried.

Then something made her blood run cold.

Azazel slowly turned his head toward the frozen hills.

Even from two kilometers away, the crimson glow of his eyes seemed to lock directly onto her position. Shin’s targeting systems had already identified the source of the sniper attack. Information streamed across his HUD, calculating distance, wind resistance, and ballistic trajectory.

A grim smile appeared on Shin’s face.

If Azazel could detect her, then he could kill her.

Slowly, the armored giant raised its massive magnum toward the distant hill.

The barrel aligned perfectly with Croft’s position.

“No! Stop!” Lireina cried.

Panic surged through her chest as she realized what Azazel was about to do. The battlefield, the explosions, and the chaos around her suddenly faded into the background. All she could see was the massive gun aimed at her friend.

Shin—or rather, Azazel—did not stop.

The Halochassis raised its massive magnum without the slightest hesitation and pulled the trigger. The deafening blast shattered the frozen battlefield’s silence, sending a violent recoil through Azazel’s armored frame. The bullet erupted from the barrel like a meteor, tearing through the air with terrifying force. Lireina’s wind barrier met it head-on, but the projectile punched through the swirling currents, unleashing a ring of compressed shockwaves that ripped across the battlefield. Snow exploded upward in white plumes, and cracks spread across the frozen ground beneath its path.

Lireina’s eyes widened.

She immediately raised both pistols and fired several rounds. Brilliant streaks of mana-infused bullets shot forward to intercept the incoming attack. However, the shockwaves surrounding the magnum round were far more powerful than she anticipated. The invisible pressure distorted the air itself, knocking her bullets off course before they could make contact. One by one, they veered away, disappearing into the snowy wasteland.

If I don’t do something... Croft will die! The realization struck her heart like lightning.

There was no time to calculate another solution. No time to formulate a perfect strategy. The bullet was already racing toward its target.

Lireina gritted her teeth and acted.

With a swift wave of her hand, she condensed wind mana beneath her feet and created an Air Trampoline. The compressed platform exploded upward the instant she stepped on it. A thunderous burst of wind launched her through the sky, her blonde hair whipping wildly behind her as she accelerated toward the bullet’s trajectory.

The freezing air stung her skin. The world blurred around her.

As she flew, she poured mana into her left pistol. Golden light gathered around the barrel, growing brighter and brighter until the weapon trembled under the concentrated energy.

”Magic Missile!” She fired.

A brilliant beam streaked across the battlefield and collided directly with the magnum round. The impact produced a violent explosion of mana and compressed air. A shockwave burst outward, scattering snow in every direction and momentarily obscuring the battlefield beneath a white cloud.

For a brief moment, Lireina felt relief.

Then her expression darkened.

The attack had worked—but only partially.

The magnum bullet’s power had been greatly reduced, yet it continued forward. Slower than before, but still carrying enough force to kill Croft if it reached her.

No... Lireina’s heartbeat thundered in her ears.

There was only one option left. Within an eighteenth of a split second, she made her decision.

Her Autonomous Evasion system disengaged.

The familiar sensation of automatic danger avoidance vanished instantly, leaving her vulnerable for the first time in years.

Then she moved directly into the bullet’s path.

The projectile struck her shoulder.

A spray of crimson blood erupted into the cold air, staining the white snowflakes around her. The impact spun her body sideways as searing pain exploded through her arm and shoulder. It felt as though molten metal had been driven into her flesh.

”No! Lena!”

Croft’s scream echoed across the frozen hills.

Lireina’s body trembled from the pain, but her sacrifice had achieved its purpose. The weakened bullet had lost enough momentum that its trajectory shifted downward. Instead of continuing toward Croft, it slammed harmlessly into the snow-covered ground, throwing up a cloud of ice and dirt.

For the first time in history, Lireina Ashford had been wounded.

The injury itself was only a graze compared to the devastating attacks she had endured throughout countless battles. Yet that fact hardly mattered.

The Untouchable Windwalker had bled.

A thin stream of blood trickled down her arm, dripping from her fingertips onto the snow below.

”Guh...”

Lireina squeezed one eye shut as another wave of agony surged through her shoulder. Her breathing became ragged, and sweat formed along her forehead despite the freezing temperature. Yet even through the pain, a small smile appeared on her lips.

”At least...” she whispered weakly. ”At least I saved Croft.”

Meanwhile, Azazel stood completely motionless.

Inside the Halochassis, Shin stared in disbelief.

His fingers remained frozen on the controls. His breathing had stopped. His mind struggled to process what he had just witnessed.

He had done it.

He, Shin Rebellium, had wounded the Untouchable Windwalker.

For years, Lireina Ashford had been an invincible legend. A hero whose name inspired hope across the continent. An existence so powerful that even demonic armies feared her.

And now she was bleeding because of him.

His chest tightened painfully.

The exhilaration of achieving the impossible battled against a crushing sense of guilt. Part of him was astonished by the power he now possessed. Another part wanted to deny reality altogether.

After all, Lireina was not merely a legendary warrior to him.

She was the woman he loved.

The image of her blood spraying through the air replayed repeatedly inside his mind. Every repetition felt like a knife twisting deeper into his heart.

The battle frenzy that had consumed him moments ago vanished completely.

Only silence remained. Only confusion. Only regret.

Yet amidst that turmoil, one realization became painfully clear. Lireina Ashford’s greatest weakness was not a flaw in her combat abilities.

It was her love for others.

She would willingly place herself in danger if it meant protecting someone she cared about. That was why she had stepped in front of the bullet. That was why she had bled.

Lireina slowly reactivated her Autonomous Evasion. The familiar currents of wind mana wrapped around her body once more, restoring her defensive instincts.

However, something immediately felt wrong.

Azazel was no longer attacking. In fact, it was not moving at all.

The giant Halochassis stood frozen amidst the snowstorm like a lifeless statue.

Why? 

Lireina’s brows furrowed. She could not understand what had suddenly caused the relentless attacker to stop.

Far away, on one of the frozen hills, Croft dropped to her knees.

Tears streamed down her face as she looked at the blood soaking Lireina’s shoulder. The sight filled her with guilt. If she had been stronger, Lireina would never have needed to sacrifice herself.

Her shaking hands hurriedly searched through her bag. Various tools and supplies spilled into the snow as panic clouded her movements.

”Come on... come on...”

Finally, her fingers found what she was looking for. A signal flare.

Croft stared at the device for a moment before tightening her grip. Her eyes reddened.

”I’m sorry, Lena,” she said, her voice trembling. ”I know you promised Shin that you wouldn’t call them.”

She lowered her head.

”But I won’t keep that promise.”

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

”Not if you’re getting hurt because of me.”

Croft covered her ears and pulled the trigger. A sharp hiss pierced the air.

The flare rocketed skyward, trailing golden sparks behind it. It climbed higher and higher before detonating above the Northern Fortress.

BOOM!

A radiant golden star blossomed across the heavens.

The brilliant light illuminated the battlefield, turning the snowy landscape into a sea of shimmering gold. The soldiers stationed throughout the fortress immediately looked upward. Guards abandoned their conversations. Warriors paused in the middle of battle.

Everyone recognized that signal.

Lireina’s eyes widened.

”That signal flare...” she muttered.

The golden light continued to shine overhead like a second sun.

Then the air itself began to distort.

Three massive golden portals manifested across the battlefield.

Ancient runes shimmered along their edges as divine energy poured into the frozen landscape. The pressure radiating from the portals was overwhelming, causing nearby soldiers to instinctively step back.

The snow trembled. The wind howled. And from within those portals, three figures emerged.

The Celestial Wardens had arrived.

The first figure to emerge from the golden portal was surprisingly small.

A boy no older than twelve stepped onto the frozen battlefield, his black cloaked robe swaying gently in the icy wind. Despite his youthful appearance, an unnatural stillness surrounded him. He carried a dark staff nearly as tall as himself, its polished surface engraved with ancient runes that glowed faintly beneath the golden light of the portals. Snowflakes drifted around him, yet not a single one seemed to touch his body, as though even nature itself hesitated to approach.

His youthful face was calm and expressionless. There was no fear, excitement, or curiosity in his eyes despite standing in the middle of a battlefield littered with destruction. The soldiers who recognized him immediately felt chills crawl down their spines.

He was the youngest among the Celestial Wardens. A genius feared throughout the continent. The prodigy known as the Silent Warlock— Cattleo Vi Examillenia.

The second figure emerged moments later.

A young woman stepped gracefully from the portal, her movements so silent and fluid that she seemed more like a shadow than a person. Long black hair flowed down her back, framing a pair of striking golden eyes that gleamed like a predator’s in the darkness. Distinctive cat ears protruded from her head, twitching ever so slightly as she surveyed the battlefield, while her uniquely styled hair resembled the shape of a feline tail.

She wore a sleek black shinobi uniform reinforced with enchanted armor plates that blended perfectly into the shadows. Countless concealed weapons were strapped across her body, hidden beneath layers of dark cloth. Her gaze swept across the battlefield with calm confidence, studying every combatant, every defensive position, and every possible threat within seconds.

The surrounding shadows seemed to stretch toward her feet, responding to her presence like loyal servants welcoming their queen.

The soldiers immediately recognized the legendary assassin. The Shadow Queen— Zerova.

Then the atmosphere changed.

A pressure descended upon the battlefield so immense that even veteran soldiers found themselves struggling to breathe.

The third portal brightened until it resembled a miniature sun.

Golden light flooded the frozen landscape. And then he appeared.

A towering figure stepped through the portal, his mere presence commanding the attention of every person present. Standing nearly three meters tall, he looked less like a human and more like a divine being descending from the heavens themselves.

His long golden hair flowed behind him like streams of liquid sunlight, dancing gracefully in the freezing wind. Draped over his massive frame was a pure white divine cloak embroidered with sacred symbols that shimmered with holy radiance. Every step he took caused golden particles to drift into the air around him, illuminating the snow beneath his feet.

His golden eyes slowly scanned the battlefield.

The moment his gaze passed over the soldiers, many instinctively lowered their heads. Others found themselves frozen in place, unable to withstand the overwhelming authority radiating from him.

This was not merely power.

This was dominance.

The aura of a man who stood at the pinnacle of humanity.

The strongest of the Celestial Wardens.

The hero celebrated across countless nations.

The Chosen Saint— Alexander Goldheart.

For a brief moment, silence consumed the battlefield.

Even the howling winds seemed to weaken in the presence of the three legendary Wardens.

But that silence did not last.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion erupted from the underground entrance of the Northern Fortress.

Stone walls shattered apart as chunks of rock and debris were hurled through the air. Dust and smoke billowed outward, engulfing the gateway in a dense cloud. The ground trembled violently beneath the force of the blast, causing nearby soldiers to stumble.

The Celestial Wardens immediately turned toward the disturbance.

Through the thick smoke emerged dozens of armed figures.

The Iron Bandits had arrived.

Their battle cries echoed throughout the fortress as they charged through the ruined entrance, weapons raised and engines roaring. Behind them came three gigantic silhouettes, their glowing eyes piercing through the dust cloud.

The first Halochassis stepped forward.

Blue armor gleamed beneath the golden light while enormous dark wings unfolded from its back. Its angelic appearance contrasted sharply with the sinister aura surrounding it.

Samael. The blue angel with dark wings.

Beside it emerged another towering Halochassis clad in brilliant white armor. A single black horn protruded from its head, giving it the appearance of a fallen celestial warrior. Arcane energy crackled across its frame as it advanced.

Mastema. The one-horned fallen angel.

Finally, the largest silhouette burst through the smoke.

Crimson armor covered its massive body, and draconic features protruded from nearly every part of its frame. Horns curved backward from its helmet while glowing red energy pulsed through the gaps in its armor like molten lava flowing beneath steel. Every step shook the frozen ground, leaving deep cracks in its wake.

Armaros. The draconic fallen angel.

The battlefield that had momentarily fallen silent was now plunged into chaos once more.

On one side stood three of the most powerful Celestial Wardens in existence, including the wounded Untouchable Windwalker.

On the other stood the Iron Bandits and four activated Halochassis, including Azazel.

Both factions stared at one another across the snow-covered battlefield.

The freezing wind howled between them, carrying the scent of blood, smoke, and gunpowder.

Everyone present understood the same terrifying truth.

The real battle was only beginning.