The Last Dainv-Chapter 173

The Last Dainv-Chapter 173

These visions were called memories. That's what it was called on the map that Rachel took. Watching these two guardians taking positions, these were actual people that had lived in the past. The memory was accurate enough to even have an ether signature that Gale could see and feel. Yet all of them still couldn't hold up against the tide.
Lily turned to Clyde. "This is your fault. We could be learning actual useful information from historical records, but instead you dragged us into some gladiator fantasy."
Kyle waved his hand dismissively. "Relax, scout lady, girl or whatever you wanna call yourself. If we're going to end up fighting these robot bastards anyway, might as well see what the best of the best looks like in action."
"Hmph." Rachel crossed her arms. "That's just an excuse to watch giant robots beat the crap out of each other."
"Kyle's got a point though," Ollie said. "Combat intelligence is still intelligence. Besides, we're already here. Might as well enjoy the show."
"We should log out immediately and check the historical archives. Understanding what happened to this civilization matters more than entertainment," Lily said.
Ollie ignored her, pointing to six blue outlines glowing against the curved seating. "Look, there's space for us. Might as well sit down."
The group moved toward the glowing seats. Each chair appeared solid as they got close. Kyle dropped into his seat first, leaning forward to see the arena better.
Clyde flopped into his seat next to Kyle. "This beats standing around talking about dead people."
Sitting on the transparent seats, it felt like a cushy armchair. Gale never had the chance to visit any arena. Even only saw the Air Canada Centre from afar, wondering what all the buzz was about.
Rachel sat beside him, still complaining. Ollie took the seat next to Clyde.
"Those dead people might have warnings about what's coming for us," Lily said, heading to the last seat. Her complaint sounded weaker now.
Kyle turned to his brother. "Twenty bucks says the big red tank wins."
"You're on," Clyde said. "Blue's got speed and reach. Tank's just going to lumber around until blue lady picks him apart."
Both twins looked at Gale. Clyde leaned forward. "What about you, rookie? Which metal monster gets your vote?"
Gale looked from Hellbringer to Stormbreaker, looking them down and up. Hellbringer moved like a fortress. Literally. It looked like a moving castle with big hunking walls and cannons. Simple basics. Strong base, better firepower, make the opponent come to you.
Stormbreaker moved between obstacles like water. Her style was to never stay in one spot for too long and get hit. It was clearly built for speed and finesse rather than raw power. Each move was calculated for maximum strategic execution. Though that sounded a bit cliche.
Her style felt closer to Dainv Combat Arts, focused on flow based on how she demonstrated moving to different platforms earlier. He'd need to see her in action before making a conclusion, though. One thing he learned from fighting the knight was that chunkiness can beat speed.
"The red one," Gale said.
Kyle slapped his chair arm. "Ha! Rookie's got taste. That's what I'm talking about."
Clyde shook his head. "You're both idiots. Size doesn't win fights. Speed and precision and accuracy and strategy and-."
"Two for red, one for blue so far," Kyle cut off Clyde before turning to Ollie. "Boss man, what's your pick? Don't tell me you're going with the walking fortress too."
"Blue. That rifle she's carrying has more range than anything red's packing. She'll pick him apart from distance," Ollie said.
"Two and two," Kyle grinned. "Rachel, you're the tiebreaker. Which
knightmare
gets your vote?"
"It's gotta be the red one," Rachel said. "Look at that armour and sheer firepower. Blue's going to take too long to chip away at it."
Clyde rolled his eyes. "Of course Rachel picks the same one as Gale. You two always agree on everything."
"That's not true," Rachel pouted.
"Really? Name one time you didn't agree with him or didn't support him," Clyde said.
Rachel opened her mouth, then closed it. Kyle snickered.
"See?" Clyde said. "Three for red, two for blue. Lily, you're our last hope. Please tell me you've got some sense."
Kyle turned to Lily. "What's your take, scout lady? Red or blue?"
Lily crossed her arms, glaring at Kyle, then side eyeing the two mechs down in the arena. "This whole thing is ridiculous. We should be researching their history. Watching giant robots beat the shit out of each other isn't fun as surviving."
"Come on," Kyle said. "Just pick one.
For science
."
Lily sighed, but Gale noticed a slight smile at the corner of her mouth. Her eyes darted between Hellbringer and Stormbreaker, but eventually settled on the blue one.
"Blue's fast," Lily said. "Red's slow. End of discussion."
Kyle fist pumped. "Three and three! Perfect split."
"Speed kills," Lily said. "Red thinks he can just sit there and tank damage, but blue's not going to let him. She'll dance around him until he buckles."
Clyde pumped his fist. "Finally, someone with tactical sense!"
"Says someone who just stands and shoots," Kyle laughed.
"Shut up, Kyle." Clyde elbowed Kyle.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's match. I am your lead commentator, Yandil. Make sure you've placed your bets and grabbed your snacks and drinks because it's going to be one hell'uv'a finale!" the announcer said.
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. any sightings.
The crowd cheered louder, and the fans visibly showed their support by taking up light poles of either red or blue. There were more red than blue, signifying that everyone wanted the underdog to win. The electricity affected even Gale as he looked forward to the event. Even though this was a life and death situation in this rift, it felt like he was finally able to live the high life of watching events like this.
"Both Guardians have taken their positions!" Yandil said. "Hellbringer has claimed the high ground behind Platform Seven, giving him better firing angles and coverage. Classic military move. Make them come to you!"
Hellbringer's weapons rotated, tracking Stormbreaker. Missile launchers stuck out from his shoulders, each loaded with car-sized projectiles. Energy cannons along his arms charged up, building power for the first shots.
"Stormbreaker refuses to play by the rules!" Yandil shouted. "She's using the arena's design to her advantage, staying in motion, not giving her opponent a clean shot! This is what twenty years of championship experience looks like!"
Stormbreaker's rifle fired a test shot, sending a blue beam across the arena floor. The blast hit an empty platform, melting a truck-sized hole in the metal. The crowd cheered louder as the current champion showed her might.
"Both pilots are ready," Yandil said. "Arena shields are active. Medical teams standing by. Combat restrictions lifted!"
Kyle leaned forward. "Here we go."
Rachel tensed up, grabbing and squeezing Gale's arm that it almost hurt. But he too was also excited. This was an experience he'd never had before, of watching something in a stadium.
"Championship rules are in effect!" Yandil shouted. "Victory by surrender, knockout, or destruction! No time limits! No quarter asked, none given!"
The arena lights shifted, lighting up both Guardians. Hellbringer's red armour looked like fresh blood. Stormbreaker's blue plates shone like polished sapphire.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for!" Yandil paused. The crowd suddenly silent.
"FIGHT!"
The arena exploded with noise as both Guardians moved.
Hellbringer fired first. Six missiles streaked across the floor, trailing white smoke. They curved through the air, chasing Stormbreaker.
Stormbreaker jumped between platforms, like a cat jumping between platforms. The missiles hit empty spaces behind her, explosions sending chunks of the arena's metal floor flying everywhere. A few pieces of debris hit the shields that protected the spectators, making them cheer even louder.
"Opening shots from Hellbringer!" Yandil yelled. "Classic firepower approach! But Stormbreaker's too fast to get hit!"
"Look at those explosions! Each missile could flatten a whole block!" Kyle shouted.
Stormbreaker raised her rifle mid-jump, firing three quick shots of blue beams that hit Hellbringer, but he didn't move. The shots hit his armour, sparking away and spreading across multiple panels. He barely budged from the hits.
"Direct hits on Hellbringer's front armour!" Yandil shouted. "But those plates were built to take that punishment! Standard rifle shots won't get through that defense!"
Clyde leaned forward. "See that? Blue's rifle isn't doing enough damage. She needs to find weak spots."
"GO HELLBRINGER!," Rachel shouted. "GIVE THAT BITCH HELL."
Hellbringer's own laser cannons charged up, power building along his arms. He waited for Stormbreaker to land, then fired both cannons at once. Two fiery beams cut across the arena, melting through metal platforms like butter.
Stormbreaker rolled behind cover just as the beams passed through where she'd been. The energy hit the arena wall, leaving glowing trenches in the metal, then finally hitting the energy shield that covered the spectators.
"Hellbringer's energy cannons pack serious heat!" Yandil shouted. "Those beams can cut through anything! Stormbreaker's speed is the only thing keeping her alive!"
"Holy shit," Kyle stared at the hot molten metal in the arena. "Those cannons would slice through the spider mechs like paper."
Stormbreaker vaulted again, jumping to a higher platform. She fired her lightning rifle four times, hitting the same spots on Hellbringer's armour. Each shot landed in the same area; it was no use as Hellbringer's armour didn't even glow hot or show any physical damage.
Hellbringer turned his torso, aiming his shoulder missiles. Another volley launched, this time spreading wider to cover multiple escape routes.
"Stormbreaker's trying to focus fire on Hellbringer's left shoulder!" Yandil shouted. "Smart thinking! But Hellbringer's not giving her time to keep shooting the same spot!"
The missiles forced Stormbreaker to leave her position. She jumped to the arena floor, rolling between explosions as shrapnel flew around her.
Gale saw the intentional movements of Hellbringer. Every shot had the purpose of leading Stormbreaker, just like what Sister Mary did to him. It controlled space while Stormbreaker took space. Now it was a matter of who could get the other to be in a disadvantage as they both seemed equally matched.
Stormbreaker changed tactics. Instead of going high, she stayed low, moving between the remaining floor obstacles. Electric charge spun in her lightning rifle, making the barrel turn the blue accents into white.
"Stormbreaker's switching to charged shots!" Yandil shouted excitedly. "More power means better armour penetration, but slower firing! Big risk, big reward!"
The charged shot hit Hellbringer's armour dead centre. This time, the energy didn't spread out. It burned through the outer plating, leaving a glowing hole in the metal.
"Shit!" Kyle jumped up. "Hellbringer stay in there! That bitch's got nothing on you!"
Hellbringer stepped back half a step, his first real movement since taking his defensive position. Warning lights flashed on his chest where the shot had gone through.
"First blood to Stormbreaker!" Yandil said.
But Hellbringer adapted right away. His remaining armour shifted, angling for better protection. The damaged section moved behind overlapping plates, hiding the weak spot.
"Hellbringer's armour is self-repairing!" Yandil said. "Adaptive plating technology! The damage is still there, but now it's protected!"
"THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Rachel shouted. "BRING THIS ARENA HELL!"
Ok, now Gale shrank bank into his seat as he saw a new side of Rachel. First time seeing a stadium match. Now, first time seeing how crazy people get in a stadium.
Hellbringer responded hard and fast. All his weapons fired at once. Missiles, energy cannons, and smaller guns created a wall of destruction across the arena floor.
Stormbreaker had nowhere to run. The attack covered too much ground, destroyed too much cover. She raised her rifle, firing rapidly at incoming missiles to blow them up early.
Explosions bloomed around her. Metal fragments filled the air. Blue beams cut through the chaos, searching for their target.
"Total firepower from Hellbringer!" Yandil shouted through the carnage. "This is what happens when you hurt a Guardian! They hit back harder!"
When the volley ended, Stormbreaker stood in a crater surrounded by smoking debris. Her blue armour showed scorch marks from shrapnel and laser beam hits. She moved slower now, systems damaged from the assault.
Kyle sat back down. "Damn. Red just showed blue why you don't poke the bear."
"Look at her movement," Ollie said. "She's favouring her left side. Something's broken."
Hellbringer didn't let Stormbreaker recover. He moved from his defensive position for the first time, each step shaking the arena floor. His weapons kept firing, forcing her to keep moving despite her damage.
"Hellbringer has left the high ground!" Yandil shouted. "He's pressing his advantage! This is a completely different fighting style! Aggressive, non-stop, devastating!"
Stormbreaker tried to create distance, but the arena had shrunk around her. Most platforms were now in ruins. The walls showed scars from lasers, missiles, and who knows what else kind of weapons. Her mobility advantage disappeared with her cover.
Hellbringer advanced methodically. First, he cut off escape routes with cover fire, pushing Stormbreaker into a smaller and smaller area. Each time he fired, he would bring a step in when his opponent was on the defense. Second, he concentrated and predicted where his enemy would land her hits, focusing more of his shields on those parts. Third, he capitalized on the advantage of his bulk, waiting patiently every time to place a strategic shot without getting angsty.
"Ten years of experience versus raw will power!" Yandil sounded genuinely excited. "Stormbreaker's championship reign is in serious trouble! Can experience beat overwhelming chunkiness?"
Stormbreaker's rifle charged again, building power for another penetrating shot. But Hellbringer saw it coming. His missile systems targeted her position before she could fire.
The forced dodge ruined her aim. The charged shot went wide, hitting the arena wall instead of her target.
"Stormbreaker's running out of options!" Yandil shouted. "Hellbringer has taken control of this fight! The underdog story keeps going!"

Chapter 173