The storm had intensified as did the situation the scripture was in. The heavy downpour and loud thunderous blasts echoed through the dark forest. The entire forest was drenched, the Androids surrounded and outnumbered them, their skills were unknown and they didn't exhibit any magic energy. This was a clear disadvantage to the Scriptures who heavily rely even on the faintest detection of magic.
Android EA-1 and EA-2 quickly followed Artemis who was just a foot against the translucent magic barrier cast by the mages. The metallic and organic nature of Artemis confused even the most experienced of the Scripture. Never in their lives have they encountered an abomination like Artemis and his minions, creatures who didn't possess even the faintest of magic which was omnipresent in Fordalt.
"We can take them," Quentiss said as she squinted forward. Clenching on her Bruxite Staff
"You sure? they may not seem much, but I'm not someone to underestimate the enemy easily" Veorgh was ready, on his palms came out two blue circles inscribed with ancient magic texts. These were the foundations of most spells, cast by hand-woven magic circles which summon forth the magic power into manifestations of energy.
Emma and Thourist were silent. They were standing right beside Valentine who was still on the floor, weakened by her fatigue. Freya wielded her golden spear which shone a golden light that illuminated the group and the Androids. The entire Scripture besides Valentine was wearing their holy armor given to them by the Pope himself who claimed the armor was nearly indestructible for they have been blessed by the gods themselves.
"We have our gods and goddesses by our side! for the Theocracy!" Gord shouted as a sign of strength and faith. The entire scripture was warmed by his words and they felt the gods themselves lend them their power.
"You four! retreat using teleportation magic and alert the Pope!" Gord commanded the four unknown mages. The four quickly disappeared using teleportation magic. But, this disallowed the rest of the party from using teleportation magic due to the risks of interference between dimensions
"Hiya!" Fast like a bullet, Freya charged as insane speed, pointing her spear towards the Androids.
"Enchant!" Her golden sword glowed even further as she enchanted it further with enchantment magic. Veorgh followed suit, lunging into the air and casting the spell he had ready on his palms. Gord unsheeted his sword and charged at Artemis with Emma and Thourist running behind her. Valentine stayed within the barrier.
Artemis was unfazed, displaying an expressionless look.
"Engage"
The Android Soldiers at the very front of the encirclement dashed at the same time at incredible speeds, despite the weight of Primelium and heavy bodies the the Androids were able to catch up with even the speed of Valentine who was considered the fastest of all assassins.
"Crap!" Freya's spear met with the Primelium metal of one of the Androids who charged at them, the frightening power of the Androids caused Freya to struggle and ultimately step back.
"They're strong!" Freya shouted.
"{Cast Twin Maximize Magic}, {Electrosphere!}"
Veorgh fired his high-voltage electric shock spell which released two massive lightning strike. The lightning strike came from both of his palms and targeted several Android Soldiers who were approaching the barrier. The lightning strike is way faster than the fastest bullet, however, the Androids able to dodged it but he could see some able to hit a small number of them.
Veorgh was terrified as he noticed that the electricity didn't affect the seemingly metallic skins of the Androids which he assumed would be good electrical conductor.
With her staff drawn, Quentiss met with two Androids who swung their batons at her with frightening power and precision. The three exchanged swings, with each strike of the two Androids becoming more and more powerful as the fight dragged on. The bruxite material her staff was made out of prevented her staff from being shattered form the immense force of the strikes.
Emma and Thourist were suddenly surrounded by ten Android Soldiers who wielded Battle Rifles rather than batons. Seperating them from Gord.
"What are those things?" Thourist asked in confusion.
"Must be some sort of modified Muskets" Emma answered, frowning at the Androids.
The ten Android Soldiers fired their Battle Rifles at the same time, Thourist and Emma both jumped into the air and retaliated using projectile magic summoned from their palms. The projectiles were dodged by the Androids and a firefight ensued.
Artemis was standing along with EA-1 and EA-2 as the rain kept on pouring. From the chaos, Gord emerged with his hands glowing blue and his sword was burning a blueish fire, unaffected by the rain.
"Interesting" Artemis thought. EA-1 and EA-2 both stepped forward and prepared to defend Artemis.
Gord's eyes suddenly started glowing blue and a fiery bluish haze enveloped him. A substantial change within his magic reserves and power could be detected.
Gord suddenly dashed forward with his sword above his head. He was shouting as he was stopped by the two Elite Androids with just their hands. His sword was easily grabbed by the two Androids who were unaffected by the blueish flame, Gord then hopped back a few feet.
"Welcome to our world, Earthling" Gord suddenly spoke but his voice was different, it was that of a female.
Artemis' interests were piqued, something possessed Gord and knew where he came from. This was a revelation that he thought he wouldn't come across.
"Interesting," He said.
"You know, I find it a waste we had to converse in such circumstances but due to the situation, you left me with no choice but to get rid of you myself"
"I don't think that's possible," Artemis said expressionlessly. Gord gave a wide smile that ran across his face, a blue light shined from inside his mouth.
"You see the chaos behind me? You may think you've got the upper hand but the Papal Scripture is more than capable of destroying your pathetic metallic puppets. Humans have their limits, even if they're made of metal"
"That's where you're wrong" Artemis said, a weird smile appeared on his face.
"We....."
He step foward and suddenly half of his face opens revealing his robotic face, the blank eyes and the red intimating hues that shooks their souls. He's mouth was a speaker but for them, he has no mouth like its face was just a mask. An abomination. Then Artemis spoke with more deep, and cold robotic sound.
......are machines"
"Eh?" Gord looked confused.
"It doesn't matter, we'll kill you all!" The entity on Gord announced.
EA-1 and EA-2 then dashed forward at the possessed Gord. Gord also charged forward and the two sides were in a collision course which would decide the ultimate fate of the Scripture and the Theocracy.
"You are incredibly confident in your swordsmanship, but.."
The two sides collide, both swinging their blades against each other. The force from the impact of the blades caused a shockwave which blasted the rain away over 500 meter radius and threw the scripture members a few meters, catching them completely off-guard.
Gord's flaming sword and the four blades form each of EA-1 and EA-2's hands met. Gord's sword slowly cracked, surprising the entity within Gord.
"You never used what was your advantage, magic"
Gord's flaming sword shattered in thousands of pieces. The entity within Gord looked in horror as a holy sword was shattered just like that. The entire Papal Scripture witnessed it, the storm was dying. The rain had stopped and the sun's beams were finally shining through the dark clouds.
"Impossible" Valentine looked on in horror and disbelief.
"From what I can tell, you were more than capable of bending the magic energy into further even more powerful forms which would have been catastrophic for us, but of course, ignorance reign supreme,"
The forest went silent, the chaos was taken over by a sudden peace. The Androids stop their engagement and stared the scripture.
And then, a loud thud broke the silence.
Gord went somersaulting through the air as EA-2 punched the poor fellow. Gord then fell hard head first to the wet soil. Barely missing the trees.
"W-what"
"Immobilize them"
All the Androids instantly drew out their Battle Rifles, shocking the papal scripture who quickly retreated to the barrier.
"Shit! prepare yourselves!" Valentine shouted.
The Rifles then fired, thousands of Primelium ammo with unknown red energy surrounding it exploded into a dazzling artwork of smoke and fire. The entire area was covered by smoke as the ground shook to the firepower. The Androids then ceased firing after 10 seconds.
The smoke began to clear, revealing a pile of bodies strewn all over the grass. Valentine was the only survivor.
Her eyes began to weaken and she struggled to keep them open.
Before her eyes finally shut, Artemis appeared for a mere second above her.
His face was void of expression, the metallic part of his face began to regenerate skin by his body's nanites.
A Monster
She thought before finally fainting.