80 Orlando – Part 2 (1/2)
Ed left the Mayor's building. Chimeras were locked in combat with espers all over the place. As their anger increased, so did their strength. Their tough scales and quick movement was a new experience for most of the opposing espers. Traditionally, most espers preferred long-range combat. The occasional close-quarters combatant could easily be ganged up against and struck down. But here, the chimeras were in their own squads, and they fought without the slightest fear of injury, as if they were operating only on their most basic of instincts.
Unfortunately, the chimeras had one huge weakness. They couldn't fly. Ed noticed the lack of air support and took to the skies himself. He charged towards an esper that was firing orbs of bright light down at the chimeras. A ball of darkness appeared in Ed's hand and he hurled it forward. The enemy esper noticed and countered with his own white orb. The two opposing forces released a small shock wave. The elements dispersed in all directions. Some of the dark element landed on the esper's body, causing it to sizzle and bubble. He howled in pain as he fell from the skies, the acid-like mana continuing to corrode his body on the way down.
'Mm.' Ed nodded in satisfaction. 'I should mix up the elements I use more often since I have all of them now. He spotted another esper in the air, wings of lightning flapping behind her. Ed aimed towards the woman and activated the earth-mana battery. Small chunks of rock appeared in his hand and fused together into a larger rock. Then he shot it forward. The woman shot two streaks of lightning towards the rock, but barely did any damage. The rock continued shooting towards her. She frowned and flashed away, easily avoiding the projectile.
'Earth is good against lightning in general, but it's too bad she's so fast.' Ed sighed. 'Where did she even go?' The woman had completely vanished from sight, seemingly having decided to avoid strong opponents.
Ed Focused his attention back on the battles below. The casualties had grown on both sides, but the chimeras were clearly winning. He could see flames and smoke in the distance, quickly traveling towards the center of the city. The heat warmed his cold-blooded body, causing his muscles to relax slightly. The slightest hint of smoke burnt his nostrils.
Soon, the superhumans arrived, appearing from the surrounding flames. Some of them were sweating and shaking, likely caused by the side-effects of being forced to use adrenaline shots in a desperate battle. 'I really need to come up with further improvements for them.' Ed sighed to himself while shaking his head. The chimeras were clearly the superior creation between the two groups. They had barely lost 10 percent of their combat forces in this battle, and that percentage represented mostly weaker chimeras. Meanwhile, it looked like at least a quarter of the superhumans had died.
The enemy espers were beginning to group together into large squads. Even after losing half their forces, they still had over 100 espers available. Ordinary soldiers were also gathering in mass, but they were mostly focused on putting out fires and saving citizens. They could hardly make a difference in the current battle. If they were prepared beforehand in formations with steam tanks and mechs, then maybe they could help defeat Harmony, but it was too late for that now.
Suddenly, the lightning-winged woman appeared again, standing in front of the army of espers. She frowned while facing Harmony's forces. ”I take it you're Forge?” She questioned. The surrounding flames cast dancing shadows upon her face and body, making her appear all the more menacing.
”I am.” Ed nodded while smiling. ”I don't recall seeing you in the book I got from Nexus. I'm guessing you're from out of state?”
”I am.” She easily agreed. ”However, I stand with my Orlando brethren and have been put in charge here. You stand no chance now that we've gathered up like this. Surrender peacefully.”
Ed went speechless for a second as his mind processed the demand. 'Is she crazy?' He studied the woman carefully but could think of no cards the Orlando Hunter Association had in their favor. Finally, he spoke aloud the thoughts that were loudest within his mind. ”You're joking, right?”
”You'd be a fool to think you can win!” She replied confidently. ”We, of the Hunter Association, have never lost a battle!”
'Ah, so she is crazy.' Ed nodded in understanding. 'Maybe shell shock from the war? The Hunter Association hasn't fought in a formal battle in... ever? They only sweep sinner gangs and go mutant hunting.' He shook his head and sighed. 'Many pointless deaths will come on both sides from continuing this battle. I'd prefer not expending my forces.'
He slowly looked over the opposing espers. Most were stuck on the ground, as he had previously eliminated the flying espers attacking the chimeras. The superhumans had likely eliminated the rest of the flying espers near the city walls. Ed straightened his posture and folded his hands behind his back. The flames from his feet held him steady in the air. He shouted towards the enemy, ”To those of you who do not wish to throw their lives away, you may surrender. I will recruit you into our army as temporary forces until the end of the war. Then you'll be free to go.”
The opposing espers began whispering to each other, weighing their options. Most espers were inherently selfish and would choose the winning side. Fleeing was no longer an option, for both sides would likely strike them down in such a scenario.
”Humph!” The lightning-winged woman snorted. ”Do you think you can persuade us with sweet words? If anything, it should be you who is begging to surrender peacefully!”
Several of the nearby espers looked at their commander, their eyes filled with doubt. Clearly even they thought she was a bit off her rockers.
Ed held out his hand, all fingers pointed towards the sky. ”We have superior air support and ground forces. I will count down from five. Anyone who has not surrendered by then will be eliminated with extreme prejudice.”
”Five.” He said while folding down his thumb. The opposing espers continued whispering to each other.
”Four.” He continued as lowered his index finger.
”I'm switching!” A chubby esper on the ground yelled as he began traveling through the no man's land between the two sides.
”YOU DARE?!” The lightning-winged esper yelled as lightning snaked out from her wings, shooting towards the traitorous esper.
Ed immediately flew in front of the lightning and fired two streams of water. The lightning exploded into a series of smaller bolts upon contacting the water. Then the energy dispersed, doing no damage to him. ”Three.” He said while folding down his middle finger.
That seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back, for nearly 20 percent of the enemy forces charged forward, obviously intent on switching sides. The lightning-winged esper appeared shocked by the betrayal, as if she truly never expected it.
'I guess this is what Dupe meant by corrupt and weak leaders rising through the ranks.' Ed sighed. It was obvious that this woman had no talent warranting a high rank in the military, and yet she had been promoted to leading one of the two most important cities in the Florida war. She was likely the daughter of someone important in the Hunter's Association; or perhaps a government official's child.
Ed counted the espers that switched to his side. '25 in total. That's about all I can afford right now with my current supplies. Finally, I'll be able to start my third and final plan.' He lowered his hand in a quick chopping motion. ”CHARGE!” He yelled as he flew forward, leading the forces from the front.