Inside the massive cargo ship, Cranckor Sedmo felt a sudden dread. He slammed a lever forward, increasing the ship's speed to maximum, hoping to outrun the coming attack. But it was already too late.
Lanni was a blur of motion. She leaped from her horse and, with a powerful war cry, slammed her sword into the ground just ahead of the convoy. A massive shockwave of ethereal energy erupted from the point of impact, tearing through the earth itself.
The colossal cargo ship, despite its immense size and momentum, bucked violently. With a groaning screech of twisted metal, it was thrown sideways, grinding to a halt. The prison wagon, shackled behind it, slammed to its side as well, its metal bars rattling and shaking the terrified prisoners trapped inside.
The colossal cargo ship lay overturned on its side, metal groaning like a wounded beast. For a moment, the battlefield was still, then came the hiss.
Metallic hatches cracked open along the vessel's battered hull. One by one, palm-sized cubes spilled out, tumbling across the dust. At first they seemed harmless, scattering like toys, until the whirring began.
Click. Clank. Whir.
In perfect unison, the cubes unfolded, snapping into limbs, torsos, and helms. The ground shook as they expanded—small blocks stretching into full-sized Delta Robots, ranks swelling into the hundreds. Their steel eyes burned crimson as they turned toward the Zoners and Bears.
Lonnie, Commander of the Zoner Knights, took her stance, Moon Sword already thrumming with Abi energy. Beside her, Grinex, the massive bear warrior, hefted his battle axe, his bulk casting a shadow over her. The air itself seemed to tighten, vibrating with the weight of the coming clash.
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From the corner of her vision, Lonnie noticed Braxill staring at her. His childlike awe burned bright, innocence meeting her steel resolve. For just a flicker, her cheeks warmed. Never had she been seen as radiant as in that moment of war. With confidence he said "I'm going to be strong like her."
Lanni seeing Braxill said "I thought there were three bears, who is that child."
Griney "That's our luck star, and he's one of us."
But the battlefield gave no pause.
With a tortured groan, the cargo ship stirred again. Hidden legs extended, bracing against the ground. Slowly, impossibly, the overturned giant righted itself. Then, as though taunting its pursuers, the prison vessel rumbled forward, accelerating, dragging dust clouds in its wake.
Inside, the prisoners, Mama Bear Grixie, Moco, and countless others, remained trapped.
"Gravixor! Braxill!" Grinex's roar cut through the chaos like thunder. His muzzle bared in fury. "The ship, don't let it escape! Stop it at all costs!"
Without hesitation, Braxill and Gravixor tore away from the forming battle lines, sprinting after the moving fortress. Their mission was clear: rescue the captives before they vanished into the jaws of the Kingdom.
The battlefield held its breath, then the horde advanced.
Delta Robots surged forward in waves, flamethrowers sparking, steel feet pounding in unison.
Lonnie stood at the center of her Zoner soldiers, her sword glowing with pale fire. Grinex loomed beside her, his presence a mountain against the tide.
"Leader of the Zoner Knights... Lonnie Linwig." Grinex's grin split wide, savage and eager.
Lonnie met his gaze, her voice steady, sharp as her blade. "Grinex the Rumbler. Tell me, Bear—shall we dance?"
The great bear's laugh thundered over the battlefield, rolling like distant drums. "Delighted, Leader."
He turned, axe raised high, his roar shaking the ground. "Bears! With me! Tonight we repay them in full!"
The Zoner Knights raised their swords. The Bears bared their fangs.
And together, they charged.