Metaverse of Mechas

📘 Chapter 13

💔 Scene 1: Duel of the Damned – Zeron vs. Vexcore

Zeron stood face-to-face with the corrupted ghost of Vexcore—his first ever Mecha, twisted into a monstrous blend of old steel and forgotten grief.

The corrupted voice crackled through static:

"You abandoned me in the Void, Zeron. Do you know what it's like to feel scrapped?"

Zeron's heart wavered. This mech had saved him years ago, sacrificing itself during a failed training mission in the Dead Circuit.

He whispered, "I didn't abandon you… You chose to save me."

"But I never chose to die."

Aeon-Veil's systems blinked red as Zeron's Krono spiked from guilt. Zui's voice cut through the comm-link.

"Zeron, it's not him anymore. It's just data. A virus."

Zeron exhaled. "No… not just data."

He charged.

Blades met twisted steel. Memories flooded the air like digital screams.

Every move from Vexcore matched Zeron's — a mirror of his own fighting style. Every parry, a memory. Every strike, a regret.

But then — Zeron closed his eyes mid-battle.

And whispered:

"You were never my weapon, Vexcore. You were my friend."

A pulse of pure Krono erupted — for the first time, not just a colorless stream… but a faint hue of indigo.

The memory-virus began to unravel.

And with one final strike, Zeron severed the core.

"Goodbye, old friend."

🔫 Scene 2: Nyza vs. Niris – Blood and Bonds

At the pylon spire, Nyza stood above the battlefield, her clothes torn, pistols smoking.

Her sister — Niris, a high-ranking member of the Dark Synapse — knelt, bleeding, grinning.

"You always chose the light, sis. But the light never saved us in Skyline."

Nyza trembled, pistol aimed at Niris' chest.

Niris laughed weakly. "Go ahead. Kill me. Just like Mom did to Dad."

Nyza's hands shook. "You don't know what you're saying."

"I do," Niris coughed, "I remember the night she chose to save you… and left me behind."

Behind her, Zero arrived just in time to see Nyza lower her weapon.

"I won't become the monster," Nyza whispered. "But I'll stop you."

Instead of killing Niris, she aimed at the pylon core — and fired.

The structure shattered. Revenant's drain weakened.

But Niris' last words echoed:

"Next time… I won't beg for death."

🧠 Scene 3: Saving Zake's Mind

Inside the memory-looped pylon, Zake's consciousness began collapsing.

Data overload. Emotional corrosion. Identity fracture.

He floated in a simulated void — memories blending into nightmares.

His mother crying. His father's silhouette fading. Zui's face covered in blood.

Rin rushed to his side in the simulation.

"You idiot," she whispered, holding his data-avatar. "You think we hate you? That we blame you?"

Zake's voice trembled. "I betrayed you."

"No," Rin said, pressing her forehead to his. "You made a mistake. But you're still ours."

Her Krono flared—a rare golden hue, linked to emotional tethering.

She anchored Zake's soul.

The system bled light. The pylon destabilized.

"Memory overload averted," Zake murmured, waking up.

And for the first time, he smiled at Rin—not with guilt, but gratitude.

🎭 Scene 4: Lyra Reveals Herself

In the aftermath of the final pylon's destruction, Zeron and the others regrouped.

Nexaris stabilized. Revenant-Veil entered hibernation mode.

But peace was an illusion.

Zeron walked alone near the edge of a collapsed building when she appeared—masked, poised, silent.

"Hello, Zeron."

He froze. That voice.

She removed the mask.

Lyra.

His ex-girlfriend. The one who'd left him when he was powerless.

The one who now stood as a top lieutenant of the Architect's forces.

Zeron's voice cracked. "You… were working with them all along?"

"No. I joined after I saw you refuse your calling," she said softly.

"You gave up, Zeron. You hid behind your siblings. You could've been great."

His fists clenched.

"You think I wanted to be weak?"

"No," she stepped closer. "But weakness is a choice when you run from your destiny."

She kissed his cheek.

"You still have the Spiral, Zeron. And when you awaken it… I'll be waiting."

Then she leapt from the ledge, vanishing into the skyline.

🔐 Scene 5: The Third Gate

Deep in the Earth's magnetic crust, locked beneath ten thousand Chrono Seals—

The Third Gate stirred.

A massive circular vault powered by cosmic patterns, humming with whispers.

The Architect stood before it, hands raised.

"The pylons are down. Revenant sleeps. But now…"

He smirked beneath his mask.

"We awaken the Spiral-Eater."

Behind him, hundreds of cloned bodies of Zui lit up in red.

Their eyes opened.

And they began to chant.

"The Spiral. Must. Feed."

🔮 Preview – Chapter 14: "The Spiral-Eater's Teeth"

Zeron is haunted by Lyra's words as new enemies rise.

Zui begins to experience terrifying visions—memories not her own.

The Architect initiates Phase 2—breaking the Third Gate.

And far in the stars, an alien signal begins to respond… one older than the Spiral itself.