Entropy Erosion Cycle: Absolute Zero

Chapter 8: The Fission of Entropy

Chapter 8: Fission of Entropy

Lu Shang’s body felt completely drained of all vitality, and he sensed his consciousness gradually fading. The Oracle and Xiaoya supported him anxiously, while Amy swiftly arrived, her hands emanating a gentle green luminescence as she attempted to heal Lu Shang.

"Lu Shang, how are you?" the Oracle's voice was fraught with concern.

Lu Shang managed a weak smile and shook his head. "I'm alright... just a bit enervated..." He could feel the entropy counter within him plummeting at an alarming rate, each breath seeming to hasten his demise. But he couldn't succumb; he knew the battle was far from over.

The heavy assault aircraft in the sky reacquired their lock, its energy cannon audibly recharging with an ominous hum. The surrounding black aircraft also regrouped, reforming their attack formation.

"We must relocate!" Kael's urgent voice crackled through the air. "Their firepower is too intense; we won't be able to withstand it for much longer!"

The Oracle nodded, her gaze meeting Lu Shang's and Xiaoya's, her eyes filled with grim determination. "Lu Shang, Xiaoya, we may need to resort to the ultimate measure."

"The ultimate measure?" Lu Shang asked feebly.

"Yes," the Oracle affirmed. "We resonators have guarded a secret for generations, a clue regarding the 'Zero Scar.' Perhaps, the time for its unveiling has arrived."

Just as the Oracle spoke, the heavy assault aircraft's energy cannon discharged once more, unleashing an even thicker beam of violet light that hurtled towards them with celerity.

"Careful!" Xiaoya exclaimed, once again telekinetically erecting an invisible barrier in a desperate attempt to intercept the attack. However, this time, the violet beam's potency far exceeded her expectations; the barrier shattered in less than a second.

"Lu Shang!" the Oracle cried, forcefully shoving Lu Shang and Xiaoya aside. A brilliant white light enveloped her body.

"Grandmother!" Xiaoya shrieked in terror.

The Oracle appeared to be expending her very essence, forming a formidable protective shield that directly absorbed the heavy assault aircraft's attack. However, the energy contained within the violet beam was devastating. The Oracle’s body convulsed violently under the immense impact, and a trickle of blood escaped the corner of her lips.

"Grandmother, no!" Xiaoya wailed, her telekinetic power surging uncontrollably, like a tidal wave crashing against the heavy assault aircraft. The aircraft's hull began to contort and buckle, emitting the agonizing screech of tearing metal before finally exploding and disintegrating in mid-air.

However, the Oracle, having endured an overwhelming surge of energy, collapsed to the ground. The white light surrounding her gradually dissipated, and her mask slipped off, revealing her aged and weary face.

"Grandmother!" Xiaoya sobbed, throwing herself at the Oracle's side, embracing her tightly.

"Xiaoya... my child..." the Oracle whispered weakly, stroking Xiaoya's hair with a frail hand, her eyes filled with love. "You did well... you are strong..."

"Grandmother, please don't die! "Amy, please help Grandmother!" Xiaoya cried, pleading with Amy for assistance.

Amy rushed forward,spare no effort to heal the Oracle, but the Oracle's lifeforce continued to ebb away.

Lu Shang struggled to his feet, his gaze fixed upon the Oracle lying in Xiaoya's arms. His heart was heavy with grief and rage. The Ouroboros were merciless, willing to sacrifice anything to achieve their objectives.

"Oracle," Lu Shang asked, his voice strained with sorrow, "you said... something about a clue regarding the 'Zero Scar'... what was it?"

With her last vestiges of strength, the Oracle grasped Lu Shang's hand, her eyes gaining an unusual clarity. "Lu Shang... the awakening of the 'Zero Scar'... lies not in oblivion... but in... true... resonance..."

Having uttered these final words, the light in the Oracle's eyes gradually faded, and her hand fell limp.

"Grandmother! No—!" Xiaoya’s heart-rending cry pierced the air.

The other resonators in the settlement gathered around, their faces etched with sorrow and fury. Their revered Oracle had sacrificed her life to protect them.

Lu Shang felt as if a massive stone had settled upon his chest, the weight of it suffocating him. The Oracle's death filled him with profound guilt and self-reproach. Had it not been for her desire to protect them, she might still be alive.

"We cannot allow the Oracle's sacrifice to be in vain!" Kael's voice resonated with anger. "We will avenge the Oracle! We will defeat the Ouroboros!"

The resonators in the settlement echoed his sentiment, their eyes burning with the flames of vengeance.

Lu Shang inhaled deeply, knowing that this was not a time for despair. They had to transmute their grief into strength and continue the fight. The Oracle's dying words resonated within him, hinting that the secret of the "Zero Scar" might lie within "resonance."

He looked at Xiaoya, the young girl still consumed by the anguish of losing the Oracle, tears blurring her vision.

"Xiaoya, the Oracle sacrificed herself to protect us. We cannot let her down," Lu Shang said softly. "We must become stronger; we must find a way to defeat the Ouroboros."

Xiaoya looked up at Lu Shang, her eyes brimming with tears, and then nodded vehemently. "Yes! Uncle, we will avenge Grandmother together!"

A surge of power coursed through Lu Shang. He knew that he and Xiaoya were no longer fighting alone; they had each other, and they had this collective, brimming with hope.

"Kael, what should we do now?" Lu Shang asked, turning to Kael.

Kael wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and said in a low voice, "We must leave this place. The Ouroboros have discovered our location; they will launch another attack soon. The Oracle sacrificed herself, buying us precious time. We cannot squander it."

"Where should we go?" Lu Shang inquired.

"The Oracle once told me of a place where we might find the strength to fight the Ouroboros," Kael replied. "It's called the 'Silent Valley,' located in the far north. Legend has it that it was where the first resonators sought refuge. Perhaps some secrets about the 'Zero Scar' are still preserved there."

"The Silent Valley?" Lu Shang furrowed his brow, the name itself evoking a sense of mystery.

"Yes, it is very far and the environment is harsh, but if we want to find hope, we must go there," Kael asserted.

Lu Shang nodded, recognizing that they had no other choice.

"When do we depart?" Lu Shang asked.

"As soon as possible," Kael replied. "We must leave before the Ouroboros completely encircle this area."

The resonators in the settlement moved swiftly, gathering essential supplies in preparation for abandoning the home that had once offered them sanctuary. Amy remained by Xiaoya's side, offering quiet comfort.

Lu Shang walked to the spot where the Oracle had fallen. He gently picked up her fallen mask, an exquisite silver piece etched with ancient and enigmatic symbols. He carefully stowed the mask away, knowing that he would never forget the Oracle's sacrifice for them.

Soon, the resonators were ready. Kael led them cautiously out of the settlement, heading towards the far north. Lu Shang held Xiaoya's hand tightly, following at the rear of the group. Night descended once more, casting the wasteland into darkness, with only the faint light from their hands illuminating their path forward.

However, they remained unaware that shortly after their departure, several cloaked black aircraft silently descended upon the deserted settlement. Figures clad in black combat suits emerged from the aircraft, their faces impassive, and began meticulously searching every corner of the enclave.

"Report to Commander, the target has departed," a figure in black spoke into a communicator.

"Which direction did they take?" a cold voice responded from the other end.

"Judging by the tracks on the ground, they appear to be heading towards the far north," the black-clad figure replied.

"The far north? Hmph, a group of fools courting death," the voice on the communicator sneered. "Order all units to continue tracking them. Ensure they are all captured, especially the individual with the vacuum decay ability and the 'Child of Resonance.' We cannot allow them to fall into the hands of other factions!"

"Understood!" the black-clad figure responded respectfully.

The night deepened further, the wasteland teeming with unseen dangers. Lu Shang and Xiaoya followed the resonators, traversing the rugged mountain paths with difficulty. They knew not what awaited them, but they understood that they had to persevere, for the Oracle's dying wish and for their own future; they could not afford to surrender. The fission of entropy was quietly unfolding around them, and within this violent collision of energies, they would seek the faintest glimmer of hope.