Entropy Erosion Cycle: Absolute Zero

Chapter 7: The Dirge of Entropy

Ebony aircraft, like circling vultures, cast immense shadows over the settlement. Their metallic carapaces gleamed with a frigid sheen in the twilight's lingering embrace, weapon systems deployed on either flank, trained upon the enclave below. A suffocating sense of foreboding permeated the air, akin to the stillness preceding a tempest.

Kael orchestrated the settlement's inhabitants, guiding them swiftly to their designated defensive emplacements. The energy barrier encircling the perimeter had already been activated, a diaphanous cerulean luminescence unfurling slowly above the palisade, forming a colossal bowl-shaped aegis encompassing the entire community. Certain resonators, gifted with the ability to manipulate earth and stone, were fortifying the wall's structure, employing telekinetic force to meld colossal boulders together, forging more impregnable bulwarks.

The Oracle stood in the settlement's central plaza, her white raiment billowing in the wind, the argent mask once more concealing her features, save for a pair of placid yet profound eyes. Her gaze remained fixed upon the aerial vehicles above, her countenance devoid of fear, imbued instead with an unwavering conviction.

Lu Shang stood beside Xiaoya, his hands trembling subtly, yet his gaze held an unyielding resolve. He could sense the surging of energy within him, a frigid and potent force poised to erupt. Xiaoya clutched Lu Shang’s hand tightly, her own gaze similarly directed skyward, a hint of apprehension upon her youthful features, yet overshadowed by a fierce determination to safeguard Lu Shang.

"Prepare for engagement!" Kael's voice reverberated through every corner of the settlement via the internal communication system.

In the ensuing moment, the ebony aircraft initiated their maneuvers. Rather than launching an immediate assault, they dispersed, forming an encircling formation that completely encompassed the settlement. Energy began to coalesce at the fore of the aircraft, emitting resonant hums that portended an imminent and ferocious attack.

"Lu Shang, your charge is to defend the front, endeavoring to freeze their attacks to the best of your ability," the Oracle’s voice resonated within Lu Shang’s mind, their unique method of telepathic communication.

"Understood," Lu Shang responded, inhaling deeply as he focused the energy within him into his hands. The ambient temperature plummeted rapidly, and a faint, ethereal mist began to coalesce in the air.

"Xiaoya, your responsibility is to provide support for Lu Shang, intercepting any projectiles that manage to breach his defenses with your mental acuity," the Oracle’s voice continued.

"Yes, Grandmother," Xiaoya affirmed with a resolute nod, her eyes shimmering with an otherworldly light as the surrounding air began to distort subtly.

The initial volley arrived with haste. Several incandescent beams of energy lanced forth from the aircraft's prows, akin to meteors streaking across the night sky, swiftly hurtling towards the settlement's energy barrier.

"Vacuum Decay!" Lu Shang uttered in a low growl, thrusting his hands forward with force. An invisible wave of intense cold instantaneously expanded outwards, meeting the incoming energy beams head-on.

An astonishing spectacle unfolded. The previously swift energy beams, upon contact with the frigid wave, decelerated precipitously, then solidified in mid-air as if entombed within amber, transforming into shimmering, crystalline structures that pulsed with an eerie luminescence.

A chorus of jubilant cheers erupted from within the settlement, Lu Shang's formidable power having significantly bolstered morale. However, the Oracle’s countenance remained grave. She recognized this as merely an initial probing attack; the true might of the Ouroboros had yet to be unveiled.

Indeed, in the subsequent instant, the frozen energy beams abruptly shattered, fragmenting into a myriad of minute energy shards that rained down upon the energy barrier like a torrential downpour. The barrier shuddered violently, its luminescence dimming slightly, clearly having absorbed a tremendous impact.

"Maintain the barrier's integrity!" Kael's voice echoed once more, prompting the resonators responsible for its upkeep to immediately amplify their energy output, striving to stabilize the protective field.

Simultaneously, Xiaoya commenced her actions. Her gaze remained fixed upon the aircraft attempting to penetrate the energy barrier, employing her telekinetic abilities to manipulate the surrounding rocks and debris, launching them with concussive force towards the aerial vehicles as if firing projectiles from a cannon.

Several aircraft, caught unawares, were struck directly by the colossal stones manipulated by Xiaoya, their hulls crumpling audibly before erupting in violent explosions, then plummeting earthward in a precarious descent. Xiaoya's potent telekinesis inflicted significant losses upon the Ouroboros aerial contingent.

Nevertheless, the technological prowess of the Ouroboros far surpassed their initial estimations. The aircraft swiftly adapted their tactics, ceasing their concentrated assaults upon the energy barrier and instead dispersing, attempting to breach the defenses from myriad directions. Some aircraft even began to emit a peculiar interference wave, designed to disrupt the resonators' telekinetic control.

Kael directed the settlement's defensive forces in a counter-offensive. Certain resonators, endowed with the ability to command fire and lightning, joined the fray, unleashing potent energy attacks in an attempt to obliterate the encroaching aircraft.

The battle intensified, reaching a fever pitch as energy beams and telekinetic assaults crisscrossed the sky, the cacophony of explosions and impacts reverberating across the desolate landscape. The settlement's energy barrier, subjected to the relentless onslaught of the Ouroboros, wavered precariously, teetering on the brink of collapse.

"Lu Shang, their attacks are intensifying! The barrier won't hold much longer!" the Oracle’s voice conveyed a sense of urgency.

Lu Shang, too, felt the mounting pressure. He continuously unleashed his "Vacuum Decay" ability, striving to freeze the energy attacks directed at the barrier, but the sheer number of adversaries, coupled with their escalating rate of fire, began to overwhelm him.

Just then, an aircraft abruptly breached the energy barrier, streaking through the opening like an ebony dart, its trajectory set directly towards the Oracle in the settlement's center.

"Careful!" Lu Shang exclaimed, attempting to intervene, but it was already too late.

In the instant before the aircraft was to collide with the Oracle, an intangible barrier materialized abruptly before her, intercepting the vehicle's impact. The aircraft detonated with a deafening roar, deflected violently away.

Lu Shang turned towards Xiaoya in astonishment, observing the fine beads of perspiration dotting the young girl's brow. Her eyes were fixed intently upon the deflected aircraft, her small face etched with fury.

"They are not permitted to harm Grandmother!" Xiaoya’s voice, though still childlike, resonated with an unwavering strength.

A surge of warmth coursed through Lu Shang’s heart. He knew that Xiaoya was exerting every ounce of her power to protect them.

"Well done, Xiaoya!" Lu Shang encouraged, before refocusing his attention on the ongoing battle.

He inhaled deeply, channeling his inner energy to its zenith, then unleashed it with force towards the encroaching aircraft. This time, his intent extended beyond merely freezing energy beams; he sought to solidify the very air surrounding them.

A wave of intensely frigid air instantaneously radiated outwards from Lu Shang, catching the approaching aircraft unawares. Thick layers of frost immediately encrusted their hulls, their engines emitting strained, mournful whines before sputtering and plummeting earthward in unsteady spirals.

Lu Shang's formidable power once again shifted the tide of battle, inflicting severe damage upon the Ouroboros aerial forces.

However, the Ouroboros did not yield. More aircraft joined the engagement, deploying a more potent energy weapon. The beams emitted by these weapons possessed an eerie violet hue and a destructive capacity far exceeding that of their predecessors, proving difficult for even the settlement's energy barrier to fully withstand.

A violet beam struck the energy barrier, which emitted a pained shriek before shattering instantaneously. The settlement was now entirely exposed to the Ouroboros's firepower.

"The barrier has been breached! Everyone, brace for defense!" Kael's voice conveyed palpable urgency.

The Ouroboros aircraft seized the opportunity, swooping down upon the settlement like ravenous wolves descending upon their prey, unleashing a barrage of fire from their onboard weaponry.

The settlement’s resonators swiftly employed their abilities for defense and counterattack. Certain individuals with the power to manipulate metal telekinetically controlled discarded metallic debris, forming makeshift shields to deflect the incoming energy projectiles. Others, gifted with the ability to command plant life, rapidly cultivated dense thickets of vines and thorns, attempting to ensnare the encroaching aircraft.

However, the sheer intensity of the Ouroboros’s firepower proved overwhelming, and casualties soon mounted among the settlement’s defenders. Several resonators were struck by energy projectiles, collapsing into pools of blood.

"We must prevent them from reaching the ground!" the Oracle’s voice resonated within Lu Shang’s mind. "Lu Shang, Xiaoya, now is our moment to retaliate!"

Lu Shang nodded, recognizing the imperative to cease their passive defense. He turned to Xiaoya, who was already looking at him, her gaze resolute.

"Let's go!" Lu Shang growled, surging out of the small dwelling first.

Xiaoya followed closely behind, her eyes radiating an intense luminescence as the surrounding air began to distort violently.

Lu Shang sprinted into the open ground, once again unleashing his "Vacuum Decay" ability, attempting to freeze the descending aircraft. However, this time, the Ouroboros pilots appeared to be prepared, skillfully maneuvering to evade Lu Shang’s attacks while simultaneously suppressing him with a more concentrated barrage of fire.

Just as Lu Shang began to feel the strain, Xiaoya intervened. With a surge of mental energy, she manipulated the surrounding terrain, causing colossal boulders to erupt from the earth, slamming into the aircraft like gigantic fists.

Caught off guard, the aircraft struck by Xiaoya’s manipulated rocks exploded and plummeted from the sky. Xiaoya’s formidable telekinetic abilities proved devastating in close-quarters combat.

Lu Shang seized the opportunity, unleashing another wave of frigid air, completely freezing the aircraft that Xiaoya had struck but not yet fully destroyed.

Their coordinated assault effectively halted the Ouroboros aircraft's further descent, buying precious time for the other members of the settlement to reinforce their defenses.

Nevertheless, the battle remained fiercely contested. The Ouroboros possessed a significant numerical advantage in aircraft, and their firepower was substantial, gradually depleting the settlement's defensive capabilities.

At that moment, a black warplane, noticeably larger than the other aircraft, appeared in the skies above the settlement. Its fuselage bristled with a dense array of weapon systems, exuding an aura of formidable power that sent shivers down their spines.

"What is that thing?" Kael's voice was laced with astonishment.

"That is an Ouroboros heavy assault aircraft. Its firepower is immense; we must prevent it from getting closer!" the Oracle’s voice conveyed a note of apprehension.

The heavy assault aircraft appeared to have locked onto the Oracle's position. Energy began to coalesce at its fore, emitting an ear-splitting shriek.

"Grandmother, look out!" Xiaoya cried out, attempting to use her telekinesis to intercept the aircraft's attack, but the warplane moved with incredible velocity, and its energy shields were so potent that Xiaoya’s mental assault had no discernible effect.

Just as the terrifying energy beam was about to strike the Oracle, Lu Shang surged forward, placing himself directly in her path. He focused all his remaining power around his body, forming an absolute zero energy shield.

In the next instant, the blinding violet beam slammed into Lu Shang’s energy shield with a deafening explosion. Lu Shang’s body jolted violently, and he felt as if he had been struck by a colossal mountain, a metallic tang of blood rising in his throat.

Clenching his teeth, he desperately maintained the integrity of the energy shield, preventing the terrifying energy beam from harming the Oracle behind him.

The energy beam persisted for several agonizing seconds before gradually dissipating. Lu Shang’s body swayed precariously, and a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth. He felt his entropy counter plummeting rapidly, the energy within him almost completely depleted.

"Lu Shang!" the Oracle and Xiaoya exclaimed simultaneously, rushing to support the faltering Lu Shang.

"I'm alright…" Lu Shang uttered weakly, his gaze remaining fixed with unwavering determination upon the heavy assault aircraft in the sky.

He knew that this was not the end; the true battle had only just begun. To protect Xiaoya, to safeguard the settlement that had offered them hope, he had to persevere until his very last breath. The dirge of entropy resonated fiercely across the desolate wasteland, and they, with their lives and their powers, would compose their own defiant symphony of resistance.