MTLNOVEL Chapter 132: Chapter 130: The Rift Offensive
Chapter 130: The Rift Offensive
The United Front
The battlefield stretched as far as the eye could see—a desolate, corrupted expanse illuminated by the eerie red glow of the rift. The forces of the Celestial Imperium, bolstered by allied factions including the elves, dwarves, and smaller human kingdoms, had come together in a rare display of unity. This was no longer a fight for borders or territory—this was a battle for survival.
The elves, traditionally masters of magic and nature, now stood armed with cutting-edge technology provided by the Imperium. Their Arkanite Reinforced Bows, capable of firing mana-charged arrows, gleamed under the crimson light. Some elves donned mana-infused exosuits, enhancing their speed and strength while allowing them to weave their ancient magic with modern weaponry. Their Skyward Rangers, equipped with jetpacks and precision mana rifles, flanked aerial units, creating a deadly combination of agility and firepower.
Jack stood atop the Imperial Command Platform, his dark uniform immaculate despite the tension. He scanned the battlefield through his augmented reality visor, relaying commands with precision. Beside him, Eryndra, the elven leader, looked poised yet fierce, her silver hair catching the glow of the rift. Her mana-enhanced bow rested in her hand, and her armor gleamed with Aetherial runes etched into its surface.
"The demons are focusing their strength near the rift," Eryndra said, her voice calm but edged with urgency. "If we don't take those nodes quickly, their numbers will overwhelm us."
Jack nodded. "We're deploying everything. Tanks, mechs, naval support, air units—everyone is in this fight. The longer we hold back, the more we lose."
The Bloody Assault
The first wave of the assault was brutal. Falcon VTOL Fighter Jets screamed overhead, their mana-guided missiles streaking toward the rift's outer defenses. Demonic titans, towering beasts made of corrupted flesh and mana, swatted at the jets, bringing several of them crashing down in fiery explosions.
Stormclaw-Class Attack Helicopters hovered just above the battlefield, their rotary turrets spewing streams of glowing energy into the advancing hordes. On the ground, Stormbreaker Tanks rolled forward, their railguns firing high-velocity rounds that tore through demon beasts. Titan Vanguard Combat Mechs, each piloted by an elite soldier, engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the massive demon titans, their plasma cannons lighting up the darkness.
But the demons were relentless. For every demon that fell, two more emerged from the rift. Their attacks were savage, their claws tearing through the Imperium's lines. Soldiers screamed as they were dragged into the swarms, their weapons falling silent.
The elves fought fiercely alongside the humans. Eryndra's Skyward Rangers darted through the air, raining mana-infused projectiles down on the demons. The dwarves, armed with massive mana-forged cannons, held the flanks, their booming artillery shaking the ground. The smaller human kingdoms, despite their limited technology, stood resolute, their knights and mages reinforcing weak points in the line.
But the cost was high. For every inch of ground gained, dozens of soldiers fell. Blood soaked the battlefield, mingling with the dark, corrosive ichor of the demons. The air was thick with smoke and the stench of burning flesh.
Breaking Through
After hours of grueling combat, the united forces managed to push to the edge of the rift. The Shadow Vanguards, the Imperium's elite special forces, infiltrated deep into enemy territory to target the rift's anchor nodes. These glowing crystalline structures pulsed with dark energy, their destruction key to destabilizing the rift.
Jack, Eryndra, and a handpicked team of Shadow Vanguards moved toward the central node. The team was a mix of humans and elves, each equipped with advanced technology and weapons. Jack carried a sleek mana rifle and a blade forged from Aetherial steel, while Eryndra's mana-charged bow hummed with energy.
As they approached the node, a massive demon general emerged from the darkness. Tharavos, a towering beast with obsidian armor and wings that blotted out the sky, stepped forward. His voice boomed across the battlefield, filled with malice. "You think your machines will save you? Mortals, you will all kneel before the abyss."
Jack raised his rifle, his voice steady. "We don't kneel."
The Epic Battle
Tharavos struck first, his massive claw crashing into the ground, sending soldiers flying. The Shadow Vanguards scattered, their stealth suits flickering as they avoided his attacks. Eryndra loosed an arrow, the glowing projectile striking Tharavos's armor and exploding on impact. The demon roared, his wings unfurling as he took to the air.
"Focus fire on his wings!" Jack shouted, firing his rifle in controlled bursts. The mana rounds struck true, chipping away at the demon's defenses.
Tharavos retaliated with a wave of dark energy, the blast ripping through the ground. Several soldiers were caught in the explosion, their screams cut short as they were consumed by the black flames.
Eryndra landed beside Jack, her breathing ragged. "We're losing too many."
Jack's jaw tightened. "We don't have a choice. If we don't take him down, the rift will consume everything."
The team regrouped, using their combined firepower to pin Tharavos down. A Titan Vanguard Mech arrived, its plasma cannon firing a massive blast that struck the demon's chest. Tharavos stumbled, but he wasn't done. With a roar, he lunged at the mech, tearing it apart with his claws.
As the demon focused on the mech, Jack and Eryndra moved in for the kill. Jack activated his Aetherial blade, the weapon glowing with intense energy. Eryndra fired a series of mana arrows, each one targeting the cracks in Tharavos's armor.
The demon turned, his eyes burning with hatred. He swiped at Jack, but Eryndra darted in, firing an arrow into his exposed shoulder. The demon roared, giving Jack the opening he needed. He leaped onto Tharavos's back, driving the blade into the base of the demon's neck.
Tharavos howled, thrashing wildly, but Jack held firm. "Eryndra! Now!"
Eryndra drew her final arrow, the mana surrounding it glowing brighter than ever. She aimed at the blade's hilt and released. The arrow struck true, driving the blade deeper. With a deafening roar, Tharavos collapsed, his body dissolving into ash.
The Rift's Collapse
The team barely had time to recover as the rift began to destabilize. The destruction of the node sent shockwaves through the battlefield. Astraeus's voice came through the comms. "The remaining nodes are weakening. The purification cannons can neutralize the rift now, but you need to evacuate immediately."
Jack turned to Eryndra, her face streaked with dirt and blood. "We're not leaving anyone behind. Get the wounded out first."
Eryndra nodded, rallying her forces to retreat as the Imperium's artillery units fired their mana purification beams directly into the rift. The sky lit up with brilliant light as the beams struck the corrupted energy, tearing it apart.
The Aftermath
As the rift collapsed, the battlefield fell silent. The surviving soldiers, battered and bloodied, stared in awe as the red glow faded, replaced by a faint, shimmering light. The rift was gone, but the cost had been staggering. Thousands had died, their sacrifices etched into the scorched earth.
Jack stood among the ruins, his shoulders heavy with exhaustion. Eryndra approached him, her voice soft. "We won."
"At what cost?" Jack replied, his voice hollow. "We're not done yet. The rift may be gone, but the demons aren't."
Eryndra placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. "Then we'll face them. Together."
As the survivors began to regroup, the Imperium's forces prepared for what came next. The battle was over, but the war was far from finished.
End of Chapter 130