Chapter 1593: Betrayal
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Quick Hare and Vyperion could scarcely believe what had just transpired, though Maria and her family were already braced for the worst from the outset. Zodiacrons were conditioned to revere and trust their superiors, viewing them as figures of authority and aspiration, individuals they longed to emulate. Each Zodiacron had a designated role in their society, and their God King often dictated their duties.
Drakogon’s commands were deemed sacred and accepted as absolute truth. No Zodiacron ever questioned their Dragon King, for their society perpetually glorified his existence. To an extent, this devotion was not misplaced, as he held a position akin to Odin on Yggdrasil, bearing the Divine Throne of the world as its ruler and guardian.
Thus, when he opened a Gate that cast them into a perilous pit of death within one of the Hive’s Spaceships, Quick Hare and Vyperion struggled to accept that he acted with malice. They believed there must have been a mistake.
Maria grew frustrated by the unwavering trust they placed in him, yet she knew she could not force them to change their perspectives abruptly.
They would need to discover his true nature for themselves.
"If you refuse to believe it, then we’ll return and confront him," Maria said with a sigh. "You heard what he said earlier, didn’t you, Quick Hare? How would he never grant the Golden Core to a Rabbit?"
"I-I..." Quick Hare fell silent, panic rising as she heard the monsters’ screeches.
"Perhaps we were mistaken..." Vyperion murmured. "From birth, we are taught many things, Maria. Doubting those we admire and aspire to become is difficult... but right now, I suppose there’s no time for such concerns. We must survive."
"Well said," Lucifer said with a sigh. "Finally, something we agree on. These bugs, aren’t they smaller than the others? Are they larvae? Do they underestimate us this much?! It infuriates me."
"They must think this will stop us. How amusing," Partner laughed. "Hey! I understand why Maria let us fall, so they’ll be shocked when we return, right?"
"More than anything, I wanted to discern their plans, but they’re simpler than I expected," Maria said. "Still, there’s an advantage here. We’re inside a spaceship now. Let’s tear this place apart."
"RYYAAARRRR!"
Dozens of Insectoids screeched as they surged forward. Eggs continued hatching, swelling the swarm to over a hundred monstrosities. Though newborn, they possessed hard exoskeletons and sharp jaws capable of chewing through steel.
To Maria and her family, this was trivial, but for any unprepared Zodiacron, it would spell doom. Had Quick Hare and Vyperion been alone, their chances of survival would have been slim.
However...
They were not alone.
"Let’s do this."
Maria’s eyes glowed bright red as she extended her hand. Three massive spheres of black void materialized, brimming with dark flames and purple lightning.
This was one of her most potent offensive magic skills.
"{Abyssal Netherworld’s Star}"
Three miniature versions appeared instantly. Though smaller, they harnessed the power of a Level 10 Skill, amplified by Maria’s exceptional stats.
BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!
The three black stars struck the monsters, engulfing the aliens in massive explosions. Their smaller, weaker bodies could not endure such devastating force. Most bugs were vaporized, leaving only a few burnt steel carcasses, their internal flesh and organs reduced to ashes.
"W-Woah..."
"How strong are you, Maria?"
Quick Hare and Vyperion stared in disbelief. Even now, Maria had not unleashed her full power, having played along for most of the ordeal.
"Strong enough."
She looked ahead. A large hole had been blasted through the walls, causing sections to collapse, but her black shadows consumed the rubble, clearing the area effortlessly.
Meanwhile, a few dozen insects survived, so Maria seized Quick Hare with her Phantasmal Hands and hurled her toward the monsters’ jaws.
"Uwaaah?! Maria? Why?!"
"You’re so stubborn, still trusting that fool despite him throwing us in here. Go fight these things at least! Your training continues!"
"Aaagh!"
The young Zodiacron protested as she dodged attacks, kicked insects away, and swiftly wielded her blades to slice their bodies. Their softer, juvenile exoskeletons allowed her to defeat them more quickly.
"Use the environment, Quick Hare! Your jumping ability is your greatest asset! Bounce off the walls to build momentum, speed, and strength!"
"L-Like this?!"
Quick Hare followed Maria’s guidance, leaping off the walls and crashing into the monsters, crushing them with her armored rabbit foot, crafted from the Corrupted Zodiacron’s remains.
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
"Woah!"
She was astonished by the immense speed and force generated. She didn’t need bulk, flight, claws, or fangs.
Her speed and remarkable leaping ability were formidable weapons in themselves!
Eventually...
She crushed four creatures with a single, forceful descent, igniting an explosion of flames from the friction of her armored foot striking the ground.
BOOOM!
"Flames...? My kicks can produce flames! I had no idea I could do that?!"
"It’s called friction, dear. Its basic science taught in high school. You can also generate electricity by rapidly moving your foot in place."
"Like this— Woah!"
Quick Hare was a natural. Following Maria’s instructions, she rubbed her foot against the ground, producing zaps of lightning that surprised even Vyperion.
"I could never do that. Only the incredibly strong and fast legs of Rabbit Zodiacrons could...! Amazing!" Vyperion exclaimed. "Maria, how do you know these things?"
"Huh? It’s just basic knowledge, Vyperion," Maria said. "Nothing extraordinary... Do they really not teach you about friction? Really?"
"I mean... y-yeah, no," Vyperion muttered. "Now that I think about it, perhaps there’s... a lot of knowledge withheld from us, that they don’t want us to learn... but why?"
"Gee, I wonder why!" Partner said. "Maybe your God King is afraid? Perhaps of a rebellion or something?"
"W-What are you implying?!" Vyperion said, his voice rising.
"She’s suggesting he’s withholding information, using the aliens and this war to keep Zodiacrons under control," Lucifer explained. "He doesn’t want you to go beyond society’s expectations. He doesn’t want you to... grow."
Vyperion glanced at Quick Hare as Lucifer’s words resonated deeply.
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