Metaverse of Mechas

📘 Chapter 119

⚙️ Scene 1: The Memory Chip of Sariah

In the underground archives of the Guild's secure vault, Vance inserted the chipped fragment of the memory core he'd salvaged.

It blinked to life.

A holographic projection spun into view—a woman, regal and calm, speaking in hurried whispers.

"If you're seeing this… my children, Zui… Zake… Zeron…"

Vance gasped.

"His mother—Sariah."

The message continued, distorted by time.

"They're coming for the Key… not the planet. The truth about Krono—its origin—is buried beneath the Iron Grave. That's where your father fell. Where I sealed the truth…"

Suddenly, the feed glitched violently. A voice overtook the feed:

"She shouldn't have remembered."

The projection burst into blue flames—Vance leapt back.

"They're listening. Even through memories now."

He pocketed the half-burned chip. One thing was clear.

They had to go to the Iron Grave.

⚔️ Scene 2: Voidheart Siege: Nova District Falls

The skies turned purple.

Gigantic Voidheart units—mechas constructed using civilians' minds as processors—descended upon Nova District.

Zeron, now partially synced with Nexar, launched forward with Kael.

"Don't kill the pilots! They're innocents!"

Naira coordinated with Zui from the rooftop communication dome.

Zui channeled her Life Thread to form a protective barrier over the hospital, sheltering hundreds.

But Zake…

He was missing.

Inside the central Nexus Hub, Zake faced the corrupted version of his own prototype frame—Asterion Dark.

"Your thoughts are weak. Let me evolve them."

"Not happening."

Asterion Dark fired a Krono Cannon—Zake barely dodged, his armor scorched.

Suddenly, a voice entered his mind—it was Crixal.

"You're not alone, Zake. Use what I gave you."

A surge of raw Krono erupted from Zake's hand—shifting his frame into Asterion Flame, a red-enhanced form never seen before.

He slashed through the corrupted mecha, freeing its pilot.

One saved. Hundreds more to go.

🌑 Scene 3: Cult of the Thread

Zui, meditating alone near the Heart Garden, was surrounded by cloaked figures—skin pale, eyes glowing like wilted flowers.

"Heirborne."

"You desecrate the Thread by aiding war."

"Your role is to restore, not resist."

One stepped forward. A priest-like figure named Velraan.

"Join us, or the Thread shall abandon you."

Zui stood, her hands trembling. But her voice held firm.

"I don't serve life blindly. I guide it."

"Then die in purity."

They struck.

But just before the blades hit—Verdion appeared, slamming the assailants into trees with his vines of Krono-woven wood.

"Touch her again," he growled, "and I will prune your entire bloodline."

The cultists fled into the mist, but Velraan whispered a warning:

"You cannot stop the Revival. The Thread shall return to its master."

🔍 Scene 4: The Secrets Beneath Station 09

Kael and Zeron reached Station 09—the Iron Grave. It was a former orbital cannon site turned to rust and forgotten by time.

They descended into an underground shaft. As they explored, Zeron began having strange flashes—memories not his own.

He saw his mother screaming. His father crushed under metal.

He saw a sealed chamber… and something beyond it. A machine? No—a throne. A catalyst.

Kael read from the control panel:

"Codename: E.V.E. – Emotional Vector Engine."

Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind them.

A tall figure in tattered guild armor. Face hidden under a broken helm.

"You shouldn't be here."

Kael whispered in disbelief:

"...Solace?"

💔 Scene 5: Shattered Love

Back at the guild outpost, Zeron's former girlfriend, Mireya, arrived with a new man—Captain Rhys, leader of a private mech militia.

She locked eyes with Zeron. Her expression was… cold.

"You should've stayed where you belong—under me."

Zeron didn't flinch.

"I belong where I can protect what matters."

She stepped closer.

"You couldn't protect me, Zeron."

She left with Rhys, arm in arm.

Naira appeared behind Zeron quietly, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Then she didn't deserve you in the first place."

Zeron didn't say anything.

But in his mind, he was already sealing that pain inside.

Not to forget.

But to fuel the war to come.

📝 Chapter Preview – Chapter 120:

Solace reveals the true purpose of the E.V.E. system—and why Zeron was never supposed to exist.Zake faces the next evolution trial of Asterion's Flame.Mireya's betrayal ignites a political storm in the Guild.Zui and Verdion are attacked mid-transit—and forced to reveal the full power of the Life Thread.A memory fragment within Nexar begins calling Zeron… by his real name.