The city was chaos. Fires raged across the central district, smoke rising in jagged columns. Civilians ran through the streets while Moon Kingdom defense units scrambled to form a perimeter.
Lunaris Gundam touched down beside Kaedin's unit, its silver-gray armor streaked with heat shimmer from the launch.
> "Squad, spread out and search — the targets are somewhere inside this sector," Ralvern's voice came over comms, heavy with tension.
Nura scanned the streets from his cockpit, sensors sweeping for heat signatures. Nothing but the fleeing crowd and the burning wreckage of security drones.
"Where the hell are they?" Kaedin muttered.
The radar flickered once—then went blank.
Nura's instincts screamed move!
He didn't question it. Lunaris leapt sideways—
A flash of steel sliced through the air where he'd been a second earlier. The enemy appeared mid-swing, its hulking frame phasing into view like a ghost, scythe blade glowing crimson.
> "Contact! Sector 3!" Nura shouted, bringing his beam saber up just in time to block the second strike.
The impact rattled his teeth. Sparks exploded as the scythe scraped against Lunaris's forearm plating before the enemy blinked out of sight again.
"Damn it—!" Nura spun, thrusters roaring, trying to track the sound of metal on concrete. The phantom reappeared behind him, and only a desperate backhand slash kept it from cleaving into his reactor block.
They clashed again, the invisible suit shimmering in and out of visibility, every movement like chasing a shadow. Nura's reflexes kept him alive, but without the Malaya System guiding him like in Thanatos, he was running on pure instinct.
> This is the difference… Lunaris is fast, but blind against something like this.
The enemy drove him back through the wreckage of a toppled defense tower, each scythe swing coming closer, sharper.
Kaedin's voice burst over comms.
"Nura, your six!"
Nura whipped the Lunaris into a spin, beam saber intercepting another invisible strike. The two weapons locked, sparks dancing in the smoke, and for a brief second the enemy's cloaking shimmered enough for him to see its visor flare blood-red.
> "You picked the wrong pilot to sneak up on," Nura growled, forcing the enemy's scythe off-line with a violent shield bash.
The enemy staggered back, then flickered into nothing again.
Nura's breathing was ragged.
"Ralvern… I need a way to track this thing. If I can't see it, I can't kill it."
Static crackled in his ear. Ralvern's voice came low, urgent.
> "Hold your ground, Nura. We'll feed you targeting data — just survive until then."
Nura tightened his grip on the controls.
> "Yeah. No promises."
---
The streets shook as another invisible blow slammed into Lunaris's side, alarms blaring in Nura's cockpit. The force spun him sideways, scraping his armor against the side of a collapsed transit rail.
> "Ralvern, still not yet?!" Nura barked, teeth gritted.
> "We're working on it! Hold on!" Ralvern's voice came through strained, drowned by the sound of gunfire in the background.
A sudden click came over the public comm channel. A voice — cold, calm, and unsettling — filled the air.
> "Moon-dwellers… children of false light… the Mercury Prophet comes for you. The witches' thrones will burn, the silver kingdom will drown in dust, and your false gods will be torn from the sky."
The words dripped like poison, each syllable resonating through the cockpit. Nura felt his pulse spike — not from fear, but rage.
> "The hell are you talking about?!" he snapped back, sweeping his saber in a defensive arc.
No answer — just the scythe striking again, the enemy's invisible form shimmering for a split-second before fading.
Across the battlefield, Kaedin's Gundam was slammed into the side of a high-rise, sparks showering down. Another teammate's unit took a scythe hit to the leg and crumpled, systems disabled.
The voice returned, now almost chanting:
> "The hour is upon you. Blood for Mercury. Ash for the witches. The moon's silver shall rust."
Another blow rattled Lunaris, the HUD flashing CRITICAL DAMAGE warnings on the left shoulder joint.
> "Ralvern!" Nura shouted again, wrestling the controls. "If you don't get me that targeting now, I'm not gonna be standing in thirty seconds!"
Through the smoke and chaos, the enemy's silhouette flickered again — close enough for Nura to see the jagged scythe edge poised to take his head.
---
"Targeting data incoming—hold on!" Ralvern's voice finally cut through the static.
On Nura's HUD, a secondary reticle blinked to life, faint ripples of heat distortion beginning to outline the invisible foe. It wasn't much — but it was enough.
> "Got you now…" Nura muttered, jerking the controls.
The scythe came down again, but this time Lunaris's beam saber intercepted it in a shower of sparks. The impact rang through the cockpit, and for the first time, the cloaking wavered long enough to reveal its form—
A sleek, obsidian Gundam-like frame, sharp and angular, with elongated shoulder blades shaped like crescent moons. The scythe it carried was jagged and blackened, as if forged from scorched metal. Across its chest plate, a single crimson symbol — a circle with a teardrop inside — pulsed like a heartbeat.
> "Mercury Prophet…" Ralvern's voice was grim over the comm. "We've had whispers about them. Assassins. Saboteurs. Fanatics."
The enemy's voice returned, almost reverent.
> "So, the silver knight wishes to duel the herald of the end. Come, child of Earth… bleed for your false queen."
Nura gritted his teeth. "You talk too much."
He drove Lunaris forward, trading blows with the scythe-wielder in a violent blur. Every hit sent shudders through his frame — Lunaris was fast, but the Prophet hit like it weighed twice as much.
Kaedin rejoined the fight, firing at the enemy's flank. But before the rounds could connect, three more heat distortions shimmered into existence.
> "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me…" Nura breathed.
The new arrivals uncloaked just long enough to reveal matching scythe units, their visors glowing a cold white.
The Mercury Prophet laughed — a hollow, echoing sound.
> "Four blades for the Moon's heart… and her silver soldiers shall fall."
They struck all at once. The dome over the Moon Kingdom shuddered as explosions rippled across the battlefield.
---
The Lunaris's frame shuddered as another invisible strike slammed into its shield. Nura's eyes darted between the HUD and the flickers of motion ahead — three Prophet-class suits, all armed with viciously curved scythes, circling like predators in a storm.
Each time they shimmered into view, his beam saber lashed out, sparks and light erupting before they vanished again.
Kaedin's voice crackled over comms, strained.
> "They're playing with us!"
One of the enemy suits lunged for Lunaris, forcing Nura to block in a shower of sparks — but then, two of them abruptly broke away, peeling off toward the city's inner sector at high speed.
"Where the hell—?"
Ralvern's voice cut through on the command channel.
> "Nura! Break off and intercept those two. Now."
Nura frowned, still trading blows with the third enemy. "But—"
> "No questions. Go."
That was all he needed. Orders were orders.
Boost thrusters roared to life, and Lunaris rocketed upward, weaving between burning streets and smoke trails, chasing the flickering outlines of the two escaping suits.
He didn't know where they were headed. He didn't know why Ralvern's voice had been sharper than usual.
All he knew was that they weren't getting past him.
Far ahead, the twin distortions in the air streaked toward the palace spires — the very sector where Morderia was. But Nura had no idea she was there.
He was just following the order.
---
Lunaris skimmed low over the moonstone streets, thrusters kicking up dust and debris as Nura closed the distance. The two Prophet-class suits ahead shimmered in and out of visibility, their scythes catching stray beams of light before vanishing again.
He couldn't see them clearly, but their paths were obvious — straight toward the gleaming spires at the city's heart.
The palace district.
Nura gritted his teeth and pushed Lunaris harder, weaving between towers, every sense locked on those heat signatures dancing across his HUD. He didn't know why this route mattered so much to Ralvern… but the urgency in his voice still burned in his ears.
One of the enemy suits suddenly dropped low, sweeping its scythe at a patrol of Moon Kingdom defense units. The others scattered, two machines falling in smoking pieces.
Nura didn't hesitate — Lunaris dove, beam saber flaring as it intercepted a killing blow meant for another ally. Sparks exploded, the Prophet-class reappearing for an instant, its crimson visor flashing like a slit-eyed demon before vanishing again.
> "I've got you now…" Nura muttered, driving the Lunaris forward into the pursuit.
---
Moon Kingdom — Palace Meeting Hall
The chamber was built of pale silver stone, its vaulted ceiling glinting under soft crystal light. At the long table sat some of the Moon Kingdom's most influential figures — generals, ministers, and advisors — all now glancing nervously toward the sealed windows as the muffled roar of battle shook the air.
Morderia stood near the head of the table, her sapphire eyes sweeping the room. She could hear the deep boom of thrusters outside, the crackling hum of beam weapons.
A few of the older officials were already on their feet, voices rising.
> "We should evacuate now!"
"Is the defense line already broken? How—?"
Morderia raised her hand sharply.
> "Please — calm down."
Her voice cut through the noise, steady despite the faint tremor in the walls.
> "Our guards are holding the line. Panicking will only make it worse. Remain in your seats until I say otherwise."
Another blast rumbled in the distance, closer this time — the very street where Nura was clashing with the Prophet-class infiltrators.
The officials quieted, but their eyes flicked nervously to the door. Somewhere outside, in the smoke and chaos, the battle was pressing toward them.
Morderia knew she had to keep them calm. What she didn't know was that one of the pilots holding the line was the same man she had met in the city — the one she had decided to recruit herself.
---
The council chamber was in chaos. Important figures of the Moon Kingdom were on their feet, voices overlapping in a rising wave of fear.
> "We need to evacuate now!"
"If those things breach the outer perimeter, it's over!"
"Where are the Royal Guard?! Where's our security?!"
"Please, calm down," Morderia said firmly, her sapphire eyes sweeping the room. "Panicking will not help. Our pilots are out there fighting for us right now."
"They won't hold forever—" another voice cut in, sharp with worry.
"They will," she said again, louder this time, her voice steady despite the distant rumble of battle outside. "We must have faith in them. If we lose our composure now, we lose everything."
An older official leaned forward, wringing his hands.
> "But, Princess Morderia—"
The rest of his words were drowned in a deafening blast that shook the entire hall. The heavy wooden doors buckled, and dust rained from the ceiling.
Outside, Lunaris Gundam's silver-gray frame landed hard, beam saber glowing as it cleaved an enemy Prophet-class suit in two. The wreck crashed behind him, sparks and debris scattering across the courtyard.
Without hesitation, Nura spun toward the second enemy, boosters roaring as he tore after it. The cloaked figure darted between the columns toward the palace steps — straight for the council chamber.
Inside, Morderia could already see its faint outline through the smoke, its crimson visor glinting like a predator's eye.
Lunaris surged forward again, slicing through rubble as Nura gave chase, still unaware that the very chamber he was defending housed the princess herself.
---
The chamber shook again, heavier this time, like a giant's fist slamming into the earth. Dust drifted from the ceiling beams, and the murmurs in the room snapped into silence.
Morderia's eyes lifted toward the tall windows above the chamber doors.
And there it was.
Through the smoke and fractured glass, a shape shimmered into view — its outline flickering as its camouflage dropped. A single enemy Prophet-class mobile suit stood there, its crimson visor burning like the eye of a predator that had found its prey.
Gasps broke out among the gathered leaders.
> "Oh gods…"
"Oh gods… it's here!"
The visor tilted, slow and deliberate, as if savoring their panic.
Then, before it could move, a silver-gray blur smashed into its side. The impact rattled the chamber walls as Lunaris Gundam drove its shoulder into the enemy, forcing it away from the window.
Outside, the two mobile suits tore into each other, the courtyard erupting with debris.
"Not… getting… through!" Nura growled through clenched teeth as the Prophet's massive scythe slammed against his beam saber. Sparks sprayed across the courtyard, the grinding force threatening to shear Lunaris' weapon in two.
The Prophet twisted suddenly, shoving him toward the chamber wall. Nura's eyes narrowed, sweat streaking down his temple.
> "Like hell I'm letting you in there!"
---
The chamber windows shook with the force of metal slamming against metal outside.
Nura had the Lunaris braced against the Prophet, both mobile suits locked in a vicious struggle just meters from the council chamber. The reinforced stone beneath their feet cracked, dust spilling from the walls.
The black-and-silver enemy shimmered, its stealth flickering enough for Nura to see the jagged, skeletal plating beneath. It twisted like a striking serpent, thrusters flaring as it tried to lunge toward the chamber.
"Over my dead body!" Nura shoved back, forcing it away from the windows.
Through the cockpit display, he caught a glimpse of the council inside—Morderia among them, eyes locked on the battle. The Prophet's visor turned toward them, glowing with cold intent.
Nura's heart spiked. "No you don't—!"
Boosters flared. He slammed the Prophet sideways into the open courtyard, the impact shaking the ground and sending stone shards flying.
The enemy vanished in an instant—stealth fully engaged. Sensors blurred into static. Nura scanned frantically, jaw tight. The air felt heavy, charged.
A shimmer to the right—
The scythe came down.
Nura caught it mid-swing, sparks bursting as his beam saber locked against the blade. The Prophet's voice hissed over public comms:
> "You cannot shield the cursed… This is holy judgment… for the seed of witches."
"Judgment?" Nura spat, pressing forward. "Hah, as if i cared about that! All i want is to protect the people!!"
The two Mobile Suits strained against each other, thrusters screaming, actuators groaning. Nura's left arm servos were at their limit, warning lights flaring across the console. If he slipped even for a second, the scythe would cut straight through him and into the chamber behind.
Both broke apart in a burst of exhaust, then charged again—beam and scythe flashing in furious arcs. Shields shattered, metal screeched, every attack met with a desperate counter.
The plaza became their arena, each move carrying the weight of life or death—not just for them, but for everyone inside the chamber.
---
The Prophet lunged again, stealth flickering with each burst of movement, making its path almost impossible to predict. Nura's HUD struggled to lock on, target reticles snapping in and out of focus.
"Come on… come on…" he muttered, keeping himself between the enemy and the chamber doors.
A sudden spike on the threat indicator—left side. He spun Lunaris just in time to catch the scythe on his saber. The impact rattled his bones.
The Prophet pushed harder, almost forcing Nura's Gundam to kneel. Through the strain of the controls, he could feel the sheer force behind it—stronger than him, heavier than him. This wasn't a fight Lunaris was built to win head-on.
His mind flashed back to Gundam Thanatos—the Malaya System, the crushing power it provided, the way every movement hit like a hammer. Lunaris didn't have that. All he had here was speed and reflex.
And right now, speed might be the only thing keeping the chamber safe.
The Prophet pulled back for another strike. That's when Nura made his choice.
He cut his thrusters completely. The sudden drop threw the Prophet's timing off, the scythe barely missing Lunaris' head. In the same motion, Nura reignited the boosters at full burn, twisting the Gundam under the Prophet's guard and ramming his shield into its torso.
They crashed into the plaza wall, stone exploding outward in a cloud of dust.
"Now!" Nura roared, swinging his saber in a desperate arc. Sparks erupted as it grazed the Prophet's shoulder, severing one of its thruster ports. The enemy staggered, stealth flickering erratically.
But it wasn't done. With a mechanical shriek, it countered—slashing at Lunaris' right arm. Warnings blared as servos failed, his shield arm going limp.
"Damn it—!" Nura bit down hard, ignoring the damage readouts. He knew if he fell back now, the Prophet would make for the chamber.
So he didn't fall back.
He surged forward, locking the enemy's weapon arm with his remaining grip, the two mobile suits locked chest-to-chest. The scythe's blade scraped against the chamber wall, sending a shower of sparks into the window above.
Nura gritted his teeth. "You're not… getting… through!"
He jammed the beam saber up between the Prophet's chest plates, forcing it in until the core overload alarms screamed from the enemy unit. The Prophet let out a distorted, almost human scream over comms before kicking away, staggering into the plaza.
Its stealth failed entirely, revealing its skeletal, blackened armor. Damaged, sparking, but still alive.
And Nura knew—it was going to come back.
---
The Prophet staggered in the plaza, its cloak of invisibility gone, vents sparking, armor torn open at the seams.
Nura's breathing was ragged inside the cockpit, sweat dripping down his temples. His HUD lit up with damage reports, but he ignored them. All he saw was the enemy.
It turned its head toward the chamber windows again. Even damaged, it was still trying to reach them.
"Not this time," Nura growled.
He kicked Lunaris into full thrust, closing the distance in a blink. The Prophet tried to raise its scythe for a final swing, but Nura was already inside its guard.
He twisted his joystick hard, bringing the beam saber down in a vicious, two-handed arc.
"GOT YOU!!"
The blade punched straight through the Prophet's torso, emerging from its back in a burst of molten metal and sparking circuits. The enemy let out a warped, static-choked cry over the public comm, its weapon falling from limp fingers.
For a heartbeat, the two machines were locked together, saber buried deep. Then Nura yanked it free, kicking the Prophet backward.
The enemy mobile suit stumbled, half its frame glowing from the internal damage—then exploded in a shockwave that rocked the entire plaza.
Stone debris rained down, alarms wailed through the Moon Kingdom's upper levels, but the chamber behind Nura stood untouched.
Inside, through the fractured window above, the important figures and Morderia stared down at the silver-gray Gundam that had just saved them.
Nura, panting hard, let the Lunaris' saber arm fall to his side.
---
The smoke from the Prophet's explosion hadn't even cleared when the comm crackled.
> Ralvern: "Nura! Tell the people in that chamber to evacuate immediately. There's no guarantee that was the only one—they need to get to the shelters!"
Nura's chest was still heaving from the fight. "Understood," he replied, switching Lunaris' broadcast to public channel.
He angled the Gundam so its visor faced the chamber's upper windows. Through the fractured glass, he caught sight of her—Morderia, standing amidst the cluster of important figures, her long hair catching in the wind from the blast.
For a moment, she stared back at him, her expression unreadable.
Nura's voice boomed through the external speakers, steady despite the chaos.
> Nura: "Everyone inside—evacuate now! There's a shelter below this sector. Move, now!"
His eyes locked on Morderia's.
> Nura: "You too. Get them out of here, fast!"
For the briefest heartbeat, it felt like the entire world had gone silent—just the two of them across the void of battle, her gaze meeting his through layers of steel and glass. Then Morderia gave the faintest nod and turned, barking urgent orders to the people behind her.
Nura tightened his grip on the controls, scanning the ruined plaza for movement. His HUD was still flashing with minor damage warnings.