Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 138 - Win or Die

Chapter 138 - Win or Die

When we traced the voice to its source, all our eyes turned to a nearby skyscraper—just two floors taller than the one we were standing on. There, striking a pose like a comic book heroine, stood a woman with hands planted proudly on her hips. Her curly crimson hair whipped wildly in the wind, glowing like a blazing banner under the dusky sky.

Beside her stood a familiar nuisance—an impish figure I never fail to call a friend, no matter how much he grates on my nerves. These two—Cindy and Remuel—had arrived unannounced, as usual, but their presence was unmistakable. Well, maybe not for Michelle, who tilted her head in mild confusion, her expression practically forming a question mark.

"Cindy! Remuel!" Fei shouted, her voice ringing with relief. "You're here!"

"Yes. I am here!" Cindy declared, puffing out her muscular chest like a seasoned warrior ready for battle. "I shall lead you to Exestia without delay!"

"I'm from Exestia myself, so obviously, you'll need a handsome guide," Remuel added, mirroring Cindy's stance and puffing his chest with exaggerated flair.

"Guide? Sure. Handsome? Absolutely not." I fired back, aiming straight for his ego.

"Ack!" Remuel clutched his chest as if struck by a fatal blow. "Zaft, you wound me! Can't you at least pretend to play along with my charm once in a while? I'm your friend too, you know—same as Neil!"

I couldn't help but cringe. Honestly, I still don't know why I keep these fools around. But deep down, even in the middle of this chaotic, war-torn mess, I'm grateful for them. Sometimes, a little comedy is the only shield we have against despair.

"Yeah, whatever," I muttered, flicking my hand lazily in the air. "Are you sure you two can really take us to Exestia?"

"You bet your ass we can!" Cindy grinned, slamming a fist against her chest with such force it made me wince just hearing the thud. "With my strength and speed, plus Remuel's familiarity with the terrain, we'll get you there safe and sound—no Cosmic Beast's gonna lay a claw on you!"

Myrrh let out a small sigh and shimmered back into her human form, steam gently rising from her shoulders as she rebalanced her breath. She glanced at me, and I glanced back, both of us silently exchanging the same thought: Is this going to work?

We turned our eyes back to the self-declared escorts.

"Let me show you!" Cindy declared with a bold smirk, holding up her morpher as she leapt straight off the edge of the skyscraper.

The wind howled around her as she plummeted. At about thirty meters above the ground, her voice rang out clear and proud. 

"Frame Unit, Awaken!"

In sync, Remuel tapped his WEEB System, his fingers flicking through translucent buttons on his holographic interface. Crimson circuits lit up across his arm as he pointed it at Cindy's falling figure. 

"Beast Transformation, Activate!"

What happened next was pure spectacle.

Cindy's body glowed and burst into cascading panels of light, transforming in mid-air. Metallic plates swirled and locked together with brutal elegance, forming a towering cybernetic beast—a crimson war-boar, massive and awe-inspiring. Jagged, lance-like tusks jutted forward, and glowing yellow circuits pulsed rhythmically along the gaps in its armored hide, like veins coursing with energy.

With a mechanical hiss, a large plate on the boar's nape unfolded, revealing a cockpit—surprisingly spacious, like the interior of a luxury RV. Padded seats, control panels, and even cup holders gleamed beneath ambient red lighting.