8.04

In the aftermath of a brutal skirmish, a temporary alliance forms between Armsmaster and Kaiser to contain Leviathan. They work in tandem, Kaiser creating a cage of metal bars around the beast, while Armsmaster sets motion-activated grenades liberated from Bakuda. The remaining capes, around fifty in total, prepare for the inevitable battle. Among them are seasoned fighters like Hookwolf, Fenja, Menja, Genesis, Aegis, and Manpower, alongside less experienced individuals like Parian, a doll-costumed cape with surprisingly tough stuffed animals. Others, such as Shadow Stalker, Lady Photon, and Purity, possess offensive capabilities but are too fragile for direct confrontation. Kid Win teleports pieces of a powerful cannon, aiming it at a gap in Leviathan’s neck opened by Narwhal’s forcefield.

The narrator, injured and scared, seeks a strategic position in sector CC-7, a familiar area now transformed into a battlefield. They analyze the terrain for potential advantages, recalling past encounters and the devastating power of Leviathan. Recognizing their vulnerability, they adopt a prey mentality, focusing on survival rather than direct combat. They choose a dilapidated carport for cover, offering an escape route and concealment, while their bugs gather under a nearby roof, kept dry for later use.

Drawing on past experiences, the narrator notes an enhancement in their powers, extending their reach and responsiveness. They use this to create multiple smaller swarms in concealed locations, shaping them into human-like figures as a deception tactic. Meanwhile, Eidolon freezes the coastline, a risky maneuver that might give Leviathan an edge with ice shards in future waves. The heroes hope for Scion’s intervention, but the enigmatic golden man is occupied elsewhere.

As the narrator prepares their hiding spot, Leviathan awakens. Aegis and Fenja fall in the ensuing chaos. Kid Win fires his laser cannon, but a massive impact throws off his aim, and he, too, is downed. Leviathan enters the narrator’s street, displaying grievous wounds but seemingly unaffected. He casually dispatches Kaiser, leaving only his torso behind. The narrator’s armband, their communication link, goes offline.

Leviathan manipulates water, directing a surge towards the narrator’s hiding spot. They narrowly avoid the attack, but the force throws them to the ground, exacerbating their injuries. Disoriented and in agony, they struggle to their feet, witnessing Armsmaster engage Leviathan in a fierce duel.

Armsmaster, wielding two specialized Halberds, one capable of grappling and the other surrounded by a nanite cloud that severs molecular bonds, exploits his knowledge of Leviathan’s attack patterns. He taunts the creature, revealing his meticulous analysis and predictive algorithms. Armsmaster lands several devastating blows, severing chunks of flesh and driving the blade deep into Leviathan’s body. He employs a temporal stasis device to halt the Endbringer’s movements, further injuring the beast.

Despite being grievously wounded, Leviathan remains relentless. Armsmaster presses his advantage, declaring his intent to claim victory and avenge the fallen. He unleashes a flurry of attacks, seemingly overwhelming the creature. As Leviathan attempts to flee, Armsmaster uses his grappling hook to ensnare and drag the beast back, delivering a series of crippling blows.

Leviathan collapses, and Armsmaster continues his assault, severing limbs and inflicting further damage. His armband hisses with a message, but he dismisses it, focused on finishing the fight. However, the ground rumbles, and a crack splits the street. Leviathan manipulates the storm sewers, unleashing a torrent of water towards Armsmaster.

Armsmaster uses his grappling hook to freeze the water in time, allowing him to evade the attack and close in on Leviathan. But the Endbringer, moving with renewed speed, catches Armsmaster’s blade in its claw. It pins the hero’s hand, then brutally tears off his arm at the shoulder.

The narrator sends their remaining swarms to attack Leviathan, hoping to find a weakness, but the bugs are ineffective. The Endbringer, revealing its earlier frailty as an act, departs at full speed. The narrator rushes to Armsmaster’s side, discovering their armband had erroneously reported their death. They retrieve Armsmaster’s severed arm and crushed Halberd, then use the damaged armband to call for help, reporting Leviathan’s new direction: West-North-West, possibly towards a shelter.

A voice responds, confirming the possibility and promising medical assistance. They ask the narrator to track Leviathan, sending a flier to assist. The narrator, using their bugs within Leviathan’s wounds to maintain a connection, agrees, becoming the eyes on the fleeing Endbringer. They apply pressure to Armsmaster’s wound, hoping to keep him alive as they await help, the weight of their new responsibility settling upon them.