Chapter 140: : Phantom Protocols
📘 Chapter 140
🔧 Scene 1: The Living Core
Zeron stared at Kaelis's flickering form on the cockpit screen—eyes wide with disbelief.
"You're… inside my mech?"
Kaelis gave a faint smile, her form softly pulsing with Krono energy.
"Technically, I am your mech."
"But how? You're alive."
She nodded, expression distant.
"I was once a child created from a failed project. My body died… but my mind was preserved in the prototype Core—Seraphim's Core."
"Then… you've been with me all along?"
"Yes. But I could only awaken when your Krono synchronized with mine."
Zeron sat in silence.
For the first time… Seraphim wasn't just metal and wires.
It was alive.
⚔️ Scene 2: Violet Dawn's First Mission
Violet Dawn's new base was a rundown hangar in the abandoned outskirts of Sector 7.
Inside, Zake struggled with equipment.
"This thing's older than me."
Zui adjusted the tactical terminal, projecting a hologram.
"Mission report just came in. Small town in Zone 5 went dark. No distress call, no data uplink."
"No survivors?" Arin asked, loading her sniper core.
"None confirmed. Federation dispatched a scout drone. It vanished in under 8 seconds."
Zeron walked in, battle suit on, eyes steady.
"We're deploying. Lock in."
Each team member saluted.
Violet Dawn's first operation: Mission 001 – Phantom Protocols.
🌌 Scene 3: The Ghost Town
As the team's drop-ship arrived at the silent zone, Zake scanned the air.
"No heat signatures. No Krono radiation. Not even rats."
Zui's tablet glitched.
"Something's jamming me…"
Arin drew her weapon.
"Eyes up. I've got a visual—movement at 11 o'clock."
Suddenly—silence shattered.
The shadows around them bent unnaturally—and something cloaked in void stepped out.
It was humanoid.
But its joints dislocated as it moved.
Its chest glowed faintly… no core, just darkness.
"That's not a mecha…"
Zeron's eyes widened as Kaelis's voice echoed through his helmet.
"It's worse. That's a Phantom Unit—a synthetic born from Krono corruption. They don't need cores. They eat them."
🧟 Scene 4: Battle Against the Unseen
The Phantom lunged—claws slicing air like a whisper.
Zake barely dodged.
Zui activated support mode.
"Deploying auto-barriers—now!"
Arin locked in, aiming for the head.
BANG!
The Phantom vanished.
"It dodged mid-bullet!?"
Zeron summoned Seraphim from the drop-point—Kaelis synced instantly.
"We need Krono override—let me guide your attacks."
"Do it."
The mecha burst forward—one strike, two, three.
Each passed through the Phantom like smoke—until Kaelis adjusted trajectory—
Critical Hit!
The Phantom let out an otherworldly screech as it dissolved into nothing.
But from the shadows… three more appeared.
Zake shouted, "We're surrounded!"
"These aren't invaders… they're failed prototypes from the Federation."
Zui blinked. "Wait… what?"
"They've been testing Phantom AI weapons in ghost sectors."
"And someone… just set them loose."
👁️ Scene 5: Meanwhile, in the Dark Council
Far above in orbital station Null Star, a masked figure stood before a massive holographic map.
"Violet Dawn survived the Phantom encounter."
Another figure spoke.
"As expected. Let them grow. Heroes shine brightest before they're crushed."
The map pulsed red around Sector 7.
"Deploy Project Eclipse's sleeper agents."
"And activate Protocol Omega."
💔 Scene 6: Aelira's Decision
Inside the Federation High Council, Aelira sat across from her commander.
"I was told to eliminate Zeron. I failed."
"You're lucky you weren't court-martialed."
She didn't answer.
She stared at her reflection.
A scar ran along her jawline—a reminder of her first war.
"You're hesitating."
"No. I'm choosing."
She stood, coat swirling behind her.
"I'm requesting transfer to Sector 7."
"Why?"
"To watch the monster grow. And when the time comes… to kill him myself."
🧩 Scene 7: Cliffhanger Ending
As the Phantom town burned behind them, Zeron sat alone near the ship ramp.
Kaelis appeared beside him, in her projected human form.
"That… wasn't a coincidence, was it?"
Zeron shook his head.
"Someone's testing us. Pushing us."
Kaelis looked up at the stars.
"Then it's time you knew something."
She reached into the light of her form—and pulled out a glowing cube.
"This… was left by your father. He programmed me to give it to you… when your Krono turned violet."
Zeron took the cube.
Inside flickered coordinates… and a name.
"Project Genesis."
🔮 Chapter Preview – Chapter 141:
Zui begins decoding the mysterious cube.Zeron learns the truth about his father's role in Krono weaponization.Violet Dawn is ambushed by Federation elite.Kaelis reveals her hidden combat mode.And the Phantom Units… begin to multiply.