Just then.
A scholar monitoring the shield data in the control room suddenly said, "Someone's back. It's the Humble Scholar, Xixido. He's approaching the fortress!"
Everyone stopped talking.
Seratos, one of the Ten Giants and the Sky Fortress's commander, rose at once and went to the Crystal Ball's display. He saw Xixido's figure held outside the shield, and noticed more than a dozen powerful Blood-Derived pursuing him through the raging Death Storm. They stood frozen in the storm, staring in astonishment at the metallic behemoth parked outside the broodmother's storm eye.
The Metal War platform gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.
"Quick! Send an agent team to bring him back!"
After issuing the order to the control console, Seratos turned to another Crystal Ball console and gave a command.
"Release the High Tower's reserve energy. Target every Blood-Derived that enters the Death Storm after the Sky Fortress. Level-one combat alert. Wake every Metal War Weapon in the combat reserve room."
Whirrr, whirrr, whirrr, whirrr...
Red and blue lights flashed in alternating bursts, accompanied by urgent war horns. The Sky Fortress, calm only moments ago, had awakened from its slumber. Like a savage metal beast rousing from sleep, it stirred to life in an instant. The scholars hurried back to their posts, each taking up their duties and preparing for battle.
The fortress's metal base was divided into twelve warehouse zones.
With a series of metallic clanks, the enormous warehouse doors slowly opened, revealing row upon row of metal coffins packed together like a forest. Their indicator lights flashed incessantly.
Hiss...
As the vacuum was vented, air flooded into the sealed metal coffins.
The coffin lids slowly opened. Hundreds of Fladick's prized war machines from his lifetime opened their eyes. Their dark red eyes, devoid of emotion, swept over the metal