Rise Of The Hoarder
Chapter 376 The Battle Of The Skies



The pandemonium of the besieged world was deafening, an orchestra of chaos that threatened to tear apart the very fabric of civilization.

Yet amidst the discord, in the sanctuary of the floating bases, another form of chaos was brewing, one fueled by desperation, determination, and resolve.

Paul stood on the control deck of the primary base, his gaze firmly fixed on the apocalyptic spectacle unfolding beneath them.

The once steadfast leader of the Gifted Alliance seemed stoic, his face set in a hardened grimace that belied the storm of emotions swirling within him.

Around him, a flurry of activity was in motion as members of the Alliance scrambled to respond to the unfolding calamity.

"We can't just watch this happen!" Lisa, the leader of Beta Team, protested, her voice echoing across the control deck.

Her hands were clenched into fists, knuckles whitening in her intensity.

"We won't," Paul replied, his voice a calm contrast to the prevailing tension. "We're already in motion. The relief units are on standby, ready to deploy the moment a feasible window opens up. But right now, the priority is to protect this ship."

"Protecting ourselves while the world is falling apart around us. I know it's the safest alternative, but... I worry about those who couldn't get on board..." She murmured.

Of everyone here, Lisa had always been the kindest.

"They chose their path when they refused to join the Gifted Alliance... remember that." Nye, the Alpha Team Leader spoke, his tone firm.

Everyone had to agree with him.

In this world, those who were outside the safety of their floating fortresses all over the world were simply sinners who didn't believe in their leader.

They more or less deserved such a fate.

"Our priority is survival," Paul stated firmly, "The world depends on us. If we don't survive, there will be no one left to protect those who remain. This ship is not just our sanctuary, but also our weapon. And we must use it wisely."

Everyone fell silent at Paul's words, his anger simmering down into a frustrated resignation.

Tia and Luke weren't present in the room, but even if they were, they would have had to agree with their leader's words.

Paul turned away, his gaze returning to the scene of destruction below them.

The deck went silent, save for the hum of the ship's engines and the murmurs of the crew.

Everyone was on edge, a taut string strummed too tight.

Yet amidst the tense silence, Paul's words resounded in their minds, a stark reminder of the heavy burden they all bore.

Suddenly, the ship's alarm blared into life, a harsh siren that sliced through the tense quiet.

Red lights flashed across the control panels, and the crew immediately sprang into action.

"Incoming enemy units from the south!" shouted Gamma team's leader, Tia. Her fingers danced across her console, pulling up images of the demonic legion on the main screen.

"Defensive units, prepare for combat!" Paul commanded, his tone brooking no argument.

"This is what you've trained for. Let's protect our ship and survive."

***********

Under the looming threat of the monstrous horde, the Gifted Alliance snapped into action, the charged atmosphere within their floating fortress becoming a hive of determined activity.

On the bridge, Paul's stern voice barked out orders that cut through the tension like a blade.

The Gifteds sprang into action, their faces set in grim determination as they readied their skills for the imminent onslaught.

Their first line of defense, a sophisticated energy shield, flickered to life.

It was a manifestation of countless Gifteds working in tandem, their abilities blending to form an impervious bulwark that enshrouded the entire fortress.

There were those with the skill to manipulate elements, feeding power into the shield, bolstered by the efforts of those with spatial manipulation skills, bending the very fabric of reality to augment the shield's durability.

As the demonic swarm surged closer, the fortress's offensive measures activated. Massive energy cannons, manipulated by the psychokinetics and energy manipulators, roared to life, bathing the rapidly darkening sky with brilliant, destructive beams of raw power.

Each shot lanced through the air, striking true against the demons, disintegrating dozens in each sweep.

The sky ignited with explosions, a display of human resilience and defiance against the demonic horde.

Amidst the bridge's frenzy, Nye, the one who took charge of this situation, stood, his gaze unwavering, directing their resistance with an iron will.

His fists clenched, the glimmer of his ability - a mastery over time - shimmered around him, allowing him to anticipate movements, coordinate attacks, and adapt strategies in split seconds.

"Follow my commands precisely!"

"YESSSIRRRR!!!"

However, the swarm was vast, an unending tide of demonic entities hell-bent on their destruction.

The energy shield flickered under the relentless assault, the Gifteds bolstering it grunting with the exertion of countering the unending barrage.

Their offensive measures, though efficient, were like a storm against a mountain, eroding the horde but not halting its advance.

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!~

~WHOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!~

~BWOOOOOOOOOSSSHHHHHHHHH!!!~

The battle raged on, the fortress a beacon amidst the chaos, casting intense beams of light against the shadowy horde.

Each demon they annihilated was immediately replaced by another, a macabre dance of death and destruction that seemed to be leaning towards the favor of their monstrous adversaries.

Still, as long as they were in the skies, having their barrier erected around them, they would be safe for the most part... right?

~RUMBLE!~

Suddenly, a massive quake shook the world beneath them.

From the cracked and torn earth, a gargantuan demon emerged, a monstrous entity that dwarfed those that came before.

Its eyes glowed with an unholy light, and a thunderous roar echoed from its maw, shaking the fortress in the sky.

This sudden emergence marked a dreadful shift in the battle. The energy shield flickered more noticeably, struggling under the onslaught of the augmented demonic forces.

The giant demon began to channel a dark, destructive energy, a building cataclysm that threatened to shatter their defensive measures and leave them bare against the relentless horde.

Nye's gaze hardened at this development.

He knew they had to adapt swiftly or perish under this insurmountable foe. But the Gifted Alliance was nothing if not resilient, and they would not go down without a fight.

"The real battle begins now!" Paul suddenly bellowed over the commotion, rallying his Alliance. "We are the last bastion of humanity, and we will not falter!"

Despite the grim situation, his words ignited a spark of renewed determination in the hearts of the Gifted Alliance, steeling them for the monumental challenge that lay ahead.

He whispered under his breath, a fervent plea to the uncertain future. "We will survive this... we must."

Despite the tremors of uncertainty, there was a glimmer of hope, a spark of defiance that refused to be extinguished.

It was the relentless determination of the Gifted Alliance, their unyielding spirit that would light the way in this era of Armageddon. 

"Alliance Leaders... it's our turn to shine." Paul turned to them with a smile.

Nye of Alpha Team.

Lisa of Beta Team

Tia of Gamma Team

And Luke of Omega Team.

These were the elite of the Gifted Alliance Headquarters.

"Now that that horrid creature threatens the security we've painstakingly built for so long, it's up to us," Paul spoke, his voice carrying as much charisma as it carried power.

He also moved from his position, ready to prove his mantle as the leader... the Grandmaster.

"Don't let me down."

"YES SIR!"

******

[A/N]

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Cheers.