Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

After everyone had finished eating and the remaining members of the group had finally arrived, the atmosphere within the Mist Shelter gradually became quieter.

The excitement that had filled the shelter the previous day had not completely disappeared, especially considering that they were about to explore an ancient facility belonging to a civilization that had seemingly vanished long before the Apocalypse began.

However, the closer they came to actually setting out, the more everyone understood that this was no ordinary expedition.

They were about to enter a place that had remained hidden beneath Eden Island for an unknown period of time.

Nobody knew what was waiting inside.

There could be valuable technology, information about the Anima Civilization, or perhaps even clues regarding the origin of the Apocalypse. At the same time, there was no guarantee that the facility was safe simply because it had remained silent for so long.

In fact, the existence of the War Automata suggested the opposite.

Shane eventually stood from his seat and looked around the group.

”Is everyone ready?”

The others immediately began checking their equipment one final time.

Tieria adjusted the mechanical device covering his eye. The advanced artificial eye immediately activated, and a faint glow appeared within its mechanical structure as several layers of information began passing through his vision.

His mechanical eye had already been extraordinarily advanced before, but after spending time around the New Genesis Shelter, Tieria had continued upgrading it whenever he obtained suitable technology.

It could now analyze far more than ordinary vision could perceive.

”I’m ready.”

Nearby, Jillian carefully inspected her instrument before placing it against her back. Her role in the expedition wasn’t to charge into the front lines and destroy everything in sight. As a Bard, her strength came from supporting the people around her, and she had already prepared several melodies that could strengthen the group’s physical abilities, mental resistance, and combat efficiency.

Sandara quietly checked the tension of her bowstring before drawing one of her special arrows and examining its tip.

Satisfied, she returned it to her quiver.

Lyra was even quieter.

She had arranged the talismans Aya had provided into several different groups inside a wooden case, making sure she could immediately identify the one she needed without wasting time searching through them.

Some were designed to illuminate dark areas, others could detect hidden dangers, while several could weaken curses or temporarily strengthen allies.

They might not have been particularly impressive on a battlefield.

But inside an ancient facility filled with unknown mechanisms, they could potentially save someone’s life.

Minerva was the last among them to finish preparing.

Her silver-eyed owl remained perched calmly upon her shoulder, seemingly unaware that it was about to enter an ancient facility that could potentially be filled with dangers.

Minerva gently touched the creature’s feathers before looking toward the others.

”I don’t sense anything unusual.”

She paused briefly.

”At least, not yet.”

Max immediately glanced toward her.

”Not yet?”

Minerva calmly looked at him.

”That’s what I said.”

Max scratched the back of his head.

”Somehow, that doesn’t make me feel better.”

A few people chuckled.

Max had clearly not taken the warning seriously.

After all, he had his mechanical body modifications, the Legendary Voidpiercer Gauntlet, and the Tempest Cloak. Even if something unexpected appeared, he was confident that he could survive long enough for the others to react.

Tundra looked at him and smiled.

”You’re always welcome to stay behind.”

”Absolutely not.”

Max immediately stood.

”We’re exploring an ancient facility belonging to an unknown civilization. There is no way I’m missing this.”

Nobody was surprised by his answer.

Shane couldn’t help smiling as he raised his left wrist.

The seemingly ordinary wristwatch around his arm suddenly lit up.

”Cloud. Are you still connected to the Warden Units around the facility?”

[ Yes. I currently have visual access to the area through three Warden Units and several reconnaissance drones. I have also established a temporary data connection with Tieria’s mechanical eye. ]

Tieria raised an eyebrow.

”So you’re already connected to my eye?”

[ Your mechanical eye contains several systems compatible with my current analytical protocols. Establishing a connection was relatively simple. ]

Tieria smiled faintly.

”That’s convenient.”

Shane looked toward the distant facility.

”Any changes?”

Cloud was silent for a moment before answering.

[ None. The War Automata remain in their previous positions. They have not moved since Sylas first discovered them. ]

Tundra’s expression became slightly more serious.

”Not even one?”

[ Correct. ]

That answer only made the situation feel stranger.

The machines had emerged from the hidden passage, walked toward the entrance, and taken up specific positions around the facility.

Since then, they hadn’t moved...

Tundra looked toward Sylas.

”How close can you get without being detected?”

The Legendary Elf, who had been standing quietly nearby, answered almost immediately.

”I can reach the entrance without them noticing.”

”Then you’ll go first.”

Sylas nodded.

”I’ll investigate the area around the entrance and check whether there are any hidden mechanisms or traps. If I discover anything unusual, I’ll report it before the others approach.”

Shane nodded.

”Don’t enter the facility alone.”

Sylas looked at him for a moment before giving a faint smile.

The next instant, his figure blurred... Then he disappeared.

His presence vanished just like that...

Even Minerva’s eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to follow him... but she couldn’t.

Nonetheless, the group immediately began making their way toward the facility.

They didn’t rush as everyone understood that this was an exploration rather than a battlefield charge. They maintained a loose formation, allowing enough space between each member to react if something suddenly attacked them while still remaining close enough to provide support.

As they crossed the floating island, the strange landscape surrounding them once again reminded them of just how extraordinary Eden Island had become.

The ground was still covered in soil, grass, trees, and scattered vegetation, but enormous sections of the island had been torn apart when it separated from the earth.

In several places, massive metallic structures protruded from beneath the soil.

Some looked like pillars while others resembled enormous machines buried beneath layers of rock.

Faint lines of energy occasionally pulsed across their surfaces.

Travis slowed down when he noticed one of them.

”Wait.”

Everyone stopped.

Travis approached the metallic structure but carefully avoided touching it.

”Look at this.”

Tieria immediately activated his mechanical eye.

His vision changed as layers of information appeared across his field of view.

”There is an energy flow inside.”

Cloud immediately responded through Shane’s wristwatch.

[ Confirmed. ]

Shane looked at the structure.

”What kind of energy?”

[ I cannot determine its exact nature yet. It does not match the energy systems currently used by the Warden Units or the Mech Frames. ]