I Am Honkai

The flagship fortress of the Astartes XIII Legion, a colossal structure towering nearly 10,000 meters in height and spanning tens of kilometers in diameter, slowly descended into a predetermined orbit above Earth.

Inside the specially engineered fusion engines, highly concentrated Honkai Crystals underwent intense nuclear fusion reactions, generating the immense propulsion necessary to move this gargantuan airborne citadel. Surrounding the flagship was an expansive fleet of the Legion's fortress platforms and atmospheric warships, with some units already descending into the planet's gravitational pull.

As they settled into synchronized rotation with the planet, the fleet opened its bombardment apertures, targeting coordinates uploaded by the Hunter Squad.

Hum! Hum! Hum!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Pillars of light, the so-called "Particle Lances," rained down from orbit like incandescent fire bolts connecting the heavens and the Earth. Their incomprehensible heat ignited the surrounding air, creating waves of distortion visible even to the naked eye. The shockwaves roared through the atmosphere, seemingly boiling the planet's very surface.

Though the near-vacuum of space greatly muted the sound of the orbital bombardments, the blinding flashes alone lit up the entire atmosphere in a fiery orange color. As larger ships and fortresses entered the planet's gravitational well, particularly the XIII Legion's flagship fortress, their immense mass triggered tremors and low-magnitude earthquakes across the globe, along with localized tsunamis.

Understandably, Earth's governments had little bandwidth to manage disaster relief as they scrambled to face this unprecedented crisis.

In the flagship's command center, the Legion Commander Robert methodically issued orders:

"After neutralizing the conquered world's—Designated World 28 [Date A Live]—remaining military bases, cease using orbital heavy weaponry such as planetary-scale cannons."

"Order the 3rd and 6th Astartes Grand Companies to conduct rapid deployment operations. Their task is to eliminate all resistance forces in the designated zones."

"Auxiliary forces and mortal servant armies will follow closely behind, maintaining order in the occupied territories and conducting secondary sweeps for remaining hostiles."

"Priority directive: preserve scientific institutions, research facilities, and as many researchers as possible."

"Understood, Commander!"

Under Robert's steady command, the XIII Legion's various military units systematically began landing on the planetary surface.

London, flagged as a key target by Selene, was among the first to fall into chaos. The city was engulfed in flames from the onset of hostilities. Surrounding airports, naval harbors, military bases, and even urban police stations were obliterated in the opening salvo of particle lances.

The Honkai particle lances launchers, capable of precision surgical strikes or apocalyptic devastation, were the weapon of choice for orbital bombardments. Their adjustable energy output allowed for anything from demolishing single buildings to piercing through planetary crusts at maximum output.

As the only global producer of Realizer devices, DEM's London HQ was far more developed than its counterparts in alternate worlds. When the unknown forces launched their assault, the Anti-Spirit Team (AST) and DEM Corporation's private security forces were deployed immediately.

Unfortunately, the enemies descending from the heavens were beyond anything they had ever faced.

While the Imperial Mortal Auxiliary Forces (average height 1.9 meters) could still be perceived as human, the towering Astartes warriors—each standing over 2.7 meters—were godlike executioners sent from above.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Hum! Hum! Hum!

BOOM!

A group of AST operatives equipped with DEM's latest Realizer devices found themselves dragged into the ground by massive purple energy hands conjured from the skies. They were slammed into the earth with such force that nearby buildings crumbled instantly. Those who survived the impact barely had time to recover before the relentless Astartes descended upon them.

Chainswords roared to life, their jagged, vibrating teeth tearing through DEM's so-called "Territory Fields" as though they were paper. The chainsword, reinforced with Orichalum and sharpened to a monomolecular edge, emitted a deafening whir that heralded doom.

"Ah! No, I don't want to die—"

An AST operative screamed as her territory field cracked and failed under the relentless assault of an Astartes. Tears streamed down her face, accentuating her delicate features and evoking a fleeting sense of pity.

But her pleas fell on deaf ears. The Astartes, war machines driven by Selene's relentless will, felt no empathy.

RIIIIIP!

The chainsword carved through her defenses and body in one swift motion, splitting her in half. Blood and bone fragments splattered across the ruins, painting a macabre scene that resembled a vision of hell itself.

The massacre continued unabated, with the nearby rebels frozen in terror as their comrades were slaughtered one after another. The streets filled with anguished cries and the sickening stench of death.

"How... how is this possible? This is DEM's newest Realizer device! How could such a primitive weapon break through its Territory Field in less than a second?"

Artemisia Bell Ashcroft, the ace of the Anti-Spirit Team, gasped in disbelief as she watched her comrades fall. Kneeling amidst the rubble, her once-pristine Ashcroft Realizer device was battered and malfunctioning. Blood trickled from her mouth as she clutched her broken energy sword, while a gaping wound bled profusely from her abdomen.

"Foolish mortal. Why does this surprise you?"

Before her stood an imposing Astartes officer towering at least three meters tall. His left shoulder bore the insignia of the Ultramarines, marked by the iconic "U" surrounded by a golden double-headed eagle and etched with the numeral XIII.

His exquisitely crafted power armor, decorated with intricate Gothic engravings and gold trim, exuded an aura of both majesty and dread. A pristine white-gold cape billowed behind him.

With a flick of his wrist, the officer unleashed a blast of Honkai energy, crushing a handful of AST soldiers like ants. In his other hand, he wielded a massive Honkai-powered longsword, its blade crackling with energy, and a master-crafted bolter in the other.

"You're different from the rest. I'll give you a choice: surrender or die."

His gravelly voice rang out with the unyielding authority of a divine executioner.

Boom Boom Boom!

Hum Hum—!

In the blink of an eye, the AST operatives who had been standing around Artemisia moments before were annihilated, replaced by the towering blue-armored giants who brought nothing but death and destruction in their wake.

"Do you want me to surrender?"

"That's correct, mortal. You should feel honored. After the Legion secures control of the British Isles, we'll need local agents to maintain order. You're one of my potential candidates. You meet the strength requirements; the weak have no place in the Empire's higher ranks."

Artemisia didn't respond immediately. Instead, she weakly raised her head, her gaze moving past the blue-armored giant who sought her surrender to the burning skies above.

Hum Hum Hum!!

Orange-red beams pierced through the clouds, illuminating the earth with fiery brilliance as the atmosphere churned in their path.

Above, pods from orbital descent streaked through the sky, friction from the atmosphere igniting the air around them. These fiery meteors plummeted toward the ground, and as they approached, reverse engines roared to life, spewing flames to slow their descent. They landed with resounding crashes, sending dust clouds skyward.

As the pods opened, like blooming metallic flowers, more imposing blue-armored giants emerged from within. The air seemed to hum with the aura of slaughter and conquest radiating from them.

In mere moments, power swords, hammers, axes, chainswords, chainaxes, bolter weaponry, and Honkai plasma armaments came alive with a symphony of destruction.

Previously, the AST operatives and the private security forces of DEM Industries had barely managed to hold their ground against the smaller-scale space-time incursions by the Astartes warriors. Their numerical superiority had allowed them to withstand the initial shock.

But now, with the full might of the 13th Legion descending en masse via orbital drop, the battlefield had shifted dramatically. AST operatives and DEM Industries soldiers were swiftly outmaneuvered, divided, and eradicated.

Nearby, AST teams worked tirelessly to protect civilians as they retreated. But as more and more descent pods landed, and the number of terrifying blue-armored giants continued to grow, panic began to spread among the people.

"Dammit! You AST are useless! We taxpayers pay for your training and provide you with the world's most advanced equipment, yet here you are, failing to protect us!" shouted one enraged civilian.

"Yeah, and DEM Industries too! They boast about being the most advanced tech company in the world, but it's all nonsense!"

Amidst the chaos, a few voices tried to defend the AST operatives. "Hey, don't say that! They're trying their best, and they've suffered heavy losses!"

"Losses?! So what if they're dying? If they can't protect us, then they're worthless!"

In a society influenced by years of "happiness-focused" education and a media culture that often undermined public institutions, such unreasonable sentiments were not uncommon. Despite a few voices of reason, the growing frustration and panic of the crowd quickly drowned them out.

"Run! These incompetent fools can't protect us!"

At someone's terrified shout, the mob surged forward, abandoning all semblance of order. Chaos erupted as civilians pushed against one another in a desperate bid to escape. Law enforcement and military personnel trying to maintain order were quickly overwhelmed.

Stampedes and bottlenecks became unavoidable.

If the crowd had coordinated their retreat, they might have had a chance. But now, with everyone selfishly trying to get ahead, the situation spiraled into a deadly frenzy. Even rational individuals were swept up in the tide of fear, losing themselves to the mob mentality.

"Heh, these are the civilians you swore to protect?"

The company captain of the Astartes chuckled coldly, planting his power sword firmly into the ground and holstering his bolt pistol at his waist. Arms crossed, he sneered with disdain.

"Do they deserve it? Disorganized, undisciplined, chaotic, and ungrateful. They smear the very soldiers who risk their lives to defend them. Such rabble wouldn't even qualify as citizens under the Empire. They lack the discipline and order we demand."

Under Robert's command, the 13th Legion of Ultramarines prided itself on its strict adherence to order and discipline, to the point of near-obsession. To them, chaos and lawlessness were intolerable.

For this captain, these chaotic mortals were the epitome of everything he despised.

"Jenny, Ellie, Sabrina…"

Amid the devastation, Artemisia forced herself to her feet, leaning heavily on her shattered energy blade. Her voice cracked as she whispered the names of her fallen comrades, her gaze sweeping over the carnage.

In that moment, her heart turned cold. For an 18-year-old girl, this was too much.

"Mortal, you have fifteen seconds to decide. My patience is limited…" the captain said, gesturing dismissively with his hand.

"Terminate them."

Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh!

A flurry of micro-missiles launched from Astartes troopers stationed further back. The projectiles streaked toward the fleeing civilians who had broken away from the main group.

Boom Boom Boom!

In an instant, the leading group of civilians was consumed in a chain of fiery explosions. Flames and shrapnel rained down, obliterating vehicles and tearing through the crowd.

Those watching, including Artemisia and the remaining AST operatives, were stunned. The blue-armored giants had deliberately targeted the fleeing civilians, not the soldiers. Why?

"Those who have died cannot be brought back. But you have a choice—to look forward. Do you wish for them to survive? To see your comrades alive again? It's all up to you."

Thud Thud!

The captain approached Artemisia, his massive boots sending vibrations through the ground. The intricate golden wings etched into his faceplate gleamed as his crimson visor flared ominously.

"You have five seconds."

"I… I'll surrender," Artemisia rasped, collapsing to her knees. "But you must promise not to harm my AST comrades or enact mass slaughter."

The broken energy blade fell from her trembling hands as she raised her head with resolve in her eyes.

"Of course. A wise choice. Those who surrender and accept the Empire's rule are no longer enemies. As fellow subjects basking in the radiance of our great Divine Empress Selene, why would we harm our own kin?"

The captain laughed deeply as he stepped past her. "Medic, tend to her injuries. She will be useful in persuading others to surrender and preventing unnecessary bloodshed."

As an Astartes medic bearing a red cross insignia stepped forward to treat Artemisia's wounds, the tide of battle around them began to shift once more.

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