Third Wave Rising

The sheer number of Sentinels – an estimated 110 left across three waves – did not discourage Zephyr. "It's doable," he muttered through gritted teeth, his unwavering confidence a beacon in the storm of chaos. He believed the fortified walls, coupled with the Legions' unwavering defense, could weather the onslaught.

However, anxiety gnawed at him as a new notification flickered into existence. It wasn't the "Last Wave" message he'd anticipated, the harbinger of an approaching conclusion. Instead, the words "Third Wave" loomed large, casting an ominous shadow over their already precarious situation.

The implication was clear: this wasn't the final act. This was merely another chapter in a seemingly unending nightmare, each wave pushing them closer to the brink.

Just eighteen days into his regression, Zephyr grappled with a disorienting sense of unfamiliarity. The world, once predictable, had become a labyrinth of unexpected twists. Major events unfolded in stark contrast to his memories, leaving him questioning everything he thought he knew.

Only the most mundane occurrences mirrored his past experiences. This discrepancy fueled a chilling suspicion: was the Protoss, the enigmatic alien architects of the Apex World, aware of his regression? Did they deliberately manipulate the events, seeking to alter the play's outcome?

He scoffed at the notion. The very premise was absurd. If the Protoss were aware of his existence as a regressor - a Legion with knowledge of future events - they wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him. After all, his presence threatened to disrupt the intricate game they'd meticulously designed.

A sardonic chuckle escaped his lips. 'No, those arrogant aliens wouldn't dare launch the Apex World with me around. It would spoil all their fun.'

Zephyr, clad in his imposing Polaris Exosuit, kept his distance from the safest spot at the Main Gate, granting Wei Zexian a clear disturbance for his sniper rifle. The Aether Energy reserves within the suit brimmed with power, promising a sustained fight for at least four hours, even as the battle raged around them.

With a surge of energy, Zephyr propelled himself back into the fray. His movements, amplified by the Exosuit's boosters, were swift and decisive. He intercepted any Sentinel foolish enough to breach the hail of gunfire from the Legions. His blows were imbued with raw power that left the beasts staggering and disoriented.

The sheer presence of a figure wielding such overwhelming strength sowed discord among the Sentinel ranks. Their primal instincts, honed to overcome any obstacle, became their undoing. Their focus fractured, their movements erratic, as they instinctively prioritized the threat that was Zephyr.

Regardless of the escalating number of Sentinels, Zephyr fought with unwavering determination. Every time the beasts threatened to hem him in, a single, precise shot from Wei Zexian's rifle rang out, thinning the ranks and creating breathing room for Zephyr's maneuvers.

Their coordination, though forged in the crucible of battle, was undeniably effective. Wei Zexian, despite being a mere player unfamiliar with the harsh realities of Apex World beyond the sanitized virtual reality of Apex Online, kept pace with Zephyr's movements with uncanny precision.

Even Wei Zexian himself was surprised by his own prowess. As he reloaded his rifle, a silent question echoed in his mind: 'What the hell? How am I pulling this off?' A flicker of unexpected confidence ignited within him, fueled by the thrill of the fight and the unexpected synergy he shared with Zephyr.

Despite their valiant efforts, the tide began to turn. The sheer number of Sentinels proved overwhelming, even for Zephyr's fighting prowess and the exceptional synergy he shared with Wei Zexian. Brutal reality set in as the first beasts breached the defensive line, surging towards the Main Gate and the surrounding walls of the Divine Light Fortress.

Suddenly, Wei Zexian found himself in a precarious situation. Two Sentinels flanked his sniper position, forcing him to abandon his rifle and engage in close combat. His Hyperion Exosuit, thankfully, held decisive. The thick armor withstood the relentless onslaught of sharp claws and lashing tails, leaving only superficial marks.

However, fending off the beasts proved challenging. Wei Zexian lacked the offensive capabilities to swiftly dispatch them. Neither punches nor attempts at slashing with makeshift weapons found their mark, leaving him locked in a desperate struggle.

Even Jae-Ya's sporadic shots offered little solace. Luckily, Da-Mi and the others arrived at the Main Gate, bolstering the defenses. Their basic aether bullets, while not as powerful, proved sufficient.

The hail of bullets forced the two flanking Sentinels to falter, their attention momentarily diverted. Seizing the opportunity, Wei Zexian lashed out. A well-placed dagger strike, combined with the crushing grip of his Hyperion Exosuit, found its mark, sending one beast sprawling lifelessly to the ground.

The remaining Sentinel, caught in the crossfire, fell victim to a relentless barrage of gunfire at close range. Wei Zexian, his suit holding the flailing creature in a vise-like grip, ensured its demise with a final, decisive blow.

"Glad you guys are here. Otherwise, I might be in trouble." Zexian acknowledged from within his Exoskeleton helmet. His voice was laced with relief.

Mutual nods and appreciative murmurs filled the air, a brief exchange of camaraderie amidst the chaos. However, Da-Mi and Yamato remained focused on the escalating battle before the Main Gate.

"Have you noticed those Legions' behavior?" Yamato inquired, his brow furrowed in concern.

Da-Mi's expression mirrored his, a frown etching itself onto her face. "I've been observing them since we were on the wall. It seems their programming is locked for this pre-quest. They continue to fire from above despite the obvious inefficiency. We can't even communicate with them. It's frustrating."

Yamato let out a humorless chuckle. "NPCs, I guess. We can't expect them to be paragons of tactical brilliance."

Relief washed over Da-Mi as Yamato's words echoed through the chaos. However, a gnawing disquiet lingered beneath the surface. Unlike Zephyr, who had grasped the true significance of the latest notification, Da-Mi struggled to decipher its entire meaning since her Apexian language was still not at the mastery stage.

The cryptic message, emblazoned across the sky, nibbled at her conscience. Something felt amiss, but she couldn't quite pinpoint the source of her unease.

Seizing a brief reprieve in the onslaught, Zephyr, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield, noted the dwindling number of Sentinels. Only half remained, their relentless charge now a scattered skirmish.

Though a handful of rogue Sentinels attempted to scale the walls, their efforts were thwarted by the unwavering hail of gunfire from the NPC Legions. The Main Gate, for now, held firm despite a small force of Sentinels converging upon it.

Just as Zephyr assessed the battlefield. The unmistakable rhythm of war drums echoed once more. A chilling reminder to the remnants of humanity. A notification materialized before their eyes:

Tring!

======================

[Apex World] [Main Pre-Quest]

In-Completion

>> Last Wave is commencing with 180 Beasts

======================

The notification screen held no surprises for Zephyr. He'd already formulated his final gambit, a desperate maneuver that could leave his recently acquired Polaris Exosuit crippled.

"Full power to attack circuits," he commanded, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hands. "Focus all remaining aether energy into a single, devastating strike. When the battery dips below five percent, initiate an energy wave blast."

The Heads-Up Display flickered to life, acknowledging his instructions with a series of holographic notifications. For now, the Polaris hummed with contained power, a testament to Zephyr's unwavering resolve.

The earth trembled as a fresh wave of Sentinels, numbering 180, surged towards them. The combined force of this new wave and the remaining 50 beasts created a thunderous din, the very ground echoing with the approaching threat.

The hail of gunfire from the NPC Legions faltered, their bullets proving insufficient to stem the tide of the Sentinel horde. A hundred monstrous creatures surged forward, their inhuman speed sending shivers down the spines of even the bravest defenders.

Undeterred, Zephyr stood his ground, a lone bastion of defiance against the encroaching tide. With a flick of his wrist, he drew the Emberheart Pistol, the weapon's fiery glow a stark contrast to the encroaching hazard.

A thunderous crack echoed as he unleashed a single, precise shot. The targeted Sentinel, struck down in an instant, crumpled to the ground. He executed a swift backward leap, the movement fluid and practiced, before discharging another round from the Emberheart, another beast falling victim to his deadly aim.

As the remaining Sentinels closed the distance, Zephyr activated his Exosuit's jet thrusters, propelling himself high into the air with an ear splitting roar. He descended upon the enemy ranks with the force of a meteor, landing squarely amidst them with a bone-jarring crash. The momentum of his descent disrupted the charging beasts, their once-unified rhythm thrown into disarray.