The Transformation of Helena

The vast open space before the suspension bridge became a slaughterhouse as Helena piloted the steam-powered mech, unleashing carnage upon the city defense forces. The moment the massive machine activated its full arsenal, the sheer firepower momentarily overwhelmed the visible troops, shredding the soldiers who had been pursuing Luo Wei into bloody fragments.

After the relentless barrage, Luo Wei scanned the battlefield. The ground was pockmarked with craters of varying sizes, the air thick with the acrid stench of gunpowder. The surviving defenders, having left behind a field of mangled corpses, had scattered for cover—some even retreating into the same ruins where he and Helena had taken refuge earlier.

The sight filled Luo Wei with grim satisfaction. After being relentlessly hunted and bombarded by these very soldiers, the tables had finally turned. Now, they could taste the same fear.

"Overheat! Overheat! Weapon systems overheating!"

The cockpit blared with alarms as Helena frantically flipped through the manual, shutting down several overheating rotary turrets.

"Helena, conserve ammunition," Luo Wei called out, his gaze fixed on the distant palace. He had no idea how long they'd need to hold out here, and until Carlton was dealt with, Helena would have to stand her ground alone.

"Got it, brother!" She rose on her tiptoes, peering down at Luo Wei from the cockpit. "Go ahead! I’ve got this!"

"Right."

Luo Wei exchanged a glance with Eleya, who nodded in confirmation. Together, they stepped onto the bridge.

But just as they were about to move, Helena’s sensors picked up countless pinpricks of light flickering in the distance.

"Brother! Wait!"

"It’s their artillery!" Eleya warned urgently.

"Damn it, turn-based combat?!" Luo Wei’s eyes darted southward, where a sweeping curtain of blue-glowing projectiles rained toward them.

Helena immediately engaged the steam mech’s systems. Heavy gears groaned as the colossal machine shifted, shielding Luo Wei and Eleya behind its armored bulk.

Seconds before impact, she activated the mech’s defensive barrier. A resonant hum filled the air as a spherical force field enveloped them all.

Then—the world outside erupted.

Countless Magic Crystal Stone shells detonated around them, unleashing shockwaves of terrifying force. Yet, the blue shield held firm, isolating them from the devastation beyond. The contrast between the chaos outside and the eerie calm within was stark.

"Overload. Overload. Overload..."

The cockpit’s alarms screeched again. Helena’s heart pounded as she watched the energy reserves plummet. The Witch—Ophelia—had warned her before leaving: the defense system drained power the fastest. The mech’s armor was sturdy enough; it was better to avoid using the shield unless absolutely necessary.

But she had to protect her brother.

Without hesitation, Helena yanked the control lever, maxing out the force field’s output to ensure Luo Wei and Eleya remained shielded.

"We need to move faster!" Luo Wei shouted, eyeing the bridge now riddled with gaping holes. "At this rate, it’ll collapse!"

"On it!" Eleya, despite her slender frame, summoned surprising strength, hoisting Luo Wei onto her shoulders before sprinting across the bridge.

Helena kept her focus on them, straining to extend the barrier. She abandoned full spherical coverage, reshaping the shield into a towering blue wall that stretched upward like a colossal curtain, blocking every incoming shell on the bridge’s near side.

"Warning! Energy critical! Overload—"

The relentless bombardment sent ripples cascading across the barrier. Then, with a final, sputtering hiss, the force field collapsed.

Black, acrid smoke spewed from the mech’s core, choking Helena in the cockpit. Coughing violently, she ignored the discomfort, whipping her head around to check on Luo Wei.

The instant the shield failed, the bridge behind them exploded into rubble—but Eleya and Luo Wei had already leaped to safety on the far side.

Helena exhaled in relief, then glanced at the remaining energy reserves.

Less than a quarter left. It wouldn’t last long...

But at least she still had plenty of ammunition.

Her expression darkened as she glared at the city defense soldiers now emerging from their cover. Once the artillery barrage ceased, they regrouped with disciplined efficiency, advancing toward the bridge once more.

The mech’s weapons roared back to life. Rotary cannons spun up, unleashing a torrent of bullets in a furious, almost vengeful sweep.

"Just die already!!"

Burdened by its excessive armaments, the lumbering mech could barely move. Stationed at the bridge’s edge, Helena was a sitting duck—an obvious target for the artillery crews now recalibrating their aim.

But fear didn’t touch her.

Over the past period, Helena had witnessed her brother growing stronger, and she gradually realized she could no longer keep up with him.

His opponents were formidable enemies, and by his side stood equally powerful companions...

The Witch's abilities spoke for themselves, and Ophelia was always there to strategize for him. They were brave and resourceful—only Helena...

Could do nothing.

Before she knew it, she had been left far behind...

Though her brother never seemed to mind, Helena cared deeply.

That day at the food stall, Eleya's words had struck a nerve. "What if this life comes to an end?" "What if one day, you lose your brother—lose everything?"

Helena refused to let that happen. Just the thought of such a day filled her with unbearable sorrow, and she knew she had to act...

So she trained relentlessly, honing her supernatural abilities to maintain control even in her monstrous form.

So she poured herself into studying that ancient spellbook, mastering its arcane knowledge—because the Witch had once said, "Magitech is the future. Our world will be transformed beyond recognition..."

And she succeeded! If she hadn't grasped those principles, she wouldn’t have been able to pilot this intricate machine today. She had finally helped her brother!

Gunfire rained down from all directions, pounding against the metal frame. Without a defensive barrier, the machine's movements grew sluggish, thick black smoke billowing as gears ground and screeched.

The turret rotated slowly, and Helena locked onto the scattered soldiers, unleashing a torrent of furious firepower.

In that vampire castle, her brother had promised her—they would stay together forever!

Helena didn’t know how long "forever" was, but she would fight for it with everything she had.

Her brother and Eleya had already entered the palace, too far to hear her now. Still, through the cockpit's broadcast system, she let her voice ring out.

"Go, Brother!!!"

Then, gripping the controls, she steered the battered and broken steam-powered Gundam—charging courageously into the heart of the ruins.