Chapter Two: Astra-X Awakens

Leon's vision flashed. His fist was already buried in the enemy's back. He felt armor, frame, core, as if his own fingers had sunk into frozen mud. Astra-X clenched its hand. "Break." The core crushed. Black fire exploded in the storm. The Federation public channel went dead silent. "What is that?" "Not one of ours!" "New model? Who is piloting?" Leon did not answer. His focus locked on the two remaining Void mechs. They stopped chasing the retreating defenders and turned toward Astra-X together. Purple patterns surfaced across their black-film armor. Gravity around them suddenly deepened. Astra-X's knees gave a low mechanical groan. "Enemy units are constructing a local gravity well." "Can we break it?"