Edwin Lunar Chapter 22: The Flame Heir

Read chapter 22 of Edwin Lunar by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

Fire consumed the skies above Noroel. Explosions echoed between the floating academy towers while burning debris rained through the clouds below. Emergency alarms spread across every sector of Lunar Dominion Academy as students evacuated through aerial transports and shielded skybridges. And at the center of the chaos— Edwin Lunar flew directly toward the giant war construct. Wind roared past him while his Skyblade shook violently beneath his feet. The machine towered above the clouds like an ancient god of metal and flame, its glowing red eyes locked entirely onto him. TARGET: HEIR OF LUNAR The mechanical voice echoed again. Carl's horrified scream came through the communication channel instantly. "EDWIN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" "Keeping it away from the others!" "That is a TERRIBLE PLAN!" Lucien's voice entered sharply afterward. "Edwin, pull back now." But Edwin couldn't. Because the ring on his hand burned brighter than ever before. And deep inside his mind— The whispers had become clear voices. "…the Flame recognizes you…" The war construct charged another energy blast. A massive red core opened across its chest while Flame energy gathered violently around the weapon systems. Iris's voice came through the channel immediately. "Move!" The construct fired. A giant beam of red energy erupted across the skies. Edwin barely avoided it. The blast tore through several empty aerial towers behind him, exploding into the clouds with terrifying force. Shockwaves shook the entire academy. Carl sounded seconds away from panic. "That thing is trying to erase you from existence!" Edwin gritted his teeth while accelerating higher. The construct followed. Exactly as he hoped. Below him, evacuation transports escaped toward safer academy sectors while professors and guards defended the lower platforms. Professor Raith's voice suddenly echoed through all combat channels. "All students retreat immediately!" Lucien answered first. "Negative." Raith's tone sharpened dangerously. "That was not a request." Lucien glanced toward Edwin flying through the burning skies ahead. Then replied calmly: "Too late." Orion Team accelerated upward together. Carl groaned dramatically. "I blame friendship for this." The war construct released smaller combat drones from hidden compartments along its wings. Dozens of machines launched into the skies toward the students. Iris activated tactical projections instantly. "Defensive formation!" The battle exploded across the clouds. Lucien destroyed two drones immediately using precise silver Flame strikes while Carl somehow crashed directly into another machine midair. "TAKE THAT, EVIL TOASTER!" Edwin almost laughed despite everything. Almost. Because the construct was still watching him. Not the academy. Not the professors. Him. The ring suddenly pulsed violently. Silver energy spread briefly across Edwin's arm while his Skyblade accelerated faster than before. The construct reacted instantly. "…synchronization increasing…" Edwin's chest tightened. Synchronization? Another vision struck him suddenly. A battlefield. Fire. Wingard Lunar standing beside Headmaster Humming years ago while enormous machines burned across the skies. And behind them— A younger Groader. Smiling. Then Edwin saw something else. The same silver eye symbol. Project Eidolon. The vision vanished violently. Edwin nearly lost control of the Skyblade. "Edwin!" Iris shouted through the comms. "I'm fine!" "You're clearly not!" The war construct attacked again. This time multiple energy beams spread across the skies simultaneously, forcing Orion Team apart through the burning clouds. Carl spun wildly through the air avoiding explosions. "I WOULD LIKE THIS DAY TO END!" Lucien landed sharply beside Edwin on a floating debris platform. His expression was completely serious now. "That machine isn't attacking randomly." Edwin looked toward him. "It knows me." Lucien nodded once. "And it's waiting for something." Before Edwin could respond, the construct's ches