Chapter 78: The Descent into Chaos

Nova City, once a beacon of hope within the Galactic Council, was now a battleground shrouded in an unnatural darkness. Xanathar Prime's flagship, the Shadow Spire, loomed ominously overhead, its obsidian hull spewing forth waves of dark energy that corrupted the neon glow of the city below.Astra Blaze, the Prism Prime, soared through the debris-filled sky, her Solar Prism pulsating with golden light. She gritted her teeth as the city's energy grid sputtered and died, plunging vast sectors into darkness. Civilian transports plummeted from the sky, their panicked screams a chilling reminder of the innocent lives at stake."Astra!" a voice crackled through her comms. It was Cygnus Vortex, his voice strained. "The Syfons are overwhelmed! Xanathar's draining their energy faster than they can replenish it!"Astra cursed. The Syfon Warriors, with their ability to siphon energy, were supposed to be the Corps' trump card against Xanathar's shadow magic. But even their formidable powers were failing against the overwhelming darkness.A colossal energy blast erupted from the Shadow Spire, slamming into the Prism Corps headquarters. The once-gleaming chrome facade buckled and shattered, raining molten metal onto the plaza below."We need to take out the Spire's main cannon," Vega Specter chimed in, her voice laced with urgency. "But their defenses are too strong!"Astra glanced around, spotting Orion Shield and Aurora Flux battling a horde of Xandrosian warriors on the ground. Their combined might of super strength and cosmic manipulation was holding the line, but for how long?Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over her. Her connection to the Prism Force, the very source of her power, felt strained, almost choked. Panic surged through her. Without the Prism Force, they were nothing more than glorified targets."This is bad," Astra muttered, her voice tight. "Xanathar's draining the city's energy reserves. It's weakening the Prism Force!"A horrifying realization dawned on her. Xanathar wasn't just attacking Nova City; he was crippling the Prism Corps itself. Without their powers, they were defenseless."We have to fall back," Astra said, her voice heavy with despair. "Regroup at the Nova Corps Landing Bay. We need a new strategy."Disgruntled murmurs filled the comms, but none disobeyed. A retreat was a bitter pill to swallow, but they couldn't fight a war without their powers. As they retreated towards the Landing Bay, a sense of dread settled over Astra. For the first time, she felt a sliver of doubt. Could they, the Prism Corps, the guardians of the universe, truly be defeated?