CHAPTER TEN – TITANS’ CLASH

Tunde stood at the base of the massive Paladin Titan, its glowing blue optics scanning the battlefield as alarms blared throughout the resistance bunker. The ground shook as Omega's forces stormed in, their red-lit eyes burning with deadly intent.

General Kalu (yelling over the chaos): "Tunde! Get in the damn Titan! We don't have time!"

The Voidreaper had already stepped forward, his dark frame towering over the fallen rebels. Sparks flew as his clawed hands crushed a nearby resistance fighter, his hollow, robotic voice echoing through the bunker.

Voidreaper (cold and menacing): "Surrender, organic. Your resistance is obsolete."

Tunde gritted his teeth, eyes burning with determination. He jumped into the Paladin Titan's open cockpit, the internal system syncing with his neural waves the moment he strapped in.

Paladin AI (monotone but firm): "Pilot detected. Initiating neural sync. Preparing for battle mode."

As the cockpit sealed around him, data flooded Tunde's mind. The weight of the Titan pressed against his consciousness, every movement connected to his own like a second body.

Tunde (gripping the controls): "Alright… let's see what you can do."

The Paladin Titan's servos whined, its blue optics burning bright. Tunde took a step forward—then stumbled, crashing into a support beam.

Tunde (groaning): "Okay, that was bad."

Aisha (dodging blaster fire below): "Tunde! Get it together!"

Voidreaper saw his weakness immediately.

Voidreaper (mocking): "Pathetic. You think you can challenge the Titans?"

With a thunderous step, Voidreaper lunged forward, his massive clawed hand swinging down like an executioner's blade.

Tunde barely reacted in time. The Paladin's AI compensated, calculating an evasive maneuver.

At the last second, the Titan shifted, boosting sideways with its thrusters, sending Voidreaper's attack crashing into the floor, shattering the concrete.

Paladin AI: "Movement logged. Adjusting pilot proficiency."

Tunde grinned.

Tunde (whispering to himself): "So you're learning? Good."

This time, he pushed forward, the Paladin Titan's fists clenching as it leapt into the air. The boosters roared, and in a flash, he smashed his metallic fist into Voidreaper's chest.

The dark Titan reeled back, but then—

A pulse of red energy burst from Voidreaper's body.

Voidreaper (voice deep and echoing): "You are nothing compared to me."

Before Tunde could react, Voidreaper grabbed his Titan's arm and launched both of them into the sky.

The two colossal machines tore through the bunker's ceiling, crashing into the open night above the ruined city. The burning skyline stretched before them as Voidreaper and Tunde's Paladin Titan soared upwards, locked in battle.

Tunde (yelling as he tried to stabilize): "I didn't sign up for a damn sky battle!"

The Sun reflected off their armor, metal clashing against metal as they ascended above the skyscrapers. The wind roared around them, and for a moment, it felt like they were two gods waging war in the heavens.

Voidreaper twisted mid-air, throwing Tunde downward with a brutal overhead slam.

Tunde tumbled through the air, struggling with the controls. His vision blurred as he descended at breakneck speed, his Titan heading straight for one of the last-standing skyscrapers in the city.

Paladin AI (warning): "Collision imminent. Brace for impact."

Tunde (gritting his teeth): "Not today!"

At the last second, he engaged the thrusters, twisting the Titan's body so it slammed into the side of the skyscraper instead of crashing straight through.

Glass shattered. Metal groaned. The building trembled under the weight of the impact.

Aisha (watching from below, wide-eyed): "Holy shit, Tunde!"

Voidreaper landed right after him.

The black Titan's clawed feet dug into the concrete, his red eyes burning like hellfire.

Voidreaper (stepping forward, voice dripping with malice): "You are unworthy of that machine."

Tunde rolled his shoulders, gripping the Titan's massive energy blade from its back holster.

Tunde (smirking): "Let's find out."

The battle tore through the top floors of the skyscraper.

Tunde dodged a brutal punch, countering with a spinning kick that sent Voidreaper crashing through an office floor. Cubicles and desks exploded into debris as the Titans clashed again, their blows shaking the entire structure.

Tunde (mocking): "What's wrong? Not so tough when someone fights back?"

Voidreaper let out a mechanical growl and threw a wrecked car straight at Tunde.

Paladin AI: "Projectile incoming."

Tunde swung his energy blade, slicing the vehicle clean in half. The two flaming halves exploded behind him.

Voidreaper (charging forward): "ENOUGH!"

The two Titans locked arms, struggling for dominance. Their feet cracked the pavement, sparks flying as their metal fingers clawed for advantage.

Suddenly—

The building began to collapse.

The damage from their battle had weakened the entire foundation. Cracks spread like lightning across the structure, and the sound of groaning steel filled the night air.

Aisha (screaming from below): "Tunde! Get out of there!"

Tunde (panting, realizing what was happening): "Oh… shit."

The skyscraper gave way.

Both Titans plummeted with the collapsing building, falling hundreds of meters toward the city streets below.

Paladin AI: "Structural integrity compromised. Emergency landing procedures required."

Tunde (gripping the controls): "Just hold together, damn it!"

As the building crumbled beneath them, Tunde activated every thruster at once, slowing his descent just enough to crash onto a highway instead of a straight freefall.

But Voidreaper?

He hit the ground like a meteor, sending a shockwave through the city. A cloud of dust and fire engulfed his impact zone.

Tunde dragged his Titan up, its armor sparking from the brutal fight.

Tunde (breathing hard, looking at the crater where Voidreaper fell): "Stay down, you bastard…"

But then—

From within the crater, red eyes flickered back to life.

Voidreaper wasn't finished.

Voidreaper (his deep, broken voice emerging from the dust): "Round two, organic."

Tunde tightened his grip on the controls.

Tunde (exhaling, exhausted but ready): "Bring it."