Chapter 104: The Protectors
The enhancement provided by Pharaoh's Light gave Marcus a pleasant surprise. These Arcanes infused with special energies might exert even greater power once fully completed.
After deactivating his transformation, Marcus began considering which Warframes to craft next. He had already shaped Inaros, the desert sovereign.
This Warframe could drain vitality from enemies and command sands—abilities that could prove invaluable in certain combat scenarios.
"What should I create next?" he wondered.
His arsenal already included the offensive powerhouse Excalibur and the defensively formidable Inaros.
Now he could consider adding a Warframe specialized in area-of-effect attacks. Several candidates came to mind, each with unique capabilities for controlling battlefields.
Some Warframes harnessed lightning, unleashing widespread electrical devastation. Others could deploy molten glass, simultaneously attacking enemies while establishing defensive perimeters. Some frames were essentially toxic hotbeds, their poisons spreading relentlessly, corroding everything within range.
Of course, other Warframes could perform area attacks as well, but compared to these specialized frames, their capabilities were somewhat limited.
"Which to choose?"
Marcus hesitated, unable to decide which Warframe would best complement his existing arsenal.
After contemplating for some time, his concentration was broken by knocking at the laboratory door.
Knock knock knock
Who could be seeking him now?
Students should be in class at this hour. Charles and the other teachers were lecturing, so they likely wouldn't come looking for him.
Opening the door, Marcus found a young girl waiting outside.
"Nina?"
He was genuinely surprised to see her—the child had never visited his laboratory before.
"Uncle Marcus, my little rabbit is hurt. Can you help bandage it?" Nina asked, holding up a brown rabbit with pleading eyes.
Bandage a rabbit's wound?
After searching the laboratory, he finally discovered a first-aid kit in a corner drawer. Charles had likely equipped every room in the school with one.
Taking out gauze and antiseptic cotton, he asked Nina while treating the rabbit's injury:
"What's your greatest wish?"
Hearing Marcus's question, Nina tilted her head thoughtfully before answering.
"I hope animals can live happily. They suffer so much. In the forest near my house, hunters are always stalking those cute little deer."
Protect the life around you?
Several Warframes suddenly appeared in Marcus's mind. These frames didn't specialize in widespread destruction, but rather possessed unique protective capabilities.
Some could generate energy fields that shielded allies from harm. Others could extract enemy life force to heal surrounding creatures and restore energy. Some could even manipulate the very essence of souls.
"Uncle Marcus, you're turning my rabbit into a ball of yarn!" Nina's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Marcus looked down and realized he had absentmindedly wrapped the entire rabbit in gauze, making it resemble a small mummy.
"Oops, surprise?" he offered with an awkward smile, quickly unwrapping the excess bandages.
This time he remained focused, properly dressing the rabbit's wound with efficiency.
"There you go—your little bunny is all set."
He handed the rabbit back to Nina, gently patted her head, and watched as the little girl skipped away.
The Warframes he'd just contemplated deserved consideration. Frames with specialized utility functions could prove invaluable in many situations.
After further contemplation in his laboratory, he finally decided which Warframes to craft next.
For area-of-effect attacks, he chose Gara, the Glassmaker—a Warframe that manipulated crystalline glass and could shatter enemies with elegant ferocity.
This frame balanced offense and defense perfectly. Glass served as both weapon and shield, capable of attacking enemies, entrapping foes, and protecting against incoming strikes.
Having determined his next creation, Marcus immediately began the shaping process.
As before, he was enveloped in an energy cocoon formed by the Aya Stars. When the cocoon shattered, a melodious sound emerged.
Clink! Clink! Clink!
Accompanied by these delicate chimes, Marcus—now transformed into Gara—stepped forward slowly.
The Warframe's body consisted of crystal-clear glass armor. A glass cloak cascaded from the shoulders, catching light in mesmerizing patterns.
"Though it appears delicate, its strength is undeniable," Marcus observed.
Gara was indeed powerful. Despite seemingly crafted from fragile glass, the Warframe's capabilities far exceeded ordinary materials.
Ting! Ting!
With another pleasant sound, a glass longsword materialized in Marcus's hand. He swung it at the materials piled on the workbench, cleaving through them effortlessly.
Though visually indistinguishable from ordinary glass, the sword's destructive power defied conventional limitations. Had it been standard glass, the blade itself would have shattered upon impact.
With a slight gesture of his hand, the longsword disintegrated into countless fragments, which merged with the glass ornamentation adorning the Warframe.
"Now that's an efficient design!" Marcus exclaimed, highly satisfied with this frame. He would test its other abilities when time permitted.
Next came his next selection for this crafting session. Without hesitation, he chose Harrow, the monastic frame whose ascetic design belied its tremendous supportive capabilities.
Though this Warframe lacked overwhelming offensive abilities, it excelled in other crucial aspects.
Its Covenant ability, for example, could channel energy to provide shelter for allies. Had he possessed this frame during the battle with Apocalypse, Covenant could have allowed him to absorb the devastating energy beams, converting that damage into increased power.
"Ironically, Harrow seems particularly effective against Void entities," Marcus mused. "I wonder if that counts as fighting against myself?"
He had unique feelings toward this Warframe. During the original quest to acquire its blueprint, he'd been unnerved by the oppressive atmosphere, making the frame's acquisition particularly challenging.
Soon the energy cocoon shattered once more, revealing a crimson-accented Warframe in the laboratory.
This was Harrow—resembling a devout priest in its design, wearing what appeared to be a red habit, standing tall and dignified.
Marcus drew the thurible-like Incensory from the Warframe's waist, swinging it experimentally.
"The Incensory has good weight to it. If I had a shield to match, perhaps I could truly play the role of an unconventional priest?"
He laughed at the thought. What kind of clergy would wield a flail-like censer as their weapon of choice?
Standing in the laboratory with his newly crafted Warframes, Marcus felt a deeper connection to this world forming. His arsenal now included frames for offense, defense, area control, and support—a balanced collection to face whatever challenges might arise.
The visit from Nina had reminded him of something important: power wasn't solely for destruction. The ability to protect—to preserve life rather than take it—was equally valuable. His new Warframes reflected this understanding.
"Protection and preservation," he murmured, examining the gleaming glass of Gara and the solemn design of Harrow. "Sometimes the greatest strength lies not in what you can destroy, but in what you can save."
Tomorrow he would begin testing these frames' capabilities more thoroughly. For now, he was content with his progress—multiple Warframes, each with unique abilities, ready to face whatever this world might throw at him.
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