Sunlight glinted off Mimi's lilac hair as we strolled down the tree-lined avenue, her laughter ringing like wind chimes. "Seriously?" she giggled, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "You really thought Mr. Nakamura would let you slide without turning in your history assignment?"

"Hey, I was hoping he'd be merciful," I replied, scratching the back of my head sheepishly. "But no such luck."

Mimi shook her head, her smile never fading. That smile had been a constant presence in my life since we were kids, always there to brighten up even the darkest days. As far back as I could remember, Mimi and I had been inseparable – two peas in a pod, they'd call us. I'm Ryan, by the way – just an ordinary 17-year-old guy with a not-so-ordinary job as a weapons operator for the military, but we’ll get to that soon.

Mimi's small 1.51m tall frame and delicate features gave her a doll-like appearance, her lilac hair falling in soft waves down to her waist. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with joy and mischief, framed by thick lashes. She was dressed in the classic Sakura High School uniform, her pure white top fitted and crisp, with a large pink ribbon tied neatly below the collar. Her short sky blue skirt swayed as she walked, revealing her slender legs.

"Speaking of assignments," Mimi continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "have you started preparing for the upcoming mission? It sounds like it's going to be really important."

I sighed, suddenly feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. "Yeah, I've been training non-stop," I admitted. "I can't afford to mess this one up."

"Ryan," Mimi said softly, stopping in her tracks and placing a reassuring hand on my arm. "I know how much you care about keeping everyone safe. But don't forget to take care of yourself too, alright?"

Her touch sent a warm current through me, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for her unwavering support. With Mimi by my side, I had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Little did I know just how colossal those challenges would turn out to be.

"Promise me, Ryan," Mimi insisted, her bright blue eyes filled with concern.

"Promise," I replied, offering her a small smile. "Now come on, we should get going."

As we resumed our walk, my phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket. The screen displayed an urgent message from the military base, summoning me and my co-worker Lucy to the Capital for an important mission briefing.

"Damn, I've got to go," I said, showing Mimi the message. She glanced at the screen and then back at me, her expression a mix of worry and understanding.

"Be careful, alright?" she whispered, her hand lingering on my arm for a moment longer before letting go.

"Always," I assured her, giving her one last smile before turning to leave.

The bustling streets of Sakura City seemed to reflect Mimi's reluctance to see me go, as if the city itself sensed the gravity of the situation. As I made my way through the crowds, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination – I had to protect this world for Mimi's sake and everyone else who calls it home.

Upon arriving at the military base, I was immediately struck by the tension and urgency that surrounded me. Soldiers and engineers hurried about, their faces set in determination as they prepared for the upcoming mission.

"Ryan!" Lucy's voice cut through the din, and I turned to see her approaching with a brisk stride. Her short pink hair framed her face like a halo, and her deep blue eyes were alight with intensity. Lucy's military uniform was a crisp shade of white, with gold buttons and intricate seams adorning the clothing. The short pencil skirt hugged her curves and showcased her toned legs. Despite the professional attire, her cuteness was undeniable. Her petite frame, at only 1.56m tall, only came up to my chest, but her confidence and commanding presence made her seem much bigger for some reason. Her piercing blue eyes and confident stance exuded charisma and made it impossible for anyone to underestimate her.

"Hey, Lucy," I greeted her, trying to sound casual despite the gnawing anxiety in my gut. "Ready for this?"

"Of course," she replied, her tone measured and confident. "There's no time to waste. Let's get to the Capital and find out what this mission is all about."

I nodded in agreement, and together we set off into the heart of the base, ready to face whatever awaited us in the Capital. Little did I know that the mission would test not only my skills as a weapons operator but also the very foundations of my beliefs and relationships.

As Lucy and I arrived at the Capital, the tension in the air was palpable. The bustling cityscape seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of our arrival. We were quickly ushered into a large conference room, where General Drayton awaited us with stern determination etched on his face.

"Ah, Ryan and Lucy, welcome," the General greeted us, his tall, imposing figure casting a long shadow on the polished floor. His short-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and piercing eyes suggested years of experience, and his strong physique spoke of discipline and resilience.

"Thank you, sir," I replied, my voice steady despite my growing unease. Beside me, Lucy stood calm and poised, her inscrutable expression betraying no hint of her inner thoughts.

"Let's get straight to the point," General Drayton began, gesturing towards a colossal object concealed behind a towering fence. "I present to you the Godslayer Mecha – our newest weapon in the fight against unimaginable threats."

The fence opened, revealing an enormous mecha that towered over even the tallest skyscrapers. Its sleek, metallic surface gleamed under the harsh lights, and I could feel the immense power it radiated.

"By the gods..." I muttered under my breath, unable to tear my eyes away from the imposing machine. Beside me, Lucy remained silent, her face unreadable.

General Drayton continued with the briefing, detailing the Godslayer's destructive weaponry and its potential to change the tide of battle. He emphasized its incredible 900m tall size, as well as its immense power capable of tearing through enemy lines with ease.

“That’s nearly a kilometer tall! I’ve never heard of a machine so big before, even oil tankers or aircraft carriers would look like toys next to it,” I gasp at its incomprehensible scale.

“Come on, let the General continue. There’s no need to get so jumpy at every minor detail,” Lucy chided. Minor detail? This thing was huge! It would be even more unnatural to have no reaction at all, but it seems that even the incredulous size of the robot was not enough to faze Lucy. Without even glancing at me, she gestured for the General to carry on with his briefing.

“The Godslayer is equipped with dual nuclear fission cannons with the ability to fire concentrated blasts with the destructive factor of a hundred atomic bombs,” General Drayton explained, “It also comes equipped with dozens of embedded ballistic missile launchers that can fire simultaneously.”

The General's words left me conflicted, filled with both admiration and fear. The Godslayer was a marvel of technology, capable of changing the course of history. But as I looked at its destructive capabilities, I couldn't help but question the morality behind its creation. The use of this weapon could raze an entire city in a day, at the same time breaking all international codes of war. What could possibly justify such a merciless machine?

With these thoughts weighing heavily on my mind, I raised my hand and interrupted the General mid sentence.

"General Drayton, sir," I began, my voice wavering slightly under the weight of my concerns. "Forgive me for interrupting, but what could possibly necessitate such devastating power? Are we not simply inviting more destruction by wielding a weapon like this?"

The room fell silent, and I could feel the eyes of the surrounding personnel boring into me, their gazes filled with a mix of anxiety and contemplation.

General Drayton regarded me with a steely gaze, his expression unreadable. Moments stretched on, feeling like an eternity, before he finally broke the silence.

"Your concern is understandable, Ryan," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "However, there are forces at work here that go beyond anything you can imagine. The Godslayer was created to combat these threats."

He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "You see, every 1,000 years, our world undergoes a twisted cycle. Goddesses descend from the heavens, bringing chaos and destruction in their wake. They are powerful beings, capable of reshaping the world with every breath. They treat humanity as mere insects and toy mercilessly with our people and cities. A single goddess can completely destroy a country in mere hours, that is the power we are contending with. In every 1,000 year cycle, humanity is always driven back to the brink of extinction and forced to rebuild society in a desolate and ruined world. Our ancestors fought valiantly against them, but ultimately, they lacked the means to properly defend themselves."

The room remained silent as the General's words sank in. Personnel exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of skepticism and fear. How were they supposed to believe in the existence of goddesses and a thousand-year cycle of destruction?

Glancing over at Lucy, I expected to see the same shock and disbelief displayed on the faces of everyone else. Instead, she stood calmly beside me, her deep blue eyes focused intently on the General.

"Lucy?" I whispered, leaning closer to her. "Do you... do you believe this?"

She looked back at me, her expression still inscrutable, but there was a depth in her gaze that hinted at her true feelings. "I do, Ryan," she replied softly. "I have no reason to doubt the General. Especially if the fate of our world depends on it."

“This is all very hard to believe, General. But why do the goddesses do this?” I decide to probe the General further.

“The truth is that nobody knows for sure. All the records say is that when the goddesses come, it is a one-sided affair for the goddesses to wipe us out. But they always stop their cruel activities right before we go extinct, as if to purposely let us rebuild civilization all over again just so that they can repeat their torment in another thousand years,” The General sighs as he elaborates, “Perhaps killing us is but a form of entertainment for them.”

After the heavy meeting, everyone disperses, while I continue to stay rooted to the spot. As I was letting the gravity of the situation sink in, General Drayton placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "Ryan," he said quietly, his voice gentle yet filled with authority. "Our lives may not last as long as we think. Cherish the time you have and do what's necessary before it's too late. If you have feelings for Lucy, you should tell her."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, feeling exposed and vulnerable. How did he know about my crush on Lucy? Was it that obvious? I looked over at her, taking in her graceful figure, her piercing blue eyes, and her short pink hair.

"General, I..." I stammered, struggling to maintain my composure. "Our mission takes priority right now. Besides, I'm not sure if it's appropriate given our professional relationship."

"Ryan," the General sighed, his expression softening. "Sometimes, we must put aside our fears and doubts and embrace what our hearts truly desire. You're an exceptional soldier, but you're still human. Don't lose sight of that."

His words echoed in my head, stirring a storm of conflicting emotions. As much as I wanted to confess my feelings to Lucy, the weight of our mission bore down on me. I couldn't risk jeopardizing our professional dynamic or the success of the operation because of my own desires.

"Thank you, General," I finally said, nodding firmly. "I understand the importance of our task, and I promise to give it everything I've got. But for now, I must keep my feelings in check."

He studied me for a moment, then offered a small, understanding smile. "Very well, Ryan. Just remember that life is fleeting, and there may come a day when you wish you had acted on those feelings."

At that time, I didn’t know that these uncharacteristic words of the General were actually hints as to just how impossible our mission to defeat the goddesses was. Perhaps he already knew in advance that we were destined to fail, but I was still all too ignorant at that time as to just what kind of entity a goddess truly was.

Walking away from the General, I approached Lucy who was sitting alone and offered her a determined smile. "Let's focus on the task at hand," I said, trying to push my emotions aside. "Together, we can save our world from the goddesses' wrath."

Her eyes met mine, and for a split second, I thought I saw a flicker of sadness in their depths before she nodded confidently. "Yes, Ryan. We'll face this challenge together."

As we prepared ourselves for the trials ahead, I couldn't help but wrestle with the internal conflict between my duty and my heart. The stakes were higher than ever, and the cost of failure was unimaginable. But no matter how much I tried to suppress my feelings for Lucy, they remained a constant reminder of my own humanity amidst the overwhelming odds we faced.

The moment we entered the testing facility, a sense of anticipation filled the air. The Godslayer mecha towered over us, its metallic frame gleaming under the bright lights. I couldn't help but feel dwarfed by its sheer size and power.

As Lucy and I stood side by side in front of the colossal machine, my mind wandered back to the day we first met. She had been so confident and enigmatic, with an intellect that bewitched me from the start. Even now, as we faced certain destruction, her calm demeanor remained unshaken. I couldn't help but admire her strength, and part of me wished I could be just as composed. The serenity of her rare smiles and her calm beauty has always captivated me to no end.

"Alright, let's get started," Lucy said, snapping me out of my reverie. "We don't have much time."

"Right," I agreed, refocusing on the task at hand.

The initial tests and preparations began, with technicians swarming around us like ants. My expertise as a weapons operator was put to the test as I familiarized myself with the complex controls and systems of the Godslayer. Every movement, every button press, required precision and accuracy. It was both exhilarating and terrifying to wield such destructive power.

"Looks like we're ready," Lucy announced after countless hours of preparation. "Tomorrow, we'll begin the final phase of our training."

"Let's make sure we're ready for whatever comes our way," I replied, determination burning in my chest.

As we left the testing facility, I knew that my feelings for Lucy were only growing stronger. But with the fate of our world hanging in the balance, I couldn't afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment. For now, I had to focus on the mission and the daunting challenge that lay ahead. And yet, deep down, I couldn't help but wonder if there would ever come a time when I could truly express my love for her.

Over the next few days, Lucy and I forged ahead with our training. Each day brought new challenges and opportunities to refine our skills. The Godslayer's complex systems gradually became second nature to me, as my hands danced across the controls with increasing confidence. My prowess as a weapons operator was evident, but I knew it was only one piece of the puzzle. I was still oblivious to the true power of a goddess, with only incomplete and vague data from lost eras available to us. The only thing we could do was to keep training and hope for the best.

In addition to honing our individual abilities, I worked tirelessly to strengthen our bond with the Capital's personnel. Late-night strategy sessions turned into early morning debriefings, as we all strive for perfect coordination on the battlefield. Conversations over shared meals allowed us to learn more about each other, forging friendships that would become invaluable in the coming conflict. I tried to invite Lucy to hang out with us too, but she always seemed uncomfortable and swiftly dodged all such interactions unless absolutely necessary. As such, it was always only the two of us when we were together.

"Ryan," Lucy said one evening as we walked through the bustling city streets, "I've noticed how much you've grown since we started working together. You're not just an exceptional weapons operator, but a true leader."

"Thanks, Lucy," I replied, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at her words. "It's been a privilege to work alongside you too. Your strategic brilliance never ceases to amaze me."

As we walked in silence, the General’s words replayed in my head. The final day was fast approaching, and to be completely honest, I have no idea what to expect. What if the General was right?

Before I knew it, I opened my mouth, “I love you.”

Lucy stopped walking and faced me. Her expression was unreadable and calm as usual, making my heart beat even further out of my chest.

“I know, Ryan,” She sighed, “But why would you say that now of all times? We have an important job to do tomorrow. I expected you to know better.”

Each word stung like squeezing a lemon over a wound. I had not expected such a hostile response. She continued berating me, her expression growing more irritated by the second.

“Forget it, we should go rest up for tomorrow,” Lucy finally stopped and began leaving, “And Ryan, I hope that you will never bring this up again. I… am not somebody you or anyone else should get too close to.”

My heart felt like it just got crushed and trampled on, shattering into a million pieces. I walked back to my room like a zombie, crashing onto my bed before beginning to sob quietly for the entire night.

As the final day of the millennium drew to a close, a heavy tension filled the air. It felt as if the entire world was holding its breath, waiting for whatever the future held. And then, without warning, a low rumbling echoed through the city. It was so faint at first that I thought I'd imagined it, but as it grew louder, I knew that something was happening.

As the tremors intensified, fear rippled through the city like a tidal wave. But amidst the chaos, I stood resolute, determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For the sake of my friends, for Lucy, and for the world I vowed to protect, I would not back down.

Characters

Name: Ryan

Age: 17

Height: 1.75m

Weight: 64kg

Description: A young and confident weapons operator working for the Specialized Weapons Division. Caring and brave, he will do anything to protect those that he loves. Pilot of the Godslayer.

Combat Power: Can defeat all but the most skilled martial artists in the world at physical combat. When piloting the Godslayer, has the power to defeat an entire country and its army on his own.

Name: Mimi

Age: 17

Height: 1.51m

Weight: 41kg

Description: A caring and cheerful high school girl. She enjoys singing and dreams of becoming a singer one day. Classmate and childhood friend of Ryan.

Combat Power: Basically zero. Too petite and weak to defeat any reasonable sized human - guy or girl. Struggles to even open heavier doors and has to use all her strength to carry a bag of rice.

Name: Lucy

Age: 19

Height: 1.56m

Weight: 47kg

Description: A mysterious and enigmatic character who always remains calm and composed no matter the situation. She is a strategic officer in the Specialized Weapons Division and a close friend of Ryan.

Combat Power: Has basic knowledge and skills on self-defense due to being in the military. However, as a non-combatant, she struggles to defeat anyone that has proper combat training. (At least, that’s what she would have you think.)