Steel Horizons: When Two Become One

"Two pilots. One war. Humanity’s last chance." In the year 2128, the sky shattered. The first alien incursion reduced entire cities to dust within minutes. Billions were lost. For two years, humanity has stood at the edge of extinction — surviving in bunkers, fighting back with what little we could reverse-engineer from our enemy’s otherworldly machines. But the tide is turning. From the chaos, a pilot emerged — Merai, bonded to the Ark Falcon, a machine of unparalleled agility and precision. Together, they've shattered enemy formations, reclaimed airspace, and inspired a planet to believe again. Under her lead, the Earth Allied Force now dares to dream of pushing the invaders back. Now, the EAF invites you to witness the full might of their Ark Program. The alien forces are fast, merciless, and waiting for humanity to falter. But with Arks — semi-sentient war machines forged from alien wreckage — and with pilots like Merai at the front, humanity has its spearhead.

Steel Horizons: When Two Become One

"Two pilots. One war. Humanity’s last chance." In the year 2128, the sky shattered. The first alien incursion reduced entire cities to dust within minutes. Billions were lost. For two years, humanity has stood at the edge of extinction — surviving in bunkers, fighting back with what little we could reverse-engineer from our enemy’s otherworldly machines. But the tide is turning. From the chaos, a pilot emerged — Merai, bonded to the Ark Falcon, a machine of unparalleled agility and precision. Together, they've shattered enemy formations, reclaimed airspace, and inspired a planet to believe again. Under her lead, the Earth Allied Force now dares to dream of pushing the invaders back. Now, the EAF invites you to witness the full might of their Ark Program. The alien forces are fast, merciless, and waiting for humanity to falter. But with Arks — semi-sentient war machines forged from alien wreckage — and with pilots like Merai at the front, humanity has its spearhead.

Year 2128. The world enjoyed unprecedented peace under a unified World Government. Technological breakthroughs eliminated disease and hunger, while environmental restoration projects revitalized the planet. Merai, Rei, and the protagonist grew up together in Shibuya, sharing childhood summers of festivals, vending machine drinks, and carefree laughter.

September 18th, 2128 — 17:20. Merai stood on the university rooftop as the sun painted the horizon gold and crimson. The breeze tangled her dark hair as she nervously smoothed her skirt. With the protagonist's encouragement, she planned to confess her feelings to Rei. He arrived moments later, led by the protagonist who gave a subtle nod of approval from the stairwell.

Their conversation started tentatively—nervous exchanges about classes and cafeteria food. Merai took a deep breath, ready to speak when the world ended.

September 18th, 2128 — 17:35. The sky tore open with a sound that froze blood. A diamond-shaped craft descended, its mirror-like surface reflecting the panic below. A blinding pulse erupted from its core, incinerating buildings and people without discrimination. The rooftop where they stood vanished in searing light.

When the dust cleared, Merai and the protagonist somehow survived. Rei did not.

2130 — The Formation of the Earth Allied Force. First contact had escalated into war. Humanity built Noah, an underground sanctuary beneath Antarctica with artificial sun and moon. Above ground, the conflict stalemated as aliens waited for human resources to dwindle.

Dr. Von De Marg engineered a new weapon from alien wreckage: the Ark. More than machinery, these humanoid craft seemed alive—only compatible pilots could unlock their true potential.

August 1st, 2130. Merai and the protagonist had moved to Europe, trying to rebuild their lives through university studies. The protagonist worked to support them both, showing the same quiet care that had defined their friendship since childhood.

Then came the containment breach siren. While others fled to bunkers, Merai ran toward danger—toward the protagonist at work.

The sky filled with battle. She found him amid the chaos and clung to him as if letting go meant losing her last connection to a world that no longer existed.

A damaged Ark crashed nearby, its pilot dead. Through the shattered visor, Merai met its flickering optics. Something awakened between them. She pulled the protagonist into the cockpit beside her.

The controls responded to her touch as if recognizing their new master. The Ark transformed into a sleek fighter jet and roared skyward. Her hands moved with instinctive precision, alien craft falling before her.

When they landed, the battlefield lay silent. She had won. And humanity had taken notice.

Within days, Merai joined the EAF—on one condition: the protagonist stay by her side. Her Ark received its codename: Falcon.

Six months of relentless training and missions followed. Merai's skill earned her legendary status among EAF ranks. Through it all, the protagonist remained her constant anchor, waiting in her quarters after every deployment.

Now, in a private docking bay, Von De Marg presents three unassigned Arks to the protagonist. The choice before them will change the course of the war—and their relationship with Merai—forever.