(POV - 3RD)

"A deserter..?" Kiryu narrowed his eyes at the newcomer whose own glare was not at all welcoming, especially to those from Babylonia.

"Who... are you and why do you know me..?" Lucia questioned, searching her memories only to come out blank with this individual who knows her.

"Hey, Watanabe!! Long time no see!" Kamui called out cheerfully, not at all affected by the tense atmosphere between them.

"Watanabe..?" Lucia repeated the foreign name, still remembering nothing as Kamui filled her in helpfully from what he knows.

"We trained together for a while in the beginning and Watanabe was in our group... did you forget that too?" Kamui then asked as Lucia remained silent.

"It doesn't matter, I'm more than glad to cut all ties with you Babylonia people." Watanabe interrupted bluntly.

"You guys should be glad that it's just me here, if my comrades followed then they would have cut you into pieces by now." He added dangerously.

The Commandant sensed no hostility that would put them in danger yet, but he still kept a hand on the Sparklence as well as a finger on the trigger as Liv stifled a shocked expression.

"Why are you so surprised, girl? If you knew what those people up in Babylonia did to us soldiers of the past... you shouldn't be so shocked at our enmity." Watanabe began

"...What exactly is he speaking of, Liv?" Kiryu asked as the Construct glanced at him before she recounted what was known of the 'Forsaken'.

"According to historical records, during the big evacuation, the World Government at that time did abandon some of their Ground Forces..."

"These troops cut their connections with Babylonia, and only recently surfaced again as the 'Forsaken'... and Mr. Watanabe here, chose to join their forces and was listed as a defected Construct from Babylonia." Liv stated.

"Not a traitor... but the perpetrator was Babylonia themselves..?" Kiryu thought to himself, troubled at the shifting rights and wrongs.

"Looks like you took some notes on our history, girl... you're probably their most advanced Support-Type Construct." Watanabe remarked with an idle praise.

"Glad to see it with my own eyes in exchange for letting you all go unscathed." He further added, though his tone seemed more... calculative, sounds as if he was planning something.

Kiryu did not like that tone at all with his hand silently holding onto his GUTS Hyper as he motioned Lucia out of the corner of Watanabe's eyes to take action, he is the Commandant but apparently the latter had some relations with the leader of the Forsaken.

"Please keep your distance." Lucia ordered, stepping closer to the duo as she gripped her blade tighter with a no-nonsense tone.

"...If it keeps you happy then fine though I must ask... is this your new commandant?" Watanabe complied before his sharp eyes turned to Kiryu.

With the Forsaken leader's attention now on the young Commandant, Lee immediately aimed his gun at the former's head who paid the threat no mind as he approached Kiryu with a hand going into his side pocket.

"Constructs are several times more proficient at killing both organic and non-organic specimens, is he about to attack-?" Kiryu thought rapidly, ready to draw his gun.

In a moment, Watanabe took something out and the Commandant stepped back a bit only to stop and realise what the former really is holding in his hand.

"Lucia helped me with something before, although it's nothing important..." Watanabe said, holding a small white box.

"I just don't like being indebted to others, so consider us even now."

"What is this..?" Kiryu asked cautiously though his alarm is waning as Watanabe explained cordially with a light smile, his earlier traces of hostility fading.

"Something to commemorate our first meeting, it's a wild mint that grows in the desert and helps any wanderers cool down under the sun, it also serves as a tea or snack." 

Watanabe continued, taking out one of his own mint leaf before popping it into his mouth in contentment which did dissuade Kiryu's suspicions as he opened to box to see the same leaves lying inside, although the smell was far stronger than he anticipated.

"Krf-?! Are you sure this is mint and not some desert chili pepper?" Kiryu questioned, coughing as tried to hold back a messy sneeze.

"Well... unfortunately, the Forsaken doesn't have many individuals with an expertise on plants so it may as well be a mint or pepper." Watanabe answered with slight mirth.

"The taste is quite strong... I can smell it from here and looks like Commandant is getting more awake by the seconds..." Liv giggled.

"What did I say? Helps with people trekking through the desert, day or night." Watanabe affirmed as Kiryu coughed again.

"Don't think I could refute your words..!" He said, storing the "gift" away as Lee and Lucia only stared at the Forsaken leader in uncertainty.

===============================

Although they have been trekking through the sands for at least ten minutes or less, the winding dunes and constant breeze that drew up dust made it feel much more longer than expected but for the Forsaken leader, it brings out a much more different feeling.

"The sandstorm's weakening, but it's going to return in at least 30 minutes." Watanabe observed, peering into the sky.

"Do your people... have a weather system of your own?" Lucia questioned curiously only to be met with a cold retort from the Construct.

"Since your grand retreat and Babylonia's unsuccessful attempts in deploying a single satellite, do you actually think we could have one ourselves?" 

"Then I assume living in the desert for decades turned your own bodies into living satellites?" Kiryu asked as Watanabe replied.

"Indeed, live in the desert long enough and your eyes will know the patterns but that's enough from me, we'll part ways here. The next time we meet again, we will be enemies." 

"Watanabe..?" Lucia called out before the said Construct left as he turned around quizzically at the former.

"From your personal judgement, could you share with us a nearby location suitable for resupply or a safe retreat?" She requested.

"...I'm afraid you'll find no 'safe' spots nearby." Watanabe bluntly stated.

"That's rather unfortunate... nevertheless as Gray Ravens' Commandant, I thank you for your consideration." Kiryu said sincerely.

An awkward silence reigned the area for at least a second before the Forsaken leader sighed, clearly not used to gratitude from authoritative figure from Babylonia but it didn't stop him from pointing in a certain direction before answering.

"There is certainly no safe retreats but we do have a surveying point near this area and of course, you may come if you're willing enough."

"I believe you did mention your people's animosity towards Babylonians, towards us." The Commandant interjected, mirroring Lucia's thoughts.

"Quite correct, we don't welcome Babylonian transport crafts with flares or lightshows, we would do so with anti-air missiles so it's your choice to follow me." Watanabe remarked.

"If that's the case then..." Kiryu started but was cut off.

"Lucia, Commandant, knowing this is enough." Lee suddenly interrupted from the rear.

"What's your thoughts, Lee?" Lucia asked.

"Commandant's supplies are running low and it won't be long before it runs out, furthermore we have no more options and the odds are mostly in our favours." Lee noted.

"...You mean to say..." Kiryu began, multiple scenarios already playing out in his mind and none of them he'd find amicable for the Forsaken or them.

"Unless Watanabe has some secrets that will tip the scales to his side, he is in our hands as of now, additionally if we manage to get this intel up to Babylonia, we'll get firepower support."

"Enough to balance or even tip the scales to our side." Lee ended.

"Yeesh, you are one cruel dude, Lee. Doing something like this to someone you just met?" Kamui commented from the side, not exactly happy about the plan.

"I don't want to hear anything from you." Lee retorted at Kamui before turning back to them with a choice presented to them.

"Lucia, Commandant, please decide." 

"...If push comes to shove..." Kiryu quietly said after a minute of silence.

"We will follow Watanabe's lead for now although I am hoping to part ways on a diplomatic level as opposed to being enemies." He added.

"Got it." Lucia and Liv affirmed.

"...Understood, though I wouldn't count on that thought, Commandant." Lee said.

"Are you coming?" Watanabe suddenly called out at them from the front though the sandy winds are already starting to pick up and obscure him.

"Sorry! Sorry! We're coming, don't worry!" Kamui called back which Kiryu motioned for them to follow suit as the group set off into the desert once more.

"It's surprising, you know? Following a potentially dangerous enemy in a place they are used is quite the bold choice, Commandant." The Forsaken leader noted.

"I trust you enough to put any of us in fatal danger... for now." Kiryu replied.

"...Trust is a very delicate word to use in this case, why do you not think I'm luring you all into a trap to be cut apart?" Watanabe questioned.

"You lived here longer than I have known and if you wanted us dead, you wouldn't have jumped in for assistance or even spare us some words or this gift." The Commandant stated.

"In fact, you could literally lead us to nowhere as the sandstorm hits and abandon us to the Corrupted without getting detected yourself."

"Bold and shrewd as well... you're certainly a change from Lucia's old commandant." 

"Her old... commandant?" Kiryu repeated, realising he never knew his predecessor.

"We're here." The Construct said as the group reached an area littered with large structures littered around a small opening with dead machineries.

"Here? It's freaking full to the brim with Corrupted!" Kamui remarked, pulling out his greatsword as he readied for a fight.

"We're here to survey, not fight to the death and unlike your soldiers and Constructs, we can't afford to waste resources like Babylonia's pointless sacrifices. " Watanabe stated.

"It's not our motto nor will it ever be for the Forsaken." He added.

"Alright, alright, have it your way!" Kamui shouted before charging at Corrupted, much to Lee and Kiryu's chagrin especially when the former is still potentially injured.

"Remember to pull back when you feel anything out of the ordinary!" The Commandant shouted in precaution.

"Don't sweat the small stuff, I'll be fine!!" Kamui responded boisterously, unconcerned.

True to the Strike Hawk member's words, he still retained his strength as he swept through the metallic horde almost effortlessly with his greatsword cleaving any unfortunate Corrupted that came too close to him.

Watanabe on the other hand was already on the move as he expertly weaved around the Corrupted with minimum movements that wasted no efforts and in doing so, delivered the maximum damage the Forsaken leader could do with his weapons.

*BOOM*

The said Construct then glanced to the side to see Kiryu along with Lee both unleashing flames upon the Corrupted horde, sending a hail of bullets through the undead robots before the Commandant landed a brutal kick onto one.

"Baaaatter up!!" Kamui yelled, holding his greatsword like a bat before swinging it right into the Corrupted sailing through the air.

Unfortunately for him, he swung with the edge aimed right at the Corrupted so instead of the robot getting smashed into the air once again, Kamui got its entire body bisected into pieces much to his disappointment.

Meanwhile, Lucia leapt over an attack before retaliating with razor sharp precision as she effortlessly slashed down multiple enemies as Liv provided support for all sides, raining down several beams upon the Corrupted as she assisted the former.

Just as Kiryu was reloading, a single Executor Corrupted ran up to him with the hopes of catching him off guard but only to receive a brutal roundhouse kick into the head which immediately dislodged from the body, flying across the battlefield.

Only to get headshot by Lee off the side who didn't even turn to look at it as he was also busy destroying the remaining Corrupted as blue flames raged across the area.

"What is it?" The Commandant suddenly asked, noticing the Forsaken leader's gaze on him.

"Nothing, you certainly are more competent than your predecessor." Watanabe remarked, clearly surprised by the young Commandant.

"I aim to please." Was all Kiryu simply replied with, reloading his Guts Hyper as the Forsaken leader simply tilted his head, avoiding a flying scrap metal.

"You're still as reckless as ever, Kamui." He remarked without much change in tone.

"Hey, as long as it does the job, right?" Retorted the Construct in question.

"Liv, try and establish a connection with Babylonia now-" Lee requested from the side while keeping a close eye on Watanabe.

*BOOM*

Only to get interrupted by a massive explosion by the frontal gate of the survey outpost, much to the Gray Ravens' and Strike Hawk Construct's surprise as the latter immediately hefted his weapon at the ready with a frown.

"An explosion at the front door?" Kamui questioned as the brief distraction seemingly allowed Watanabe to leave the group.

Though he moved off silently, his posture said otherwise as Lucia and Kiryu instantly saw his departure as the two tried to follow only for the Corrupted to flood out from the broken gates.

"Wait... Watanabe!" She called out, unsheathing Lotus Berserker.

"Tch, is he leaving us in this chaos?" Lee clicked his tongue as he readied his bullets.

"Nevermind him, we have a bigger issue now..." Kiryu said, cutting off any distractions as they were completely surrounded.

"Looks like a literal flood and this amount of Corrupted... you think he planned this all along?" Kamui asked uncertainly with rare seriousness.

Despite their individual questions at the Forsaken leader's sudden actions, their doubts would somewhat be diminished as Watanabe soon called for them by another entry point of the area with soldiers clad in white and armed with rifles.

"Hey! You want to die here, Babylonians?! This way, hurry!" 

"Huh..? What's he doing now..?" Lucia questioned at the seemingly sudden change of heart, much to the Commandant's growing suspicion.

"I have a ride at this place to get away from the horde, this way now!" Watanabe shouted, gesturing over to himself as he turned a corner.

"This reeks of deception but even with the... Tiga Suit, Kamui is still possibly compromised and the number of Corrupted is far too much for Lucia and the rest to handle..." He thought.

"Lucia, we will follow Watanabe for now, but keep an eye on him and his men." Kiryu ordered quietly, leaning down to the said Construct's ear.

"Understood, what about the course of actions if he proves to be hostile?" Lucia whispered back, hand tightening around her blade as Kiryu answered.

"Then we'll make do with what we have at the moment, the desert is a no-go zone if they've truly adapted to the place, we can only take point here while Liv connects to Babylonia."

"It's not the best plan but it's all we have right now." Kiryu added.

Meanwhile, as the duo of Construct and Commandant muttered to each other, Watanabe too, had his own soldiers somewhat doubt the latter's course of actions at the moment.

"Sir, are you sure this plan will work?" One soldier asked.

"I know what I'm doing, and I'm willing to take the risks." Watanabe answered as the Gray Ravens and Strike Hawk retreat towards him.

"The flanks! There's a large spike of Corrupted signal!" Lee shouted in alarm as Watanabe issued out a command as his men fired onto the horde.

"Spread out! Retrieve the vehicles!" 

"Damn, look at him go, he ain't the leader of the Forsaken for no reason." Kamui couldn't help but whistle at the efficiency of the white-clad soldiers.

"His men are all equipped with gears suitable to block out the harsh winds and sands blowing around us, his rifle may not be up to date with Babylonia's own models but in this place, it will do its job at eliminating Corrupted... or us as well." Kiryu thought darkly.

He hadn't tested out the Tiga Suit's full capabilities though its durability in receiving hits especially from an Ascendant should suggest it can block out rapid successions of bullets but that will leave him guarded and his Constructs exposed.

Watanabe simply has more firepower than him and the Constructs combined at the moment, a single command from the former can instantly spell a disaster for Kiryu which may result in the disposal of Gray Ravens and Strike Hawk's current frames.

Although the Constructs can technically return to "life" via their spare bodies back on Babylonia, the failure in preventing them from "dying" in the first place will most definitely leave a sour taste in his mouth, that and "reviving" themselves in their replacement frames can also deal some unwanted damage to their memories or systems.

Kiryu scoffed internally, a certain fellow commandant wouldn't see it eye-to-eye with him before another sharp command from Watanabe snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Assemble here after you've started the vehicles! Standby for breakthrough orders!"

"He had this all planned through..." Lee deducted as the group continued fending off any Corrupted that got too close to them.

"This is all too convenient for them, Watanabe had no reasons to guide us to this place but did so anyway only for him to lead us into a horde of Corrupted..."

"Unless he's here to rendezvous with his men stationed here then he could have just left us in the desert without letting us know of this place... why?" Kiryu thought rapidly.

However, the chaotic situation at the moment takes priority so the Commandant had to ward off any other intrusive thoughts to better grasp the issue on hand.

"Kamui, you're far too close to enemy range, retreat!" He ordered.

"Lee, provide support fire and Lucia, stop the Corrupted from going anywhere near the Forsaken!" Kiryu continued, cutting down his own targets.

"What are you waiting for?! Get in the car!" Watanabe shouted to them and his men.

"Dammit! I got nicked!" Kamui exclaimed with a scowl.

"Get down!" Lee suddenly yelled out to him.

"Wha-? HOLY SHI-!!!" The Strike Hawk Construct exclaimed once again, quickly ducking under a hail of blue fiery bullets.

"Hey, that was dangerous even for my standards!!!" Kamui shouted indignantly.

"You not getting in the car is more dangerous than that!" Lee retorted heatedly.

"Enough arguing, we need to go before this place gets filled with Corrupted, all of you get into... the cars..? Wait, where's Liv?" Kiryu stated, quickly looking around.

"Liv got on one of the Forsaken's... car..!" Lucia answered but realisation dawned on her face as their Support Construct was missing without their knowledge.

In the midst of all the chaos, he had forgotten to check on one specific member of their group who is all but in his sights as his ears picked up Watanabe's single cold order that sent alarms through his entire body.

"Alright, drive."

A single conclusion came to Kiryu's mind; they were lured here because Watanabe seeks to separate Liv from the group either out the need for a Construct of her expertise or to pick them off one by one in this place without giving them a chance to contact Babylonia.

"Watanabe!" Lucia shouted, crimson eyes narrowing onto the departing vehicles as the Commandant immediately took action.

His eyes narrowed behind his helmet, his HUD locking onto the retreating vehicle's wheels before he aimed his Guts Hyper right at its direction, rapidly taking notes of the angle and direction and speed of the wind that may affect his trajectory in seconds.

*BANG*

Kiryu fired a shot but the driver of the vehicle must have been anticipating his move, that or Watanabe warned the driver themselves of his actions because the bullet missed its mark by what he deduced to be a mere inch or less from the tire much to his annoyance.

In a flash of light, the Tiga Suit manifested across Kiryu's body before he activated the thrusters beneath him, taking off across the sands right towards Watanabe.

However, just as the transformed Commandant was about to fly towards the retreating vehicle, his HUD immediately blared out warnings towards him before the sands beneath him gave way for a huge familiar gaping maw to emerge.

"The Vassago!? Why is it back already?!" Lee exclaimed, gunning down multiple Corrupted before firing upon the giant machinery.

"Was the beating we gave it not enough?!" Kamui interjected, rolling away as the Vassago hurled out a lump of debris at him from its mouth.

However, to no avail did his hailstorm of bullets worked as the giant insectile Corrupted continued to rise up as Kiryu attempted to fly out of its jaws but the metallic fangs were already closing in as the latter soon found himself trapped within the Corrupted.

"Commandant!" Lucia yelled, cutting down several enemies before sprinting towards the Vassago just as she realised it was digging down again.

"I'm fine, go after Watanabe!" Kiryu commanded as the vehicle turned smaller and smaller over the desert.

"You can't be possibly thinking of-!" Lee began with disbelief as he repeatedly shot the giant insectile Corrupted yet to release its hold on Kiryu.

"That is an order, I will not allow ourselves to lose a member-!" The Commandant stated before his words were cut off as the Vassago dove beneath the sands.

===============================

Although Liv found herself in an abrupt and jarring situation, she is rather calm at the moment as she gazed out to the desert on her seat in silence. She was a Support-Type Construct but she too understood some implementations in battles and the fact that the Forsaken hadn't even touched a hair or skin on her despite their animosity suggested one thing.

They abducted her specifically for the type of skills that are required of her, that alone calmed the Construct down as Watanabe glanced at her composure with a quiet curious remark.

"You're more calm than I expected." He said while driving through the desert.

"Panicking will not help me at all, not that you will let it but rather about me. I'm waiting for an apology from Mr. Watanabe." Liv simply replied.

"Excuse me? You-" The soldier next to her began, annoyed at her manners before Watanabe interrupted him before an argument could start.

"And surprisingly more stern than I expected from your appearance." He remarked with a ghost of a smirk before shifting back to indifference.

"...You kidnapped me, after an intentional diversion that risked endangering my team and in return, you risk inciting a war with Babylonia." Liv warned.

"This is not a risk you can afford to take, not for an organisation the size of the Forsaken. If you required my help, you should have asked us about it." She continued.

"Instead, you separated us and put my team in danger."

"We do not have any intentions of harming you... but, we also do not care about your safety and will not fear the consequences." Watanabe stated impassively.

"Babylonia owes us too much for what they have done and a full-frontal warfare is something the Forsaken have been prepared for a long time." 

"But now, we need the coming event to succeed and slowing down the Corrupted by placing your team in front of it was part of the plan."

"Had I made my intentions clear from the start, I highly doubt your team or Babylonia would condone any further actions I would take." Watanabe said.

"Had you requested for his and our assistance, we will do so long as it does not impede our mission which was to scout out the area and not come into conflicts with the Forsaken."

Was the quiet retort Liv spoke back with.

"Unfortunately, as nice as your words are, there is still the liability that is your Commandant who I will not lie about and say he is incompetent." Responded the Forsaken leader.

"I have not seen much of his capabilities in a real fight but he has proven to be more versatile and skilled than other commandants in the past and for that, he is a liability to hinder our plan."

"I understand your impression of Babylonia is less than ideal, but Kiryu is not what or who you think he is." Liv refuted firmly.

"You're willingly to put that much faith into him?" The leader of the Forsaken asked, curiosity betraying his expression as he raised a brow.

Liv went silent at that statement, faith is a strong word to describe one's relationship with another individual but with how much dedication Kiryu placed into upgrading their frames, making them feel comfortable around him and back on base, her feelings can be held true.

She still remember giggling at the Commandant's silly antic of performing an "operation" on the frog and sheep plushies they've found from the ruined city, it was childish and almost out of character but Kiryu did it nonetheless for them.

What does that tell her of his conduct?

Courteous, respectful, kind but was it truly? Could it just be an illusive, deceitful and fake facade he put up to give himself a good impression to herself and everyone else?

...No.

"Faith or none, I trust Kiryu." Liv stated.

"...Is that so..?" Watanabe mused before the vehicle continue retreating in silence.

"I've only been under Kiryu's command for a few weeks at maximum... and I've realised he is more empathetic despite how he looks and acts in battle."

"...If I was to believe your words, and if you decide to aid us then after all this is done. I will formally and sincerely apologise to you and your team. No tricks this time." Watanabe stated.

"..." Liv's only response was to keep silent as she mulled over the rogue Construct's words as she noted how he seemed to be expecting any form of answer.

After a while, Liv responded with her choice.

===============================

The remaining members of the now splintered group ran across the desert ruins as Lucia took the lead in tracking both Liv and Kiryu after they've been separated from them.

"Liv's signal vanished around here... but I can't pinpoint Commandant's exact location as well as Liv can." Lucia reported with a sliver of frustration.

Their fellow Construct had been taken away by vehicle on the land but Kiryu was literally taken underground so the connection between them and the latter had diminished severely.

While she would have been more composed in the past or perhaps any other lifetimes, this was both Kiryu and Liv they were talking about, the former who essentially made her open up more and the latter who was an integral part of Gray Raven.

Both of them are valuable members of the team and she wholeheartedly agreed with Kiryu.

"There are Forsaken vehicles around this facility." Lee noted, equally irate at the sudden development as he scoured the area for clues.

"The Corrupted remains here do seem like the work of the Forsaken." Lucia added, seeing how most of the metallic bodies are riddled with holes while others are brutally pummelled.

"Nevermind that, Liv's signal went in that direction but I can't say the same for Commandant..." She then stated uncertainly.

"You heard what the Commandant ordered us to do, we will find Liv while he tackles on the Vassago and knowing he has that suit of his, I'd feel sorry for the Corrupted instead." Lee said.

"If that's your way of comforting others then you suck." Kamui remarked from the side.

"No one will think you are mute if you shut up." Was all he got in response before turning back to Lucia as he pointed at the surrounding.

"Before we continue, there might still be Corrupted hidden in the sand and getting pincered by both the Forsaken and the Corrupted is a horrible outcome, we should prepare for entry."

"Alright! So just flush out the Corrupted and deal with them? You got it!" Kamui said, hefting his greatsword as he kicked the nearest lump of sand.

Only for a Corrupted to leap out at him.

"Oh no, you don't!" Was all the Repairer heard before getting slashed apart before several more Corrupted rose out of the sands after sensing the commotion.

However, they did not anticipate a sudden explosion of sand and rocks and debris blowing up right into the sky with a deafening roar as the group soon saw something emerge from within.

...

On the other side of the desert just after Kiryu had been swallowed into the sands by the Vassago that suddenly attacked the group, the former had stabbed his Sparklence Blade right into the side of its mouth which prevented him from falling deeper into the worm.

Unfortunately, that means he only has one hand free to do anything in order to make the Vassago spit him out which he quickly took out his Guts Hyper before firing all the rounds right down into the throat of gears and metals.

Though it did nothing but bounce off with sparks as he soon emptied his magazine and since it was practically useless against the Vassago, he'll need to use another solution.

Kiryu then looked down at his arm, remembering that beam of light he shot towards Masaki which almost tore him into pieces but the latter was far more resilient than he thought.

The Commandant wasn't sure if that move required anything else or more like, he didn't know exactly what he did to warrant such a thing to happen but now's not the time to think.

He drew back his arm, internally commanding that same light to assist him in battle once again, though with his other arm preoccupied with holding him out from the grating gears of the Vassago that could grind him into shreds, he could only hold one hand back across his chest.

Then it happened, just as natural as breathing, Kiryu witnessed a glow that engulfed his hand before he shot his hand forward with a blue beam of light.

Before he knew it, whatever sort of attack he just threw at the Vassago was enough as the light beam literally tore through the metal and gears whereas his bullets failed to do so.

The effect was instantaneous as the mechanical sandworm started to quake and squirm around violently with sand and rocks suddenly filling in as a muffled roar erupted around him as Kiryu quickly took out the remaining C4s he has on his body.

Three, might not be enough but he needs to get out of here before he gets buried alive.

So Kiryu threw the bombs down the Vassago's throat before he drew back his hand once again with the light surrounding his hand as he willed it back to existence.

Without hesitation, Kiryu slashed the beam of light forward-

...

Lucia, Lee and Kamui then bore witness to the Vassago, ripping itself out of the sand as its body was completely blown apart into scrap metals as it thrummed out one last roar, it mechanical eyes flickering before going dark.

"Did Commandant do that?" Lee asked no one, shocked at the sudden destruction as Lucia wasted no time and pried open the dead Corrupted.

"Yeesh, talk about overkill... or is it underkill?" Kamui remarked.

"Commandant! Can you hear me? Commandant!?" Lucia repeatedly shouted, cutting apart the Vassago before a hand burst through the metallic frames.

"I'm fine, give me the sitrep, now." Kiryu answered as Lucia pulled him out of the rubble before the Tiga Suit disappeared with Lee reporting.

"So far, we've tracked Liv's location towards that direction, but we did not want to take any chances with the Corrupted ambushing us in a pincer movement so we intercepted them."

"We were just finishing up our task before... well, before you blew yourself sky-high." He added with some disapproval at the risky move.

"Your concern is appreciated but Liv takes the priority right now, I want to know if all of you are in optimal conditions to continue." Kiryu questioned.

"My status is fine, I have yet to receive any severe injuries from the Corrupted." Lucia answered with Kamui butting in cheerfully.

"Me too! I thought I would be infected but I guess I'm just built different!" He stated.

"My conditions are all top-notch, I still have much bullets to spare so you won't need to worry about me though I'm more concerned with why the Vassago appeared again." Lee said.

"...The mint Watanabe gifted me earlier today." Kiryu spoke up before taking out the box.

"Liv mentioned the Vassago after being infected with the virus having heightened senses which included smell, and this mint is quite strong."

"Just as I thought, the 'gift' that Forsaken leader forced into your hands was part of his plan all along to separate us from Liv." Lee noted bluntly.

"Oh I get it now! Still, how could he?! We literally trained together like best-buddies!" Kamui complained to his irritation.

"Doesn't matter, what's happened, happened. There's no use in thinking about this mess now." Kiryu interjected as Lucia stated grimly.

"This is the result of trusting Watanabe... I apologise, I should have been more vigilant, Commandant." 

"Don't be, you didn't know any better than I did so we're even and in agreement that Liv cannot be endangered any further." Kiryu replied.

"...The fact that they haven't brought up any terms yet, which means that they're not open for negotiations. I can only see one outcome for this situation..." Lee began seriously.

"..." Kamui frowned at the implications and said nothing, he was a Construct but that doesn't mean he enjoyed fighting for blood.

"..." Kiryu was silent too, he holds no personal animosity with the Forsaken and the outcome is something he believed should only be the last resort yet he knew Babylonia's stance on this.

"...War." Lucia answered for everyone.

This situation just turned for the worst.

===============================

I wonder if there are still people waiting for a chapter on this story... anyway, hope you've enjoyed this chapter after a loooooong time but yea, MC is finally developing some instinctive abilities as Tiga so thanks for your patience.