The next day was as young as the morning sun rose. Its light glinted off the windows of the command center, illuminating the busy soldiers within.

Anthony sat at the main table, scrolling through the various reports and updates. His eyes were bloodshot, and his shoulders slumped from lack of sleep.

The door opened, and Mina walked in. She took one look at her American friend and sighed, shaking her head. "You need to get some sleep, sir." She said firmly. "You've been here all night."

"I know, I know," Anthony groaned. "I'm almost done. I promise."

Mina rolled her eyes. "Sure you are. That's what you said three hours ago. If you keep this up, you'll burn out before the battle even starts."

"I can't just abandon my duties," Anthony protested.

It was then his head maid, Martha walked in. She stood in front of him, crossing her arms. "Master Towson, Mina is right. You've been working yourself to the bone these past few hours," she said in a motherly tone. "Please, go get some rest."

Anthony sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. I'll take a short break. But if anything comes up, come get me immediately."

Mina and Martha exchanged knowing looks, satisfied that they had at least convinced him to step away for a while.

Martha placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "A real break, Master Towson. Not one where you stare at the ceiling and think about more battle plans."

Mina smirked. "And definitely not one where you just move to another desk and keep working."

Anthony huffed, shaking his head with a tired grin. "You two are relentless."

"That's why you keep us around," Mina quipped. "Now go."

Reluctantly, Anthony pushed himself up from the chair. His body protested the movement, muscles stiff from sitting for too long. He rolled his shoulders, wincing slightly as the tension set in.

"Alright, alright," he muttered. "I'll head to my quarters for a bit."

Martha and Mina watched him go, arms still crossed until he was out the door.

"You think he'll actually sleep?" Mina asked.

Martha exhaled through her nose. "Not a chance."

Instead of going directly to his quarters, Anthony stepped outside. The crisp morning air hit him, cooling his heated skin. The base was already alive with activity—soldiers performing drills, mechanics working on vehicles, and officers discussing logistics.

He took a deep breath, the scent of earth and steel filling his lungs. He needed this—just a moment away from maps and casualty reports.

That's when he noticed a familiar figure standing nearby.

Kurono.

The Japanese boy stood near a training dummy, idly twirling his sword in his hand, a deep frown on his face. His eyes were dark and distant, lost in thought.

Anthony sighed. "Does anyone on this base actually sleep?" He approached the young man, calling out, "K, what the hell are you doing up?"

Kurono snapped out of his thoughts, glancing at Anthony before offering a weak smirk. "I could ask you the same thing."

Anthony let out a dry chuckle, stopping beside him. "Mina and Martha finally bullied me into taking a break."

"Sounds like them," Kurono mused. He gave the dummy one last half-hearted swing before lowering his sword. "Honestly, I tried to sleep. But every time I close my eyes, I just... see things."

Anthony knew that feeling all too well.

"Memories or fears?" he asked.

Kurono hesitated before answering. "Both."

The two men stood in silence for a moment, watching as the base bustled around them. The weight of what was to come loomed over them, an unspoken force pressing against their chests.

"You know," Anthony finally said, "we've come a long way. We've fought battles most people wouldn't believe. But we're still here. And we're still fighting."

Kurono scoffed. "Yeah. But at what cost?"

Anthony sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's a question we'll never stop asking, K. But as long as we can still fight for those who can't, as long as we can still protect the people we care about... we keep moving forward."

Kurono was quiet for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. You're right."

Anthony patted him on the back. "Come on. Let's go grab some coffee before Mina hunts me down."

Kurono chuckled. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to face her wrath this early in the morning."

The two walked toward the mess hall together, finding a moment of solace before the inevitable chaos of war resumed.

As the sun fully rose over the FireHawks Base, the command center was already bustling with activity. Officers, specialists, and senior personnel were gathered around a large digital map of the Cross Army's remaining strongholds. A tension-filled silence hung in the air as the final plans for the next offensive were being finalized.

Anthony and Kurono entered the room with fresh cups of coffee, both appearing slightly more rested than before. Stepan and Jacob were already inside, standing beside General Dustin Walker, who studied the battlefield layout with a sharp, calculating gaze.

Edea and Martha stood nearby, ensuring their "masters" were actually attending the meeting and not sneaking off to work themselves into exhaustion again.

"Alright, let's get started," Dustin said, placing a firm hand on the table. "As of now, we've confirmed that the Cross Army has regrouped around the Holy City of Elysion. After their losses from Operation: N6 and the elimination of Leviathan, their leadership has consolidated their forces into one major defensive stronghold."

A large red marker pulsed over Elysion on the map.

"It's their last major city," Stepan added. "If we take it, the war could be over."

"Could be," Jacob corrected. "We don't know if they have another contingency in place. We need to assume they'll defend that city with everything they've got."

Anthony sipped his coffee, eyes narrowed at the map. "Do we have any confirmation on how many Apostles are still left defending the city?"

Martha and Edea stepped forward, exchanging glances.

"We know that Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle are no longer fighting against us," Martha began. "And Leviathan is dead. That leaves five Apostles unaccounted for."

Kurono clenched his fists slightly. "Ai is still recovering from the napalm and incendiary bombs we hit her with. If she's alive, she'll be out of commission for a while. That leaves four: the 1st Apostle Raphael, 'Hand of God', the 2nd Apostle Azazel, 'Wings of the Abyss', and 4th Apostle Uriel, 'The Living Fortress'."

"Which means we're about to go up against their strongest and most devoted leaders," Itami muttered, folding his arms.

Dustin turned toward the group, his expression unreadable. "Martha, Edea. You were once part of their ranks when they were younger. What else do you know about Raphael, the 'Hand of God' and Azazel, the 'Wings of the Abyss'?"

Martha exhaled deeply, her voice carrying a weight of old memories.

"The current 1st and 2nd Apostles are... different from the others. They are old. Very old like us. As you know that back when I was just the 1st Apostle. They were the 11th and 12th. But after having a chat with Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle. Something changed, and they became something else entirely we left the Cross Army. Their power surpasses all the others, including myself and Edea."

That revelation sent a ripple of unease through the room. If Martha—the Bloodiest, a woman feared for centuries—acknowledged their superiority, then the challenge ahead was far greater than anticipated.

Edea continued, her voice softer but no less serious. "As you already know, the 1st Apostle is known as Raphael, the 'Hand of God' that he is the Cross Army's figurehead and possesses a divine-like presence that bolsters morale and unites the troops. His abilities include powerful healing magic and offensive light magic so potent it can obliterate entire battalions. He is the epitome of leadership on and off the battlefield. His true power is divine manipulation—he can enforce absolute laws on the battlefield. If he declares that no one can use magic, magic ceases to work. If he declares that no one can attack, weapons and spells freeze mid-air. His word is law."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

"That's... insane," Vincent finally muttered.

"The 2nd Apostle Azazel, the 'Wings of the Abyss.'" Martha added. "He commands the Cross Army's aerial and shadow divisions. His combat style is rooted in dark magic and manipulation, using fear as a weapon as much as raw power. Azazel is a master of psychological warfare and the most cunning of all Apostles. He is also the enforcer of Raphael's will. His true power is punishment and retribution—any harm you attempt to inflict upon him is reflected back tenfold. If you shoot him, the bullet returns to the shooter with ten times the force. If you try to stab him, you'll feel your own blade sink into your body."

Anthony, Jacob, Stepan, Itami, and the other officers and adventures stared at the two maids, processing the implications.

"So we're fighting a god and his damn executioner," David growled. "That's what you're telling me?"

"Essentially, yes," Edea admitted.

Jacob rubbed his face in frustration. "Great. Just great."

Dustin, however, remained stoic among the others. "That just means we need to change our approach. If we can't kill them directly, we need to find another way to neutralize them."

Kurono leaned forward. "We need to figure out their limits. Every power has one, no matter how invincible it seems."

Sariel nodded. "That's true. Raphael's divine law can only affect a certain radius at a time. If we can separate him from his main force or move beyond his effective range, we might have a chance."

Mikael smirked slightly. "As for Azazel, well... let's just say that reflecting an attack tenfold requires him to recognize the attack. If we can confuse or overwhelm his senses, he won't be able to reflect anything."

Vulcan cracked his knuckles. "So, all we have to do is blind or overload the Cross Army's top two warriors while fighting through an entire city full of zealot bastards?"

"Pretty much," Irina said dryly.

"Sounds like another day in hell," Itami muttered.

Dustin tapped the map again. "We'll run drills, training simulations, strategize, and coordinate with all available forces. If this battle is going to decide the war, we're going to do it right. No more rushing in blind—we take every advantage we can get."

The officers and warriors nodded. The air in the room was thick with tension but also determination. The fight for Elysion would be the hardest yet. Probably ever.

Anthony looked around at his comrades, allies, and former enemies who now stood with them.

"Let's fuckin' do this."

"LEEEROY!!" Vincent shouted but Anthony cut him off.

"SHUT UP!!"

"Sorry..."

The room burst into quiet chuckles at Vincent's outburst, but the weight of the upcoming battle kept most of them from laughing too long.

General Walker leaned in over the map. "Alright, enough screwing around. We need detailed plans, unit assignments, and contingencies in place before we move on Elysion."

Phase 1: The Infiltration and Distraction

<A joint special forces unit made up of U.N.E., allied kingdoms, and elite adventurers will infiltrate Elysion's outer districts.>
<Their mission is to search and destroy (SnD) defenses and magical communication lines.>
<Stealth specialist teams will assassinate key enemy officers and create chaos in the lower ranks before the main attack begins.>

Phase 2: The Siege and Heavy Assault

<Main ground forces (U.N.E., U.R.K., allied kingdoms, and adventures) will advance on multiple fronts, attacking the city from five main directions. Three on land, two by sea.>
<Artillery and air support will target fortifications and weaken defenses. Fighter jets will play a role on air superiority clearing any kind of threat.>
<Mariabelle, Mikael, and Sariel will lead their own assault teams, engaging enemy commanders, high-level units, and Uriel, the 'The Living Fortress'.>

Phase 3: The Apostle Confrontation

<Raphael & Azazel are the primary targets. Their defeat will break the Cross Army's morale and power structure.>
<Raphael's Divine Law must be disrupted. Strategy: Divide the battlefield, force him into a confrontation where his abilities are limited.>
<Azazel's Reflection ability must be bypassed. Strategy: Overload his senses, use indirect or deceptive attacks.>

Martha and Edea nodded approvingly. "These are solid plans," Martha said. "But Raphael and Azazel won't fight alone. Expect them to be surrounded by their most fanatical zealots."

Kurono clenched his fist. "Then we take them out first."

The command room was alive with activity as the strategy for the final battle against the Cross Army solidified. The stakes had never been higher. If they failed to take Elysion, the war could be prolonged indefinitely. Worse, if Raphael and Azazel remained unchallenged, the Cross Army could regain its strength, and everything they had fought for would be lost.

Anthony took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The weight of leadership pressed against him, but he stood firm. His eyes swept across the room, landing on each of the key figures who would be leading this operation.

General Walker clasped his hands behind his back. "You all know your roles. We're about to take on the last stronghold of the Cross Army. Every move we make needs to be precise. There will be no second chances."

Martha, her arms crossed, spoke up. "One last thing. Raphael and Azazel aren't just strong, they inspire absolute loyalty. The closer we get to them, the more resistance we'll face. Their most fanatical forces will fight to the last breath."

Edea nodded in agreement. "And don't think for a second that Raphael's 'Divine Law' won't extend to his most trusted warriors. If he orders his men to resist death, they might not even realize they've already lost."

Anthony rolled his shoulders. "Then we hit them hard and fast. We know the plan. The special ops teams go in first, sabotage their defenses, take out key targets, and disrupt communications. Once we have control of their outer districts, the main force moves in."

Jacob checked his watch. "We've got less than 90 hours before we mobilize. That means last-minute drills, final supply checks, and making sure everyone knows their assignments."

Kurono exhaled sharply, gripping his sword. "And the three Apostles?"

Sariel smirked. "Leave them to us. Raphael and Azazel won't be expecting their own former comrades to be fighting against them."

Mikael cracked his knuckles. "We'll see if the 'Hand of God' can handle a punch to the face."

Mariabelle, despite the serious atmosphere, still held a slight blush from Vincent's previous outburst. "They'll regret underestimating us."

The officers and warriors assembled outside the command center as dusk settled over FireHawks Base. Thousands of troops—U.N.E., U.R.K., Allied Kingdoms, elite adventurers, and civilian fighters—gathered for the final mission briefing.

Anthony stepped forward, voice steady and strong. "Listen up, bitches! This isn't just another battle. This is the endgame. The Cross Army has terrorized this continent for far too long. We end this, here and now."

A collective roar of agreement echoed across the base.

Dustin raised his hand for silence. "This won't be easy. We are fighting an enemy that believes they are chosen by divine will. They will not surrender. So don't expect them to. But we fight for the future—the future of a world free from tyranny, from oppression, from zealots who would see it burn in the name of their so-called God."

Kurono stepped beside Anthony. "This is for everyone they've hurt. For everyone they've enslaved, murdered, or forced into submission. We take Elysion not just for victory, but for justice."

Martha and Edea nodded at each other before stepping forward as well. Edea spoke first. "Raphael and Azazel are powerful, but they are not invincible. We were Apostles once, just like them. If we could turn away from the Cross Army's madness, then we can tear them down."

Martha smirked, her old bloodthirsty nature flashing in her eyes. "And I, for one, have been waiting a long time to settle unfinished business."

A final wave of cheers erupted from the troops.

Dustin gave a firm nod. "Get some rest while you can. We leave at dawn."

As troops made their final preparations, small groups gathered around fires, making peace with what was to come. Some wrote letters home (everyone). Some made calls to home saying their finally goodbyes just incase (U.N.E and U.R.K). Others quietly checked their gear. Some, like Kurono, Anthony, and their closest allies, stood by the airstrip, staring at the massive fleet of aircraft, armored vehicles, and tanks that would be deployed in the large assault.

Stepan leaned against a nearby Russian Tigr-M, arms crossed. "This is it, boys and girls. Everything we've fought for leads here."

Jacob adjusted his Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH). "Yeah. And if we pull this off, we might actually get some damn leave."

Chris chuckled. "Unless they find another crazy army of religious nutjobs to throw at us."

Kurono shook his head. "Not happening. We end this war, we go home." He then looks at his hand in deep thought and mutters, "I get to go home."

Mina approached with two steaming mugs, handing one to Anthony. "Still awake?"

Anthony gave her a tired smile. "Of course. Big day tomorrow."

Mina smirked. "Try not to die. I don't wanna be stuck writing some heroic speech about you to wives and kids."

Anthony chuckled. "I'll do my best."

Martha and Edea stood nearby, watching the scene unfold. Despite their grim pasts, they had found a new purpose among these people—among these warriors who fought not for power, but for something greater.

Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle stood at the edge of the group, watching the horizon. The city of Elysion was out there, waiting.

Sariel sighed. "It's strange, fighting against the place we once called home."

Mikael scoffed. "Home? That place hasn't been home for a long time."

Mariabelle looked at the night sky. "In three days, the Cross Army will finally know what it feels like to face the ones they cast aside."

Vincent took one last sip of his drink before placing the cup down. "Alright, everyone. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we train."

As the night deepened, the warriors of FireHawks Base went to sleep, knowing that when the sun rose, they would march into the heart of the enemy's stronghold.

The final battle was about to begin.

The next morning came like the quiet before a thunderstorm.

Dawn broke over FireHawks Base with a golden hue, casting long shadows across the tarmac. The air was thick—not just with mist, but with anticipation, dread, and steel resolve. Everyone moved with purpose now. No more doubt. No more time.

This was it.

Anthony stood in front of the forward deployment airstrip. His vest was worn, his rifle slung, and the weight of command sat like an anchor on his shoulders. Behind him were thousands—a phalanx of U.N.E., URK, allied kingdom knights, and elite adventurers, all finalizing their gear, hugging comrades, checking maps, and making peace with whatever came next.

Kurono adjusted the band around his wrist—the same one he wore since the day he first joined the war. His sword, now thrumming faintly with energy, was sheathed across his back. He stood beside Anthony, eyes focused on the column of aircraft now being loaded. His voice was steady but low:

"Once we start, there's no turning back."

Anthony nodded, his voice gravel. "No one's turning back. We're all in this to the end."

✦ [BRIEFING TENT - FINAL ORDERS]

Inside the large, tightly guarded command tent, General Dustin Walker stood before a massive digital 3D map of Elysion, laser pointers flicking across reinforced sectors, choke points, and apostolic zones.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his gray eyes scanning everyone from troops to sorcerers, "this is your last briefing."

He turned to his adjutant. "Begin countdown."

A timer activated on the map: D-DAY: 2 DAYS, 17 HOURS, 34 MINUTES.

He continued:

"Our infiltration teams are already on the move. Phase One is underway.

Our air superiority teams will engage tomorrow, clearing the skies of angelic constructs and flyer legions.

You—FireHawks Group A—you're Phase Two. You'll be hitting the Outer Ring of Elysion. The Cross Army won't know what hit them.

We have confirmed that Uriel, the 4th Apostle, is overseeing the Citadel Core. He must be eliminated. But our true targets remain the 1st and 2nd Apostles: Raphael and Azazel."

The tent went quiet. Even Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle stood silent.

Dustin gestured toward them. "They've agreed to join FireHawks Group Zulu and lead the assault on the Chalice Wall. Once that's breached, we go all-in."

As the base vibrated with the low rumble of engines, tanks, IFVs, and airborne transports rolled into final formation. You could taste ozone and oil on the wind.

Edea stood near her CH-53E, adjusting the vambrace of her old armor. Martha sheathed her blade, blood-red steel catching the sun. Nearby, Mikael was giving last-minute war instructions to his own unit.

Anthony looked across the sea of people, finding faces he had come to trust: Kurono, Jacob, Vincent, Stepan, Itami, Lily, Mina, Fiona, Alicia, Vulcan, Shino, Aten, Chris, and even the black soldier from before, now quiet, humming a battle hymn under his breath.

Kurono looked to Anthony. "They ready?"

Anthony cracked his knuckles. "They're not just ready. They're hungry."

Standing atop a tank beside a mounted loudspeaker, Sariel addressed the mixed forces, her silver hair whipping in the wind, eyes glowing faintly.

"You've been told how strong Raphael is. How invincible Azazel is. How holy their city is. Let me tell you something else—they bleed like anyone else. And come three days from now, we will show the world that even 'gods' fall."

Everyone erupted in roars and chants, the earth itself seeming to quake.

Anthony and Kurono paused before stepping into the lead transport chopper. Anthony looked over his shoulder at the gathered warriors, the sun rising behind them, casting long shadows.

Kurono smirked faintly, speaking just loud enough for only Anthony to hear:

"If I die, tell Mina she still owes me that ramen date."

Anthony chuckled darkly. "You're not dying. But if you do—I'll make sure she brings it to your grave."

They clasped forearms.

Then boarded.

From above, the Holy City of Elysion gleamed—a twisted mix of divine architecture, fanatical splendor, and hellish defenses.

But from the clouds descended the wrath of the real gods—planes, dragons, gunships, transport choppers, spellcasters, and warships bearing flags of every known nation, species, and creed.

The largest multi-national, multi-realm coalition in modern history descended upon the Cross Army's Holy Capital.

Phase One had already begun.

The final war had come.

And the gods themselves were watching.