Author's Note: A big thanks to uhlan303  for helping me make the scene with Stepan.

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Location: "Ruby Horizon Café" – a small, cozy restaurant near the portside market
Time: 10:42 AM, Local Time

The faint clinking of cutlery, the sizzling from the open kitchen, and the chatter of customers painted a peaceful morning picture in the heart of Port of Spain. Outside, fishermen hauled their morning catch, taxis honked lazily through traffic, and schoolchildren laughed their way down the sidewalk.

Inside the Ruby Horizon Café, a modest flat-screen TV mounted high in the corner, played the international news. The feed cut to a live report.

"This is Adina Mosley reporting live from the UNE (Unified Nations of Earth) Command. We are receiving confirmation that Operation WRATH OF GODS has officially begun. Coalition forces have commenced their assault on the Holy City of Elysion, the capital of the Cross Army. A joint strike force composed of human and demi-human forces has entered the outer city walls, encountering fierce resistance."

Footage played of massive aircraft flying in formation over Elysion. Artillery boomed. Magic and missiles lit the sky. Boots hit the ground in waves. The flag of Trinidad and Tobago could be seen stitched onto the arm of a squad clearing a tower, one soldier hurling a smoke grenade before storming in with others shouting orders.

Behind the counter, Chanelle Baptiste, a 26-year-old waitress with sharp cheekbones, curly black hair tied in a bun, and warm cinnamon-toned skin, stood frozen as the screen zoomed in on that very patch of red and black.

Her lips trembled slightly, her hand tightening around the towel she was using to wipe the counter.

"...That's his unit." Her voice was quiet, but strained.

Across from her, stirring a bubbling pot in the back kitchen, stood Lóthira Val'Eryn, a Dark Elf woman in her late 40s, her deep brown skin contrasting with the emerald green apron she wore.

Her long ears twitched slightly as she turned to look at the screen.

"You recognize them?" she asked, her voice melodic but heavy.

Chanelle nodded. "My brother... Deon. TTDF Forward Recon. He left four months ago."

Lóthira slowly walked over, wiping her hands on a towel. Her gold eyes fixated on the screen as the broadcast transitioned to aerial thermal imagery of a battle in the northern quarter of Elysion.

"I know that feeling well," she murmured. "My boy, Kálien... He's with the sharpshooter detachment out of Marabella. They attached him to one of the Allied support companies."

Chanelle finally spoke, her voice trembling. "It just... doesn't feel real, you know? One day he's joking about doubles and pelau, next thing I know—he's halfway across the world, fighting apostles and monsters like this was some ancient fairy tale gone wrong."

Lóthira nodded in solemn agreement. "A few years ago, I thought the greatest threat my people would face was another drought. Now... we're wrapped in a war that reaches every shore."

A customer at the front called for a refill. Chanelle gave a brief nod, but her eyes remained locked on the TV for just a few more seconds.

"The Coalition has confirmed that at least five of the Cross Army's Apostles remain unaccounted for, and heavy resistance is expected deep within the capital. Medics on the ground are working nonstop to assist the wounded, and naval forces have encircled the southern coast of Elysion."

"Among the deployed are troops from the TTDF, Scout Rangers, Bahamian Volunteer Corps, and several battalions from Eastern and Southern African command. A joint Trini–Demi-human unit reportedly assisted in the breaching of the western wall early this morning."

Chanelle finally stepped away and refilled the customer's coffee, smiling politely, but her hands trembled slightly as she returned to the counter.

"Deon always said he'd come back. Said he wouldn't leave me to run this place alone."

Lóthira placed a hand gently on Chanelle's shoulder. "Then trust him. He's not just fighting for this world. He's fighting to come home."

Chanelle took a deep breath and smiled through the worry. "You're right."

Just then, the bell above the door jingled. A courier stepped in with a small box and a letter, addressed with the seal of the UNE Mail Corps. Chanelle and Lóthira's eyes immediately darted toward it.

The courier looked at them both and smiled. "From the field. Letters for family."

Chanelle reached for the one with her name. Lóthira's came next. Neither said a word as they clutched the envelopes tightly, afraid to hope—but hoping anyway.

Outside, the breeze from the Gulf of Paria carried the salt of the sea and the scent of home. Behind them, the news anchor spoke again:

And as the world watches, as prayers rise from every nation, one thing is clear: Elysion may be the heart of the Cross Army—but the soul of the world fights back. And it is loud, united... and unrelenting."

Back on the field,

An explosion rocked the ground, illuminating the night sky like a flower blossoming in the summer. Ukrainian Marine Corps Major Stepan Kravchuk's hands were clamped over one of his men's legs, blood leaking onto the ground, the man's bone sticking out from an earlier encounter with the Cross Army's elite "Immortals". His second in command took a look over the ridge, scanning the treeline for mages. "Як тільки вони приведуть свій штаб, вони вб'ють нас у кляту землю." (Once they get their staffs ranged in, they're gonna pound us into the goddamn ground.)

Stepan looked over the ridge as well, his breathing ragged from the past four hours that they spent in the area. "Я проходжу через цю будівлю. Очистіть шлях для евакуації." (I'm going through that building. Clear a path for an evac.) He said, checking his AS-4 and pistol, but not his rifle, as he had lost it an hour earlier during a mage attack.

His adjutant, a Ukrainian soldier looked over to him, grimacing slightly. "Are you out of your mind, sir?!"

Stepan scoffed, his hands still on the man's wound. "What do you want to do, Yatagan? You want to die here? Like a rat in a jar? It's about time I've had a fair fight." 

He cocked the charging handle on his AS-4, a shotgun jointly developed by Atchisson and Benelli, which combined the KS-23's powerful 4 gauge shell with a modified AA-12 receiver. He checked his mags, ten 8 round magazines of 4 Gauge, and two .45ACP mags for his pistol. "Keep pressure on his wound. Get him to MEDEVAC when it lands." With a final look over, he hefted the shotgun to his shoulder, and started running. He saw a doorway, and with a powerful kick to the center, knocked it off the hinges. He ran into the room and was met with a yell from up ahead. A Cross Army conscript was charging him, his sword raised. He pivoted, raised the shotgun, and sent two rounds into the man's torso. The rounds tore through him like it was nothing, disemboweling him. 

Behind him, a Cross Army mage began charging up, the spell tearing a chunk out of the wall next to Stepan. Had he been there moments earlier, he most certainly wouldn't be enough to put in a bodybag. He took the chance between the mage powering up again to charge him, knocking him over with the shotgun's stock, and with a squeeze of his wrist, the .50AE function in his arm popped out, finally silencing the man's cries for help. 

He pushed through the building, clearing rooms like clockwork, with practiced lethality. He heard yells in the main atrium, and was met with the sight of five Cross Army Immortals, who immediately charged at him. He raised the shotgun, fired two rounds which dropped a man, and upon trying to fire again, his shotgun clicked dry. He cursed himself, but unfortunately had no time to react. An Immortal was upon him, knocking the shotgun from his hands.

Stepan swore as the Immortal swung his sword down, and he raised his arm, the titanium cybernetic enhancement blocking the sword in it's tracks. Stepan chuckled, his laughter echoing through the spacious room, making some of the Immortals shudder. "Nyxia, the perfect material for my arms. God damn, you boys have picked the wrong man to fight. Now, I was gonna do it the easy way, but since you're so fucking persistent, then we will do this the hard way."

He squeezed his wrists again, and the .50AE function popped out, on both arms. He swung his left at the Immortal in front of him, the impact throwing the man off his balance. He aimed his arm at his head, the .50AE round passing clear through his carotid artery. Another man tried rushing him, but to no avail, as Stepan reared his fist back and punched a hole clear through his unarmored lower torso. The man stumbled, gripping his abdomen, blood pouring from under his helmet.

As he collapsed back onto the ground, Stepan turned towards the remaining ten Immortals. He dropped the pile of guts on the ground, his eyes narrowed, darting between the men. "Let's fucking dance, you apes. I've got a fresh can of whoop-ass, ready and waiting for you." With that, he charged headlong into them, a calm and collected expression on his face. Metal sparked against metal, sword against arm, and the number of Immortals continued dropping by the minute. Stepan turned to an Immortal, deflecting his sword with the open palm of his hand. He grabbed it, yanked it out of the man's hand, and with a powerful swing, severed the man's head clean. The blood from the open wound showered Stepan's face, making him look even more menacing. 

He grabbed one of the three Immortals, deflecting the swing of the sword, but not before it sliced his cheek. He gripped his head, yanking the helmet off. He looked in the Immortal's face, the man's expression contorting into a look of pure terror. He grabbed the man's temples and reared his arm back, and with another push, he proceeds to bash his face against the exposed stone pillar. Again, he raised the man's head, and looks at him. His face was a lot less... normal, his left eye swollen shut by the impact. Stepan raised his mouth to his ear, whispering in it. The man tried muttering the words "Mercy" and "Please, stop" with whatever was left of his mouth.

"You have murdered millions, injured many more, separated families, and committed crimes which would make the toughest men weep. For you, the deepest pits of hell will be waiting. For you, there will be no peace whatsoever. You will fall like the rest, forgotten by everyone. Now, you shall die." Stepan said coldly.

He reared his arm back again, and continued bashing the man's head in. Every impact left the man's face more mutilated, until the front of his skull gave way, eventually every hit spraying blood everywhere, and chunks of brain matter began to emerge from the man's head. Finally, Stepan dropped the body to the floor, the crumpled remains of the Immortal's head flopping to the ground like a deflated, wet balloon. Stepan turned slowly, facing the last Immortal, who was cowering against the wall. "You heard me. No peace for the wicked, shitbag." He grabbed him by the throat, and with a swing of his arm, punched a hole clean through the man's head, his fist embedding itself in the wall a bit. He removed his bloody arm, dusting himself off as if nothing had happened. He panted heavily, his blood soaked face and arms heaving.

He walked back to the compound, but before he did that, he picked the Immortal Commander whom he had beaten against the wall earlier. He walked outside, raising the man's body into the dawn's light, in the general direction of the mix of Americans, Canadians, Ukrainians, and Chinese. "THESE ARE THEIR LEADERS! THESE ARE THE MEN THAT THEY FOLLOW! BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER, THEY SHALL SEE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS! LET'S MAKE THOSE BASTARDS PAY WITH A BAG OF FLESH FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE DONE! WE SHALL KILL EVERY APOSTLE WHO STANDS WITH THE CROSS ARMY!" He yelled, his voice echoing through the valley, the cheers of the men in front of him joining in.

The thunderous applause that followed Stepan's declaration shook the early dawn like an avalanche of steel boots and righteous fury. The flag of the UNE Forces rippled behind the frontline as troops of every background—Canadians with their rifles raised, Ukrainians slamming fresh mags into their weapons, Americans howling war cries, and Chinese shock troopers roaring in unison—stood shoulder to shoulder.

Even the wounded, propped up against sandbags or crates, raised their fists in defiance.

"SLAVA!"
"KILL THE CROSS!"
"BURN THEIR GODS!"
"FOR THE INNOCENT!"

From the observation ridge just behind the hilltop, USMC General Dustin Walker watched the spectacle unfold through his binoculars. His stoic face didn't betray a smile, but his voice into the comms carried the energy of a man who'd just witnessed the ignition of a firestorm.

> "Command to all forward units. Stepan has opened the corridor through Grid 7-Bravo. All squads—advance. Leave nothing of their bastions standing."

The comms erupted with confirmations.

In the field, as Stepan stood among the shattered remnants of the Immortal elite, blood dripping from his steel-plated arms and the hollow helmet of their commander tossed like a toy beside him, he reached into his pouch, pulled out a field syringe, and jammed it into his neck with a hiss. A mixture of adrenaline and combat stimulant surged through his system, tightening his grip on the shotgun he retrieved from the atrium floor.

Yatagan, his second-in-command, approached, flanked by several surviving scouts and medics. He looked around the carnage with wide eyes, then met Stepan's gaze. "You—look like the Devil just took a dump and it stood back up as you."

Stepan grunted. "Good. That's the point."

A drone buzzed overhead. The feed from its camera showed the Cross Army positions in full retreat, their mages dragging injured troops toward Elysion's outer ramparts, shouting in desperation. One of them even discarded his staff to help a brother-in-arms, only to be vaporized by an overhead railgun round from one of the support strikers.

Back near the portable command post bunker, Kurono, Anthony, Jacob, and Sariel watched the feed as it updated in real-time.

Kurono leaned forward, tapping the side of the monitor. "That mad Ukrainian bastard cleared out the entire Immortal garrison by himself."

"Holy shit," Jacob muttered. "Someone put that man on a propaganda poster."

"He just did," Anthony said, already calling up satellite imaging of the newly cleared corridor. "We break through here—we'll be at the eastern wall of Elysion by nightfall."

Sariel smirked, folding her arms. "If Stepan had been an Apostle a few centuries ago, we'd all be fucked."

Mikael, leaning nearby, raised a brow. "Speak for yourself. I'd have recruited him."

Mariabelle adjusted her robes and stared at the flickering screen. "Then we'll make sure his path isn't wasted. Ready your squads."

Back on the field, as Stepan slung the blood-slick shotgun across his back, a young soldier from the Caribbean battalion jogged up, his uniform singed, but eyes full of purpose.

"Sir! Rear unit's coming up. We've got medics ready to stabilize the wounded—air support's ten clicks behind. The TTDF is pushing with us. They say your speech sparked every damn camp fire between here and Port of Spain."

Stepan cracked his metallic knuckles, the cybernetics whirring faintly. "Then let's give 'em a show. We ain't done yet."

He turned toward the rising sun, the golden light bathing his blood-smeared plate carrier. Behind him, the troops, URK soldiers, adventures, and allied kingdoms fanned out in waves, banners and flags rising—one of them bearing a scrawled quote in chalk:

"WE ARE THE PRICE OF PEACE."

From every trench, hill, and war-torn ridge—the tide surged.

The final assault had begun.
And Stepan was at the front of it.
A walking reckoning. A beast of metal, rage, and iron will.

And somewhere within Elysion, high atop a marble tower overlooking the battlefield, two Apostles watched the slaughter unfold from a crystal-paneled chamber—one bathed in golden light, calm and expressionless, the other cloaked in shadow, smirking faintly, a black-gloved hand resting on a tome that pulsed like a heart.

Azazel tilted his head. "The Devils (demi-humans) and the humans are angry."

Raphael, without looking away, replied, "They always are."

Then he turned.

"...But that one... that human man (Ukrainian Marine Corps Major Stepan Kravchuk)... he might be something more."

Back portable command post bunker.

"Goliath, Goliath, this is Stalker 2-1. Standby for report 1-3, over." Stalker 2-1 spoke via the comms.

"Stalker 2-1, this is Goliath, send traffic, over." Goliath replied.

Transmissions can be continually heard as Vincent wakes up in the makeshift bunker and pulls out his M16A4 Grenadier w/ Holographic. "God be with us..."

As he walks through the bunker explosions shake the room and troopers and knights are seen overlooking electronics (UNE & URK troops) and wounded troops.

Vincent notices, a URK goblin medic is tending to another critically injured JDF (Japanese Defence Force) soldier on a hospital bed, performing CPR on the injured soldier. The medic performing CPR can be seen looking at his watch, presumably taking note of the time of death as the soldier remained motionless. A knight with a red cross armband is seen carrying a wounded marine on her back, while there is a conversation between a Philippine Army Ranger and .

"We've got wounded! Wounded man coming through!"

"Is he alright?"

"Yeah, he got hit by a fire ball spell and shot in the foot by a arrow, but its not too bad."

"He'll be alright, but he needs treatment now."

"休む必要があるよ、おい。 それは多すぎます。" (I need to rest, man. It's too much up there.) One JDF soldier said tiredly.

"私たちは皆同じように感じています。" (We all feel the same way man.) Another said.

As Vincent approaches where USMC 2nd Lt. David Fernandes is resting against a wall, a barely audible transmission comes in from JDF Lt. Gen. Kōichirō Hazama to Anthony and Jacob, "Ensure all weapons are Condition One and get topside to provide support. Casevac birds are taking heavy fire."

Vincent meets up with Anthony, David and the joint team at the entrance. Mina tosses David his M27 with a Thermal Sight. "On your feet Lt. - we're Oscar Mike."

"Roger, Two-One Actual out." Anthony nodded at the Japanese general's order and turns towards the group, "Listen up! This site is getting hit hard and we need to buy 'em some time! Got it?"

"Hooah!/Oorah!"

The team moves out of the bunker through a trench. Just as Dustin speaks via radios and magical communication stones, "All callsigns, the LZ is under heavy fire. Uncover enemy positions and engage any potential targets."

As Vincent comes out of the bunker he sees the damaged area, UNE and URK choppers are evacuating wounded and surrendered civilians while supported by Attack choppers, mages, witches, and dragons.

Cross Army forces are occupying various buildings raining arrows, spells, and cannon fire down on ground forces.

The team heads towards the a building. A large spell is seen fired from the top corner of the building and flying down towards an T-14 tank on the street. A URK Lamia Soldier is wounded by an explosion blowing her in half and she crawls forward before dying whilst another another one signals for troops to move up before taking cover. A squad of F-22 Raptors and Russian SU-57s are seen soaring past as several troops board MH-6 Little Bird helicopters whilst several Mil Mi-8 helicopters are seen taking off.

"They got eyes on us. Crossbows, mage teams, and heavy hitters, all floors, 12 o'clock due west of our position." Vincent said as more people rushed forward.

"Move your men up! Go!"

"Banzi!!"

"We're taking too much damn Fire!"

"Holy shit!! Incoming! Take cover!"

"Let's go, let's go! We're taking too much fire! MEB One is rollin' up! We're in deep fuckin' shit here!"

"Walker, this is Hunter Two-One Actual. Requesting airstrike, over!" Anthony asked.

"Negative Two-One Actual, all available air units are currently tasked with multiple casevacs along the City. Proceed east to the target building and provide support, out." Dustin said denying the order with a reason.

As they head to the building, troops all around the field get killed by explosions. "INCOMING!!!!!" Kurono yelled.

"Everyone move up, get out of the killzone! We gotta buy some time for those casevac birds! Walker, Two-One Actual! We're screening east with no adjacent support, and friendly victors from MEB One are hauling ass past us, over!" Anthony announced.

"Roger. Marine Expeditionary Brigade One has already peeled off an LAV to provide suppression. MARSOC teams are maneuvering into position on the northwest corner of the target building. Link up with them on the top floor and eliminate enemy fire teams, over."

As they move up to the front of the building an LAV-25 is seen firing at the upper floors, suppressing the enemy.

"All right! MEB One's LAV has them suppressed! Get ready to move on my mark! Ready! Go go go! Move up! Move up!" Under cover fire, they enter the building and they engage foot-mobiles in the building. "Use your grenade launchers!"

They pass the lobby into the hallway. "Walker, this is Two-One Actual, be advised, we're inside and proceeding to the upper floors."

"Roger, Walker copies all."

A SU Soldier is seen dragging a wounded fellow soldier before they are both shot dead.

"Fireteam has been suppressed in Section One-Alpha."

"Solid copy, Two-One."

They engage hostiles in the hallway. A barely audible radio transmission is heard. "ゴリアテ、スリーツーブラボーです！ (Goliath, this is Three-Two Bravo!) We have a man down! I say again: we have a man down, requesting CASEVAC! How copy, over?" 

"Solid copy, Three-Two Bravo! Negative on CASEVAC, do whatcha can, out!"

"Walker, this is Hunter Two-Two Actual. Proceeding to the mezzanine. Tell the LAV from MEB One to hold their fire, over." Jacob said.

"Copy that, Two-One, good hunting."

They go up the stairs to the second floor. They engage more hostiles. "Hostiles suppressed in Section Two-Echo." David said.

"Roger that, Two-Three."

They move up a pile of rubble up to the fifth floor. The burning of the USS Nimitz is seen out in the distance then exploding. "That was the fuckin' Nimitz, man..." David said with a shocked expression and eyes wide.

"That means it was overrun and now bombed from within from the navy. Hoped the reactor wasn't active." Vincent said as another radio transmission is heard.

"Это Дельта Четыре-Один из Сектора 11! По нам ведется сильный огонь! Запросите артиллерийский и авиаудар по нашей позиции! Присылайте все, что у вас есть! Сломанная стрела, сломанная стрела!!!" (This is Delta Four-One at the Sector 11! We are taking heavy fire! Request arty and air strike on our position! Send whatever ya got! Broken Arrow, Broken Arrow!!!)

"Hunter Two-One be advised, hostiles on the southwest corner of the sixth floor are hammering the evac site, over." Hazama said over the radio.

"Solid copy, Hazama. We are Oscar Mike to the sixth floor. Out." Jacob answered not taking his eyes off the destroyed aircraft carrier. They engage more hostiles on the fifth floor and on a balcony room across them. Chris plants a C4 charge on a ballista site sitting outside and destroys it. The hostiles are eliminated. "Hell yeah! That's for Nimitz!"

A transmission from one of the communication crystals is heard, "Gator Two-Six, Gator Two-Five! Be advised: We are pulling outta this shit! Feline Kingdom Knight Legion and Mexican Mechanized Battalion 3 has taken 90% losses from those damn Apostles! Our position is untenable! We are outta here! I say again: We are getting the FUCK outta Dodge!!!"

"90%, what?" Mina muttered in shock at the amount of loses.

"All Goliath victors this is Goliath Actual, fall back from the area! Delta Four-One is callin' in a Broken Arrow! Fall back to the base now! WE ARE FREAKIN' LEAVING!!!!"

"Darkstar One-Three, 당신의 위치에 효과적인 지원 사격을 제공할 만큼 포대에 남은 포탄이 충분하지 않습니다! 우리는 5개의 마이크를 가지고 도쿄를 빠져나가고 있습니다." (Darkstar One-Three, we do not have enough shells remaining in the battery to provide effective supporting fire to your position! We are pulling outta here in five mikes, out!) Yelled a ROK Captain on the radio.

"Rhino Two-One, GET YOUR TEAM OUTTA THEIR PRONTO! We CAN NOT hold this position ANY LONGER! WE ARE LEAVING, I SAY AGAIN: WE ARE OUT OF HERE!!!!" A US Marine shouted on the radio.

"Oh no..." Aten said worryingly as she nearly dropped her staff.

"Ah shit..." Vulcan muttered.

They head up the stairs to the sixth floor.

"Walker, We're on the sixth floor, proceeding to the southwest corner."

"Copy that, Hunter Two-One."

Chris then saw shadows our enemy troops are seen across the hall. "I got movement across the hall."

"Watch your movements. Check those corners." Jacob said.

Vincent can hear troops arguing on the radio.

"We are leaving!" One Australian Soldier yelled.

"We need reinforcements at the Shopping District! WE ARE CUT OFF! WOLVERINE ONE-TWO IS FUCKING KIA! I SAY AGAIN: WOLVERINE ONE-TWO IS KIA! WE'RE GETTING OUT OF HERE!!!! OUT!!!" Stepan yelled. "Hunter Three, WE ARE LEAVING! Man down!"

They engage hostiles on the sixth floor. The enemy's crow's nest on the southwest corner is in sight. "All Hunter units, I have a visual on the enemy's crow's nest on the southwest corner. Move forward and clear it out."

A US Colonel is heard on the radio. "Mystic Two-One, CENTCOM just gave the order to abandon all sites to the East of the Bay! Get your ass out of there!!!"

They clear the enemy crow's nest.

"Sir, this is Hunter Two-Two Actual. We have secured the enemy's crow's nest on the southwest corner."

"Walker copies all. The site at the PCPB (portable command post bunker) reports several transports away, but they are still vulnerable. Can you provide support from your position, over?"

"Roger that! We're sittin' on a stockpile of our own munitions that was stolen! We'll dig in and burn through the ammo! Out! Keith, snipe and scan for targets to the south of the site!"

"Right ya!!"

The Site comm officer then spoke via the radio, "All callsigns on this net, this is the PCPB! We're holding our own but have glassed enemies to the west, east and north and are taking fire from those directions!"

"We got foot-mobiles launching spells on the site! Keith, take them out!" David said.

Keith sets up his FKB-88 Anti-Material Sniper Rifle and begins to target hostiles.

"All callsigns this is the PCPB, our status is critical, we're still taking fire from enemy pegasus and controlled dragons, please assist. We're taking heavy casualties at the site, combat effectiveness is at 30 percent, we can't sustain much more damage!"

"Hunter Two-One, be advised, you have enemy foot mobiles converging on your position... stay frosty." Hazama warned.

Kurono, Lily, and Mina kill about 25 of the Cross Army knights. They manage to hold them off.

"All callsigns, be advised, we have civilians taking up arms to defend the site but their totally untrained! We're on the verge of being overrun, we need help NOW!"

"Hunter Two-One, recommend you clear outta there... I see a mass of foot-mobiles converging on your position..." Hazama warned again but Anthony denied that order quickly.

"Negative, negative! I have eyes on enemy golems and pegasus advancing on the site from the south and southwest! V, F, use some of this ordinance to take out the enemy vehicles!!"

Vincent and David grab laser-guided rocket launchers and fire on enemy pegasus and golems providing support for the site.

"Hunter Two-One, you've bought the site valuable time! Well done! Now get your ass to the roof ASAP... you are in danger of being overrun!"

"Roger that, we're headed to the rooftops! Everyone, move out! Get to the roof and RV with the MARSOC Team! Move!" Anthony said as Vincent and David dropped thermite charges to destroy the stolen weapons.

"Atlas Two-Six is now away. All remaining units, execute level three evacuation protocols! Urgent surgicals ONLY!" Walker is heard on the comms.

They begin to evacuate from the crow's nest. Chris destroys a door with a shotgun and kicks it down. They head up the stairs. At the second set of stairs, a Cross Army knight crashes in from the door and attacks. Nino kills him. The team moves around the balcony and climb up the rubble to the roof.

"We just lost Atlas Two-Three from anti-air from a building in sector 7! Get those civvies back in their seats!!!"

They reach the rooftop where a V-22 Osprey is waiting. Cross Army Knights are seen coming up from below.

"I've got a major hydraulic leak! We're barely gonna make it over the MSR! We gotta touch down! We gotta la-" There was an explosion then static after a Canadian pilot spoke.

"Hunter, this is Dagger Two-One. We are in position at the LZ on the rooftop, what's your status?"

"We're on our way. Hostiles following close behind!" Jacob said then turned to the others, "We gotta move! V, get on that gun!"

They board the helicopter and Vincent mans the minigun. As they take off, across from them, a controlled fires its fire ball but misses. A Filipino Marine fires a Stinger and shoots it down. Dagger Two-One takes off and flies towards the PCPB.

"Walker, we've linked up with the MARSOC on the rooftop and are heading out. Interrogative - has the site been evacuated, over?" Anthony asked.

"Negative, Two-One! They're still pinned down by infantry and mages from a Valley in Sector 2. Doesn't look good from here, over!"

"Copy Walker, we'll do what we can from the air, out!"

"First wave of civilian transports are delayed. Reaper Two, proceed with second-stage evacuation. Authorized personnel only."

"Incoming! Incoming!" A heavy flame attack is launched from the high top marble tower damaging Dagger Two-One.

"Walker, we're hit, but still in the air. We've got a massive anti-air battery... we're going in!"

Dagger Two-One hovers along the third floor of the marble tower. Vincent sprays the minigun at Cross Army Knights and Immortals all along the floor. "We're losing attitude control!"

"Take us up! If we're going down, we're takin' those AA sites with us!"

Dagger Two-One flies over the roof of the building. Vincent fires at the AA batteries, but the enemy have launched their spells. Dagger Two-One is hit and starts to spin towards the ground. We're hit! Mayday mayday, this is Dagger Two-One. We are going down at grid square Papa Bravo 2..."

Dagger Two-One crashes and Vincent's vision blacks out.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

"Dagger Two-One, this is Gen. Walker, do you copy? Over. Dagger Two-One, this is Gen. Walker, how copy? Over."

Vincent wakes up shell-shocked in the wreckage. Outside, Anthony, Jacob, David, Mina, Chris, Alicia, Kurono's group, and JDF Soldier name Teka Toza fends off hostiles from the crash site. He looks at his hands, which have sustained major injuries. His gloves are torn and his watch is damaged and no longer functioning.

"Simon, target 2 o'clock!" Lily shouted.

"Two mags left!" Jacob called out.

"D, talk to me!" Chris asked David.

"I'm okay!"

"Watch your flank!" Toza called

"Target 9 o'clock, range, 50 meters!" Keith said.

Teka turns around and hands Vincent an M4A1. "Take this and stay down!"

Vincent grabs the M4A1, "Okay!" Teka is hit by a light arrow in the back of the head and killed.

"Shit! Jap's down!" Alicia shouted.

Otto cocks and locks his M4A1 and begins taking out targets from inside the wreckage.

"Ferenades, reloading, cover me!" Jacob called out to David as he reloaded.

"Covering! Oh fuck. Last mag!"

Laura became a little scared now, "There's still more!"

"Don't lose hope now!" Kurono and Vulcan yelled.

Chris switches to his pistol, "I ain't planning on dying tonight, bitches!"

Now Vincent becomes a little scared as the M4 made a *clicked!* sound, "I'm out!"

Anthony throws a mag at him. "Vince! Last mag! Make it count! Team, ammo check!"

"I'm good!" Mina yelled out

More Cross Army knights arrive.

Now Simon is getting little scared, "There's too many of them!"

"AT! Last mag!" Jacob warned Anthony.

"Takahashi, sound off!"

"New target, range, 80 meters!" Mina answered.

"Got it, got it!"

"Tracer! Three rounds left!" David gets shot by his own bullet and wounded on his left shoulder.

"D! Hang on!" Anthony called out as Raphael and Azazel slowly approach.

David groans in pain, "Oh shit..."

"I'm out!" Vincent yelled as he ran out of ammo.

When suddenly, Martha, Edea, Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle blocked the next attack.

Vincent and the others looked surprised and relieved. Stepan and a medic have arrived too. They have come to the rescue. Martha, Edea, Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle attack the Cross Army Knights. Chris, Kurono, and Anthony help David to safety.

"Get those wounded clear of the wreckage!" Stepan roared, his voice slicing through the smoke like a thunderclap. A hail of suppressive fire erupted from his stolen heavy machine gun, mowing down a wave of advancing Cross Army zealots who had just turned the corner.

Behind him, a URK goblin medic slid into the wreckage with a trauma kit, shouting, "Tacca! Fernandes' shoulder's torn—stop the bleeding, now!" Another medic grabbed a wounded Japanese soldier by the straps of his flak and dragged him behind debris, arrows pinging off the stone around them.

Anthony, Jacob, and Chris were dragging David, blood seeping between their fingers. "Stay with us, man," Anthony growled. "Don't you go dark on me."

Raphael and Azazel stood across the courtyard, unmoved by the chaos. Raphael's hand was outstretched, golden light swirling in his palm. Azazel floated just slightly above the broken steps, shadows dancing beneath his feet like a pool of living void.

But the Apostles now stood between five former titans of the Cross Army—and one very angry Ukrainian terminator.

Martha, blood-slick armor shining beneath Elysion's burning sky, stepped forward, her sword dragging against the stone as if daring it to split.

"Raphael."

The 1st Apostle tilted his head. "Mary the Bloodiest. Still breathing?"

Martha smirked. "About to be breathing heavier once I break your ribs, you pretty bastard."

Edea, her scythe humming with teleportation runes, shifted beside her. "Azazel. Still all smoke and mirrors?"

The 2nd Apostle's grin curled, black mist seeping from his mouth. "Ah... Edna. I missed your sarcasm."

"Eat a grenade, Abyss-boy."

Sariel, magical wings twitching with contained rage, stepped up between them. Her eyes—once cold—now blazed with conviction. "You were our brothers. Our leaders. And you threw it all away for delusions of divine purpose."

Mikael cracked his knuckles, flanked by Mariabelle, who was already glowing with crimson aura, she summoned her halberd spinning idly in one hand.

Anthony looked up, sweat and blood staining his face. "Are we gonna live through this?"

Vincent chuckled breathlessly beside him, slapping a fresh mag into his last sidearm. "Depends. Think the gods favor action movies?"

Kurono's sword shimmered darkly in his grip. "Then let's give them a damn good ending."

With a sudden crack of thunder, the Apostles launched forward—

—and so did the Five.

What followed was less a battle and more a clash of ideologies turned to flesh and fury. Magic and steel collided, light and shadow tore across the courtyard. Raphael's golden law surged—only for Edea to teleport Martha behind him mid-swing. Azazel reflected a fireball—until Mariabelle's halberd buried it in the spine of one of his lieutenants instead.

Stepan barked orders as he shot through gaps in the melee, his shotgun booming like artillery. "VT, Rawlins, suppress the left flank! CT, protect the medics! Ant, get Dave outta here before the next goddamn miracle tries to drop a building on us!"

Anthony looked back—Raphael and Azazel were both locked in with the Five, their battle drawing the attention of every surviving Cross Army zealot. The field had become hell incarnate.

"Copy that," Anthony said, throwing David over his shoulder. "Kurono, Mina—rear guard, now!"

As they fled into the smoke, Sariel and Mikael slammed into Azazel, breaking the pavement beneath them. Raphael turned—

Only to have Martha stab straight through his shimmering light barrier, blood and holy light exploding into the sky.

"You talk about divine judgment," she spat, twisting the blade. "Let's see how your god likes this."

Back at the ruined crash site, Vincent pulled himself into cover, gritting his teeth as shrapnel tore past his ear.

But in his chest?

In his chest, something burned—a war cry that wasn't just human, but righteous.

He looked at Kurono and Jacob beside him.

"You know what?" he muttered, raising his last mag.

"I ain't dying in a fucking crater today."