Meanwhile at the US Presidential bunker under the White House in Washington DC. President Lincoln Clinton along with the other world leaders like China, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines are watching the battle via satellite imagery. 17 hours have passed since the start of the operation and the war is still going strong. So far the losses are controlled but catastrophic to both sides. Especially for the US losing the USS Nimitz and 1,000 sailors and 1,800 ground troops and the Russians and Chinese losing their fleets and ground troops. But the US, Canadians, Mexicans, ROK, etc. are still fighting back, especially the US Navy's Seventh Fleet in the Gulf.

Lincoln sighed deeply as he rubbed his dreadlocks and then his glasses. He then turned to look at the Japanese PM and Russian President, "I know this is not a time to ask questions, but can we expect any reinforcements or not?"

"Yes," The PM said. "The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's F-2s and F-15Js are en route to your naval and ground forces in the South China Sea and Korea."

Lincoln looks at Russian President Victor Gorbachev and Chinese Madame President Xiang Meilan, "And you two?"

"Yes," Xiang said. "We will launch another naval strike on the Cross Army's naval forces, but I am sorry to say that we do not have any forces to spare for Koreans and the Filipinos."

"I understand." Lincoln then turns his gaze back to the battle and sighs again. Then he sees the Cross Army's forces advancing and a few controlled dragons. "God damn."

Suddenly, another call came. But not on the Cross Army capital. From the borders of both China and South Korea. "THIS IS LIEUTENANT COLONEL HA-YOUNG KIM OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ARMY'S 11TH ARMORED DIVISION. WE HAVE NORTH KOREANS LAUNCHING A ATTACK ON OUR BORDERS. I SAY AGAIN, NORTH KOREA JUST GOT TRANSFERRED TO THIS WORLD!!"

Lincoln's face and eyes went wide. "What?!"

Victor turned to a Russian military officer and spoke in Russian. "Передайте моим людям, ЧТО ЗАБЛЮЙ ОДНИ ИЗ БАЗ ОКЕАНИЧЕСКИХ ШТУРМОВЫХ КРОЛЕТ." (Tell my men to ready one of the Oceanic Strike Fighters.)

"Da, sir!" The officer said.

"This is not a drill, Mr. Clinton," Xiang said. "Your forces are in grave danger. We will send reinforcements. But you must do the same."

Lincoln nodded, "Rig–"

He was cut off as alarms in the bunker started blaring. He and the others looked at the satellite screen and to their complete shock...

...North Korea launched a ICBM. A fucking nuclear ballistic missile was launched.

One of the many US soldiers stationed in South Korea is heard shouting in the comms, "We have a nuclear missile launch. Missile in the air! MISSILE IN THE AIR!! CODE BLACK, CODE BLACK!!"

Victor and Xiang, along with their officers, are shouting in their respective languages. Lincoln and the other leaders are looking at the missile. Suddenly, a Korean voice comes from the comms.

"THIS IS COLONEL JEONG-MIN KIM, CHIEF OF THE SOUTH KOREA NATIONAL GUARD. I SAY AGAIN, THE NUCLEAR MISSILE, NOT A CONFIRMED BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL, BUT STILL NUCLEAR, WE ARE STILL TRYING TO ESTIMATE THE TRAJECTORY AND DESTINATION, OVER!"

Lincoln, along with the other world leaders, are panicking. This was a nightmare. An actual nightmare.

"WE'RE IN AN EMERGENCY, MR. CLINTON, ALL FORCES TO BATTLESTATIONS! REPEAT, ALL FORCES TO BATTLESTATIONS!! PROVIDE REINFORCEMENTS TO THE PHILIPPINES, THE JAPANESE, THE CHINESE, AND SOUTH KOREA'S 3RD ARMORED DIVISIONS ASAP!" Lincoln shouted into the mic.

"Copy, sir! All available assets will be deployed."

"Sir, the North Koreans are still launching missiles, but the missiles are going to China and Japan's coastlines. They've quickly deactivated and disarmed by Special Forces reaching the silos firin' the missiles. We're trying to determine their trajectories."

"Okay," Lincoln sighed. "We need a miracle."

Suddenly, a US Marine comes in the room. "Mr. President, a call is coming in. It's NASA."

"Huh?"

"What's NASA want, Mr. Clinton?" Victor asked.

"Don't know, but we're about to find out." Lincoln then takes the phone, "This is President Clinton, over."

"President Clinton, this is NASA Director and former astronaut, Dr. Robert Johansson. We have a solution, but we'll have to get approval from you and the other world leaders."

"Yes, go ahead. What do you have?"

"We're launching a prototype missile from the ISS Space Station. It will be able to take down the North Korean ICBM."

"A prototype missile?" Lincoln asked.

"It's called the Mjölnir-class. It's an experimental missile designed by NASA's Aerospace Division, Space Force, and the Space Development Division. It's designed to shoot down enemy ICBMs or ballistic missiles in case of emergencies. We just need your permission."

"You have mine," Lincoln said. "But we need the other world leaders."

"Yes, sir. Good luck, sir."

Lincoln hung up and turned to the others, "Everyone, I have some good news and some bad news."

Xiang and Gorbachev turn and walk to him.

"The good news is, the NASA and the Space Force have a way of taking out the North Korean ICBMs. The bad news is, the missile they're using is still in experimental phase. The Space Force and NASA were supposed to use it in a test a few days ago, but were postponed. But we're out of options."

"So the Space Force is going to fire the prototype missile?" Victor asked.

"Yeah," Lincoln said.

"Do it."

Lincoln then turned to a US Space Force officer, "Launch the Mjölnir-class from the International Space Station."

"Copy, si–" He was cut off as a Ukrainian Air Force officer rushed in.

"We have the missile's vector puts it en route to the Cross Army capital. We will lose hundreds if not thousands of troops!"

Lincoln and the other leaders looked at the officer in shock. The Japanese PM spoke, "Casualties?"

"Possibly 100,000 to 250,000. Depends on the exact location of the detonation. All systems will go down. Including magic. Meaning dragon demi-humans in their dragon form won't be able to turn back for a while, Bali Kingdom's witches and wizards will lose their magic."

"But if we intercept the nuclear ballistic missile and it explodes in space over the capital. The shockwave would cause a EMP effect... which would kill all electronics and disable magic too," Xiang said.

"So... are you saying that we shouldn't launch the Mjölnir-class?" the US Space Force officer asked.

Lincoln thought long and greatly hard. Lose expensive military equipment or lose a large amount of troops. Both situations would cost lives. Both situations would be a win against the Cross Army. And both would cost his reputation. If the missile hits the city, he'll be known as the "Murderer of Troops" or "The American President that let his troops get Nuked". If the missile explodes in space and the EMP effects disable the Cross Army's magic, he'll be known as "Lincoln the Savior" or "The American President that prevented the destruction of the entire Cross Army and saved the lives of thousands of his own troops and civilians."

If he does nothing, it will cost the lives of a lot of US and allied troops.

"Fuck it. Launched the goddamn Mjölnir-class now," Lincoln ordered.

"Copy," The Space Force officer said as he relayed the order to the International Space Station.

The satellite camera showed the ISS's new Mjölnir-class launcher being prepared to launch.

"If both the people and Congress calls me a War Criminal for stopping a nuke from hitting the Cross Army capital, so be it. But I'll be damned if I lose a lot of troops and civilians, including my own people," Lincoln said.

The other leaders nod.

They see the prototype missile launched into space. They see the trajectory and it's on course.

"Please make it," Xiang prayed.

The Mjölnir-class prototype reached its target in outer space and intercepted the ICBM.

"It hit," The US Space Force officer said.

They saw the bright flash of the nuclear warhead exploding in the sky.

Then it happened.

"Shit," Xiang said as all power went down.

"What was that?!" Victor asked.

"That was the EMP effect," The Space Force officer said as the battlefield comms and helmet cams on troops in the Cross Army capital immediately go black.

"It's the only way to stop a nuclear explosion," Lincoln said.

"But magic won't work. Neither will our dragon allies turning back to their demi-human form," The Japanese PM said.

"Yeah. But the troops will have to make due without their technology. The Mjölnir-class had been tested for the EMP effect. It worked, but the Space Force and NASA will need time to figure out how it works."

"God help us..." Lincoln muttered.

"God help us all..." Victor muttered in agreement.

Back on the group, an explosion is seen in the sky. And a rush of wind comes down on the area.

"What the hell?" Kurono said out loud confused as everyone else. Aten and Fiona just finished using healing magic on David's wound.

The shockwave from the ICBM blacks out the streets and electronically knocks all aircraft out of the sky, turning off magical lights in the buildings, and disabling out magic.

A Stryker's powered electronics, disables nearby.

Lily immediately fell and turned back into her small form and felt all her magic zapped out.

So did Aten, Fiona, Mozlan, Sousse (feeling her slime form melt), Kurono, Stepan (felt his cybernetics stiffened a bit), Martha, Edea, Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle fell on the ground hard... feeling pain for the first time in years.

They also saw Raphael and Azazel on the ground too.

The two looked at each others hands feeling their magical power gone, "What the..."

The allied choppers and witches/wizards that were on their magic staffs flying in the air go down and a US Navy F-22 is seen crashing into a building near where Raphael, Azazel, and a couple of Cross Army knights.

"OH SHIT!!" Almost everyone yelled in both shock and fear.

Anthony opens the chopper door then Vincent steps out. "Let's go! Let's go!" He yelled.

"What the hell's goin' on?!" Mina shouted in shock and fear.

"Get off the fuckin' street now! Go! Go!" David shouted.

Everyone ran for shelter, dodging falling aircraft and people that rain on the streets, including Apaches, Little Birds, Osprey, Hinds, Hueys, Jets and even Blackhawks.

"This isn't good, guys!" Chris cried out.

One Little Bird crashes right on top of a disabled BTR-80, destroying it and nearly catching Jacob in the blast. "Whoa!"

"Don't stop! Keep moving!" Anthony yelled.

"HOLY SHIT!!!" Screamed Vincent, Stepan, Lily, Jacob, Kevin, David, Chris, and Vulcan in shock and fear.

"Go go go!" Yelled out Artem.

"What the hell's goin' on?!" Martha, Edea, Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle asked while a witch crash land in a guroy mess on top of a Humvee.

"EMP!!!" David, Anthony, Stepan, and Itami shouted.

"LOOK OUT!!" Simon and Alicia yelled dodging a falling Havoc.

"Go! Go!" Vincent shouted pointing at a bookstore that is spray painted with a white 'x' which meant it has supplies for the allies.

They reach a bookstore just as a Kamov Ka-52 crashes near the opening, shell-shocking everyone, and blocking the opening with flames. Vincent finds some spare ammo, reloads his M4A1, and grabs an M9 pistol.

Mikael was scared shitless as he wasn't used to not having his magic in years, "What the hell are we gonna do now, guys? Air superiority gone, shit's falling from the sky, we're fucked, man! We're totally–" Anthony had to slap him upside his to both calm and shut him up.

"Shut the fuck up!" He grabs a AKM, ammo, chest rig, and slams them on his chest, "Get a grip, boyo! Our gunpowder weapons still work and they don't run on magic, which means we can still kick some ass, oorah?"

A C-5 Galaxy crashes on the street. One of its engines slides into a piece of wreckage, blocking the street near the bookstore. "What the hell was that?!" Someone yelled.

...

All becomes quiet save for the sounds of flames from wreaks and bodies outside.

"Stay here." Stepan said as he opens the door and Anthony and David follow him.

Lily looked at them crazy. "You're all goin' out there? Are y'all nuts?"

They go out of the building and scans the area. The chaos from the EMP is over. "It's over." Stepan said as he finished scanning the area, "Come on, we still have a war to fight."

"What the hell happened here?" Chris nervously asked looking around.

"Oh, man it's quiet." Kevin pointed out nervously, "Hey is your red dot working? Mine's out."

"Mine's down too. This is weird, bro." Vincent answered.

Alicia looks through her M16A4's Holographic Sight which no longer has the red dot crosshair due to the ICBM's EMP. "Mine too." She answered too.

"Looks like optics are down... comms too." Itami said, "There's not even a headlight for blocks."

"Just darkness." Martha said trying to adjust the AKM she also picked up from the supplies in the bookstore, "Only the flames of burning wreaks are the only light source."

"Whoa... check it out, guys." Sariel said noting the C-5 Galaxy plane wreck.

As they ventured out into the aftermath of the EMP, the group found themselves in a surreal landscape of chaos and destruction. The once bustling streets of Holy City of Elysion, the capital of the Cross Army were now eerily quiet, illuminated only by the flickering flames of wreckage and the occasional sparks of malfunctioning electronics.

"Stay alert, everyone." Stepan reminded, "We don't know what else might be out there."

Mariabelle scanned the surroundings, her senses heightened by the absence of her magic. Without its protective barrier, she felt vulnerable yet more attuned to the raw energy of the environment. "Keep your weapons ready. We don't know what we might encounter."

Mikael nodded in agreement, his grip tightening on his weapon as he surveyed the area for any signs of danger. "Agreed. Let's stick together and move cautiously."

Anthony led the way, his movements deliberate as he navigated through the debris-strewn streets. With each step, the group remained vigilant, wary of any potential threats lurking in the darkness.

David checks a downed elf. He sighs and shook his head at the elf who is dead. "Dammit."

"All right." Stepan called out to the group, "We gotta regroup with whoever's left out there. K, M, take point."

Mina and Kurono nodded, "Right." Said the two as they move up to a large building ahead on the left as it starts to rain. A person is seen coming out of it.

"Star!" Mina yelled as she and others aimed their weapons at the person, "Star, or we will fire on you!"

"I don't remember that damn American countersign, alright? I'm just a runner! Don't shoot!" The Japanese soldier shouted, armed with an Howa Type 20 Assault Rifle, meets up with the group.

"The proper response is 'Texas', soldier." Anthony said, "What'dya got?"

"Lt. Gen. Hazama and Colonel Marshall's assembling a task force at The Holy Cathedral. You guys need to keep heading north." The soldier said as he moves on to look for more allied troops and pass on his message.

"それでどこへ行くの？ {So where are you goin' then?}" Mina asked.

"他のみんなにも伝えるために！ {To tell everyone else!} Get to double Hotel Charle! Go!" The soldier answered.

"You heard the man. Let's go." Stepan said as the team makes their way to The Holy Cathedral. They move into the building. Due to the EMP, comms are down, so they whisper. As they make their way through the ruined interior, they can hear the sounds of a firefight. "Shit, there's still fighting. Stay low and move carefully."

The team moves into a corridor and sees a Mexican soldier kneeling down and taking fire. He spots the group. "Over here! I'm pinned down!" They move up and provide suppressing fire, allowing the soldier to move to cover. "Thanks. There's more of 'em ahead. The Crossies are using our guns. They don't seem to know how to reload them or anything, but it's still bad news." The team moves forward, taking out the Cross Army knights one by one and they clear the room.

"They're dead, right?!" Lily asked trying to make sure.

"Clear!" Artem confirmed.

They move out of the building and out into the rain. "The Holy Cathedral should be on the other side." Anthony informed the group.

"Aw man, we gotta go out there...!" Mikeal complained.

"Don't make me shoot you." Edea deadpan.

They see a body of a US Marine. "Keith. Check for vitals. We'll cover you." Anthony said.

Keith checks him and shakes his head, "She's a goner."

Anthony shake his head before continuing to push forward, "Keep quiet."

They see three Cross Army knights on top of a Ukrainian BTR-4E. They're trying to open and capture/kill the Ukrainians who are trapped inside due to the BTR having its electronics shorted out by the EMP. "Got a visual on three tangos." Vincent pointed out.

Stepan nodded, "Stay low, move into position, single shot only. Use the sound of the thunder to mask the noise."

They move up and take aim. "Clear shot." Keith said.

"Smoke 'em." Stepan ordered as the thunderclap happened and they take out the three Cross Army knights.

"Move up." Stepan said as he approach the BTR-4E to free his fellow trapped comrades.

He opens the top hatch and aims his rifle inside, "Don't move, friendly!" He sees that there are no Cross Army knights inside, so he helps his fellow Ukrainians out. "Let's go. You guys armed? Got ammo?"

"Yeah. We have ammo. Just can't use the BTR's systems or the radio." A Ukrainian soldier said.

"Alright. Let's keep movin'." Stepan said as he led the group up the street.

"It's clear. I don't know what's worse, man. Dodging falling helicopters or freezing my fat bottom off in this monsoon." Mariabelle wondered.

"Probably both." Aten said.

They entered the next building, "Watch for movement. Move up." David said and moved down the stairs into a basement.

"Whoa." Nino said in awe, "Check out the seal on this door.... Is it the real thing?" He asked Martha

She shook her head, "No, that's just for practitioners. This must be the real thing. Open it up."

Nino and Chris opens the door, but saw the tunnel inside having been severely damaged. The latter whistles, "Real or not, this place is history."

As they entered the damaged bunker, the group surveyed the scene before them. The once secure underground facility now lay in ruins, with debris scattered everywhere and the faint smell of smoke lingering in the air.

Nino and Chris cautiously led the way, their weapons at the ready as they moved deeper into the bunker. Kevin followed closely behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. "Be careful, everyone. We don't know what we might find down here." The latter said

As they ventured further into the darkness, they came across several collapsed corridors and damaged rooms, evidence of the chaos that had ensued during the EMP and the attack. Despite the destruction, they pressed on, their determination unwavering as they searched for any clues or survivors that might still be hiding within the depths of the tunnel.

"Keep your guard up. We don't know if there are any hostiles still lurking around." Anthony said.

Sariel nodded in agreement, her senses heightened as she listened for any sounds that might indicate the presence of enemy forces nearby. "Stay alert, everyone. We don't want to be caught off guard."

Stepan and Anthony lead the way up.

A Soronox Union soldier sees the group, "Hustle up! Get to The Holy Cathedral! Move! Come on let's go people, this way!"

The group reaches up some debris where JDF Lt. Gen. Hazama and USMC Colonel Marshall is leading a large group of Knights, Marines, soldiers, tribesmen, and adventurers to take the Cross Army's main HQ, The Holy Cathedral, which is under hundreds if not thousands of Cross Army control.

"Sounds like the party's already started." Kurono muttered.

"Roger that. Stay frosty." Mina said.

They also hear tank fire from M1 Abrams MBTs, Type 10 MBTs and Leopard 2A6M CAN MBTs.

"I love hearing the sounds of tanks firing~" Muttered Alicia.

"Keep hitting 'em with the Two-Forty Bravos (M240), Two-Forty-Nines (M249) and Mike Twos (M2 Browning)! Get more guys moving on the left flank!" Hazama shouted.

Stepan meets up with the two, who is overlooking the Holy Cathedral through their binoculars. "General, what's the situation here!?

"You're lookin' at the 'high ground' Major! They have power in the Holy Cathedral, meaning one of our cargo planes gave them something to power the building in a way!"

Anthony meets up, "That also means we still have a way to talk to Central Command!"

"Yeah, if we can retake it!" Stepan said as a arrow bounced off his helmet.

"That's right! Now get your guys movin' up the left flank! Go! The tanks will cover you all!!"

Stepan leads the group down the left flank. Machine gun fire and RPGs rain down all over. Keith takes out a searchlight positioned along the way.

"Work your way to the left! Let's go!" David shouted.

They move further towards a crashed AC-130. Simon takes out another searchlight positioned on the roof of the building next to the crashed aircraft.

"We need to punch through right here! Take out those machine guns!" Anthony ordered.

Kevin takes out machine gun positions on the roof as the teams moves forward to the building and they make it into a room.

"Takahashi, get the door!" David ordered, but turns around and sees Mina listening to the speaker of the AC-130. "Mina!"

Mina, Chris, and Itami moves some debris to listen to a speaker behind it, which is transmitting a message. Chris is seen scared shitless, "Sir, are you reading this?!"

Cujo Five-One: This is Cujo 5-1 to any friendly units in Elysion, Hammerdown is in effect. I say again, Hammerdown is in effect. If you are receiving this transmission, you are in a friendly US crashed aircraft. Deploy green flares on the roof of a structure to indicate that you are still combat effective. We will abort our mission on direct visual contact with this countersign.

Kevin, David, Anthony, and Vincent are now scared shitless, "Oh shitbuckets."

Almost everyone looked confused, "What's 'Hammerdown'?" Sousse asked the Americans.

"Let's just say that the Air Force is gonna glass Elysion." Anthony answered shocking and scaring everyone shitless.

"GLASS?!?!"

"That's why we gotta go! Now get the door!" Stepan yelled impatiently.

Mina quickly replied, "Roger that!"

Mina shoots the door open and moves out of the room. The group begins to engage Cross Army forces inside the large building. They push through into the hallway leading to the more rooms and prisons.

"Two minutes to weapons release." Cujo Five-One called out.

Kurono widen his eyes, "Two minutes?!"

"We got less than two minutes before they flatten the capital! We gotta get to the roof and stop 'em!" Stepan shouted as they move into the kitchen.

"Ninety seconds to weapons release." Cujo Five-One stated.

"What?!" Aten shouted.

"We're running out of time!" Lily yelled.

"90 seconds! We gotta push through!" Stepan told everyone. He kicks open a door and they move up a slope of rubble to the Second Floor. They engage more hostiles.

Author's Note: Play this for the background music, MW2: U.S. Army Rangers Victory Theme.

https://youtu.be/z03c0H0DJ3s

"One minute to weapons release." Cujo Five-One informed.

"One minute! Go go go!" Stepan yelled.

As all Cross Army knights are eliminated. Some of the group began removing some of their gear to lessen the weight so they could run faster.

"Thirty seconds to weapons release." Cujo Five-One said.

They frantically run up the stairs to the Third Floor.

"Clear up! Let's go!" Martha shouted.

"30 seconds! We gotta get to the roof now!" Edea yelled.

US Air Force (USAF) Pilot 1: Standby. Target package Hotel Charle (Holy Cathedral) Zero-One has been authorized.

USAF Pilot 2: Roger. Standby.

"Go! Go! Get to the roof! Move!" As Anthony said that, he, Jacob, David, Itami, Mina, and Stepan pulled out their flares like swords as they ran up the rubble like six badasses.

Everyone ran up a slope of rubble and reach the roof.

"Use your flares!" Vincent shouted.

Everyone also pops their flares. They and Anthony, Jacob, David, Itami, Mina, and Stepan wave and signal the 10 USAF F-55 Warhawk VTOL/fighter jets, 5 F-22 Raptors, 3 Russian Su-57s, and two USAF B-1B Lancer bombers coming in from the horizon.

"Come on. See the flares." Kevin and Alicia muttered in hope.

"Don't shoot! Don't shoot!" Lily shouted.

"Countersign detected at Hotel Charle! Abort, abort!" USAF Pilot 1 called out.

"Holy shit! We got a countersign, abort mission! I SAY AGAIN, ABORT THE MISSION!" USAF Pilot 2 said.

The seventeen fighter jets and the bombers flew over the Holy Cathedral.

Almost everyone begins to shout in both joy and relief, "YEAH!!!/WOOOH!!!/ALRIGHT!!!/LET'S GOOOO!!!/WE WON BITCHES!!!!/OORAH!!!/OUTSTANDING EVERYONE!!! OUT-FUCKIN'-STANDING!! WE KICKED ASS!!!"

"Aborting weapons release. Rolling out." One of the B-1B Lancer bomber Pilots stated.

Everyone drops their flares. Other similarly structures in the distance are seen with green smoke emanating from their roofs, signifying that the Battle of Holy City of Elysion has been won in favor of the allies.

They all look out into the distance at the city in flames and the sight of friendly jets flying.

The relief that washed over the group was palpable as they watched the aircraft veer away, their deadly payload aborted. The green smoke rising from various structures across the city signaled the successful offense of Holy Cathedral and the city itself.

Author's Note: Play Hans Zimmer – "Time" (Inception OST) now.
For the slow rise of catharsis, pain, and survival.

https://youtu.be/c56t7upa8Bk

Location: Rooftop of the Holy Cathedral, Elysion
Time: 25 hours since Operation: Wrath of Gods began
Weather: Rain. Smoke. Silence.
Status: Victory... at a cost.

The wind was still blowing, but no longer with the weight of chaos—only ash, fire, and a city in ruin.

Smoke drifted through the holy towers like spirits mourning their altar. A once-sanctified skyline was now reduced to jagged black silhouettes and crumbling stained glass, lit only by the orange-red hues of distant fires and the green burn of victory flares.

Anthony stood still, the last drops of rain dripping from his soaked uniform. Blood, mud, and ash coated his arms. His chest heaved with each breath, not from exertion... but from the burden of having survived. He stared blankly at the jets disappearing into the mist.

His lips barely moved.

"...We did it."

David, beside him, pulled off his helmet and dropped it, the thud of composite plastic against stone echoing in the quiet rooftop. He wiped his face, which was streaked with blood—not all his own.

"...And we're still alive," he whispered.

Behind them, Kurono fell to his knees, his sword clattering beside him, no longer glowing—just cold, battered steel. His body was shaking, hands trembling. But he wasn't afraid anymore. He was empty.

Vincent, half laughing and half crying, slumped against a piece of rubble with a lit cigarette in his mouth. His hands were shaking too much to light it.

"Mina," he called out hoarsely. "Got a light?"

She sat beside Alicia, clutching her by the shoulder with one hand, while her other trembled as she lit a match and brought it to Vincent's lips.

"We were this close to being vaporized," she said, staring into the flickering flame. "And now I can't tell if I want to sleep for a week or scream for an hour."

Lily, still in her smaller form, sat next to Sousse, both pale from the loss of magic. They huddled under a torn emergency blanket as Mozlan and Fiona applied bandages and distributed MREs like communion.

"...I can't feel the sky anymore," Lily said.

"You'll feel it again," Fiona whispered. "We all will."

—

At the far end of the rooftop, standing in the rain without a word, were the five Apostles.

Martha.
Edea.
Sariel.
Mikael.
Mariabelle.

They weren't radiant anymore. There were no magical auras. No ethereal power dancing around them. They were simply people—soaked, worn, gasping for breath, just like the others.

And yet... somehow... they stood tall.

Martha clenched her fists, feeling the strain in her knuckles. "I forgot what pain felt like."

Edea, looking out over the crumbled cityscape, whispered, "And victory."

Sariel looked at her reflection in a puddle. "So this is what it means... to be human again."

Mariabelle still trembled slightly. Not from fear—but from catharsis. "I don't know if I should be ashamed... or proud."

Mikael, exhausted, simply sat down. "Let's be proud. Shame can wait until morning."

—

General Dustin Walker arrived moments later, his battered coat flapping in the breeze. His voice was low, calm... but it carried.

"All clear. Cross Army forces are surrendering across the city. The Cathedral is secure. Command confirms."

He looked at Anthony.

"...You did it, son."

Anthony shook his head. "We did. Every single bastard that bled here did."

Dustin nodded once.

"Medical evac is setting up triage below. Comms are patchy. UAVs are flying again. Air cover's back online. Space Force says the Mjölnir detonation hit its mark. The magic blackout won't last more than a few hours."

"...And the nuke?" Kurono asked hoarsely.

"Destroyed in orbit. No fallout. Minimal casualties... all thanks to the satellite."

The silence that followed wasn't solemn. It was earned.

Later that evening, makeshift tents dotted the outer courtyards of the Holy Cathedral. Medics moved between rows of cots. Troops and knights from dozens of nations shared rations, water, and smokes. Someone played a harmonica. Someone else was cooking. A sense of... peace. Raw. Fragile. Beautiful.

Anthony stood before a massive war map inside the old cathedral sanctuary. His eyes traced the lines of advancement, the sectors lost and retaken. Behind him, Martha quietly cleaned her blade, while Edea leaned against the altar.

"I think we're all wondering the same thing," Anthony said, finally.

"What happens next?"

Dustin, arriving with a blood-stained clipboard, answered. "Rebuilding. Restoring. Burying the dead."

Mina, stepping inside, added softly. "And remembering why we fought."

A radio crackled to life—one of the few that had survived the EMP.

"To all allied forces... Elysion is secure. I repeat: the Cross Army capital is under Coalition control. Stand by for full-scale withdrawal and stabilization efforts."

A cheer went up outside. Faint. Tired. But real.

Port of Spain – Ruby Horizon Café
The news broadcast switched from the battle footage to President Lincoln Clinton giving a public address.

"...and though the skies were blackened by fire and our hearts heavy with loss... we endured. Humanity, demi-humans, nations and peoples once separated by oceans or ideology... stood as one."

Chanelle stared at the TV, tears in her eyes.

"We survived the wrath of gods... and reminded them that we are not afraid to fight."

Lóthira set down two plates of food. She didn't say a word. Just smiled.

"To the men and women who bled, who lost, who stood their ground even as dragons fell and angels wept... your legacy lives on."

Chanelle looked out the window toward the harbor.

"...Come home soon, Deon."

Elysion – Rooftop of the Holy Cathedral
Night. Smoke. Stars.

Kurono stood quietly, staring up at the sky.

"...I still feel empty."

Anthony joined him, a blanket over his shoulders. "You won't forever."

Kurono looked at him. "You sure?"

Anthony nodded. "Because tomorrow... we rebuild."

Final Report: Operation Wrath of Gods
Status: Victory
Estimated Cross Army casualties: 1.1 million
Coalition losses: 289,000 confirmed KIA / 500,000+ wounded
Survivors of Holy Cathedral assault: 34,000
Status of Apostles: Raphael and Azazel – Captured (no powers); others – Deceased or Redeemed
Elysion: Secure

Post-EMP Recovery Estimate: 5–13 weeks until magic returns to full strength
Rebuilding Estimate: 8–10 years

And yet... in that moment...
Under shattered marble and burning rain...
Amid blood and ash and ruin...

Hope remained.