GATE: the clash of the titans V2

by Qun Nguyn1

Mostly AUs. A Gate has opened in Tokyo by a Roman-esque Empire, familiar scenario with familiar faces but the people marched through the Gate is from a vastly more powerful magic world. The stage is set. Earth Alliance vs The Holy Empire. Science vs Magic. The power of the thousand sun vs The Beast of the Apocalypse. Let the clash of Titans begin. Let the worlds have War.

16. Chapter 16 : Deus Vult pt3

Chapter 18 Year One Finale - The Cataclysm of Ice and Fire P3

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Third Japanese Special Task Force, Near Coda Village, Southern Lemuria

Lt. General Youji Itami looked down upon the bombed-out remains of the Koda village, his face betraying no emotion. The village was in ruins, and the stench of death hung in the air. The bodies of the undead lay scattered about, and the villagers who had not managed to flee lay dead or dying. Surveying the area, Itami could see signs of several buildings. If he looked closely… No, he didn't need to, he could see several blackened Human-shaped objects. Instead of Human-shaped objects, it would be more appropriate to call them burned mummies.

"Lt. General, these are…"

"Don't say it, Kurata…"

"Bleh, I'm going to throw up."

Kurata rubbed his abdomen as he looked around out for attacks, they slowly walked around the remains of the village.

All the buildings were burned. Everything above the stone floor was destroyed, reducing all of it into piles of rubbles. Blackened corpses lay under these structures.

Tuka walked among the ruins, surveying the damage. The bodies of the undead were piled high, and the stench of death was overpowering. The villagers who had not been able to flee lay dead or dying, their blood staining the ground. She felt a sense of sadness and loss in everyone eyes.

Tuka felt guilt and conflict.

They were the one who lured the undead horde to this village, and in doing so, responsible for many lost of innocent lives.

"Ow!" Tuka yelped as she felt the sharp sting of Itami's slap across her backside. "What the hell was that for?" she demanded, wheeling around to face the lieutenant general.

"You need to focus, Tuka," Itami said gruffly. "You're going to get us kill if you're not paying attention."

"I was paying attention!" Tuka protested.

"Remember your mission," Itami said. "You need to focus. That's an order."

Tuka glared at him, but said nothing. They both fell silent for a moment, contemplating the ramifications of what they'd just done.

She turned back to face the medical supplies and tried to focus on the task at hand.

But it was hard.

Everywhere she looked, she saw the devastation that had been wrought by the undead and the bombing. The village had been reduced to rubble, and the people were dead or dying. She could still hear the screams of the undead as they roamed the streets, looking for fresh victims. They were using these people as propaganda tools.

Itami came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Tuka, I know how you feel," General Youji Itami said as he looked at the piles of rubble that used to be a small village.

"And I know what you're going to say, General," the elven girl replied.

"But letting the undead attack a small village like this…" Tuka trailed off, unable to find the words to express her feeling. "Doesn't that make us just as bad as the undead?"

"Maybe," General Itami replied.

"But this is war, people usually die for nothing at all." He said quietly. "We did what we had to do."

"I know," Tuka shook her head. "But that doesn't make it any easier."

Tuka turned back to the supplies. She knew that Itami was right. They had to focus if they were going to survive. She just wished that this war would soon end.

As Itami survey the area, his divine eyesight caught something interesting. It was felt a sudden surge of raw untamed magic, one that called to him like a Siren's song. He couldn't resist it, and before he knew it he was walking towards the source.

A young girl with blue hair lay half-naked on the ground, her body writhing in pain from the injuries she had sustained.

Lelei La Lalena.

He felt a mix of shame and self-hate well up inside him. This was the result of his actions? He had just bombed the village in order to 'save' it from the undead horde, and in the process had injured many people.

This girl was one of them.

Itami approached her, intending to help her, but she shied away from him. Itami looked down at the young girl with blue hair who was sprawled out on the ground before him. She seemed to be in a trance-like state, her eyes glowing a bright blue. He could feel the magic emanating from her, and knew that she was a powerful mage with the potential to surpass even Kato.

Lelei glared at the man who had just bombed her village and caused so much pain and suffering for the Empire. He was a lieutenant general in the human army, and he had callously callously blown up her home and everyone in it.

She hated him with all her heart. He was a brute, a barbarian who didn't care about the lives of others. He was despicable, they all were.

"Get your hands off me!" Lelei yelled, slapping away the hand of the lieutenant general as he tried to help her with medical care. The pain from her injuries was sharp, but it was nothing compared to the fury that was burning in her heart.

Itami looked at her with a mixture of pity and regret. He knew that she hated him, and he didn't blame her. He had caused her a great deal of pain, both physically and emotionally.

"You're the one who did this to me! If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be in this state!" Her voice dripping with venom.

"I'm just trying to help," Itami said, his voice calm and indifferent. "Your clothes are burned, and you're in pain. I'm just trying to do what I can."

"You're a liar!" Lelei shouted, trying to shove him away. "You didn't care about us! You only did this to show off your power!"

"That's not true," Itami said, his voice firm. "I didn't want to have to bomb the village, but I had no choice. I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving lives."

Itami almost believed what he said. Maybe I was really that man's child.

"I'm sorry," Itami said, his voice gentle. "But I had no choice. If I hadn't bombed the village, the undead would have overrun it and killed everyone."

"You don't care about me at all!" Lelei yelled. "You're just like all the other human soldiers, heartless and indifferent. You don't care about anyone but yourself."

Itami's eyes narrowed at that. He had heard similar words before, many times. But never from someone he was trying to help.

"Is that what you think?" he asked.

Lelei glared at him, her blue eyes filled with defiance. "Of course it is!" she spat. "You just bombed my village! You killed all those people! You don't care about me or anyone else!"

"You're a despicable man," she seethed. "You have no regard for life. You're nothing but a cold-blooded killer."

"What would you know about it?" he retorted. "You're just a little girl. You're not fit to judge me."

"I know more than you think," Lelei said. "I may be young, but I know that there's no justification for what you've done. You're a monster, and I hope you burn in hell for what you've done."

Itami was taken aback by her vehemence. He had expected her to be scared and traumatized, but she was just angry. It made him uneasy.

Itami's jaw clenched. "If that's what you think of me," he said through gritted teeth, "then so be it."

Itami said nothing for a moment, looking down at the young mage. He recognized a noble's crest, so this girl was a noble. This explained her stubbornness. But then he saw something shouldn't be there in Lelei's pocket.

A Xiaomi 22S Ultra!?

This...is interesting!

I can work with this.

He reached out and slapped her ass, causing her to yelp in surprise and indignation.

Lelei's eyes blazed with fury. Her shaky hand raised to slap him.

Itami caught her feeble hand easily, holding her close. "You're welcome," he said, his voice cold.

Lelei tried to jerk away, but Itami's grip was strong. "Let go of me!" she demanded, her voice shaking with rage.

"You're right," he said. "I don't care about you or anyone else. I'm a heartless bastard who only cares about himself. Now stop being so damned stubborn and let me help you."

Lelei gritted her teeth. She hated Itami for the pain he had caused her, but she knew that she needed medical attention. She would just have to put up with him until she was healed.

Itami helped her to her feet, and Lelei was grateful for his help. She knew that she wouldn't be able to walk on her own.

"Come on," Itami said in a gruff voice. "I'll take you to the medical tent."

Lelei didn't say anything as she followed Itami to the medical tent. She was still angry at him, but she knew that she needed his help.

Lt. General Youji Itami smiled as he watched the young girl walk away from him, her back rigid with anger. He had just rescued her from certain death, and she seemed determined to hate him for it. It was understandable, of course. He was, after all, an enemy of her people.

Still, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He had been hoping to at least be able to talk to her, to find out more about her. But it seemed that was not to be.

Itami was about to turn away and leave when he heard a voice behind him.

"She's quite a feisty one, isn't she?"

He turned to see the Tuka standing there, a smile on her face.

"Yes, she is," Itami replied. "Find more about her for me." Itami requested.

"Yes Sir!"

・・・

Lelei was sitting on her bed in the medical tent, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. She was grateful to the human soldiers for saving her, but she couldn't help hating them for being the enemy.

Suddenly, Tuka entered the tent.

Lelei was surprised to see an elven girl.

"Hello," Tuka said. "My name is Tuka; Lt. General Itami asked me to take care of you."

"Get away from me, you traitor!" Lelei shouted as she tried to push Tuka away. The elven girl simply grinned at her, seemingly enjoying her anger.

"I'm just trying to help, young lady," she said in a smooth, baritone voice. "These shrapnels need to be removed and treated if you don't want them to get infected."

"I can take care of myself," Lelei spat, trying to pull away from the blonde's touch.

Tuka's grip was strong, however, and she refused to let her go. "I'm sure you can," she said, "but it's better to let me take care of them. I'm a trained medic, after all."

Lelei continued to struggle, but Tuka was too strong for her.

Sighing, she gave up and allowed Tuka to do as he pleased. "There," Tuka said after he had finished treating her burns. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Lelei glared at Tuka. "I hate you," she said. "I really do."

Tuka simply chuckled. "I can take a hint," she said. "But I hope you'll at least let me buy you dinner. I feel like I need to make up for causing you pain." Lelei considered the elf's offer for a moment before she finally nodded.

"Fine," she said. "But only because I'm starving."

Tuka grinned. "I'll take that as a yes," she said.

・・・

Lt. General Youji Itami looked up from the reports he was studying when Tuka entered the tent. "Is there something you need, Tuka?"

"Yes, Lieutenant General. I just spoke with the girl you rescued a day ago."

"And? What's her story?"

"Well, she's a Viscountess of of the Empire, and she hates you with a passion."

"Figure that out already!" Itami replied.

"She says she will never forgive you," Tuka reported.

"That's to be expected," Itami said. "But not like I need that anyway."

Tuka continued. "She says her name is Lelei La Lalena, and she's the apprentice of Grand Mage Kato."

Interesting!

I could use this.

Tuka recounted the conversation she had with Lelei, and Itami was surprised to find himself intrigued by the girl. "She's quite a remarkable young lady, isn't she?"

"Yes, Lieutenant General." Tuka looked down at the ground, her cheeks flushed.

"She's going to be a powerful mage one day," Tuka said, noticing the look on the lieutenant general's face.

Itami, thinking about the girl's fiery attitude and her powerful magic, could only agree.

"What did you find about the phone in her pocket?" Itami lowered his tone, almost whispered.

"This is intersting," Tuka looked up. "I have checked her journal and discover the girl have detail technical drawings of the phone. She has even figured out how to crack the phone's fingerprint scanners."

Itami's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had been expecting a noble girl so brainwashed by the Empire and the Orthodox Church to be more of a devotee, but it seemed she was an apostate.

・・・

Lt. General Youji Itami entered the interrogation room, accompanied by a squad of his finest soldiers. He walked briskly towards the lone table in the center of the room. There, seated with his back to the door, was a man, clad in the white robes of the Orthodox Church. He bore the markings of a high-ranking mage.

Itami looked down at the man in front of him with an air of superiority. The man glared back with undisguised hatred. The man was Grand Mage Kato El Altestan, one of the most powerful magic users in this region.

"Mr. Altestan," Itami began, "it is an honor to meet some one like you."

Kato said nothing in reply, his eyes locked on the general. Itami smirked and took a seat opposite the mage.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I've brought you here," Itami continued.

"Actually, I was wondering when you were going to get to the point," Kato drawled.

Itami's eyes narrowed. "No need to be so tense, Mr. Altestan," he said warmly.

Kato just smirked in reply.

He signaled to one of his men, who stepped forward and produced a small, cloth-wrapped bundle. The mage's eyes widened in fear as he recognised the markings on the secret package that he tried to hide from Lelei.

The Erotic Adventures of Lady Charlotte - 52003 animated edition.

Itami smirked. "Is this animated book your?"

The looks of terror on Kato's face was priceless.

This was a classic interrogation technique. Before interrogating, you need to break the subject's mental defenses first by knocking them off balance.

"I-I've never seen it in my life," Kato stammered, but even a child realized he was lying.

"Should I give this to your apprentice?"

"What do you want?" Kato questioned, his face betraying nothing, but he's seething inside. He can't believe that he would face humiliation like this.

"I want to know about undead creatures." Itami said.

Kato glared at Itami. "I'll tell you nothing," Kato spat.

"You are the enemy of the Empire." He sneered.

"But we just saved your village from the undead horde." Itami retorted.

"Yes," Kato merely nodded, his expression remaining unchanged. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're my enemy."

"I'll ask you again," Itami said, his voice low and dangerous. "What do you know about the undead?"

"I have nothing to say to you," Kato replies stubbornly. "You're a pathetic little man. You'll never be anything but a brute soldier."

Itami frowned.

He had been hoping for a easier interrogation, but it seemed that wasn't going to be the case.

Damn these fanatics!

He was going to have to get creative. Itami was prepared for this. He knew that Kato might not cooperate willingly. He would have to be coerced into talking. They would hate him for this, but maybe its better this way. The Guantanamo Bay interrogation facility would treat them a lot worse as the UEADF neither recognize the Falmartians' human rights nor apply Geneva Convention on them.

Itami took a seat across from the Grand Mage and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "Now, Kato," he said in a cold voice, "I'm sure you're well aware of the consequences if you don't cooperate." .

Itami was not a cruel man, but he would do whatever was necessary to protect his country.

Kato glared back at Itami, his eyes filled with hatred. "Do your worst, You coward bastard," he spat.

Kato met Itami's gaze with a look of cold contempt. He had no intention of answering the questions posed to him. He saw Itami as nothing more than a common thug, unworthy of his respect.

Itami smirked. "That's too bad," he said. He turned to the door and signaled for Tuka to enter.

The blonde entered, holding a struggling Lelei. Kato's eyes widened in shock as he saw the girl.

"Lelei," Kato screamed.

The girl looked at her master, her eyes wide and frightened. Kato glared at Itami.

Itami grinned. "I think you'll be more willing to talk now, Kato," he said.

"You bastard," he spat. "You'll pay for this."

Itami just chuckled. "I don't think so," he said. "You see, I have your precious apprentice."

He reached out and grabbed the girl's breast, kneading it roughly. Lelei gasped and tried to pull away, but Tuka held her firmly.

The Grand Mage protested, but Itami paid him no heed.

"You see, mage?" he said. "I can do whatever I want to her. So you'll answer my questions, or I'll make her scream until you do."

Kato glared at him. "You wouldn't," he said.

Itami shrugged. "It's worth a try," he said. "You're not going to tell me anything, are you?"

Kato said nothing.

Itami turned to Lelei. "Well, since your master is being so uncooperative, maybe I should try some other methods of persuasion."

"Strip her naked," he ordered Tuka.

Tuka hesitated for a moment before obeying. The blonde slowly pulled Lelei robes off, revealing her smooth, delicate skin. Itami's eyes widened before he quickly composed himself.

Kato's eyes blazed with fury.

Lelei finishes undressed and stands before them, naked and vulnerable. Itami can see the shame and humiliation in her eyes, but she doesn't try to cover herself.

"You bastard," Kato sneered.

Itami ignored him, focusing on Lelei. He walked up to her, wearing his EXO-32 cybernetic armor exoskeleton then grabbing her breasts roughly. Lelei gasped, her eyes widening in fear. Itami continued to fake a malicious grin. He reached out and grabbed her breast, squeezing it harshly. She cried out in pain, her eyes filling with tears.

"Now, tell me what I want to know," he said, his voice cold.

"I'll never tell you anything," Kato cried out.

Lelei shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Itami sighed before grabbing her hair, yanking her head back utilizing the exoskeleton superhuman strength. He brought his titanium carbide ceramic hand up, slapping her hard across the face. Lelei cried out, her body shaking. Lelei spat blood onto the ground, her blue eyes meeting his defiantly.

"No!" Kato yelled. "Don't touch her!"

Itami faked a sadistical grin.

"I'll give you one more chance," he said. "Tell me what I want to know, or or I could torture your apprentice here until you talks. It's up to you."

Kato hesitated for a moment, then he gritted his teeth. "I'll never tell you anything," he said.

Itami shrugged. "Fine," he said. "But know that you're condemning this poor girl to a terrible fate."

Itami watched her, his eyes taking in her naked form. He could see the fear in her eyes and he took no pleasure in it. He stepped closer and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him.

He raised his mechanical hand and brought it down hard against her bare skin. Lelei shook her head, her lip trembling. Itami glared at her before grabbing her hair, yanking her towards him. He brought his hand up, his fist connecting with her stomach. Lelei doubled over, gasping for breath. The girl was brave, refusing to cry or scream, but eventually she couldn't take the pain anymore and let out a pitiful whimper.

The Lt. General looked at the young girl in front of him, her blue hair messy and matted with blood. Lelei was amazingly brave, never giving in or begging for mercy. She stared straight into Itami's eyes, never faltering, even as he continued to beat her. Itami found himself admiring her strength and courage, even as he continued to hit her.

"You are a stubborn one, aren't you?" He said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "I think I'll have to find a way to make you talk."

He looked down at her with a mix of shame and admiration. She was a brave young woman, and he had no doubt that she would go on to do great things.

Itami grabbed her hair, pulling her up.

He brought his other hand up, slapping her again. Lelei cried out, her body shaking. Itami stepped forward, his hands clenched into fists. He began to beat her, his fists pounding into her flesh, making her scream in agony. The pain was unbearable. Every punch sent a sharp, stabbing sensation through her body. She could feel her bones crunching and fracturing with every impact. The girl was crying, her body covered in welts and bruises. She cried out, but Itami only laughed. He hit her again and again, hating the feel of her skin bruising under his hand.

"Still not going to talk, are you?" Itami asked.

Kato said nothing.

Itami sighed.

He was growing tired of this. He signaled for one of his men to bring over a whip. Lelei's eyes widened in fear as she saw the metal whip.

He drew his whip, the metal straps singing through the air as they came down on the girl's bare skin. She cried out in pain as the whip left a long, bloody gash. The whip tore into her flesh, and Lelei cried out in pain. Itami brought the whip down again, this time slicing her thigh. Lelei screamed, her blood spilling onto the ground. He raised the whip again and brought it down hard against Lelei's back. Itami whipped her again and again, and her cries filled the room. Blood began to pour from her wounds, but Itami didn't stop. He whipped her until she was a bloody mess, and then he finally stopped. It was a brutal and savage act, and it left onlookers feeling sick to their stomachs.

Itami stood back and watched as Lelei curled up into a ball, trying to protect her battered body from further abuse, but Itami kept hitting her, raining down blows on her helpless form. He kicked her in the stomach, then in the face, making her suffer immensely. Her nose started to bleed. She could feel the blood trickling down her face, stinging her eyes. Every part of her body ached. She could barely move her arms or legs. The taste of blood was in her mouth. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the pain.

Lelei cried out in pain, her body shuddering trying to heal every wounds. Itami didn't think she would be able to take much more, but her regeneration still seemed to have a lot of inner strength.

Kato struggled against his bonds, desperate to help his apprentice, but he was powerless to stop Itami.

"Please stop," Kato begged him. "She's just a child."

Itami paused, then he lowered the whip.

"Then start talking," Itami replied, almost as desperate as Kato himself.

Kato was terrified. He could see the cold determination in the lieutenant general's eyes.

Kato gritted his teeth, before finally giving in. "All right, I'll talk. But you must swear not to hurt her."

Itami nodded. "I swear."

Finally, Lelei managed to break free and ran to her master. Kato took a deep breath, before telling Itami everything he knew about the undead and demon for the next two hours.

Itami looked at the report and smiled. He finally got the evidence of the undead. This was what he needed to get the government to recognize the danger of the undead thus allocate the necessary resources to dealing with the threat.

"One more thing," his voice cold and calculating. "I need you to capture some undead for me."

"What do you want with undead samples?" Kato asked, his voice heavy with suspicion.

"I'm doing research. Apparently, some bastards have started dabbling in the dark arts." Itami said. "I need you to get me some specimens to prove it."

Kato was about to reply when Itami continued. "Also, don't try to escape. I might need you to testify before the Security Council." Itami said, holding up the smartphone that Lelei had been hiding. "If you try, I'll make sure these pictures are circulated throughout the Empire."

He pulls out a stack of photographs, each one showing Lelei's drawings of the Xiaomi 22S Ultra. Kato's eyes widen in shock and he swallows hard. The Empire is a theocracy. The will of the gods is absolute. They have commanded them to eschew all advanced technology.

"You don't really want your apprentice bright future to be ruined like that, do you?" He asked mockingly.

Kato's face darkened with rage. "You're despicable, using a young girl like this!"

Itami shrugged. "She's old enough to pay for her own decisions."

Kato gritted his teeth in frustration. He knew that he had no choice but to help the general. If he didn't, Itami would simply expose Lelei's forbidden items to the authorities and she would be executed. He had no doubt that the JSDF general was ruthless enough to do that.

"Very well," Kato finally said. "I'll help you capture some undead samples."

Itami smiled. "I knew you'd see things my way."

"But I'll need some support."

"Of course." Itami said. "I'll have the quartermaster provide whatever you need."

Itami turned to his men. "Take them to the special force," he said. "I want him to start working on capturing some undead specimens."

Kato and Lelei nodded and left the room. Itami watched them go, wondering what the future would hold for all of them. He was sure that they would eventually find a way to get back to the Empire and plan a revenge for he had done. But for now, they were his prisoners and he could do whatever he wanted with them.

Tuka looked at the girl's silhouette as she disappear behind the the door, her heart breaking at the sight. The poor child had been through so much already. She didn't deserve this.

Walking up to stand beside her commander. "Why do you have to torture her like this?" Tuka asked him, her voice trembling. "Can't you just blackmail Kato with evidence of her having forbidden items?"

Itami let out a long sigh before answering. "Because for a blackmail to work, Kato must fear me. And he won't submit if he doesn't think I'm capable of harming him or those he cares for. Torturing Lelei is the quickest way to make him fear me. He needs to see that we're willing to do whatever it takes to get what we want. He must be made to understand that I am not someone to be trifled with."

Tuka remained silent for a moment, before she spoke again, her voice tight with repressed anger. "But why do you have to be so cruel to her? She's just a child."

Lt. General Youji Itami looked at Tuka with a weary expression. "She's not a child," he said. "She's a young noble lady of the Empire, and she needs to be treated as such."

Tuka looked away, her face filled with sadness. "I don't like it," she said. "It's not right to treat her like this."

Itami met her gaze once more, and he could see the resolve in her eyes. "I know it's not," he said. "But it's necessary. I promise you that I will never hurt her unnecessarily, but I need her to submit to my authority.

"I'm not torturing her for fun, you know," he added.

Itami met her gaze levelly. "I'm doing it to make Kato submit. He needs to fear me if I'm going to get him to cooperate. I'm sorry if my methods make you uncomfortable, but they are necessary. I hope you can understand that."

Itami could see the disappointment in her eyes, but he knew he was making the right decision.

"Can we just reveal our true identity, lieutenant general? Kato will cooperate more if he knows we're on his side." she argued.

"And get all of us one-way tickets to Guantanamo Bay?" Itami replied, his voice laced with sarcasm and and a hint of pain. "The less people know about us, the better."

"It's better this way," he continued. "The UEA is full of racists and human-supremacists. If I want to covince the Global Security Council, I can't be seen as a Falmart-sympathizer. The fact that they hate me with passion means their testimonies will be view as credible."

"Even if it means we have to torture a young girl like Lelei?" Tuka asked, her voice breaking. Tuka's anger melted away, replaced by sadness and despair.

Itami nodded. "Yes," he said. "This is war. Things like this happen. It's not your fault."

Tuka was silent for a moment before she said, "But I still feel responsible."

Itami put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. "I know," he said. "But you can't let that guilt consume you. You have to move on."

Tuka nodded, her tears wet on his shoulder. "I'll try," she said.

Itami squeezed her shoulder. "That's all I can ask," he said.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice choked with tears.

・・・

In a dark and dreary forest, a group of undead creatures shambled about, oblivious to the danger that lurked around them. They were bizarre and grotesque, their bodies twisted and deformed. Some were missing limbs or had their heads twisted around backwards. Others were bloated and swollen, their skin stretched tight over their bones. They moved jerkily and unsteadily, as if their limbs were not under their control.

Grand Mage Kato El Altestan, a wizard of great power, stepped onto the dark forest. He was clad in robes of white, and his long hair and beard flowed in the wind. His blue eyes blazed with power, and he held a staff of oak in his hand.

At Kato side was a squad of heavy armored riflemen from the 10th Special Forces Group, led by Major Hayate. Their skills and training were among the best in Asia, and they were prepared to face any enemy head-on.

But it was the advanced exoskeleton armor that gave them a distinct advantage over the enemy and allowed them to win even the most difficult battles.

Major Hayate could help but admired the high-tech exoskeleton armor, he was wearing. He had always been fascinated by the military, and now he was a part of it. The first thing Hayate noticed was how light the exoskeleton felt. It was like he was not even wearing it. He amazed at how easily he could move. The armor feels like it's part of his body. He could run, jump, and climb with ease. The straps were a little tight, but he was sure it would loosen up after a while.

The EXO-32 exoskeleton was a marvel of engineering. It was made of a lightweight but sturdy nanocomposites that could withstand the toughest conditions and could protect the soldier from gunfire, shrapnel, and other projectiles. The suit was powered by a small battery pack that lasted for hours. It had several motors that allowed the soldier to move easily in all directions. In addition, they are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology that allows them to treat injuries on the battlefield.

The HK-111 rifle that was cradled in his arms was also a work of art. It was made of the same lightweight nanocomposites as the exoskeleton and was very sturdy. It had a built-in scope and a laser sight. The rifle could fire a variety of rounds, including very powerful .75 armor-piercing incendiary rounds that could shoot through walls and punch through most light armor vehicles. It is also fitted with a grenade launcher, and a silencer for silent kills.

But it was the FAST-99 combat helmet that was the most advanced piece of equipment on his body. It had a built-in holographic display and outfitted with state-of-the-art sensors that allowed the soldier to navigate difficult terrain, see in the dark, identify targets far away. The helmet also had a built-in microphone and speakers that allowed the soldier to communicate with each other and their commanders via secure channels. With that the soldiers would be able to quickly and easily identify enemy targets form a distance and launch precision strikes with pinpoint accuracy.

This is the future of warfare. The exoskeleton armor makes human soldiers faster, stronger, and more agile. With this armor, they could take on falmartians and win.

Kato gritted his teeth in anger. It was outrageous, blackmailing him like this. But what could he do? He had no choice but to agree. If he didn't capture some undead creatures, Itami would hurt his apprentice Lelei. He didn't want to do this, but he had no choice. He would have to capture some undead creatures, no matter how difficult it might be.

Kato and his team of riflemen carefully approached the Death Knights, who were surrounded by a large number of undead creatures. The undead were howling and moaning in anger, while the Death Knights stood silent and stoic. The creatures were emitting an eerie green light, which made them look even more fearsome. The undead creatures were bizarre and grotesque. They had rotting flesh, and their eyes were glowing a bright green. They were moaning and screeching in a way that was truly horrifying.

Hayate and his team of riflemen slowly approached the undead creatures, who were lurking in the shadows of the forest. The rain was coming down hard, making the air thick and humid. But they had their orders from General Itami, and they were not going to back down.

"What the hell were those things?" Private Soichi asked.

"I don't know, but they were creepy as hell," Private Sato replied.

The riflemen formed a semicircle around Kato, while he carefully examined the creatures. They looked like corpses, their skin pale and decayed. But they were moving, and that was enough for Hayate to know that they were dangerous.

Hayate took a step back, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the cold, deadly presence of the creatures, and he knew that they were capable of slaughtering him without a second thought.

Grand Mage Kato El Altestan strides forward confidently, his staff held high. Kato signalled to Major Hayate, and the Major and his men stepped forward, their .75 calibre HK-111 at the ready.

The undead are led by a fearsome Death General, who rallies his troops with a blood curdling battle cry. This creature was unlike any of the others. It was huge, its body covered in thick armor. It had a head like a dragon, and razor sharp teeth. It roared, its eyes glowing red with anger.

The Death General is the first to attack. He charges straight for Kato, swinging his sword in a mighty arc. Kato steps to the side and easily parries the strike. He retaliates with a flurry of magic arrows, each one blasting the general back a few steps.

The Death General rallies his troops and they press forward once more. This time they are met by a wall of high-explosive incendiary armor-piercing bullets from the riflemen. Many of the undead are cut down, but they continue to swarm forward.

The creatures began to advance towards Kato and his team. They were emitting an unholy screeching noise, which made everyone's blood run cold.

"Major, what are your orders?"

"I want you to take them out with precision shots. Do not let them get too close," replied Major Hayate.

"Open fire!" Major Hayate ordered.

The riflemen squad took careful aim and fired at the creatures. The squad's rifles erupted in a flurry of activity. The bullets ripped through their bodies, causing them to stumble and fall. However, even as they fell, the creatures began to reanimate, their limbs moving awkwardly as they tried to stand and began to advance on the squad. The squad quickly opened fire again, cutting them down before they could fully recover. The creatures were instantly cut down, their heads exploding in a shower of gore.

Grand Mage Kato stood at the forefront of the battle, his staff held high as he faced the undead creatures. With a word, a bolt of energy shot from his staff, blasting through the skull of one of the creatures. He gestured with his staff, and a ring of fire sprang up around him, incinerating the creatures that approached.

Nearby, Major Hayate led his squad of riflemen, firing volley after volley of bullets at the creatures. The gunfire was answered by the creatures' own eerie moaning and clanking, but the riflemen held their ground.

"Take that, you undead scum!" shouted Major Hayate as he fired his rifle.

"Die, you monsters!" shouted one of the riflemen as he fired his rifle.

A dozens of Death Knights charged towards Kato and his team. Kato quickly cast a spell and created a magic shield around himself and his team. The Death Knights' swords slammed into the shield, causing a loud explosion.

Major Hayate and his team began to fire their rifles at the Death Knights. The bullets seemed to have no effect on these creatures. Death Knights began to advance on them, swinging their swords.

"They don't seem to be affected by our bullets," said one of the riflemen.

"Keep firing! We can't let them get any closer," ordered Major Hayate.

Kato quickly cast another spell and created a wall of holy fire between himself and the Death Knight. The Death Knights began to back away.

The unholy creatures were repelled, and Kato advanced, staff pointed at the creatures. A beam of energy erupted from it, incinerating several of them. Major Hayate and his riflemen stood behind Kato, ready to protect their Grand Mage. The creatures lashed out with their claws and teeth, but Kato and the riflemen were too quick.

Death Knights stared at Kato with eyes that burned with hatred.

Kato knew that he had to act quickly. He lifted his hand and cast a spell that trapped Death Knights in a cage of magic.

Death Knights roared with fury.

These creatures were fast and dangerous, but Kato is a master of magic and he manages to incapacitate a few of them. Kato stands his ground, his white robes billowing in the wind. He lifts his staff and begins to chant. He casts a spell that wraps them in vines, then he uses another spell to freeze them in place. He quickly grabs them and packs them into a bag.

Suddenly, one of the creatures leapt at Major Hayate, its fangs bared. Hayate fired his rifle at the creature, but it was too late. The creature's claws sunk into his chest, and he was pulled down.

Just then, a shot rang out, and the creature was hit in the head with a magic arrow. It released Kato and fell to the ground, dead. Hayate got to his feet, and saw that it was Kato who saved him.

"Thank you," Hayate said, his voice weak. "You've saved my life."

Kato nodded and looked back at the battle. The creatures were being slaughtered, but there were still many of them left.

"We need to finish this," Kato said. "For Lelei's sake."

Kato quickly casts a spell to shield himself and his men from the undead's attacks. He then begins to cast spells one after the other, blasting the undead creatures with fire, ice, and lightning. The undead are relentless, however, and continue to advance despite the destruction that Kato is causing.

The squad continued to advance towards the undead creatures, taking cover behind trees and rocks. They could see the creatures' eyes glowing in the darkness, and they could hear the creatures' moaning and screeching.

The squad's leader, Major Hayate, whispered over his comm, "I'll take out the ones on the left. Second Lieutenant Yukari, take out the ones on the right. And be careful."

Yukari nodded and took aim at the nearest creature. She fired her rifle, and the creature's head exploded.

Hayate fired his rifle, and two creatures fell to the ground.

Suddenly, the undead creatures began to charge towards the squad. Yukari fired again, and another creature fell.

Hayate and Yukari continued to fire their rifles, killing more and more creatures.

Suddenly, a creature grabbed Yukari from behind, and she screamed.

Hayate turned and fired his rifle, killing the creature.

Yukari collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.

"Are you okay?" Hayate asked.

Yukari nodded, "I'm okay. Thanks for saving me."

The undead creatures swarm forward, their rotting limbs outstretched, seeking to rend and tear the living. Grand Mage Kato stands before them, staff held high, blue energy crackling around him. He utters a word of power and a bolt of energy lances out, blasting a hole in the head of one of the creatures. It falls to the ground, dead. Around him, the riflemen fire volley after volley, mowing down the creatures. But still they come, undeterred by the death and destruction.

Major Hayate and his squad of riflemen fired nonstop, cutting down the creatures as they advance. Kato gestures and another bolt of energy lashes out, tearing through a group of the creatures. They fall to the ground, their bodies smoking.

"Nice work, Major," Kato said to Hayate.

"Thank you, Grand Mage," Hayate replied. "But it was nothing compared to your power."

"Indeed," Kato said. "These creatures are no match for us."

But still the creatures come on, heedless of the danger.

The first undead creature came at Grand Mage Kato with a clumsy swing of its sword. Kato easily dodged the attack and countered with a swift jab of his own sword. The creature was sliced in two and disintegrated into a cloud of dust.

Two more creatures came at Kato, swinging their swords madly. Kato dodged and countered again, slicing each creature in two.

Four more creatures came at Kato, and he dispatched them just as easily.

Kato steps forward, staff held high, and utters another word of power. A brilliant blue light surrounds him and the creatures are blasted back, howling in pain. They fall to the ground, their bodies disintegrating.

But they did not give up. They continued to advance, and Kato met them with another spell. This time, ice crystals formed around them, freezing them in place.

But still, they did not give up. They continued to advance, and Kato met them with another spell. This time, a powerful wind blew them back.

"These creatures are no match for me," Kato declared. He waved his hand and a bolt of energy slammed into the lead creature, blasting it apart.

The other creatures surge forward, their hands reaching for Kato. He merely laughs and unleashes another blast of energy, incinerating several of them.

Kato's magic is a sight to behold.

A brilliant light illuminates the battlefield as he begins to chant. The undead creatures recoil in fear as the light grows brighter and brighter. Kato's voice rises in a crescendo and the light explodes outward. The undead were incinerated, their bones turned to ash.

Major Hayate's riflemen take advantage of the creatures' momentary distraction and open fire. The bullets tear through the undead, shredding their rotting flesh. The creatures stumble and fall, their moans of pain filling the air.

Kato advances on the creatures, his magic burning brightly. The undead try to retreat, but they are quickly surrounded by the riflemen. They are cut down mercilessly, their cries filling the air.

But the creatures continued to come, their numbers seemingly endless. Kato lifted his hand and another fireball formed, this time landing squarely on the head of a zombie. The creature's head exploded, sending chunks of brain and skull flying through the air.

But still the creatures came, their rotting hands reaching out for Kato. He lifted his hand and chanted another spell, this time sending a massive wave of ice towards his enemies. The ice reached the creatures, freezing them in their tracks.

Grand Mage Kato's spells were like a hurricane of fire, ice, and lightning tearing through the undead creatures. Their bones were shattered, their skin burned, their muscles torn apart. But still they came, dozens of them, hundreds of them, relentless in their pursuit of the mage.

Kato's spells were like bolts of lightening, tearing through the undead creatures and casting them back into the darkness. Their bony hands reached for him, but he was too quick, too nimble. He darted back and forth across the battlefield, his robes swirling around him, his staff a blur, his spells crashing down on them like thunder.

Grand Mage Kato's holy magic was more than a match for the undead creatures. He hurled bolt after bolt of fire at them, incinerating them where they stood. Their skeletal forms collapsed in a heap of ashes, until only their leader remained.

The creature snarled and charged at Kato, but the mage was ready.

Grand Mage Kato's sharp mind was quick to calculate the odds of victory. He had faced these undead creatures before and knew that they were no match for his powerful magic.

The Death General hissed and slashed at Grand Mage Kato with his sharp claws and swords. Kato dodged and retaliated with powerful spells, blasting the undead creature back with fire and ice.

Kato began to recite an ancient spell, the power of which would banish these creatures back to the underworld.

He cast a spell that encased the Death General in a block of ice. It shattered into pieces, and the undead were finally defeated.

"We did it!" Hayate exclaimed in ecstasy.

Grand Mage Kato turns to Major Hayate and nods. "Well done, Major. You and your men are true warriors."

The Death Knights were captured, and the undead were destroyed. The rain continued to pour down, washing away the blood and the dirt. Kato ordered Major Hayate and his riflemen to take the Death Knight back to the lab for study.

It was a hard fought victory, but it was a victory nonetheless.

Jade Palace, Imperial capital of Sadera. August 27th.

Princess Pina could feel the cool night air on her skin as she stepped out of her bedroom window and into the royal garden. She had always been a bit of an exhibitionist, and tonight was no exception. Pina carefully avoided the thorny rose bushes as she silently made her way across the garden. She walked barefoot through the dew-drenched grass, taking in the sweet fragrance of the flowers. She felt so alive, so free. This was the last time she would be able to enjoy the peace and beauty of the garden.

The moons were out, and their light bathed the garden in a a soft, ethereal glow. Pina felt like every leaf, blade of grass, and petal was calling out to her, begging her to remember this moment.

She could feel the excitement racing through her veins as she walked to the center of the garden, where a beautiful fountain stood. She sat on the edge of the fountain, letting the cool water wash over her feet.

She looked up at the stars, and for a moment she felt like she could reach up and touch them. She felt so small in the face of the universe. But she also felt incredibly alive, as if anything was possible.

She sat there for a long time, letting the peace of the garden wash over her. She knew that tomorrow would be a terrible day, but for now she could just enjoy the moment. Princess Pina was feeling a sense of urgency. She knew that the war was coming and it would destroy everything here. Tomorrow, the royal family would evacuate to a safe place.

But Pina didn't want to leave without experiencing the beauty of the royal garden one last time. Pina could see the shadows of the trees stretching out before her. She shivered, but not from the cold. She was excited. She tiptoed through the grass, her bare feet sinking into the dewy earth, making her way over to the large oak tree in the north side of the garden. She climbed up into the tree, sitting in the sturdy branches and surveying her surroundings.

The garden is a sight to behold. It's filled with all sorts of vibrant flowers, towering trees, and babbling brooks. The soft breeze blowing through the garden carries the sweet fragrance of the flowers with it. But what makes the garden so truly special is the bioluminescence. It dances and swirls through the air, lighting up the garden in a beautiful and ethereal way. It's like walking through a fairy tale. The garden is a true work of art.

The royal palace was quiet, most of the houses dark and asleep. She could see a few lights on in the distance, but they only served to make her feel more alone. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath, enjoying the feeling of the cool breeze against her skin.

Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her. She opened her eyes and saw her nephew, Prince Ainsworth standing there, looking up at her with a smile.

"Hey, Aunty Pina," he said softly.

Pina's heart skipped a beat when she saw him. He had always been so handsome, and she had always had a bit of a crush on him. She couldn't help but return his smile.

"Hey, baby," she replied, her voice throaty with desire. "What're you doing up so late?"

"Couldn't sleep," he said. He looked around at the quiet garden. "It's so peaceful here."

Pina nodded. "It is," she agreed, her voice laced with sadness.

"Aunty," Prince Ainsworth said breathlessly, his eyes devouring her nude body. "Why... are you naked?"

Princess Pina smiled mischievously, her crimson hair cascading down her back. "I'm skinny dipping in the rose garden," she replied. "Care to join me?"

Prince Ainsworth hesitated for a moment, before stripping off his clothes and joining her in the cool night air.

Finally, they were both naked. Pina could feel Prince Ainsworth's eyes on her, exploring her body. She felt exposed and vulnerable, but she didn't care. She wanted him to look at her. She wanted him to desire her. The two of them laughed and splashed around in the pool, enjoying each other's company. Pina couldn't help but feel a deep connection to her talented nephew. They were both artist, both rebels.

They stared at each other for a moment, both of them aware of the electricity that was running between them. Pina couldn't take her eyes off her nephew, and Ainsworth was equally mesmerized by his aunt. They both knew what was going to happen, and they both wanted it.

"Pina, you are so beautiful," he says, gazing into her bright crimson eyes.

"Why thank you, nephew," she replies with a coy smile.

Ainsworth stepped forward, his hands coming to rest on Pina's waist. She shivered as his touch sent a wave of desire through her body.

"Ainsworth," Pina said breathlessly, her long crimson hair cascading down her back. She ran her hands over her body, her ruby eyes filled with lust. "I need you."

Prince Ainsworth could feel his cock stirring at his aunt's words. He had always been attracted to her, her beauty and her intelligence. Ainsworth lay back and let her, his eyes feasting on her incredible beauty.

"Yes, aunt Pina," he replied, his voice a throaty whisper.

He leaned in and kissed her softly, his lips gentle against hers. Pina responded eagerly, parting her lips and letting his tongue slide into her mouth. They kissed passionately, their tongues exploring each other's mouths, their bodies pressed tightly together. Ainsworth's hands were on her breasts, kneading them softly. She moaned as his fingers brushed against her nipples. His hands then moved down to Pina's ass, and he squeezed her tender asscheeks eagerly. She moaned as she felt his hands on her, pushing her hips back against him. She could feel his erection pressing against her.

Pina then leaned down and kissed his cock, her tongue swirling around the head. Ainsworth gasped as she took him into her mouth, her lips tightened around him. She sucked him harder and harder, her head moving up and down. Ainsworth could feel himself on the brink of orgasm, the pleasure overwhelming.

"Pina," he cried, as he cum into her mouth.

Pina smiled up at him, her red eyes gleaming. She leaned up and kissed him, sharing his taste with him. Then Pina leaned back against the tree, her pussy wet and ready for her nephew.

"Make love to me, Ainsworth," she said, her voice a plea.

Ainsworth obliged, he stepped forward, pushing his cock inside her in one smooth thrust. She gasped as he filled her, his dick pounding in and out of her pussy. He thrust into her over and over, their bodies moving in unison. The pleasure was intense, overwhelming. They fucked passionately, their bodies slapping together as they moved. Ainsworth grabbed Pina's tits, squeezing them and pulling on her nipples as he fucked her. She could feel her orgasm building, and she knew that Ainsworth was close too. Pina cried out, her body shaking. Ainsworth could feel himself about to come, the pressure building inside him.

"Pina," he cried, as he came.

Just when she was about to come, Ainsworth pulled out and came all over her stomach. She watched with pleasure as his hot cum sprayed over her body, the feeling of his release sending her over the edge. She came hard, her pussy throbbing around Ainsworth's still-hard cock.

They stood there, panting and sweating, as they came down from their orgasmic high. Pina collapsed against him, her body trembling. Ainsworth leaned down and kissed his aunt gently, his lips soft against hers. "That was amazing, Pina," he said breathlessly.

Pina smiled. "Yeah, it was," she replied. They stood there for a moment, holding each other tight, before finally climbing down from the tree and heading back inside.

"Aunt Pina," Prince Ainsworth said, looking out at the garden. "It's so beautiful. It's hard to believe that it will all be gone soon."

"Yes," Princess Pina said, gazing at the garden lovingly. "It's been so wonderful having this place to come to. It will be a shame to leave it all behind."

"I know," Prince Ainsworth said. "But we have to. The nuclear attack is coming and it will destroy everything."

Princess Pina nodded. She knew that he was right. But it was still hard to say goodbye to all of this.

"Do you remember the first time we came here?" Prince Ainsworth asked, looking at his aunt.

Princess Pina smiled. "Yes, I do. You were just a little boy and you were so excited to see the garden. I think you were even more excited than I was."

"I was," Prince Ainsworth said. "I loved coming here. It was like a piece of heaven."

"It still is," Princess Pina said. "But it won't be for much longer."

Prince Ainsworth nodded.

"We'll come back someday," Princess Pina said, trying to comfort her nephew. "And rebuid everything."

Ainsworth nodded. He knew that she was right. They would come back. And they would make sure that everything would be rebuilt. After the war was over, they would come back and make this garden even more beautiful than it was before. But Pina could see the doubt in her nephew's eyes. He was worried about the Great War. He knew that it would bring destruction and death.

Pina's heart skipped a beat as she suddently remembered the vision she'd had of him just a few days ago. She turned away from him, not wanting him to see the fear in her eyes.

"What happened?"

She could feel Prince's gaze on her and she knew he could see the fear in her eyes. She turned to him, forcing a smile. "It's just...I had a vision of you getting hurt and I guess it made me a little jumpy."

Prince frowned. "What do you mean, a vision?"

Pina hesitated, not sure if she should tell him. But she knew she had to. He was going to be a king one day and he needed to know about the visions. "I have the ability to see the future, sometimes," she said.

Prince's eyes widened. "Really?"

Pina nodded. "Sometimes I see things that are going to happen and sometimes I see things that might happen."

Prince stared at her for a moment, as if trying to decide if he could trust her. Finally, he nodded. "Okay," he said. "I believe you."

Pina felt a wave of relief wash over her. She was glad he believed her. "Thank you," she said gratefully.

SSBN-8271 USS Wisconsin, under Baltisch Sea, Falmart

At the depth of 300 meter, Captain Ensign James was commanding the Columbia-class ballistic nuclear submarine SSBN-8271 USS Wisconsin. He had been ordered to sail from Lemuria to the Baltisch Sea to launch a nuclear attack on Imperial submarines base.

The Columbia-class was the second most advanced ballistic nuclear submarine class in the world, and Ensign was determined to make his country proud. The submarines is 170.7 m long and 13.1 m in diameter, as long as the Ohio-class design, and 1 foot (30 cm) larger in diameter.

Each submarine have 16 missile tubes, each carrying one Trident III D5LE missile. Missile launch tubes that are the same size as those of the Ohio class, with a diameter of 87 inches (2,200 mm) and a height sufficient to accommodate a D-5 Trident III missile. They also have 12 VLS & four torpedo tubes, capable of launching Mark 88 torpedoes, UGM-109 Tactical Tomahawks, Harpoon missiles and the new advanced mobile mine.

In a bid to reduce life-cycle cost and acoustic signature, Columbia run on electric drive—that is, it use an electric motor to turn its propellers instead of the reduction gearing and mechanical drive systems used on earlier nuclear-powered submarines. It retain the nuclear reactor and steam turbines typical of U.S. Navy submarines. The S10G nuclear reactor is designed to operate for 40 years without refueling, giving the ship as speed greater than 70 knots (130 km/h; 80 mph)

The captain was in his cabin, going over the plan one last time. The Wisconsin had been sailing for hours, and Ensign was getting restless. They are going to launch a surprise attack on a group of Imperial submarine base and cities.

As the USS Wisconsin rapidly sailed towards the Baltisch Sea, Ensign couldn't help but feel guilty about what he was doing. He knew that he was about to launch a nuclear attack that would kill millions of people.

But he also knew that he had no choice. He knew that if he refused, he would be court martialed.

But he also knew that if he carried out the order, he would be a war criminal.

He looked at himself in the mirror and made sure he was ready for the battle.

Suddenly, the alarm klaxons blared, and Captain Ensign knew that the time for action had arrived. He ran toward the bridge.

"Captain on the bridge!"

The crew snapped to attention as Captain Ensign entered the command center.

Ensign turned to the officer of the watch. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Sonar picked up a fleet of 20 enemy submarines blocking the exit of the strait ahead of us, about 20 miles ahead of us, Captain," the officer of the watch replied. "We've also detected a squadron of 20 ships behind us, that makes 40 ships total."

Ensign knew that he had to act quickly. He ordered the officer of the watch to sound the alarm.

The Wisconsin's crew sprang into action. They quickly prepared the submarine for battle.

The 20 imperial submarines were lurking in the depths of the sea, waiting for their prey. The Wisconsin approached them silently, like a ghost.

Captain Ensign walked to the periscope and peered through it. He could see several imperial ships patrolling the waters.

He took a deep breath and ordered the Wisconsin to dive.

"Sir, we have visual on the imperial submarines. They are in formation and appear to be preparing to launch their torpedoes."

"Bring us around to portside, Mike. We're going to take them on head-on."

"Aye, Captain," Mike said as he turned the wheel.

The USS Wisconsin came around, and the battle began.

"Load the starboard torpedo tubes, Helmsman. We'll take out those subs one by one."

"Aye, Captain."

The Wisconsin turns towards the imperial subs, its massive torpedo tubes aimed squarely at them.

"Target in sight. Prepare to fire."

"Tube one to four. Open fire!" Captain Ensign ordered.

The weapons officer nodded and hit the firing button.

He looked at Captain Ensign and said, "The Mark 88 torpedoes have been launched."

A total of 12 Mark 88 torpedoes streaked towards the imperial submarines at tremendous speed.

The imperial submarines were in trouble, and they knew it.

"Take evasive action!"

The imperial submarines start to maneuver to avoid the torpedoes.

They began to fire their own barrage of torpedoes at the Wisconsin, but the Wisconsin's decoy system was too good.

The Wisconsin engaged the imperial submarines in a fierce battle.

"I have a lock on one of the submarines. Prepare to fire."

The weapons officer. "Aye, sir."

"Fire!"

A torpedo hits one of the imperial submarines, blasting it apart.

The torpedoes were flying back and forth, and the sonar was beeping frantically.

"Quick, get us out of here!" The imperial submarines tried to get out of the way, but it was too late.

"Brace for impact!"

"We're being hit! Damage report!"

"We've lost power! We're going down!"

"Abandon ship!"

The imperial submarines start to evacuate as the Wisconsin continued to fire on them.

"I'm hit," one of the imperial sailors cried.

"We're going down," another cried.

The torpedoes hit their targets, and one by one, all 20 imperial submarines exploded in a spectacular display of fire and water.

The Wisconsin's crew cheered, and Captain Ensign smiled.

"Good job, everyone," he said. "But we're not done yet. The imperial fleet is still out there. We need to take them down."

The Wisconsin's engines roared to life, and it headed towards the imperial fleet.

But then Ensign heard another alarm sound. The submarine was rocked by explosions as the high pressure water slammed into it. The water blasts had slammed into the side of the USS Wisconsin, right below the conning tower, causing the submarine to lurch violently.

Captain Ensign was thrown out of his chair and onto the floor. He quickly got back to his feet and staggered over to the damage control panel, but the smoke and the gas from the explosion make it difficult to breathe.

"Captain, we've been hit! We're taking on water!"

Twelve giant sea monsters were detected on the sonar. The creatures were massive, easily the size of a ship. Each had razor-sharp teeth and 10 whip-like tentacles. They lashed out at the submarine, trying to ensnare it.

"Captain, they're coming in from all sides!"

It was trap!

"Captain, we need to retreat!" one of the sailors shouted.

Captain Ensign considered for a moment. The monsters were too powerful for them to take on alone.

"Retreat!" he ordered.

The Wisconsin turned and fled, while the monsters gave chase. The sea monsters were terrifying. They were giant, black, and scaly. They had long, sharp teeth, and they smelled like rotting meat.

The Wisconsin raced through the water, the monsters in hot pursuit. Captain Ensign ordered the submarine to go into evasive maneuvers, but it was no use. The sea monsters were too fast and agile.

They managed to wrap their tentacles around the submarine, pulling it towards them. The sea monsters were enormous, with tentacles as thick as tree trunks. They wrapped around the Wisconsin, squeezing the life out of the submarine.

"Release the mines!" Captain Ensign ordered.

The sea mines exploded, and the giant sea monsters were sent flying backwards. The explosions ripped the tentacles apart, freeing the Wisconsin. The submarine's powerful engines kicked in, propelling it forward at maximum speed. The crew cheered as they sailed away from the monsters.

The Wisconsin was fast, but the sea monsters were faster. They quickly closed the distance.

The Wisconsin was in the thick of it, dodging and weaving through the horde of monsters as they launched their attack. Captain Ensign was at the helm, barking orders and trying to keep the ship safe.

"Michaels, turn the ship to port," he said, gritting his teeth. "We'll take them on from that side."

Michaels turned the ship as ordered, and the Wisconsin began to fire its torpedoes at the oncoming creatures.

The torpedoes struck their targets, tearing the creatures apart with massive explosions. Captain Ensign and the crew of the Wisconsin can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Captain Ensign surveys the damage done to the Wisconsin by the giant sea monsters. The submarine has taken a beating, but she was not out of the fight yet.

"Damage report!" he shouts.

"Sir, the portside torpedo tubes are out of commission and the aft missile launcher was damaged," the damage control officer shouts back. "The impact has damaged the engines and the ballast tanks. We're taking on water and we're losing buoyancy." He exclaimed. "We've got a fire in the engine room!"

"Sonar system are down, and we've lost contact with the HQ," the navigator adds.

"Captain, we're losing pressure in the forward torpedo room!"

Captain Ensign looked at the damage report and cursed. The Wisconsin was taking too many hits.

"We're done for," Captain Ensign muttered to himself as he surveyed the scene. The Wisconsin had taken a heavy beating in the battle against the imperial forces and now she was sinking fast.

"Hail the human submarine," Someone suddently called out over the radio. "I am captain Vlanikor of the 167th submarine destroyer squadron. You are outnumbered and outgunned. You have no chance against us. Surrender now and you will be spared."

"This is captain Ensign of the USS Wisconsin," Ensign replied with bravado. "You're welcome to try and take us down. But you will not succeed."

"Captain, We need to retreat!"

Ensign hesitated for a moment. He knew that the Wisconsin was no match for the imperial destroyer fleet, she was outnumbered and outgunned. But he also knew that he couldn't let the Empire win. He refused to give up.

"Get the crew to the escape pods," said Captain Ensign.

"I'll take those bastards down with me," he swore, making a decision.

The captain grabbed the intercom and called out to the crew. "We're going down boys, but we're going to take out their cities with us."

"Fire all the Trident missiles," Ensign ordered, his voice cold and angry.

The weapon control officer hesitated.

"Do it!" Ensign shouted. He knew that this would be his last act as captain of the Wisconsin.

The tension in the submarine was palpable as the captain gave the order to fire the missiles.

The weapon control officer pressed the button to launch all 16 Trident IIIs, thus Hell had been loose free.

The Trident III missile is a three-stage, solid propellant, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. It is the most advanced ballistic missile in the United States Navy's inventory and is the primary nuclear deterrent for the United States. The Trident III is a successor to the Trident II missile.

Trident III missiles are launched from the Wisconsin through a process called "hot launch."

In a hot launch, the missile is ejected from the submarine's launch tube using high pressure steam. The steam is created by boiling water in the submarine's nuclear reactor. The launch process is very fast and very powerful. The missile is ejected from the launch tube at speeds of up to 300 miles per hour. The rocket engine ignites and the missile accelerates away from the submarine.

The missile's rocket engine ignites as it leaves the launch tube, and the missile accelerates away from the submarine. The launch process is very dangerous. If something goes wrong, the missile could explode inside the launch tube, causing damage to the submarine. The missile's rocket engine also creates a lot of noise and heat, which can be dangerous for the submarine crew.

The missile is then booster-powered for approximately two minutes, providing enough thrust to lift it above the atmosphere. At approximately 120,000 meter, the second stage motor ignites, propelling the missile to speeds in excess of 20,000 miles per hour. When the third-stage motor fires, within three minutes of launch, the missile is now traveling faster than 11,000 m/s, or Mach 30. Minutes after launch, the missile is outside the atmosphere and on a sub-orbital trajectory.

Each of the Trident III missile carry up to 3 independently-targetable warheads, each of which can be directed to a different target. The warheads are deployed using a Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) system.

The Trident III missiles were away, soaring through the sky towards their targets. Captain Ensign watched the missiles fly towards their targets, knowing that he had just doomed hundreds of thousands of people. But he didn't care. He was taking the bastards down with him.

The captain and the executive officer were the last to leave the submarine. They were in the control room, watching the missiles leave the submarine. Captain Ensign paced around the room as he watched missiles trajectory.

The submarine shuddered as the final torpedo impacted its hull. The lights flickered and went out, plunging the interior into darkness. Water was pouring in through the damaged hull, and the submarine was quickly sinking. The submarine was going down, and there was nothing they could do about it.

"It's been an honor serving with you, Captain," the executive officer said.

"The honor has been mine," Ensign replied.

The captain and the executive officer saluted each other and then left the control room. They made their way to the escape pod, and they were the last to leave the submarine.

The submarine was quickly sinking, and the captain and the executive officer knew that they didn't have much time. They got into the escape pod and launched it towards the surface.

The escape pod quickly rose to the surface, and the captain and the executive officer were able to get out. They watched as the Wisconsin sank beneath the waves.

Captain Vlanikor was waiting for them.

"I surrender," Ensign said tirely.

"Welcome to your worst nightmare," Captain Vlanikor snarled. He would make sure Ensign and his crews wished that they were sunk with the Wisconsin.

HDES Nova Habakkuk, Zeroth Combined Fleet, Indisky Ocean.

From the bridge, Grand Admiral Galarrwuy Noonuccal watched the raging tempest and the towering waves that dwarfed their warships. The ships were buffeted by the towering waves, and the wind screamed like a banshee. Hundreds bolt of lighting constantly illuminated the pitch black storm clouds, and he sighed as the radar operator complained once more that it was on the fritz.

The storm was so fierce that the very air seemed to be alive, with bolts of electricity streaking through the clouds. The waves were so high that they seemed to reach the sky, and the wind was so strong that it seemed to be trying to tear the ships apart.

The storm was awe-inspiring.

It was as if the gods themselves had descended from the sky to wage war against the mortals below. The thunder was like the roar of a thousand lions, and the lightning was like the wrath of the gods.

He had never seen anything so powerful and beautiful. The wind whipped around him, pulling at his clothes and hair. The rain was like needles, stinging his skin. The thunder and lightning were so loud, they seemed to shake the very ground.

The waves were the most impressive sight of all. They towered over the smaller ships, like mountains rising up from the sea. They crashed against the ships, sending spray high into the air. The ships rocked back and forth, as if they were mere toys in the face of such fury.

The thunderstorm wasn't supposed to be this bad, but for all of the advancements in weather control tmagic, the weather continued to be a coy mistress, unwilling to be subdued. It was a reminder that the gods were always watching, and that they were not to be trifled with.

But the admiral was not afraid. He was a master of the sea, and he knew that his ship was more powerful than any storm. Grand Admiral Galarrwuy Noonuccal watched with pride as his ship rode the waves, its mighty engines pushing it forward through the storm.

"At least, the humans won't be able to see a thing on their radar either." He lamented.

Born to a prestigious family of Holy Empire Navy officers, Grand Admiral Galarrwuy Noonuccal was destined for a life of service to his people. Galarrwuy showed great promise, displaying a natural talent for strategy and command. At a young age, he was apprenticed to a shipwright, where he learned the art of shipbuilding. When he was old enough, he joined the Holy Empire Navy, and he quickly rose through the ranks.

At the age of 160, he was given his first command, and he quickly proved himself a capable leader. Galarrwuy soon distinguished himself in many battles. He was the architect of many famous victories against the pirates of the Southern Seas, and his name became legend in the navy thus he was eventually promoted to Grand Admiral.

In recognition of his achievements, the Emperor appointed Galarrwuy as the commander of the Holy Empire's Dragon Carrier Fleet. His fleet is the most powerful in the empire, and it is his duty to protect the empire's shores from all enemies.

Now, as he watches the raging tempest and the towering waves, Galarrwuy knows that his greatest challenge lies ahead. The humans had dared to challenge the might of the Holy Empire, and they would pay for their arrogance with their lives.

Galarrwuy Noonuccal rests his chin on his hand, looking out at the raging tempest waiting for order. The boredom was getting the best of him.

"Hmmm, what do you think, Sriram?" Galarrwuy Noonuccal leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers, gazing at his trusted second-in-command and subordinate, the ever-serious Sriram.

"Hmmm," Vice Commander Sriram mused, gazing out the window at the vast expanse of the sea. It was a beautiful sight, but it couldn't hold his attention for long. His thoughts were focused on the question his Commander, Galarrwuy Noonuccal, had asked him.

"What do I think about what, exactly?"

"About the rumors," Galarrwuy elaborated. "You know, about the princess and her nephew."

It had been some weeks since the rumors of the genius but unorthodox Princess Pina and her young but talented nephew Prince Ainsworth's dating had begun, and it was still a hot topic of debate among the royal court.

Sriram's eyebrows rose. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, Commander."

"Come now, Sriram," Galarrwuy said, giving him an exasperated look. "Don't play coy with me. I'm sure you've heard the rumors that Princess Pina is dating Prince Ainsworth."

Sriram sighed, setting the papers down. He massaged his temples, trying to ease the headache that was threatening. It had been a long day, and it looked like it was only going to get longer. He had, in fact, heard the rumors. They were all anyone in the palace could talk about lately. He supposed it was only natural, what with the prince being so young and the princess being such a genius. But that didn't mean he had to like it. Sriram was too busy for royal gossip. They were, after all, just rumors.

"Really? I hadn't heard that." He lied.

"I find it hard to believe it myself, but the rumors are flying all over the place," Galarrwuy asserted. "It would make sense, though. Pina is a genius and Ainsworth is a talented young prince."

"I'm not sure, my lord," Vice Commander Sriram said slowly. "Princess Pina's a genius, no doubt about that. Hell, she help designed some of the most advanced ships in our fleet," Stroking his chin thoughtfully. "But her methods are unorthodox, to say the least. And her nephew... is just a boy."

"A very smart boy," Galarrwuy countered. "Ainsworth has shown himself to be a tactical mastermind, able to outwit even the most experienced of commanders. The princess and her nephew, Prince Ainsworth, had a bright future ahead of them. They were both talented and ambitious."

"Indeed," Sriram said gravely. "If she were to gain his support, she would be a powerful opponent. Especially if she were to continue to produce such innovative designs as the battleship she created."

Sriram was silent for a moment, before said, "Do you think they're after the throne?"

"It's certainly possible," Galarrwuy replied. "Pina is a genius designer of ships and weapons, and her nephew...well, he is a force to be reckoned with as well. If they were to marry, they could form a powerful alliance. Together they could have a powerful bid for the throne. But they are both very young, and they may not be ready to take on the responsibility of becoming a monarch."

"But do we want them to take the throne? Pina is a brilliant engineer, and Ainsworth maybe a skilled strategist. But they're hardly the most conventional of royals. And if they were to marry, it could cause turmoil in the kingdom. They are a potential threat to the status quo."

Galarrwuy Noonuccal leaned back in his chair, gazing out at the sky as he considered the question his Vice Commander had just posed. It was a rather weighty matter, and one that deserved careful thought.

Finally, Galarrwuy speaks up. "I still believe we should support them."

Sriram looks at him in disbelief. "What? My lord, are you serious? Princess Pina is a genius, there's no question about that, but her unorthodox methods and lack of discipline could lead to disaster for the Empire. We can't afford to take that risk. They present a threat to our way of life."

"She's also a radical," added Vice Commander Sriram. "If she ever gained control of the Empire, she would tear it apart from the inside. We need to support Pina's more traditional brothers like Odysseus, Zorzal and Diabo if we want to keep the Empire strong. They have a great deal of experience in politics and the military."

"I am not sure," the Admiral said. "Odysseus is the best but he lack proven records; Zorzal is a bit of a hothead and unimaginative, I am not sure that he is the best choice for the throne. And Diabo is... well, he is a bit of a legalistic. Not the kind can inspire the mass. The Empire is at war, we cannot afford to have a weak ruler. The people need an innovative and strong leader, and Pina and Ainsworth are the best chance we have. If anyone could make a successful bid for the throne, it was them. If they are successful, they could bring new life and innovation to our empire. Moreover, it's always good to have allies in high places. If they should ascend to the throne, we would have a powerful ally."

Galarrwuy and Sriram continued to discuss the potential implications of Princess Pina and Prince Ainsworth's relationship. They weighed the pros and cons of each possible outcome, but they could not agree on which was better for the Empire.

Sriram was hesitant to support Pina and Ainsworth because he was not convinced that their relationship was genuine. He worried that they were only dating to gain favor with the nobles and that, once they were in power, they would be ruthless dictators.

Galarrwuy, on the other hand, was more optimistic about the couple. He believed that Pina's innovative mind and Ainsworth's strategic brilliance would be a powerful combination. He was confident that they would be good rulers who would make the Empire thrive.

The discussion continued for some time, but neither Noonuccal nor Sriram were able to come to a final decision. In the end, they decided to wait and see what happened.

"Grand Admiral, the new makeshift forward operating air bases are fully operational. We're ordered to launch our air fleet now." Their conversation was cut short as one of his officers informed him.

"Good," Galarrwuy murmured. "Get the Twentieth Dragon Fleet on the sky now." He ordered.

They had to arrive there before night to suppress the enemy air defense. Without air supremacy or even air superiority the whole ground operation would be disastrous.

To prepare for the final assault on Alnus Bridgehead, millions of Imperial ground troops and what rapidly became a stunningly large Imperial air armada settled onto what seemed to be every flat surface in Lemuria.

In seconds, what started as a trickle turning into a stream then grew into a cascade of tens of thousands of wyverns of every color rising high, defying the screaming storm. The wyverns soared into the storm, and the air was filled with the sound of their wings. The wind whipped through their scales and the rain pelted their skin, but the wyverns paid it no heed. They flew onward, their eyes fixed on their targets.

The Grand Admiral watched the scene with a sense of awe. His heart swelled with pride as he watched the sleek, dragon-like creatures soar through the air, their massive wings beating the wind and their sharp claws gripping the bomb. The sailors looked up in fear and amazement, their mouths open in astonishment. They had never seen anything so impressive; the sight of tens of thousands dragon-like creatures flying through the air was awe-inspiring.

Galarrwuy and Sriram had never seen anything like it before, and they doubted that they would ever see anything like it again. They knew that they were witnessing history in the making, and Galarrwuy was determined to make the most of it. These were his finest warriors, the elite of his navy, and they were about to embark on the most daring and dangerous mission in history.

This was the largest wyvern fleet that had ever been assembled, and it was about to launch a surprise attack on the human. They would be crushed under their talons, and their bases would burn. The Admiral could not wait to see the look of terror on the human faces as they were destroyed by his dragon horde. It was time to remind the humans that they were not as comfortable in their superiority as they thought.

Grand Admiral Galarrwuy Noonuccal smiled with satisfaction. This was a victory that would be remembered for centuries.

And now, this was the perfect time to test the power of the Korabl Leda-class floating gun platform, HDES Nova Habakkuk.

"Vergeltung-3 guns energy charge at 100%… Arming of implosion circuitry complete."

Inside Korabl Leda-class floating gun platform, HDES Nova Habakkuk, gunners pumped magical energy into the guns, causing them to glow a bright blue. Magical particles nearby that are reacting started to become visible in the form of shining blue dots that coalesced into the muzzles of the fifty 300mm guns.

"Target: Alnus Bridgehead. Locked."

"All Vergeltung-3 batteries, fire at will!"

"Yes, My Lord!"

The following moment, the Vergeltung-3 guns erupted in a flash of blue, sending out ear-shredding, high-pitched noise all throughout the vicinity.

The moment the guns erupted, it was like the sky had opened up and the blue light was pouring down on everyone. The noise was so loud that it was difficult to think or even hear anything else. It was as if the very air had been ripped apart by the sound of the guns.

The magic shells streak across the sky in a beautiful display of light and power. The Grand Admiral watched with intense concentration as the bright magic shells left the barrels of the super long-range magic cannons and sailed through the air towards the distant skyline. The sight was awe-inspiring; the shells looked like bright stars as they sailed through the sky.

The roar of the Vergeltung-3 guns was deafening, and the air was thick with the stench of ozone. The floating gun platforms rocked back and forth in the waves, and the water was lit up with a thousand flashes of light. The thundering of the guns was like the roar of a thousand lions. The sailors were drenched in sweat as they worked feverishly to reload the guns. The noise was deafening, and the smell of ozone was overpowering.

The vast armada of warships in the Zeroth Combined Fleet let loose a barrage of shells that streaked towards the enemy base like a rain of death. The thunderous roar of the cannons reached Galarrwuy's ears like the voices of a thousand demons. The sight was awe-inspiring, even for the hardened Grand Admiral.

The V-3 super long-range magic cannons had proven themselves in battle, and the Grand Admiral knew that they would be crucial in the fight against the human. He would need to be careful though; the human's warmachines were no joke, and they would be sure to give him a run for his money.

Amphitrite Naval Complex, Tavros mountain, Balaklava, Southern Lemuria.

Balaklava sits on a narrow winding inlet with a width of only 200–400 meters. This small inlet protects the city not only from storms, but also from reconnaissance as it is not visible from any angle from the open sea.

It was a clear morning and the skies were so devoid of particulates that one could see far, far away. Birds sang to the rhythm of the flowing of rivers as the beautiful rays of the morning sun illuminated the mountainside. It was so serene that it felt as if it was not the middle of a warzone. Second lieutenant Eduardo dos Santos Pereira was atop a watchtower on top of the fortress surveying the surroundings and taking in a healthy helping of the fresh morning air, which lifted up his spirits.

"Good morning! Damn imperialists… Come and get some of this!"

He was pretty much in a good mood despite the ongoing war. Even though they've lost command of the sea and their army is on the backfoot, this fortress they've built within Tavros mountain was impregnable–not even a siege from a 100,000-strong army could force its capitulation.

Amphitrite Naval Complex is a massive underground submarine base (also known as Object 825 GTS). The complex is located in the mountain of Tavros, on both sides of which are exits. Caisson gates could be used if necessary to seal the entire complex. An exit to the open sea is provided on the northern side of the mountain. The holes in the rock are neatly covered with camouflage devices and networks.

Object 825 GTS was intended to house, repair and maintain nuclear submarines. The central water channel of the facility, at a length of 1,975 metres, could accommodate up to 35 submarines if necessary, and up to 70 submarines of different classes in all water channels. The water channels have depths up to 26 metres, with widths ranging from 39 to 72 metres. The total area of all facilities in the complex is around 103,000 sq metres, while the total surface area of water stands at 56,000 sq metres.

A special tunnel is used for loading equipment into the base. The complex also includes a repair and technical base, code-named Object 280, designed for storing and maintaining a nuclear arsenal. Submarines could enter and exit the base completely submerged through its underwater access point.

Not even a category-II (nuclear yield of 1000kt) nuclear explosion, dented their impressive defenses. The complex includes an underground network of water channels complete with a dry dock, repair shops, warehouses for torpedoes and other weapons. Additionally it could protect personnel from nuclear fallout. Needless to say, the fortress could easily weather out bombings and artillery bombardment.

And if they were to send in royal marines three or even ten times their size, their well-armed and well-supplied personnel would be ready to kick them out. Due to their excellent camouflage and smart placement of anti-aircraft guns and missiles, not even heavy bombing could take those out. Finally, even if they were to besiege them for a year, their plentiful supplies and water could keep them fighting.

With these in mind, Eduardo's confidence in their fortress was just as unyielding.

Operations command room

"Reiling Naval Base has fallen. They should now be coming to destroy Amphitrite."

With Amphitrite Naval Complex now truly the UEAMDF last naval bastion on the peninsula, the officers were reaching the limits of their stress. Soon, it'll be their turn to fight. With the decisive battle finally at hand, they can't help but tremble in anxiety. Finally, hundreds of thousands of imperial marines–hungry for their blood–were now approaching their mountain fortress.

"They better come! We're going to teach those bastards a lesson!"

They were so fidgety that they felt like jumping the gun. More information was pouring into the room meanwhile.

"Our anti-aircraft guns, mountain railguns, and heavy weaponry have completed preparations. Also, it appears that the enemy naval force is more than 1000 ships in strength."

"Hmph. 1000 ships isn't gonna make this mountain crumble. Even if Balaklava were to fall, we'll shower them with artillery!"

"We have three SeaDragon amphibious assault ships, nine ballistic nuclear submarines with enough SLBM to destroy two nations. In other words, this fortress will never fall."

The SeaDragon is a class of giant Wing-In-Ground-Effect (WIGE, also known as Ground Effect Vehicle/GEV or ekranoplan) ship designed to saturate beaches with either 9720 or 10440 precision-guided glide bombs prior to the landing of troops.

The top deck of the ship's bow may look enclosed, but it can open up to reveal its large open-decked space where rocket launchers installed. A well deck is present amidships, with a magnetic launch ramp for launching and recovering Matador and Picador boats. The ship's aviation facilities support SeaWasp gunships for aerial fire support and reconnaissance.

The SeaDragon is propelled by four giant contra-rotating ducted fans on the stern of the vessel and its design enables the harvest of Surface Effect, greatly reducing draught, and in consequence, drag, in order to increase efficiency and speed at up to 280 knots. A noticeable resemblance could be drawn to the Hydrodrome vehicles, as propulsion are both done via air propellers and both craft can lift itself outside of the water via wings and hydrofoils.

The SeaDragon is manufactured via stereolithography at Alnus Bridgehead as a joint venture through RDA with Itami Group, General Dynamics, IMCorp, and Hexfast.

Unlike their other bases, Amphitrite Naval Complex was bigger and more defensible, earning a lot of optimism from both officers and the enlisted. Regardless, there's still some officers who feel that there isn't much to be optimistic about. In the end, the fortress's capability to be impregnable is their trump card–a very strong one. With all of their other cards being spent, they're now driven to play whatever they have left and everyone is determined to give their all.

As all sorts of emotions criss crossed in their hearts, time heartlessly went on.

・・・

"Hostile contacts on sonar! Hundreds – no, a thousand – enemy torpedoes coming in, distance: 15,000 meters!"

"Battlestations!" Captain Ronaldo de Assis Moreira of the Brazilian Navy immediately yelled as alarms throughout the ship blared. Red lights flashed throughout the ship as he hurriedly gave orders to his SeaDragon flotilla, "Prepare to take off; defend our base at all costs!"

Captain Ronaldo leaned over the railing of the bridge and watched as the torpedoes raced towards the ship. They were closing in fast, and there was no way to avoid them.

"Captain, the torpedoes are coming!" shouted first mate Michaels.

"I see them, Michaels," said Ronaldo. "Hold on!"

"Take off!"

The Neymar raced across the sea, the waves crashing against its hull. The ship four giant contra-rotating ducted fans roared to life, and the giant vessel began to lift off of the sea. With a length of 212 meters, the Neymar was a behemoth of a ship. It was the most advanced ground effect vessel in the Brazilian Navy. It was designed to skim across the surface of the water, using the air underneath to create a cushion that would lift it into the air, a gift from USA.

The torpedoes raced underneath it, just missing their target. Captain Ronaldo breathed a sigh of relief.

"We made it!" Ronaldo shouted as the ship raced away from the torpedoes.

The Neymar flew into the sky, its engines blasting a trail of air behind it. The ship was a massive, imposing sight, and Captain Ronaldo was proud to be its captain.

The Neymar continued to rising up, until it was a hundred feet in the air. The ship was now safe from the torpedoes, and Captain Ronaldo ordered it to turn and head for the enemy giant fleet.

"Bring us around to face the enemy!" he ordered the crew. "We'll show them what the SeaDragon can do!"

All ships of the class carried a single 10 inch (260 mm) railgun in a turret at the rear of the ship. Two 80 mm Bofors guns were carried; a single mount at the bow and another amidships in front of the bridge. In addition, thirty Oerlikon 30mm cannon were carried in single mounts.

However, the main armament were the 75 four-rail Mark 36 automatic rocket launchers and 30 six-rail Mark 30 Rocket Launchers.

"Sir, we have a lock on the lead ship. All glide bombs are ready to launch," reported the weapons officer.

"Fire at will," replied Ronaldo.

The batteries of 7.5 in (190 mm) Rocket Launchers carried by each WIGE (R) soon fired salvoes of rockets in rapid succession. Each ship delivered 10,000 BU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) precision-guided glide bomb in single firing onto the huge imperial fleet- the firepower of 80 battlecruisers.

The BU-39/Bs streaked through the air, leaving trails of fire behind them. Unlike traditional rocket weapons, the SDB offers 360-degree coverage for high and low angles of attack, flying around terrain to hit targets on the back of mountains, or circling back around to a target behind the launch vehicle. It integrated "DiamondBack" type wings which deploy after release, increasing the glide time and therefore the maximum range of 150 km. Its size and accuracy allow for an effective munition with less collateral damage.

Each SDB carries approximately 16 kg of AFX-757 high explosive. Warhead could penetration 3 ft (1 m) of steel reinforced concrete under 3 ft of earth and the fuze has electronic safe and fire (ESAF) cockpit selectable functions, including air burst and delayed options.

The guided bombs were like the wings of death, and they rain down on the imperial fleet with devastating force, destroying ship after ship. Captain Samuel saw in horror as his beautiful ships were turned into floating wrecks. He ordered the crew to abandon ship and dive into the sea. The crew members were shouting and panicking, but Samuel kept his cool. He knew that he had to get his men to safety.

"Jump into the water! Now!" he shouted.

The crew hesitated for a moment, but then they jumped into the water. The captain was the last one to jump. The bombs hit the enemy fleet with pinpoint accuracy causing them to explode in a spectacular display of fire and smoke.

The men on the Neymar cheered. They were victorious.

The sea was soon covered with oil and debris. The survivors were struggling in the water, trying to stay afloat. Some were shouting for help, others were praying for their souls. Captain Samuel was one of them.

Then he saw a bomb coming down towards him. He knew that he was going to die. And he didn't mind. He was ready to meet his maker. But then something miraculous happened. The bomb missed him and exploded far away. He looked up and saw a flock of dragons flying over him. It was the Imperial Air Force.

They had come to save him.

The crew members were swimming frantically towards the nearest ship. Samuel was swimming next to them, but he was being pulled away by the current. He saw one of his sailors being pulled under the water and he knew that he didn't have much time. He swam towards the sailor and grabbed him by the arm. The sailor was kicking and screaming, but Samuel held on tight. He started to swim towards the ship, but the sailor was too heavy.

Samuel started to feel tired and he knew that he was going to let go. But then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and saw one of his sailors. The sailor grabbed onto Samuel and they both started to swim towards the ship.

They reached the ship safely and the sailors started to climb up the ladder. Samuel was about to climb up the ladder, but then he heard a loud explosion. The ship was blown apart and Samuel was thrown into the sea. He was gasping for air, but then he felt something wrap around his waist. He looked down and saw that it was a rope. He was being pulled up to the surface. He saw the sailors looking down at him, but then he blacked out.

・・・

"Huh?"

Still in the watchtower, Eduardo dos Santos Pereira caught sight of a green blemish of sorts in the sea to the east.

"What the fuck is that?"

The blemish gradually turned into a veil as it started to envelope the blue sea. Grabbing a pair of binoculars, he examined what exactly he was looking at.

"It's… moving?"

Before long, the indistinct veil started to appear like it was made out of many dragons.

"Dragons? W-Wait… No… That can't be! Fuck!"

He looked at it again to check if he was not seeing things, but the more he looked at it, the less believable it seemed.

"There's so many of them! There's too many!"

He then shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Enemy attack incoming! Enemy attack incoming! I can't count them! There's too many of them!"

Hearing Eduardo's screams, his superior lieutenant Luciano Pereira da Silva climbed up to the watchtower where he was.

"What's happening?!"

Eduardo's fingers shook as he pointed towards the blemish–now a blanket of darkness. His superior took the binoculars from him and looked at the mass for himself.

"What the–?! J-Just how many are there?! Fuck!"

WooooOOOOO

Air raid sirens began ringing out across the vicinity as soldiers ran towards their positions. It didn't take long for the highly experienced troops to complete preparations and be ready for battle.

Operations command room

"An absurd number of wyverns is approaching!"

Since they no longer have any air units, the only way they could fight the incoming wyverns is through their anti-aircraft guns, which they are yet to use in battle. While the fortress is yet to be damaged in a significant manner, the officers grew pale at the number of wyverns that had come.

"'Absurd'?! Give us the number, dammit! We can't make decisions based on vague information!"

"Estimates are at 45,000 wyverns, sir!"

"Impossible! Their range is limited and they could never prepare enough bases to support that number within their given range! If what you're saying is true, then there should also be an absurd number of dragon carriers nearby!"

Some of them doubted the number. Not only did wyverns need food, but they typically consume a lot, causing their operational and maintenance cost to balloon. They also require runways which need a lot of preparation. With that said, they shouldn't have been able to amass such numbers, let alone launch an attack.

"Just how did they…"

There was no time to think of how they did it. What's true and confirmed is that they're approaching.

The mass of wyverns continued to fly west, blanketing the sky almost completely. Unlike the previous air attacks, the number of participating forces this time was unbelievably high. The wyverns stopped short of entering the range of the fortress's anti-aircraft guns and surrounded it on all sides.

Faced with an aerial siege by an absurd number of wyverns, the soldiers inside the fortress Complex, occasionally hearing their roars, knew that their end was at hand.

・・・

The Neymar was the most advanced and powerful ship in the Brazilian Navy. It bristled with dozens of anti-aircraft guns, each one capable of punching a hole in an attacking bomber. And its mighty engines could propel it through the air at speeds up to 300 knots.

But on this day, the Neymar was not fast enough.

Captain Ronaldo saw in horror tens of thousands of wyverns, a horde of flying creatures that resembled dragons. They were ready to attack his SeaDragon flotilla.

"Fire at will!" Ronaldo ordered the ship's anti-air guns.

The 30mm guns roared to life, blasting huge holes in the formations of wyverns. The wyverns were ripped apart by the explosions, their blood and guts raining down on the ship and the sea below. Captain Ronaldo smiled with satisfaction as he watched the destruction.

"Ha! Take that, you vermin!" Ronaldo shouted.

The Neymar continued to fire, blasting more and more wyverns out of the sky. The creatures screeched in pain and fell from the sky, their bodies disappeared beneath the waves. But still, more and more creatures continued to fly towards the ship. The creatures were everywhere, their leathery wings blotting out the sun. Thousands of fire-breathing wyverns descended on the ship, attaching themselves to its hull with their razor-sharp claws. They tore at the ship with their sharp talons, ripping through metal and plastic like it was paper.

Captain Ronaldo knew that they wouldn't be able to hold off the wyverns horde for much longer. The crew fought bravely, but there was no hope against the wyverns. Many of the sailors were killed, while others were dragged into the sky by the wyverns. The scene was one of utter devastation. The ship was sinking, and the skies were filled with wyverns.

Captain Ronaldo fought until the bitter end, firing his last rounds at the wyverns. As the ship went down, he could only hope that his crew had found safety.

But they hadn't.

The wyverns had massacred them, tearing them limb from limb. There was blood everywhere, and the screams of the dying echoed through the air.

The ship went down with a loud crash, the wyverns still attacking, their fiery breath searing the skin of the sailors. The water was stained red with their blood, and the cries of the dying echoed through the watery depths.

Captain Ronaldo Assis Moreira was one of the last to die, and his final words were a plea for help.

"Mayday, mayday! This is the Neymar of the Brazilian Navy. We are under attack by wyverns! Please send help!"

But his cries for help went unanswered, and the Neymar was lost, its crew dying a brutal and fiery death.

The wyverns continued to attack, their flames spreading to the nearby ships. The carnage was unimaginable, and the screams of the dying sailors filled the air.

The battle was over in minutes, and the ships of the Brazilian Navy. lay in ruins, the sailors dead or dying. The wyverns had won, and they would not stop until the entire Pacific was burning.

"Here they come!"

The enemy wyverns simultaneously turned their heads at the fortress.

"Fire at will!"

The next moment, countless bullets of light emanated from the mountain towards all directions, showering the sky in an equally absurd amount of lead. Those unfortunate to be at the receiving end of those rounds found themselves shredded to pieces. Fortunately for them, however, there were much more of them than there were rounds. The massive ring of wyverns continued to edge closer and closer to the fortress.

Wyverns–especially ones that are capable of taking off from short runways–from the Zeroth Combined Fleet are now closing in on the Amphitrite Naval Complex.