Chapter 15 Last night of an era

On the Dark Guard ship, the commander and various figures gather around a round table with a top-down view of the city and portions of the surrounding forest in it as they discuss tomorrow's operations. Minder Reader Josh reports, "From what I gather from our newest mamono prisoner Violet, I've learned that there is going to be a second attack tomorrow, a small village near the city. They hope that any survivors that manage to escape the city will basically run into that separate group of mamono and be captured. " The image of the city on the table blurs and now shows the village in question in clarity.

The commander speaks up, "We'll deploy a single operator, William, which he'll approach the village first before that group can attack." The commander turns to William who has the same skin and outfit color as everyone in the room except his hair color is white-grey. He and the others looked at the village's layout and continues, "You'll walk to the village just before that mamono strike force attacks and join the guards in their defense. You are free to use lethal force but don't go after them if they decide to retreat. Your objective is simply to repel them." William looks up to the commander, nods his head, and looks back down at the map.

The ship's doctor speaks up, "I believe I've found a solution to the mamono's reproduction problem." All eyes turn towards him as he continues, "They are missing a DNA component which enables them to give birth to male mamono offspring with the potential of giving birth to human babies maybe even human female children as well."

"You have a way of introducing this missing component?" the commander asks.

"Yes and no, in order to correct this flaw, I need to introduce the missing component while the mamono is in a fetus stage where the genetic structure is the most malleable. The current generation of mamono are unfixable but their children aren't. So, I need a subject that is currently pregnant to begin testing." After the doctor's explanation, a couple of people put on an expression of deep thought including the commander before he simply says, "Do it."

At that the doctor nods and walks away while William asks, "Commander, do you want me to go all out or deal with the mamono in a disguise?"

"In disguise but you can use abilities as you see fit, for we'll be revealing ourselves tomorrow. I've already informed the away team about what will be happening tomorrow and how will they play it out."

William nods and the commander asks, "Any other questions?" With no one saying anything only looking at each other thus the commander says, "Very well, make preparations for tomorrow and beyond, for our work will soon begin."

In the mamono holding area, Lucy seems very agitated as she paces across her cell hastily, mumbling to herself while Violet does the same but is more apprehensive. The other prisoners see this and feel an aura of dread as if something big is about to soon happen.

Sally asks, "Is the attack tomorrow really that important?"

Lucy franticly replies, "Yes and Lady Druella will be there tomorrow. She needs to know that she can't win this battle, none of them will win. It'll be a blood bath that only you and the others here have seen."

Sally lowers her head as she remembers the pointless fight to escape and her deceased sister.

"Who sent you and your group to attack them?" Sally looks up and is startled by the anger in Lucy's eyes staring at her as she harshly repeats, "TELL ME, who told you to go and conquer these people?"

"I..I..I.." Sally tries to think about who gave the order but someone else answers for her.

"It was Lady Druella, she sent us into their world and we lost to them. There was nothing we can do from stopping them from gaining the knowledge of our world." A bondage succubus next to Lucy's cell opposite of Sally speaks. "She appointed I, Beatrice to lead an expedition when Lady Druella found an artifact that leads into another world. A world where she felt a human presence in it so two hundred of us investigate and confirm it. We spotted a simple town of humans and our plan was to capture it, intermingle with them and make a permeant connection between worlds." The succubus turns to face Lacy and Sally to reveal a heavily wounded Beatrice as she continues with her story, "My plan was proceeding oh so smoothly and the capturing of the town was nearing completion but a tower no doubt belonging to them activated." She points to a nearby guard to emphasize it was theirs. "They came and we didn't even stand a chance against them. What's worse is we have given them everything and couldn't do anything to stop them. I hope the Demon Lord and her daughters together can stop them or we'll no doubt go extinct." Beatrice shuffles her back against the wall and falls silent.

"My lady, what have you done?" Lucy couldn't believe what she just heard and now knows that Druella is the one who started this. She rests her back against the wall as she slowly sits down and processes this information.

Back in the city, Mary, Michael, and Lizzy discuss tomorrow's plans as the commander informed them about the attack tomorrow morning and what their roles are.

Mary excitedly says, "Tomorrow is the big day, I can't wait to go all out on them. It'll be glorious and bloody."

"We'll see if there will be a fight Mary, maybe once we reveal ourselves they'll surrender." Michael counters.

Lizzy points out, "I don't think so Michael, we know that Lady Druella will be there and from what we have learned is that she is a fanatic conqueror. Spreading her mother's message of unconditional love and peace throughout the world regardless of the consequences. She'll fight us as she has done throughout her life against the Order and anyone who stands in her way."

Mary adds, "Yeah, she'll fight alright and I look forward to fighting her. A daughter of the Demon Lord, a famous one begging for her life at the bottom of my foot with her army to witness. I wonder if my herald will be there as well?"

Michael goes to the window and observes the area below before saying, "I guess we'll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings, for today will be the last day of normalcy for this world then our campaign will begin." He walks away from the window and lays down on his bed to which Lizzy does the same while Mary speaks as she heads to the door, "Well, I think I'll go to the tavern and chat with the locals for a while, maybe get a good laugh from some of their stories."

Michael quickly says, "Just remember not to tell them about the upcoming attack."

Mary waves off his comment and says, "I know, I know or else I'll ruin the fun tomorrow." She closes the door and walks away.

With no more to say, Lizzy and Michael went to do their own thing telepathically until the next morning comes.

Back at the monster camp, Scarlet stands on top of a tree branch overlooking the city as she contemplates her missing subordinates and tomorrow's attack. There is also a tiny feeling of doom that she can't shake off.

"Can't sleep?" A voice breaks Scarlet out of her deep thinking as she sees Lady Druella looking up at her. Druella flies to the same branch and stands next to Scarlet as she also starts looking at the city.

"Yes, ever since the name Carla Johnson been spoken, I've been feeling a sense of dread, like I'm walking myself to a grave with everyone with me." Scarlet's voice hints at fear as she hesitantly looks back at the city.

"Do you think we should delay the attack on the city?" Druella asks.

"I..." Scarlet stumbles at answering the question for she can't help but think back on Lady Druella's promise and commitment to addressing the strange trio present in the city. "I'm afraid that I don't know what to say."

"Hm." The silence between them after Scarlet's answer as they continue to watch the city. After a few minutes, Druella breaks the silence, "I'll admit that tomorrow's battle will be different but no matter how it goes, it'll end the same as it always has been; our victory over the Order. They have not once defeated me no matter what kind of trick or cunning plan they have used against us. Tomorrow wouldn't break their track record of failures and we'll take the city before the moon rises over the sky. Before that happens, it's ok to be afraid, for it's natural for even I was afraid when I first started going after the Order to bring them into our loving embrace. Over the numerous victories, I've been less fearful and more confident in myself and my ever-loyal sisters. But do remember to leave Carla and her friends to me, I'll deal with them and maybe I'll give you the male as a reward from me for him to be your husband."

"I see, thank you Druella." Scarlet's voice sounds reassured as she is about to step off the tree branch.

"Where are you going dear?" Lady Druella asks.

"I think I can sleep now, mistress. Your words have helped me regain my focus and determination for tomorrow's annexation of the city. I'll never falter again for this you have my vow." Scarlet does a light bow and leaps off the branch and slowly hovers down. She walks back to camp leaving Druella to herself as she looks back to the city and slight smile forms on her face as she can't wait to bring this city under her control.

Ok, I know this was a short chapter as well as a teaser for the upcoming confrontation between the two factions and the inevitable battle but I've also updated and fixed all the previous chapters. With them out of the way, I can look to the future and plot how the story will flow after the upcoming chapter so get ready, it'll be intense.