A Pile of Empty Brass

by M3 Luck3y Charms

Tensions had been flaring in the Pacific. Japan along with multiple partners were conducting a massive military drill as a show of force. As relations between the nations were reaching an all time low, everyone was bracing themselves for the unthinkable to happen. Once it did, it came in the form that no one was ever expecting.

10. 6: As The World Watched Part 3

A Pile of Empty Brass | Sora no shinchū no yama

空の真鍮の山

Chapter 6

"As The World Watched"

Part 3

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"In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons. "

- Herodotus

---

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Chiyoda Ward

American Embassy

Currently on the 10th-Floor

Time: 14:32 Hours

---

The Marine attached to the Quick Reaction Force of the Embassy took extra care to avoid the busy staff as he led both Cooper and Sharpe down the congested hallways of the embassy, both nearly colliding with a foreign diplomat who was darting towards an unknown destination. After going down another flight of stairs, before opening an exit door, leading them into another chaotic hallway as state-department contractors and diplomats panicked as they tried making phone calls while different news reports played in the background, the very few people paying attention to it tried to make sense of the situation.

Cooper continued to focus on the Marine leading them so he wouldn't lose him in the crowd. Not that he could. The MARPAT cammies stood out compared to the dull and plain business suits that most of the civilian embassy staff wore.

He would occasionally glance at whatever TV he would pass by, all of them being on a form of news channel the relayed the ongoing crises in Tokyo.

Here he was, in the thick of it all. Yet he still struggled between believing and/or not believing this shit.

Dragons, dragons.

He took a second to eye the suit brushing past them before forgetting the distraction.

Fuck me...

Eventually, Cooper's platoon arrived at the Ambassador's office and pushed into a lavished room turned into a makeshift operations center.

In the centre of the room, Cooper was greeted by the sight of a Marine Gunnery Sergeant in his Dress Blue Deltas, a tan plate-carrier donned over his otherwise crisp and pressed dress uniform, along with the tan MICH kevlar that was missing its helmet camo.

The Gunny fussed with the Ambassador over an unheard conversation before both turned to see Cooper and Sharpe entering the room.

The Ambassador's haggard and wrinkled face lit up like a Christmas tree upon spotting the two, "Rescued at last! Thank God you're here!"

The Gunny let out a gruff laugh, "Welcome to the shit show, gents!"

Cooper eyed the suit before nodding his head, "One moment, sir." He then focused his attention on the Gunny, "What've we got…" Cooper squinted at the tan embroidered ID patch that one on the vest's velcro, "Gunnery Sergeant Chambers…?"

Chambers snorted, "That's what we're trying to figure out. One minute it was business as usual, then the next, I looked outside and saw a tidal wave of civilians running past the embassy." He explained, Cooper nodding as he continued, "By the time I put the detachment on alert and started locking things down, those dragon riders showed up."

Cooper cocked an eyebrow. Has the enemy already advanced this far? He knew the dragons would naturally be utilized as scouts no different than regular cavalry, but the map that had been shown to him at their briefing at Fuji indicated that Ginza - ground-zero - had to be at least several blocks away from them.

If they had scouted them already...

"Alright, what about embassy personnel?" He asked Chambers.

"All accounted for." The Gunny answered confidentially, "I have a team on watch. They have orders to shred the documents if those bastards breach the building. I didn't see a reason to preemptively destroy it all."

"I saw some civvies from outside as we were rappelling in." Cooper recounted, glancing towards the wall at an imaginary window, "Americans looking for protection? Japanese?"

Chambers nodded, saying "As of right now, there are several Japanese civilians trying to get in, but-"

"Right now, we need to secure everything before we can let them in." The ambassador cut him off, Chambers rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, that."

"Everything top secret is either filed away and locked tight or taken to the back." The ambassador continued, "Once then, we can start letting people in."

"And how long is that going to take...?" Sharpe inquired, cocking an eyebrow.

"Erm..." the older gentleman shuffled in place as he rubbed the back of his head, "About ten minutes, maybe?"

"Make it five."

"The Japanese security detail posted outside are keeping things organized," Chambers relayed, adjusting the plate-carrier over his dress uniform, "But if they show up-"

"Is it just you guys?" The ambassador cut him off again, Chambers grinding his teeth as he exhaled a frustrated breath. "Did you bring any tanks? Humvees?"

"Besides us and another company of soldiers from the 82nd, we're it." Sharpe answered.

The ambassador began pacing around upon hearing the news, "This building isn't meant to withstand a siege..."

"Well, our orders are to secure the embassy." Cooper simply stated, "So we'll just have to fortify it, ambassador."

As soon as those words left the lieutenant's mouth, Spades and his platoon sergeant barged into the office, the former out of breath. A moment later, Brett and his Platoon Sergeant file in right behind him.

"Glad y'all could make it." Cooper stated, giving Spades a bemused look as he continued huffing for air.

His dad must've really pulled some strings for him to pass OCS...

Finally, Bannon and the Company Gunnery Sergeant filed into the room, the Captain maintaining a stoic look as his eyes settled in on the ambassador and Det Commander.

"Sir." Cooper greeted his superior, who simply nodded as his eyes settled on Chambers.

"Interesting wardrobe, Gunny." Bannon complimented in a tone Cooper interpreted as playful banter.

"Didn't have time to put on my cammies." Chambers rebutted, smirking and he let out a small chuckle, "I can always get these pressed and cleaned. They aren't my only pair."

"Just giving you shit," Bannon smiled, giving a wink before his eyes settled on the ambassador. "Give me the full situational report."

The ambassador stopped his pacing momentarily to straighten his neck tie, "As I was telling your lieutenant here, our building isn't meant to withstand this kind of siege."

"You have a company of Marines reinforcing this embassy." Bannon reiterated, "The Army's also with us in the form of another company. So we have an additional one hundred and fifty personnel plus here setting up security and checkpoints."

Chambers craned his neck as his eyes glanced over a blue-print of the embassy's layout that was neatly laid out on top of the conference desk, "Be as it may, we don't have anything in place. So until the heavy cavalry arrives in the form of LAR or Amtraks, we'll have to make due with what we have."

"Fine by me." Bannon simply stated,

Cooper blew out a haughty breath. Nothing out of the ordinary.

His attention was diverted to an Army officer barging into the room, followed by an entourage of other officers and platoon sergeants behind him. Cooper read the leading officer's nametape over the OCP plate carrier, "Kerriv" followed by the captain rank patch above it.

"Splendid," Bannon commented at the new arrivals, "Now we have a full house. We can actually begin discussing the Battalion Order." his gaze over at the Army officers and staff non-commissions as they looked over with them, "Let's discuss where we want to place our boys and how to better help those people outside. And God forbid if those shit-birds try launching an attack on this embassy."

The Army Company Commander, Captain Kerriv, nodded in agreement with a simple "Sounds good to me."

Cooper's lips formed into a thin line as military personnel and embassy staff discussed the whos, whats, whens, wheres, and whys, which platoon would be where, the size and numbers of enemy forces, the fun things that came with a full debrief as he pondered where he and Sharpe would be in this puzzle piece.

---

Location: Chou Ward

Downtown Ginza

Miki's Boba Cafe

Currently in the cafe's storage closet.

Time: 14:41 Hours

---

After being cramped in the dark storage room for what seemed like a couple of hours, Sonia held her breath as she quietly cracked the door open, being extra mindful not to make any sound as she peered through the small gap.

She could only catch glimpses of the oddly dressed attackers as they passed by her field of vision, which had been compromised by the nearly claustrophobic narrow hallway where the storage closet had been where they chose to seek refuge in.

The attackers continued to mill about the streets as they inspected the massacre they unleashed on the pedestrians. They were talking amongst themselves in a language she did not recognize. However, it wasn't the language that was the centre of her focus.

All of them were dressed in body armour that reminded her of the Romans from that Gladiator movie she watched when she was younger.

Then there were the weapons. Which again, she had only seen in history books or historical movies.

Romans? Were they cosplayers? Terrorists? No. They moved too soldier-like. Too military. She witnessed exchanges between the Roman-dressed soldiers, courtesies and gestures only performed by a uniformed military with an established hierarchy and command structure.

Her heart jumped into her throat when she saw two of those Roman-dressed soldiers peer in through their cafe's window, their eyes scanning to and fro as they searched for more victims. She stayed frozen, praying to God that they had not spotted her through the small crack she peered behind. Her prayers seemed to have been answered when they made no sudden movements to indicate they noticed her, instead, their attention being of the dead bodies of the workers and few patrons in front of the entrance.

"Nanite kotoda…" She heard Mitsuki whisper, the words escaping her lips before she could stop them. Suzuha covered her mouth to prevent her from saying anything more, holding their breaths as they listened. Had the Romans heard her?

Apparently not, as the Romans took a final look around the cafe's interior before moving away from the scene and fading into the background.

But those two certainly weren't the only ones. Should could still hear the distant screams and pleas in Japanese of people trying to escape or surrendering to these attackers. The shuffling and crashing as objects were overturned. The smashing of windows. The heavy and metallic boots marching on concrete.

No, this was far from being over.

It would only be a matter of time before these lunatics would begin going store to store looking for survivors.

Sonia stared at the push door that served as their only barrier of protection. No locking mechanism, as she discovered.

She gritted her teeth.

If this door was able to lock, they could've just waited this disaster out. But if those Romans began searching inside the cafe and found out this door had no method of locking...

She clenched her eyes. There was nothing worth nothing that could be an effective barricade. She was positive most of the cooking appliances were bolted to the floor. Even if they weren't they'd no doubt make too much noise if they tried moving it, practically advertising to these Roman-dressed attackers that they were hiding inside.

They needed to be out of there, and fast.

She turned to her younger sister, who's cheeks were wet from frightful tears that leaked from her eyes that were only visible from the backlight of her phone screen. She exhaled, asking, "Have you had any luck calling dad?"

Lisa shook her head, her Samsung on dark mode as she made yet another call.

She frowned, a dozen scenarios going through her head. None of them were exactly good as she tried to shake the negative emotions out of her head. The embassy had to be several blocks away from here, guarded by men such as her father that were armed to the teeth. From what she witnessed, these people only carried swords and spears.

No way would they be able to take her father and his men on.

"We can't stay here," She said in a hushed tone, feeling the fearful eyes of her classmates and store manager gaze upon her as if she had an answer for their situation, "From what I've seen, the streets are full of these attackers. I'm positive if they'll start searching inside the stores soon if they haven't already."

"G-go out?! O-out there?!" Suzuha could hardly keep her tone down, Mitsuki being the one to cover her mouth this time.

"Only if there's another way out of here besides the front door." Sonia replied, glancing at the store keeper as Mitsuki quietly translated to him. He shakily pointed towards the back of the store, whispering something she couldn't hear from where he crouched at.

Mitsuki looked up, "There's a backdoor entrance that leads to an alleyway out back, he said." She paused as Hiro said something else, "He says it should lead to the backstreets towards Chou ward."

Chou ward. That's adjacent to where the American embassy was at.

Where her father was at.

"Okay..." She breathed out. Her heart was pounding fast, trying her best to get her jumbled mind coherent enough to articulate the plan she had drawn up. "Our safest bet is to try to head towards the embassy. I know it's a bit of a walk, but we have the best chance of protection there."

"That's... that's too far..." Suzuha protested, trying to keep her voice low, "We should head to the nearest police station or the nearest kubon."

"I've thought of that, too." Sonia admitted, pausing for a bit before saying, "I think the police have been overrun. At least, in Ginza. Isn't the Tokyo metropolitan headquarters in a different ward?"

"I... I think it's in Chiyoda..."

"Which is about as far..." Sonia sighed, "If you want to head to the police station, I won't stop you. But I feel like our best chance is at the embassy that have troops more heavily armed than the police. No offense to your police officers, but compared to the Marines manning the embassy, they're more than trained to deal with what we've been seeing."

"But we could die out there...!" Yasutoki declared in a hushed whisper that Sonia feared might've been too loud.

Silence lingered in the room, the older blonde letting the weight of Yasutoki's words sink in, the reality of it being that there was no denying the validity of his claim.

"Yeah, you're right…" Sonia admitted, her sister and classmates staring at her with frightful teary eyes, all jumping when they heard the sound of a window being smashed nearby.

"We could very well die out there… But we'll definitely die if we stay here..."

She could hear Mitsuki break down in a frightful sob, Suzuha rubbing the younger girl's shoulder as she too tried to keep her own tears in check. Hell, it was taking everything Sonia had to not break down crying with them. She had to be strong for them. To give them a sense of direction and to appear as if she had everything under control.

One stray tear of her own could destroy that illusion.

"If... If you think that is the best choice..." Suzuha stammered, stifling a stray tear with a trembling hand, "Then... I trust your judgment..."

Yasutoki grumbled something before clearly saying, "I still think it's stupid to go out... but you are right... they will be coming in here... and I don't want to be here when that happens..."

"Do I even have a choice...?" Lisa snickered, more so to keep her own fear at bay, but Sonia welcomed it. She meant she was still holding it together.

The others took a little more convincing, namely Hiro and the other two boys, but thankfully they all came to an agreement that the embassy was their safest bet.

With everyone in agreement, that left Sonia to discuss how they were going to get there.

Collecting her thoughts and with a professional tone, Sonia whispered "Mister Hiro has Suzuha and Yasutoki," She stated as she pointed at the older man and her two oldest classmates. She then faced the two male students whose names she had yet to learn, "You two will be with Lisa and Mitsuki." The young Japanese girl translated Sonia's orders to their two male classmates, who both responded with a fish-out-of-water look, as if they felt inadequate for the task at hand.

"I'll be up front." She swallowed, trying to keep her own anxiety in check. "Again, we all need to stay quiet. Watch your steps and follow me. The embassy's a bit of a walk, but if we hurry, we will reach it there in an hour and it should be safe. My dad's there, so..." with an awkward smile, "Should let us in, alright."

More nods, a few silent whimpers, but thankfully no protests.

"Okay... going to scout ahead to see if the coast is clear... wait here in the meantime..."

Sonia silently counted to ten, then did it twice more before she dared to move a muscle. Removing herself from the closet, she tip-toed towards the back of the cafe, careful as to not attract any unwanted attention. After a few tense seconds, she lightly tapped the storage's door, signaling the others the coast was clear for them to come out.

With as small movements as she could, Suzuha was the first one to venture out, half-way out of the storage closet before stepping on one of the discarded plastic cups that had been abandoned when they fled into the hallway, the crunch being far too audible than Sonia would've liked.

Again, Sonia scanned their location, making sure no unwanted visitors had peered into the cafe.

Thankfully, no outsiders appeared, Sonia giving her hapa classmate a scolding stare before motioning the others to come out.

Hiro and Yasutoki stepped out next behind each other, the male teen brandishing a mop as if it were a spear, loose strands of cloth still damp from recent use

Sonia shook her head. Better than nothing, I guess...

Lisa and the male teen that had been flirting with her earlier emerged next, Sonia resisting the urge to narrow her eyes upon seeing the boy holding her hand as if he were a knight in shining armour rescuing a princess in distress.

Don't get too cocky, Romeo...

She let it slide, seeing as how it apparently calmed her sister down. The more she kept it together, the better it'll be to make the trek out of Ginza.

Last came Mitsuki and the other teen, who wasn't holding her hand like "Romeo" had been with Lisa. If anything, he seemed far too worried about keeping himself safe rather than the more fragile girl he was supposed to be protecting.

After several more moments of gathering their bearings, Sonia tip-toed towards the back of the cafe store. She found the backdoor, the green neon exit sign occasionally flickering.

She made the "halt" hand gesture that her father taught her, everyone coming to a grinding halt as her shaky fingers reached for the door knob. With her heart throbbing hard against her chest, she turned the knob, the heavy door letting a small metallic groan that was far louder than what she would have liked.

A few tense seconds passed, the blonde trying her best to not shiver from the overwhelming adrenaline flowing through her body. She scanned left and right, nearly jumping when she heard a distant sound of what sounded like drums and a trumpet echoing off the tall buildings surrounding them. Other than the background noise of the ongoing battle around them, the coast was clear.

She motioned Yasutoki to come over to where she stood, the male classmate taking small strides so as to not step on anything that would advertise their position.

Once he was within touching distance, Sonia told him, "I'm going to look outside and see if the coast is clear. I'll let you know if it is or not. If it is, signal to the others to come outside. Do you understand?"

The Japanese boy looked at her for a second before nodding his head vigorously, "Hai-.. Y-yes!"

She nodded, slowly exhaling before opening the door more, "Should anything happen... just get them back inside the storage closet...

With that, she stepped outside, the warm afternoon air breezing through as if mundane.

The alleyway was narrow yet clean, mitigating the need for her to check her steps lest she step on anything loud and give her position away. The alleyway was shaped as a "T", the blonde keeping herself pressed against the wall in an attempt to be as low profile as possible.

She made it towards the edge of the alleyway, the right entrance leading into the main street.

She saw a line of Japanese people bound and gagged, their hands bound to a single line of rope as they were led by a couple of Romans down the street, some being shoved for being too slow.

Male, female, young, old, it apparently didn't matter to them. These Romans were taking any and everyone who surrendered to them.

She looked left to where the other entrance was.

Almost the exact opposite was happening. She could hardly make out anyone on the adjacent street save for maybe a few stragglers trying to get out of dodge. More importantly, the lack of Romans patrolling the streets.

It became a no-brainer that this would be where they would make their escape.

She turned towards where Yasutoki had been anxiously peering through the cafe's backdoor, signaling him that the coast was clear. He poked his head back inside, making a gesture she couldn't see. Soon, he and the others started filing it outside, trying to match Sonia's method of keeping against the wall to make themselves as obscured as possible.

Mitsuki was the last one to exit. No sooner had she stepped out that they heard the telltale sound of glass shattering inside the cafe, followed by foreign shouting that certainly didn't sound Japanese.

Crap!

Everyone hastened their pace, Sonia and the others making a break towards the nearly empty streets. She kept running, occasionally looking back to see if her classmates and Hiro were able to keep up. Whether from being in peak physical shape or just simply fueled by adrenaline, no one managed to lag behind as they made the long run towards where the embassy was.

They all let out a breath of relief as they came to one of the backstreets of the residential area that border on Chou ward, where the streets were mostly empty save for a few other stragglers who were also trying to escape and looking for a place to hide. She saw residents peeking outside their curtains trying to observe the chaos outside.

Which could only mean those lunatics haven't made it that far yet

Somehow miraculously, they had successfully trekked across from the heart of Ginza into the outskirts of the ward without making contact with the enemy.

And they were that much closer to being safe within the confines of a facility and heavily armed troops guarding it.

We can make it through this… we can make it…

We can make it…

---

Location: Chou Ward

Downtown Ginza

Time: 14:59 Hours

---

Weak.

That's what the Primus of the north-western Legion regarded these people as his sword made contact with the surrendering peasant begging before him, the sharp blade cutting off his pitiful pleas of mercy. The primus need not speak their language to recognize the cowardly display of begging for one's life, the very notion making his blood boil.

He watched this peasant stumble onto the ground, clutching his crimson-soaked neck in a vain attempt to keep from bleeding out. In one last futile attempt of prolonging his life, he reached out a bloody hand for centurion's boot, guttering something the Primus couldn't care to understand.

With a swift kick, the peasant was knocked flat on his back, choking on his own blood as his breathing became heavily labored before it finally ceased altogether.

Weak and pathetic.

This was the fate of those who dared surrender to the Primus and the section he commanded, a believer of the way of the warrior. Surrender, in his eyes, was seen as the ultimate shame that one could bestow upon themselves. It mattered not if they were soldiers or mere peasants. One should be expected to fight his opponent to the bitter end, meeting death with dignity instead of wallowing pitifully on the ground.

This was the mindset each soldier in the north-eastern Legions of the Imperial Army held. This warrior mentality served them well against the Beastmen of Athubia, who more or less held the same radical beliefs. It served his ranks well in their campaign to annex the barbarian rabbit-warrior tribes.

And it was going to serve them well again for this raid to take what they wanted, trying to find glee and honour in combat.

Except, it was pitifully laughable that these people offered no form of resistance outside their Cohortes Urbanae with their ballistic weaponry. They were the only ones who were remotely deserving of an honorable death, despite their cowardly tactic of hitting his ranks from a far distance. Other than that, these people fled at the very first opportunity, a move that automatically put these other-worlders on the Primus' shit list.

Capture them. Kill only if necessary...

What rubbish...

Cowards simply do not deserve to live. He had his doubts they would be of any real use to the Empire. Snakes who would probably side with whatever treason and rebellious acts so long as they could weasel their way out.

"Sire!" A principal legionnaire shouted, kneeling before him. "Our scouts have stumbled upon a stronghold of some sorts."

"Oh?" The Primus cocked his eyebrows as blood continued to drip from his blade, "Have the enemy soldiers finally shown themselves?"

"It would appear so, according to the skirmishers who-!" The Principle was cut off when one of the centurions barged in, his face red and his nose wet with snot.

"Sire!We just came into contact with the enemy's forces!" He erupted into a coughing fit before he managed to recompose himself, "They employed some sort of sorcery! Summoning miasma that poisoned our flanks!"

"Miasma?" The Primus tilted his head, "So those snakes lied to us about this word being devoid of magic users."

"We're not too sure if it was magic, sire!" the Centurion coughed once again. "It's probably some contraption they came up with with their bizarre technology."

"I see," The Primus nodded, "What did you see the defenders armed with?"

"Crossbows that hurl out some explosive magic towards their targets!" he reported, the Primus wiping the blood off his sword with a white cloth, "Shall we capture them and bring them over to the Gate? Surely they will contribute to building upon Sadera."

The Primus pondered, sheathing his sword as he gazed up upon the sky. They had orders to not get into conflict with their forces if they made themselves known.

Yet…If he could capture a few of them and bring their tech back with them…

"How many are defending this stronghold?" The Primus asked, returning his gaze to the Centurion.

"Our scouts have counted several dozens." He recollected. "They're currently barricading the castle's wall,but their defense is laughable at best."

"Okay, then." The Primus smirked, hunger and ambition in his eyes. "Pass the word to Legate Veliar. I'll be taking my legion to assault their stronghold and capture what technology these defenders have. Leave a few of them alive so they can explain their tech to us."

"Yes sire!" Both men bowed before running off to get the Primus' assault force ready.

---

Location: Chou Ward

Imperial Castle

Defence Perimeter established by the Japanese SAT team outside the Castle walls.

Time: 15:07 Hours

---

Itami had to admit, the sight of four Ground-Defence Force chinooks landing onto the spacious imperial garden had to be an iconic moment captured by those who could point their cameras and snap the picture.

He ducked over, squinting to shield his eyes from the gusting winds from the chopping rotor blades and jet exhaust. Men piled out from the Chinook's ramp, being led by a Jietai captain as they made their way towards where the police had set up their defenses.

Itami stood at attention, giving the captain a crisp salute, "2nd Lieutenant Itami Youji! Ground-Defense Force!"

"At ease, Lieutenant!" the captain shouted over the roars of the chinooks, "It is just you on site?! Any other Defence Force members?!"

"Just myself and two American servicemen providing aid!" he answered, pointing his thumb at Fitzgerald and Taylor, who awkwardly stood there as Itami explained the situation.

The captain cocked his eyebrows, glancing at the two Coast Guardsmen in their civilian attire, "The Americans are deployed in Tokyo?!"

"I don't think they are!" he answered, albeit with some slight hesitation, "They were on vacation when shit hit the fan! They decided to simply offer assistance to myself and the SAT and police here in protecting the hundreds of civilians we have inside the castle walls!"

"Sir!" The police sergeant shouted as he ran up to the arriving Ground Defense Force unit, saluting the captain who returned a salute of his own, "We're currently assigned to defend the Imperial Family and the civilians inside at all cost! The SAT teams from Chiyoda are now organized and beginning to make their push inside Ginza to regain control of the situation!

"You guys have done a great job!" The Captain congratulated, "The Defense Force has been mobilized to assist you take back the city. My section is a part of the Quick Reaction Force assigned to reinforce the security of the Imperial Palace!"

Itami blew a breath of relief. Good! The Diet finally got their heads out of their asses and authorized their deployment. And in the timespan of an afternoon, no less! Certainly an improvement over March 11th.

Yet.

"QRF?!" Itami shouted, looking at more Jietai rushing too and fro the grounded Chinooks as they brought forth equipment, "When does the main element arrive?!"

"In a couple of hours at best!" was the captain's response, "We're trying to clear the highway of traffic for the nearest element from Chiba to make their way here! Until that happens, we're it!"

"Figured as much!" Itami sighed, already resigned that help will be delayed indefinitely. This wasn't a movie after all. A movie where the military would magically be there within the hour to fight the threat at hand. Especially in a city where traffic would no doubt be clogged with people trying to get out of the epicenter of it all. Plus, the strenuous tasks of recalling troops who were on leave, sleeping, or otherwise not on base when the horn sounded. Then of course, the time it gets issued their rifles and the supply chain of logistics set up to support combat missions.

I do not envy the people who plan around all this…

More Chinooks appeared over the Tokyo skyline, Toyota humvees and LAVs dangling from cables underneath their fuselage as they airlifted them onto the imperial garden. Both Jietai and SAT members were quick to unload the cables, teams mounting inside the newly acquired vehicles and soldiers took over the mounted Browning M2s over the turret hatch. More chinooks brought in more equipment such as sandbags and barricade mounts, the crew chiefs and flight engineers doing their part on trying to offload their cargo as fast as possible.

Itami glanced up at the sound of jet engines roaring by, squinting to see the faint outlines of FA-18 Hornets and F-15 Eagles circling above the skies of Tokyo, unsure if the F-15s in particular were Japanese or American. It then dawned on him the apparent lack of wyverns flying around the city now.

We have control of the sky…

He snapped out of his trance, helping the captain and police set up defenses with the newly arrived equipment. Naturally, Taylor and Fitzgerald tried lifting their hands to provide assistance in any way they could, the Japanese police chief having accepted their help, albeit begrudgingly. Machine gun nests were set up, section leaders ensuring each nest had overlapping positions and covered their flanks, M2 browning machine guns were sitting on top of tripods along with extra ammo cans carrying belts of 50cal rounds. Additional sandbag forts were set up by the castle's entrance manned by fireteams, who were supported by two humvees positioned in front of the entrance, their gunners training their machine guns as they scanned for any threats in the AO.

All in all, it took a lot quicker to get everything set up than Itami would have thought possible. Perhaps the constant fear of a counter-attack from the legionnaires had put a fire on everyone's ass to quickly erect defenses to protect the thousands seeking refuge inside.

The final Chinook took off after unloading its cargo just as one of the SAT officers approached the police sergeant and GSDF captain, "Sir! Drone feed is picking up a sizable force heading towards the Imperial Palace as we speak!"

Speak of the devil…

Wiping the sweat from his eye, Itami dashed over to where the officer was showing the leaders a tablet he held, the screen depicting overhead drone footage of the outer ward where formations of legionnaires were marching professionally down the street, navigating around the abundant abandoned cars.

Itami squinted at the street layout before his blood turned ice cold.

That's the street right next to us!

Thankfully, the police chief and JSDF Captain were quick to see it too.

"Everyone, into positions! We're about to have heavy contact!"

"It looks like there's a thousand of them!" The Police Chief added, his tone urgent to convey the situation to his section he was in charge of.

Both SAT officers and Jietai rushed to their defensive positions, weapons drawn and pointed towards their sections of fire.

Itami ushered both Taylor and Fitzgerald with them, running towards the police headquarter van before stopping short of the sergeant.

"We need weapons." Itami stated, the Police Sergeant giving him a perplexed and bemused look.

The Police's face twisted before replying with "Look, I can bend the rules and arm you, Lieutenant Itami. But no way in hell am I handing out weapons to American tourists!"

"They're American soldiers! Marines trained in combat for this exact scenario!"

He could see both Taylor and Fitgerald gave him looks as if he insulted their mothers. He held his finger out to shush them before they could correct him on their correct branch of service.

"I will take full responsibility for them and whatever weapons you issue! Right now, we need all hands on deck! You said it yourself! There's thousands of them coming right now and we're severely undermanned until the main element gets here! We don't have time to wait!"

The Police Chief shifted uncomfortably in place, eyeing both Itami and the two Americans before the chorus of trumpets and horns blared down the street around the corner.

Cursing underneath his breath, the Police Chief opened the back of the van, pulling out a weapons bench that had submachine guns nearly displayed on their racks.

"Those two cause any trouble or lose my weapons, it's your ass, Lieutenant! Put them back in the van when you're loaded!"

The Police Chief ran off to direct the SAT officers who were holding the line.

"Marines…?!" Taylor asked in an incredulous tone, "Really?!"

"You and I both know he would not have agreed to arm you had I told them you were Coast Guardsmen."

Fitzgerald opened his mouth to offer a form of rebuttal, yet struggled to come up with anything.

"Fair…"

Itami pulled out three MP5A3 Submachine guns from the rack, handing two of them to both Fitzgerald and Taylor.

"Taylor, Fitzgerald, have either of you ever handled an MP5 before?"

"Yes sir," Taylor replied, "On a couple of raid exercises on our cutter.".

"Good, then we can skip the weapons tutorial."

Itami grabbed a few 30-round 9mm magazines that had been filled with rounds, handing a few of them to both Coast Guardsmen before putting the weapons bench back into the van.

Fully loaded, the three men headed towards a hastily assembled barricade built by the JGSDF detachment that was reinforcing the Imperial Castle. The three of them took spots against it, all of them going over their gear just as another set of trumpets and horns played across the streets in front of them.

There, the medieval army turned the corner, their numbers far larger than the previous section they dealt with. All marching in perfect sync as metal boots clacked loudly on the concrete street.

Of course, Itami wouldn't have minded having a couple of Apache gunships making a strafing run with their 30mm cannons, turning these Romans into chunks of mince-meat. But he knew the return of Christ would happen before the Japanese government gave the okay for JSDF air assets free reign to engage ground targets in downtown Tokyo. Especially since there are no doubt still hundreds of innocent civilians still trapped deep behind enemy lines who would no doubt be caught in the collateral damage.

Ah well.

"Here they come…!" Itami brought the MP5 across up, extending the buttstock to allow the weapon to rest against his shoulder. "Make you ID your targets before you fire. Taking a huge risk here, so don't make me regret this. Okay?"

"We won't Lieutenant Itami." was Taylor's reply.

The medieval army marched closer, the Police Sergeant with the megaphone ordering the Army to halt before they were fired upon.

Of course, like the previous ones before them, they ignored the Police Chief's demand.

The SAT officers fired the CS canisters into the marching crowd, cause the ranks to become jumbled as some of the foot soldiers panicked and choked on the gasses.

But that seemed to matter little as the horn sounded, followed by the warcries of men charging forward into the fray.

The defensive line erupted in a chorus of gunfire, the sight of these medieval soldiers falling in a hail of gunfire.

Itami scanned for targets that were within his MP5's effective range.

He spotted a large green ogre who was charging with a large club in its hand.

Itami brought the MP5 to his shoulder and pulled the trigger. The weapon bucked in his hands as the first three rounds exploded from the barrel. Two of the three shots missed and one struck the immense green ogre around the chest area of its leather armor before Itami was pulling the trigger again and again.

The ogre stumbled in the face of the attack, but it did not go down. It snarled in evident rage as it raised the club-like object, making a beeline towards Itami's position. Its rewards for its bravery came in the form of a 50 calibre round that took off a good chunk of its head. The ogre dropped like a sack of potatoes, another one taking its place as its face became entwined in an expression of rage upon witnessing its fallen comrade. The green hulk was similarly brought down in a hail of gunfire before Itami even had the chance to sight in on his weapon.

Little by little, the incoming wave of hostile romans became thinner from being cut down by continuing overlapping fire, the experience akin to shooting fish in a barrel.

And yet, they still kept coming despite it all, their war cries giving off a false sense of bravado as they continued their charge against their defenses. Certainly a far cry from the first wave that was dealt with with relative ease, all things considered.

Veterans. Experienced soldiers, hardened by conflicts Itami had yet to be aware of. Probably excited by the prospect of a glorious death in battle.

It was the only logical explanation Itami could come up to explain the insanity of it all.

By now, there had to be dozens of corpses that littered the streets, a pair of both SAT members and GSDF QRF Jietai reloading their magazines while another fires in their place. From what Itami could see, it appeared as if the romans had eased up from their human wave assault, opting to hold their formation in the middle of the streets with their shields raised instead of blindly charging forward.

Four flying silhouettes zoomed appeared from behind the rear of the formation, circling above before making a beeline straight to the centered-most police checkpoint.

Squinting, he brought his MP5 up, yet held his fire. At first, he thought they were more wyverns that the air forces had not dealt with yet, but upon a closer glance, he realized they were far too small to be wyverns.

No, they were…

Humans…?

He then saw their arms, or rather, what should have been arms. Instead, they were long-feathered wings of different colours from each of the flying humans that were flapping with as much of a natural smooth motion from that of a bird.

Harpies!

Despite their human stature, they were unbelievably fast, having reached the police checkpoint within seconds before they began to circle around it.

It was then he noticed the jars they carried on their clawed bird-like feet, flaming rags coming out of the opening where battle caps should have been.

Molotovs?!

The harpies all swept down as if in sync, nose-diving right over the police checkpoint they had chosen as their target.

Knowing exactly their intention, Itami shouted, "Take cover!"

Some of the SAT officers tried to squeeze off a few shots at the winged humanoids, but the harpies flew both too fast and with a graceful maneuver that surprised him as well as the others who witnessed the attack run.

They all retreated back to the safety of the rear of the roman formation after dropping their "payload", the four flaming bottles falling with the speed of a rocket before violently exploding on top of the police cruiser and surrounding area. At first, the police cruiser appeared to be the only casualty from the aerial bombardment, the five SAT officers managing to evade the homemade explosive that now almost completely engulfed the police cruiser, only getting droplets of the corrosive liquid that wasn't ignited from what Itami could see.

However, instead of the flames dissipating from the lack of flammable materials around it, they only seemed to intensify, the police cruiser becoming completely consumed as if it were in a violent car accident. The officers who were utilizing it as a barricade backed away in stunned silence, one of them shouting on the radio of their current predicament.

That's when it happened.

The fire from the ablaze cruiser started creeping towards the retreating SAT officers who moments ago were using it for cover as they laid down suppressive fire on the incoming roman billigerants. It was slow at first, Itami almost not noticing it until the fire darted towards the nearest officer with a movement of a coiled snake lunging for an attack.

The flames wrapped itself around the stunned officer, who let out a blood curdling scream as his body was set ablaze.

The fire itself appeared alive, moving in a rhythmic motion akin to an actual serpent if Itami had ever seen one. It "slithered" fast through the air and into another pair of SAT officers, also setting the two on fire when they came into contact with it.

Itami watched in horror at the defenders writhing in agony as they desperately attempted to put out the inferno that engulfed all over them, the flames not showing any signs of dissipating despite their best efforts to douse them.

A SAT officer rolling on the ground was picked up by another officer, only for the fire to briefly engulf them both, leaving two men, alive, on fire, screaming as they tried to put out the flames spreading across their uniforms.

"Holy shit!" Taylor shouted, wide-eyed as he attempted to leap over their sandbag fort and run towards and offer assistance towards the burning officers. Itami grabbed the back of his shorts before he managed to climb over the wall, yanking him back down into the earth.

"Hey, what the hell?!" Taylor yelled out, giving Itami an incredulous look before returning his gaze to the burning officers.

"We can't touch them! Otherwise, the flames will consume you too!" he pointed, just as another officer attempted to swat the flames of a new victim of the flame attack, only for the flames to ignite on his hands before quickly spreading towards the rest of his body like a swarm of locusts.

"You've got to be shitting me!" Fitzgerald shouted, frustration in his voice as he pounded one of the sandbags.

"We have to do something!" Taylor cried out, "We can't just let them burn to death!"

Itami gritted his teeth when presented with this dilemma. Attempting to offer any assistance to his burning comrades would only put himself and the others at risk. At the same time, he couldn't just stand by and helplessly watch them burn to death.

These flames weren't natural. That much was obvious. Someone had to be controlling them. Magic? A spell? On a normal day, he would never consider such possibilities. In fact, he had nearly cringed when the idea popped in his mind, almost immediately dismissing it. But after seeing the orcs, beastmen, and harpies, he wasn't ruling out other possibilities of what this roman-wannabe army might have up their sleeves.

Someone or something was manipulating the flames, which meant they needed to be neutralized as quickly as possible to prevent further harm to him and his men.

His eyes scanned the crowd of the romans who were now inching their way forward onto their positions as chaos ensued, darting eyes desperately trying to locate anyone who fit the criteria of who could be a mage or spellcaster controlling the flames. It was the only thing he could do with the situation presented to him. He couldn't risk helping his burning comrades at the expense of his own safety, nor would he intentionally try something stupid like try to run through all of them out there with guns blazing to find the spell caster causing all of this. Looked cool in the movies, but it would've been suicide with their limited supply of ammo they carried on their person.

The "living" serpent-flame came around for another pass, this time, hitting a JSDF machine gun nest the QRF had hastily set up right by SAT barricades, both the nest and Jietai members were set ablaze. Despite the material of their uniforms and equipment being flame-retardant, the roaring flames still clinged onto them as they desperately attempted to douse them with barely any hint of success.

As if taunting them, the living flame made another pass, this time targeting the machine gun nest adjacent to where Itami and the Coast Guardsmen had taken up positions. His world briefly went into a blinding white orange as the Jietai either ducked or were also the new victims to be set on fire.

A horn sounded, followed by a loud warcry as the new wave of Romans broke into a dead-sprint, making a beeline towards the defensive line they held.

"They're rushing at us!" Itami called to both Taylor and Fitzgerald, "Weapons free! Engage at will!"

Remaining SAT Officers and Jietai QRF sections laid down suppressive fire at the incoming horde, the roman responding in the form of arrows that slammed into the sandbags and metal door from the police cruisers, followed by another wave of whistling stones.

On top of the living flames continuing its attack uninterrupted.

Did these romans' concept of warfare include needlessly sacrificing large numbers of foot soldiers to secure their objective? At first, it reminded him of some of his previous military exercises where the chaos seemed to reign supreme, even though the opposing teams were almost operating within the framework of a thoughtfully laid out and executed plan.

This was different, somehow. To Itami, it felt as if these fantasy-Romans were improvising in the face of unexpected difficulty.

Several guys were dragging the wounded back where they could as the flames continued to rush across the open area like an eraser across a board. Some of the guys on the ground weren't moving. But the flames still rolled over them again, prompting screams.

Two Mitsubishi Fuso Security Vehicles deployed by the SAT lurched forward from their defensive positions, the rectangular azure-blue and white paint scheme clashing with the red and blue sirens that flashed above, the officers inching closely behind them as the armored vehicles moved forward. The Fusos both had their shields covering their windows, virtually becoming impervious to the arrows and rocks that bounced off them.

The Fuso on the right had a water-cannon mounted on top. Typically used to disperse large crowds, the officer manning the cannon sprayed a large jet stream of water over the burning barricades and officers.

Itami winced, the powerful jet stream causing quite a few of the unprepared officers to be violently knocked backwards and into the ground.

Better than burning to death…

The once blazing flames that had consumed a good portion of the streets and defenses had finally been put out, along with any Jietai and SAT Officer who were victims from the wall of flames.

The flame attempted to wrap itself around the Fuso, but the officer manning the cannon was faster. In a quick motion, the jet of water collided with the snake-like flames head on, steam erupting as the water overpowered the fire. Soon, the only trace of the flame that had harassed them was in the form of smoke and steam that lingered over the streets.

With the enemy's main form of harassment gone, the men defending the line continued their suppressive fire and support against the new wave of charging romans, who were taking advantage of the gaps of overlapping fire from the injured defenders who were still licking their wounds.

"This is Oscar-Two India!" Itami shouted over the motorola radio, "We need to put another machine gun on the line before we get overrun!" Their only chance, he knew, was to hit the encroaching Romans hard and fast to keep them from establishing a foothold inside the Jietai and SAT's defensive perimeter. If any of the Romans broke through the lines and the fight deteriorated into anything up close, he knew his people were doomed.

A section of humvees and Toyota LAVs drove up towards their defensive line, taking up positions that were still trying to recover from the recent flame attacks. The machine gunners opened up a torrent of steady gunfire at the incoming waves of legionnaires, periodically ducking from the onslaught of arrowstorms that rained from the rear of the formation.

The effects were almost immediate, the Romans pausing their charge when they began to sustain far too many casualties to continue.

Itami opened both eyes, his MP5 pointed at the horde as he scanned the chaos. There had to be hundreds of corpses that littered the streets now, bodies now piling on top of each other. The retreating Romans were now stumbling on the abundant corpses as they made their way back, the wounded attempting to crawl over the corpses or blending in with the dead bodies.

If there indeed a Hell, this is what he imagined it would look like.

He scowled when two more darts flew up in the air from the rear of the formation, circling above before making a dash towards another checkpoint with a new payload on their feet.

"Contact! Fast movers! Two hundred meters!" Itami shouted, bringing the submachine gun to bear.

The first harpy dropped two flaming jars from its feet, the cylindrical objects smashing hard on the roof of the police cruiser as the liquid it carried splattered on the two officers before the flame had set the corrosive liquid ablaze, the officers along with it.

The Fuso with the water cannon was quick to respond, putting out the flames before it had the chance to become a threat again.

Gritting his teeth, Itami brought the MP5 up to his shoulders, aligning the weapon's sights on the second winged-humanoid's flight path as it dove for another police barricade. exhaling his breath, he squeezed the trigger twice, the MP5's collapsible stock lightly kicking his shoulder as the 9mm rounds exploded from the chamber.

The first two shots missed as the winged humanoid dove like a hawk, the officers struggling to zero their sights onto the fast incoming hostile. With two more light squeezes of the trigger, the third and forth shots had shot the Harpy right before he released the explosive canisters.

The harpy doubled-over on its descent downwards, spiraling out of control as a pained yelp escaping its lips. The harpy tried to regain control of its flight path, only to realize it was far too low and falling too fast to effectively recover.

Even with the chaotic battle going on, Itami could have sworn he heard the sickening smack when the harpy landed head first on the roof of the police cruiser, the shattering of glass accompanying the loud thud from the thin metal being impacted.

Itami took a moment to survey where the harpy had crashed, keeping his weapon pointed in the event the winged humanoid somehow survived the fall and was still hostile.

The harpy laid still, its neck twisted in an impossible angle as it laid on the huge dent it made on the police cruiser's rooftop, its cranium busted open as both blood and brain matter leaked on top of the dented rooftop and concrete street below.

The harpy's panicked eyes were forever etched on its lifeless face, loose strands of green, wavy hair flowing gently with the small gusts of wind that was almost serene with the street battle going on.

More blood that poured from his– no, her opened forehead.

The palms of his hands went numb for a second, the MP5 in his hands rattling from shaking.

The harpy he had just shot down was a girl, he realized. A young one, from where he could see. A girl who couldn't have been older than a teeanger.

He had almost zoned out from the horrific realization, only to be brought back from the brink as more gunfire mixed with frantic battle cries and desperate pleas continued to erupt around him. Itami swallowed the lump in his throat as he searched for more targets of opportunity.

Spotting a trio of legionnaires trying to make a banzai charge at the lead police cruiser, he brought the MP5 back on his shoulders, sighting in on the trio before lining up his shots.

For the briefest of moments, he hesitated as his finger paused mid-squeeze on the trigger. With a hard squint, he tried to scan their faces, attempting to discern if the trio were young like the harpy who laid dead on top of a police cruiser.

But time was moving far too quickly, far too fast to make out any discernible details of their age.

With a cursed breath, Itami squeezed the trigger, the MP5 submachine gun roaring to life as the 9mm projectiles found their marks, the legionnaires falling over in pained groans as the rounds penetrated their steel and leather armor.

With the threats neutralized, Itami scanned for more targets of opportunity.

There! That was when he finally saw him.

His uniform was almost standard of that of a legionnaire, but there were a few things that had set him apart from the rest. Namely the hood he adorned over his head that masked the upper part of his face, along with a long red tunic as opposed to the steel or leather armor the rest of the foot soldiers wore. around his waist wrapped a leather belt, a couple of vials and books that hung loosely from what appeared to be hooks.

Also, the dead giveaway of the fact his hands and eyes were glowing a bright orange, his gritting teeth trying to raise and control the small flames the second harpy had prematurely dropped from when he had shot her out of the sky.

"That mage!" He called out on the radio, "Towards the rear! Centered! He's trying to go for another fire attack! Glowing eyes! Red tunic and hood!"

"I see him!"

"Copy! I'm on him!"

"Concentrate your fire on that mage!"

One by one, his radio blared with acknowledgement, the tracers of their weapons shifting from the charging romans and towards the mage as it finally got the flames airborne again. He did not have time to try harassing their defenses again or to even celebrate, a .50 calibre round from one of the Browning machine guns directly hitting his left knee, a large cloud of blood and bone erupting before his weight caused his leg to bend inwards now that he was without the bone and muscle to support it.

Even from where Itami stood, he could hear the mage's agonized screams as he flailed about before being silenced by another wave of 5.56 rounds from their M249s SAWs and Type-89 rifles that each found their way towards the main threat of their defenses.

"The mage is down. Repeat, the mage is down." He heard over the radio, "Continue to let them have it!"

And let them have it, they did. By now, Itami was on autopilot, his training fully kicking in. The MP5's firing range was significantly shorter compared to the Type-89 he was used to. The QRF had mostly dealt with the Romans, but there were a few stragglers that came within his line of sight that he ended up putting down with a few short bursts.

He ignored the possibilities of potentially killing a few more teenagers.

A few more girls.

They were the aggressors. They came to his country and attacked indiscriminately.

They were the ones who would gladly charge into the castle he and his men defended. A castle that had thousands of other women, children, and elderly and do God-knows-what to them.

No. He can't relent now. They were counting on them. Counting on him to protect them at all costs.

Us or them…

He fired a burst at a charging Roman, his warcry coming to an abrupt halt as his 9mm rounds had found their mark.

Us or them…

The MP5 went dry on his hands, Itami shouting that he was reloading as he instinctively went for one of the 30-round magazines. Both Taylor and Fitzgerald covered for him, shooting from their own submachine guns as Itami pulled out the expended magazine, letting it drop to the ground next to him before sliding in a new one, cocking the charging handle above the MP5's barrel. He spotted another pair of charging foot soldiers, these one being pig-men led by a human, attempting to dash towards their defensive line. Bringing the submachine gun up, Itami fired several bursts as the trio eventually went down.

Us or them…

Another pair broke through, frustration beginning to build up on why they continued with the assault rather than just give it up already. Itami sighted in, both him and Taylor picking off the pair before they even got close.

Us or them…

He imagined Risa, calling out to him, begging for him to save her, her cries going ignored as these Romans cornered her and…

Us or them!

He fired another burst at a section of charging Romans just as his MP5 ran dry.

A horn sounded over in the rear, the Romans finally relenting from their assault forward and, thankfully, began to head towards the opposite direction.

Back towards the way they came.

The retreat was mostly disorganized. At least from the ones from the frontlines. They didn't even stop to try to offer assistance to their wounded comrades who were incapacitated on the ground, desperate blood-stained hands attempting to reach out for uncaring or scared comrades.

The smell of gunpowder and death lingered in the air as the last of the Romans turned the street corner and disappeared out of his view.

"SITREP!"

Itami exhaled a breath he did not realize he had been holding in, the reports coming over the radio.

Then, the gut-punching news he suspected but hoped he was wrong.

Several of the officers had indeed died from the flame attack earlier. Others were in critical condition.

"Taylor! Fitzgerald!" Itami called out, the two Americans looking up at him anxiously, "Help us move the wounded!"

"Copy that!" Fitzgerald complied, both the Coast Guardsmen following the Ground-Defence Force officer towards where both the Jietai and SAT officers were attempting to assist the wounded.

One SAT officer's right side was completely burnt, the man limping towards a stretcher while his left arm was wrapped around another buddy of his for support.

Another officer's front face and upper torso was charred black and red, who had to be guided to the first aid station by two of his colleagues.

And another who was simply burnt to a crisp all over his body, yet somehow was still alive, groaning in agony with every movement his friends made as they tried to carry him off.

Itami could only lament from the aftermath as he heard the iconic sounds of the ambulance sirens as they made themselves closer towards the Imperial Castle.

---

Location: Chiyoda Ward

American Embassy

The Courtyard inside the fence-line of the American Compound.

Time: 15:21

---

Outside, the sounds of distant sirens and car alarms reverberated off the buildings that surrounded the embassy, yet did almost nothing to drown out the desperate pleas and cries from the growing crowd of panicking civilians pressing themselves against the fence that separated American and Japanese soil. Some were clutching onto the bars for dear life as the Japanese security detail outside the fence tried to keep things situated.

Which, from where Hilaire stood, was anything but.

There had to be at least a several dozen of them, all of them asking and begging in Japanese and broken English of wishing to be let in, lest the Romans got to them first. The Canadian Marine shuffled his feet, trying to keep his own anxiety at bay as they waited for word to let these people inside already.

They are going to be let inside… right?

He shook his head. Of course they would be let in. But the wait was what was killing him.

Plus the desperate cries and pleading the crowd made were starting to get to him. From seeing an older Japanese woman holding the hand of a little boy, to two salarymen who appeared to be protecting an older gentleman who appeared to be in his eighties.

He wanted nothing more than to risk that NJP and let them all inside.

But he had to keep it together. They'll be let in when the time is appropriate.

He blew out a breath.

Did these people truly have nowhere else to run? Did those medieval soldiers really spread that far in Tokyo in such a short amount of time? Were they proving too much for the police to handle?

Were things really that fucked to where these people truly believed this to be the safest place?

"Jesus..." He heard Cooper's voice next to him, the Lieutenant keeping his gaze directed at the panicking civilians. "Is this what Saigon was like?"

"I can see the similarities..." Hilaire commented, Cooper slightly shifted his gaze to look at the cameraman from the corner of his eye.

"Hmph. Glad we're here to ensure history doesn't repeat itself."

Hilaire gave a subtle nod, Cooper's words offering some reassurance.

Upon landing into the embassy, 1st Platoon had found themselves tasked with setting up fortifications inside the courtyard, the MSG Det providing overwatch from the rooftop and the scanned above for hostile targets. Once the nests and firing positions had been set up, they would then assist with the Japanese security detail in escorting the civilians inside when they got the go-ahead to let in the civilians. Once in, they'll be the Marine Security Guards problem, while they would continue to hold their position in the courtyard.

Oh, and with the Army's help, naturally.

Hilaire watched the platoon of soldiers from the 82nd take up firing positions in the north wall, while he and the Marines took up positions on the west wall where the main entrance was located. Three Marine rifle-squads and three Army rifle-squads, plus an additional machine gun team for both the Marines and Soldiers, which their numbers totaled to about seventy troops who took up positions in the courtyard.

And the additional MSG personnel stationed on the rooftop.

In all, they had more than enough firepower for some foolhardy Romans to try their luck against them.

Hilaire raised his camera, focusing on the crowd against the fence before snapping a picture. He put the camera down before the playback display popped up, not in the mood to check to see if the photo was good or not. Truth be told, a part of him felt disgusted that he was essentially taking advantage of people's suffering for his own benefit.

Then he had to remind himself that he had to do this. Not because he enjoyed it, but because the world needed to know what happened and what's going on. He shouldn't disguise the sheer terror and despair of it all.

No, that would have been dishonest, and probably a disservice to these people.

Besides, it wasn't like he wanted to watch people suffer. So this should absolve any guilt doing his job.

So why did he still feel dirty about doing it?

Now would really be a great time to have you here with me, Milo…

He glanced back towards the embassy, trying to imagine where Milo would have been, right now. When the battalion order came through and they found out there would be a section stationed outside the court-yard, it was decided that one of them would stay inside to document and photograph the events transpiring inside the embassy while the other stayed with the troops outside and captured anything of interest.

It wouldn't make sense for both combat correspondents to be in the same place and potentially miss something.

Initially, it was Milo that volunteered to be outside. However, Hilaire convinced him to be the one to go outside instead, something about being nervous around too many potential political figures.

The Serbian-American had given him that look before shrugging his shoulders, going along with his excuse. Thus, Milo proceeded to record and document all the things that could take place inside the American building.

Meanwhile, Hilaire had found himself in the sandbag fort right next to Lieutenant Cooper and Staff Sergeant Sharpe, who were both flanked by Ace, Jackson, Wilkes and Artis respectively. Artis crouched behind the M240B that was mounted on the sandbag, a hand resting on the polyester buttstock as his gaze was affixed at the desperate crowd. Jackson inspected the ammo can of 7.62 rounds, making sure the rounds weren't bent and potentially causing the weapon to jam or misfire. Ace took idle, his silenced M38 hung in front of him by the three-point sling, his expression neutral. Then of course, Wilkes, who had one of his hands tightly clutching on the receiver of his M4, the corpsman using the other to subconsciously grab his medical-bag's shoulder strap.

Hilaire could glance over at where other Marines from 1st Platoon had taken defensive positions by the fence in the courtyard. He could hear Corporal King barking orders from not too far off. Xiong's voice from the other side. Pattison complained about something unknown to him.

Then, his gaze fell towards the soldiers manning the fence line adjacent to them. He thought he might have seen Orville among them, but he couldn't be too sure.

He was about to make his way over there and ask the soldiers how they were doing before he heard Cooper's voice.

"This is Cerberus 1-6 to Overlord. Where are we at with securing those documents?" The Lieutenant said over the radio, his right foot tapping as his M4 hung loosely in front him, his left arm lazily wrapped around it.

Silence lingered in the radio for a couple of moments before a voice said, "This is Overload 2-3. Documents have been put away. Everything that needs to be burned or shredded is staged if given the word."

"Are we good to let the civilians inside?"

"Wait one."

As if on cue, Hilaire heard a distant sound of a horn blaring from over yonder where they stood, whatever relaxed posture both Marines and Soldiers had instantly vanished and they shifted into defensive positions.

He took a knee right next to Cooper, his field of vision becoming nearly obscured from the sandbag fort he took refuge behind. From the fence, he could see the crowd growing more desperate, some of them now pleading in broken English to be let in.

He heard Cooper's radio blare to life once again, announcing, "Cerberus and Guardian, this is Overwatch 2-4. Be advised. Drone feed is picking up large movements in the streets just outside our AO. Seems like they're worming their way over here. How copy?"

Putting the radio to his lips, Cooper replied, "This is Cerberus 1-6. Solid copy on that, Overwatch 2-4."

"This is Guardian 1-6, reading you loud and clear Overwatch 2-4"

Hilaire turned his head towards the Soldiers with them who had the callsign "Guardian", knowing it was their platoon leader who responded and rogered up.

Cooper turned his eyes towards the desperate crowd of civilians, who only seemed to have doubled ever since they heard the horn blare. Some of the new arrivals, they noticed, were in different states of disarray. Some had blood spots on them, if it belonged to them or someone else, he couldn't tell from where he stood. Some were even in some stages of undress, a balding office worker without his shoes or jacket.

And a teenage girl, who had rope bounded around her wrists and neck. She was the most desperate amongst the crowd, tear-filled petrified eyes shouting in Japanese to be let inside before "they capture her again".

With the radio still in his hand, and in an almost impatient tone, Cooper asked, "This is Cerberus 1-6. Are the civilians cleared to come in?!"

Several seconds passed, the sounds of the crowd and city background of sirens and car alarms being the only thing heard.

Until finally, "Cerberus 1-6, this is Overlord-Actual. Civilians are now granted permission to enter into the American embassy. Proceed to let them in in an orderly fashion. Detain those who cause trouble."

With a sigh of relief, Cooper Said, "Solid copy on that, Overlord actual. Letting the civilians in now."

Cooper took off from their position in the sandbags, rushing towards the Japanese security team who manned the entrance of the embassy. After a few exchanged words, Hilaire saw the Japanese security sergeant nod his head vigorously before buzzing the gate opened.

Like a ruptured dam, the desperate crowd came pouring into the compound, the Marines and Japanese security detail barely able to keep them in order.

"Keep it single file!" One of the Marines whose name Hilaire had yet to learn had called out to the wave of refugees piling into the embassy. "Nice and easy! Keep calm! Single file!"

Hilaire raised Nikon, taking a quick snap of the flowing refugees who were finally granted access into the American embassy. He stared at the digital display, the image depicted a crowd of Japanese and Americans being corralled into the safety of a facility with a huge fence to keep the assailants at bay, all being guarded and protected by the Marines and Soldiers who manned them.

Yeah, he could definitely see the Marine Corps immortalizing these images. It was no flag raising on top of an enemy mountain, but an image of Marines protecting those in their care, nonetheless.

The Japanese security team calmly instructed the crowd to head towards the entrance and follow the Marines instruction once inside the building. Hilaire saw the MSG Detachment greeting the refugees by the embassy's main entrance, two of them still in their Dress Blue Deltas adorning their coyote-tan plate-carriers.

Raising his camera once more, Hilaire focused on the crowd as they filed inside the embassy's main entrance, the MSG staff directing them on where to go inside.

Snap

The trembling teenage girl came into his view, the ropes still tied around her wrists and neck as she hurriedly walked inside with the rest of the crowd.

Snap

He continued to watch her, his mouth becoming slightly agape as she disappeared into the crowd and out of his view. She was a survivor. She was captured by those medieval soldiers and somehow managed to escape their clutches. Running for god knows how long and how far until she managed to find the embassy and seek refuge.

Was she alone when they captured her? Did she have friends with her? Did they manage to escape with her? did they get separated? Were they recaptured? Killed? Was she forced to leave them behind?

He exhaled, unable to fathom the potential trauma she was suffering from.

Within a few minutes of organized chaos, all of the refugees were finally through the main door and inside the confines and safety of the embassy building.

And that should have been that. The Civilians were inside, they were potentially about to have contact with the enemy, so now it should be just the troops reinforcing the embassy and this medieval fantasy army.

Right. If only it were that easy. Hilaire simply didn't account for something that should have been obvious.

Stragglers.

There were a couple of Japanese civilians who were still trying to make their way towards the embassy. Sometimes, it would be a group of four. Another, a pair of two. Sometimes just one person.

They came in all forms. Sometimes it would be office workers. Sometimes shop and retail workers. A few that were college and university students.

The MSG team manning the drones would radio to them whenever they saw people heading their way, the Marines manning the gate's entrance being mindful of the mindset of the people making their way in. A few were collected enough to relay that they managed to avoid the hostile armies running rampant on the streets.

Others were in a state of frenzy, like the teenage girl from earlier, having barely escaped their clutches.

Yet one thing was clear. The enemy was getting closer to them.

"Cerberus 1-6 and Guardian 1-6, this is Overlord Actual. Be advised. Rules of Engagement have been changed. You are free to neutralize hostile targets that have been positively identified. Break. Civilians are potentially still trying to seek refuge inside the embassy. Ensure your men have an absolute positive ID on your targets. It looks like we're about to get into contact with their forces. How copy?"

Raising the radio to his lips, Cooper said "Cerberus 1-6 to Overlord actual. Acknowledged. We will ensure we have a positive ID before we engage."

Hilaire glanced over towards the 82nd DET on the adjacent wall, their platoon leader getting on the radio "This is Guardian 1-6. Solid copy on the RoEs, Overlord Actual."

He slowly exhaled his breath, trying to swallow the ever growing knot in his throat.

This is it. Our baptism of fire.

He remembered his training, all the lessons he learned in Operation Olympus. Trying to play pretend-grunt while also doing his job as the combat correspondent. Where he would very likely put his training into use.

But this wasn't training. This wasn't an exercise.

This was the real thing. Lives were on the line.

His buddies counted on him more than ever, and he relied on them.

Then, Cooper's radio blared to life once more, "This is Overwatch 2-3 to Cerberus 1-6. Be advised, more civilians are heading towards your side of the wall. I'm counting three or four. They are being chased by hostiles of group of about five or six. How copy?"

"Copy, Overwatch 2-4." Cooper said on the radio before switching to their own channel, "Some civvies heading our way! They're being chased by hostiles! Check your fire! Ensure you have positive ID!"

Hilaire reached to the brim of his ECH where he had his go-pro mounted. Feeling round, he found the button on the corner, pressing it.

He turned to Artis, asking "Yo, is my go-pro's redlight blinking?"

Artis turned to him, his cheek still resting on the buttstock of the M240B before giving him a thumbs up, "You good."

"Aight…"

Simple photos wouldn't do this justice. This had to be recorded live. He prayed that he had enough battery life and memory on the 4K device to capture this historic moment. He remembered youtube channels like FUNKER530 that had helmet cam footage from various troops during their tours over at the sandbox. From an American Automatic Rifleman engaging the Taliban in the mountains of Afghanistan to a Canadian Med-Tech in the Afghanistan plains, each footage told a story of their own of a platoon's engagement and the troops who lived to tell the tale.

"Contact!" Ace shouted, peering through the sights of his M38 DMR

The Marines raised their weapons, peering through their sights at the direction where the enemy could emerge from.

Here we go…

With his go-pro still rolling, Hilaire pointed his camera at Cooper as he tightened his hold on both the pistol grip and the bipod mounted on his M4.

"What can you make out, Ace?" Cooper asked, scanning left and right.

Ace was silent for a few tense moments as he continued looking through the scope of his DMR, "Counting two... Females!... Japanese females!" His eyes widened for a millisecond before peering through the scope again, "Counting additional contact! Looks like four Romans!"

Sharpe's voice sounded over the radio "Stand by!"

"Ah shit..." Ace lowly said, grumbling something unintelligible.

"What?!" Cooper asked, bringing the weapon up to his shoulder to sight in on his RCO "What do you see?!"

"One of the girls tripped..." Ace answered in a solemn tone, gritting his teeth as his brows furrowed behind his scope, "Romans are all over her..."

"Son of a bitch...!" Cooper's grip tightened on his M4, "Are they... doing what I think they are?!"

"I can't tell. They're obscuring her..." He answered again, "Other girl is just running."

Hilaire zoomed in on the camera, the auto-focus causing the digital display to blur for a few seconds before it cleared.

That was when he saw her, some Japanese office clerk, barely in her 20s, her tearful eyes frantic as snot oozed down one of her nostrils.

Then the digital display picked up the four other Romans giving chase right behind her as she made a beeline towards the embassy.

Hilaire noticed she had been running with a limp, clutching her right thigh as she frantically shouted something he couldn't hear from where he was posted.

It was then he noticed the Romans were quickly catching up to her due to her apparent injury, having a fair bit of distance to cover before she would be safely inside the compound behind the security checkpoints.

The Romans would catch up to her before she even made it.

He glanced over at Cooper, "Sir, the hostiles are about to get her-"

"I know!" Cooper shouted, glancing back at Ace, "Do you have a shot?!"

"She's in the way." Ace answered, keeping his tone as neutral as he could with the situation in front of them.

"Shit..." Cooper grunted, sighting down on the weapon, "Damn it...!"

Without thinking, without anyone directing him, Hilaire peered over the hastily assembled checkpoint, shouting as loudly as he could, "Ochiro! Ochiro, sore demo gosha sa reru zo!"

He could briefly feel the puzzled glances his Marines gave him, but his unprecedented move had the desired effect. The woman instantly dived into the street, shouting as she covered her head.

Thus, giving the opening the Marines needed.

"Weapons free!" Cooper commanded.

And so followed the symphony of rifle fire, the machine guns holding their fire as to not accidentally shoot friendlies. Hilaire was greeted by the sight of the chasing Romans falling onto the streets as if God flicked a light switch.

He wondered if they even registered what had just happened before meeting their end.

Ace shifted the M38 towards the Romans carrying off the young Japanese girl, peering through the DMR Scope before saying "I might be ab-"

"If you have the shot, take it." Cooper simply said.

"Copy…"

After what might've been two seconds, the silenced "scht" of the M38 echoing across the concrete jungle. The 5.56 round had found itself lodged into the Roman's right kidney, the medieval warrior dropping her as he writhed in agony.

The girl had hit the ground hard from what Hilaire could see on his digital display, pain and confusion on her face as she turned to see the comrades of her would-be-abductor circle around him and try to assist their wounded friend.

Without waiting another moment to pass, the Japanese girl scrambled to her feet, making a dash away from the confused Romans.

Unfortunate for the Marines manning the checkpoint, the woman ran in the opposite direction away from the embassy, becoming obscured as she rounded a corner or a narrow street before disappearing out of their view.

"...She got away." Ace breathed out, "Don't have a visual, anymore."

Cooper clicked his teeth before sighting in on the Romans trying to render aid to their fallen comrade, who was still squirming like a stuck pig.

"Clear to engage?" Ace asked.

"Take 'em out." Cooper responded.

The designated marksman exhaled his breath, two seconds passing before firing off another shot that made contact with one of the Roman's chest, immediately downing him.

By now, the two remaining Romans let their panic control their actions, darting their heads in every direction as if trying to figure out who or what was assaulting them.

Another shot, the third Roman dropping down as he began choking on his own blood from where the round impacted.

The fourth and final Roman decided he had enough and ran away where he had entered the street, leaving his friends still alive to bleed out.

"...Area clear." Cooper announced on his headset.

Marines whose weapons weren't mounted on the sandbags still had their weapons at the alert, their eyes mostly glued to the two Romans loudly groaning from their injuries as they bled out on the narrow sidewalk next to the equally narrow road on the opposite end away from the embassy.

The office girl from earlier slowly raised her head, panicked eyes darting from the entrance of the embassy and towards where she had emerged from when the Romans had chased her.

Cooper glanced at Hilaire, "You speak Japanese, I see."

"Uhh... so-so..."

"Uh huh…" The lieutenant nudged his head towards the office girl before handing Hilaire the megaphone, "Tell her to get inside where it's safe."

He took it, facing towards the clearly shell-shocked office clerk as he brought the device towards his lips, "Eria wa kuria! Naka ni… ire… kokonara anzenda!"

A few seconds passed, the Japanese office girl appearing unsure as she kept glancing at the fenced off compound. Finally, she had risen to her feet, taking a few timid limps towards the embassy before making a dead sprint towards the entrance.

Wilkes and Hollace were able to catch her when she came through the gate, the petrified girl breaking down in a crying fit as the Sailor and Marine carried her off for doc to go over her injuries.

Snap

Hilaire took the photo of Wilkes accessing her when he finally noticed the large gash and blood trail oozing down her right leg.

Meanwhile, the two injured Romans groans were becoming far less audible.

He turned to look at Cooper, who just watched the two hostiles bleed out, largely incredulous.

"Sir?" Hilaire piped up, curious as to what was going through their platoon leader's head.

As if hearing his thoughts, Cooper said "They have no idea what bullets are." He then snorted, spitting on the ground, "Ain't shit they could do with their spears and swords."

Hilaire tilted his head, "Didn't they say they could use magic?"

"Yeah." He answered plainly, "So far I ain't seeing wizards. Maybe they're with the forces attacking the palace."

"Maybe," Hilaire replied, checking his battery life on his cameras.

From what he has seen so far, it looked as if they engaged a few stragglers who were either too bold or had gotten lost in the city. Maybe they saw an opportunity with these two women, the thought alone causing him to grimace.

Either way, it wasn't a large concentrated force trying to lay siege to the embassy.

So far, they've been lucky.

The radio buzzed to life with the voice of the Army platoon leader covering the opposite end, "Cerberus 1-6, This is Watch Dog 2-1. Do you have any more additional eyes on anyone on your end?"

Cooper grabbed the mic, "This is Cerberus 1-6. We've got nothing further on our end."

"Copy, Cerberus 1-6. I- ...What the?"

Cooper cocked his eyebrow, Hilaire instantly having his camera ready, "What is it, Guardian 1-6?"

"Uh, Cerberus 1-6, I'm getting eyes on a… floating orb of light above us… How copy?"

…Floating orb? "'The Fuck…?"

They glanced upwards towards the city skyscrapers that surrounded the embassy, Hilaire pointing the camera upwards.

Indeed, he spotted a brilliantly bright blue orb hovering above where the detachment had set up their defenses, its altitude slightly above the rooftop. It was moving in every direction in quick bursts, as if it were a mere flying insect.

Weapons were drawn, both the Marines and Soldiers manning the checkposts taking aim at the strange anomaly that hovered high above them.

"What the hell…?" Cooper breathed out before grabbing his radio, "Keep alive. Looks like they're using this so-called magic of theirs. Cause I know that orb ain't some firefly."

Both excitement and adrenaline flowed through Hilaire's veins as he once again tried to get his camera to focus on the object that wasn't exactly staying in one spot. He one again set the auto-focus to where the camera would be able to look at light without darkening its surroundings.

Which was when he began making out the human shape within the orb.

Human shape…

Feminine figure…

Insectoid Wings…

…

He almost let out a haughty chuckle upon realizing exactly what he was staring at.

"Sir, I think that's a pixie!" Hilaire announced, Cooper doing a double take at the Combat Correspondent.

Cooper once again brought his M4 to his shoulder, peering through his RCO pointed at the darting orb above them.

His agape mouth simply closed, forming a thin line. Keeping his weapon pointed at the creature, he used his other hand to squelch his radio, "This is Cerberus 1-6, the contact is... a pixie." He paused, as if adding for dramatic effect, "Repeat, it is a fu-" He stopped himself, remembering radio etiquette, "...A pixie. A little girl with wings."

Artis peered upwards behind his mounted M240B "Ah hell nah! Cap! You've got to be fucking shitting me!"

Hilaire was in agreement. Even with the introduction of Romans and their flying dragons and wyverns, this was certainly a straw breaking the camel's back of this absolutely insane and bizarre day this has been turning out to be.

Cooper glanced over towards Sharpe, before using his hand to squelch his radio, "...What the hell do I do with this?"

As if it heard them, the Pixie flew off and away from the embassy, heading towards the direction of where the Marines had engaged the straggling Romans.

The security detachment watched on, murmurs and whispers going on behind each checkpoint.

Yep. Fairy Godmother was scouting them.

---

Dennis watched the floating orb- no, pixie fly off in the horizon from his RCO, the miniature sized creature darting to and fro before becoming obscured behind one of the tall buildings surrounding the embassy.

He lowered his M4 once he had lost visual, still staring at the general direction it had taken off with an incredulous look.

Dragons... Pixies... What's next?

"Are we really letting that thing go?" He heard the childish voice of their medic, PFC Wolfe, ask In a tone that was more of a statement than a question.

"Would've been a waste ammo," Sean answered, also starring towards the direction the creature had flown off to, "Small target, insect sized. We probably couldn't have hit it either way."

"Yeah," Specialist Shaun Roberts agreed, reaching underneath the brim of his kevlar to wipe the sweat from his dark-brown skin, "Besides, wouldn't want a stray round to accidentally hit one of the civvies."

Dennis redirected his gaze towards the tall building adjacent to the embassy. Squinting his eyes, he could make out pairs of silhouettes of the people inside pressing themselves against the windows, curious eyes glancing down at the chaos below.

He then imagined maybe a few of them may have been streaming the whole exchange that happened with the Marines and those Roman stragglers.

As if the Marines need any more publicity. He scoffed, adjusting his plate-carrier.

"You heard the Captain," Sean began, his southern drawl coming out, "this place isn't exactly stocked to withstand an insurrection like Iraq. Use your judgment."

A subtle nod was Dennis' only reply, his M4's collapsible buttstock on his shoulders while lightly gripping on the pistol grip of the M230 grenade launcher mounted on the carbine. Not that he'll get to use it. Captain Rhodes made it explicitly clear that they would not be using explosives while inside Tokyo.

Scanning the horizon, he shifted his weight in anticipation for enemy contact. The Marines have just dealt with some straggling Romans. More could be very well on their way. Especially since that fairy or pixie or whatever had scouted them from above.

"What else do you think we might see out here?" He heard Sean ask next him, his green eyes also looking for targets or fleeing refugees.

Shrugging, Dennis replied "Who knows? They all bleed the same."

"Yeah, but ogres? Trolls? Fairies? Does this shit not perplex you at all? Like… All the creatures we've seen in movies and cartoons… read in books… To think it all existed this entire time."

"I mean… yeah," he answered sheepishly, once again shifting the weight of his plate-carrier, "I'm not saying that I'm not in shock of it all. It's just…I'd rather not think too hard about it, right now. All that matters is that these people came from some magic gate and started attacking everyone."

"I bet you're fun at parties."

Dennis shrugged.

"This is just basically Skyrim." Specialist Tom Crawford declared from behind him, his face morphed between something of a grin and bemusement, "I'd say Todd Howard and Bethesda outdid himself with the Elder Scrolls Six Promotion."

"Bruh…" Roberts cocked an eyebrow at the dirty-blonde.

"Skyrim is just a game…" Dennis rebutted, rolling his eyes, "Besides, I don't remember seeing fairies in it."

"There are with mods," Crawford corrected, who only grinned further upon noticing the incredulous look the young PFC gave him in response.

"Yeah, I know what kind of 'mods' you be installing." Wolfe quipped, earning a few snickers from the squad.

"Oh shut up, you furry. It can't be half as degenerate as the stuff I know you're into." Crawford scowled before adding, "I thought I saw some actual furries on the news pillaging the place. How fucking awesome is that I will actually get to hang the scalps of furries from my belt? I bet you're coping and seething inside."

The medic gave a shrug, snorting, "Yeah, fuck you. I still don't beat my meat off to 3D pixels of a fantasy game."

"Yeah. What you're into is worse."

"Get fu-"

"This is Overwatch 2-4 to Guardian 1-6. We're seeing movement coming towards your side of the wall. Too obscure to make out if they're friend or foe. Proceed with caution."

The soldiers immediately stopped their banter, all of them shifting to their combat mindset as Dennis held his M4 at the ready.

Captain Rhodes replied on the radio, acknowledging the recent inquiry before turning towards the checkpoint Dennis manned, "Third squad, you should have eyes on the road. See if you can ID the people heading our way."

"Yes sir!" Dennis, Sean, and Roberts all sounded in unison, Crawford and Wolfe opting to simply nod.

From Dennis' vantage point, they were indeed the closest squad towards the side-gate of the embassy, allowing them to see the extremely narrow street that went down a small hill. With the afternoon sun still high, the street was perfectly lit, hardly casting any shadows.

He then saw three figures running towards him.

"Contact front." He called out, raising his M4 and aiming down his RCO. "About one-hundred meters out."

Roberts sighted in on his M4 towards the street before asking, "Are you able to ID them?"

Holding the carbine steady, Dennis began to make out the features of the people running. Two of them were older men in business attire, the third one, another Japanese woman who appeared to be in her mid-forties, also in business casuals, running barefoot as she held her heels in her hands.

"Civilians." Dennis answered plainly. "I'm counting three."

Roberts got on the radio, "This is Echo-Four Romeo, to Oscar-Three Romeo. Unknowns heading towards the embassy have been identified as civilians."

"Roger that, Echo-Four Romeo. Are you seeing any hostiles chasing them?"

Dennis continued peering down the street, shifting the magnified sight up and down, then side to side. Seeing no one else pursuing, he replied "Negative. It's just the three civilians. They're about to approach the gate."

Roberts relayed it back to Rhodes.

"This is Oscar-Three romeo to Guardian 1-4. Open the Gate for the civilians. Ensure your sectors are covered. Once they're inside, close the gate and fall back to your positions."

Roberts squelched the radio, acknowledging Captain Rhodes.

"I'll open the gate." Roberts announced, "Orville. Sean. you two cover the side street. Crawford, cover the other street." He then glanced over at Wolfe, saying, "Doc, once they're inside, check the civilians for wounds."

Dennis and Sean leapt over their defensive positions, jogging over towards the small side-gate entrance where Roberts had already beaten them to. Crawford was there seconds later, followed by Wolfe a moment after.

With the countdown of his fingers, Roberts opened the gate, Dennis and Sean immediately filing outside before taking a knee, their M4s raised in the event of any threats. Crawford was out a second later, also taking a knee before having his carbine at the ready.

The Japanese citizens came by moments later, turning the corner and immediately darting up towards where the soldiers stood by.

"Tanomu yo!" The gentleman in the suit waved frantically as he ran forward, "Irete kudasai!"

Roberts motioned towards the opened gate, "Get inside! Hurry!"

One by one, the Japanese citizens fled into the safety of the embassy, the woman being last as Roberts called out for the squad to come back inside.

Standing up from the kneeling position, Dennis about-faced and headed towards the entrance, filing in with Sean right behind him. With Crawford coming in moments later, Roberts closed the side gate, locking it before turning towards where Wolfe was already checking over the civilians.

The woman's feet were cut and bleeding from running barefoot against the hard concrete. Besides that, she didn't look any worse for wear. The men were fine as well, attempting to catch their breath before one of them turned towards Dennis.

"Hontouni arigato!" He bowed, causing Dennis to be taken slightly aback.

He didn't know Japanese. Maybe just a few phrases he learned while out here during Operation Olympus. But he was sure the man was saying "Thank you".

"You're… welcome?"

"Follow me inside, please!" One of the soldiers from Dennis' platoon ushered for the new arrivals.

The men got up after catching their breath, the woman following suit as they followed the young rifleman to the entrance of the doorway. It was then the Japanese woman started limping, the cuts and bruises on her feet starting to get to her now that the adrenaline was wearing off.

Wolfe walked up towards her, the small petite woman initially surprised as he lifted her up from the ground, carrying her bridal-style as he made his way forward.

Dennis noticed the Marine with the camera pointed at Wolfe and the woman, no doubt taking pictures of the event transpiring.

"Hilaire…" Dennis mumbled, trying conceal the small amused smirk with a snort.

It had almost perplexed him that the Marines weren't being the total glory hounds as they tend to be. At least, Hilaire wasn't as evident with him trying to showcase the Army's effort in defending the embassy as well.

With that, Dennis returned back the defenses he was manning, going back to scanning the now vacant streets.

"Maaaan, fuck this!" He heard Crawford groan next to him. "The Marines already got their dicks wet by engaging the Imperials! When the fuck are we going to get our cherrys popped?"

"If we're lucky, it won't have to come to that." Roberts replied without looking at him.

"Fuck that…" Crawford spat on the ground. "Babysitting duty is for the birds! Let us inside Tokyo already! We could've kicked these Imperials into the stone-age hours ago!"

"We have our orders, Crawford." Roberts sighed, "Keep your attitude in check. If you want to bitch, take it up to the Platoon Sergeant. I'm sure he'll love to hear it."

"Bah!" Crawford spat on the ground once more, "Ain't no Marines going to be outdoing us."

"That sounds like penis envy if I ever heard one." Sean snorted.

"Not what your sister said to me last night."

Dennis groaned as he massaged the temples of his forehead.

"Weird," Sean said, giving Crawford a bemused look, "All my siblings are brothers. Got something you want to share with us?"

Crawford stammered, clearly cornered before his only rebuttal was a simple "Go fuck yourself."

"Gaaaaaaay…" Roberts lowly called out.

Dennis shook his head, eyes still on the road.

He began to think about his mother's words, "Don't go try being a hero and bite off more than what you can chew, you hear?"

He knew she just wanted him to be safe. And yet, here he was, playing the hero that he felt he needed to be. He and his men had helped save some Japanese civilians who were fleeing from the hostile Romans and their creatures of folklore. If he was being honest with himself, a small sense of pride was building up inside him upon realizing he was doing what he had set forth to do.

What his father had done before him.

What he told his mother what he would do.

What he told Lilly what he would do.

His smile faded.

Lilly…

---

Location: Chiyoda Ward

Backstreets of Tokyo

Time: 15:43 Hours

---

THWACK!

Count Formal stood on his horse, keeping his face neutral as the whip came into contact with two Cohortes' exposed backs, their armor and tunics having been stripped as they faced the wall.

And his face remained stoic as they let out their cries of anguish.

"Undisciplined barbarians!" his Primus shouted, spittles flying out of his mouth as he brought the whip in for another lash. "So I guess we believe it's okay to ignore the Count's orders to satisfy one's lust?!"

Another slash against their backs, the cracking of the whip echoing loud against the walls.

"So... to the hells with the count, is what you're declaring, right?!"

"Forgive us, sire!" One of the offenders cried out, the welt from the whip flaring up like an erupting volcano.

"It's not me you should be apologizing to." Count Formal declared, glancing over at the two native women they had by their caravan, their trembling hands trying to cover their torn fabric that used to cover their bosoms, courtesy of these two cohortes. The Gods seemed to have favoured these two by having his centurion catch them trying to initiate the vile act in some secluded alleyway, who immediately ordered the men to dress themselves and come to the rear to receive disciplinary action.

As the two were currently being punished for their heinous deeds, the native females were currently being guarded by Formals' personal security detail, a male and female demi-humans respectively, both of them giving the offending cohortes nasty and disapproval looks.

"I thought I've made myself clear," He spoke up after the two had stopped screaming in pain after the recent lick, "We do not do that in my legion. If you want to carry out such depraved acts, you should've joined the legion of the north-eastern mountains. My legion and auxiliaries have standards and honour in how to conduct warfare. If my demi-humans can behave themselves, then what does that speak of you two?"

The other one grumbled something before saying, "We're… we're sorry Count Formal! We won't do it again!"

Formal continued glaring at their faces, trying to gouge and memorize every detail, "What are your names and where are you from? And don't you dare try lying to me."

Silence lingered for a few moments before the first one spoke up, "Bardas Macrembolitissus from Brixia…"

"Proclus Rhagabe from Naissus…" the other one breathed out, grunting through the pain.

"Bardas. Proclus." Formal repeated the names as he readjusted himself on his steed, "This is your only warning. If I hear of you two trying to forcefully lay on another woman again, I'll be sure to have you castrated and working in the mines until the day you die."

"Yes, sire!" both replied in unison.

"Cut them down." He gestured towards his primus, who nodded in response as he took his gladius to cut the binds holding them against the wall.

"Leave your tunics off," Formal ordered as their offending cohorts gathered their equipment, "You two will serve as a visual example of what happens when you dishonour my legion's legacy."

"Yes, sire..." Both answered in a tone that bordered on contempt, donning their swords while leaving the top of their torsos exposed for the world to know their misdeeds.

The two were then directed by their centurion on where to go to continue their assault on this labyrinth these natives call a city.

He then turned towards his personal praetorians, the demi-humans immediately standing to attention as they awaited their instructions.

He then told them, "You two, ensure that these women make it towards the caravan." He ordered as he pointed his hand at the native women, who appeared even more uneasy upon seeing him make a gesture towards them, "Should any of the legionnaires or auxilias try harassing or having their way with them, you have my permission to cut them down where they stand."

The closest one to him gave a crisp salute, her black cat ears almost hidden within the custom made helmet tailored to her build, "Consider it done, sire!"

The other demi, his cat ears matching the shoulder-length platinum-blonde hair, attempted to coo the frantic natives, holding up both hands to show that he meant no harm to them, "It's okay, we're not like those other barbarians. Please, allow us to escort you ladies to safety."

Like others before him, it was clear the two women didn't understand a single word he was relaying to him. However, his harmless gestures and soft voice seemed to be enough to coarse them into slowly moving from their little corner, heading towards the caravan marked to be taken towards the Gate.

Formal watched the four slowly walk off, one of the native women breaking out in a sob as they rounded the corner and disappearing out of his view.

He let out a sigh, returning his attention to both his legion and auxilias clearing the street of anything of interest. Which included, but not limited to the abundance of colourful parchments plastered all over the streets and windows of bazaars, clothes and tunics that were picked clean from their shelves and displays of all shapes and sizes, the endless amount of feel that was left lying around when the natives fled the streets.

And then of course, the few natives that were still attempting to hide, only to be sniffed out by the keen noses of his demi-humans of his auxiliary.

Formal had to admit, some of them were hidden in some great spots that were nearly alien to him and his foot soldiers in this bizarre world the Gate spawned in. One was found in that weird ice box that stored food, one that was cramped inside some metal grate that blew out cool air, a few of them hidden inside locked doors with flimsy barricades thrown in. Crafty as they may have been, it was only a matter of time before they were eventually sniffed out by those who've been trained or otherwise naturally gifted and put their noses to good use.

He watched a pair of natives, a male and female, being escorted by two demi-humans who had the tip of their gladiuses pointed at their backs. The two held hands as the man attempted to keep the woman calm, giving the Count the impression the two were either husband and wife or dating otherwise.

"Don't separate those two," Formal ordered the two demis who were caroling them towards the caravan, "Keep them together. Bound them to each other if you have to."

"Yes, sire!" They both answered, one of them taking a piece of rope and proceeded to bound the two to each other to help mitigate the risks of being separated as they made their way to be taken back to where the Gate laid beyond.

Formal nodded, letting his eyes drift up towards the blue sky that wasn't obscured by these tall pillars that served as buildings.

This was how he waged war. He followed Emperor Molt's request to the letter. Collect as many of these natives as he could, his instructions to the men and women who served under him to not slay the citizens who, as far as he witnessed, had no means of defending themselves. Most of the expedition's skirmishers and scouts had already dealt with their only form of resistance, that being their version of the cohortes urbanae, leaving the heavy troops to come in and clean up what the first wave had missed.

They would take those who've surrendered and his men escort them to the caravans marked to be driven to the Gate. He would try his best to keep families together as a means to have some comfort in the new life they were about to embark on. Be it carpenters, scholars, or simple slaves, but at least they could have the bitter-sweetness in knowing they had someone with them instead of being isolated in a new world.

But does that really absolve you of all the guilt from uprooting their lives? That you're the one who helped put them in a fate you wouldn't wish upon yourself.

He let out a deep breath, closing his eyes before slowly reopening his eyelids to take on the bright blue hue of this world's skyline. Even with the buildings obscuring most of the horizon, he could make out the glaring differences between the skies of this world and his. For starters, the-

"Formal!"

He was brought out of his thoughts as he turned his attention to the legate who towered above him in the hierarchy.

"Legate Optimer." Formal greeted, his tone mundane.

The Legate named Optimer sported a mischievous grin that showed off a row of decayed and rotten teeth. "I've come bearing news! We've received word from our scouts that a military stronghold was spotted several blocks over," He smiled, once again flashing those blackened teeth, "Your legion and auxiliaries were personally chosen to probe and break through their defenses to see how they fight."

Formal tightened the leather reins on his steed, "I'm pretty sure the hierarchy explicitly ordered us to not engage their armies if they were to appear."

"The mission's changed," Optimer shrugged, "We're here to raid and take what's ours in this advanced society, yes. But the hierarchy determined that if their civilization is this advanced in technological marvels that made this city possible, imagine what their armies must have."

Formal grimaced, already knowing where Optimer was going with this.

Another warhawk trying to seek fame and glory…

"It's a small garrison of a single building, according to my scout. Manned by even fewer foot soldiers. We have the numbers to overwhelm them thrice over. We can take from them and even capture a few to interrogate. Imagine what we could take from them and incorporate it into our own Empire."

Formal resisted the urge to snort, "I believe my auxiliaries are better suited to keep to the streets rather than engage in a fortified garrison that conflicts with the wishes of Emper-"

"I don't think you understand, Count." The Legate interrupted with a sinister snicker, "It wasn't a request... It was an order."

Formal remain steadfast, saying, "It is my duty to refuse any order that conflicts against the wishes of the Emperor."

At this, Optimer smiled even more deviantly, "And it is my duty to relieve any commander who doesn't follow my orders and assume total and complete command over his legions and auxiliaries."

Formal did his best to not show his irritation at his superior.

As if sensing the count's growing disdain, Optier then added, "If you refuse to comply with my order, I'll simply replace you with someone who will," His blackened teeth showed themselves again as he gave a condescending grin, "Preferably with someone who isn't as privy and accepting towards demi-humans as you are."

With his dislike towards the man growing with every word that left Optimer's mouth, it took a considerable amount of effort for Formal to keep his bearing and his tone neutral.

"I'll carry out your order, sire. But do not think for a second that I won't be informing the Emperor of your deviation against his wishes."

"Oh my, I'm trembling at the mere thought." sarcasm oozed out of Optimer's mouth as he mockingly wiped fake tears. He dropped all pretense as he stood erect on his horse, "As if they would take the word of some demi-human lover over the words of a legate with decades of loyal service under his belt. You may be the governor of Italica, Count. You may have gotten to your position by sheer coincidences you took advantage of. But let's not pretend you haven't fallen out of favour in the eyes of the Hierarchy, including our beloved emperor with your recent and controversial policies."

Formal lips formed a thin line, trying his best to bounce off the verbal onslaught Optier unleashed upon him, "And why were my legions and auxiliary in particular chosen for this assignment?"

He knew the answer to that already, glancing at the demi-humans currently cleaning out another bazaar they had stumbled across. Yet, he wanted to hear it for himself.

"Because I can think of no better commander for the task at hand."

Because you're hoping I'll be killed...

"As you wish, sire!" Formal saluted, albeit intentionally making the courtesy as sloppy as possible in a show of disrespect.

Optimer sneered, "Better not cower at the enemy, Count. I'm depending on you for a massive breakthrough on this."

With that, Legate Optimer made off with his entourage towards the rear echelon of the expedition, Formal glaring daggers at him the entire time until he rounded the corner and disappeared out of sight.

"Sire," His primus called out, concern in his voice as he had been listening to the entire exchange that had just taken place, "You and I both know this is just another attempt to-"

"You heard him, my dear friend," Formal interrupted, trying to give his second in command a small reassuring smile, "I either lead you or someone else will. I want to be the one to be with you, lest someone who resents me and everything I stand for take charge and use you as nothing more than mere cannon fodder with little regard for your lives."

The primus snorted, giving his own smile, "You really are one of a kind, sire..."

"I try."

The primus saluted, "I'll follow you to the gates of hell itself and back."

Formal saluted in return, this one being crisp and not sloppy, "I'm glad to have you by my side!" He then broke his salute, giving out his order, "Assemble the auxiliary and legions for an assault on the compound," He unsheathed his sword, letting the blade glare from the afternoon sun, "Send the demi-rabbit skirmishers ahead to pave the way and scout ahead. Bring with them that native guide and the demi-Fox who has been managing to communicate with her. She should be able to point us towards their stronghold!"

The Primus saluted once more, "Consider it done, sire!"

---

"Stay together!" Sonia cried out, her voice barely audible through the screams and chaos surrounding them.

Suzuha gripped her school bag tightly, Yasutoki keeping a firm grip on her other hand as Sonia led the group through the crowd of panicked pedestrians.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

They hadn't stopped running since they left Miki's cafe, the teens having fled into the chaotic streets as those medieval soldiers wrecked havoc on anyone they came into contact with.

A man being pinned down by a group of soldiers here.

A woman was impaled by a spear there.

It became a battle of will to not vomit the boba drink she had earlier.

Keep running…! Keep running…!

She imagined the American girl had been trained by her father in how to do tactical moves in dangerous situations, but she wasn't sure. The United States was such a diverse country that the U.S. Marine's daughter had taken some special courses in defense. The Americans had those for high schoolers, right?

She knew she was trying to distract herself from the fatigue catching up to her, a middle-aged man adjacent to them having tripped onto the street, immediately swarmed by the medieval soldiers who were trailing close behind.

Her foot slipped on something she couldn't see on the street, her speed momentarily causing her to become airborne before slipping out of Yasutoki's grip and tumbling hard into the hard concrete below.

"Suzuha!" Yasutoki called out, having almost tripped himself upon stopping mid-stride.

Suzuha stumbled on her knees, frightful eyes spotting a one of the Medieval soldiers making a beeline towards her, a menacing smile on his face as closed the distance.

She screamed, shielding her head behind her arms.

That was when she heard footsteps next to her, followed by a "clack" of something smacking against a hard surface.

Upon realizing the Roman had yet to lay his hands on her, she took a timid glance upwards.

Her mouth dropped at the sight of a large tattooed man who towered above her, a bokken resting against one of his broad shoulders as the loose strands of the hachimaki headband flowed in the wind.

The tip of his bokken was dripping blood, Suzuka noticing the Roman that had been after her clutching his broken and bleeding mouth.

She continued to stare, dumbstruck as more tattooed individuals appeared on the streets, the sounds of motorcycle engines revving echoing across the street.

Yakuza…

The gang-members formed a line, all of them armed with bokkens and a few sporting actual katanas.

The pursuing Romans stopped, their mouths twisted in a gleeful expression as they raised their shields and gladius swords.

Her savior turned toward her, his eyes hidden behind the sunglasses he wore, "Get out of here! We'll stall them for as long as we can!"

She felt Yasutoki's hand grip around the pit of her arm, hoisting her up before grabbing her hand and making a dash towards the direction they were fleeing to.

The Romans let out a battlecry, the Yakuza members matching theirs as the two forces collided with each other as they turned into an alleyway.

Sonia and the others were anxiously waiting for them, Suzuha leaning over against the wall before puking her guts out.

"Are you okay?!" Sonia asked in a hushed tone, putting her hand on the Japanese-Filipina as she wiped her mouth.

"Y-yeah…!" She barely managed out, trying to keep her legs from shaking. She gripped her bag tighter as Sonia slowly creeped out of the other side of the alleyway they had hidden in and turned to their small group.

The blonde girl looked pale as she slowly whispered "It's mostly clear, but there are a couple of stragglers. Lots of bodies, though. They're busy looting the insides of the stores, so now is probably the best time to leave while they're distracted."

Suzuha felt Hiro grip her hand tightly as he stepped forward, the young manager saying "Close your eyes… we'll be out of here soon."

One by one, the group creeped out of the alleyway, keeping along the walls whilst trying to appear small and having a low profile so as to not be easily spotted by keen eyes.

The stench hit her first.

She had no idea what "death" smelled like. Japan and Tokyo were so sanitized that such concerns weren't thought about. But now, even with her eyes closed and her hand tightly gripping onto Yasutoki, she could tell she was surrounded by death and she hated it.

She then opened her eyes as she rounded the corner and her heart sank.

Cars were destroyed and abandoned. She saw a few hunched over figures, some with arrows embedded into their chests. Some headless. All the surrounding buildings had shattered windows, and emergency lights were on, shining a hellish red as they reflected bloodstains and puddles everywhere she looked.

She covered her hand, trying to keep herself from vomiting and advertising their position. Yasutoki squeezed the wrist of the hand she used to cover her mouth, her classmate trying to give her his best reassuring smile.

It didn't comfort her.

True to Sonia's word, a lot of those Roman dressed soldiers were currently gutting a family-mart of all its contents, along with several other stores that sold other merchandise such as clothing, food, or other miscellaneous items. There were other pedestrians she witnessed, who were bound and hogtied as they called out for help or cried to themselves. If there were others still in the area, they did their best to remain hidden from these Roman-dressed lunatics.

She tried not to think about what she was stepping on, praying the sticky, squishy something she'd just felt against her right foot was someone's food and not something else.

I'll be home soon, I'll be home soon, I'll be home and safe and mom and dad will be there, and maybe Yasutoki will stay a bit longer… and…

She heard someone sniffling, taking her out of her self-assuring thoughts. She could imagine it was Mitsuki trying to hold back terrified tears. She'd been crying non-stop since the… attack? Invasion? Crisis?

What exactly was going on?

Her mind tried to focus on that as she heard before feeling the shards of shattered glass on the sidewalk belonging to some tall complex that sold games, doujins, and figurines, trying her best to ignore the blood puddles around her from the victims of their rampage.

Again, it took everything in her not to vomit there and then.

They all jumped when they heard the noise of a trumpet nearby sound off, followed by the increased rhythm of beating drums.

She saw Sonia frantically waving her hands, ushering them to move faster and to get off the street. She pointed at another alleyway across, the group seemingly abandoning the idea of keeping a low profile as each of them broke into a dead sprint. Yasutoki firmly held her hand, the Japanese-Filipina student nearly tripping over a headless body of an office woman that was discarded on the street as if yesterday's trash. Mr Hiro was right behind them, frantically whispering for Mitsuki and the others to hurry up.

They sought refuge inside the alleyway, everyone trying to keep to the walls utilizing the dimly lit corners to hide in. At times like these, Suzuha silently cursed at the lack of dumpsters and trash cans in the Japanese city. They could have swallowed their pride and try hiding inside them, but noo. That terrorist cult had to ruin it with the sarin gas attack in the subway.

She tried calming the thumping against her chest of her rapidly beating heart, clenching her eyes as she tightly gripped Yasutoki's hand, who squeezed hers in return. Tears slid down, her mouth trembling at the thought of those Romans emerging into the alleyway to butcher them.

A thought that almost caused her to have a full blown panic attack.

Were it not for Yasutoki tightly holding her hand, she was unsure if she would have given up at this moment, giving into despair as she became too afraid to continue on with her friends any further.

Moments passed, the faint sound of her friends panting as they caught their breaths. The sounds of trumpets and horns continued, followed by the shouts from the Romans that sounded firm and direct, as if commands to their men. She saw Sonia peeking around the corner, her gaze towards where the Romans were for a couple of moments before turning to face the group.

"They didn't see us..."

Suzuha blew out a long sigh of relief, her body still shaking from being overloaded with adrenaline. She used her free hand to wipe her tears, Yasutoki glancing at her with another warm smile, "We're going to make it through, Suzuha-chan... Just keep staying strong."

"I'm trying..." She said in a tone that sounded meek.

"We're almost there." Sonia reassured, looking at her phone's GPS, "...We're on the outskirts of Chiyoda."

Suzuha nodded as she wiped a new tear that had spilled over, taking some deep breaths as the thumping in her heart gradually slowed down. Sonia waited for a few more moments, peeking out of the alleyway and into the main street in an effort to keep track of the pillagers. She, and presumably everyone, strained their ears, a hot breeze blew more stench that assaulted her nostrils, and she shut her eyes not to think about what was causing it, but…

"Let's go…" Sonia whispered out to them, "Stay close to the sidewalks… if we're careful, we can be there in ten minutes… We're almost there..."

Suzuha barely heard Sonia as the blonde kept her voice in a whisper so as to not alert any unwanting ears, but she heard her say close they were to the embassy. The thought of being safe within the confines of a building surrounded by tall walls manned with men armed with weapons was comforting to say the least.

But what if they don't let us in?

Sonia and Lisa were Americans, so they would have no issues of being let through. She and the others weren't. What if the Americans turned her away because she was Japanese with mixed ancestry? Would Sonia be able to convince them to let them through?

She tried to push away the negative thoughts creeping out from the dark corners of her mind. The Japanese-Filipina had never seen the American embassy, let alone stepped foot inside it. But she doubted Sonia would have gone through all this trouble of leading them from Ginza all to the embassy if there was the possibility of all of them being turned away. She had her opinions of Americans, but she liked to believe the blonde was not callous enough to leave them to the mercy of those Romans.

Right?

With Yasutoki's hand still firmly holding hers, the male classmate led her towards the exit of the alleyway, Mr. Hiro right behind her. The teen who had flirted with Lisa still held the mop as a spear as he creeped along the wall, protectively standing in front of the younger American as she gripped onto the tail of his shirt. Mitsuki and the other guy with her were the last ones, all waiting for Sonia's signal to leave.

With a wave of Sonia's hand, they filed out of the alleyway one by one.

No phones rang. No sounds other than the light crunch from occasionally stepping on glass shards from the shattered windows of stores. They occasionally heard unfamiliar voices speaking a language they didn't understand in the distance, resulting in Sonia forcing them to stop and hold still. All wordlessly. In the unknown territory of Chiyoda ward, they couldn't tell exactly where the enemy was, so she was going slow.

But they were alive.

Sonia was no soldier, but Suzuha could tell her Marine father had clearly given her some advice on how to handle a crisis. Thus allowing the American girl to lead them to safety. Still, she held onto Yasutoki, the older classmate who made her feel much safer than her other friends from school.

Sonia led them down another street, her eyes turning to her phone's map. All sound dying out except their soft footsteps on the pavement. The stench of death was gone but she could still smell smoke, but the street felt safer now. As though the closer to the US Embassy they got, the safer they all were. Mitsuki had even stopped crying completely.

Wordlessly, Sonia pointed ahead, right at the sign on the corner of the narrow street that displayed the crest of the US embassy and American flag.

U.S. Embassy, next corner...

Suzuha nearly shuddered, the sense of dread that followed her since the moment they were attacked finally easing out of her mind, embracing the overwhelming sensation of salvation in return. From the close calls of having to slow crawl their way all the way from Ginza to stepping over the corpses of unfortunate victims, for the first time since it all began, she felt as if she could finally lower her guard.

All they had to do was turn the corner and they would be safe.

Sonia let out a small smile, no doubt also feeling the relief of the burden of responsibility lifted from her shoulders as her father and men were about to take over the role as their protector and guardians.

A small object whizzed by their heads, Suzuha's mind almost not processing it due to how fast it moved.

The object found itself lodged right into the back of Sonia's neck, the blonde girl hitting the ground like a ragdoll before she could even process what had just happened.

Almost instantly, blood started squirting out of right where the object had started landing as if someone turned on a faucet, the red substance pooling underneath her at an alarming rate.

What?!

Sonia tried making a noise, the only sounds being that of gurgling as she began choking on her own blood.

"Sonia!" Lisa screamed, immediately breaking into a sprint towards where her sister was currently bleeding out on the street. Their classmate with the mop followed the younger blonde, calling out to her in Japanese to wait.

Another object zipped right past them, landing dead centre in the teen's chest, causing him to drop the mop before tumbling face first into the cold concrete below.

Were they darts? Daggers? Knives? Whatever they were, Suzuha prayed that he had not lodged the object further into his chest upon his hard fall.

If Lisa was aware of his current predicament or not, she did not slow down as she continued making a beeline towards where her sister bled out.

Mitsuki began screaming her head off, the boy who had been with her deciding he did not want to stick with the group anymore as he broke off into a sprint in the opposite direction.

And then he fell into the concrete when another dart-like object lodged itself into the back of his head, making no movement to indicate he somehow managed to survive that.

Suzuha had finally lost all composure and any sense of security as she joined in on the screaming, Yasutoki freezing on the spot like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Oh shit! Oh shit!" Mr. Hiro cursed in a panic-induced mantra as chaos erupted all around them. He darted towards where their other classmate had fallen, flipping him over on the road to try to see if the older gentleman could try assisting him in any way. Suzuha's worst fears were confirmed when she saw the knife-like object had indeed buried itself deeper into the boy's sternum upon his fall, the blood-soaked hilt being the only thing visible.

He vomited blood as his body began to convulse, Hiro holding up his now bloody hands as he came at a loss of how to proceed. And then there was Sonia, who simply laid there as her hands stayed by her sides instead of moving to her wound.

Suzuha screamed harder upon the chilling realization that the American girl had likely been paralyzed from the neck down, Sonia's frightful eyes darting around as her sister grabbed onto the limp blonde.

At the same moment, men and women came from the shadows, screaming words they couldn't understand, a few holding up large shields and short swords as four people landed around them, their rabbit-like ears the first thing she saw that stood out about their appearance.

The dark-haired woman with the rabbit ears brandished a large tribal knife before she started taking steps towards where Sonia and Lisa were. She was stopped mid-stride when the male rabbit stuck his arm out in front of her, seemingly giving her a disapproving look and arguing with her in that weird language before glancing down at both of their classmates bleeding out.

They all just stood there, watching as Mitsuki ran up to where Lisa cradled her unmoving sister.

Hiro craned his neck over and shouted "Yasutoki-san, give me your vest! We have to stop the bleeding!"

"Ah! Y-yes!" He stammered, finally snapping out of his trance as let go of Suzuha's hand. He knelt down, shaking as he did so, more of those Roman men approaching them.

While the people with rabbit ears were dressed in somewhat tribal attire, the others had more armor pieces, sporting leather and chain-mail armour. She noticed one of them was an Asian man who appeared barely older than her, auburn strands of hair underneath his helmet that complimented the fox-like ears he had.

Next to him was another Asian woman - Japanese from the 7-eleven uniform she wore - who covered her mouth as her eyes widened in horror when she glanced down at their injured classmates.

"Hold him down!" Hiro directed at Yasutoki, desperation in his voice, "I can't have him shaking like this!"

"M-Mitsuki… she's… bleeding… so much." Lisa barely managed as despair had completely taken over, placing her sister on her side so as to not push the blade deeper into her neck.

The teen with the knife in his chest vomited more blood as his eyes began rolling to the back of his head.

"Just hold… damn it, he's not… damn it all! Come on, kid, don't give up, not now!"

"D-dad…?! Dad…!" Sonia cried out between choking on her own blood, which only caused her sister to cry even harder.

"Sonia!" Lisa pleaded, "Sonia, please hang on! We're going to get you help!"

Her response came in the form of Sonia's own eyes beginning to roll to the back of her head as her expression became blank, both Lisa and Mitsuki shaking her in a desperate bid to keep her from passing out.

The other teen had finally stopped moving altogether.

Suzuha collapsed onto her knees, her shoulders shuddering while her own tears rained down on the cold and unforgiving concrete. They were so close to being safe, yet it seemed as if it was just a cruel illusion.

The dirty-blonde rabbit girl who was missing half of her left ear looked down at her in what looked like pity, biting the tip of her index finger as if pondering her next move. The two locked eyes for a moment, the Japanese-Filipina fully expecting the dirty-blonde to plunge the spear in her grip into her chest.

Then, unexpectedly, the dirty-blonde rabbit stepped to the side, removing herself as the sole obstacle from the street to the embassy.

Thus giving them the opening they needed to make a break for it.

Besides her trembling shoulders, Suzuha found herself unable to move as she was still paralyzed with fear.

"Run!"

Yasutoki grabbed her hand and dragged her down the street as fast as the girl's athletic legs could carry her, managing to slip past the blonde-haired rabbit woman who gave them the opening. She took a quick glance back to see both Mitsuki and Lisa were still shaking Sonia, who looked as if she had either fainted or passed on. Hiro was quick to his feet, attempting to grab both the younger girls before the surrounding Romans piled on top of him.

She turned away, praying to any listening God that the manager and two girls weren't being mindlessly butchered.

Fire flared in her lungs as she struggled to get her breathing under control as the two sprinted to safety. She was fast, but Yasutoki was even faster, having almost tripped several times in a span of a few seconds in an effort to try keeping up with him.

Fall and I'm dead.

Snot oozed from her nostrils, adrenaline coursing into her veins as she heard the shuffling of footsteps behind them along with foreign shouting. Her already rapidly beating heart had increased in rhythm, now trying to fight the overwhelming desire to stop to catch her breath.

Stop and I'm dead.

She screamed through it all, her mind going on pure instinct as her fight or flight mode had overtaken her, Yasutoki only increasing his strides and he held onto her.

She screamed as she heard the shuffling behind them get closer.

She screamed when she saw the outline of the embassy that served as their only hope of survival.

She screamed when both her and Yasutoki practically crashed against the fence that separated them between life and death.

She screamed when she faintly heard the English command, "Get down!"

She screamed when Yasutoki jumped on top of her, the both of them tumbling down onto the concrete below.

She screamed when the loud chorus of gunfire erupted all around them, the clacking of bullet casings echoing across as they were ejected from multiple weapons.

Then, she proceeded to cry at the silence that lingered after.

As she continued crying into Yasutoki's chest as he laid on top of her, the male classmate peered over his shoulder when they heard the rustling of a gate opening.

"Get inside! Hurry!" shouted the command in English again.

She peered over Yasutoki's shoulder to see a pair of US Soldiers ushering the two inside, another pair crouching at the mouth of the entrance as they pointed their weapons down the street the two emerged from.

Yasutoki scrambled to his feet, pulling the still crying and petrified Suzuha up with him before dragging her through the fence and inside the embassy, the Soldiers closing it immediately after.

---

"You wench!" Hyrmina screeched

Hera stood at attention as the brunette rabbit stormed over towards her.

Which was soon followed by the loud slap that echoed in the narrow backstreet that could probably be heard from all the way to the Gate.

Altan winced, hardly able to contain his undoubtedly hostile glare at Hyrmina, the dark-haired rabbit towering over the petite dirty-blonde whose cheek was already red and swelling from the vicious blow she had been dealt.

"You let them get away on purpose, didn't you?!" Hyrmina accused, jabbing a finger into Hera's chest.

"Hyrmina!" Eleon called out as he held down the older man who stood by the girls.

Hera remained silent, a single stray tear betraying her stoic posture as she continued to stand at attention, spear in hand.

"You're useless!" Hyrmina declared, spittles flying from her mouth, "So damn useless!"

"Hyrmina…!" Eleon called out louder, his tone threatening and laced with venom.

With a disgusted snarl, she turned away from the clipped-eared rabbit-girl, unable to bear the sight of her any longer before redirecting her gaze towards the other demi-humans who stood by.

"After them!" Hyrmina pointed towards where the teens had taken off. "Bring me back their severed heads!"

The ones who weren't piling on top of the older native gave the brunette rabbit-eared woman a salute before they proceeded to dart after the escaping teens, their rabbit-like reflexes rapidly closing the gap between them and the runners.

Altan gripped his spear tightly, glancing at the crying Zenko right next to him. He kept hearing the phrase "Gomenasai" as she stared at the dying blonde in front of them. As if she felt she was responsible for the incident that just transpired.

It's not your fault...

She and Altan were only brought along the scouting party simply to translate where the scouts needed to to go, acting as de-facto guides. Yet, it seemed as if Zenko believed their blood was on her hands.

The two males were already dead, that much he knew. Altan couldn't help but twitch uncomfortably as he saw the life leaving the blonde girl's eyes. Even if she were to miraculously survive the dagger in her neck, she would no doubt be permanently paralyzed from the neck down. From what he knew, even their best healing mages couldn't reverse that kind of damage.

Eleon held his tribal knife to the older man's throat, threatening to slit it should he make another move. The two remaining girls clutched onto the dying blonde, the younger one desperately pleading to her in a language he had yet to learn.

Altan jumped as a series of loud pops echoed from the end of the street where the teens had fled to, turning just in time to witness the pursuing scouts falling onto the streets and writhe around in pain.

Some were unmoving, altogether.

"What in oblivion…?" he heard one of the cat demis mutter off, glancing at the one of the rabbit demi-humans crawling towards the sidewalk, leaving a blood trail behind him.

"Go retrieve the wounded!" Eleon ordered, the demi-humans immediately darting towards where their brethren had fallen.

Hyrmina scowled, redirecting her ire from Hera towards the crying Zenko on the ground. She stomped towards her, grabbing the storekeeper by the root of her hair before violently yoinking her upwards, causing the woman more pain and suffering.

"What was that?! What happened to my scouts?!"

She only tightened her grip when Zenko's only response was more crying.

"Fox boy, you better start translating my question before I cut her head off…!"

Panicking, he tried to compose himself as he tried thinking of the Japanese words to convoy to her.

He asked, in the broken language he was still learning, repeating it louder just in case Zenko didn't hear him the first time. With how agitated the dark-haired rabbit girl had become, he wouldn't put it past her to make good on her threat of beheading the poor girl.

"Jūda!" She cried out, fresh tears dripping from her cheeks onto the unforgiving street below. "Jūsei no yōdatta!"

Jūda…

Jūsei…

He rubbed his temples, struggling to find out the meaning behind the words…

no yōdatta…

Sounded like…

…Sounded like… Jūda…

He clenched his teeth, tightly closing his eyelids on what Jūda could possibly mean.

In his limited Japanese, he asked, "What does… Jūda… mean?"

"Jū!" She repeated again, trying to make hand gestures. He held her hand out, gripping around an invisible object as she pointed outwards, "Bang bang…?"

Explosions…?

"Well?!" Hyrmina unsheathed her tribal knife, Altan's stomach dropping simply from witnessing first hand what that blade could do in her hands.

Switching to the Saderan dialect, he answered, "She said it sounded like explosions that harmed them!"

"Explosions?!"

"It's… what it sounds like from the tongue she speaks!"

"So… she led us into a trap?!" She held the blade to Zenko's throat, who was begging for mercy.

"It's a stronghold! They could have set up defenses upon hearing our arrival!" Altan reasoned, the rabbit still holding the blade in place, "She's a storekeeper! A mere peasant! Not a legionnaire! She would have had no way of knowing their army's tactics!"

The two stared at each other for a few tense seconds, Altan hoping Hyrmina wasn't too drunk on revenge to see reason and logic. His prayers were answered when the brunette had let go of Zenko's hair, the small woman falling forward and into his arms.

Altan stood there, holding his spear in one hand, his other awkwardly around her shoulder. It mattered not as the native woman cried on his chest. He might've been her enemy, but it was clear she preferred his company over anyone else's.

The rabbit warriors brought back the wounded they've gathered, Hyrmina and the others trying to assess what wounds were inflicted on them, a few curious heads from the ones who were guarding the other natives.

Blood pooling out from coin-sized holes in their flesh, the odd wounds causing Altan to tilt his head.

Hyrmina rushed over to the nearest injured rabbit demi-human, asking "What did you see? What tricks did these cowardly soldiers employ?!"

Coughing blood, the male gray-haired rabbit demi-human answered, "I don't know! I saw… flashes! then… my stomach and left leg were on fire…!"

Altan saw the unending stream of blood pooling from the coin-sized holes night next to his navel and middle of his leg, glancing at Zenko in confusion before reverting his glare back at the injured rabbit.

Explosions… don't do that… right? He then remembered what he said about "flashes".

Magic…?

His ears picked up the sounds of metal boots shuffling from nearby, followed by the galloping of horse hooves. He turned around, seeing the rest of their cohort arriving, narrowly filing down the claustrophobic streets.

Curious heads glanced towards the four natives who were on the ground, the blonde girl who's eyes lifelessly stared at the sky as the younger one desperately tried to shake her awake.

Altan lowered his hand, exhaling slowly through his nostrils.

She's dead…

He knew she had no chance of surviving the wound inflicted upon her. Still, seeing her friends desperately trying to keep her alive… who were still in denial of her death…

He prayed that the Goddess Yelia would forgive them of their trespassing.

"Escort the wounded," Hyrmina shouted, pointing at the scouts they managed to extract from the narrow street close to the enemy stronghold.

Several runners carried them off in stretchers, their moans only becoming more agonized with each movement their saviors made.

Eleon has finally arisen from where he held the older native at knife point, pointing at two newly arrived auxilias before saying, "Get these three to the caravans marked for the Gate." he pointed at the older man and two young girls. He then looked at Zenko before adding, "Her too! We no longer need her services."

The auxilias, a ox demi-human and a orc respectively, simply saluted before taking the girls and the older man. The tiny blonde girl held onto the older dead-one for dear life, unwilling to leave her despite her obvious death. With a bit of a yank, the small blonde finally lost her grip as she wailed in despair, much to the annoyance of the orc who carried her off.

Zenko was swept up from her feet from a bull demi-human, the look of defeat in her eyes as she no longer cried or offered any form of resistance.

Altan watched the store keeper in stunned silence. He expected her to yell. Maybe even kick and scream. But she just laid like a ragdoll with her defeated expression.

She just… gave up…

"Formations!" Their Primus shouted, the cornicen holding the trumpet in his mouth before blowing the horn.

The legions in the auxiliaries reconsolidated and reorganized within the small confines of the narrow street. Mages were now embedded in the ranks, able to cast spells and soften whatever resistance the stronghold might be able to put up.

Even from where Altan stood, he could see Count Formal's white steed from the rear of the formation, hand on his swords as he anticipated the command he was about to give.

Altan lowered his head. Partly out of anxiousness. Partly out of shame.

He knew the moment they received the command, they would storm the walls of their enemy's compound.

He thought of the scouts who pursued the fleeing teens, who at one moment were running with grace, then the next, either dead or dying on the streets below.

Though he shouldn't worry. Those scouts were small pairs, easy targets for even the most amateurish army. The gorgons said that these men were untested. Cowardly, even. Surely this assault would go in their favour.

I just need to survive…

He closes his eyes, imagining both his sisters smiling faces.

His sisters Mai and Yue… or rather, Talia and Aurelia… who eagerly awaited his return.

Survive for them.

His family. This was all to ensure that his family would have safety and security that wouldn't be there if he had not answered the call to service. He was fighting for his family to live in peace and comfort.

He glanced over at Hera next to him in the formation, her eyes nearly vacant as she seemed to have zoned out.

No… Don't do this now…

He gently put a hand on her shoulder, "What happened to that girl wasn't your fault."

Hera turned her head towards him, yet it appeared she was looking through him rather than at him.

"We're going to survive this, Hera." Altan declared before giving her shoulder a light squeeze, "Just stay with me and we'll get through this."

"O-okay…" She replied, barely audible as another tear managed to trek down her cheek.

Altan gave a small smile, nodding before his gaze fell towards where the blonde girl and her two friends laid, surrounded in a pool of their own blood. Discarded without a care in the world, the legionnaires and auxilias paying no heed to their corpse as if they were simply trash on the road.

Then, the horn blared.

Count Formal pulled his sword, swinging it forward as he issued the command, "Charge!"

With a loud warcry and their weapons raised, the formation ran forward. Altan kept his grip on Hera's hand, ensuring the two somehow didn't become separated in the attack.

---

"Contact!"

Hilaire already had one of his cameras raised upon hearing the enemy's horn blare, its beat echoing across the buildings that surrounded them that was soon followed by the mix of chants and warcries.

"All stations, this is Cerberus 1-6. Go Condition 1!"

Hilaire racked the charging handle back on his M4, allowing the round in his magazine to go into the chamber. With his weapon armed, he decided to take cover behind the Artis and Jackson, who manned the M240B mounted behind the sandbag wall. He lowered his camera, the loud cock of Artis pulling back the charging handle of his M240B causing his heart rate to spike more than it already was.

He heard Cooper yell next to him, "All stations, this is Cerberus 1-6! Hold your fire and let them come closer!"

With his nervous hands, he pointed his camera at the incoming human tidal wave of medieval soldiers on the digital display, trying to zoom and focus on the medieval soldiers with their swords, shields, pikes at hand.

Cat ears he spotted on one of the soldiers, a female if he was not mistaken.

One of them had ox horns, his massive frame making him an easy target from how he towered over the rest of the formation.

Two orcs, running side by side in the large tidal wave that swarmed over to where they defended the line.

He knew he shouldn't have been surprised. They had already briefed that demi-humans and the other creatures of folklore were amongst the enemy combatants. He'd seen the wyverns on his descent into the embassy. Hell, he saw the pixie from earlier.

Yet to see the other creatures first hand. It kept reinforcing the fact that this was far from a normal combat mission.

Hilaire lowered his camera, gripping onto the pistol grip of his M4 for the first time before slowly coming to a tactical carry.

He sighted in on his RCO, the faces of their enemies becoming clearer from the ACOG's magnification.

Two-hundred meters.

One-fifty.

One-hundred.

"All units, open fire! Let them have it!"

Several dozen rifles cracked at once, the clouds of smoke trailing from the ejection ports breezing through the air. Artis' M240B roared to life, firing in short bursts as the trail of expended gunpowder nearly obscured Hilaire's field of vision.

Hilaire saw dozens drop in sync, others doubling over as the screams reached his ear.

Despite this, the enemy soldiers kept coming undeterred, continuing to emerge from the narrow streets as they kept chanting their battlecries.

From the rear of the enemy formation, several arrows were launched from archers that had strategically placed themselves from the human wave that shielded them. The Marines ducked, Hilaire nearly crunching up and curling into a ball as arrows landed around them.

"Artis!" he heard Staff Sergeant Sharpe call out from behind them, "Focus your fire on those archers!"

He could see Artis shift the barrel up of the M240B, the North-Carolinian PFC sighting in on the machine gun's RCO before letting off a long burst. Spent 7.62 shell casings piled on top on him, Hilaire covering the the top of his FROG shirt to ensure no hot casings landed inside and burn his skin.

crouching next to Artis, Hilaire raised his M4 up, sighting in on the horde that came forward.

Aiming with the crotch of the red chevron, he lined his sight onto a soldier who resembled more beast than man. Exhaling his breath, Hilaire pulled the trigger, the recoil of his weapon kicking back his shoulder as his barrel pointed up.

He tried sighting back to the beastly demi-human to see if he had shot them, only to find him nowhere in sight. Did his shot hit his target? Was he down on the ground somewhere? Did he miss entirely?

He clicked his teeth, readjusted the buttstock on his shoulder before firing another shot at an incoming soldier.

Then another shot.

Then another.

Soon, his M4 went dry when his bolt carrier locked to the rear, gunsmoke billowing from his open ejection port to signal he was out of rounds in his magazine.

"Reloading!"

He hit the ejection button, the aluminum 30-round magazine dropping onto the concrete with an audible "clack" before he slid another magazine in. He sent the bolt forward, canting the M4 to the side to do a brass check. He had a round in the chamber, which meant he was ready to deal more hurt to these dollar-store Romans.

He saw figures dart to and fro buildings, almost as if they were parkour experts. They were maneuvering fast, using their speed to try and bypass the charging Romans and into their perimeter.

Thankfully, the other Marines from Cerberus were well aware of their presence, as he saw tracers zooming into their direction. One of the rounds hit one of the parkour Romans mid-flight, the man letting out a painful yelp as he fell hard into the hard street below. Another was lit up just as he landed on one of the street signs, falling into the ground after being filled with lead.

Bunny ears? Hilaire could have sworn one of the parkour experts was sporting bunny ears on his head before he was lit up by concentrated gunfire. He didn't have time to focus on him to make out the details before the brave assailant met his end with a wall of gunfire.

Hilaire chose another target from the thinning horde, spotting an archer trying to draw his arrow back on the string of his bow. He was about to fire a controlled pair before he saw two small red puffs erupt from his left chest, the arrow prematurely launching as he fell backwards.

Hilaire lowered his M4, switching to his Cannon camera as he reverted back to his journalist mindset. It was clear that the Marines had the situation handled. Unless they were endangered of actually being breached, he could simply go back to documenting and recording.

His mind briefly went back to moments ago when he was firing into the horde. There was no doubt in his mind that most of his shots had hit someone. No way he could have missed with that target rich environment. What he didn't know, however, was if some of those shots were fatal. Things were moving far too quickly for him to double check to see if his targets were neutralized.

With trembling hands, he snapped a photo at the growing pile of empty brass next to Artis' roaring M240B.

---

Dennis fired a controlled pair, two shots into the chest of a charging Roman soldier with dog ears.

The dog-eared Roman fell down, four more coming forward to take his place.

Saying a few swear words, he fired another controlled-pair at one of the other discount-Romans before he noticed his M4 was now dry.

"Reloading!" He called out, Crawford and Sean covering for him, Crawford's M249 SAW roaring as he fired in long bursts. After sliding a new magazine in and sending the bolt forward, Dennis brought his M4 up to rejoin his comrades in culling the herd.

He pulled the trigger, only for his weapon to click instead of fire.

Cocking his eyebrow, he canted his M4 to the side to brass-check, seeing his firing bolt was only half-way forward with the exposed brass not even in the firing tube. With a few more obscenities he was glad his mother wasn't around to hear, Dennis smashed his palm on the M4's forward assist, the firing bolt going slightly forward until it was finally sent home after the fourth smack.

With the misfire out of the way, Dennis aimed down his sight and found his target in the form of a humanoid cat sporting two tribal daggers. He pulled the trigger, his M4 kicking back as the 5.56 exploded from the chamber.

The cat-like humanoid doubled over in pain as the other Romans toppled over it.

Dennis resisted the urge to switch to the M320 and simply bombard the enemy with 40MM high explosives. It would certainly neutralize and disperse the crowd far faster than simply suppressing them. Still, all grenadiers were limited to firing their rifles only, which meant he needed to suck it up.

"Reloading!" he heard Sean call out, Dennis covering his friend as he continued to fire into the Romans.

"Incoming! Get down!" He heard Roberts yell, immediately ducking behind his makeshift barricade.

Dennis and the others instinctively ducked behind cover upon hearing the command from their squad-leader, perplexed as to what they were taking cover from.

His answer came in the form of a car that was hurling through the air before crashing just outside the fence of the embassy.

What the-?!

Another car crashed into the alleyway between an empty gap where the Romans were charging. Dennis peaked over, spotting yet another car that was…

His mouth dropped.

The third vehicle, a small Japanese box car, was suspended in mid-air as if levitating. Dennis knew Japan was innovative, but he knew damn well they had not invented a hover-car yet.

Which could only mean…

"They have someone who can manipulate gravity!" He heard Crawford call out just as the box-car was launched.

Dennis heard the loud crash of metal twisting and glass shattering as the box-car smashed through the fence, barely missing their position.

"Guardian 1-6 to all! We have a breach in the north wall! I repeat! We have a breach in the corner of the north-wall!" Rhodes called out on the radio, the platoon shifting their fire to cover the bent and twisted section of the fence-line.

"Overlord-Actual to Guardian 1-6. Enemies have shifted their positions and are trying to concentrate on the breach in your section. Ensure you keep the pressure on the enemy."

Dennis noticed the morale of their enemy seemed to risen with the damage they did on their fence, their forces consolidating into one area as they made a dash towards the crumbled wall.

The Romans piled behind the turned vehicles, which began to slightly lift up just inches off the ground before hovering towards where Dennis and his comrades defended.

The troops concentrated their fire on the encroaching Romans hiding behind the floating overturned vehicles, the cars largely absorbing the hail of gunfire and protecting the hostiles that utilized them for cover.

Individual romans had been picked off, either from standing too tall or exposed from overcrowding behind each other. Still, this change of tactic was largely working in their favour as they couldn't have been more than fifty-meters away.

"Grenadiers," Dennis heard his platoon sergeant call out from near their firing positions, "Use your grenade launchers and flush out those hostiles utilizing the cars for cover!"

Dennis wasted no time sliding the 40mm HE round into the tube of his M320. The Japanese suits in the Diet can cope and seethe for all he cared. What's a few charred and burnt pavement compared to the alternative of injured or killed American servicemen?

He flipped up the M230's leaf sight, angling his rifle up as he adjusted his aim towards the closest vehicle. He slowly squeezed the M320's trigger until he heard the "thoomph" of the 40mm launching from the tube.

The leading hovering vehicle rocked from the sudden explosion, the 40mm round impacting the hood of the car. The engine compartment underneath the hood ignited in a fiery inferno in response, causing the cowering Romans to shuffle backwards and into the line of sight of many of the troops as the symphony of rifle and machine gun fire crackled to life.

Another 40mm from a different grenadier exploded directly behind the crowd who still sought cover behind the now flaming floating vehicle, the explosive concussion and shrapnel shredding several dozen of the cowering Romans.

Whatever cool and collected heads they had vanquished as they fled in terror, some of them being cut down from getting into the crossfire.

Both cars were suddenly lifted high above, which was when Dennis noticed one lone Roman soldier who stood still amongst the running crowd, his hands raised as his trembling fingers directed the floating vehicles towards the embassy.

Found you.

Dennis sighted in on the Telekinesis user, putting the tip of the chevron on his chest before firing off two shots.

The telekinesis mage fell down, the floating cars crashing onto the road instantly.

With their mage killed and grenades exploding all around them, the Romans began retreating back from the narrow road they emerged from. Dennis picked off a few stragglers who continued, leading a futile suicide charge into their perimeter.

---

Colt Formal grimaced.

All around him, his legion and auxiliaries were cut down in mass on a scale he had never seen before.

Arrows? Magic? He couldn't fathom what sorcery these enemy combatants employed.

But it shouldn't be sorcery.

The gorgons and scouts had confirmed that this world had no magic users. So how were they able to deal this amount of devastation to his assault force who were at a thousand strong?

Which were now reduced a mere hundred if even that?

He knew sieges were difficult, having been an active participant both in attacking and defending.

But this?

Surely this was their Gods enacting vengeance of their transpassings. It's the only explanation he could come up with.

He stared back as his dead steed, the poor mustang-bred horse riddled with unexplained holes as it laid in the street like slaughtered cattle.

"Sire!" his Primus called out as he came rushing towards him, "Sire, we need to retreat! Our flanks have been wipe-"

He never finished, blood splashing from an exploding neck wound inflicted by the enemy's unknown method of attack. He was instantly on the ground, Formal rushing towards his second in command as he tried to access his wound.

More blood pooled from the gaping hole in his throat, the life having already left his eyes as they vacantly stared at the sky.

No famous last words. No glorious dual to the end

Just… sudden death…

Formal knelt down by him, his hands trembling with the building rage before directing his gaze towards the enemy's stronghold.

The survivors of the siege were in various stages of panic. One demi-human who had curled into a fetal position, screaming out for his God to show mercy. Another, a mage, was trying to hurl fire balls before being slain by the "fire rain" that came from the direction of their stronghold. One of the lowly ranked auxilias, a rabbit-warrior, was cradling one of her injured comrades, chanting a prayer as she rocked back in forth.

Then of course, there were the wounded. Their screams and pleas for help, their pleas for mercy, all of it seemed to go ignored.

No, the Gods will not help them. They've abandoned them the moment they trespassed into this world.

Abandoned him.

Glancing around his dead and dying legionnaires and auxilias, he exhaled a frustrated breath as his ire returned to the wall of their stronghold.

Why should he live when so many of them have died? He was their leader. Their commander. Someone who they had followed to the depths of hell and back.

No. He will make his stand here. The hierarchy may have sent him and his men to die, so if his death was the outcome, then he'll do it in a blaze of glory.

Raising his sword, he shouted "Long live the Empire!"

He ran forward, stepping over the corpses of the men and women who have been with him through thick and thin.

"Long live Italica!"

He could see the walls getting closer, side-stepping the tumbled horseless wagons as he gave out his most intimidating battle-cry.

Then he stumbled over when a sharp pain erupted from the side of his stomach, coming to an abrupt halt.

He clutched over where the pain was coming from, his hand coming back with fresh blood. He stared down, noticing the coin-sized hole in his pristine armor as it leaked a steady stream of crimson.

With another enraged breath, he stumbled forward, sword raised, charging at the enemy compound.

Then his body twisted as a dozen more holes punctured his body, momentarily collapsing to both knees before another hole ruptured from the center of his head, silencing his thoughts forever.

---

"Please…!"

Hera cried as she cradled Altan, the fox demi-human grunting in pain from the two puncture wounds in his abdomen.

He turned in time to see Count Formal make his defiant last stand, cut down and slain by whatever sorcery these enemy defenders possessed.

Then, the horn to retreat finally sounded.

Whoever was left simply fled in random directions, stragglers following whomever so long as they weren't abandoned or left alone in this hostile alien labyrinth. No strategic withdrawal, no rendezvous at established fallback points.

Every man for himself.

Which only left the wounded such as himself and Hera to be left at the mercy of their enemies.

He turned his head to glance down at Hera's left leg, which was bleeding at multiple places that were punctured by small metal pieces when that explosion happened. He went to retrieve his fallen friend, the price of doing so receiving two holes that ruptured his abdominal region, stumbling into the ground in a world of pain as his comrades continued their charge without him.

Even with her injured leg, Hera managed to drag him off the street and into a small alley where they continued to seek refuge in.

With Count Formal dead and their cohort retreated, the only sounds they heard were the pained groans and pleas from the wounded who littered the streets. There had to be dozens of them that were still alive, some of them attempting to crawl and assisting others. Some opted to simply not be alone, seeking comfort with their other wounded comrades as they bled out in this alien world.

"Don't leave me…" Hera begged, tears freely flowing from her hazel eyes, "I… I can't survive without you!"

Altan gripped her hand, giving it a tight squeeze as he smiled softly despite the pain he was in, "I'll… be fine… It's just a flesh wound… I'm still here with you, Hera…"

He hoped she wouldn't catch onto his lie as he felt himself slipping in and out of consciousness. As much as he didn't want to, he doubted he was going to survive the wounds inflicted upon him.

"You're… one of the strongest people I've known, Hera." he stroked the back of her hand, "Don't let… Hyrmina or the others tell you otherwise."

"N-no…!" She leaned over, droplets of tears splashing across his cheek, "I cowered at every opportunity! If… If I had been more aggressive than maybe…"

"Then you would be dead like all the others…" he pointed out, shifting his gaze to the abundant corpses that littered the main street, "You're… just trying to survive, Hera… same as me… Nothing wrong with that…"

He let out a small groan as the pain from the punctures in his abdomen only seemed to intensify with each passing moment.

Hera only squeezed his hands tighter, her cries continuing.

"Whatever happens… just keep your head up and smile." he cooed, once again fighting to stay conscious, "Y-you're… an angel amongst the world of the wicked… You remind me so much of my sister…"

He fell silent, his mind's eye seeing his eldest sister's warm smile, auburn shoulder-length hair swaying in the wind that only highlighted the white tips of her fox-like ears. His younger sister who he had no doubt was up to no trouble in his absence.

He tightened his grip on Hera's hand. He didn't have any intention of dying in his alien world. No intention of breaking his promise to his sisters. But if his death had already been decided, then he'll keep Hera company until his time expires.

---

"They're in full retreat," Hilaire heard Sharpe say between labored breaths. "Lieutenant Cooper is getting reports from all around the perimeter. They're bugging out."

It was a simple statement, but one that evoked a sigh of relief from Hilaire. He sagged against the makeshift barricade, allowing the blockade to support him as the aftershock of the battle washed over him.

How long had they been fighting? Glancing down at his watch, he was stunned to see it was 16:36, barely ten minutes had passed since the first shot went off.

Ten minutes? That's it?

"Some shit, ain't it?" Sharpe asked, a knowing yet humourless smile gracing his mustached features as he regarded Hilaire.

As the Staff Sergeant relayed his report to Lieutenant Cooper, Hilaire continued to stare in awe at the carnage that lay outside the fence of the embassy. Hundreds of corpses littered on the streets, a scene that reminded him of the images that depicted the aftermath of the Japanese's assault on Henderson Airfield during the battle of Guadalcanal.

The Imperial Japanese lead their banzai charges against the Marines. Despite their best efforts, the Marines held the airfield and prevailed.

And today, the Marines held the embassy against an unrelenting wave of soldiers.

Granted, they didn't have firearms like the Japanese Imperial Army.

However…

He glanced at the caved-in section of the fence on the north wall, the totaled car that was used to breach it laying idly nearby. Courtesy of a mage who specialized in telekinesis.

Yes. This medieval Army may still be relying on swords and bows, but they had other tricks of their sleeves that could ruin their day if they're not careful.

His ears picked up on the pained groans from outside the fence, his eyes picking movement amongst those who laid on the streets.

Survivors of the attack, wounded and bleeding out.

Turning to Sharpe, he asked, "Sir, what are we to do with the wounded combatants outside the embassy?"

"Nothing we can do for now," He answered, his tone mundane, "We don't have the resources right now to care for them. We're going to have to wait until more help arrives in the form of ambulances from Tokyo's general hospital."

Hilaire tucked his lips, opting to continue staring at the dead and dying.

The wounded calling out for help in their foreign tongue will get the help they need. The question was if they would survive that long until help arrived.

---

Location: Chou Ward

Downtown Ginza

AEON Shopping Mall

Newly built multi-story Shopping Mall and Recreation Centre Located near the edge of downtown Ginza.

Fourth-Floor

Time: 16:42 Hours

---

Hiding in one of the various stores in which she had flung herself when the nightmare began, News anchor Nanami Kuribayashi bit her lip to keep herself from crying out in fear.

Terrified to the point of paralysis, she could do nothing but watch as agony and death erupted all around her in the mall she took refuge in. Ordinary shoppers, people who were simply going about and enjoying their day, were dying and she was powerless to stop it.

Okamura kept his hand over her mouth, muffling any yelp she made with every small crash that erupted around her.

The shouts of commands and the screams continued for several horrific minutes, during which Okamura tried to push themselves deeper into the clothing store's fitting room. Their hiding space did not allow them to see any of the other survivors during the abrupt skirmish, the claustrophobic fitting room vibrating the screams and wails of the Romans butchering people like animals. He heard their cries for help, though. Some of them called for the carnage to stop. At least one person begged for his mother before all the voices finally and mercifully fell silent.

Now that it was over, it took an extraordinary force of will for both Nanami and Okamura to remain absolutely still where they had sought refuge.

Then, the shuffling of footsteps entering their department store, the foreign voices accompanying them.

Nanami felt the warm liquid dripping down her leg upon losing control of her bladder, terrified tears leaking from her face as more crashing and moving of objects inside the store came closer.

They weren't armed. Their camera was dropped when they retreated into the mall. They didn't grab anything in the mall they could use to defend themselves.

If the medieval soldiers discovered them, they were truly screwed.

Her worst fears were confirmed when the door to their fitting room opened.

An orb of light glowed above the palm of the medieval soldier's hand, illuminating the tight space with a sickly green.

He spotted the two of them hiding inside, Nanami's heart stopping as the two of them locked eyes.

He appeared young, blonde and clean shaven. The baby face you would imagine on a Hollywood star. Nanami almost missed the butterfly-like wings he sported behind his back that also glowed the same green aura like the orb above his hand.

A fairy…?

His mouth slightly hung open, staring at the two with what appeared to be an anxious uncertain expression.

Okamura slowly raised his hands up in submission, Nanami following his example as more tears flooded down her cheeks.

Then the fairy soldier did something very unexpected. He put his index finger to his lips, a whispered 'shhhh' escaping from his lips.

He then closed the door to the fitting room, his friends calling out in their strange foreign language in which he responded to.

Then, the shuffling of their feet moving out of the store and fading into the mall.

Both Okamura and Nanami collapsed, Okamura letting out a shuddered breath as he continued to stare at the door of the fitting room.

He let us go…

Nanami couldn't believe it.

He had let them go.

She saw them butchering and killing indiscriminately. Just now she was forced to hear the dying screams of the shoppers cut down by these blood thirsty maniacs.

Yet…

This soldier had let them go.

Instructing them to be quiet and remain hidden.

Holy shit…

She was brought out of her reverie when a horn sounded in the mall, playing a long single note for about six seconds before it came to an abrupt end.

More shouting in their foreign language. Almost sounding urgent. Daring to peer around the corner, Okamura slid the door open to take a peek on what was happening.

"...They're… running…" He relayed back to her. "They're all running…"

---

Location: Ginza, Tokyo

4-Chome Intersection

The main four-way intersection at the heart of downtown Ginza

The Gate

Time: 17:30 Hours

---

Legate Spentacus stood erect on his horse, overlooking the wave of legionnaires and auxilias flowing back into the Gate, bringing with them untold fortunes they've managed to loot during their time here.

Clothing.

Jewelry.

Cuisines.

And of course…

He stared at the lines of prisoners his men had managed to take. He had stopped counting when he reached a hundred hours ago. The numbers of the caravans ferrying prisoners they've taken through the Gate have only tripled once they established a solid foothold in To-kyo. He wouldn't be surprised if the prisoners now numbered to the thousands.

He was sure most of these people would end up in the mines as slave labour. However, he was positive they captured a few brilliant minds who were responsible for these technological marvels that still baffled him every time he glanced at the city skyline.

However, his time to admire man's achievement was coming to an end as he counted the minutes.

Forty-Five minutes.

That was the deadline he had given to his men. Once the sound of retreat was sounded, they had forty-five minutes to make it back to the Gate to withdraw and return to the wonderful soil of their homeworld. A trumpet would play a long note for each minute that passed, keeping those within earshot of how much time they had left to make it back.

Once the forty-fifth minute passed, Spentascus would close the gate and seal it shut. If there were any stragglers that were still here once the gate closed, they will have to take the option of committing suicide or take their chances with the people of this world.

After what his armies have done? Suicide was certainly preferable. He could only imagine the anger and wrath they've invoked upon the people of this city-state who have lost countless loved ones as well as looted merchandise.

So far, forty minutes have passed.

The command tent they erected by the Gate was torn down. Anything that wasn't essential was simply left behind. The commanders who orchestrated the attack have largely withdrawn, along with their respective legions as the line of retreating soldiers and their loot became thinner and thinner.

Where are you, Formal…?

It became quite clear there were some glory seekers who ignored Emperor Molt's order to not engage their armies if encountered. An offense he will deal with once he retreated back into Alnus.

Yet he did not see any of the Italican colors of Formal's legion even as the final minutes passed by.

Formal was careful and calculating. He wouldn't give into the temptation of glory seeking. Not from how long Spenstacus had known him from the numerous campaigns they've fought together over the years.

So what happened?

By now, only stragglers who have gotten lost or lost track of how much time they had left were coming though, some of them trying to lug loot that was far too cumbersome for them.

Still, none of Formal's men have come forward.

An entire legion and auxiliary lost…?

The Forty-fifth horn sounded off.

He wanted to wait. Wanted to see Formal and his legion and auxilias emerging from the street corner and joined them in their strategic withdrawal. But he knew he could not afford to wait. With their main raiding force retreating, there wasn't a doubt in his mind that the city's defenses and their militia were on their way over here for blood.

Thus, with a heavy heart, he turned towards the Imperial gate guards who stood by the entrance, all eagerly awaiting his command.

"Seal the Gate!"

"Yes sire!"

He saw more stragglers coming, calling out to hold the gate open for a few more seconds. But he would now allow it. They simply had waited too long to reach the Gate, and he couldn't risk being opened any longer.

The Gate closed with an audible thump, the gate guards sliding the metal bar into the locking mechanism.

Spenstacus ignored the pounding and begging coming from the other side.

---

A/N:

Well...

I wanted to get the final part of Ginza just in time for the anniversary of the 3/11 Earthquake that happened in Japan 13 years ago.

The 3/11 Earthquake was one of many events that inspired me to join the Marine Corps. Seeing the images and videos of the JSDF and US force during Operation Tomadachi was made me want to be a part of something bigger than myself. I do not regret my decision, especially since it led me to Japan, a country I've always, and still do hold a huge admiration of.

With that, this finally wraps up the battle of Ginza. It had been a long time coming, and I honestly apologize for the constant delays of putting out my chapters in a consistent manner.

Truth be told, it's a lot harder to commit to fanfiction when life takes you though the unexpected journeys it has to offer. I used to be the guy who became frustrated when finding a good fanfiction, but it they never get updated or go on an indefiniate hiatus. But now I understand why they do. Sometimes writers become busy with life or they simply lose their passion. I really hope to not be one of them.

Because holy shit. over 150 faves and 180 follows? I honestly never I thought this fanfic would get... popular like that?

This started as a something I did out of boredom when I was deployed on a Nimitz carrier because of the lack of unrestricted internet. Plus sitting 12 hours at a desk 7 days a week gets rather old real quick. I thought this thing was just gonna get buried with all the other arguably better fics out there. Still, I appreciate the support I've gotten over the years.

I especially want to thank Tophatguy and DFMRCV for beta reading and correcting mistakes. Just because I'm a veteran doesn't make me immune to inaccuracies.

Now I know the question some of you might have, "Why did I take so long to write Ginza?"

Well, I simply thought the whole Ginza scenario was interesting and often a missed opportunity. There aren't a lot of battles or flashpoints that happen in Gate. Mainly Alnus and Italica, provided the fic doesn't go on hiatus before then.

To me, Ginza was the start of it all. An attack on a major city that would forever change both worlds. Often people just write a TL:DR chapter and not go too deep into it. But for me, I just wanted to signify how much of an effort it would be to fight inside the city of Tokyo and the consequences it'd bring forth. Maybe I'm just thinking too much into it. I simply just love the setting of a "When Worlds Collide" scenario.

So what happens now?

Obviously, with the raid over, Japan is left licking its wounds as it ponders what to do. With basically their version of 9/11 happening, we could potentially see a shift of their attitude. Having personally been stationed in Japan and training with the JSDF, these people are some of the most dedicated people you can have by your side. GATE's anime and manga might be proganda written by an ultranationalist. But he did get it right when it came to the effort the JSDF put in with how much restrictions he have in a pacifist society.

Anyway. Let me know what you think. As always. Read and review.

Take care, everyone.