In the situation room of Rhodes Island's mobile command center, the atmosphere was tense. Maps and digital projections flickered across the screens, showing the intricate web of Chernobolg's streets and corresponding Originium contamination levels. Kal'tsit, her expression stoic yet intense, addressed the assembled operators.

"The Recon Squads sent to scout out the remnants of Chernobolg have fallen into a Reunion ambush. Combat personnel have been dispatched. Meteorite's squad is within the Originium-dense zones left by the Catastrophe, so the LGD wouldn't be able to venture further without the risk of being infected," she began, her voice cutting through the murmurs.

"Operator Roland, you are to shadow Amiya's squad, with your top priority to protect the Doctor and Amiya. The incident with Skullshatterer has proven that we cannot afford to underestimate Reunion. At least we managed to secure Misha safely... Should you encounter any of their leaders, try to capture them alive."

Roland, standing slightly apart from the others, listened intently. His eyes narrowed slightly as he processed the orders. "Kal'tsit, what about the plan to confront Crownslayer? Scout tracked her down in downtown Lungmen. Are we really planning to handle her with just one operator accompanying you?"

Kal'tsit glanced at him, a slight arch to her brow. "Thank you, but your concerns are unwarranted. Specialist Red and I will be enough to take care of Crownslayer."

Roland turned his gaze towards the red-cloaked operator standing beside Kal'tsit. Something about her struck a chord in him. "There's something familiar about her," he murmured, almost to himself. "It's strange not seeing her scream in anger and having both eyes."

Red, overhearing the comment, tilted her head slightly, her expression one of confusion. "What do you mean?"

Roland shook his head slightly, dismissing the moment of nostalgia. "It's nothing. Just reminded me of someone I used to know. Forget I said anything."

Kal'tsit observed this exchange with a keen eye, then shifted her focus back to the mission at hand. "Focus on your assignments. The stakes are high, and we can't afford distractions."

...

Amiya rushed towards Frostleaf, who leaned heavily against the crumbling wall of an abandoned storefront, barely illuminated by the dim glow of a flickering streetlamp. Her breath visible in the chilly air, she called out, "Frostleaf! Frostleaf, is that you?"

Frostleaf, trying to straighten up despite her evident pain, managed a nod. "It is. I've taken care of the enemy," she said, her voice hoarse but firm. "Sorry for making you worry, Amiya."

Amiya reached her side, concern etched on her face. "Are you injured?"

Frostleaf winced, a flash of pain crossing her features. "Ugh... It's minor. Don't worry."

Amiya was unconvinced. "Medic, hurry!" she called out, scanning Frostleaf's body, noticing the signs of frostbite. "No way... Why is your body all frostbitten? What happened to you..."

Frostleaf attempted a reassuring smile. "Meteorite and Jessica are still in the main square. They should be safe for the time being, but it's hard to say for how long. I managed to lure the enemy out, so Reunion hasn't found them yet."

"The enemy?" Amiya's voice sharpened with concern.

"Our cover hasn't been blown yet, so there's no need for concern yet," Frostleaf assured her. "But, he's going to come soon..."

Suddenly, Mephisto's taunting voice echoed through the desolate streets. "Where are you hiding, little fox? Hurry and come out. Our game of hide and seek is about to come to an end. For every minute you stay hidden, I'll break another one of your friends' fingers—Do you still plan to keep running?"

Amiya clenched her fists, feeling the cold bite into her skin. (Mephisto...!)

Frostleaf caught her eye, signaling silently. (He's bluffing. Don't take the bait.)

(What is he doing...) Amiya thought, her brow furrowed in frustration.

"Reunion is moving," Frostleaf reported, her voice low.

"That little...!" Amiya's frustration was palpable. She pulled out her communicator to contact Meteorite but found no signal. "Why can't I get through? We've clearly already crossed the contaminated area..."

Frostleaf sighed and pulled out her own communicator, showing it to Amiya. "Take a look at this." Amiya took the device, her eyes widening. "It's... frozen over? Did it get... ruined by the frost?"

Ace, who had been scanning the perimeter, joined them, his expression grave. "The frost isn't natural. I don't think Mephisto or his casters are capable of wide range arts like this."

"It's not from Mephisto," Frostleaf said quietly, ignoring Mephisto's ranting in the background. "There's something wandering in this city... that is far more terrifying."

"Something more terrifying?" Amiya echoed, turning to Ace.

"The Yeti Squadron. If we run into them, we'll be in serious trouble," Frostleaf explained hastily. "They are the ones behind the sudden temperature drop, as well as our squads' injuries."

"It seems like this squad has already established their territory within this city." The Doctor, who had been monitoring their communications, finally spoke, his voice steady over the comms. "Amiya, Ace, focus on securing Meteorite and Jessica first. Avoid engagement with the Yetis unless absolutely necessary."

Amiya looked up, noting the darkening sky. "The sky is getting darker. This is a good opportunity for us... We'll be able to cross this open area more easily. Let's go rescue Meteorite and Jessica first."

"I'll lead the way," Frostleaf stated, moving ahead with renewed purpose. Amiya followed, her eyes scanning the shadows. "What are those things in the main square? I can't really see... Are they... statues of some sort? Their shapes are really strange... And this smell makes me want to vomit..."

Frostleaf paused, glancing back at Amiya with a serious expression. "Over here. Don't get separated. Don't go look at those things..."

Suddenly, they heard Mephisto's voice again. "How long are you going to keep hiding, Rhodes Island insects?! Aww, still don't feel like coming out? Don't think I didn't see your reinforcements coming. Well, whatever. I have something to show you. I'm sure you'll like it. Looking back now... We were originally planning to take over Chernobog from the very beginning... We waited for so, so long... and finally, our time has come... The moment when we take our revenge against Ursus! Against those who persecuted us Infected!"

As he ranted, his voice took on a chilling edge. "But, what about the fellows in this sub-city? They ran away. They had pretty quick reactions. Ran away before we had a chance to take action. Disconnected themselves, and took off as quickly as they could—But where did they hope to escape to? Our comrades had long permeated every district, waiting for our opportunity. In the end, we caught up to them, and gave them the punishment they deserved. These cowards, these perpetrators; what were we to do with them?"

"It's simple - we would make an example of them!" Mephisto declared, his voice echoing ominously. "A proclamation that all injustices against the Infected would be purged... Yes, that is the symbol of the Reunion Movement... Let them all turn into effigies of terror, one by one!"

"You, set that nearby effigy on fir-"

As Mephisto's sinister monologue reached its climax, a suffocating silence abruptly fell across the square.

The atmosphere thickened, charged with a palpable tension.

In that breathless moment, Roland appeared—his presence alone was an embodiment of relentless violence.

With a single swing of a mace, dozens of Reunion members were reduced to mere chunks, the violence so abrupt and extreme that it bordered on the surreal. The Doctor, witnessing the brutality, quickly covered Amiya's eyes, shielding her from the horrific sight. This was not a battle—it was a massacre. Roland moved with terrifying efficiency, his weapons pulverising bone and tearing through flesh with mechanical precision. Each blow was delivered with a chilling detachment, as if he were merely conducting business as usual. His mask and gloves became increasingly stained with the red of spilled blood, a stark contrast to his emotionless demeanor.

The Doctor, though grateful for the protection Roland afforded them, felt a creeping dread at the ease with which the man dealt death. He knew Roland's attacks were efficient, aimed solely at killing without cruelty, yet there was an inherent fear in witnessing such unbridled ferocity. The unsettling thought lingered in his mind: could someone so proficient in violence truly be free of its corrupting influence? Amiya, even with her eyes covered, could feel the waves of hatred and anguish emanating from Roland. It was as if he was trying to wash away his own bloodstained past with the blood of others, a futile attempt to cleanse through further violence.

Mephisto, now overtaken by fear, began to cast frantic arts. He produced a shimmering powder that healed wounds but had a dire side effect—it intensified oripathy, causing crystals to burst out of the bodies of his allies, driving them into a state of mindless rage. Despite the chaos, Roland's movements remained precise and unfazed. He whispered venomously about a 'puppeteer' before cutting down his frenzied adversaries with such speed that there was nothing left to heal.

Wrath is like a blade with the sharpest edge. If you aren't careful with wielding it, you might end up cutting yourself before you even realize it. The words of Geburah echoed in Roland's mind, a stark reminder of the dangerous line he was walking. This moment of reflection momentarily halted his relentless assault.

With a sudden burst of clarity and control, Roland's next move was a calculated strike rather than an act of blind fury. A powerful kick shattered Mephisto's staff and crumpled his left knee. Grasping the crippled leader, Roland then threw Mephisto's body towards Amiya's squad with a bone-shattering crack. A hail of ice splinters flew at him with deadly precision, but he danced around the barrage effortlessly. Only the final shard caught his attention, which he snatched from the air and examined briefly before crushing it in his gloved fist.

As the temperature plummeted, ice crystals spread rapidly across the ground, and a chilling mist enveloped the area. Emerging from this frigid fog, a pale-haired caster with distinct rabbit ears stepped forward, her presence alone intensifying the cold.

"The faceless demon in the flesh, and as formidable as expected," Frostnova stated coolly. "As much as Mephisto disgusts me, he's still one of us."

Roland responded with a wry tone, "I met another Red Riding Hood earlier, and now another Snow Queen." His glance briefly swept the battlefield, noting the escalation.

Suddenly, the ground trembled as a massive armoured figure burst out of the shadows, its speed surprising given its bulk. Mephisto was seized in an instant, while a halberd swung out with incredible force. Ace sprang into action, his shield steadfast as it absorbed the blow. His arts allowed him to redirect the burst of kinetic energy, and his hammer crashed into Patriot's shield, harnessing the strength of Patriot's own attack to push him back slightly.

Patriot's voice, broken up by the ravages of oripathy, carried a gruff respect, "Warriors... Worthy of praise." His mind briefly wandered to his years stationed at the northern border of Ursus, where he had fought against demons that twisted reality. He remembered the visual corruption, unable to distinguish the faces of his fellow soldiers as identity itself was obliterated. He was relieved his suspicions about the faceless man—Roland—weren't confirmed; that he wasn't some new experiment Ursus was using to harness the power of demons.

Roland and Ace exchanged a knowing look. Roland drew his pistol and shotgun, preparing to engage Frostnova at range, while Ace continued to contend with Patriot. Together, they bought crucial time for the Rhodes Island forces to initiate a retreat.

The Doctor, commanding with authority despite the strain in their voice, rallied the personnel. "Protect the medics and the injured! Snipers...! Aim at those black crystals. Keep firing! Disrupt their formation! Demolish the entire building to cover our escape!"

The sounds of explosions began to thicken the haze enveloping the square, prompting a quick reaction from Amiya. "The explosions are making the haze thicker...! Here's our opening! Get moving!"

As the troops mobilized, Amiya led the charge, "Everyone, we're retreating from this square!" Her voice echoed through the chaos, a beacon of resolve guiding her team out of the immediate danger, leaving Roland and Ace to cover their retreat, ice and fire clashing as the entire landship shook with the force of impacts.