The room at the outpost was tense with activity, illuminated only by the dim glow of tactical displays and maps spread across every available surface. With the soft hum of machinery and murmurs of distant comms filled the air, but most everyone was focused on the exchange between Jaune Arc and Specialist Winter Schnee, standing over a central map display. The live feed displayed the latest reconnaissance images, revealing the dark swarm of Grimm advancing across the Solitas tundra, a growing black mass that appeared to extend to the horizon.
Winter's gaze was steely, her focus on the west and southern routes leading to Atlas. "We need to dig in," she said firmly, her gloved hand tracing the line across the map. "If we can set up reinforced positions along the valleys, establish a perimeter here and here"—she pointed to two choke points near Dormir and Crossed Village—"we can hold them off long enough for the rest of our forces to reinforce from Atlas."
Jaune shook his head, his expression serious as he studied the terrain on the map. "I see the logic, Specialist Winter, but if we dig in like that, we're setting ourselves up to be overrun. Those Grimm won't stop coming, and we don't have the numbers to hold a static defense, especially not against a force this size."
Winter's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're suggesting we abandon these outposts? Leave civilians behind to save our forces?"
"No." Jaune's voice was firm, but he softened it with a hint of understanding. "I'm saying we need to rethink our approach, Ma'am. Solitas isn't like the Vale or Mistral. We have an advantage here — the topography."
Winter glanced back down at the map, following where his finger traced a line along the natural formations. Solitas was rugged, with steep mountains, narrow valleys, and natural chasms that crisscrossed the landscape. It was a harsh, unforgiving environment, but one that could be used to their advantage.
Jaune's voice dropped to a murmur, laced with urgency. "Look at these gaps and valleys. With the right plan, we could use these natural bottlenecks to funnel the Grimm, slowing them down and buying us time."
Winter tilted her head, skeptical. "Even if we bottleneck them, they'd keep advancing. Aerial Grimm could bypass any trenches we dig. If we hold position and fortify, our forces would still be in their line of attack."
"Exactly. That's why we need air superiority. And I'm not just talking about holding back the Teryxes and Manticores," Jaune said, his gaze unwavering. "I'm talking about true air control. The Grimm in the sky is a problem, but if we have airships providing overhead support, we can neutralize them while the ground forces funnel into the valleys. That way, we'll have the advantage of controlling where the Grimm goes."
Winter studied him, weighing his words. "So you're proposing we don't hold the line at all?"
Jaune's face hardened. "If we try to dig in, we're dead. This is a force that's larger and more organized than anything we've seen. They'll crush a static defense without blinking. Grimm are usually disorganized and chaotic, but this mass…" He looked up, his expression grim. "If we give them time to coordinate, we'll be buried."
She exhaled slowly, absorbing his perspective. "You're suggesting we trap them?"
"Exactly." Jaune's eyes brightened, his confidence growing. He tapped a spot between Dormir and the frozen lake to the north. "If we can pull them into this point, between the lake and Dormir, we could funnel them through, concentrate their numbers, and then strike. With the right strategy, we could pick them off. But it has to be decisive."
Winter's gaze softened, just for a moment. She was beginning to understand his perspective, but the sheer scale of the Grimm horde still made her hesitant. "And if they break through?"
"They won't, not if we play it right," Jaune replied, his voice filled with conviction. "The bottleneck will force them into tighter groups. Our forces could target their massed numbers with coordinated attacks, and we'll have better control of the battlefield."
Winter looked down, her fingers tracing along the mountain range to the southeast of Atlas, then back to the frozen lake.
"But even with that plan," she said slowly, "we'd need something drastic to ensure they're stopped. We don't have enough firepower to cut through those numbers without serious reinforcements."
Jaune noticed her hesitation, studying her as she seemed to wrestle with an idea. "Specialist Winter," he said quietly. "What aren't you telling me?"
She looked at him, a glimmer of reluctance in her eyes. "There is… one option. It's a prototype, but if we used it strategically, it could stop the Grimm dead in their tracks."
He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What kind of option?"
Winter straightened, her expression unreadable. "We have a bomb. It's a dust-based explosive, something experimental. It wasn't designed for aerial deployment, so it's not something we can just drop from an airship. But if it were detonated at the right point, the blast radius would create a twenty-ton yield explosion."
Jaune's eyes widened, the weight of her words sinking in. "A twenty-ton blast yield?" He leaned forward, hands braced on the edge of the table. "Miss Winter, that would be… devastating."
She nodded, her gaze steady. "It would be. But it could give us the edge we need. If we could collapse the mountains north and southeast of Atlas, we'd create a barrier that would block the Grimm from advancing. It would be… effective."
Jaune leaned back, processing her words. He glanced at the map again, his mind racing as he considered the potential impact of such an explosion. "You're talking about a controlled detonation that would essentially reshape the terrain."
"Yes," Winter said quietly. "The explosion would cause a rockslide, filling the valleys and sealing off the main access routes. It would force the Grimm to find alternative paths, buying us valuable time to regroup."
Jaune rubbed his chin, deep in thought. It was a radical plan, one that would alter the landscape of Solitas and potentially leave scars for years to come. But as he looked at the mass of Grimm closing in on their position, he knew their options were running out.
"It's a risk," Winter continued, her tone softer. "But with this many Grimm converging from every direction, we can't rely on conventional tactics alone."
He looked up, meeting her gaze. "What's the status on the weapon? Is it operational?"
She hesitated for a moment, her expression a mixture of caution and determination. "Yes, but there's a catch. It's not fitted to be dropped from a height or launched from a distance. Right now, the only way to deploy it would be for someone to… hand-deliver it."
Jaune's face hardened, his jaw clenching as he absorbed the implications of her words. A mission like that would be dangerous—more than dangerous. It would be a suicide run for anyone who volunteered to set the device.
"So we're talking about a delivery mission," he said, his voice steady. "Get the bomb in place, set the timer, and get out."
Winter's gaze dropped, a flash of reluctance crossing her face. "Yes. But anyone who delivers it would have only minutes to escape before the blast. They'd need to be fast, precise, and willing to face overwhelming odds just to reach the detonation point."
Jaune's hand drifted to his chin as he considered the mission, a plan forming in his mind. "What if we deployed the device on one of the mountain passes?" He pointed to a narrow valley north of Atlas. "If we set it here, we'd maximize the impact. The explosion would cause a chain reaction, sending rock and debris cascading down both sides. It would block off the valley entirely, giving us the roadblock we need."
Winter's gaze followed his finger, her expression thoughtful. "It could work. But the Grimm are swarming that area. Whoever goes in will be fighting against an endless tide just to get the bomb in place."
Jaune nodded, his determination unwavering. "I understand. But we don't have another option. This is our best chance to stop them before they reach Atlas. If we can cut off their advance, we'll buy enough time for reinforcements to regroup and secure the capital."
Winter's expression softened as she regarded him, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. She knew the stakes, and she understood the weight of what he was proposing.
"Arc," she said quietly, her tone laced with concern. "This is a high-risk operation. There's a good chance that anyone who volunteers for this mission won't come back."
He looked at her, his blue eyes steady and resolute. "I know. But I'll do it if I have to. We're out of time, and someone has to take that risk. I'm not asking anyone else to do something I wouldn't. Give me a team of Paladins and we'll get it done, Ma'am."
She held his gaze for a long moment, the silence between them heavy with the weight of their unspoken fears. Then, finally, she nodded, a faint trace of respect in her eyes.
"Very well," she said, her voice steady. "I'll make the necessary preparations. We'll need to ensure the device is secure and operational. And if you're going to make this delivery, you'll need to go in with backup. I'll get you that Paladin Team."
Jaune nodded, a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Winter."
She turned, addressing the comms operator stationed nearby. "Alert the command center. Prepare the device for deployment and set up a staging area near the north pass. I want all available Paladin units briefed on the situation."
The operator nodded, quickly relaying her orders. Within moments, the room was alive with activity, soldiers and technicians moving to carry out Winter's commands.
Winter turned back to Jaune, her expression serious. "I'll be joining you on this mission. We'll deploy with a small team, minimal numbers to avoid detection. The airships will run a cover operation to keep the Grimm occupied."
Jaune looked at her in surprise, but her resolve was unwavering.
"If we're going to make this work, we need to be in sync," she continued. "I'll handle the deployment while you focus on defense. Once the device is in place, we'll have exactly thirty-three minutes to extract."
Jaune felt a surge of gratitude mixed with respect. She was as fearless as she was skilled, and he knew they'd need every ounce of her expertise to pull this off.
"Understood, Ma'am," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "I'll cover you every step of the way."
Winter extended her hand, her gaze steady. "Then let's do this."
Jaune clasped her hand, his grip firm. "For Atlas."
She nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips. "For Atlas."
As the preparations unfolded, the soldiers moved with a renewed sense of purpose, their focus unshakable. The device was carefully loaded into a specialized transport vehicle, its sleek casing reinforced with multiple layers of shielding. Technicians swarmed around it, ensuring that every component was functional, while engineers double-checked the detonation mechanism.
Winter and Jaune stood nearby, overseeing the preparations. They exchanged a few final words, each of them acutely aware of the risks but committed to the mission.
When everything was ready, Winter turned to the assembled soldiers, her voice steady and commanding. "This mission is critical. The Grimm are relentless, but we have something they don't — determination and strategy. We're going to set this device in the north pass, and we're going to give Atlas the time it needs to reinforce and brace for War. Failure is not an option."
The soldiers nodded, their faces hardened with resolve. They knew the odds, but they were ready to face them.
The soldiers nodded, their faces hardened with resolve. They knew the odds, but they were ready to face them.
Jaune and Winter climbed into the transport, their eyes fixed on the path ahead. The journey would be perilous, but they were ready.
"Tombstone will be ready, Arc," she said. "You'll drop with them."
"Roger."
As the transport rumbled to life, Jaune took one last look at the outpost, the distant lights of Atlas in the skies of Solitas, glowing faintly in the darkness.
Then, he moved to his Paladin, then moved it to the dropping pad.
"Knight to Tombstones, prepare for a direct drop. We'll get in and get out. Keep the Grimm off my back."
"This is Tombstone 1, we'll get you to the site, Lieutenant."
Jaune nodded. "Knight, dropping!"
Jaune moved Juniper and leapt down to the snowy landscape once more.
Jaune's breath fogged the interior of Juniper's cockpit as he steadied himself, glancing at the live feed on his HUD. The skies were dark and churning with winged Grimm, a writhing mass of black that surged toward the airship hovering above. Winter Schnee's ship was locked in fierce combat, anti-air turrets blazing as they fended off the Teryxes and Manticores clawing at the Hard-Light shields. The airship's lights flickered as the shields absorbed hit after hit, casting a pale, protective glow over the frozen valley below.
Jaune gripped the controls of his Paladin, Juniper, his eyes fixed on the countdown timer ticking steadily down. The bomb in front of him, a cylindrical device encased in reinforced plating, was set with a thirty-minute timer. It was the first of two he would place, each strategically located in the northern mountain passes to maximize the blast's effectiveness.
"First device is armed," he muttered to himself, his voice steady despite the gunfire and Grimm falling from the sky. He engaged the activation sequence, watching as the timer blinked to life on his HUD. With a final adjustment, he locked it in place. "Moving to the second location."
Just behind him, three more Paladins held the line, their frames standing out like armored sentinels against the stark white landscape. They were the Tombstone Squad, a Paladin team assigned to support Jaune in securing the device locations. Their Paladins were bristling with 36mm cannons and melee armaments, and they were holding off the Grimm with a fierce tenacity.
"This is Tombstone One!" the leader of the squad shouted over the comms, his voice a mix of grit and adrenaline. "We're running low on ammo out here, Arc! These flying bastards keep coming!"
"Copy that, Tombstone," Jaune replied, his gaze darting up to the sky. "We're almost there. Just need to hold them off long enough to set the second device. Winter's running interference above."
Tombstone Two chimed in, his voice full of grim humor. "Well, she'd better keep it up, or we're gonna be swimming in Grimm guts down here!"
Jaune moved Juniper forward, his Paladin's thrusters propelling him over the icy ground as he headed toward the second detonation site. He glanced back to check on the Tombstones, his HUD showing them fending off the Grimm with practiced precision. Their 36mm rounds tore through the advancing creatures, explosions of dust illuminating the dark, snow-filled landscape as they unleashed volleys into the oncoming swarm.
"Keep those rounds coming!" Tombstone Three shouted, firing off another burst. "These things don't stop!"
Jaune clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of the mission pressing on him. The second bomb site was close, just across the valley where the mountain ridge dipped into a narrow pass. If he could get both devices set and armed, the resulting explosions would create a rockslide large enough to cut off the Grimm horde advancing toward Atlas. But he had to move fast. The longer they lingered, the more likely they'd be overwhelmed.
Above him, Winter's airship was locked in a brutal struggle. The Hard-Light shields shimmered as they absorbed hit after hit, and Jaune could see flashes of blue light flickering through the swirling snow as the ship's weapons fired into the Grimm mass. The Teryxes dived in droves, their claws raking against the shield, while Manticores launched streams of fire that splashed against the protective barrier, creating bright bursts of light that lit up the night.
"Knight to Winter, status?" Jaune called over the comms, his voice cutting through the static.
Winter's reply was clipped, but her tone was unwavering. "We're holding for now, Lieutenant. The Hard-Light shields are straining, but we're giving you as much cover as possible. Stay on mission and set that second device. We'll keep the skies clear as long as we can."
"Understood," Jaune replied. He glanced up once more, feeling a pang of worry for Winter and her crew. But he pushed it aside. They were all risking everything, and they all knew what was at stake.
The second bomb site was just ahead, a narrow outcropping that overlooked the valley. Jaune guided Juniper into position, the Paladin's heavy frame maneuvering with surprising agility as he prepared to disembark and secure the device. He braced himself, his fingers dancing over the control panel as he activated Juniper's stabilizers.
"Hold tight, Tombstone. Just a few more minutes," Jaune said into the comms, setting the second device in place. He activated the arming sequence, feeling the bomb's timer lock in as he calibrated the explosive yield.
Behind him, Tombstone One's voice rang out. "Hurry it up, Arc! They're swarming us like hornets out here!"
Jaune could see the three Paladins from his position, each of them entrenched and fending off wave after wave of Grimm. The Tombstones were formidable—hard-bitten, experienced soldiers who were handling the situation with the kind of grim humor and professionalism that only came from years of facing impossible odds.
"Tombstone Two, watch your flank!" Tombstone One barked, his voice sharp.
"I got it!" Tombstone Two replied, spinning his Paladin around and unloading a 36mm round into a cluster of Creeps that had tried to flank him. The explosion sent black mist and shards of ice flying, the Grimm scattering under the assault.
"Arc!" Tombstone Three called out, his voice tinged with frustration. "Any day now would be great!"
Jaune focused on the bomb, his fingers moving with precision as he completed the setup. The device's timer blinked to life, mirroring the countdown on his HUD.
"Second device armed," Jaune confirmed, his voice steady. "Moving to assist Tombstone while heading to the final site!"
With the bomb in place, Jaune powered up Juniper's thrusters and rejoined the fight, his Paladin's 36mm rounds chattering as he unleashed a volley into the Grimm. The recoil shook the cockpit, but Jaune kept his aim steady, cutting down Manticores and Griffons that swooped down from above. His hard-light shield flickered to life as he intercepted a Teryx's claws, the force of the impact sending vibrations through Juniper's frame.
"Welcome back, Arc!" Tombstone One shouted, his voice laced with relief. "About time!"
"Better late than never!" Jaune replied with a grin, firing another burst at a Manticore that lunged at him from the side. The creature disintegrated in a burst of black mist, its body collapsing as the 36mm rounds tore through it.
The Tombstones fought with renewed vigor, their Paladins unloading round after round into the Grimm swarm. Despite the relentless assault, the squad held their ground, their voices rising in defiant shouts as they pushed back against the tide.
"Hold steady, Tombstone!" Tombstone One shouted, his cannon blazing as he fired at an approaching pack of Beowolves. "This is what we signed up for!"
"Yeah? Well, I didn't sign up for this many," Tombstone Three muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of humor and frustration as he reloaded.
The skies above were a chaotic swirl of dark shapes and flickering light as Winter's airship continued its assault. The Teryxes swarmed the ship, but the anti-air guns fired relentlessly, cutting through the Grimm like a scythe. The Hard-Light shields glowed with a steady, pulsing rhythm, holding firm despite the Grimm's relentless attacks.
Jaune watched as a Manticore swooped toward the airship, only to be vaporized by a direct hit from one of the AA guns. His heart pounded with a mix of relief and pride—Winter and her crew were giving it their all, and he wasn't about to let them down.
"We're almost there!" he called over the comms, his voice filled with determination. "Just a few more minutes, and we'll have these charges set. Hold your positions!"
"Roger that, Lieutenant!" Tombstone One replied, his voice steady. "We're with you all the way."
Jaune moved quickly to the next location, guiding Juniper along the mountain ridge as he scouted out the final detonation site. The second bomb was positioned just ahead, in a small alcove nestled against the side of the cliff. He was working swiftly to secure the device in place, his hands steady as he calibrated the timer.
He was almost finished when his HUD flashed with a proximity warning. He looked up to see a Manticore diving straight toward him, its claws extended, its eyes blazing with fury.
Jaune didn't hesitate. He raised Juniper's hard-light shield, intercepting the creature's attack. The Manticore's claws scraped against the shield, sending sparks flying, but Jaune held firm. With a quick pivot, he countered, driving his Paladin's blade into the creature's chest. The Manticore screeched, its body disintegrating into mist as it fell to the ground.
"Device set!" Jaune called, his voice ringing with satisfaction. He activated the final arming sequence, the timer blinking to life on his HUD.
"All units, fall back! Engage boosters and let's go!" he ordered, his voice clear over the comms. "We've got thirty minutes until detonation. Get clear of the blast zone!"
The Tombstones regrouped, their Paladins forming a protective formation as they began their retreat. They fired steadily as they moved, covering each other as they pulled back from the detonation sites.
Above them, Winter's airship was beginning its own withdrawal, the Hard-Light shields flickering as the anti-air guns continued their barrage. The Grimm swarmed around the ship, but Winter's crew held steady, their precision strikes keeping the creatures at bay.
Jaune kept close to the Tombstones, his Paladin's thrusters propelling him forward as he provided cover fire. He aimed carefully, each 36mm round finding its mark as he cut down the Grimm that pursued them. The Tombstones shouted in exhilaration, their voices rising in unison as they pushed back against the horde.
"Let's move, people!" Tombstone One shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "We're not sticking around to see the fireworks!"
"Agreed!" Jaune replied, his tone laced with a fierce determination. He glanced at the countdown on his HUD, the seconds ticking steadily down. They had to reach a safe distance before the bombs went off, but with the Grimm closing in, it was a race against time.
As they neared the extraction point, a fresh wave of Grimm surged forward, their numbers seemingly endless. Manticores, Griffons, Beowolves—they poured across the tundra, their eyes glowing with a murderous intent.
"Here they come!" Tombstone Two shouted, his voice filled with a mix of dread and exhilaration. "Let's give 'em hell!"
Jaune took a deep breath, his hand steady on the controls as he raised Juniper's hard-light shield. "Keep up the fire! We're almost there!"
The Tombstones formed a defensive perimeter, their Paladins bristling with firepower as they unloaded round after round into the Grimm. The creatures fell in droves, their bodies dissolving into mist as the squad fought with everything they had.
Jaune swung his blade in a wide arc, cutting down a pack of Creeps that had tried to flank him. He fired off another volley from his 36mm cannon, the rounds exploding on impact and scattering the Grimm in a spray of dust and mist.
"Keep pushing!" he shouted, his voice filled with determination. "We're not stopping now!"
The air was thick with the sounds of battle, the roar of gunfire mingling with the snarls of the Grimm. But the squad held their ground, their resolve unbreakable as they pushed back against the tide.
Finally, they reached the extraction point, their Paladins forming a tight formation as they prepared to withdraw.
Jaune glanced at the timer on his HUD, the countdown flashing in bold numbers. "All units, clear the blast zone! We're out of time!"
With a final surge of energy, the squad retreated, their Paladins moving as one as they cleared the detonation radius.
Jaune felt his heart race as he watched the countdown reach its final seconds. The Grimm were still surging forward, their black mass filling the valley as they pursued them with relentless determination.
And then, the bombs went off.
The ground shook as the explosions ripped through the mountains, the force of the blast sending shockwaves across the tundra. The valley erupted in a blinding flash of light, the detonation tearing through the rock and snow as the mountains collapsed in on themselves.
A massive wall of debris and fire surged forward, burying the Grimm beneath tons of rock and earth. The creatures screeched in terror as the wave of destruction engulfed them, their bodies crushed and incinerated in the inferno.
Jaune watched in awe as the valley transformed, the rockslide creating an impenetrable barrier that cut off the Grimm's advance. The smoke and dust billowed into the sky, a testament to the devastating power of the explosion.
"Mission accomplished," Jaune murmured, his voice filled with quiet satisfaction. He looked around at his squad, their faces reflecting the same sense of relief and pride.
Winter's voice crackled over the comms, her tone filled with gratitude. "Excellent work, Lieutenant. You've given Atlas the time it needs. Moving to extract Knight and Tombstones."
Jaune allowed himself a small smile, his gaze fixed on the horizon where Winter's airship broke through the clouds as it descend.
Jaune could feel the thrum of Juniper's engines as the Paladin moved, settling into the cold, snow-packed ground with a heavy thud. The other three Paladins — Tombstone Squad's heavy frames followed suit, their armored silhouettes highlighted against the smoky aftermath of the explosion. The ground beneath them was blackened and littered with the remains of Grimm, the stench of burnt flesh and dust lingering in the air. In the distance, the rockslide had settled, forming an imposing barrier that blocked the Grimm from advancing any further into Solitas.
The low rumble of Winter Schnee's airship grew louder as it descended, the whine of engines slicing through the otherwise still air. The Hard-Light shields flickered around it, deflecting the occasional flying Grimm that still lingered in the skies. Winter's ship had taken its fair share of hits, the hull scorched in places and the shields flickering with strain, but the airship remained operational and determined as ever.
The comms crackled, Winter's voice cutting through. "Lieutenant Arc, Tombstone Squad, extraction is here. Prepare to board immediately. We're facing a new swarm from the coast and need to reach altitude as soon as you're onboard."
"Understood, Specialist Schnee," Jaune replied, switching off Juniper's systems. He opened the hatch, the frigid wind biting against his face as he climbed out. "Tombstone, move out! We're on a clock."
The Tombstone pilots prepped their Paladins, their faces showing exhaustion on their HUD's but also a grim satisfaction. They moved as a unit, gathering around Jaune as the airship lowered to the ground, its bay door open wide. The ramp hit the ground, and the squad dashed up, the legs of their Paladins clanging against the metal as they entered the belly of the ship.
Jaune was the last aboard, glancing back at the valley and the towering barrier of rock they had created. It wouldn't hold the Grimm forever, but it would buy Atlas the time it needed. He took a deep breath, feeling a surge of relief, then hurried up the ramp, closing it behind him.
The airship rose, the engines rumbling as it climbed into the sky, lifting them away from the scorched ground below.
Once aboard, Jaune and the Tombstone pilots moved into the main bay, where Winter Schnee was already waiting, her expression as stoic as ever but with a slight weariness in her eyes. She gave them a curt nod as they approached, her gaze sweeping over the group as if to confirm that they had all made it back in one piece.
"Excellent work," she said, her voice carrying an edge of respect. "Your actions bought us time, and that rockslide will serve as a formidable obstacle for the Grimm."
Tombstone One, a man named Cole, nodded, his face flushed but defiant. "Glad to be of service, ma'am. But they just kept coming. I've never seen anything like it."
Winter's expression darkened slightly, her gaze turning to Jaune. "You've all done your part, but we aren't out of this yet. There's more activity on the coast than we initially anticipated."
Jaune exchanged a glance with the Tombstone Squad. They just had fought in some of the most intense battles of their lives, yet Winter's words hinted at something even worse. He shifted, pulling off his helmet, his breath coming in frosty puffs as he spoke.
"What do you mean? We saw how many were on their way here… are you saying there's even more?"
Winter hesitated, her eyes hardening as she gestured toward the observation deck. "You need to see it for yourself."
The Tombstone pilots looked between each other, their fatigue momentarily forgotten. Jaune nodded, leading the way as they moved to the observation deck. The airship shuddered slightly as it continued to ascend, breaking through the lower clouds as it climbed higher. The sound of distant gunfire and the hum of the engines faded, leaving only the low murmur of anticipation as they waited to see what Winter had referred to.
As they reached the observation deck, Jaune and the others pressed close to the windows, peering down at the vast expanse of Solitas below. The clouds parted briefly, revealing the coastline in the distance — a jagged line where the snowy tundra met the dark, icy waters of the northern sea.
For a moment, Jaune felt a flicker of hope. From this altitude, everything below looked small and insignificant, the ravaged ground hidden beneath a blanket of snow. It was almost peaceful, a reminder of the beauty of Solitas, a land both harsh and breathtaking.
But as the clouds thinned, that illusion shattered.
What they saw below was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.
Stretching across the coastline was a mass of darkness, a writhing, seething horde of Grimm that covered the sea like a stain, blotting out the natural beauty of the landscape. It wasn't just a cluster or a wave—it was an unending sea of creatures, their forms blending together in a single, suffocating mass that seemed to go on forever. They crawled over each other, surged forward in waves, their red eyes glowing like embers in the dark expanse.
The coastline was swallowed by Grimm. Manticores flew in tight formation above, their silhouettes cutting through the storm clouds like dark wraiths. Below, Beowolves, Beringels, and Sabyrs flooded the shore, their claws digging into the snow as they advanced, unstoppable and unrelenting. Teryxes circled high above, screeching into the skies, and Leviathans — massive, serpentine Grimm that dwarfed the others rose from the ocean depths, their dark bodies cutting through the water like living dreadnoughts.
Tombstone Two, a burly soldier named Martinez, exhaled a shaky breath, his face drained of color. "By the Brothers… that's not an army. That's an entire plague."
Winter's voice was a low, steely whisper. "They're coming for everything. Every settlement, every outpost. Salem's sending everything she has to pull Atlas out of the sky.."
Jaune swallowed, his hands curling into fists as he fought back a surge of despair. The Grimm were relentless, yes, but this… this was beyond anything they had ever prepared for. This was a tidal wave of darkness, an unstoppable force bearing down on them with a singular, insatiable purpose.
"They're not just attacking," Jaune said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper. "They're here to devour Solitas. To devour us."
Beside him, Tombstone Three, a quiet, younger soldier named Reed, shook his head slowly, his voice trembling. "I thought we had a chance. Thought we'd slowed them down. But… how do you fucking fight that?"
The Tombstones stood in silence, their faces reflecting the same grim realization. They had spent their lives fighting Grimm, each battle harder than the last, but this felt different. This was a tidal wave, a tsunami of death that no wall or rockslide could hope to contain.
Winter's gaze remained fixed on the swarm below, her face a mask of steely resolve. "The enemy's strength is overwhelming. But if we falter now, all of Atlas will fall. Every life we've fought to protect will be lost."
Jaune nodded, his resolve hardening as he took in the scope of the threat. The despair gnawed at him, a cold dread seeping into his bones, but he refused to let it take hold. He had made it this far, fought this hard. They all had. And they weren't about to give up now.
"Then we hold them back," Jaune said, his voice filled with a quiet determination. "We do whatever it takes."
Winter met his gaze, a glimmer of respect in her eyes. "Then we prepare. Atlas is mobilizing, and we'll need every soldier, every ship, every weapon we have."
Tombstone One cleared his throat, his voice grim but resolute. "Shit, fuck, it, but we're with you, Lieutenant. Whatever you need."
Jaune nodded, his gaze drifting back to the nightmare unfolding below. The Grimm mass moved like a living creature, an endless flood of darkness sweeping across the coastline and into the icy plains of Solitas. He felt the weight of their numbers pressing down on him, an insurmountable force that threatened to crush any hope they had left.
But in the face of that despair, he found a flicker of defiance.
Do not go gentle, but loud.
That was all they thought.