The team moved cautiously through the remains of Commercial Street, a ghost town of twisted metal and broken glass. The ruins of what once were vibrant shops now stood like hollow, crumbling skeletons. Every step they took echoed in the eerie silence. John walked with his hands in his pockets, looking more like he was on a casual stroll than in the middle of a search-and-rescue mission. His relaxed attitude stood in stark contrast to the tension around him, though it didn't seem to bother him one bit.

Rapi, always alert, was far less casual. Her eyes swept over the ruins, scanning for any sign of movement. Though she kept her professional demeanor, she had been observing John's behavior closely since the start. Something wasn't adding up, and she had questions.
"Commander," Rapi spoke, her tone steady but firm as she approached him. "A moment, if I may."

John turned his head lazily, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

Rapi hesitated for a moment, careful with her words. "I understand you have recently taken up your post, but considering the circumstances, I'm… curious. We were in the middle of a critical mission when we called in for backup, and we lost our Commander during an ambush. With all due respect, I wasn't expecting someone who graduated… yesterday."

John raised an eyebrow, clearly more amused than offended. "Ah, yeah. That. Fresh out of the academy. Guess they wanted to throw me into the deep end right away."

Rapi kept her tone neutral, though it was clear she was still wary. "I see. We're not dealing with an easy situation, Commander. The squad we were sent to find went dark 46 hours ago, and we've already encountered heavy resistance. This mission is dangerous. I want to make sure we're all prepared for what lies ahead."

John leaned casually against the crumbling remains of a storefront, his eyes gleaming with amusement. " Trust me, I've got a plan. We'll find that missing squad—no problem."

Anis, who had been listening nearby, smirked as she folded her arms. "Oh, a plan, huh? Mind sharing it with the rest of us? Or do you at least know the coordinates? Since, you know... the last Commander had them before... well..."

John grinned, clearly unfazed. "Coordinates, huh? Yeah, about that... I might've tuned out during that part of the briefing. Details can be overrated." He paused dramatically, then added, "But don't worry, I've got this. My expert detective skills and keen instincts will guide us to that missing squad, no problem. Just give me a little time to find some tracks and—"

Marian, standing nearby, interrupted with a raised eyebrow. "Commander, I have the mission coordinates. They were uploaded into my system before deployment."

John blinked and looked over at her, momentarily thrown off. "Oh? You've had the coordinates this whole time?"

Marian nodded, her expression calm. "Yes, Commander. I can lead us to the last known location of the squad."

Anis snorted, clearly enjoying the moment. "Guess those 'expert detective skills' won't be necessary after all, huh?"

John shrugged, still grinning. "Hey, I'm adaptable. Always good to have a backup plan, right?"

Rapi, observing the exchange, remained composed but couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. While John's laid-back attitude was one thing, his calmness during combat, his ability to quickly assess the battlefield… It didn't line up with the behavior of a fresh graduate. Most new Commanders would be nervous, but John seemed almost too comfortable.

"Commander," Rapi began, her eyes narrowing slightly, "you handled yourself well earlier, even in the heat of battle. I expected someone with less experience to struggle with tactical decisions. But you didn't hesitate. That's unusual for someone new to the field."

John waved a hand dismissively, his grin widening. "What can I say? I'm a quick learner. Besides, it's all about keeping a cool head. No need to overcomplicate things."

Anis tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips as she watched him. "Yeah, sure. Cool head, huh? I dunno, though. You handled those Raptures like you'd been doing it for years."

Marian stepped in once more, cutting off the brewing tension. "We don't have time for this. The Commander may be new, but we're a team now. Let's focus on the mission."

Rapi gave Marian a brief nod, though she still cast a curious glance at John. "Agreed. We'll follow your lead to the coordinates."

Rapi exhaled, letting the tension in her shoulders relax slightly. She was still uneasy about John's leadership style, but Marian's competence was reassuring. "Understood. Let's move out."

Before Marian could take the lead, she turned to face Rapi, her expression firm. "One more thing. Don't question the Commander's decisions again."

Rapi stiffened slightly at the directness of Marian's words. "Marian—"

"You couldn't protect your last Commander," Marian said bluntly, though her tone wasn't unkind. "But you're still here, and now John is our Commander. We all need to trust him if we want to make it through this."

Rapi's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "I understand. I won't bring it up again."

John waved dismissively. "No need for the dramatics. Let's just focus on getting to those coordinates, yeah? We've got more than enough problems to deal with without turning on each other."

Anis leaned in toward Rapi and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "I think I like this new Commander. He's kinda fun."

As Marian began to lead them deeper into the ruins, Rapi fell into step beside her, glancing back at John now and then. Something still wasn't sitting right. A fresh-out-of-the-academy rookie shouldn't be this calm, this aware of tactical situations, and able to lead in combat without hesitation. But now wasn't the time to press further.

As they moved through the shattered streets, Anis leaned into Rapi with a low chuckle. "You notice how strange our new Commander is?"

Rapi kept her eyes forward, her voice steady. "He's the Commander now. We don't really have a choice in the matter, we have to trust him."

Anis snorted, her suspicion not entirely gone. "Yeah, sure"

The ruins of Commercial Street stretched out before them, each step echoing through the eerie silence. As they walked, Anis sidled up to Marian with a teasing grin.

"So, what's with the Commander's coat?" she asked, her voice dripping with mischief. "Didn't think you'd go for the oversized look."

Marian's cheeks flushed as she tugged the trench coat tighter around her shoulders. "It's... not like that," she muttered, eyes fixed on the ground. "My shirt got damaged during the crash and the fight with the Raptures... The Commander gave me his coat to... cover up."

Anis raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Ohhh, I see. Damaged shirt, huh? So, did the Commander catch a peek before he gave you that coat?"

Marian's eyes widened in shock for a moment, her cheeks flushing even more. "What? No! I mean... I don't think so..." She trailed off, her embarrassment clear as she shot a quick glance at John, who was still leading the group, oblivious to the teasing behind him.

Anis raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "Relax, Marian. I'm just teasing . But you don't actually think the Commander sees you like that, do you? To them, we're just machines, you know? The last thing on his mind when he looks at us is... well, you know." She glanced over at John, her voice rising just enough to catch his attention. "Right, Commander?"

John slowed his pace, his head turning slightly at the sound of his name. His gaze briefly flickered to Marian, and for a moment, something unspoken hung in the air. He looked back at Anis, his expression serious, his voice calm. "Actually... I do."

Marian's breath caught in her throat, her fingers tightening around the fabric of the coat. She quickly looked away, her face flushed a deeper shade of red. Anis blinked, her grin faltering for just a second.

John's eyes lingered on Marian for a brief moment longer before he turned back toward the path ahead. His voice, usually casual, had a weight to it now. "You're not just machines to me."

Anis chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of her head. "Well, that's... something," she said, glancing between Marian and John. "Guess we've got ourselves a Commander who's full of surprises."

Marian kept her gaze down, heart racing as a stray thought crept into her mind. Did he see...? She shook her head quickly, trying to push the thought away, but her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the collar of the coat. The warmth of the fabric reminded her of that brief, disorienting moment when John had draped it over her during firefight. Had he...?

John must have sensed the shift in mood, because without missing a beat, he reached into his pack and pulled out a couple of ration bars. He handed one to Marian first. "Here. I know you don't need it, but... sometimes it helps."

Marian hesitated, blinking at the offering. She didn't need food, but something about the gesture made her chest tighten. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she accepted the ration.

John turned next to Anis, offering her a bar as well. She raised an eyebrow but took it with a grin. "Well, I won't say no to a free snack."

He approached Rapi last, holding out a ration bar, but she shook her head with a polite smile. "I'll pass, Commander. I don't require it."

John nodded, slipping the extra bar back into his pack. "Fair enough."

As they moved on, the silence returned, but this time there was a subtle shift in the air. Marian walked with her eyes forward, her fingers still clutching the coat tightly. Her mind raced, heart fluttering for reasons she couldn't quite put into words. She shot a quick glance at John, who was walking just ahead, his expression more serious than usual.

Every time their eyes met—even for the briefest second—a strange discomfort settled in John's chest. He quickly looked away, the weight of her violet gaze pulling him into a place he didn't want to go. That look... It reminded him too much of something else. Of faces he couldn't save. Of the dark, icy water pulling him under. Of failure.

He blinked and cleared his throat, trying to shake the memories, but they clung to him like shadows. The guilt gnawed at him, hidden beneath his calm exterior, but it was always there, lurking just beneath the surface. He couldn't let that show—not now.

Anis, chewing on her ration, leaned towards Marian with a sly grin. "Are you embarrassed that he might have seen something, or maybe you wanted him to take a closer look?"

Marian's face went beet red. "It's not like that!" she whispered harshly, her eyes darting toward John.

Anis chuckled, nudging her playfully. "I'm just joking."

John caught bits of their conversation but kept his focus ahead, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He could feel Marian's eyes on him occasionally, but he didn't let it show that her gaze unnerved him. Instead, he kept moving forward, trying to push the weight of his past out of his mind.

Rapi, who had been silently observing the interactions, glanced at Anis with a raised eyebrow. "You really like stirring things up, don't you?"

Anis shrugged, still grinning. "What can I say? Gotta keep things interesting."

The team continued their trek through the ruined streets when the crackle of static burst into their earpieces.

"Commander, this is Shifty from the Ark Intelligence Department. Do you copy?"

John raised a hand, signaling the others to stop. "Loud and clear, Shifty. Go ahead."

Rapi, already scanning the area, tensed up as the communication went through. Anis crossed her arms, her brow furrowing.

"Shifty," Anis interrupted before John could say anything else, her voice dripping with suspicion. "Mind explaining why the transport ship was sent into an area crawling with Raptures equipped with anti-air weapons? You practically handed the commander over to them."

There was a brief pause, the hum of distant static filling the silence as Shifty seemed to process the accusation. "Anti-air weaponry? That shouldn't be possible. Our intel showed no such threats in the area." Rapi stepped forward, her voice firm but even. "Shifty, I'd like a full copy of the black box data."

Another pause. "Of course, Rapi. I'm currently analyzing the black box data from your ship, I'll send it over once I'm done. For now, stay on alert."

Anis rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "with friends like these who needs enemies?"

John's posture straightened, his instincts flaring as a familiar pulse crept into his senses. The cursed energy thrummed faintly in the air, but this time, it wasn't from him. He swung around trying to pinpoint it but energy disappeared before he could get a lock on its position.

"Commander," Shifty's voice returned, this time with urgency. "I'm picking up multiple Rapture signatures converging on your location. They'll be on you within minutes."

John's eyes swept over the surrounding ruins, noting the natural cover the crumbled buildings provided. His mind worked fast—setting up an ambush would give them a massive tactical advantage. Without a weapon of his own, he would need to be creative with his cursed energy to stay unnoticed.

"Alright, everyone," John said, his voice calm but authoritative. "We've got incoming. Let's set up an ambush. Rapi, Anis, we'll use the rubble for cover and force them into a kill zone."

Rapi nodded, already moving to take position behind a cluster of fallen debris with clear sightlines down the street. "I'll take high ground. There's enough cover here to create a crossfire."

Anis grinned as she scrambled to a vantage point behind a crumbled wall. "I've got grenades ready. We'll blow them to pieces before they even know what hit 'em."

Marian, standing near John, nodded, gripping her weapon tight. "I'll hold the center with you, Commander."

John's eyes darted around, calculating the battlefield. His cursed energy hummed beneath his skin, but with Rapi and Anis nearby, he had to be more cautious than ever. One wrong move, and his secret could be blown.

"Everyone, stay hidden until they're in the kill zone," John ordered. "We'll open fire when they've fully committed."

The minutes stretched on, the distant mechanical clanking of Rapture limbs drawing closer with every second. The squad remained perfectly still, every movement controlled and precise.

Then, they saw them.

The first wave of Raptures emerged from the rubble—a scouting unit of lighter, agile machines. Behind them followed the heavier infantry, designed for direct combat. They moved in a predictable line, unaware of the ambush awaiting them.

"Hold," John whispered, eyes narrowing as the lead Rapture moved into range.

The Raptures moved closer, right into the middle of the open street. A perfect choke point.

"Now!" John commanded.

Rapi's gunfire was the first to cut through the air, her precise bursts targeting the lead Raptures, each shot clean and efficient. Anis followed immediately, lobbing grenades with a wild grin. The explosions tore through the enemy ranks, sending metal limbs and debris flying through the air.

Marian opened fire from the center, her aim steady as she suppressed the flanking Raptures, forcing them to stay within the kill zone.

John, keeping his cursed energy carefully hidden, extended it just enough to manipulate the environment. He flicked a pile of rocks at blinding speed, striking a Rapture in its exposed weak spot. The machine stumbled, falling to the ground before it could react.

The Raptures, caught completely off guard, scrambled to regroup, but the squad's ambush was already overwhelming them. Rapi and Anis continued their relentless assault, maintaining superior firepower and tactical positioning.

John stayed in the background, subtly using his cursed energy to shift debris and launch small pieces of rubble with deadly accuracy. Every motion was calculated to appear as part of the natural chaos of battle.

Another grenade from Anis exploded, sending a wave of force that ripped through the remaining light Raptures. The heavier units struggled to react, their movements slower and more cumbersome.

"Keep them pinned!" Rapi shouted, her voice calm despite the chaos. She reloaded in a fluid motion, her next shots hitting their marks with lethal precision.

John spotted a larger Rapture—a heavily armored unit—emerging from the rear, its reinforced plating making it a significant threat. His eyes flicked to a nearby chunk of concrete. Without hesitation, he channeled his cursed energy, launching the debris with enough force to knock the machine off balance.

Rapi noticed the shift, her eyes narrowing as she fired at the exposed joints. The Rapture stumbled, and Anis delivered the finishing blow with a well-placed grenade that tore through its armor.

Within minutes, the ambush had ended. The street was littered with the remains of the Raptures, their twisted metal forms smoking in the aftermath.

John stood, surveying the scene, his breath steady. They had executed the ambush perfectly, but he knew he had to be more careful with how much cursed energy he was using. Rapi's sharp gaze lingered on the debris for a moment, but she said nothing, her attention returning to the battlefield.

Anis let out a loud whistle, slinging her grenade launcher over her shoulder. "That was way too easy! Maybe we need a bigger challenge next time."

"Don't get cocky," Rapi replied, her tone serious. "That was a small scouting unit. We'll need to stay alert in case more show up."

John nodded, walking over to where Rapi and Anis stood. "Good work, everyone. Shifty, the area's clear for now, but I want constant scans for any additional movement."

Shifty's voice crackled back over the comms. "Copy that, Commander. I'm still analyzing the black box data, but I'll keep scanning the area and send over the full report to Rapi once I'm finished."

Rapi glanced at John before giving a curt nod. "Make sure you do."

The squad moved cautiously through the crumbling remains of the city, the weight of the mission pressing heavily on their shoulders. Marian led the way, her steps sure as she guided them deeper into the heart of the ruins. The silence was almost unbearable, the tension thickening with every step.

"They're over here," Marian said softly, her voice distant, as if speaking from somewhere far away. "The missing Nikkes... I can feel them."

John furrowed his brow, feeling a strange pulse in the air—faint, but unmistakable. A flicker of cursed energy, just at the edge of his senses, building up and disappearing, as if a powerful sorcerer were nearby, manipulating the energy. His mind raced, trying to pin down the source, but it was erratic, slipping away before he could fully grasp it.

Rapi's eyes narrowed, suspicion gnawing at her. She quickened her pace until she was beside Marian, her voice sharp. "How do you know where they are, Marian? We haven't gotten any updates."

"I just know," Marian responded, her tone unnervingly calm. She kept walking, her eyes locked straight ahead. "I can feel them."

John's unease grew. That cursed energy—it was growing stronger, but something was off. He could sense the traces of it flickering around Marian, but it couldn't be her, could it? He glanced at her again, trying to focus on the energy source, but it slipped through his grasp like smoke.

Suddenly, the earpiece crackled to life once more. "Rapi," Shifty's voice came through, tight with urgency. "I've finished analyzing the black box data. Sending it to you now."

Rapi's visor flickered as the data was uploaded. She studied it carefully, her expression hardening as she read through the information. Without a word, she stopped in her tracks, her rifle rising slowly until it was trained on Marian.

"Marian, stop," Rapi ordered, her voice cutting through the air like ice.

Marian hesitated, her steps faltering as she turned slightly. "What's wrong?"

Rapi aimed her rifle slowly, leveling it at Marian's head. "There were two explosions inside the conveyor during the crash—caused by the explosives we were supposed to use for this mission. Those explosives wouldn't go off without an external detonation signal." Her grip tightened on the rifle. "That detonation signal came from you, Marian. What are you trying to achieve?"

John's heart pounded as Rapi's words hit him. Marian? No... that's not possible... His mind was reeling, but he still felt the cursed energy, growing stronger, pulsing from Marian's direction. His thoughts raced, the strange sensation making him doubt what was in front of him.

Marian turned fully to face them now, her expression a mask of confusion. "Rapi, no. I didn't do anything—I don't know what's happening."

John took a step closer, torn between the growing sense of dread and the cursed energy swirling around her. His gaze locked onto Marian, trying to sense what was really going on. The energy—it wasn't just any cursed energy. It was erratic, distorted, like it was fighting to break free.

Rapi's eyes narrowed further, her finger twitching on the trigger. "Start talking now, Marian. Or I'll put a bullet through your head."

Marian's lips trembled, and for a moment, she looked like she was about to cry, shaking her head in disbelief. But then, something changed. She froze. The color drained from her face, and her body went still, her eyes locked onto the horizon.

John's breath caught in his throat. Something was wrong—very wrong.

"Over here..." Marian's voice was barely a whisper, flat and devoid of emotion.

John's stomach twisted as he watched her. Her eyes... they had changed. The once deep violet was now a cold, glowing red, staring out with a blank, empty gaze. Her face showed no emotion, no recognition, just a mechanical emptiness. "Over here..." she repeated, louder this time, her voice hollow.

"Marian!" John shouted, stepping forward, but her head jerked unnaturally toward him. The cursed energy he had been sensing earlier—it was coming from her. It wasn't a sorcerer. It was her.

Her red eyes locked onto John, and the sense of cursed energy intensified, swirling around her like a storm. The energy was violent, like something far beyond simple Rapture corruption. The flickering energy John had been sensing wasn't disappearing—it was transforming.

"Over here..." Marian said again, her voice distorted now, as if someone—or something—was speaking through her.

John's heart raced, his mind trying to make sense of it all, but then, without warning, two thick black metallic tendrils erupted from the darkness of a nearby building. They shot through the air, wrapping around Marian's arms and legs, lifting her off the ground with terrifying speed.

The trench coat John had given her slipped from her shoulders, fluttering to the ground like a discarded memory.

"Marian!" John yelled, rushing forward, but the tendrils pulled her further into the shadows of the ruins.

Her body hung limp in the grip of the tendrils, but then, just before she disappeared into the darkness, her eyes flickered, the red glow fading back to their natural violet for just a moment. Her hand, trembling and weak, reached out toward John, her lips moving in a silent, desperate plea.

Help.

And then she was gone, yanked into the abyss, her final whisper carried away by the wind.

The ground beneath them trembled, the air thick with the dark energy of the Rapture. John stood frozen, his eyes fixed on the spot where Marian had vanished, his heart pounding in his chest. The coat lay crumpled on the ground before him, a haunting reminder of what had just happened.

"What the hell just happened?!" Anis yelled, her voice shaking with a mix of confusion and anger.

John's hands clenched into fists, his cursed energy roiling within him, desperate to be unleashed. He wanted to scream, to tear apart whatever had taken her, but he couldn't—he couldn't let them see. His pulse hammered in his ears, and a single thought dominated his mind.

"Chase after it!" John barked, his voice raw with urgency.

"Commander, wait!" Shifty's voice crackled over the comms, her tone sharp. "You can't just run after a Tyrant-class like that. It'll get you killed!"

"John, stand down," Rapi added, moving swiftly to block his path. "We need a plan. Charging in blindly won't help Marian."

But John's eyes were already locked on the distant form of Blacksmith, disappearing deeper into the ruins, with Marian still ensnared in its grotesque tendrils. He couldn't afford to hesitate. "I'm not letting her die!" He darted forward, ignoring their protests.

"Damn it!" Rapi hissed under her breath as she and Anis quickly followed. "Shifty, keep us updated on that thing's movements!"

"Got it! It's fast—get ready!" Shifty's voice replied.

John sprinted through the crumbling streets, weaving between piles of debris, his heart pounding with adrenaline. His cursed energy pulsed within him, restrained but surging with each step. Ahead of him, the monstrous form of Blacksmith loomed large, its massive, spider-like legs skittering over the ruins with unnerving speed. The ground shook with each heavy step it took, sending small rocks tumbling as it moved.

"John! Slow down!" Rapi shouted from behind, but he didn't. He couldn't.

Blacksmith turned suddenly, the red lights across its armored carapace flickering with ominous energy as it launched a volley of bombs from the cannons mounted on its back. The bombs detonated in mid-air, sending shockwaves and debris flying in all directions.

John skidded to a halt just in time, narrowly dodging a blast. He turned, his eyes wild with determination. "Anis, Rapi—use the debris for cover. I'll draw its fire!"

"Wait, what?" Anis yelled, disbelief coloring her voice. "You're gonna be bait? That thing will rip you apart!"

But John had already moved, darting out into the open to grab Blacksmith's attention. The massive Rapture's mechanical eyes whirred to life, locking onto him. Its massive legs shifted, adjusting its stance as the barrels of its machine guns spun to life.

Bullets rained down, tearing through the ground as John zigzagged across the battlefield, narrowly avoiding the lethal barrage. He could feel the cursed energy humming beneath his skin, ready to be unleashed at any moment, but he couldn't use it—not yet. He had to stay discreet.

Anis took the opportunity, sliding into a better position behind a shattered building. She cocked her grenade launcher, aiming carefully before firing off a well-placed shot. The grenade exploded near Blacksmith's side, sending shards of metal and debris flying.

Rapi moved in next, taking advantage of the distraction. She fired a series of precise bursts, aiming for the Rapture's joints and weak points. Sparks flew as her bullets struck true, chipping away at Blacksmith's heavy armor, but the massive creature barely seemed phased.

John darted to the side, narrowly avoiding another hail of bullets. He spotted a pile of debris and flung himself behind it for cover. His breath came in ragged gasps as he watched Blacksmith's cannons charge again, the red glow of its central core intensifying as it prepared for another onslaught.

"Rapi, Anis—get ready for another opening!" John yelled, his mind racing. He had to find a way to slow it down.

Blacksmith's massive legs began to churn forward again, its machine guns rattling as it relentlessly advanced toward John. He had to think quickly. He spotted a large piece of rubble nearby and, with a quick flick of his hand, threw it crashing into Blacksmith's leg joint. The impact wasn't enough to seriously damage the Rapture, but it caused it to stagger, just for a moment.

"Now!" John called.

Anis fired another grenade, this time hitting the weakened joint. The explosion tore into Blacksmith's armor, sending a spray of metal and energy sparks into the air. Rapi followed up with more precise shots, targeting the exposed components.

Blacksmith roared, its cannons shifting, launching more bombs in rapid succession. The bombs arced through the air, headed straight for Rapi and Anis.

"Move!" John shouted, his heart pounding as he watched the bombs fall. Anis dove behind a large piece of concrete, barely escaping the explosion. Rapi rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blast as the bombs detonated with deafening force, the shockwave rippling through the battlefield.

John gritted his teeth and pushed forward, using the momentary chaos to close the distance between him and Blacksmith. He could see its bright red energy core embedded in its center, lights pulsing with power. That had to be its weak spot.

"Shifty, can you find a vulnerability in this thing?" John shouted into the comms, panting as he ducked behind another crumbling wall.

"I'm scanning now," Shifty replied. "Its core is vulnerable, if you focus fire on it, it will destroy it. The Machine guns are especially weak at its lower joints!"

John pushed forward, weaving between chunks of debris and collapsed buildings. "Rapi, Anis—hit those machine guns! I'll draw its fire!"

"John!" Rapi's voice was filled with frustration, but she knew they had no choice. "Fine! Just don't get yourself killed."

"Got it, Commander!" Anis added, her voice tinged with her usual cocky grin. "Let's wreck this thing."

Blacksmith suddenly reared back, its mechanical arms shifting as the barrels of its twin machine guns spun back to life. The guns roared, bullets spraying in a deadly arc toward John as he sprinted through the ruins.

John's instincts screamed at him, and he dove behind a crumbling wall just as the bullets tore through the air, riddling the ground where he had been standing moments before. Dust and debris exploded into the air as the machine guns continued their relentless barrage.

"Now!" John shouted into his comm, rolling to his feet.

Rapi moved swiftly, her rifle trained on Blacksmith's right gun. She squeezed the trigger, each shot precise and methodical, aimed directly at the mounting joint of the machine gun. Sparks flew as her bullets connected, causing the gun to stutter and momentarily jam.

"Got it!" Rapi called out. "One down, but it's still dangerous."

"Working on the other one!" Anis grinned, loading a grenade into her launcher. She aimed carefully and fired. The grenade sailed through the air before slamming into Blacksmith's left machine gun, the explosion sending a shockwave through the battlefield.

Blacksmith staggered, its machine guns momentarily disabled, giving the squad precious seconds to advance.

John moved swiftly, sprinting toward the creature. He had to keep it distracted, had to give Rapi and Anis more time to target its core.

Blacksmith's red central core pulsed dangerously, its energy visibly fluctuating as the damage started to take its toll. The Rapture screeched, the sound an awful blend of mechanical whirring and an almost beastly roar. Its massive legs adjusted, bracing itself as its remaining cannons charged with energy, preparing for a devastating attack.

"John, the core's exposed!" Rapi shouted. "If we hit it now, we can take it down!"

John nodded, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto the glowing core at the center of Blacksmith's chest. This was it—this was their chance to end it.

"Anis, hit it with everything you've got!" John yelled, his voice hoarse but determined.

"You got it!" Anis called back, already loading her next grenade. She fired, the explosive arcing through the air and hitting Blacksmith squarely in the chest. The explosion rocked the massive Rapture, and for a brief moment, its movements faltered.

"Rapi, now!" John shouted, charging forward, his gaze fixed on the core.

Rapi didn't hesitate. She fired a series of well-aimed shots, each one striking Blacksmith's core directly. The red orb flickered wildly, its energy surging as cracks began to form along its surface.

Blacksmith screeched again, its mechanical limbs thrashing as it struggled to regain control. But just as the squad was about to press the attack further, the Rapture retaliated.

Without warning, two metallic tendrils shot out from its sides, moving with terrifying speed.

John barely had time to react as the metallic tendrils whipped through the air. They slammed into him with a force that sent pain shooting through his ribs, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs. He was yanked off the ground, dragged through the air like a ragdoll. His vision blurred, his surroundings a spinning whirlwind of destruction, before the tendrils hurled him into the side of a crumbling building.

The world seemed to explode in a blur of concrete and dust as John crashed through the structure. He slammed into the far wall, his body crumpling to the floor amid the rubble. The room spun, his ears ringing from the impact. His cursed energy, which had been surging within him, now pulsed wildly, demanding release.

"Commander!" Rapi's voice rang in his ear, frantic.

John groaned, his vision swimming. Through the haze of pain, he managed to push himself to his knees, gritting his teeth against the agony that throbbed through his body. He couldn't let them see him like this—not now. Not when Blacksmith was still out there, still a threat.

"Focus on Blacksmith!" he shouted, his voice rasping but commanding. "Don't worry about me—just bring it down!"

He could feel the tension in the air, the distant sounds of Rapi and Anis engaging the massive Rapture, but they weren't going to last long. Blacksmith was relentless, and without a weapon of his own, John knew he needed to do something drastic.

Hidden from sight by the ruined building, he finally allowed himself a moment of clarity, his thoughts turning to the cursed energy pulsing within him. He was alone now, concealed from Rapi and Anis' view. No one would see what he was about to do. He could use Ruinous Gambit.

With a deep breath, he activated his cursed technique.

Immediately, John felt the familiar surge of power flood through him, focusing his energy to enhance his strength. But as always with Ruinous Gambit, the risk was there—the random cost. His senses dulled, and a sudden wave of dizziness swept over him, nearly making him stumble. The world blurred, his hearing muffling into a distant hum, the outlines of the battlefield shifting into vague shapes.

John's vision dimmed, his balance swaying dangerously. His grip on the tendrils slackened, his mind swimming in confusion. No... focus... He had no time for weakness now. His body threatened to betray him, and for a moment, he feared he might let go, leaving Blacksmith unchecked.

But he forced himself to hold on, tightening his grip on the tendrils with trembling hands. He couldn't lose control—not yet. The cost of his technique roared in his mind, threatening to drag him under, but John focused through the fog, steadying himself against the wreckage of the building.

Through the haze, he felt the raw power surging into his muscles. The cursed energy burned through him, feeding his enhanced strength, his body suddenly capable of more than it was before. The tendrils still gripped him, but John's enhanced strength surged to the surface, overpowering the disorientation. With a guttural growl, he yanked on the tendrils, pulling with every ounce of power he could muster.

Blacksmith screeched as the force of John's pull dragged its massive body across the battlefield. Its legs skidded against the ground, the creature's bulk no match for the sudden surge of strength. Dust and debris flew as the giant Rapture lurched forward, momentarily thrown off balance.

John's vision remained blurred, his body threatening to collapse under his sensory confusion, but he held on. He could feel the ground shudder as Blacksmith struggled to regain control, but the creature was disoriented, its legs scrambling to find purchase as it was dragged backward, the mechanical screech of its limbs piercing the air.

"Rapi, Anis!" John shouted, his voice strained but commanding, knowing they couldn't see what he was doing. "Now! Focus on the core!"

Rapi's sharp eyes caught the opening. She didn't hesitate, her rifle already trained on Blacksmith's exposed core. She squeezed the trigger, sending precise bursts into the red, flickering orb at the center of the Rapture's chest. The shots struck true, cracking the glowing core, causing it to flicker violently.

Anis followed up with another grenade, her signature grin widening as she watched the explosive arc through the air. It slammed into Blacksmith's chest with a resounding boom, the explosion rippling through the beast's frame. The Rapture screeched again, this time in agony, as its core began to shatter.

Rapi's final shot rang out, piercing the cracked core with deadly precision. The red orb sputtered, then exploded in a cascade of sparks and energy, sending a shockwave through the battlefield. Blacksmith let out one last tortured screech as its massive frame collapsed, its legs folding in on themselves as it crumpled to the ground in a heap of twisted metal and shattered machinery.

John released his hold on the tendrils, collapsing back against the wall, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The world still spun around him, his senses dulled and chaotic, but he had done it. The battle was over.

"John!" Rapi's voice cut through the haze, sharp and concerned.

He forced himself to stand, dismissing his cursed technique as he was leaning against the ruined wall for support. "I'm fine," he managed to rasp, pushing the pain and disorientation down.

The smoke cleared, revealing the wreckage of Blacksmith, its body lying still on the battlefield. Marian's limp form could be seen tangled in the remains of the Rapture, but she was alive.

"We did it," Anis breathed, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "We actually did it."

He turned his gaze toward the fallen Rapture, his fists still trembling as he tried to steady himself. There was no time for rest. Marian needed him, and whatever happened next, he would be there to make sure they brought her back.