The icy wind cut through the cliffside, carrying with it the mechanical growls of advancing Raptures. Their glowing red cores pierced through the swirling frost, their jagged frames glinting like knives against the snow. Each movement was a calculated threat, their claws digging into the frozen ground as they closed in.

John scanned the horde, his breath visible in short puffs. He rolled his shoulders, the ache of his healing injuries dull but present. "Rapi, pick off the heavy ones. Neon, stay mobile on the flanks. Anis, disrupt clusters. I'll keep them off you."

"Copy that," Rapi replied curtly, her assault rifle already raised. Her finger hovered over the trigger, calculating her shots with the precision of a veteran. She fired short, controlled bursts, her bullets striking a towering Rapture's joints. A quick switch to her underbarrel missile launcher sent a guided explosive soaring into the air, striking a particularly large Rapture from above and leaving it reeling.

"Nice hit!" Anis called, snapping open the chamber of her grenade launcher to load another round. "Let me finish it off." She angled the launcher high, firing into the damaged Rapture. The explosion ripped through its core, scattering molten shrapnel across the ice. "Gotcha!"

Neon zipped to the side, her shotgun roaring as she blasted a smaller, spider-like Rapture mid-leap. Its shattered body crashed to the ground as she slid into cover behind a jagged ice formation. "Gotta admit, these guys aren't so bad when you keep moving and using firepower!"

"Focus," Rapi said sharply, her tone steady but commanding. She adjusted her aim, targeting another heavy Rapture in the backline. "More incoming."

John wasted no time, charging forward into the fray. The nearest Rapture swung its blade-like arm at him, but he sidestepped, his movements precise and fluid. His fist slammed into its torso, cursed energy crackling along his knuckles. The impact crumpled the machine's plating, sending it skidding across the ice.

A second Rapture lunged at him, claws outstretched. John ducked low, his breath sharp as he pivoted on the slick surface. With a powerful roundhouse kick, he shattered the creature's knee joint, causing it to collapse. Before it could recover, he drove his heel into its core, finishing it in a burst of sparks.

"Master, you're crowding my shot!" Neon called out, frustration edging her voice as she reloaded. A Rapture leapt toward her, but she fired point-blank, the shotgun's blast tearing through its frame.

"Then take the shot faster!" John retorted, twisting to parry another strike with his forearm. He grabbed the Rapture's outstretched limb and used its momentum to fling it into a nearby cluster.

"Commander, get out of the way!" Anis yelled, her grenade launcher firing with a resounding thump. The explosion tore through the tangled Raptures, sending shards of ice and metal scattering dangerously close to John. She huffed, a teasing edge to her voice. "You're always running into the worst possible spot!"

Rapi kept her focus, her rifle's reticle tracking a hulking Rapture at the edge of the cliff. She launched a missile, the guided explosive striking true and causing the machine to falter dangerously close to the ledge. "John, keep your distance. We can handle the front line."

"I've got this," John replied, his tone tight. He ducked beneath another swipe, his movements a blur of efficiency. A swift uppercut dislodged a Rapture's head, sending it spinning into the snow.

Rapi frowned, her sharp gaze flicking toward him. "You're going to get yourself killed if you keep overextending."

John didn't respond, his focus locked on the next threat. He launched himself at a larger Rapture, his cursed energy flaring as he drove a powerful knee strike into its chest. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ice beneath them.

Neon dashed past him, unloading another shotgun blast into a pursuing Rapture. "Commander, seriously! We've got this side covered."

"Fall back, John!" Rapi snapped, her voice cutting through the chaos. "This isn't a solo fight."

The order snapped him out of his adrenaline-fueled haze. He nodded sharply, retreating just in time for Anis to lob a grenade into the advancing Raptures, clearing a path for him.

With the horde thinning, the team fell into a synchronized rhythm. Rapi provided precise cover fire, her missiles strategically disabling key threats. Neon darted between targets, her shotgun's booming blasts keeping smaller Raptures at bay. Anis disrupted the remaining clusters, her grenades breaking their formations and leaving them vulnerable.

John took up a supportive role, intercepting any stragglers that slipped through. His strikes were calculated now, each movement deliberate as he moved in tandem with the others. Together, they dismantled the last of the Raptures, the cliffside falling silent once more.

As the dust settled, the team regrouped. Rapi's sharp gaze lingered on John, her expression unreadable. "You can't keep fighting like that," she said, her tone even but firm. "We're a team. Act like it."

John exhaled, his breath visible in the frigid air. "Noted," he said simply, adjusting his gloves.

Anis smirked, leaning on her grenade launcher. "Good. Because if you pull another stunt like that, I'm strapping a grenade to you and calling it a day."

The snow crunched underfoot as the team regrouped, their breaths forming small clouds in the frigid air. Neon approached the last downed Rapture, shotgun in hand, the barrel still faintly glowing from the heat of her recent volley.

"This one's still twitching," Neon said, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "Time to put it down for good."

She leveled her shotgun, but before she could pull the trigger, John stepped forward and gently pushed the barrel downward. His gloved hand met the hot metal, a faint sizzle followed by a sharp intake of breath. He yanked his hand back, shaking it rapidly. "Ow! Damn it, Neon! How hot is this thing?"

Neon stared at him, wide-eyed, before crossing her arms in exasperation. "Master! Rule number one of gun safety: don't touch the barrel! And rule number two: respect the firepower! You're lucky you didn't melt your glove."

Anis smirked, leaning casually on her grenade launcher. "You okay there, hotshot? Pun absolutely intended."

John ignored the sting in his hand, flexing his fingers and sighing. "I'm fine. Just... don't shoot it."

Neon tilted her head, confused. "Don't shoot it? Master, are you going to try to negotiate?"

Anis arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, mind sharing why you want us to leave this one breathing? Or are you planning on interrogating it for Rapture secrets?"

John didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered on the Rapture's mangled form, its metallic frame twitching as sparks danced across its joints. A memory flickered to life, unbidden—the sensation of his fists colliding with Mahito's body, the reverberation that followed, and the strange, instinctive technique he had somehow pulled off in the heat of battle.

The scene shifted in his mind's eye. Mahito's twisted grin was seared into his memory, his monstrous frame shifting and contorting as the fight raged. John had been desperate, every punch and kick feeling like a gamble against the sorcerer's horrifying agility and regenerative abilities.

Then, out of nowhere, it had happened.

He had landed a strike, but before the force could fully dissipate, it was as if a second wave followed—a double impact that seemed to reverberate through Mahito's body, eliciting a rare cry of pain. John didn't know how he had done it, but it had worked, and it had hurt Mahito in a way no other attack had.

He blinked back to the present, the cold biting into his skin as the memory faded. That technique... it wasn't something he understood. He hadn't trained it. It didn't belong to the arsenal he was familiar with. But if it could work against Mahito, maybe...

"I need to try something," John said finally, stepping toward the Rapture.

Rapi, who had been watching silently from a distance, took a step forward. "Commander, be careful. You're still recovering."

He glanced back at her briefly before nodding. "I will."

Neon gave an incredulous snort. "You're gonna punch it, aren't you? Master, you should join me on the path of fire…"

"Neon," Rapi said sharply, her tone enough to quiet the younger Nikke. She turned her attention back to John, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Make it quick."

John approached the Rapture, his muscles tensing as he focused. The mangled machine twitched weakly, its exposed core flickering with faint light. He steadied his breath, his fist tightening as cursed energy flowed to his knuckles.

Alright. Let's see if this works again.

He slammed his fist into the Rapture's body, the impact resounding like a thunderclap. The metallic frame crumpled inward, sparks and shards of metal flying as the machine was launched backward. It skidded across the icy ground, coming to rest several feet away. Its movements slowed, but it wasn't completely destroyed.

John straightened, his breath fogging in the cold air as he flexed his hand. The technique hadn't triggered. Not the way it had with Mahito. He sighed, frustration tugging at the corners of his mind. Why did it work then, but not now? What even was it?

"Well, that was dramatic," Anis remarked, breaking the silence. "Care to share what that was all about? Or are we just punching Raptures for fun now?"

John shook his head, glancing at the smoldering wreckage. "Just... trying to figure something out."

Neon stepped forward, looking at the remains of the Rapture before turning back to him. "You didn't figure it out, did you?" she asked, her tone half-teasing, half-curious.

"No," John admitted, his voice flat."I was trying something. Didn't work. Now we know."

"'Trying something,'" Rapi echoed, her tone calm but skeptical. She stepped closer, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "What exactly were you expecting, Commander?"

John exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the Rapture's mangled form. "During my mission in the Outer Rim, I didn't get caught up in stopping some terrorist plot, that was just a cover story Andersen came up with. I fought a Special Grade Curse."

The weight of his words hung in the frigid air. Neon tilted her head, her curiosity evident. "Special Grade? That sounds... serious. What's that mean?"

"It's part of the grade system sorcerers use," John began, flexing his hand as he talked. "It's an old-fashioned system. Flawed. Doesn't hold water anymore. But essentially, Grades 4 to 1 measure power, with 1 being the most dangerous. Then there's Special Grade. Beings so powerful, they're off the scale—capable of destroying entire regions if left unchecked."

"Sounds fun," Anis quipped, raising an eyebrow. "And you survived that?"

"Barely." John's tone was clipped, but his expression betrayed a hint of weariness. "The fight pushed me to my limit. That's when I unlocked two new techniques. One is an extension of my cursed technique called Final Gambit. The other..." He hesitated, his voice dropping slightly. "The other isn't something I understand. It's why I stopped Neon earlier—I wanted to see if I could make it work again. But it didn't."

"Final Gambit?" Rapi prompted, her tone measured. "That sounds like a technique with a cost."

John nodded. "It is. It takes a lot out of me, but it works. The other technique, well, I guess it wasn't the right moment for it."

Neon stepped forward, shotgun barrel still trained on the twitching Rapture. "Okay, but what's the plan now? We leaving it for scrap or—"

Before she could finish, John stepped between her and the Rapture, raising a hand to halt her. "Hold on."

Neon huffed, lowering the shotgun but glaring up at him. "Again? Master, this is becoming a bad habit."

"Not yet," John said calmly, moving closer to the damaged Rapture. "I want to try out Final Gambit, I haven't had time to properly test it out, and this maybe the best time to test it out before we get into another full on battle"

John steadied himself, his muscles tensing as he focused. His fists clenched tightly, cursed energy swirling faintly around his knuckles.

He inhaled deeply, feeling his cursed energy shift and divide as Ruinous Gambit activated. For a fleeting moment, he allowed the technique to siphon power from every part of him—his sight dimmed, his reflexes dulled, even the strength in his legs wavered—all redirected into two distinct streams of cursed energy. One, wild and unrestrained, condensed into his fist, a raw surge of destruction. The other, razor-sharp and precise, flowed like a thread through the air, homing in on the point of impact.

As he launched the punch, the two streams converged at the precise moment of collision. The overwhelming power met the focused precision, triggering his reversed cursed energy to invert the negative energy into a devastating release. The Rapture was obliterated instantly, its remains scattering across the icy ground. The sheer force of the attack sent a gust of wind rushing past the team, causing Neon's hair to whip dramatically.

Anis let out a low whistle. "Well, that's one way to do it."

John straightened slowly, his breath fogging the air as exhaustion crashed over him. His legs wobbled slightly, but he steadied himself. "It worked," he muttered to himself, though his voice carried a note of weariness.

"What the hell was that?" Neon exclaimed, her eyes wide with awe. "Some kind of magic energy punch? A wind cannon? Oh! Oh! Was it a sorcery spirit bomb?"

John turned toward her, visibly trying to keep his composure. "It's reversed cursed energy," he explained, his voice steady despite his fatigue. "I've figured out how to use it offensively. It's why Final Gambit works."

Neon's hand shot up like a kid in a classroom. "Okay, but—wait! If it's reversed, does that mean it's like, double-powered? Or... does it go backward? Like, do you rewind reality or something? Oh! Can you reverse time?"

John blinked, his brain too foggy to process her rapid-fire questions. He opened his mouth to respond but ended up turning away, his attention momentarily drawn by Rapi's assessing gaze.

Neon pouted, crossing her arms. "He's ignoring me. Again. Typical. I ask the hard-hitting questions, and nobody listens."

Anis snorted, nudging Neon lightly with her elbow. "Maybe he's just too tired to figure out how to answer your... let's call them 'creative theories.'"

"Or," Neon shot back with a grin, "he doesn't understand it either."

"Fair point," Anis conceded with a smirk.

John, meanwhile, exhaled heavily, leaning on his knees for support. The technique had drained him far more than he expected. His limbs felt leaden, and a dull ache spread through his chest. "It's effective," he said, more to himself than anyone else. "But I can't use it often. Takes too much energy."

Rapi stepped closer, her expression even but with a hint of concern in her eyes. "You should pace yourself, Commander. That kind of strain can't be sustainable."

"I know," John replied, his tone soft but firm. "But for now, it's what we've got."

The group began to move again, leaving the wreckage behind. John lingered for a moment, flexing his hand and feeling the residual tingling of cursed energy. Whatever Final Gambit was, it was powerful—but it was also a double-edged sword. He'd have to use it sparingly and carefully.

Neon, however, wasn't done theorizing. "I bet next time, he's gonna use it to make a tornado or something. Like, bam! Instant cyclone. Right, Master?"

John gave her a faint, tired smile but didn't answer. Neon grinned triumphantly. "See? He's totally planning it."

Anis rolled her eyes as they walked on. "You're impossible, Neon."

"I prefer the term imaginative" Neon retorted with a wink.

The snow crunched softly beneath their boots as the group pressed on, the icy wind biting at any exposed skin and carrying with it an oppressive stillness. John walked ahead of the group, his steps deliberate as he scanned the horizon. Behind him, the chatter of Neon and Anis filled the air, their voices a lively contrast to the desolate landscape.

Neon jogged up beside him, shotgun slung casually over her shoulder. "Hey, Master, I've been thinking," she began, her voice bright with curiosity. "Can you teach us any magic? You know, real stuff. Like making things explode with your brain or summoning fireballs."

John raised an eyebrow, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "Magic tricks, maybe. Sleight of hand. Pulling coins from behind your ear. But if you're talking about sorcery, that's a hard no."

Anis chuckled from behind, hefting her grenade launcher. "Aw, come on, Commander. You can't hold out on us like that. Neon's clearly dying to be the first Nikke magician."

"Please," Neon said, feigning a dramatic sigh. "I'd be amazing at it. Imagine—'The Great Neon and her Amazing Firepower spells!'"

John smirked faintly. "That's not how this works. Sorcery isn't something you just pick up. It's tied to cursed energy, and only a handful of people are naturally capable of using it. Even then, it's dangerous and unpredictable." He hesitated, his gaze drifting to the faint outlines of distant cliffs. "And... it's not exactly something you want to dabble in without knowing what you're doing."

Neon pouted. "Well, that's disappointing. What's the point of fighting alongside a sorcerer if we don't get to learn any cool tricks?"

"You do use cursed energy," John said, glancing back at them. "Even if you don't realize it."

That caught their attention. Anis slowed her steps, her head tilting in curiosity. "Wait, we do? Since when?"

"Humans—and I guess Nikkes too—have cursed energy. It's the negative energy generated by emotions, mostly fear and anger. You fluctuate yours a lot during combat. It's small, almost nothing, but it's there."

Neon frowned, her nose scrunching as she tried to process his explanation. "So… wait. We've been using magic this whole time and didn't know it?"

"Not exactly," John said, his tone patient but firm. "It's not enough to do anything significant. Think of it like static electricity. It's there, but you don't control it. Most humans don't even notice it unless they're in life-or-death situations. That's when people sometimes see curses or ghosts."

At the mention of ghosts, Rapi, who had been walking silently a few paces behind, visibly stiffened. Her sharp eyes darted to the edges of their path as though expecting something to appear out of the snow. It was subtle, but John caught it immediately.

"Ghosts?" she repeated, her voice unusually tense. "We're not going to… run into one, are we?"

Neon turned to her with a grin, clearly relishing the moment. "Oh, Rapi. Don't tell me you're afraid of ghosts."

"I'm not afraid," Rapi said quickly, though her clipped tone betrayed her unease. "It's just… unnecessary. There's no point in bringing them up."

John couldn't resist. "Don't worry, Rapi. If we see one, I'll ask if it's friendly."

The joke fell flat, Rapi's sharp glance cutting through any levity. John sighed, holding up a hand in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. No ghost jokes." He paused, his tone softening. "I'll look into getting some cursed artifacts for you. Just in case."

"Artifacts?" Neon perked up, her curiosity reigniting. "You mean like magic weapons or charms? Oh! Can I get a ghost-busting cannon?"

"No," John said firmly, though his lips twitched with the hint of a smile. "They'd be more like protective charms. But don't get your hopes up—they're rare."

As they continued walking, Neon fell into step beside him, her energy undeterred. "You know, Master, you're really good at making all this spooky stuff sound boring. I'm starting to think you don't believe in fun."

John chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Fun's overrated."

"Spoken like a true party pooper," Anis said, grinning.

The group trudged along the icy trail, the crunch of snow beneath their boots the only sound accompanying the howling wind. John walked slightly ahead, his hands tucked into his coat pockets, his sharp gaze scanning the barren landscape. Behind him, Neon, Anis, and Rapi kept pace, their weapons at the ready. The biting cold had sapped much of the conversation from the group, leaving only the quiet determination to reach their destination.

Then, the sharp crack of gunfire split the air.

John froze mid-step, his head snapping toward the source of the noise. The sound echoed off the jagged mountains around them, followed by a rapid burst of fire that sounded almost unnatural in its intensity. A sniper rifle's steady rhythm suddenly erupted into a frenzied barrage, the shots coming so fast they overlapped.

"What the hell?" Anis muttered, gripping her grenade launcher tightly. "That's not normal."

"Definitely a sniper rifle," Rapi said, her tone level but her eyes narrowing. "But that rate of fire... something's off."

John's expression darkened as he felt the faintest ripple in the air, a pulse of energy that prickled at his senses. It was subtle, but unmistakable—cursed energy. He motioned for the group to stay close as he moved forward. "Let's check it out. Stay sharp."

The group moved cautiously, following the echoes of gunfire through the winding trail. As they climbed higher, the bursts became sporadic, interspersed with the chatter of a submachine gun. John's unease grew with each step. Whoever was fighting down there wasn't just well-armed—they were good.

They reached the peak of a ridge overlooking a narrow valley, and the source of the chaos came into view.

Below, a horde of Raptures surged across the snow, their metallic bodies glinting in the faint light. At the center of the chaos were two figures—both clearly Nikkes—holding their ground with precision and skill.

The first was a silver-haired woman clad in a bright pink bodysuit. She wielded a sniper rifle with an ease that belied its weight, her shots clean and precise. Her weapon would periodically erupt into a flurry of rapid fire, the cursed energy John had sensed earlier flaring briefly with each burst.

The second woman, dressed in a fur-lined coat and armed with a sleek submachine gun, fought with equal efficiency. Her movements were calculated, her strikes powerful enough to send Raptures sprawling. When one lunged too close, she deflected it with a sharp kick, her boot leaving a dent in its armored chassis.

"Well, that's new," Neon said, her shotgun resting on her shoulder. "Who brings a sniper rifle to a swarm fight? And why does it work so damn well?"

"Maybe she's just better than you," Anis quipped, earning a glare from Neon.

John ignored their exchange, his focus locked on the silver-haired sniper. Her bursts of cursed energy were faint but deliberate, tied directly to her weapon's sudden surges in firepower. He frowned, watching as she adjusted her rifle and unleashed another devastating volley, cutting down a row of advancing Raptures.

"They're good," Rapi said quietly, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "But they're outnumbered. We should move in."

John nodded. "You three are gonna have to handle it on your own since I can't reveal my abilities to people we don't know. I'll stay back and provide overwatch."

Neon shot him a disbelieving look. "You're not jumping in? Come on, Master, this is prime punching material."

"Orders, Neon," Rapi said sharply, cutting off any further protest. She adjusted her grip on her rifle. "Anis, grenades on the clustered groups. Neon, our flanks. Let's move."

The three women descended the ridge, their practiced coordination taking over as they joined the fray. Anis fired first, her grenade arcing through the air before detonating in a fiery burst, scattering a pack of Raptures. Neon moved quickly, her shotgun booming as she covered Anis's flank, each shot sending mechanical limbs flying. Rapi provided suppressive fire, her under-barrel missiles striking down the largest clusters with pinpoint precision.

The silver-haired sniper glanced up as the trio joined the battle, a faint smile crossing her lips. She didn't stop firing, her rifle's sharp crack echoing across the valley. Her companion, the blonde with the submachine gun, spared the newcomers a brief nod before returning to her work, her strikes just as precise as her shots.

John remained on the ridge, his sharp eyes tracking the battle. His instincts screamed at him to intervene, but he held back. He couldn't risk revealing his abilities to strangers, no matter how dire the situation seemed.

As the last Rapture fell, its mangled frame collapsing into the snow with a metallic groan, silence descended over the frozen landscape. Alice lowered her pink sniper rifle, her wide, sparkling eyes scanning the battlefield. Her smile widened as she clapped her gloved hands together. "Oh, how wonderful! The Queen of Hearts' minions have been vanquished once again! Surely, this means we're one step closer to reaching Elysium!"

Rapi raised an eyebrow at the statement, glancing briefly at John as he joined them. The expression on her face read: What did we just walk into? John gave a subtle shrug, deciding to let the situation play out.

Ludmilla stepped forward, her boots crunching against the snow. Despite the bitter cold, her regal posture never faltered. She adjusted the fur trim of her coat with a graceful air before addressing the group. "I see reinforcements have arrived, summoned as per my royal decree," she said smoothly, her piercing eyes locking onto John. "Servant, you and your companions are most welcome. Your timely intervention has ensured our continued march against the Queen of Hearts."

Anis blinked, tilting her head in confusion. "Uh… servant?"

Ludmilla raised her chin slightly, an almost imperceptible smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Yes, servant. Surely, you wouldn't wish to shatter Lady Alice's world by suggesting otherwise, would you?"

Alice spun around, her snowy pigtails bouncing with the movement. She gasped, clasping her hands together. "Oh, my Queen! Did you really summon them? I knew it! I knew Mr. Rabbity would send us helpers in our quest!" She rushed over to John, her excitement palpable. "You're from Wonderland too, aren't you? Have you seen the Rabbity? Or maybe the Cheshire Cat?"

John hesitated, glancing between Alice and Ludmilla. The former's eyes sparkled with childlike wonder, while the latter gave him a pointed look as if daring him to ruin the illusion. He adjusted his scarf and gave a small nod. "Uh, yeah. Something like that. I haven't seen the Rabbity yet, though. Busy taking care of... other things."

Alice's face lit up, and she gave an approving nod. "Of course! You must be fighting off the Queen's other minions. How brave!"

Neon stepped closer, her shotgun resting on her shoulder. "Wait, Queen of Hearts? Wonderland? What exactly is going on here?"

Before Alice could respond, Ludmilla stepped in, her voice calm but authoritative. "It's quite simple. We're in the midst of a grand campaign to rid this region of the Queen of Hearts' influence. The Raptures you saw? Merely her pawns. And now, with you all here, we'll have the strength to continue."

Anis crossed her arms, smirking. "Right. Got it. So, we're your royal task force now?"

Ludmilla gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Precisely. And you will address me as Queen while in my domain."

Rapi's stoic expression didn't change, though there was a faint flicker of skepticism in her eyes. "Understood, your Majesty," she said dryly, her tone flat enough to be interpreted as either respectful or sarcastic.

Alice didn't seem to notice. She was already bouncing excitedly around Neon, asking if she'd ever encountered a talking caterpillar during her missions. Neon tried to keep up, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion and amusement.

"Queen, do you think Mr. Rabbit will lead us against the Queen of Hearts soon?" Alice asked, her voice light and filled with wonder. She twirled her rifle in her hands like it was a toy, glancing up at Ludmilla with wide, eager eyes.

Ludmilla's expression softened slightly, a rare crack in her icy demeanor. "Perhaps, Alice. But for now, let's focus on the battle in front of us. If the Queen of Hearts sends more of her army, we'll need to be ready. Take overwatch. We'll need your eyes on the horizon."

Alice brightened instantly. "As you command, my Queen!" She saluted with exaggerated enthusiasm before bounding up a nearby ledge with the grace of a seasoned sharpshooter. From her elevated position, she scanned the area, her rifle at the ready.

John watched her go, his brow furrowing slightly. "She's... unique. Are you sure she's safe up there?"

Ludmilla glanced at him, her tone sharp but not unkind. "Alice may seem whimsical, but don't underestimate her. She's one of the best marksmen we have. Her view of the world might be… unusual, but it keeps her focused."

John tilted his head, unconvinced. "It's not her skill I'm worried about. It's whether she'll stay on task."

Ludmilla's lips quirked into a faint smile, her frostiness melting for just a moment. "Alice thrives under pressure. She's far more capable than she seems. I wouldn't have brought her here if she weren't."

John sighed but nodded. "Fair enough. I'm Commander John Smith of the Counters"

"Commander," Ludmilla began, her voice even but edged with curiosity. "Why is someone like you out here in the Frozen North? Most surface commanders don't stray far from the Ark unless they're forced to."

John glanced at her, his expression guarded. "I'm looking for Pilgrims. One in particular. She might have information that could help with an investigation of mine."

Ludmilla arched an eyebrow. "Pilgrim? That's quite an ambition for someone of your rank. Pilgrims don't exactly make themselves easy to find."

"I don't have much of a choice," John replied, his tone firm. "It's something I need to do."

"For the Ark?" Ludmilla asked, her tone skeptical.

"For myself," John admitted after a pause. "A Nikke I was responsible for... she died under my watch. I need answers. I need to know if there was something I missed, something I could have done differently."

Ludmilla's piercing gaze lingered on him, studying his face for any sign of dishonesty. "A Nikke, you say? That's unusual. Most commanders wouldn't lose sleep over one of us. We're tools to them—disposable assets. You, however…" Her voice trailed off deliberately, her tone contemplative rather than accusatory. "What makes you different?"

John frowned, his jaw tightening slightly. "I never thought of them as anything less than human. It just… never crossed my mind."

Ludmilla blinked, caught off guard by the simplicity of his answer. "Never crossed your mind?" she echoed, her voice lighter now, almost curious.

John nodded. "Why would it? They think, feel, and bleed like the rest of us. What else should they be, if not human?"

Before Ludmilla could respond, Rapi stepped forward, her calm voice cutting through the tension. "He's telling the truth," she said firmly, her sharp eyes locking onto Ludmilla's. "The Commander's different. He's never treated us like tools, not even for a second."

Ludmilla's gaze shifted to Rapi, her expression unreadable but less sharp. "And you trust that? Completely?"

"I do," Rapi replied without hesitation. Her tone was steady, her words carrying quiet conviction. "I've served under commanders who only saw us as weapons. John isn't one of them. He's proven that."

For a moment, Ludmilla's piercing gaze held on John, as though searching for something deeper. Her tone shifted, becoming more contemplative. "So, Commander, if I may ask..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Do you care because it's the better way to motivate your squad, or because you genuinely believe you're their equal?"

John stopped mid-step, his voice sharp but calm. "What exactly are you trying to say, Ludmilla?"

Her lips quirked into a faint smile, her tone deliberate but not unkind. "Relax, Commander. I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm testing your sincerity." She hesitated, her own expression softening as she added, "Because if you truly mean it... then I think you're rare."

John exhaled quietly, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "I'm not trying to be rare," he said. "I just don't see the point in treating them like anything less than they are."

Ludmilla gave a small nod, her expression thoughtful. "Fair enough. But I hope you understand, Commander... caring like that isn't without risks. Letting your emotions lead can cloud your judgment—and out here, that could cost lives."

John met her gaze, his tone firm. "I know the risks. But I'm not going to treat them like tools just because it's easier."

Ludmilla studied him for a moment longer, her sharp eyes softening as she gave a faint smile. "I believe you," she said quietly. "But be careful. Ideals like yours are a rare thing, and the world isn't kind to rare things."

"Duly noted," John replied, his tone neutral.

Ludmilla turned her gaze forward, her voice taking on a more formal tone. "To answer your earlier question, the base you're heading for is ours—or was. Unlimited's primary function is to rescue lost Nikkes and return them to the Ark. For those stranded on the surface, their best chance is to head north, toward our base. Unfortunately, that base is now infested with Raptures. We were forced to abandon it, and we've been operating as nomads ever since."

John frowned. "You didn't try to take it back?"

"We did," Ludmilla said, her tone heavy. "But the Raptures that overtook it aren't ordinary. They're organized, almost as if they're protecting something—or someone."

His expression darkened. "And now they're in our way."

"Precisely." Ludmilla glanced at him. "If you're truly looking for Pilgrims, then you'll find the information you need at that base. But don't expect it to be easy."

John nodded. "It never is."

For a moment, they walked in silence, the weight of their shared mission settling over them. Then Ludmilla spoke again, her voice quieter but no less firm. "You're an odd one, Commander. Most humans wouldn't bother with a mission like this, especially not for the sake of a Nikke."

John gave her a sidelong glance. "Maybe they should."

Ludmilla smiled faintly, a rare warmth breaking through her frosty demeanor. "Maybe. Just don't let that get you killed. I've seen too many good people fall for one lifetime."

The group continued their trek through the snow-covered expanse, the cold wind biting at their exposed skin. Despite the harsh conditions, the conversation carried on, offering a much-needed distraction from the chill.

"You know," John started, his voice breaking the silence, "Alice reminds me of a character from a book."

Anis perked up instantly, leaning casually on her grenade launcher. "Oh, let me guess—Alice in Wonderland. I mean, her name's Alice. It's a layup."

Ludmilla arched an eyebrow, nodding. "Indeed. The comparison is obvious. It's practically her whole thing."

John tilted his head. "Alice in Wonderland? Never heard of it."

The reaction was explosive.

"WHAT?!" Anis nearly dropped her grenade launcher, her jaw hitting the metaphorical floor. "How have you never heard of Alice in Wonderland? It's, like, mandatory culture!"

Ludmilla, looking appalled, stepped forward, gesturing with her rifle. "Commander, are you telling me you've gone through life without knowing one of the most famous literary works of all time?"

John shrugged, nonchalant. "Guess it just never came up."

Anis shook her head in disbelief. "Fine. If it's not Alice in Wonderland, who does she remind you of?"

"Don Quixote," John said, as though it were the most logical conclusion in the world.

The group froze. Ludmilla blinked, her cool composure cracking as she registered his words. "Don Quixote?" she repeated, her tone dripping with incredulity. "You're comparing Alice to… to that?"

Anis furrowed her brow. "What's a Don Quixote? Sounds like a fancy piece of armor or something."

"It's a book," John explained, completely unfazed. "About a guy who thinks he's a knight and goes on a bunch of delusional adventures. Fights windmills and stuff."

Before anyone could spiral further into confusion, Neon interjected, her cheerful voice breaking through. "Oh! Don Quixote! I know that one! It's a Spanish literary masterpiece. A satirical exploration of idealism versus realism, and the tragedy of pursuing impossible dreams."

Everyone turned to Neon, stunned. Anis pointed at her accusingly. "Hold on. How do you know this?"

Neon shrugged, beaming. "I came across it in the archives. It's one of my favorite books. It dives into how society treats dreamers, and the dynamics between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are just—"

John nodded, cutting her off. "Top-notch character work. I always liked Sancho's grounded perspective. Keeps the story balanced."

"Thank you!" Neon clapped her hands together, clearly delighted. "Sancho is the real unsung hero."

Anis threw up her hands. "Am I the only one who finds this completely insane? Since when is Neon a literature expert? And, Commander, you're just rolling with it?"

John smirked faintly. "What's wrong? She's got good taste."

Rapi frowned slightly, glancing between them. "I've never heard of this book. Is it really that important?"

"It's a classic!" Neon said brightly. "Much deeper than Alice in Wonderland, to be honest."

"Hold on, now," Ludmilla cut in, looking offended. "You don't get to insult Alice in Wonderland. It's a nuanced masterpiece in its own right."

"I've read both," Alice said suddenly, her voice soft but full of excitement. "And I think Don Quixote is charming! Oh, what fun it would be to charge at windmills! I wonder if they're giant teapots instead."

Ludmilla froze, her expression an amusing mix of betrayal and horror. "Alice," she said carefully, "please don't tell me you actually read that."

Alice nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, my Queen! It's delightful! I see so much of myself in Sir Quixote. Why, I bet the Queen of Hearts has her own windmills somewhere…"

Anis pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm surrounded by madness. Absolute madness. I can't tell what's weirder—Alice being a secret fan of windmill-fighting, or Neon suddenly turning into a literature professor."

Neon crossed her arms, mock-offended. "Hey! Just because I'm full of surprises doesn't mean it's weird."

"It's a little weird," Rapi said quietly, her tone as neutral as ever.

Ludmilla sighed, motioning for Alice to set up overwatch. "Enough. Alice, go find a vantage point before this conversation derails further."

"Yes, my Queen!" Alice saluted dramatically and skipped off, humming to herself about windmills and teapots.

Ludmilla shot John a glare but didn't comment as the group prepared to move. Neon, still grinning, leaned closer to Anis. "We should all read Don Quixote together. It'll be a great team-bonding experience."

"Pass," Anis muttered. "I've got enough crazy in my life already."

The group crouched on the icy ridge, the relentless wind slicing through their gear as they gazed down at the fortress below. The structure loomed like a dormant beast—an unyielding mass of steel and weaponry, bristling with turrets, missile launchers, and artillery. Its design was utilitarian, cold, and commanding—a war machine that once symbolized dominance in the frozen north, now twisted into an instrument of annihilation under Rapture control.

John lowered his binoculars, his breath visible in the frigid air. "That's not a base," he muttered. "It's a damned war machine."

Ludmilla stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the fortress, her voice steady but underscored with bitterness. "It was a sanctuary for Unlimited," she said. "A fortress that was supposed to be unbreakable. Now, it's a weapon aimed at anyone who gets too close."

Rapi's sharp eyes flicked across the structure, her tone skeptical. "With all that firepower and security, how does something like that fall? It should've been impenetrable."

Ludmilla let out a measured sigh, her breath mingling with the wind. "Not all fortresses fall from the outside. This one crumbled from within. It started with small glitches—minor issues that were ignored because the higher-ups didn't see them as urgent. One after another, those glitches piled up, creating cracks in the system. By the time anyone took notice, it was too late. The Raptures didn't have to storm the gates; they hacked their way in and turned every defense into an offense."

"Hacked?" Anis raised an eyebrow, leaning casually on her grenade launcher. "I thought Raptures were all about brute force, not brainpower. Since when do they mess with systems?"

John furrowed his brow, his gaze lingering on the fortress. "A facility like this wouldn't be easy to hack," he said slowly. "I'm not knowledgeable in hacking, but surely a place like this would have redundancies, firewalls, backup protocols—layers of protection."

Rapi nodded, her sharp gaze focused on the structure. "Raptures are good at brute force, but breaking into something like this would take more than just persistence. Hacking is predominantly a human specialty," she said. "Even advanced Raptures struggle to comprehend systems designed by humans. Their logic is too different. For a Rapture to pull this off... it would have to be operating far beyond standard parameters."

John's expression shifted, his jaw tightening as a troubling thought formed. "Ludmilla," he began, his tone measured, "I'm going to say something that might be best... ignored."

She tilted her head, intrigued. "Consider it done."

He turned to Rapi, lowering his voice. "What if it wasn't brute force? What if it wasn't just persistence or a human mole? What if it was something—or someone—like Chatterbox? A Rapture with human intelligence."

Rapi's expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. "That would explain a lot," she said quietly. "But it also raises more questions—questions we won't have time to answer until we're inside."

Ludmilla, overhearing enough, raised an eyebrow. "A Rapture with human intelligence?" She crossed her arms, her voice taking on a wry edge. "Fascinating theory, Commander. If that's the case, it makes our job even more complicated."

John exhaled, the weight of the situation pressing on his shoulders. "It doesn't change the mission. We still need to get in there and find what we're looking for."

"Whatever the cause, the outcome's the same," Ludmilla said, her tone hardening. "The Raptures have infested our fortress, turning it into their stronghold. It's no longer a sanctuary—it's a death trap."

Alice, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly clasped her hands together, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "It's just like a fairy tale! The Queen of Hearts has seized the castle, turning it into a dark, twisted lair. But don't worry—when we defeat her, the kingdom will be saved!"

John, about to speak, was interrupted by Alice's delighted gasp. She turned to him, her eyes wide with realization. "Of course!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "It's all so clear now!"

John blinked, caught off guard by her sudden enthusiasm. "What's clear?"

"You!" Alice pointed directly at him, her expression glowing with conviction. "You're the knight! The hero! The one destined to save us all—the legendary Don Quixote himself!"

John groaned, running a hand down his face. "Alice, no. I am not—"

"But you are!" she interrupted, her voice lilting with pure conviction. "Charging headfirst into danger, tilting at impossible odds! It's you, Sir Knight! The windmill-slayer, the defender of the weak, the dreamer who inspires us all!"

Anis burst out laughing, leaning against her weapon for support. "Oh, this is gold. I am never letting you live this down, Commander."

Ludmilla folded her arms, her smirk growing as she watched John's exasperation. "You do fit the description, in a roundabout sort of way. Maybe I should start calling you 'Sir Don Quixote.' It has a certain ring to it."

John turned to Rapi, his expression silently pleading for assistance. She raised an eyebrow but didn't immediately speak, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at her lips.

Before the conversation could spiral further, Rapi cleared her throat, cutting through the growing amusement with her usual calm authority. "Focus," she said evenly, though her tone carried the faintest warmth. "The base isn't going to retake itself."

Alice, undeterred, reached out and clasped John's arm, her expression filled with sincerity. "Fear not, Sir Knight. With your courage and our combined strength, we shall prevail against the Queen of Hearts and restore the kingdom!"

John sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging. "You're really not letting this go, are you?"

"I wouldn't count on it," Anis said dryly, her smirk widening. "You might as well lean into it. You'd make a decent knight."

Shooting her a long-suffering look, John straightened up and adjusted his gloves. "Right. Let's get moving. The sooner we take down that oversized metal monstrosity—'Land Eater,' let's call it—the sooner I can forget this entire conversation ever happened."

The moment the group advanced from their rocky perch, the Land Eater responded with terrifying efficiency. A klaxon wailed, echoing across the frozen expanse as the massive fortress sprang to life. Turrets unfolded like blooming steel flowers, their barrels gleaming with icy condensation. High-pitched whirring signals heralded the launch of blue plasma projectiles that cut through the air with searing intensity, while bomb mortars rumbled ominously before launching their devastating payloads skyward.

John raised a hand to signal the team. "Move now! Spread out, keep low, and don't stop moving! Engage the drones, but stay focused on the base!"

The group scattered as a salvo of plasma rounds tore into the ground where they had been standing, leaving smoldering craters and scorching the frost beneath. The air itself seemed to tremble with the energy discharged by the Land Eater's weapons.

The first wave of drones skittered out from the base's sides like mechanical spiders, their sharp legs clicking against the frozen ground as their red eyes scanned for targets. They weren't large, but they moved in unpredictable patterns, weaving erratically as they closed in.

"Neon, watch the left!" Rapi shouted, her rifle snapping up. A burst of fire struck one of the drones mid-leap, sending its shattered chassis tumbling into the snow.

Neon was already moving, her shotgun pumping rhythmically as she shredded the nearest drone. Sparks showered around her as she vaulted over a patch of uneven ice, narrowly dodging a plasma round that seared past her shoulder. "I'm on it, Rapi! But can someone shut that thing up?" She motioned toward a nearby bomb mortar that had just launched another explosive into the sky.

Above them, the mortars rumbled like distant thunder. The bombs arced high before crashing down in precise, calculated intervals, forcing the team to break formation repeatedly. One landed too close to Anis, the blast throwing her off balance and sending her sprawling into the snow. She cursed, pulling herself up and leveling her grenade launcher at the offending turret.

"Oh, you're going down for that one!" Anis snarled as she fired. The grenade arced perfectly, slamming into the base of the mortar. The explosion rocked the structure, sending shrapnel flying, but the mortar wasn't destroyed—only staggered.

"Focus fire!" John barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. He hurled one of his cursed-energy-infused stones with pinpoint accuracy, striking the damaged mortar with enough force to shatter its mechanisms. The weapon sputtered and went still, smoke rising from its remains.

The Land Eater retaliated immediately. A massive plasma launcher swiveled toward their position, the barrel glowing ominously as it charged. John's eyes widened as he recognized the danger. "Incoming! Move!"

The blue plasma round surged forward with blinding speed, slamming into the ridge they had been using for cover. The explosion was deafening, the shockwave throwing ice and rock into the air. John barely had time to dive behind another outcropping, the heat from the blast searing the back of his coat.

Rapi was already on the move, her rifle firing precise bursts at the plasma launcher. "It's too heavily armored!" she called out. "We need a direct hit with explosives!"

"On it!" Anis shouted, loading another grenade. She dashed forward, using the terrain for cover as she lined up her shot. A drone scuttled into her path, but before it could lunge, Neon intercepted it with a well-placed shotgun blast.

"Keep going, Anis!" Neon shouted. "I'll cover you!"

Anis didn't hesitate. She fired, her grenade slamming into the base of the plasma launcher. The explosion rocked the turret, and a cascade of sparks erupted from its housing, but it wasn't enough to take it down.

From her vantage point, Alice adjusted her sniper rifle, her cursed energy unknowingly flaring as she lined up her shot. Her voice carried over the comms, light and cheerful despite the tension. "Allow me, dear friends! A knight never lets her Queen down!" She squeezed the trigger, her bullet streaking through the chaos to strike the weakened plasma launcher. The projectile pierced its core, and the turret detonated in a spectacular burst of blue energy.

"Nice shot!" Rapi called out, her voice laced with urgency. "But don't stop—there's more incoming!"

As if in response, the Land Eater deployed a second wave of drones. These moved faster, their metallic limbs glinting as they skittered across the ice. John gritted his teeth, pulling another cursed-energy-charged stone from his coat. He hurled it with precision, the projectile striking a drone mid-leap and shattering it into scrap. He turned to his team, his voice sharp. "Keep those drones off us! Ludmilla, focus on suppressing fire. Rapi, cover her!"

Ludmilla was already moving, her SMG roaring as she laid down a hail of bullets to keep the advancing drones at bay. Her movements were methodical, each step calculated as she used the terrain to her advantage. "They're pushing hard," she said, her voice calm despite the chaos. "But they're not getting past me."

Rapi fell into position beside her, her rifle spitting bursts of fire. Together, they created a deadly crossfire, mowing down the advancing drones before they could reach the rest of the team.

John's eyes flicked to the remaining turrets. The Land Eater was a fortress, but its weapons had patterns—vulnerabilities. He spotted a momentary pause in one of the bomb mortars' firing sequence and signaled to Anis. "There! Hit it now!"

Anis grinned, leveling her grenade launcher. "With pleasure, Commander!" She fired, the grenade slamming into the exposed mortar just as it prepared to fire. The resulting explosion sent debris flying, and the mortar crumbled into a smoldering wreck.

The Land Eater seemed to sense the shift in momentum. Its klaxon blared again, and the remaining turrets began to charge in unison. John's heart sank as he realized the fortress was preparing for a coordinated strike.

"Everyone, regroup!" he shouted. "We need to focus fire on those remaining turrets before they wipe us out!"

The team moved as one, their weapons trained on the final turrets. Plasma rounds and bullets filled the air as they unleashed everything they had. Alice's sniper rifle rang out, her shots finding weak points with uncanny precision. Anis and Neon worked in tandem, clearing the field of drones while Rapi and Ludmilla focused on suppressing the turrets.

John hurled his last cursed-energy-charged stone, the projectile slamming into a damaged turret and finishing it off. The Land Eater shuddered, its weapons faltering as the team's relentless assault finally began to take its toll.

As the final turret fell silent, the battlefield was momentarily still. Smoke rose from the remains of the drones and destroyed turrets, and the Land Eater's once-imposing silhouette seemed less invincible.

The Land Eater let out a deep, mechanical groan, the sound reverberating through the frozen landscape as smoke and sparks erupted from its turrets. For a brief moment, silence settled over the battlefield. The fortress, now riddled with bullet holes and scorched scars from the team's assault, seemed to sag under its own weight. Then, with a sharp, ear-piercing whine, its outer shell began to shift.

"What the hell?" Neon muttered, stepping back as a deep rumble shook the ground. "Did we… did we actually win?"

"Stay sharp," Rapi warned, her eyes narrowing as she tracked the movement. The fortress groaned again, sections of its massive base folding and retracting as gears and pistons hissed and whirred into motion.

John clenched his fists, his breathing quickening as he stared at the unfolding monstrosity. His sharp gaze locked onto the shifting form, his chest rising and falling like a predator on the hunt. "It's not over," he said, his voice low and tight. "Get ready."

With a deafening clang, four massive metallic legs extended from the base, their jagged, spiked ends slamming into the ice. The sheer force of the impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across the ground, and the Land Eater rose higher, its enormous frame looming over the team. As it straightened, a monstrous head emerged from the central dome, its glowing blue core blazing with malice. The head resembled a turtle's, but its jaws were lined with jagged teeth that gleamed like blades. It let out a guttural, electronic roar, the sound so loud it sent snow avalanching off nearby cliffs.

"Nope. Nope. Nope." Anis stepped back, her grenade launcher hanging loosely in her hands. "What is this, a bad sci-fi movie? Did the fortress just grow legs? And a head?"

"Whoa!" Neon's shotgun was up, her grin widening despite the chaos. "Now this is what I'm talking about! It's like we're fighting a giant metal kaiju! Let's see if its bite is as good as its bark!"

John didn't respond. His breathing had grown heavier, his fingers twitching as if itching to grab something—anything—to throw. His eyes were locked on the towering metal beast, his pupils dilating with a dangerous intensity. A faint grin tugged at the corners of his lips, but it wasn't the calm, measured Commander his team was used to. It was something sharper, more primal.

"John?" Rapi's voice cut through the rising tension. She turned to him, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Are you—"

"I'm fine," he snapped, though the tremor in his voice betrayed him. His gaze didn't waver from the Land Eater as it took a lumbering step forward, the ground shaking beneath its weight. "Just focus on the fight."

Rapi frowned but didn't press. Instead, she reloaded her rifle, her movements quick and precise. "Alright. Target its legs. If we can take them out, we might be able to bring it down again."

Alice, perched on a nearby ledge, clapped her hands together with childlike glee. "Oh, how marvelous! The Queen of Hearts' turtle has come to life! Shall we tame the beast, Sir Knight?"

"Not tame," John muttered, his voice low and strained. His grin widened, teeth bared as his hands flexed at his sides. "Destroy."

The Land Eater's head snapped toward the group, its red eyes locking onto them with a predator's precision. With a deafening whir, its mouth opened, revealing a cannon barrel that glowed with blue plasma. A beam of energy shot toward them, carving a molten scar into the ice as the team scrambled to dodge.

"Move!" John roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. He darted to the side, barely avoiding the beam as it seared past him. The heat singed his coat, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he grabbed a jagged piece of ice from the ground, his cursed energy flaring around it as he hurled it with all his might. The projectile struck the Land Eater's leg with a resounding clang, leaving a dent but doing little else.

"Focus fire on the legs!" Rapi ordered, her voice sharp and commanding. She aimed for the nearest joint, her rifle spitting controlled bursts of bullets. Ludmilla joined her, her SMG spraying suppressive fire as the team began to coordinate their assault.

Neon darted to the side, her shotgun roaring as she blasted one of the smaller drones skittering toward her. "These little guys just don't give up!" she shouted, kicking another drone away before turning her attention to the towering turtle. "Come on, big guy—let's see what you've got!"

Anis, meanwhile, was frantically reloading her grenade launcher. "I swear, if this thing breathes fire like the dragon, I'm quitting. Just throwing that out there."

The Land Eater roared again, its massive legs shifting as it began to charge. Each step shook the ground, throwing the team off balance. Bomb mortars on its back launched into the air, raining explosive death across the battlefield. The team scattered, dodging the blasts as shrapnel and debris filled the air.

"John!" Rapi called out, her tone edged with urgency. "We need a plan!"

John didn't respond immediately. He was too focused on the Land Eater, his breathing ragged as his cursed energy began to crackle faintly around him. His hands trembled, not with fear, but with barely restrained excitement. The thrill of the fight was consuming him, drowning out everything else.

"Commander!" Rapi's voice snapped him out of his haze. He shook his head, his grin fading slightly as he forced himself to focus.

"Take out the mortars first!" he ordered, his voice steady but strained. "Neon, Anis, keep the drones off us. Ludmilla, Rapi, focus on the legs. Alice, aim for the head—hit anything that looks like a sensor!"

Alice saluted from her perch. "With pleasure, Sir Knight! Let us strike down the beast!"

The team moved as one, their weapons blazing as they unleashed everything they had. Neon and Anis worked in tandem, cutting down the drones that swarmed toward them like mechanical locusts. Rapi and Ludmilla focused their fire on the Land Eater's legs, their bullets chipping away at its armor with relentless precision.

Alice's sniper rifle cracked, her cursed energy flaring as she fired shot after shot at the turtle's head. One of her bullets struck a glowing blue sensor, causing the beast to roar in electronic rage. The damaged sensor flickered, its glow dimming as smoke began to seep from the wound.

John stayed back, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield for an opening. His fingers itched to join the fray, but he forced himself to hold back. Not yet. He clenched his fists, his cursed energy crackling faintly around him as he prepared for the moment he could strike.

The Land Eater reared up on its hind legs, its massive frame casting a shadow over the team. Its mouth glowed with blue energy as it prepared to unleash another devastating plasma beam. John's eyes widened, his battle lust momentarily replaced by cold calculation.

"Scatter!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. The team dove in different directions as the beam carved a molten path through the ice, narrowly missing them.

The turtle landed with a thunderous crash, its legs sinking slightly into the ice. John's eyes lit up, a manic grin spreading across his face. "Now!" he roared, his voice trembling with barely contained excitement. "Hit it with everything you've got!"

The team unleashed their full arsenal, their combined firepower slamming into the Land Eater with explosive force. Grenades, bullets, and cursed-energy-infused projectiles tore into its armor, leaving it battered and smoking.

The Land Eater let out another thunderous roar, its glowing red eyes blazing with anger as its massive head twisted to track the attackers below. With a mechanical groan, it reared back on its hind legs again, its immense bulk shifting to prepare for a devastating counterstrike. Bomb mortars and plasma launchers mounted on its shell unleashed a punishing volley, blanketing the battlefield in explosions and streaks of searing blue energy.

John darted between the blasts, his movements swift and calculated. But his mind wasn't entirely clear. The battlelust was gnawing at him, that burning desire to test himself against this behemoth, to sink deeper into the fight. He clenched his fists, shaking his head to force the thoughts back down. Stay focused. Don't lose it.

To his right, Ludmilla and Alice were coordinating their fire. Ludmilla's SMG rattled with precise bursts, targeting the joints of the massive legs, while Alice's sniper rifle cracked with each shot, her cursed energy flaring as she focused her aim on the head.

"Keep it distracted!" Ludmilla commanded, her tone sharp and authoritative. "Alice, hit the sensors again. We need to blind it—"

The Land Eater shifted with shocking speed, its massive head snapping toward them. Its cannon-like mouth glowed with plasma energy, and before they could react, it unleashed a blinding, concentrated beam. The impact struck the ledge where Ludmilla and Alice were perched, detonating in a shower of snow and shattered rock.

The two Nikkes were thrown through the air like ragdolls, their cries barely audible over the roar of the explosion. They hit the ground hard, disappearing into the swirling snow and debris.

"Ludmilla! Alice!" Rapi shouted, her usually stoic voice breaking with alarm.

John's head snapped toward the falling figures, his breath hitching as he watched them disappear. His chest clenched with an unexpected burst of emotion—fear? Concern? But then, before he could stop it, another feeling surged forward: joy. Raw, unfiltered joy at the chaos, at the sheer brutality of the fight. His heart raced, his vision narrowing as the Land Eater's monstrous form filled his gaze.

This is what I live for, he thought, his grin widening, his cursed energy crackling faintly around him. But then the guilt hit him like a punch to the gut, twisting his stomach into knots. How could he feel this way? How could he enjoy this, when two of his allies might be hurt—or worse?

"Get it together," he growled under his breath, forcing himself to focus. The Land Eater was still advancing, its massive legs crushing the ice with each step, its cannons swiveling to target the remaining team members.

John's gaze hardened as he spotted a weak point in the monster's armor—an exposed seam where the fortress's torso met the head. He darted forward, weaving through the barrage of mortars and plasma fire with the speed of a predator closing in on its prey. His cursed energy flared to life, surging through his limbs as he leapt onto the Land Eater's leg, his boots scraping against the cold metal.

Rapi's voice crackled through his comms. "John! What are you doing?!"

"Ending this," he snapped, his voice tight with determination. He ran up higher, his hands gripping onto the jagged edges of the metal as he scaled the beast's side. The Land Eater's legs swayed as it tried to shake him off, but John held firm, his cursed energy anchoring him in place.

As he reached the fortress-like torso, he planted his feet on the broad, flat surface and raised his fist. His cursed energy surged, crackling around his hand like lightning. With a roar of exertion, he drove his fist into the armor, the impact reverberating through the metal shell. A dent appeared, then a crack, and finally, the armor gave way, splintering apart to reveal the glowing core inside—a pulsating mass of red energy surrounded by twisting machinery.

"Core's exposed!" John shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos. He leapt backward, his body twisting as he landed on the ground in a crouch. He raised his hand, signaling to the others. "Take it out! Now!"

Rapi was the first to react, her sharp eyes locking onto the exposed core. She raised her rifle, unleashing a barrage of bullets that tore into the vulnerable machinery. "Focus fire on the core!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the noise.

Ludmilla and Alice, bruised but alive, emerged from the snowdrift where they had fallen. Ludmilla brushed herself off with a scowl, raising her SMG. "We're not done yet," she growled, opening fire with renewed determination.

Alice, ever the optimist, clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement despite the chaos. "Oh, what a glorious turn of events! The beast's heart is vulnerable! Let us strike it down, Sir Knight!" She raised her sniper rifle, her cursed energy surging as she took aim. Her shot struck true, sending a ripple through the core as sparks and smoke erupted from within.

Neon, grinning like a madwoman, charged forward, her shotgun blasting away at the smaller drones that tried to swarm them. "Finally! A target that actually matters!" she shouted, firing round after round into the core.

Anis joined in, her grenade launcher thumping as she lobbed explosive rounds at the Land Eater's chest. The grenades detonated on impact, sending chunks of metal flying and further destabilizing the massive beast.

The Land Eater roared again, its electronic bellow tinged with static as its systems began to fail. The ground trembled as it took an unsteady step forward, its massive frame swaying dangerously. The red glow of its core flickered, dimming with each successive hit.

"Keep going!" John shouted, his voice hoarse but commanding. "It's almost down!"

The combined firepower of the team was relentless, a storm of bullets, grenades, and energy that tore through the Land Eater's defenses. With a final, ear-splitting shriek, the core exploded in a brilliant burst of red light, sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.

The Land Eater's legs buckled, and the massive, fortress-like torso collapsed back onto the ground with a deafening crash. The ice groaned under the weight of the impact, but it held firm as the beast finally fell silent.

For a moment, the battlefield was still. The only sound was the faint crackling of flames and the hissing of steam as the wreckage cooled. John stood at the center of it all, his chest heaving as he stared at the smoking remains of the Land Eater. His hands trembled at his sides, not from fear, but from the adrenaline still coursing through his veins.

John's gaze lingered on the wreckage, his thoughts a tangled mess of relief, guilt, and that lingering thrill of the fight. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus. "It's done," he said finally, his voice low. "Let's move. We've still got a mission to finish."

The team nodded, regrouping as they prepared to search the remains of the fortress.