The battlefield was silent but for the ragged breaths of the two combatants standing amidst the ruins of their clash. Mine gripped Pumpkin tightly, her knuckles white as she stared down her adversary. Across from her, Seryu stood, bloodied but unyielding, her single remaining eye burning with righteous fury.
"Justice will prevail!" Seryu screamed, her voice raw with conviction. "You and your kind will pay for your crimes!"
Mine scoffed, raising her weapon as she steadied her aim. "Justice? You don't even know what that means. All you do is follow orders like a rabid dog, killing anyone the Empire tells you to! You're blind, Seryu! Blind and insane!"
Seryu's lips curled into a manic grin. "The strong must be punished for abusing the weak! The Empire delivers justice upon those who defy order, and I am its sword! You criminals only know how to destroy!"
Mine's finger tightened on the trigger. "Then why are you the one standing on a pile of corpses? You say we're monsters, but you slaughter anyone who doesn't fit your twisted idea of justice. You're the real villain here."
A guttural growl escaped Seryu as she lunged forward, her body a blur. Mine barely had time to react as Seryu closed the distance, her fists moving with terrifying speed. Mine ducked under the first punch, rolling out of the way just in time for Seryu's fist to slam into the ground, sending dirt and debris flying.
Seryu whipped around, delivering a roundhouse kick that Mine barely dodged, the force of it slicing through the air just inches from her face. The sheer power behind it made Mine's heart race. She knew one direct hit from Seryu could shatter bones, maybe even kill her instantly.
Taking advantage of the opening, Mine rolled back and quickly raised Pumpkin. She fired a precise shot, but Seryu leaped to the side, her movements erratic and unpredictable. With a crazed laugh, Seryu charged forward again, forcing Mine to keep moving.
Off to the side, Tatsumi and Scout watched intently, their muscles tensed as they resisted the urge to intervene. "She's got this," Scout muttered under his breath, though his hands twitched as if ready to grab his bat at a moment's notice.
Tatsumi nodded, but his brows were furrowed with concern. "I hope you're right."
Mine gritted her teeth as she backpedaled, dodging another brutal strike. She needed distance. She needed a clean shot. But Seryu wasn't letting up, pressing forward relentlessly.
Suddenly, Seryu feinted to the left and then lunged straight ahead, closing the gap faster than Mine expected. A fist collided with her side, sending her skidding across the battlefield. Pain exploded in her ribs as she struggled to catch her breath.
Seryu grinned wickedly. "You can't run forever! I'll crush you in the name of justice!"
Mine winced but forced herself to stand. "You talk too much."
With a sudden burst of energy, Mine fired another shot, forcing Seryu to jump back. But Mine had anticipated this. Adjusting her aim mid-shot, she fired again. This time, the bullet grazed Seryu's shoulder, drawing blood.
Seryu barely flinched. Instead, she threw her head back and laughed. "Is that all?! Pathetic! You criminals will never—"
Mine steadied her breath, her arms aching as she aimed Pumpkin one last time. Seryu, bloodied and barely standing, glared at her with manic fury. Even with her body failing, her conviction burned just as fiercely as ever, her remaining eye wild with rage and determination.
"This… this is not the end!" Seryu rasped, clutching her wounds but refusing to fall. "The Empire's justice will never die! Even if you kill me, our cause will crush you all!"
Mine's grip tightened as her breathing steadied. Her entire body trembled from exhaustion, but her resolve remained firm. "Enough of your delusions!" she snarled, pulling the trigger without hesitation.
A deafening shot rang out as Pumpkin's energy beam surged forward, striking Seryu square in the chest. The impact was devastating, sending her flying backward. Her armor cracked and melted under the sheer heat, flesh burning as she hit the ground hard. A cloud of dust and debris kicked up around her, shrouding her crumpled form.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, a slow, choked laugh bubbled up from Seryu's lips, wet with blood. She shuddered, her fingers twitching before she forced herself up onto her elbows. Her breath was ragged, her body shaking violently, but the crazed light in her eye had not dimmed. She coughed, blood splattering the ground, but her lips curled into a maniacal grin. "If I die... then I take you with me!"
A sharp, ominous beeping filled the air. Red lights flared across her suit, signaling the activation of her built-in self-destruction device. The sound was shrill, growing faster and faster like an accelerating heartbeat.
Tatsumi's eyes widened in horror. "She's going to blow!"
Mine staggered forward, trying to steady herself, but her exhaustion slowed her reaction. Her muscles refused to respond to her panicked mind. Her heart pounded as she realized that she couldn't move fast enough. Before she could even process what was happening, a pair of strong hands yanked her back.
"Nope, we're outta here!" Scout shouted, hoisting her up as Tatsumi grabbed her other arm. The two sprinted away, dragging Mine between them as the beeping escalated to an ear-splitting frequency. The ground beneath them trembled as Seryu's ragged breaths turned into giddy, frenzied laughter.
"DIE, CRIMINALS!" Seryu shrieked as the countdown reached its climax.
Then, the explosion erupted.
A blinding flash consumed everything, followed by a deafening roar. A massive fireball engulfed the battlefield, its heat intense enough to turn steel to slag. The shockwave ripped through the air, tearing up stone and soil as debris and flames shot in every direction. Buildings crumbled under the sheer force, their supports unable to withstand the power of the detonation.
Scout, Tatsumi, and Mine barely managed to dive behind a fallen structure before the inferno swallowed the area they had just been in. Even from their cover, the sheer force of the blast sent them tumbling like ragdolls. The air itself seemed to ignite, the oxygen ripped from their lungs by the sheer intensity of the heat.
The impact sent them sprawling, Mine slipping from their grasp as she hit the ground hard. Scout coughed violently, his ears ringing as he pushed himself up, shaking dust and soot from his face. His head pounded from the concussive force, his vision blurred as the fiery glow of the explosion reflected in his eyes.
Tatsumi groaned beside him, shielding his face as he peeked out at what remained of the battlefield. Ash and embers drifted through the air like a deadly snowfall, painting the night in hues of orange and red. The landscape was unrecognizable—nothing but scorched earth and twisted metal where Seryu once stood.
"Mine!" Tatsumi called out, scrambling toward her. He shook her shoulder gently, panic creeping into his voice. She lay still, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths, her body spent from the brutal fight. Her normally sharp eyes were closed, her face slack with unconsciousness.
Tatsumi gritted his teeth as he and Scout ran as fast as they could, carrying Mine between them. The acrid scent of smoke still clung to the air, the echoes of the explosion ringing in their ears. Every step felt heavier than the last, their bodies screaming for rest, but they couldn't afford to stop—not yet. Imperial reinforcements could arrive at any moment, and in her condition, Mine wouldn't stand a chance if they were caught.
"Keep up, man, she ain't gettin' any lighter!" Scout panted, adjusting his grip. "We gotta book it before more of those freaks show up!"
Tatsumi barely acknowledged him, his focus locked on Mine. Her breathing was shallow, her face paler than he'd ever seen it. Her body was limp, head lolling against his shoulder with each hurried step. She needed medical attention immediately, and Night Raid's hideout was too far away.
"Where are we taking her?" Tatsumi demanded, voice strained.
"REDs base," Scout answered without hesitation, his voice firm despite his own exhaustion. "Medic's got the best setup around—he'll fix her up faster than anyone. You've seen how crazy that guy is, but trust me, when it comes to patchin' people up, he's a damn miracle worker."
Tatsumi hesitated for only a moment, his instincts screaming at him to be cautious. He had fought alongside the REDs before, had seen firsthand what they were capable of—but trusting them completely was another matter. Could he really put Mine's life in their hands?
A weak, pained breath from Mine shattered his doubts. "Fine. Just move!" he snapped, pushing himself to run even faster, willing to put his faith in the REDs if it meant saving her life."
The REDs' stronghold was none other than Aria's former mansion, repurposed into a fortified base of operations. Once a symbol of aristocratic cruelty, it now served as a bastion for those fighting against the Empire's corruption. The lavish halls had been stripped of their former opulence, replaced with reinforced walls, supply depots, and weapon caches.
As Tatsumi stepped past the gates, his eyes widened in shock. The last time he had left this place, it had still been a repurposed mansion, functional but somewhat makeshift. Now, it had expanded into something far larger, almost unrecognizable. The walls were reinforced with steel plating, lookout towers had been erected at key positions, and the sounds of machinery echoed from various sections. The air was thick with the scent of oil and gunpowder, a stark contrast to the perfumed halls it once housed.
Tatsumi swallowed hard. "This… wasn't here before. Not like this."
"Yeah, we've been busy," Scout muttered, barely glancing around as he pressed forward. "Empire ain't sittin' on their hands, so we can't either. Doc and Engie've been workin' overtime fortifyin' the place. We ain't just hidin' anymore—we're preparin' for somethin' big."
As they approached, heavily armed sentries turned in surprise, gripping their weapons at the sight of the battered trio. The tension in the air was immediate—until a familiar voice cut through it.
"They're with me!" Scout called out, barely slowing down. "We need Medic, now!"
The guards hesitated before stepping aside, and the trio stumbled through the entrance, exhausted but unwilling to stop moving. Inside, the base was alive with activity—soldiers, mechanics, and strategists all pausing at the unexpected sight of Night Raid's members seeking refuge. The clatter of tools stopped, conversations hushed, and all eyes were on the newcomers. The mix of wariness and curiosity was palpable. The air grew tense as RED mercenaries and allies alike turned to assess the unexpected visitors. A few hands instinctively reached for weapons, though they hesitated, recognizing Scout among them. The engineers and medics, previously busy with their tasks, paused mid-motion, their gazes flickering between the battered trio and each other, silently questioning what could have led them here in such a state.
Engineer, always one to analyze a situation before acting, adjusted his goggles and scrutinized Mine's unconscious form. "She don't look too good," he muttered, calculating what tools might be needed for immediate medical aid. Spy, who had been standing off to the side, took a slow drag of his cigarette, exhaling a long plume of smoke as his sharp eyes locked onto Tatsumi. "Zhis is unexpected," he murmured, intrigued by the presence of someone from Night Raid seeking their help.
Sheele, her eyes widening in surprise, took a step forward, clutching her weapon as she processed what she was seeing. "Tatsumi? What happened? Is Mine… going to be okay?" Her usually calm demeanor cracked with concern, her fingers tightening around her weapon's handle as if bracing for bad news.
Nearby, Soldier, typically loud and brash, stood eerily still, his jaw clenched as he observed the situation like a battlefield strategist assessing an unpredictable skirmish. Sniper, who had been cleaning his rifle, merely glanced up, his face unreadable before he returned to his work, though his ears remained tuned to the unfolding drama.
The tension thickened as murmurs spread among the mercenaries. Though many were hardened killers, this was different—Night Raid's presence here was more than just an injured ally. It signified a shift, a moment where lines were blurred between factions. Whatever had led Tatsumi and Scout here had to be serious, and everyone in the room knew it.
Bulat was the first to react, his eyes widening in shock. "Tatsumi?! Is that really you?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and relief, as the last time he had seen the younger fighter was during their desperate battle against Liver. "What the hell happened?"
"No time—Mine's hurt!" Tatsumi said urgently.
Without hesitation, Bulat turned toward the medical wing. "This way!"
Scout and Tatsumi followed as fast as their legs would allow. The doors burst open as they entered the infirmary, where Medic and Engineer were already preparing for emergency treatment. Medic barely spared them a glance before barking orders in his thick accent.
"Put her on ze table! Now!"
Scout and Tatsumi carefully lowered Mine onto the examination table, stepping back as Medic immediately began assessing her condition. Engineer stood by, already organizing the necessary equipment. The room was tense, every second stretching unbearably as Medic worked. He muttered in German under his breath, sharp and focused, while checking Mine's pulse, her breathing, and the extent of her injuries.
Tatsumi felt his heartbeat hammering in his chest, watching as Medic's hands moved with practiced precision. He wanted to ask if she would be okay, but he held his tongue. This wasn't the time for questions. He could only hope that Mine was strong enough to pull through.
Scout let out a long breath and leaned against the wall, wiping sweat from his brow. "Man… this night just don't end, huh?"
Tatsumi sighed, exhaustion finally settling in. "No… it doesn't."
Bulat placed a firm hand on Tatsumi's shoulder. "She's in good hands. Medic may be crazy, but he knows what he's doing."
Tatsumi nodded slowly, though his anxiety didn't fade. Scout crossed his arms, scanning the room. Engineer was busy handing Medic various instruments, occasionally glancing at the two worried young men. The steady beeping of a heart monitor was the only sound breaking the silence.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Finally, Medic straightened up, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "She is stable. Exhausted, but alive. You did vell to bring her here."
Tatsumi let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Thank you…"
Scout grinned, relief washing over him. "Told ya, man. We got the best doc in the business."
Tatsumi glanced back at Mine, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. The battle was over, but the weight of everything they had lost pressed down on him. He clenched his fists, knowing that this was only the beginning.
Outside, the world was still at war. The Empire wouldn't stop, and neither would they. The fight would continue, and they had to be ready.
The war was far from over.
