The air hummed with raw energy, the sharp tang of burning metal biting at the senses. The once-grand courtyard of Evocaier Academy y in ruins, its shattered stone illuminated by streaks of red projectiles bzing through the night sky. Automatons of various shapes advanced,. bipedal Vexors unleashed searing energy bsts, six-legged heavy units spewed torrents of firepower, panther-like machines prowled the fnks, and spider-shaped constructs flickered in and out of sight.

  A siren’s piercing wail cut through the chaos, signaling Condition III. Explosions ripped across the battlefield, shaking the earth as war raged in the shadows of the fallen academy.

  Luna Sabriel staggered back, her shallow breaths betraying her exhaustion, though her fierce blue eyes remained unwavering. With trembling hands, she casting her ultimate Gcialis Tempestus, A dozen massive sigils of radiant blue light erupted before her, unleashing thousands of colossal, homing ice beams that tore through the automaton ranks, leaving the battlefield covered in frozen shards and jagged ice formations.

  For a brief moment, the chaos paused. A faint cheer rose from the defenders—a fragile glimmer of hope amid the turmoil. But Luna's body betrayed her as her legs buckled, and she colpsed to her knees, barely able to support her weight.

  The ominous cng of iron footsteps echoed once more as shadows of gray and bck automatons surged forward, an unrelenting tide of metal and malice.

  "Of course... this wasn't their full force. Just waves to wear us down," Luna murmured, her eyes steady despite her regret. "I used Gcialis Tempestus too soon."

  At the forefront, Alina Walsh held her ground, wielding Frostshard Legacy, her ice greatsword, with precise movements to deflect the relentless onsught of red energy bsts. Even as she fought alongside group of Valiant Css—warriors like her, wielding greatswords or spears—her sharp gaze flicked toward Luna, her expression hardening.

  "There's no time for hesitation, Luna. Fall back and recover!" she commanded.

  Luna hesitated, her weary eyes locking with Alina's unyielding gaze before slowly forcing herself to retreat, worry and guilt flickering across her face as exhaustion pulled her away.

  Amid the chaos, golden streaks cut through the air as Vaeloria, Mia, and Lily led a squad of novice Venator-Css. A barrage of radiant arrows rained down, each shot piercing an automaton’s core and detonating it in a fiery explosion.

  “Rex, instructors. We've got this under control,” Vaeloria quipped with a bright smile that failed to mask the tension in her eyes.

  Suddenly, a pack of panther-like automatons emerged from the shadows, moving with blinding speed. They pounced mercilessly, cws raking against the students. Natural barriers shielded most, but one was dragged down—the pack descending with savage precision until their body y lifeless.

  The Venator formation crumbled into disarray, screams of panic mingling with the unyielding cng of advancing metal footsteps.

  Vaeloria turned her gaze toward the horror, her hands trembling violently, yet she forced herself to act—loosing arrow after arrow in a desperate attempt to save them. The echoes of her cssmate’s final screams rang in her ears, their voices frozen in terror as the automatons tore them apart.

  Then, Alina Walsh and a squad of Valiant-Css warriors charged the rear lines, cutting down panther automatons with precise, coordinated strikes. Yet, despite their efforts, the tide of battle remained unrelenting.

  “Fall back! We can't hold this position any longer!” Alina shouted.

  The defenders—students and instructors alike—began retreating in disarray, scrambling to escape the unrelenting assault bearing down on them.

  At the edge of the battlefield, Friedrich Rosenthal stood firm alongside the Holy Knights, a final bastion of unyielding defense. The Criven Mace in his hand glowed with radiant golden light, while his massive Greatshield Lexivane absorbed wave after wave of explosive attacks. Each impact sent jolts through his body, but he remained unmoved, even as sparks scattered around him, illuminating the desotion.

  His piercing blue eyes cut through the smoke and fire, locking onto the automatons’ glowing red gaze. Energy bsts pounded the defensive line, warriors falling one by one as guilt pressed down on him like a weight.

  In the distance, he spotted Alma, Nadia, and a group of mages crouched among the wounded. Alma’s hands trembled as she repeatedly cast healing magic, while Nadia and the others fought to keep their barriers intact against the relentless barrage.

  Friedrich clenched his jaw as emotions churned inside him—anger, frustration, guilt—threatening to consume him. His grip tightened on his Mace, but he knew he couldn't falter. Vilreth and the city teams had to hold out.

  "Fall back to the central area! Now!" he commanded.

  His forces moved as one, without hesitation, advancing toward the three Alcherider Titans stationed in the backline. The titans hovered slowly, shielding the retreating troops as their folded legs deployed shimmering blue energy barriers, flickering under the relentless barrage of red energy projectiles and explosions.

  The battlefield trembled as the titans’ upper cannons roared, unleashing a storm of crackling blue projectiles that tore through the advancing automatons. Smoke and fire choked the air, the scent of scorched metal and ozone heavy with the weight of battle.

  As the hatch hissed open, Alma and Nadia rushed into the medical chamber, guiding the wounded inside. Emergency automatons moved swiftly, carrying the injured while others administered immediate treatment. The chaos outside faded into a muffled hum as the st of their forces made it in.

  Alma let out a shaky breath, her fingers tightening over the blood-soaked fabric of the Evocaier she cradled. Her hands trembled.

  "Alma..." Nadia’s voice was soft, concern clear in her expression.

  Alma lifted her weary eyes, attempting a faint smile that held no warmth. "I'm fine. We'll make it through this," she murmured, finally tapping the holographic interface to navigate the regeneration treatment.

  At the rear, Jaxon Virelli’s gaze stayed locked on the retreating Titans as they glided swiftly across the battlefield. He wove through incoming fire with his Ashen Blitz, gliding fast while returning fire.

  "Fall back! Prioritize the wounded!" he shouted.

  Nearby, the group of novices, including Lorcan, Caelus, Sloane, Reine, Alyssa, Bryan, Erick, and Vellya, fought with everything they had against the stealth spider and panther automatons that had broken through the lines, exhaustion marking their every move.

  Vellya stood slightly apart, her gaze fixed on the battlefield. Her Guardian Skeletons, Papa and Mama, crushed automatons with lethal blows while shielding her from incoming projectiles.

  "That's... one hundred and twenty-two..." she counted softly.

  Suddenly, a burst of energy struck Mama, shattering the skeleton into fragments. Vellya's eyes widened, her breath catching.

  “No... Mama...” Her voice trembled.

  Seeing Vellya rush toward the barrage of projectiles, Lorcan's eyes widened. “Hey, kid... what are you doing?!” he shouted, trying to save her by using his dark shield to repel the barrage while moving toward her. But suddenly, Vellya's innocence faded from her gaze, shifting into sharp focus.

  With a determined look, she cast her spell. Hehehe... Let’s Py. The eerie spectral dolls materialized, dancing in strange, disjointed patterns as they swarmed the nearby automatons. Each touch reduced them to glowing ash, leaving only dust in their wake.

  Lorcan’s eyes widened as he watched the destruction unfold, the st of the automatons vanishing. He rushed to her side. “Hey, kid... you're amazing...” he said, admiration in his voice.

  Vellya knelt beside the scattered bones of her guardian. Spectral energy flowed from her hands, mending the cracked skeleton. “Mama... are you okay?” she whispered softly.

  Lorcan looked at her with pity, wondering if those were truly her parents. Meanwhile, Caelus, who had seen Lorcan and Vellya still standing in front, moved quickly. He turned into lightning as he materialized and cast a sharp gnce at him.

  “Lorcan! Follow orders! Fall back now!” he shouted.

  Just as they prepared to retreat, a new wave of automatons emerged in the distance, accompanied by three Alcherider Titans. The Titans unleashed a continuous barrage of blue energy upon the enemy as they fell back under a rain of red bsts.

  Dark energy coiled around Lorcan’s fist as Vellya summoned Papa and Mama once more. Caelus spun his lightning spear, Auralis, sparks dancing along its edge.

  "You go ahead. I'll hold them here," Lorcan said, locking eyes with Caelus.

  The moment they braced for battle, the panther automaton lunged at Lorcan, its mechanical jaws snapping open—only for fire and shadow to streak past in a blur. Alyssa and Bryan materialized in a fsh. Alyssa’s fming spear spiraled with fire as she thrust from a distance, turning the automaton to ash, while Bryan’s dagger shot forward, unleashing a dark bst that tore through the second panther charging at Vellya.

  “You cover their escape? I'm in,” Alyssa said.

  “Yep, it's too dangerous to split up,” Bryan called out.

  Then, Reine, Sloane, and the others arrived from the rear.

  “Reine, we're holding the rear together, right? You still with me?” Sloane said, his grin weak but determined.

  “I'm not leaving. Not until everyone else is safe,” Reine said with quiet resolve, his exhaustion apparent.

  “Vellya’s staying too. Mama and Papa said we have to stick together, no matter what,” Vellya said suddenly, her resolve matching theirs.

  Caelus steadied his stance, eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.

  “Damn it... Alright. We'll cover the evacuees—keep it tight!” he commanded.

  The group nodded in agreement, instinctively falling into position. Jaxon, seeing this, joined the fight, breaking formation with a barrage of explosive red projectiles. Reine and the other novice holy knights led the charge at the front, while the rest of the group took their positions in the rear, providing support.

  As the Alcherider Titans drew closer while retreating, the group covered them, advancing cautiously. Suddenly, a new wave of panther-like automatons broke through the front line, forcing them to spring into action. Most of the group intercepted them, but a few slipped through, prompting Reine to take the initiative.

  Reine acted swiftly, casting Gcial Surge and stabbing his sword into the ground. A powerful ice bst surged forth, freezing most of the panther automatons in their tracks. “Let's do it,” he said firmly.

  Sloane, though weary, threw his dagger into the fray, casting Tempest Vortex. “On it,” he grinned.

  The dagger spun, summoning a whirlwind that trapped the frozen enemies within its vortex.

  Lorcan was already moving. “Hello there… trash cans.”

  Then, he unleashed Lorcan’s Special—a storm of shadowy fists striking in rapid succession. Dark lightning crackled as the blows tore through the panther automatons, scattering their remains in a violent whirlwind. Dust and debris were all that remained of their devastating combo—Whirlwind Bash Bros.

  As the chaos settled, the group regrouped with veteran units led by Alina. But the battle was far from over. Just as they thought the worst had passed, a horde of stealthy, spider-like automatons materialized from behind and ambushed them, while a barrage of red projectiles rained down from all sides.

  “Watch out! Behind you!” Alina shouted, casting ice walls to shield most of them, but...

  The warning came too te. The attacks struck Sloane and several novice fighters, their natural barriers failing. They were sent flying through the air, crashing lifelessly to the ground amidst the smoke.

  Lorcan rushed to Sloane, panic etched across his face. "Sloane! Get up! Don't you dare die on me!" His voice cracked with emotion.

  Erick followed quickly. "Hold on! Stay with us!" he urged, casting Exalt Healing.

  Meanwhile, Caelus activated Stormstride, his body shrouded in crackling purple lightning. He moved at blinding speed, each step leaving a glowing trail as he skewered spider automatons with his Auralis Spear, clearing a path near the fallen students.

  Lorcan hoisted Sloane onto his shoulders, his face a mix of determination and despair. "Nice work, Caelus. Let's move—now!" he shouted as they retreated with the others.

  The group fought their way back, carrying the wounded as the novices retreated, while the instructors, including Jaxon and Alina, held firm, creating a defensive line to buy time. When they reached the central area, the sorcerers stationed there had already finished casting their ultimate spells—massive fireballs, lightning storms, and powerful tornadoes tearing through the remaining automatons.

  For a brief moment, silence fell over the battlefield. The group began to rest and regroup, forming a defensive formation while the mages quickly set up a makeshift hospital using the Titan equipment nearby. As they completed their formation, Friedrich stood tall at the front, alongside the other holy knights and three Alcherider Titans, creating a steadfast barrier. His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, searching for any sign of the next wave.

  Heavy footsteps cut through the haze. Headmaster Gideon emerged, weary but sharp-eyed.

  "Fred, talk to me. How bad is it?" Gideon asked.

  "We lost all the golems and skyships—enemy stealth units took them out. Vestra System Reports say we’ve dropped about 20,000 automatons, but they’re not slowing down. Feels like they’re just testing us, waiting for us to crack." Friedrich’s voice was steady but edged with fatigue.

  Gideon exhaled sharply. "Damn… We just have to hold until reinforcements arrive."

  Friedrich gave a short nod. "Yeah. If they get here in time."

  Gideon gnced at the makeshift hospital, watching the medics struggle to keep up. "I'll do what I can for the wounded. Try not to get yourself killed."

  He turned to leave but hesitated. "Take care, Fred. We’re in this together."

  Nearby, a makeshift hospital stood—tents and barricades forming a crude triage center. Medics and automatons scrambled, sorting the wounded: red for critical cases, where the scarce regeneration devices were reserved; yellow for moderate and light injuries, as they cked personnel for a green zone. Sloane y within a blue medical capsule, while Lorcan, Reine, and others waited outside, their expressions grim.

  In the yellow zone, Alma, Erick, and Nadia worked tirelessly, their hands glowing with healing magic. Automatons administered drugs, but it wasn’t enough—there were too many wounded. Their uniforms, stained with blood, bore witness to their struggle as they fought to save lives.

  Beyond the triage center, a heavy silence loomed over the exhausted defenders.

  Luna approached slowly, her bck hair clinging to her sweat-drenched face. Her right hand trembled slightly, but she forced herself to stand tall, concealing her fatigue.

  Jaxon and Alina instinctively moved to fnk her as she reached Friedrich.

  "Any news from the team at the Research Center?" she asked quietly.

  "Nothing yet, Luna. Let's hope Drifter is still holding out," Friedrich replied.

  Luna paused, her expression hardening. "Let's hope..."

  Friedrich studied her for a moment, noting the way she swayed ever so slightly. "Are you sure you're alright? Take a break. We can't afford to lose anyone else."

  Luna forced a faint smile, but it did little to mask her exhaustion. "I'm fine, thank you."

  Alina stepped closer, concern written across her face. "Luna, you need to rest." She pced a hand gently on Luna’s arm, feeling the subtle tremor beneath her fingertips. "You're pushing yourself too hard. If you keep this up, you'll—"

  "I'll rest... when this is over," Luna interrupted, her voice soft but unwavering.

  Alina exhaled sharply, frustration flickering in her eyes, but she knew Luna well enough not to argue.

  Beside them, fmes gathered in Jaxon’s hands, forming his twin bowguns. "Looks like break time’s over," he muttered.

  Friedrich’s gaze snapped forward as shadows began emerging from the haze. "They're coming."

  The air tensed, the exhausted students and instructors pushing themselves upright, materialize their weapon and sigils. .

  Luna stumbled, her legs faltering under exhaustion, but she steadied herself, determination burning in her weary eyes.

  A heavy silence hung over them. The battlefield held its breath.

  Then, the first wave of automatons surged forward, their metallic forms slicing through the fiery haze.

  The stillness shattered. Red projectiles screamed through the air like a storm of fire.

  Friedrich stepped to the front, eyes locked on the advancing enemy. He raised his right hand, Celestial Aegis. A radiant barrier erupted around him, celestial glyphs glowing as automaton fire hammered against it. The shield held firm. Shards of radiant energy burst outward, tearing through the enemy ranks.

  “Attack! Stay inside the field—don’t break formation!” Friedrich commanded.

  The three Alcherider Titans stood firm, their shields reinforcing the frontline. In unison, they unleashed a barrage of blue projectiles, colliding with the enemy’s relentless assault.

  Friedrich and the Holy Knights activated Sanctuary Field, golden energy radiating from them, fortifying their natural barriers and mending minor wounds. Elemental Holy Knights like Reine summoned their own fields—each a different hue, yet all carrying the same protective force. Their maces and swords tore through automaton metal, while their shields and hovering elemental shields absorbed incoming bsts.

  The battle cry echoed as the Valiants surged forward to aid the Holy Knights. Alina led them, her ice swords cleaving through enemies and sending shockwaves that shattered the surroundings, turning them into ice shards. Alyssa and the other novice Valiants followed closely behind, their greatswords glowing with elemental power as they cleaved through foes, while their spears thrust forward with raw elemental force, each strike brimming with the magic.

  Behind them, Vellya stood still, her hands glowing with dark sigils as an eerie, innocent smile curled on her lips. With a gleam in her eyes, she cast Papa and Mama are so big!, summoning two towering six-meter skeletons beside her. The cursed energy surrounding them shielded their allies, effortlessly deflecting incoming enemy fire. With crushing force, the skeletal giants smashed through the enemy ranks, their movements resembling wrestlers in a brutal arena.

  Amid the chaos, the mid-formation units moved into action—Rune Arbiters wielding daggers and dual bdes, bowgun specialists, and unconventional fighters, each with their own distinct combat style. Jaxon led the charge, gliding through the battlefield while unleashing bursts of fme. "Lorcan, Caelus—front line! We’ll handle the rear!"

  Lorcan’s fists crackled with dark energy. With a roar, he crushed an automaton’s core. "Got it!"

  Caelus surged forward, Auralis Spear crackling with violet lightning, slicing through enemies in fluid strikes. “Acknowledged!”

  Bryan’s voice cut through the comms. “Sir, stealth automaton incoming! Nine o’clock!”

  Jaxon pivoted. A fiery burst erupted, reducing the hidden threat to smoldering wreckage. “Good call, Bryan.”

  Behind the lines, mages and sorcerers—Luna, Alma, Nadia, and Erick—stood firm, sigils glowing in their hands. Magical fres streaked across the battlefield, tearing into distant automatons.

  “Hold the line! Stay sharp!” Luna commanded, ice nces and ice bolts unching from her blue sigils.

  Alma wiped sweat and blood from her face, her red and pink sigils firing exalt missiles in rapid succession. Nadia reshaped the battlefield with terramorph, creating cover for allies and traps for enemies, while Erick cast exalt barriers to shield them from incoming attacks.

  Beside the mage formation stood the group of Venator, their bows humming with energy. Vaeloria raised her Aurasworn Bow, gathering a luminous arrow at its core. "Everyone—fire now!"

  A synchronized volley of glowing arrows filled the sky like falling stars, crashing into the automaton ranks with devastating accuracy.

  The battle raged on, steel cshing, magic surging, and automaton after automaton falling under the relentless assault. Then, as the st of the current wave crumbled, a brief silence settled over the battlefield.

  It didn’t st. The ground trembled, and the pounding of heavy metallic footsteps shattered the momentary stillness. A new wave surged forward—Valkyrex with radiant blue energy wings soaring into the sky, while Vexor Automatons and Six-Legged Heavy Automatons advanced like an unstoppable tide.

  Lorcan's eyes widened in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me... Caelus, tell me I'm not seeing this!"

  Caelus exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Nope. It's them again. Damn it."

  The Valkyrex unleashed their assault—energy bdes sshed through the air while their wings fired homing energy across the battlefield. Below, the ground forces rained down an unending barrage while spider and panther automatons lurked in the shadows.

  When the rear lines were breached, Jaxon's team scrambled to hold position, but sorcerers, mages, and Venators fell one by one, overwhelmed by the invisible threat.

  Suddenly, the sky darkened as a fleet of triangur Skyships maneuvered overhead, their engines roaring like an oncoming storm. Bursts of Evocyte Cannons lit up the night with searing blue fshes, striking a stealth ship that spiraled downward trailing thick smoke.

  As the damaged ship retreated, Skystrikers pursued it, their aerial dogfights painting the sky with dazzling explosions. On the ground, cheers erupted as smaller ships descended, delivering reinforcements to the embattled defenders. A surge of hope rippled through the ranks, but Friedrich remained still, his eyes locked on the rgest allied triangur skyship—an immense, mobile fortress nearly 10 kilometers in length—that filled the night sky with its imposing form.

  "Thaveros... He's here," he whispered.

  At the front lines, the fighters struggled against relentless waves of automatons. When Reine fell to his knees, clutching his chest, the sounds of battle roared around him—until a massive explosion shook the battlefield, followed by the screech of tearing metal. The sound of fast, deliberate footsteps signaled the arrival of reinforcements from the group of Evocair Order stationed at Nethia City.

  Leading the charge of reinforcements, Vilreth Ravoth carved through the Vexor Automatons with ruthless precision. His dark-blue hair whipped through the air as his dual bdes, Temperantia Sin, pulsed with dark energy. He moved like a storm, dismantling enemies and leaving heaps of mangled steel in his wake.

  Beside him, Helvra Valka plunged headfirst into the chaos, her fiery spear Surtfang and round shield Eldaspisk making her an unstoppable force. Each strike ignited explosive fmes, consuming the enemy with every swing.

  From the far side, Reina Lindt unleashed devastation through her icy magic. A massive spell circle fred above the automaton ranks as she cast Frozen Rain, sending down a barrage of razor-sharp ice shards that tore through steel.

  At the same time, her Gcial Enchant activated, forming a sigil of frost around herself, Vilreth, and Helvra. With each attack they nded, the sigil fired icy arrows, amplifying their destructive power and turning the battlefield into a frozen graveyard.

  But as Reina surveyed the battlefield, her breath caught—Reine had fallen.

  Without hesitation, she cast Frostlight Benediction, the soft glow of healing ice surrounding her hands as she rushed to his side. Kneeling beside him, her voice wavered, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Stay with me, Reine. We’re here now."

  Before Reina could respond, a Valkyrex locked onto their position, its radiant blue wings propelling it forward like a spear of light.

  Vilreth intercepted it in a fsh, his dual bdes colliding with the automaton’s energy sword in a brilliant explosion of sparks. Shockwaves rippled through the battlefield. Then—movement behind him.

  Two more Valkyrex emerged, closing in fast. Without hesitation, bck, shimmering wings unfurled from Vilreth’s back. Void Wing activated in an instant, a pulse of abyssal energy disintegrating the attackers into nothing but scattered ash.

  His bdes pulsed, fusing into a massive double-edged sword. With a single swing, he unleashed Eclipse Cleave—a wave of dark energy that tore through enemy ranks, leaving devastation in its wake.

  But the remaining automatons weren’t finished. Their attention shifted entirely to him, formations tightening. Stealth units materialized from the shadows, surrounding him in a perfect ambush before unleashing a synchronized barrage of energy bsts.

  Vilreth’s voice was cold, unwavering. "Time to end this."

  The bck wings on his back expanded, deflecting the incoming barrage as darkness enveloped his body. His pupils turned entirely bck, blood trickling from his eyes and mouth. Where it touched the ground, swirling dark energy erupted into a vortex of power.

  Cataclysmic Whirlwind materialized—a ferocious tornado of pure darkness streaked with violet lightning, devouring everything in its path. The automatons vanished into scattered ash.

  From a distance, Lorcan's breath caught. He had struggled to defeat a single Valkyrex before… but this man was cutting through multiple as if they were nothing. "Who… is he?"

  "That’s him—the leader of the Nethia team," Caelus replied, his tone betraying a trace of admiration.

  "What? Him? The one who always refused duels?" Lorcan asked incredulously.

  Caelus watched with quiet intensity, nodding slowly. "So… the rumors were true."

  Far in the rear lines, Luna scanned the smoke-filled sky, eyes narrowing. Without warning, streaks of blinding lightning pierced through the automaton ranks, descending like falling meteors from an unseen source.

  "Reinforcements? But from where…?" she murmured.

  Her Lumina Core ARF-Comms crackled to life, breaking through the distant sounds of battle.

  "Stealth automatons approaching at eleven o’clock. Prepare yourselves," came Xaltherion’s calm, authoritative voice.

  Luna steadied herself. "Understood."

  She raised her hands, channeling ice magic into the designated location. In an instant, a group of spider automatons materialized—only to be frozen solid and shattered into glimmering shards.

  High above, atop the tallest building, Xaltherion loomed like a phantom. His gray armor, edged in glowing gold. In his hands, the Skyward Bow pulsed with blue energy—its next shot already primed.

  "They won’t see it coming," Xaltherion muttered, loosing a volley of lightning arrows. Each struck with ruthless precision, detonating on impact. Electricity surged through enemy circuits, triggering a violent chain reaction of destruction.

  At the front lines, Vilreth approached Friedrich without pause. "Apologies for the dey, Commander. The city is secure—Ragnar's forces are handling the rest," he reported.

  Friedrich gave a firm nod. "Good. We're holding here. Take your team to the Research Center. Now."

  "Understood." Vilreth turned sharply, his team already in motion.

  As they surged forward, Xaltherion provided covering fire from a distance, each arrow striking with surgical precision. Then—measured, heavy footsteps echoed through the war-torn streets of Nethia City.

  A new force emerged. The Evocaier Order of Varde advanced in disciplined formation, led by Ragnar Ashmane. His Abyssal Halberd pulsed with dark violet energy as his elite squad carved through the enemy ranks.

  Among them, a white-haired Ryujin warrior rode atop a spectral wyvern, his massive dragon bone sword cleaving through automatons as fmes consumed their remains. A female undead caster commanded the battlefield, her teal-colored void creatures overwhelming enemy lines with eerie precision. A magenta-haired Arcane Saber danced through the fray, spectral lightning bdes crackling as they struck. Meanwhile, a blind Nereid wove energy strings through the air, slicing foes apart with supernatural finesse.

  With a single sweeping motion, Ragnar unleashed a shockwave of abyssal power from his halberd, the force rippling outward in a devastating bst. The automaton horde crumbled beneath the relentless assault, shattered remains flung skyward before crashing down in a storm of mangled steel.

  The battle raged until, one by one, the automatons fell—until none remained. Then, silence. Thick smoke clung to the battlefield, the air heavy with the stench of scorched metal and blood. Whispers of relief, pained groans, and quiet sobs mingled with the eerie stillness of the dead. Survivors combed the ruins, searching for comrades. Some found them. Others found only silence.

  The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, but it brought no warmth—only the cold reality of what had been lost.

  Ragnar stood amid the destruction, unmoving. His silver eyes, once sharp with purpose, now held only a hollow emptiness. The weight of his halberd anchored him as he took in the scene—survivors kneeling by fallen friends, others standing adrift in grief, their shoulders heavy with loss.

  This was no victory.

  Only the bitter silence after the storm.