Just as Lily and her team were about to reach Drago, the story jumped into another cutscene. This time, it was in the point of view of Officer T’alik.
> T’alik sprinted forward, his halberd raised. He would take the monster down if it meant saving Drago. As he drew near, he saw the giant creature lumbering toward him. It was easily three hundred feet tall; a colossus of smoke and fire. With every step the beast took, the ground shook violently. He didn't see how he could possibly stand a chance against such a monstrosity.
>
> But I have to try.
>
> T'alik's heart was racing. He knew that Father was watching him. If he failed, he would not be forgiven. If he succeeded, he would not be remembered. His duty was clear, and he knew what was expected of him.
>
> He lunged forward, swinging his halberd in a wide arc. The beast twisted away, but T'alik held his position. Then, as the Beast began to turn back, he swung the halberd upwards, aiming for what he assumed was the creature's neck.
>
> "GRAH!"
>
> As his weapon connected with the beast, a flash of brilliant light erupted from the wound. T'alik heard the crackle of electricity, and the massive creature jumped backward. It moaned and screeched, thrashing in pain. The shield flared, but he ignored the sensation, continuing his attack.
>
> "VACATE THE FIELD!"
>
> All around him, the Malakhim dropped their weapons and ran back through the barrier. He ran too, ignoring the stinging ache on his leg. He stumbled, falling to one knee. He continued to run, desperate to reach the barrier. At least he still had his pistol. He couldn't leave it behind.
>
> He reached the edge of the field and looked back. Fireballs rained down. Explosions of lightning blasted through the air, casting the landscape into a glowing haze.
>
> I have to get clear.
>
> More shells exploded. More lightning struck. More fire roared. All around him, his race of Malakhim were dying. Some fell to the ground, some vanished in flames. Some collapsed under their own weight, limbs twisting, contorting.
>
> Suddenly Father's light shone brightly, illuminating the battlefield.
>
> T'alik glanced over his shoulder. He saw Tanya and Hitka fighting side by side, the two of them holding off what looked like a swarm of smaller creatures. T'alik gestured to them, asking for cover fire while he made his way back to the front line.
>
> "Will you be alright?" Tanya asked. "You don't look so good."
>
> "I'll be fine," T'alik said.
>
> "T'alik!"
>
> Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
>
> Hitka had appeared next to him, sword drawn. She had seen him stagger back.
>
> "Duck!"
>
> He managed to dodge the blast, barely avoiding being blown away, but his shield had failed. He was covered in the black slime, clinging to every part of his body.
>
> “By Father!”
>
> His helmet had cracked. Shards of glass littered his face. His visor was gone, revealing his bloodshot eyes.
>
> His concentration faltered. The shield that protected him began to fade, the cracks spreading like spider webs across the transparent substance. Another shell came flying through and hit him squarely in the chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. The shock of the impact sent him into unconsciousness.
The cutscene ended, and Lily found T’alik laying on the ground, severely wounded. She ran over to him, checking his vitals. He had taken several hits to the chest, but none of them seemed fatal. She pulled out a healing potion from her inventory, and placed the vial against his lips. His eyes fluttered open, blinking dazedly.
─ You have used a Healing Potion on Officer T'alik.
"Ah…thank you." he mumbled.
Lily smiled and helped him sit upright. "You're welcome."
"Where's everyone else?"
"They're still fighting." Lily said. "We've managed to hold them off for a while, but—"
She was interrupted by the rumble of artillery, followed by the sound of massive numbers of people running toward them.
"Holy…" Lily gasped. "What happened?!"
"Looks like our reinforcements arrived," Tanya said. Her voice sounded strained.
"Thank goodness…" Lily said.
As they watched, a massive group of soldiers ran past them, weapons at the ready. The group looked to be comprised entirely of women. Their armor was different from the rest of the women's armor. It was painted white, with black trimming along the edges.
"Impressive!" Lily breathed. "It looks like they found their own way to get here…"
Lily turned to T'alik. "Did you see that?"
"Yeah," he grunted. "They're all female."
"Why are they using only female soldiers?" Lily asked.
"I don't know," T'alik said. "Unless…”
He had a faraway look.
“Unless this is the last of our kind. This is the end, isn't it?"
"No…" Tanya said. "There has to be more coming."
T'alik's gaze met hers. "They won't be able to sustain this for long. Father will find a way."
"How can you say that?" Tanya asked. "I mean, look at us!"
That was true enough. The battlefield was a scene of devastation. Fields had collapsed, bodies lay everywhere. Only a few of the troops moved in the chaos, the rest of them were either dead or incapacitated.
"We're not going to win this."
"No," T'alik agreed. "But we're not leaving until Father comes."
"Father?" Lily said. "What does that mean?"
T'alik turned to her. "It means we're not giving up. Ever. You understand?"
Lily nodded. She understood, but that wasn't the point. But T'alik was right. If they gave up, the Dark might regain control. There was no shame in losing, not if victory meant the complete destruction of everything you loved.
"Keep firing!" Tanya shouted to her soldiers.
Lily heard the sound of a nearby plasma cannon. It was followed by others, and she knew they were falling farther behind. Not being able to see through the inky blackness was difficult. Explosions erupted from the skies, striking the ground below. The shells of the artillery struck the surface of the dark matter and exploded, leaving behind scorched blackened land.
"More!" Tanya ordered. "We have more ammunition!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Lily watched as the artillery fired and fell further and further behind.
"This isn't working," Tanya said. "We need to get closer."
"You're right," Lily agreed. "Stand."
"Wait!" Tanya said. "If we fall, we'll die!"
Lily shrugged. "So? We have to try. Nothing else has worked."
She jumped from the platform. Her body hit the ground and the impact sent a shockwave through the platform. Lily winced as pain radiated throughout her body.
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