Lily watched in horror as the tank ahead of them was devoured by the inky mass. Black tendrils flew in all directions, ripping into the metal hull, chewing it to pieces. Shells slammed into the monster, but only made it angrier.
She and the others scrambled to get out of their tank. It was suddenly a death trap. In her haste, she tripped and her head collided with the side of the tank. Her vision began to fade. Everything was spinning.
Lily looked up. Tokol was standing in front of her. His face was pale. Dark shadows cast over his features.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Lily nodded weakly. She tried to stand, but collapsed. Tokol caught her, lowering her gently onto the ground.
"Can you walk?" he asked.
Lily groaned, shaking her head.
"We need to move.” he cringed, “The Beast… it’s coming!”
Lily attempted to stand again, but her legs gave out. Tokol helped her up, taking her arm. Together, they hobbled away from the tank just as the inky monster crashed into it. The tank's cover was ripped apart, exposing the interior. The remaining soldiers inside were shredded like paper. Blood splattered across the walls, mixing with the slime from the Beast.
Tokol took Lily's other arm and helped her through the rubble. Another explosion rocked the tank, throwing debris around. Tokol shielded her as best he could.
"I can't… hold on…"
Lily felt herself slipping. She wasn't sure if Tokol was helping or hurting her. She wanted to tell him to let go, but she couldn't even speak. All she could do was watch as Tokol slowly slipped away from her. He leaned against her, holding her tightly.
"You…" he whispered. "Don't die. Not… not like them… not like them."
Lily watched him slip away. She closed her eyes, preparing to meet the same fate. Then, everything went black.
The scene abruptly changed to another cutaway scene. It was in the point of view of Officer T’alik, in a different area.
> T'alik watched as his men fought against the demons. They weren't fighting for the glory of the Light anymore. They were simply trying to stay alive. To survive another day. Even that was a struggle.
>
> As T'alik watched the battle rage on, he realized that only a handful of them remained. Only a hundred, perhaps less. It was hard to count the living.
>
> If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
>
> T'alik stepped out of his tank, walking toward his fallen brother. T'alik knelt and placed a hand on his chest. He prayed to Father. "Forgive us. Forgive our sins. We seek forgiveness from you, oh God of the Light. Show your mercy upon us. Grant us peace, and grant our brothers rest. Amen."
>
> With that, T'alik stood and limped forward. He had never felt more alone. This was far more than he had ever expected when he signed up. He had always known that war was bloody. That people died. But he had never imagined this.
>
> T'alik walked to another fallen comrade. His head lay next to the shattered remains of a halberd. T'alik placed his palm on the man's chest. He could feel his heart beating. He could hear his breath.
>
> "Brother," T'alik said softly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial. He flipped it open, placing the bottle against his comrade’s lips.
>
> "Drink this."
>
> T'alik watched as his friend drank. His eyes widened as he drank. A smile spread over his face. His breathing slowed. His pulse quickened. His breathing steadied.
>
> "Father, I ask once again that you forgive us our trespasses. May you show your mercy upon us all. Amen."
>
> T'alik helped the soldier rise to his feet. The man was dazed, confused. He couldn't seem to focus his eyes. T'alik led him to his tank.
>
> "Come on," T'alik said, leading him by the shoulders. "We have to hurry. The creatures are almost here."
>
> The man stumbled after T'alik, his steps growing stronger with each step. With each passing second, the man's eyesight came back. His breathing calmed.
>
> "Here," T'alik said, handing him his halberd. "Hold on to that. You'll need it."
>
> The man held the weapon tightly. T'alik led him to the tank, instructing him to climb in. He did so without any protest. T'alik climbed in after him.
>
> "Take a seat," T'alik said. "We've got to get moving."
>
> The man sat down in an available seat as T'alik approached him.
>
> "You're safe now," T'alik said, patting him on the shoulder. "You're safe."
>
> The man stared straight ahead, his expression blank.
>
> "Do you understand me?" T'alik asked.
>
> The man nodded.
>
> "Good. Now, we need to get moving. They're almost here."
>
> T'alik opened the hatch and instructed his men to fire the engines. The tanks rumbled to life. T'alik grabbed the wheel, guiding the tank forward. He looked over at his new recruit.
>
> "Where are you from?" he asked.
>
> "K'vara," the man replied. "But I am not from K'van."
>
> "Why did you come?"
>
> "To help. To serve. I… I heard about what the Battalion has done to protect all Malakhim kind, and I knew I had to join. I had to fight. I had to help bring back the light."
>
> T'alik smiled. "Thank you for your service."
>
> He glanced over to the other solder aitting With them. "What is your name?"
>
> "Shahril. My family calls me Shahril. Or at least, they used to."
>
> "Well, Shahril, I'm glad you joined us. We need as many fighters as we can get."
>
> The tank rumbled forward, heading deeper into the forest. T'alik checked his map one last time before turning on the intercom.
>
> "This is Officer T'alik of the Seventh Company of the First Battalion. Prepare for combat. Be ready to engage the enemy."
>
> "Yes sir!" one of the soldiers responded.
>
> "Enemy activity detected!" a different soldier called out.
>
> "It is the Beast!" another added.
>
> T'alik turned his attention to the sensors. Sure enough, it was the Beast. He squinted, making out the details. It looked like it was moving fast.
>
> "Prepare for combat," T'alik ordered. "I want an armored column sent forth. Tell them to bring up the rear and support the infantry. Take out any threats, but don't push too far. Keep the Beast within range of the artillery. We will take it out with one shot."
>
> "Yes sir!"
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