Commander 151 looked at the job request he was given, seeing Joshua readying his Brilliant Ash.

"A Defense mission. 20 waves. The Suicide Division Troopers and horsemen. That should be plentiful for us."

"Yep. Think you can make it?"

"Of course. We will do it, Lord." Commander 151 said as they left the base, where transports were prepared for them to head into the location. They all boarded the transports that brought them to the location. They received tablets with mission details. The enemy types that were expected. Elves, werewolves and beastkin types. The spire was a defense mission, a hospital. Commander 151 clenched his teeth at the word.

"Those bastards went after a hospital. Well, we've been tasked by the Lord of Thorns to fight. So it is up us make sure we do it properly." The transports landed where the Azterian Suicide Division marching out. Seeing the Venerators that were present, where Commander 151 led them to stand in front of the base.

"Ah, are you Commander 151?" 151 looked at the woman who stood with a rifle before him.

"Yes ma'am. We're here as support. Are the other Venerators inside?"

"They've been going at it from the First Wave. Second Wave started."

"Suicide Division! Your orders are as follows! Engage all enemy hostiles with extreme prejudice! Protect the hospital even if it means you die! No civilians must be harmed in our endeavor! Ready your weapons!" 151 shouted the orders as the Suicide Division rushed into the Spire without hesitation.

Stepping into the Spire, seeing the Venerators fending off werewolves, and a few of them got inside.

"Form a firing line! Goliaths, ready your lances! Fire off at the enemies before us!"

"Sir!" 151 drew his blade and ran into the hospital, then seeing a werewolf holding a nurse by the head. The other two turned to see 151 who wielded his blade, glaring at them.

"Oh? A hu-" 151 didn't hesitate, he went after them slashing the two werewolves down. Followed by him shoving the blade into the werewolf who held a hostage. Then grabbing the werewolf's neck, strangling the werewolf with one hand. The werewolf became limp, where 151 pulled the blade out of the werewolf's chest.

"I apologize for the sight. A hospital should be free from such violence. I am 151. I will ensure that my men and myself will do our best to stop the enemies." 151 said as he stepped out back into the fight. The Troopers gunned down the oncoming werewolves, elves and beastkin without any signs of slowing down.They formed their firing lines of 2. The first line was crouched, firing the limbs and joints of their targets while the second firing line were the ones standing. The ones on horseback were providing additional fire support. The Goliaths fired off their lances to tear through formations by the elves. Their magic was present, forming barriers that stopped the explosions. The bullets barely whittled it down, their shots were being absorbed.

"Barriers... So they don't want us to shoot through them. Troopers, mount your bayonets!" 151 raised his voice as he stood in front of the formation.

"Charge!" The suicidal charge by 151 towards the Elves with their barriers. The sheer force by the troopers was enough to shatter the barrier, followed by the bayonets that began to reap the lives of the enemy. A werewolf took one to the shoulder, swinging his arm in a desperate attempt to push the trooper away. Meeting the glowing azure eyes of the troopers, that was when the werewolf watched how a shovel hit his head. Falling to the ground as bayonets were ready to strike him.

The Horsemen continued to fire their guns despite their allies being in range. There was fear in the eyes of their enemies, because when an elven archer struck the shoulder of one of the troopers. The trooper fired right back at her, and when a werewolf tore the trooper's throat out. He pulled the pins of the grenades of his vest and charged into the werewolf group. Blowing himself up.

The troopers continued fighting until the wave was over, where they looked at their compatriot who blew himself up. Standing back on his feet as flesh reformed over his body.

"Now, we have some down time. Dig trenches! Prepare traps! Prepare your firing lines once more!" They followed the orders of Commander 151. Digging trenches where they placed landmines and barbed wire all around the hospital. The tar road was destroyed and it formed into a maze of trenches. Trench warfare was their specialty and they would use it for anything else.

"Venerators! Please rest! Allow us to handle the defense in case of any enemy attacks. You all need your strength!"

"What about you?"

"My men and I have been trained to fight for long periods. We've fought for years, so do not fret!" The Venerators went to take their break, the first assault had taken its toll on them. The shattered glass windows, a few bodies had to be moved. 151 ordered a few squads to aid with the moving of people. Their medics were also on trauma duty.

Passing their kits to the doctors and nurses, showing the labels and teaching them how to dilute the shots because of how much the Azteris Soldier's body composition and the normal human being was different. A single shot of aneasthesia and morphine is enough for 50 people because of how intense it is.

"Preparing target parameters for the drones. Focusing on the werewolves and beastkin, but the elves might be tough, sir."

"That is fine. Have we set the turrets?"

"Setting up the turrets right now. We've got them charged with a new canister. R&D made sure we got the canister. They managed to fire ten thousand rounds on one canister, sir."

"Good. That's important." 151 said as he walked back to the hospital, looking around in the hospital. The tired faces, the families that was praying. One of the things that caught 151's eye, was the children's ward. Where he stepped in to see the children that held their teddy bears in hand, their action figures. Whatever they had to keep them calm. One child, who was in the arms of his parents.. Did not have a single item in his hands. 151 took out a pendant and offered it to the child.

"This was given to me by a woman who I respected. I want you to hold on to it." The pendant was shaped of a demon with horns.

"In my country, we call the children as Demon's Fear. Because we scare the big bad demons away. Now this, my young fear.. Is a pendant that was given to us by the adults when we get scared. Always telling us to be brave and no matter how scared we get. We make sure we stand with our feet tall." 151 said as he gave it to the child, then holding the child's hands.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"Your parents are here, and the nurses and doctors are here too. You don't have to worry. We will protect you."

"Do you get scared?"

"Yes, I do. I get scared knowing that everyone in this hospital is in danger. Because if I fail. You'll be hurt. I'm going to make sure you all don't get hurt. Okay?" The child nodded to 151. Seeing his younger self with the gas mask in the child's eyes.

"Commander! They're coming, orders?" his radio went off, 151 stood up and let out his sigh.

"Not one scratch on the hospital. I'll be right there." 151 looked out the window seeing horde coming. He opened the window and jumped out, landing on his feet as he drew his blade.

"Ready your firing lines! Wait on my mark!" The horde began to move closer.

"Now!" The mines exploded first taking a huge chunk of the horde with it. As the smoke shrouded the horde's vision, the gunfire began to eat away at the massive horde. The heavy turrets were blessings in disguise, they ripped through the thick hides of the werewolves. The beast kin, despite their nimbleness was sniped by the Venerators who were present. Some used their magic to paralyze them for a minute, granting the Troopers to get the killing blow. A beastkin broke through the defense line, only to be impaled by 151's blade to the throat. A twist and the beastkin's body fell to the ground as a werewolf leaped at 151. Then howling at him.

"Human, you will pay for this! We will destroy you all!" 151 looked at the werewolf who grinned at him.

"Do you think lions would back down to the threat of a wolf!?"

Meanwhile, Joshua found another notification.

Familiar Evolution.

Commander 151's Evolution is ready.

Aztrerian Commander change to Azterian Rouge.

Rouge Rose has given consent.

Familiar Skills

Rouge of Valor

Valor to fight and protect the ones behind the line, that is the duty of an Azteris soldier to their people.

For 151, his valor stems from his desire to protect those that are behind the line, now including children and families.

151's eyes will now streak with the colour rouge and his eyes will glow beneath his mask during combat.

The Roar of the last Commander.

EXCLUSIVE SKILL TO 151.

His roar inspires allies, and frightens enemies.

Inspired soldiers do 75% damage to all enemies.

Frightened enemies will be unable to use magic until panic wears off or negated by skills.

Fear of Opposition.

Enemies have a 10% chance of falling to fear which renders their movements to be increased by 75% and attacks lowered to 50% efficiency.

Spell chanting and use of magic can be disrupted in fear status. Enemies will also be in a state of tunnel vision, where they will not have their full sense of vision when impaired by this ailment.

The Rouge's Sword.

The 10th Rouge, Rogue Roses are known for their swordsmanship.

A sword that is elegant and taking care of targets. The showmanship on their blade.

10th Rouge

The 10th Rouge is the Rose of Defiance, defying odds. Defying enemies that are bigger than they are, and always facing enemies.

Rouge's Stem.

Soldiers under the Command of 151 will be granted the bonuses as they form the Stem for the Rouge Rose.

75% Combat potential

200% damage treshhold.

Weapon handling skills are increased by 80%.

Access to magic has been granted.

Purple Lightning.

151 gains the elemental power of lightning, and able to use lightning to travel from target to target.

The Azterian Commander's Pride. The pride as a commander of the Suicide Division, will ensure that civilians do not feel fear in his presence.

Joshua was surprised.

"Raizel." The tome appeared before him.

"Rouge Rose?"

"The Rouge Roses are given to those who are leaders. It seems as of late, your familiars who have been with you in the number of battles have begun to undergo an evolution. This is very rare... Will you consent?"

"Yeah.."

The werewolf was grinning as he pushed 151 back, then digging the claws into 151's shoulder. Yet the Commander did not scream or even cry. Glaring back at the werewolf.

"For me to acknowledge a speck of dust like you, is an insult to my master!" 151 shouted, grabbing the werewolf by the neck. Then throwing it down, and pulled a knife to stab the werewolf's neck.

"For I roared to demons much larger than you. My roar is wasted on you." 151 put the knife away, where he watched as rouge petals blanketed the entire area. Then seeing 10 figures, in different clothing but they stood tall. Like leaders at a conference with their weapons in hand.

"You are the 10th Rouge. A leader to many, for the Rouge is reserved for leaders alone. We accept you as part of our Creed, the 10th Rouge." 151 watched as how the rouge petals vanished where he looked at his great coat had now changed to be a rouge tailcoat and the blade in his hand had changed to become something akin to a long sword. Despite its length and size, he was able to carry it with one hand.

Now looking at the horde that was frozen in fear, as 151 turned to the horde. Vanishing as a bolt of lightning, then reappearing before the horde. Wielding his long sword as it glowed purple.

"Suicide Division of Azteris! Do you see the rubble before us?! The insults that have dared to attack the hospital? Honour to my brethren, Glory to my kin!" The Horsemen vanished into bolts of lightning, as they began their assault. Destroying the horde with their bayonet charges. When the elves used their magic, the horsemen were able to dodge the shots without much effort. Some began turning into bolts of lightning with their horses to close in. Their veins had glowed purple as their horses began to change into something different. Resembling the Lord of Thorn's Zephyr, the Spectral Horse. Armored to the brim as the arrows broke upon contact with the armor.

"Charge!" Troopers readied their bayonets to join the Horsemen and Goliaths fighting before them. Where 151 vanished to return back to the hospital. Piercing his blade to the ground, holding it by the pommel. The Goliath's had their lances equipped with lightning bolts that unleashed a fury with their forward attack. Unrelenting sparks of lightning as it coursed through the veins of their enemies.

Leaving nothing behind. The waves got longer, but nothing would compare to the newly awakened Commander 151's powers. Fighting on the front lines, spurring other Venerators to join in. Unleashing their full potential just from watching Commander 151 and the Suicide Division in action. The ones in the hospital took a moment to look at the purple lightning that was unleashed, seeing how unwavering the resolve of their protectors who refused to back down as the hordes began pouring in.

The next hordes that came, were all nothing in their eyes.. They were destroyed until nothing was left, the Suicide Division stood tall, unfaltering with their resolve and stance. As some returned back to the trenches, where they were ready for the kill. Drawing their shovels as they hacked off the heads of their enemies and fighting on. The shame of the loss to the outsider that their Lord faced, was no longer a memory it was fuel for their current wrath.

The tired Venerators took their break, only to watch how the Suicide Division refused to back down. A werewolf leaped to strike the 2nd floor, right at the children ward. That werewolf was soon forgotten because of the swordsmanship of 151.

"Suicide Division. I said not a scratch on the hospital! Why am I seeing an enemy move past you!"

"Sir!" They acknowledged as the fights became fiercer where Commander 151 landed to his feet, watching how his soldiers fought with more tenacity than before and the spire began with its count down. Unrelenting, unwavering and undying. Only when the spire was completed, where outside the Crimson Reapers, Demon's Bane and the Rogues were present. They knelt to Joshua who was present.

"Lord of Thorns." They knelt.

"Good work." They nodded, where the child who held the pendant ran up to give the pendant back.

"Keep it young fear, it is my gift to you. For surviving." The child beamed a smile and ran back to his parents arms.

"Your next order, my lord?"

"We've got more work to do. More rescues, and even a few Resource Worker jobs." Commander 151 stood up as they followed their Lord of Thorns, to the next mission.