The Promised Land, night time. Figures moved under the cover of the night from all directions, heading towards the same destination. The figures stopped and surrounded a district of buildings.

“Is everyone in place?”

One of the figures whispered.

“Yes, we’re all ready.”

They received a reply in their earpiece.

“Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen.”

Raphael stepped out of the shadows and was illuminated by the street lights above.

“Let the madness begin.”

In front of one of the research facilities, those guarding it spotted someone approaching them. They immediately pulled guns and fired. An explosion erupted.

“Attack first, ask questions later.”

They looked down. Damini was crouching with blades in her hands. She sprang up and cut the guards’ throats.

“As we thought, our attack was anticipated.”

Explosions erupted and the guards were blown through the entrance. Figures emerged from the shadows weilding guns. The echos of explosions resounded through the night as Damini think back to a few hours ago.

“We will make the research district the site of the final battle.”

Kelz said while looking at the map laid on a table.

“This district isn’t a residential or a commercial area. It was built purely for military purposes, as such we won’t have to worry about civilian casualties.”

“So we’re attacking the research facilities to draw Zagon and his forces to one spot?”

Kelz nodded at Chul’s question.

“My brother doesn’t want to kill our people, so he knows this place is the best for us to fight out. He’ll be there.”

“If that’s the case, we’re essentially walking in a trap.”

“A trap isn’t correct, Damini.”

Roxanne answered.

“It’s basically like hundreds of years ago when enemies would know beforehand where they would run into each other but go there anyway. The battlefield has been chosen so all they can do is prepare to fight.”

“Then, what kind of strategy are we going with?”

“Nothing complicated.”

Kelz answered with a grin.

“We just circle and destroy them with everything we got.”

Present. Damini grinned as she saw soldiers dressed in all kinds of different countries' military uniforms flow out of the building. They all had different appearances from the people of this island.

“So the traitors are all gathered here as well?”

She pointed at the building and shouted—

“Flatten this place and turn it into our battlegrounds!”

“Oh!”

Soldiers from both sides clashed and everything erupted into a melee. It was the same everywhere in the district. Both sides attacked each other on sight.

“Prioritize attacking the buildings. We need to destroy their labs at any cost.”

Zyna cut down enemies while giving out orders. She was donning a dress with armor protecting her vitals. She was using a sword resembling a katana to swiftly slay everyone in her vicinity. She evaded shots with miniscule movements, before accelerating towards her attackers. She severed their limbs and pierced their hearts in one movement.

“I expected her to be strong but this is ridiculous.”

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Chul said while watching from a distance.

“Of course, she’s strong. She was the Vice-Captain of the Holy Knights. My wife is a big deal.”

Fayax boasted beside him wearing a proud expression.

(I thought he was a stoic character….)

Chul thought as Fayax handed him a serpent-shaped rifle. Behind him were a group of warriors with guns.

“Let’s move out!”

He shot out of the shadows with the warriors following behind him. They cleared a path to the entrance with a hailstorm of shots. Chul accelerated, firing his rifle. Blood and flesh floated in the air as he mowed down anyone at the entrance. He slid into the building with soldiers aiming at him. Bullets flew and took out those soldiers before they could attack. Chul sprung up and walked into the building.

“Enter every room and destroy everything inside. Set everything ablaze. If people are inside and are willing to surrender, knock them out and restrain them to be safe. If they resist, take them out.”

He blew holes in soldiers as they turned the corner.

“Show no mercy or hesitation. Hesitate and it could lead to the loss of not only your lives, but the lives of your comrades.”

His eyes narrowed.

“We are at war.”

Elsewhere, Gina and Brix had invaded another building leading warriors and droids.

“Alfa, send a few of your droids to scout the area for Feng Bao.”

Some of the droids ran off without saying a word.

“We need to destroy this lab before their main forces move in. If we can take out Feng now, that’s a bonus.”

Gina pulled out her bladed whip.

(As long as Kelz doesn’t move, Zagon won’t either. In a battle of equals, attacking the other while they’re distracted could be lethal, both sides will have to take this into consideration. But—)

“Let’s move before the Holy Knights are deployed.”

At the same time, Zagon was observing the battles from his throne in his palace. He wasn’t watching a live feed of it on a screen. He was seated with his eyes closed, and yet, he was able to see everything. To him, the battlefield was like a board filled with 3D models fighting against each other. Several of the models cut down those around them while entering a model of a building. After a little focus, he could see what was happening inside.

“So they’re searching for Feng? Looks like their aim is to destroy the Super Soldiers too.”

“My Lord, do you want me to move out?”

Xeroi kneeled before his throne.

“Not yet, let Julius and his people handle it for the time bein—”

Zagon stopped mid-sentence. The board he was seeing vanished along with all of the pieces. What replaced them was a face, one identical to his own. This face caused Zagon to smile. The face smiled back at him and moved its mouth. He didn’t need to know how to read lips to know what it was saying.

“Hello, Brother.”

He silently moved his lips before opening his eyes, no longer seeing the face or the battlefield. He stood up.

“Change of plans, Xeroi.”

Zagon cracked his fingers.

“We’re moving out in the next ten minutes. I owe her at least that.”

Xeroi rose to his feet with a stoic face.

“Yes, Lord.”

At the same time, Kelz opened her eyes with a smile on her face.

“Was he observing the battlefield like we expected?”

Roxanne asked while standing beside her.

“Yeah, but I cut him off. He stopped now.”

“Meaning that he could be on his way here.”

“Ten minutes, he’ll be here in ten.”

“How are you so sure?”

“Because he cheated.”

“Huh?”

Kelz showed a small grin at Roxanne’s confusion.

“Since we were children, whenever one of us cheats in a game we would give the other a 10-minute head start in the next game to make amends.”

“And you think he’ll do it even now.”

“100%.”

“Damini, Gina, Chul, listen up.”

Raphael, who was stooping next to Roxanne, spoke into his communicator.

“We have 10 minutes until Zagon move out with the Holy Knights. Destroy as much as you can in 7 minutes and regroup. We’ll prepare to face the main force together.”

“Roger.”

Raphael stood up after receiving answers.

“Are you sure you should trust a childhood memory?”

“You wouldn’t have said it if you weren’t certain. Also, I gave them a shorter time as a precaution.”

“I see.”

“Seven minutes huh? Is it time for me to move in?”

“Not yet, Spawn. We need to preserve our strength.”

Raphael stopped Ryder from joining the battle.

“Let’s just let them do their thing. Not just your siblings, Zyna, Brix, and Fayax are incredibly strong.”

Kelz looked at the battlefield with eyes filled with confidence.

“Sir Julius, we’re getting sieged from all angles.”

A soldier came to report to Julius, who was in one of the buildings.

“Alright, tell Scorpion to get ready to move out.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Julius took up a case off his desk and opened it. Inside were syringes with glowing liquid. He closed the case and put it in his pockets before leaving the room.

“….?”

He received a call on his communicator as he walked out the door. He looked at the caller ID and it read Feng. He answered the call with a frown.

“Feng, we’re in the middle of a war. What is it?”

(He’s gone!)

Feng’s frantic voice came from the call.

“Who’s g—”

Julius swallowed his words after a certain face flashed in his head.

“What do you mean he’s gone?! Wasn’t he under surveillance by the Golden Order?!”

“I thought he was, but when I came to check up on him after the attack began, he was gone. Also, the guards assigned to him were dead. From examining them, they seem to have been killed in an instant. Their chests caved in and their hearts and lungs exploded.”

“What?”

Julius’s body stiffened.

“The guards assigned to him were some of the strongest of the Holy Knights…”

He clenched his communicator almost destroying it.

“What’s the possibility of him regaining his memories and joining his former allies?”

“Zero. Memories don’t just come back like that, especially when it’s caused by brain damage. He most likely moved for his own reasons.”

“That’s good.”

Julius sighed in relief.

“Then we’ll ignore him for now. I doubt he’ll join either side because of his personality. If we’re lucky, he might cause confusion in the enemy that we can take advantage of. Anyway, we’re at war, so he’ll have to wait.”

“But Julius!”

“I’m heading in battle, I can’t talk any longer. I’ll send more guards to you.”

He hung up and started gritting his teeth.

“This is why I was against using him! Fuck!”

He cursed as he walked down the halls.

“Fuck everything!”