Splash! Splash! Splash!

Boots stomp on the small collections of puddles. Short panting of breath of these soldiers running through the ruins of Korris. The distant sound of thunder crack and boom. The rain showered down on the streets and walkways, sliding through every crease of roof covers in alley ways. The revving of engines roar as the armored vehicles stride through the wide streets of Korris. Quick shouts from the squad officers, readying their men for the advance.

"Did you notify the HOMC of this operation, Commissioner Roy?" Terem asked James.

"He already knew." James said calmly.

They were in a MAC, an armored personnel carrier, on route to the position of the abandoned Defense Ordinance squadron. They were close to the position of the coastal defense stations along the Korris headlands. Upon saving them, they hoped to continue on pushing forward into the headlands, taking back the coastal defense station. It was a stretch for the Defense teams and for James as well. It was unknown what awaited out in the waters that was supplying the occupying forces.

"Hold up!" shouted Terem

He climbed out of the MAC and took position over a bus stop overhang. He kneed down and assembled his observing optics. Hanid, Vienen, Riley, and James took positions around the MAC. The two MACs behind were in halt, James had sent a notion of a pause for further orders.

"What is it?" Asked James

Terem focused the lens of the optics. He noticed something shining in the distance. As he zoomed in on the object, he noticed that it was indeed a loading helicopter of Septem origin. As he zoomed in more and allowed the concentrating optics to render, he observed a row of troops stripped down to their shirts and camouflaged pants bearing "D.O.T." on the rear of the shirt. Around them, a mixture of Septem Red Bands and Septem Watch forces were escorting them on to send back to another location.

Terem turned the optics slightly to the right and allowed the images to render, and grew uneasy and began to feel a sense of denseness. In his view, a building with a crater and a wall blown out had six Defense Ordinance Troops knelt down with a line of Septem Spec Ops with their Sub machine guns at the ready.

"Terem, Terem..."

James was trying to get attention of Terem Stult, but he was focused on what was unfolding. The firing squad aimed their guns, a Defense Trooper shouted something in audible, and were sprayed with gunfire. The flashes at the end of the barrels were visible but the sound of the firing had delayed, until now.

"Stult! What was that!?" James had now been more so curious after hearing distant gunfire.

"Go.." Terem looked down at James, "Go now! A loading Chopper is taking the Defense Troops somewhere else now!"

Terem had lain his hand over his eyes and laid back in grief.

"Damn!" James made a notion for the other troops.

"MAC driver 1 and 2, you take your MACs and flank from the left behind the Boating Complex. Storm in quickly to have enemy units fire at random."

"Yes Sir!"

James ordered as he moved into the leading MAC,

"Corporal Tanint, take us through, but come in from the right free lane streets."

"Yes Sir!"

James radioed the Prypylon crew,

"Prypylon Commander, you are gonna make a lot of enemies today. Head straight through the main street. You fire that 40 mil like there's no tomorrow. Priority targets will be enemy armor and emplacements. Avoid hitting any Defense Troops!"

The Prypylon Crew simultaneously, "Roger!"

"Move now! Second Wave, prepare to engage when ordered."

Lieutenant Banks replied, "Affirmative Commissioner"

Lastly, James hailed Terem through intercom,

"Stay behind Stult, you'll arrive with Second Wave."

"Yes Sir" Said Terem subtle like.

The vehicles where in a rumbling stroll to their destinations. James's MAC was driven at a very fast pace, the occupants were being shaken in their seats and the vehicle itself was shredding the debris around it. Inside, the Personal Honor Guards were loading up their equipment. For James, he had been gripping his hands tightly, wondering of what will happen after completing this operation. Would he be a rightful District Commissioner to the Aeria Western Districts? He pondered the thought of how he would engage the dire situation and secure the safety of the Legion's borders, and more importantly it's people. Spania was always a hindering event in James's mind that he will soon have to carry out its liberation. It was a shame he had to clean up the mess left behind by the former District Commissioner, Nicholas Sarney.

High Order of Military Communications, Murden Enderson, had picked James for a particular reason, more so then what was oddly expressed in their last intervention. This was a very symbolic one at best, which would bring a sense of a strong beating heart in the Legion. An international pride among the Order that will wage a form of a morale increase along and through all branches of the military in the Legion.

In James's view, it was a reckoning for those who sought the destruction of his home, his friends..... His family. It was a clear path to avenge those who had wilted in front of him, while he was blessed to sustain more than what his peers where ever able to. Here, sitting by the latch of the MAC, he continuously went through a mental check of how he is able to do the things he can do, and survive the things he had survived.

How can I withstand bullets with no armor? He thought while placing a hand on his sternum.

How can I go weeks without sleeping? His breathing was subtle and paced.

How can I get rid of this imagery of a place I have never seen before? Eyes closed, he rested and adjusted his coat.

But again the same question arose in his mind time and time again. He held his hands in front of him, almost as if he was gripping something very tightly with his hands in that of a pose of claws. He was gripping at this pose, his hands were vibrating at the concentration of what had gone into his mind.

How can I move anything without touching them?

"Woah, what hell are you doing there Corporal?! Drive straight will ya, it would be embarrassing to die in a car accident on the way to battle." Said Riley quite aggravated.

"Sorry Sir, I uh.... It seems as though I ran over a pothole. I think"

Corporal Tanint, whom was driving the MAC, was confused as well. He did not see any debris or obstruction in front of the vehicle. The MAC had shifted violently nearly to its side and the occupants were uneasy of it.

James however, just realized how careful he should be of what he was thinking about. He nearly turned the vehicle himself. He sat with clenched fists, bending the interior metal in front of him.

"This is Prypylon Commander, we are engaging the enemy, repeat we are engaging the enemy" The radio came through in James's com-link. The sound of the boasting 40 millimeter guns were heavy pounding from the distance, even inside the MAC. The scattered sounds of small arms fire were rampant as well.

"What seems to be the situation Prypylon Commdander?' James asked

"Light armored vehicles spread throughout the plaza area, infantry seem to have taken positions on the roof tops. and the Defense Troopers are no where to be seen- Damn it! We just got hit with a Kev Missile. Driver swing around that building, we need a quick repair!"

"Roger!" The driver responded through the radio.

"We are turning the corner just about now, repair and get back into the fight Prypylon Commander!"

"Affirmative!"

As soon as James's MAC had turned the corner off the free lane streets into the plaza, the battle had unfolded in front of them. James had run up to the driving port, and looked out through the frontal windows and witnessed the destructive power the Prypylon had caused previous to their entrance.

"Fire away gunner, provide cover and support while we exit."

"Yes sir." Said the gunner, and immediately the 7.62mm machine gun was ringing and crunching with every round exiting its barrel.

"Alright line formation, on me." James commanded to the Personal Order Guards and a few of the D.O.T. in the MAC.

"This is MAC driver 1, we are in position. Occupants are away."

"This is MAC driver 2, we are in position. DOT forces in the field."

"DOT Team 1, take the rooftops, flush out remnants of Septem forces that have taken hold there and hold that position to provide support from above." James radioed to the DOT forces, he turned back to everyone else, "Alright, hatch release! Go!"

The rear doors of the MAC had opened quickly and they had all quickly ran out into the exposed firing that had erupted. Sounds of bullets and consistent machine gun fire were being thrown back and forth in all directions. James and company ran and took cover behind a building missing all floors except for stone and concrete that lay destroyed on the foundation. It was loud, and deafening. Explosive rounds had struck the wall across the plaza to James, where Septem forces were garrisoned.

"Prypylon Commander reporting in, we have returned to fight." As the tank rolled back into the entrance of the plaza, sending a series of shells into enemy fortifications.

To James, he noticed an opening in one of the shops in the plaza, and so he signaled the MAC that was relatively behind them to move forward. The MAC approached with its machine gun firing at all targets in its view, and receiving fire back.

"Ok, when the MAC edges into the fray, you are all going to follow me into that shop." James pointed, "Machine Gunner, you will have the chance to set up an emplacement in that window to lay down hell."

The gunfire was much louder now that the first wave was engaging the Septem forces. The booming pounds of the 40 millimeter gun echoed through the streets and walls of the war torn buildings. The shouting of the Septem Forces were clearly audible in the distance behind the sound of machine guns and explosions.

As there was an opening, James signaled for the men behind him to follow. They ran quickly to the shop opening, avoiding getting hit. James and Vienen had already passed the MAC laying down covering fire, but the MAC was struck by a few Kev missiles as Riley, Hanid, and other Defense Troops were nearby.

"Fuck, Riley! Hanid!" Vienen hollered as he looked back.

The front of the MAC was set ablaze. The machine gunner had halted its firing, but continued to shoot consistently after a few seconds. James ran back with Vienen and took position behind the MAC. James fired his LE 45 handgun at targets peering out of cover. Vienen unleashed half a clip of his L8 Evo Rifle at a group of Septem Watch. Meanwhile, Riley picked up Hanid off the floor who was a bit out of focus.

"Come on! Move! GO!" James ordered the rest as he was firing out at the enemy.

"Corporal Tanint, how you holding up." No response as James asked, "Corporal Tanint!--"

"--This is MAC Gunner, I believe Corporal Tanint is dead Sir. Ugh, *Cough* *Cough* agh... I'm holding on. It's getting hard to breathe in here."

The group of Defense Troopers and Personal Order Guards were lined up in the shop, garrisoned with the guns at the ready. Hanid kicked the shop window and shot a series of bullets at the enemy position. The plaza was in a full battle and explosions were erupting everywhere. Tracer rounds flying street to street, window to window.

"I can see smoke emitting from that MAC, Sir" Said Vienen, observing the MAC sparsely firing the machine gun.

"I know, we are gonna get that gunner out of there." He turned to the Defense Machine Gunner, "Alright Machine Gunner, head to the second story and deploy the Gil Gun. Rest of you Defense Troops, follow him up there and clear the rooms. Hanid, you lead with them, Vienen and Riley stick with me.

"Roger!" All simultaneously stated.

As James perched down by the shop exit, he took notice of the buildings opposite of them in the plaza. He could see the visible flashes of gunfire and can hear it quite punctually. The flames had calmed down that lay over the front of the MAC. At this point, the machine gun turret above the MAC had stopped firing.

"Hey turret gunner, how you holding up?" Asked James as he hailed the MAC. There was no response at first.

"... I.. I'm... can't." The breathing through his com was quite audible.

"Hanid, what's your status with that gun?"

"Almost complete Sir, ....and.. We are good! Ready to fire!"

"Concentrate fire on the opposite buildings to us, mainly the Delhi shop and clothing store."

"Roger, commencing engagement."

Almost immediately after that com link call, the sound of the high powered rifled turret gave off a deafening storm of large bullets releasing into the buildings and soon meeting the flesh of their enemies.

"Alright move! Follow me! We are getting that gunner out of there!"

Vienen and Riley followed closely behind aiming their rifles in any possible direction that the enemy may poke out to shoot them. As they rushed along, the flame-like flower that the Gil Gun was emitting out of its barrel was visible as it blew out of the second story window. A continuous Ching! Ching! Ching! Ching! Ching! was firing at a very rapid but consistent rate, with a slight pause between each shot. As James, Vienen, and Riley made it to the MAC, James attempted opening the rear doors. It had failed, so he climbed on top of the MAC near the turret hatch. He aimed at the gunner hatch with his LE 45 and had fired a series of rounds to weaken the locking mechanism. As he began prying at the latch it began to release. James had pulled the latch with enough force, that the latch bent and flew up in the air.

"Woah!" Said Riley, as he continued to fire his weapon.

A lot of dark smoke was blowing out of the MAC so James wasn't able to see clearly. As the smoke cleared quickly, he noticed a figure slumped over unconscious. He immediately reached in, grabbed him by his frontal jacket and belt straps, and cradled him. Riley climbed to the top of the MAC as well to assist James with the unconscious person.

"Here, I'll help you take him down." Said Riley offering his hands.

But suddenly, Riley's facial expression dropped to a surprise, as flying figures appeared out of the clouds, looming above in a formation.

"Enemy gunships approaching Commissioner! Faltas closing in fast!"

MV Falta Gunships were of the many standard gunship aircraft the Septem forces acquired during the recent courses of the war. They were deadly machines yielding devastating 30 millimeter mini guns and advanced missile systems. They also acquired cluster bomb armaments and in some variants, incendiary bombs. Although they were fairly large in size and produced a lot of noise, they were equipped with strong defense mechanisms. Chaff pods, counter missile warheads, and updated software in hiding from enemy radar.

"Shit, here take him down. Let's get back in the shop."

The group quickly carried down the injured gunner and ran back into the shop, all the while the sound of gunfire and hollering in the distance was on going. This was the breaking point to take back the Korris Headland Defense Stations. When they arrived they laid the injured Defense Trooper down against an overturned table and Vienen began to work on him and heal him of his severe burns, as well with any other injuries.

"Five Enemy Falta Gunships spotted Sir! Coming in from the West!" Radioed one of the Defense Troops assigned to clearing the rooftops.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Are the rooftops clear?" Linked back James.

"Yes Sir. Rooftops are cleared, we have an outlaying view of the battlefield. The Korris Defense Stations are in sight and nearby."

"Good, establish Anti-Air systems on the rooftops to repel the Gunships. Second Wave will arrive soon."

"Affirmative!"

James looked down at his LE 45, and noticed that the ammo count was at four then the twelve of a fully loaded magazine. He tucked his handgun back in his holster located in his coat and picked up an L8 Evo Rifle leaning on the wall where other ammo was stored by the Defense Troops. For what were to come next could have very well required it.

He knelt, pressed against the waist-high window sill and took notice of the other plaza. The sound of the Falta Gunships were getting much louder and the sound of their guns were very audible. Booming and ringing of what almost sounded like shrieks. Two of the gunships alone leveled a two story structure, crumbling it and setting it ablaze.

"Second Wave move in, Second Wave move in now!"

"Yes Sir, Commissioner Roy." Radioed back Lieutenant Banks.

"Both MACs focus fire at the Falta Gunships, with your rocket systems!"

James looked back to Vienen and Riley.

"We are going to take at least two of those things out. Come with me."

Riley confused followed by, Vienen finished patching up the injured Defense Trooper and also followed closely. James ran into the plaza against the shops and buildings. The middle of the plaza lay ridden with damaged and destroyed vehicles, bodies of Septem soldiers and some of his own Defense Ordinance Troopers. As they neared the other side, there was a gap between two buildings large enough for vehicles to stroll through. James leaned against the corner of the wall and peaked out to see the other side. He noticed there to be much less in structures and buildings. However he could see the base that housed the Defense Station Control Center. Most of the weapons seemed to still be intact. He looked back to Riley and Vienen.

"Sir, this is insane! Those Faltas are basically flying over us, we're gonna get shredded!"

"Shut it Guardsman! Follow me. we are gonna get us some tools to deal with this mess."

Riley stuck with an agreeing gesture and nodded.

As James was running through the debris and war torn shops, he kept wondering where the other Defense Troopers were. When they had arrived to the battle scene, they were no where to be seen. James thought himself that they had been taken, or had been killed. Both of which were not a good a situation for any of them.

The group of three had finally reached an area of the plaza that consisted of multiple stairways. James halted and quietly pointed to the ground by the steps. Vienen and Riley observed there to be shell casings of bullets. They looked back to James who gave a notion of approaching quietly up the stairs.

They began trekking up the steps quietly and delicately. Their guns pointed in all possible positions of engagement. James looked up at the upper floors as he kept ascending, and past those, clouds in the sky dropping rain upon them. A combination of thunder and gunfire was riddled throughout this section of Korris. He gazed around the area as it was quieter here. It was wet, dreary, and very windy. Each step taken with precaution and precision. Every gesture and posture at the ready for the worst. As they reached the higher floors of the structure, voices inside were audible.

James halted the group. He turned his head back to Vienen, and Riley to see them looking in different directions with their rifles pressed against their shoulders, and soon met eye contact with James. Without speaking a word, James signaled to enter at his command. Both Personal Order Guards nodded with understanding. James approached the stone doorway gently, pressing against the wall and ease dropped on the chatter inside.

"No no. We need more units here.......... yes... yes I understand, but Sir. Yes I understand, I can hear the gunships overhead. They are performing exceptionally well. Yes, however we've only got the assistance of one Carrier Class providing aid off the coast.................... Sir, if they get a hold of those defe-- ... Yes Sir. I understand Major. We'll get it done."

To James, it seems as though Stult's assumption of a Carrier off in the coast was correct. This only meant that the Septem forces were limited, and could mean a victory for the Legion forces.

He turned his head to Riley and Vienen and gave the order to breach.

He blinked in a sequence to engage.

three

two

one

Quickly! James stormed in with his rifle with Vienen and Riley close behind! Upon first glance of the room, there were  nine Septem Spec Ops operatives. James aimed his rifle and fired a hail of bullets and killed three of the men, and slid into cover. Vienen fired precise shots that killed one of the Spec Ops and injured another. Riley, being the last to enter the room, was receiving the fire directed towards James and Vienen, and unloaded into the room while running and pressing behind a series of desks. Bullets were zooming through the room, papers were flying in the air, electronic equipment short circuited, and the noise was deafening with the loud cracks of the rifles shooting at opposite sides.

James pulled out his LE 45, and slid once more to the other side of the room and fired three shots at one of the individuals. James believed to had killed him when seeing his body jerking back violently by the first two shots and the splatter of blood released from his head, smearing the wall.

"Fuck you!" Shouted a Spec Op operative, possibly the injured the one, for his voice sounded gargled.

A series of bullets unleashed on the group of three. After, the firing had paused, the sound of heavy breathing was heard. James looked at Riley, who was across from him loading his rifle. He gave James an assuring nod, and Vienen who was perched by Riley looked over to James.

Riley and Vienen both rose and fired their rifles in a spray that would put their enemies in cover. Brrrrraaaaat!

While this is happening, James lunges and leans over the tables, with his LE 45 in his right hand, and shoots precisely at the Spec Ops hiding behind cover.

Pap! Pap! Pap Pap!

One surprised Spec Op dropped limp.

"AAARRggghhh!" Shrieked a Spec Op, struck by James's gun, "Aaaahhhh-...."  His shrieks were cut off by the killing shot to his chest.

One Spec Op rose up and lunged at James with a blade! Riley and Vienen had their rifles trained on the individual but could not shoot in risk of hitting James.

The Spec Op presented a combat stance that James was very familiar with, James held his hands out to repel the lunges. The Spec Op lunged forward to impale James, but met a fatal end. James caught his wrist holding the knife, broke his arm, and kicked his leg to bring him down. In a fluid motion, turned the knife against the attacker and inserted the blade into his neck violently.

"GGGRRrrrgggg" The Spec Op was gargling in his own blood.

Pff! Pff! James impaled him twice more to silence him, and dropped his corpse.

He stood over the dead Septem Spec Ops, with their blood dripping off his hands, and smeared on his coat. The knife had been dropped to the floor, bouncing twice and clinging with the sound of metal. Riley and Vienen approached with stunning expressions of what they witnessed, and made sure the rest of the rooms were clear.

"Ugh....." Someone was moaning in pain. James looked to see the injured Spec Op that Vienen had shot sitting, leaning against a wall. Riley walked towards him and punched him square in the face.

"I think that will ease your pain a bit." Riley said as he walked away.

The injured Spec Op was holding his chest, near his heart of where the bullet had struck him. He was holding on, but barely.

The injured Spec Op lay head down, taking slow breaths. Riley examined the room for any lingering hostiles and stood by the window to see what was happening outside and down below.

"The Carrier offshore. Is it your only source of supply?" James asked sternly.

"......." He stayed silent, and only grunted from the pain.

"You have an opportunity to respond, I suggest you take it."

He continued to stay silent.

James motioned for Vienen and Riley to pick him up. They approached the injured Spec Op and held him in place tightly. James reached down and picked up the knife he used against the attacker, and walked up to the unhinged Spec Op.

"Is there just only a Carrier?"

"......." No response.

James inserted the blade into his chest where the bullet wound was, deepened slightly ever so. The Spec Op was crying out in enormous pain! He was wiggling in his hold, but Vienen and Riley held him tight.

"Haha.. heeh.. heh.. hmmmp!" He was laughing and crying all at once to try his best to avoid the pain.

"That was just a start." Exclaimed James.

He lunged the knife into the palm of his hand fiercely and swiftly! The Spec Op now in agonizing pain. From the palm of the hand, James pulled the knife, with his strength, through his skin, flesh, and bone, splitting the hand in two.

"AAAAARRgggghhffffuuuuck!" He was out of it now, and he could not stand it.

"Okkayy... Okay! There's only the Carrier, and a few other war ships.....hmph!" He was mumbling and sobbing in his own dilemma.

"Is that all?"

"Yes. yes yesss.. please.. "

James looked at both Riley and Vienen for a notion to drop the Spec Op. They did, and he slumped on his knees, on the floor gripping his split hand and crying in pain.

All the while, the Faltas above were devastating the battlefield. Oddly there was one sounding very close.

"Check it out Riley."

Riley ran to the window and peered around, until suddenly a Falta maneuvered in front of the window he was looking through!

"Shit!" As Riley stumbled back.

The sound of the Falta was extremely loud, the sound of the rotors were blowing the curtains violently and the room was being filled with fast winds and water vapor. Riley regained balance and walked backwards with his rifle trained on the gunship. The revving of the machine gun was audible.

"GET DOWN!" James hollered. Riley and Vienen leaped for cover, enclosing themselves behind the stone waist high walls, and other debris that lay around.

The sound of the machine gun gave off a very loud buzzing noise! The rounds of the gun were shredding throughout the lounge room of the top story structure. Dust and smoke were emitting from the striking of the bullets, glass was shattered and the walls seem to have been tumbling down.

Riley, laying down tucking his head, noticed the injured Spec Op staying on his knees in agonizing pain before a stream of bullets shredded him into multiple pieces. The firing had halted, and the only sound left was the gunships rotors.

"Stay down!" Shouted James. He then discreetly crawled to a corner of the room where a large hole was formed on the ceiling. The gunship stayed idle into the missile systems engaged and locked into a firing mode. Quickly James sprang up, and sprinted to Riley and Vienen, whom which were perched behind cover. He grabbed both by their collars and yanked them to the most rear of the lounge area!

BOOM BOOM! CRASH!

Half the ceiling had collapsed exposing the outside damp air, and breeze. The floor was partially missing as well, leaving the top floor of the structure in ruins. James, Riley, and Vienen were all on their backs from the shock of the explosions. Vienen's face was covered in streams of blood, and cuts. Riley's left arm suffered a severe cut that exposed the bone in his arm.

"Agh... fuck!" As Riley held his arm tightly.

For James however, he stood undamaged aside from no major cuts or wounds. James aimed his L8 Evo Rifle on the gunship and began searching for any weakness. It was not possible, until suddenly a rocket struck the side of the Falta gunship from below! The gunship regained balance from the strike and shifted to face what had hit it. Smoke was emitting out of its side.

"Second Wave has arrived, MACs engaging Faltas, Prypylons taking strategic positions." Radioed Lieutenant Banks.

"By hell..." Muttered Riley.

James quickly scanned the room, and under the debris and bodies, found a few Kev missiles and warheads.

"This is what we need." Said James to himself.

He picked up the rifle-carrying missile system and inserted a missile warhead into the chamber. The Kev missile was quite a standard to the Septem Special Operatives, whom usually carried it to deal with enemy armor, aircraft, and fortifications. It's quite reliable, and gives off a decent amount of power, but is heavy to lug around. For James, this weapon weighed nothing.

"Look at that!" Vienen said to agonized Riley, pointing to James.

James ran to the edge of the blown out building and aimed the Kev missile at the gunship. He fired and watched the small warhead meet its target, sending the Falta gunship in flames. It began descending rapidly, soon scrapping the sides of buildings and landed harshly in the plaza with a loud crash!

"We're seeing the....aghh... the Legend in person Vienen." Riley forced out, dealing with the pain.

James gazed out to see that the Defense Troops, along with the assistance of the other MACs, were able to knock down two more of the Falta gunships.

"Lieutenant Banks reporting in, it seems as though the remaining Faltas are retreating West."

"All Defense Teams, it is confirmed that there is a Carrier Class Sepem ship off the coast of Korris, as well with other possible war ships. Regroup in the Plaza, but stay alert. Defense Troops on the roof, stay until notified. We need eyes in case of another engagement."

"Affirmative!" Announced Lieutenant Banks.

James looked back at the two Personal Order Guards and smirked.

"Wishing to retire anytime soon?" James remarked satirically.

"Hell no. I've not seen action like this, standing by Enderson all the time." Responded Riley jokingly.

"Agreed." Vienen added.

"Come on lets go"

"Yes Sir" Both responded.

Vienen assisted Riley getting up, as his arm was shredded with a gaping wound. Vienen gave Riley a roll of gauze to cease the bleeding of his arm. they walked side by side with James leading the group. They descended down the stair way which was now partially damaged and almost leaning dangerously to one side.

"Damn your face is fucked up." Riley acknowledged as they walked down the steps.

"Thanks." A grief Vienen responded.

The sounds of gunfire had died down much more by this point, to where the sound of war could have been taken place somewhere else. The sky continually gray and cloudy, the dark, damp stones and the slight breeze of water vapor gave this battle a desolate feel. Also adding the smell of smoke and ash filling the noses of the group.

dap dap dap.

The noise of their steps meeting the damp wet floors. Vienen observing the scenery of the battle out beyond the plaza and Korris infrastructure. Riley still gripping his arm, the gauze soaked in his blood. James continued onward, determined to meet the rest of the Defense Teams. That is until they met a gap in the stair way that dropped at least three stories.