* Date: September 30, 2173

* Time: 9:15 AM

* Location: Adel Village

The gate was now functional, and Eldrant was now in a state of invasion. Kaynian troops poured out of the wormhole at an alarming rate. Guardians, Knights, Paladins, and Warlocks emerged, but that was not all. It wouldn't take long for the Kaynian troops to establish a defensive position around the gate. Firing lines were set up and formed a front line.

[Tale, I'm reading multiple Kaynian hostiles coming out of the gate!]

''How many?''

[At least three hundred...]

[...New contact detected! It's- It's a Sentinel!]

Emerging out of the wormhole was a sixty-meter tall class three Sentinel. Sentinels arm themselves with powerful energy cannons on their arms, shoulders, or torsos. The sight of such a machine would terrify any elve. And one such machine of war was in front of them. Tale gripped his battle machine rifle tightly, knowing their odds of winning were impossible.

''They're finally here.''

[What's the plan?]

''Sarroth, tell the Javelin that she's free to engage the Kaynian troops. We need her to soften them up for our engagement with them.''

The legendary blade spirit heeded the command of her master. It wouldn't be long until she tapped onto the rune orb on board the Javelin. Utilizing her magic, Sarroths sent her master's order via telepathy magic on the rune orb. Meanwhile, the wormhole started to shrink. Although, slowly, the gate began to construct the last two pillars needed.

''Javelin, this is Sarroth. Aerial bombardment on Kaynian troops is permitted. You are free to engage.''

''Understood, milady. We'll be commencing our attack.''

''Master, the bombardment is on its way.''

The Ghost nodded in appreciation. Right now, they were hiding in one of the houses in the village. Nadine finally calmed herself down while Hector stood beside her. The magic beast, the priestess summoned, stared at the Sentinel. The wolf was angry about the Sentinel's presence and was growling at it. The light frigate's main turrets aligned their barrels at the Kaynian troops. Meanwhile, the turret operators charged the cannons needed to obliterate the Kaynians. The light frigate was on red alert. Crews went to their stations while officers relayed the coordinates of the Kaynians. Javelin had everything ready to conduct her aerial bombardment of the gate.

The main cannons of the Javelin then fired its potent beam of magic at the Kaynians. Beams of magic would make their way toward the Kaynian forces, but the Sentinel's energy shield stopped the beam. A massive shockwave occurred as the magic beam impacted the Sentinel's energy shield. It was at this moment that Tale realized this was going to be an uphill battle. The Javelin's main cannons couldn't even penetrate the Sentinel's shields. Their only hope now is that the reinforcement coming would be enough to counter the Kaynians. All of a sudden, the Ghost heard an all too familiar humming. It was coming from the Sentinel and could only mean one thing.

[Tale, I'm reading energy signatures rising on that Sentinel...]

[...It's going to fire its arm cannons at the Javelin!]

''Sarroth! Warn them now!''

But it was too late; the Sentinel retaliated. Firing its arm cannons, the energy beams impacted the Javelin. Melting through its magic shield and into its hull. The light frigate couldn't handle the firepower of the Sentinel and succumbed to its wounds. The member's Tip of the Spear saw the Javelin as it slowly crashed to the ground.

''No, no, no! Sister!''

''Lady Nadine, please calm yourself!''

''You invader bastards!''

Hector held the crying priestess at bay. The loss of her twin sister had caused Nadine's mental health to degrade. And the only thing that crossed her mind was the thirst for revenge. Utilizing her magic, Sarroth tried warning via telepathy magic to the Javelin. Even though she was too late, the spirit still tried.

''ENS Javelin, please respond!''

''Sarroth, the frigate is dust. Conserve your magic.''

''But master!''

''There are no survivors on that ship...''

''...I know losing someone places a heavy toll on one's shoulder. But right now, we don't have the luxury and the time to mourn our losses. We need to fight because if we don't. Eldrant and its people will be maimed, burned, and slaughtered by the Kaynians.''

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

The former queen looked at her master and wondered. Does he have a plan? His response didn't only stick true but also carried a sort of regret. Of course, he would react this way. The hero's people have been at war with the Kaynians for about a year and a half.

''What do we do, master?''

''We'll have to reassess our resources. Magic, weapons, and defenses. Our new objective is to hold the Kaynian forces back until the reinforcements from the Indomitable arrive.''

''But we are outnumbered?''

''Hence, why will be smart about our defense...''

''...Vee, what do you have from the Kaynian comms?''

Summoning her avatar. The artificial intelligence projected multiple images concerning the Kaynian forces, illustrating numbers, troop composition, and firing lines. Vee shared this information with everyone in the room.

[From what I could gather, the Kaynian forces present here in Eldrant number only around three hundred. They're confused as to where they are. So let's use that to our advantage. Also, if you hadn't noticed, the wormhole shrank in size.]

Vee then presented the gate and its shrinking wormhole. The occupants of the room eyed the projection with hatred. Hector approached the image to get a closer look.

''If I may ask, Lady Vee. How do we stand against a force of three hundred?''

[Simple, we don't]

''Pardon?''

[I'm kidding! But if you think about it, we wouldn't be able to stand a chance against them.]

The artificial intelligence admitted, and everyone agreed with her. The entirety of Tip of the Spear was just them. The commander was gone, and Catherine and Pauline were gone. The priestess was slowly losing her mind, and the only stable combatants were Tale and Hector. This was a hopeless attempt at stalling the Kaynians for reinforcement.

[But I do have an idea of how we can turn this thing around.]

''Elaborate.''

[Did you know during the Kaynian invasion of Mars. That one of I.C.E. elite Ghost Operatives successfully conducted a mass killing of Kaynian troops?]

''Cloak and Dagger.''

[Uhuh them. They utilized the Kaynian communication network against them. Sending false reports of pinned-down Kaynians to their area to lure in unsuspecting prey. When Kaynians arrive at their location, they ambush them and wipe them out. Afterward, they repeated it multiple times, which granted them a high kill count of Kaynian troops.]

Tale knew where his partner was getting at. Cloak and Dagger is a squad composed only of second-generation Ghost Operatives. This made them one of the most favorite of I.C.E. They were instrumental in evacuating the civilians on Mars. But much like everyone who fought on the red planet, they were classified as K.I.A. soon after.

''You think we can do the same here?''

[Yep! It's a gamble, of course, but it's the only option we currently have. Luckily for us, I possess the Kaynian Lord's I.F.F. I could impersonate him and bring a small group of Kaynian troops here in the village.]

''Slowly cutting down their numbers...''

''...That could work. How much time do you need to begin?''

[I could do it now if you like.]

''Twenty minutes. We need time to prepare first.''

[Undestood.]

Now that they had a plan in place. The only thing Tale had to consider was everyone else. The priestess was almost out of magic. The black knight lost his steed but could be substituted for the magic beast Nadine summoned. Sarroth was a spirit, so naturally, her magic reserves were high.

''Hector, much like last time, you'll conduct hit-and-run tactics on the Kaynians. But it depends whether or not you can work with the wolf.''

''No need to worry, hero. I think I can work with the magic beast. He may not be a steed, but we can understand each other. Ain't that right, wolfy!''

The beast got close to the black knight before responding with a lick to the knight's face. Afterward, it would stick its tongue out while panting heavily.

''Priestess.''

''What is it you want me to do, hero.''

''Area denial and ranged support. You'll have the duty of pinning the Kaynians down with Sarroth for us to finish off.''

''Very well.''

Tale nodded in return. Now that everyone had their role. That just left him with his ammunition issue. Currently, the Ghost only possesses his last drum magazine for his rifle. He'd be hard-pressed to deny that he'd be dumping them on this defense.

'Not looking too good on ammunition, master?'

'Affirmative. If we survive this, our next confrontation with the Kaynian Lord may revolve around you.'

'I am honored, but if I may. I have a proposition.'

'What is it?'

'It is undeniable that you are a perfect example of your species' iron will of not giving up. But even you will perish one day, my master. If we survive through this, I don't want to see the day that you die...'

'...Because of that, I have found a way for you to possess the ability to harness the power of magic. It would take time for you to use it, but it would be worth it for the future threats you may encounter.'

'How much time exactly?'

'Ten years.'

'Do it. There's no harm in doing so anyway.'

TALE: Hero of Eldrant

After twenty minutes had passed, the signal was sent. The Ghost and members of Tip of the Spear were finally in position. The Ghost was invisible to the naked eye and was hiding in plain sight. Hector and his new mount hid behind one of the houses. The priestess was also hiding behind a house.

[Tale, I got movement.]

''How many?''

[Ten, and they're all Guardians.]

The Kaynian Guardians made their entrance. They searched for the Kaynian Lords I.F.F. But was unaware of the fact that they were walking in a trap.

''All combatants, you're clear to engage!''

The Ghost commanded before firing a burst at the unsuspecting Guardians. The fifty caliber rounds flew at hypersonic speed, impacting the Guardian's energy shield. It wouldn't take long for the Guardians to notice the Ghost and return fire. Tale quickly evaded the beams of energy headed his way and entered a house for cover. Unknown to the Guardians, they would neglect the danger of a pissed-off priestess. Nadine emerged from her cover and fired her ice needles at the Guardians. This resulted in some of the Guardians losing their energy shield. A handful of Guardians would turn around and open fire at the priestess. Nadine would seek cover after performing her task.

Emerging out of a house, the black knight and his wolf mount charged at the occupied Guardians. Spear at hand, Hector impaled a Guardian on his shoulder, dragging him along. The wolf would also take out another Kaynian by biting and crushing a Guardian with its jaws. Before the Guardians could open fire at the wolf-riding black knight, but it was too late. The Guardians wouldn't be fast enough and allowed Hector to flee. The Guardians focused their attention on the black knight. Tale aimed his rifle and fired another burst at the Kaynians. Multiple fifty-caliber rounds made their way toward the Kaynians. The Ghosts would take out five of the Guardians in the process.

'Sarroth, you're up; hit them.'

'Understood, my master.'

Summoning her avatar. The blade spirit unleashed a surge of lightning magic at the remaining Guardians. Stripped of their energy shields, the Guardians stood no chance against the electrifying assault. The lightning made contact with their bio-mechanical bodies, instantly bringing about their demise. Lightning tendrils made contact with the remaining Guardians. Poking out of his cover, Tale saw the lifeless bodies of the Guardians. Walking closer, the Ghost wanted to confirm if they were deceased. Upon getting closer, Tale gave out a sigh of relief. Tip of the Spears' first encounter with Kaynian troops has ended well.

''Sarroth, hide the bodies.''

''Understood, master.''

''Vee prep another signal.''

The artificial intelligence nodded in agreement. Creating another fake signal, this time from the Kaynian troops they have gunned down. However, the signal sent wouldn't have any I.F.F. that could get them caught if the Vee didn't give a proper impersonation.

[Affirmative, but the signal this time wouldn't have any I.F.F., so there's a chance we'd be caught.]

''I see; just do your best.''

[Don't worry, I will.]

Looking at the Sentinel from afar, the Ghost knew this would be pointless without them taking that out. Its energy shield presented a problem. Kaynian troops were taking cover behind the Sentinel, but Tale knew that shield wouldn't last.

'I wish we had a nuclear-guided torpedo right now because even if we take out the troops. The Sentinel will rip us to shreds without us damaging it. There has to be a way for us to destroy it before the reinforcement arrives, but that's just wishful thinking on my part.'

To Be Continued.