The helicopters tore through the skies, rapidly approaching the group. From above, the pilots spotted the ghouls gathering outside the wall, their grotesque figures forming a wave of moving chaos.

"Targets spotted. All helicopters, prepare for attack. Form line of fire!" ordered the squad leader.

From inside the wall, the soldiers could hear the growing sound of the blades cutting through the air. Eyes rose toward the sky as the helicopters formed formation.

Thais, still on top of the wall, stopped her motorcycle for a moment to watch.

"They're here... It's going to be quite a show," she muttered, adjusting her weapon and scanning the skies once more.

Kay, walking alongside the first truck, picked up the radio and gave her order in a firm voice:

"Wait for the order to fire."

Far from the wall, the response came quickly and accurately.

"Right! We're ready. — said the squad leader in the helicopter,

After minutes that seemed like an eternity, the group reached the open square. The place, once a vibrant center of life, was now a desolate field. Remains of market stalls, rusted vehicles and dead trees made up the landscape. Despite the feeling of exposure, Kay knew that there they could reorganize their forces.

Stepping down from the truck with firm steps, he quickly assessed the place. The silence around him was disturbing, only interrupted by the distant sound of the helicopters.

Kay picked up the radio.

— Thais, we're here! As soon as the ghouls are eliminated, you can come down. The helicopters will take care of anything that comes from outside.

Thais's response was brief but determined.

— Understood.

Turning to Yumi, Kay began to organize the battlefield.

— Organize the recruits and veterans. I want a line of trucks here, forming a defensive blockade.

Yumi nodded, starting to distribute the soldiers.

"What now?" she asked, as she adjusted her helmet.

Kay took a deep breath, watching the horizon. He knew the worst was yet to come.

"Let's eliminate the ghouls here. The noise of the helicopters will attract even more ghouls from the kingdom. The biggest attack will be now."

Yumi, understanding the gravity of the situation, raised her voice to the soldiers:

"You heard me! Prepare for attacks from all directions, except behind us. The wall is protecting that flank!"

Kay completed the order firmly.

"When we open fire, everyone with weapons should not hesitate to use them. And hand-to-hand combatants, be ready to attack if their weapons become ineffective. Do not retreat!"

The soldiers saluted, responding in unison:

"Right!"

Kay, turning to the radio, gave the final instructions to the helicopters.

“As soon as you see the red smoke, pour lead on those ghouls outside. Don’t let any of them get close!”

The squad leader’s response was quick.

“Understood! We’re positioned and ready to act.”

“Fire a few shots to get their attention!” Kay ordered Alex.

“Okay!” Alex replied, as he activated the machine gun mounted on the truck. A series of shots echoed through the area, reverberating off the abandoned and destroyed buildings.

Kay crossed her arms, watching with a satisfied smile.

“Now just wait. They’ll come.”

Minutes passed in tense silence.

“I’ll go get them. Be ready!” Kay said, starting to walk away.

“You’re going alone?!” Yumi exclaimed, clearly worried.

“It’s easier for me to move this way. Just trust me.” — He gave a confident wink.

“Be careful, you stubborn bastard!” Mira shouted, clenching her fists.

“Okay!” Kay replied, already shooting towards the distant buildings.

He disappeared into the darkness of the devastated streets, leaving behind the soldiers on high alert. A few minutes passed until the ground began to shake even more intensely.

“This is…” San muttered, gripping his gun tightly. “There are many coming!” he shouted, his eyes wide.

“Hey, hey! Get your weapons ready, this is no joke!” Thais warned, nervousness etched in her voice.

Suddenly, Kay came back into view, running like lightning. Behind him, a huge horde of ghouls advanced en masse, their claws tearing the ground, their screams echoing with ferocity.

“He’s bringing an entire army!” Alex exclaimed, gripping the machine gun tighter.

As Kay crossed the open area, he raised his red flare and fired it into the sky. The projectile tore through the air, leaving a trail of bright smoke.

“Red flare spotted! We’re coming!” the helicopter leader confirmed over the radio.

The aircraft closed in quickly, the sound of their rotors mixing with the roar of the horde. As the ghouls came into range, the helicopters opened fire, raining a hail of bullets and explosions on the monsters outside the wall. It was carnage.

Meanwhile, inside the wall, Kay kept his focus.

“They’re going to be drawn to you now. I’m going to get out of the way! Fire at them!” he shouted into the radio.

“Okay!” Yumi replied, adjusting her position.

The soldiers in the trucks aimed their weapons at the horde that was beginning to invade the open space. Kay, his eyes shining amidst the chaos, manifested one of his tentacles. He slammed it hard into the ground, the impact generating a shockwave that threw him away from the center of the fight.

This gap was enough for the soldiers to open fire. A symphony of gunshots and explosions dominated the battlefield, while the ghouls fell in waves. The scene was a mix of smoke, screams and determination.

From above, the helicopters continued to eliminate the monsters that tried to scale the wall or approach the defenses.

Kay, landing safely on the ground after his jump, smiled as he observed the coordinated destruction.

"That's it! That's how it's done, team!" he said, standing up.

The battlefield turned into absolute chaos. Thick smoke hung in the air, partially covering the soldiers' vision. The sounds of cartridges falling to the ground mixed with the deafening echo of incessant gunfire. The strong smell of gunpowder permeated the environment, invading the nostrils and leaving a metallic taste in the mouths of those who took deep breaths.

Sweaty and panting soldiers held their weapons tightly, while the triggers were squeezed without respite. Each burst seemed little compared to the incessant wave of ghouls that continued to advance, even stumbling over the bodies of those already killed.

Kay, positioned on a safe elevation, observed the scene with sharp eyes. The smoke obscured part of what was unfolding on the field, but he could feel the growing pressure. Picking up the radio, his voice sounded firm and determined, cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Keep shooting! There are still many alive! Don't let the defense line break!"

The answer came quickly.

"Right!" — Yumi replied, her voice drowned out by the sound of explosions in the background.

The heavy machine guns on the trucks spun restlessly, spitting bullets at high speed. War cries echoed among the veterans and recruits, while the ghouls roared in response, trying to get closer, even under the hail of lead.

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A particularly large ghoul burst out of the smoke, its eyes shining with animalistic malice. It advanced quickly, ignoring the shots that pierced its dense flesh.

“Priority target, ahead!” Nina shouted, alerting the group.

“This is freaking awesome!” thought Thais, her eyes shining with excitement as she filmed the battle. The sky lit up with explosions and the deafening sound of machine guns. She wasn’t just recording the moments, she was living them, capturing the essence of a conflict that would change the history of the kingdom. Even as the tension grew and chaos unfolded around her, she couldn't help but feel a certain fascination for the intensity of that confrontation.

The helicopters continued their aerial bombardment and the trucks on the ground focused all their fire on the ghoul in front. The creature, although it tried to protect itself with its grotesque tentacles, didn't stand a chance. The bullets cut through the air with deadly precision, ripping off the monster's tentacles with a brutal impact. The sound of metal clashing against flesh was almost deafening. Soon, a fatal shot hit its torso, sending the ghoul falling heavily to the ground, creating a crash that reverberated across the battlefield. The monster's body lay there, motionless, a victim of human fury.

— "Surviving ghouls, retreat! Cease fire!" Kay commanded over the radio, her voice cutting through the air with icy clarity.

Nina immediately signaled to the soldiers, who stopped their fire. The sound of the machine guns faded, leaving a momentary silence on the battlefield. The wind carried the smoke, the smell of gunpowder permeated the air, and the horizon began to lighten as the dust settled.

Kay, his eyes fixed on the remaining creatures, took a step forward. He was fearless. He was the embodiment of vengeance and justice in this devastated field. With his imposing posture and his sword in hand, he blocked the only escape route for the ghouls, who watched with growing terror at Kay's menacing presence.

— "It seems your numbers have diminished." Kay's voice, full of determination, cut through the silence. He knew that the end was coming. The remaining monsters were now surrounded, with no option of escape.

The ghouls seemed to understand that they were at a disadvantage, slowly retreating, their eyes shining with a mixture of anger and fear. They were in a panic, clearly frightened by Kay's presence and the pressure of the soldiers around them. But fear didn't stop them, it only made them hesitate.

— "These are the last ones. Just eliminate them, and the kingdom will be recovered!" Kay ordered over the radio.

Yumi, who was standing next to him, raised her halberd firmly, her gaze fixed on the ghouls. Her presence was imposing, a living blade ready to cut down any threat in front of her.

— "Don't let your guard down!" she shouted, her voice like steel, full of authority. Her eyes were intense, as if she watched every move of the enemies, waiting for the exact moment to attack.

Thais, still filming, focused the lens on the expressions of the soldiers and the frightened creatures, capturing the essence of the tension. The moment was charged with something visceral, something primal that touched the depths of every soul present on that battlefield.

— "Let's finish this!" he said, and the order was clear. "Soldiers, advance and eliminate them.

The words were like a signal for execution, and the soldiers, without hesitation, advanced with deadly precision. The battle, until then brutal and chaotic, was now about to end. The remaining ghouls, no longer strong enough to fight, tried one last stand, but they knew that death was certain.

The shots echoed again, but now at a more controlled pace. Each shot made a difference, and the ghouls, one by one, fell to the ground, without a chance to react. The scene was terrifying and at the same time triumphant. The kingdom, once threatened by the horde of monsters, began to see the light of victory approaching.

Kay, standing, watched as the last creature fell. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the battle on his shoulders.

The massive bodies of the ghouls fell hard to the ground, and their falls generated a wave of smoke that obscured the vision. But when the air began to As the light dawned, the scene that appeared made everyone's hearts ache.

The tentacles of a ghoul, still writhing on the ground, were spread out near the bodies of the veteran soldiers. Their bodies were cut in half, a brutal and macabre scene, testimony to a violent attack. Among the dead, the body of a young recruit, Ethan, lay there, his empty gaze fixed on the horizon. Death, which seemed so far away, had finally taken its toll.

"When I thought we would get away with no deaths... Did it have to be at the end...?" Yumi said, her voice shaking with anger and pain. "What the hell!"

The recruits, still under the impact of the battle, looked at their fallen comrades, their eyes widening in horror. They were truly unprepared for this. War, although they had seen its consequences, had never come so close to them. Shock overwhelmed them, and their faces reflected the tragedy they now faced.

Kay, immersed in the silent pain of loss, advanced towards the ghoul responsible. He was covered by a mask that hid his emotions, but his posture, tense and unperturbed, said it all. He crouched down, his fingers touching the ghoul, feeling the weight of death under his hands.

In the darkness of his mind. A new ghoul appeared next to the first, as if waiting for an order.

"Devour him slowly, so that every last drop of his consciousness suffers." Kay ordered with eerie calm, her gaze fixed on the ghouls. The creature moved, obeying the order with almost mechanical precision.

He opened his eyes, leaving behind the darkness of his mind and returning to reality.

— "I was hoping this would end without casualties on our side..." Kay murmured, his voice low, almost imperceptible. He raised his head and, with renewed strength, spoke to Yumi. — We will take Ethan's body back to our country so he can have a proper burial."

Yumi, her eyes full of concern, did not respond immediately.

— "I understand. We will also return to bury our comrades." Yumi said, her voice broken, but full of respect for Ethan and those who fell before him.

It was at that moment that Kay received a call from Fernanda. He took a deep breath before answering, trying to hide the pain behind his voice.

— "It was nothing. We are done here." Kay replied, trying to calm down.

— "Did they recover the kingdom?" Fernanda asked, her voice full of concern.

— "Yes, we did. We had five casualties and one from my squad..." Kay said, worried. — "Tell the captain to inform Ethan's family. Let's return to base and then we'll take him back home. We'll give him a proper burial."

Fernanda was silent for a moment, before responding with comforting calm.

— "Okay! You did a good job. We'll prepare a proper burial for him."

— "Thank you." Kay said, the word coming out with a deep weight.

Yumi approached, placing a hand on Kay's shoulder in a silent gesture of support. The silence between them spoke more than words could express. War was not only about victories, but also about losses. And in that moment, Kay felt the weight of responsibility more than ever.

— "Hold your heads high!" Yumi exclaimed in a firm voice, her posture straight and full of determination. "Our comrades died reclaiming the kingdom and fought bravely until the end! Let us not dishonor their deaths with sadness and worry, but let us honor them by celebrating our victory!"

Those around him, soldiers of the squad, raised their weapons and shouted in unison, an explosion of sound and emotion, like a victorious cry that reverberated across the devastated field. The smoke that still hung around seemed to diminish in the face of the force of that moment. Kay watched from afar, his mask, which until then had hidden his face, was removed. His gaze was unperturbed, but inside, he felt the weight of it all.

— "They will go back now. We are leaving!" Kay said in a calm but resolute voice.

Yumi, with a firm gaze, responded with the same seriousness.

— "We have to wait for the king's group to arrive to install the weapons. After that, we'll head back."

Kay gave a soft smile and, with an affectionate gesture, stroked Yumi's head, a touch that was her way of showing affection.

— "Take care."

— "Thank you, be careful on the way back!" Yumi replied, smiling slightly

— "Fifth squad, we're going to retreat!" Kay ordered

The recruits, still visibly shaken by the loss of Ethan, saluted and obeyed the order, but their expressions carried the pain of those who still couldn't fully understand what they had experienced.

Kay looked at Ethan's body.

— "How are you going to take the bodies?" Kay asked, the tension in her voice evident.

— "We'll put them in the bags made for that." Yumi replied in a calm voice.

Nina, with the same calm and focus that characterized the veterans, took one of the bags from the truck and took it to Kay. Two veterans, with a silent gesture, placed Ethan's body in the bag. Nina then closed the zipper, sealing the body and the memory of the recruit inside those materials.

Kay thanked her silently, picking up the body carefully. Each movement seemed slower, as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. He looked at Yumi and, with a softer tone of voice, spoke over the radio.

— "Thais, let's go. Get down."

— "Okay!" Thais replied, her voice sad, but she obeyed without hesitation.

One of the helicopters flew over the place and threw a ladder. Thais climbed up quickly, and the helicopter went towards the group and when it reached sufficient altitude, Thais jumped to the ground. The helicopter pulled away and, with a gentle turn, landed in the open area.

Kay, still holding Ethan's body in her arms, approached Yumi

— "Hey, Yumi. When you get a break from all this, come to our base to train!" Kay said, her tone light.

Yumi smiled with a spark of hope in her eyes.

— "I'll look forward to it, Kay!"

The recruits, still in shock from their loss, saluted Yumi before retreating to the helicopter. Kay, with one last look at Yumi, laid Ethan's body as carefully as he could inside the aircraft. After climbing in, he closed the door, and the helicopter took off, its blades gaining momentum as they took flight.

Yumi smiled with a spark of hope in her eyes.

— "I'll look forward to it, Kay!"

The recruits, still in shock from their loss, saluted Yumi before retreating to the helicopter. Kay, with one last look at Yumi, laid Ethan's body as carefully as possible inside the aircraft. After entering, he closed the door, and the helicopter started up, its blades gaining strength as they took flight.

Inside the helicopter, the tension seemed to dissolve a little.

Yumi, visibly satisfied, straightened up and spoke with authority.

— "Great! I want soldiers on guard on top of the wall!"

— "Right!" the soldiers replied, saluting promptly.

Then Yumi looked at Nina with a smile on her face, trying to ease the tension of the moment.

— "What did you think of my master?"

Nina, with a mischievous smile, answered sincerely.

— "Indeed, he is an impressive person! He is just a little weird, just like you!"

Yumi laughed out loud, boasting about her master, but there was a lightness in the way she reacted, something that contrasted with the seriousness of the moment.

— "I told you you'd like him!" Yumi replied confidently.

— "That's not what I said!" Nina replied, a little irritated by Yumi's provocation.

Yumi smiled, but her expression soon became more serious, with a glint of determination in her eyes.

— "Letting ghouls in after we've recovered would be an insult to Kay and his team. Keep this protected at all costs!" Yumi said with unmistakable authority.

— "Right!" the soldiers replied in unison, their faces now marked by relentless concentration.

Later, the sound of a fourth division plane's engine cut through the air as it descended to land at the sixth division's airport. The sky was tinted with the colors of sunset, and the pressure still hung in the air, as if the recent victory was not the end, but just a pause before the next fight.

— "We'll stay with you until you take flight again." Kay told the pilots, his voice steady and unwavering, as always.

— "Let's just get some fuel, it won't take long!" the pilot replied.

The group got off the plane, the weight of recent events still weighing on them, and there, waiting, were Joana and one of the pilots from the sixth division. The atmosphere was calmer, but the tension had not yet completely disappeared.

— "Good job completing the mission!" Joana greeted them with an approving smile, but her eyes also reflected the seriousness of the moment.

— "Did you come to pick us up personally? Do you have time?" — Kay said

Joana gave a slight smile. — "The captain cares about his soldiers, he's the one who sent me." The tone of pride in her voice was clear

Kay then approached the helicopter, where she carefully placed Ethan's body.

— "Let's wait for them to leave and then we can leave." Kay said, helping herself to a cup of coffee.