The atmosphere was electric with tension as the final seconds ticked away. The city of London had transformed into a fortress, with makeshift barricades, armed soldiers, and players ready at their positions. Harry stood at the forefront, with Marcus and Susan by his side. Their faces were set with determination, ready to defend their city against whatever horrors emerged from the portal.

"Stay sharp, everyone," Harry commanded, his voice steady despite the anxiety gnawing at him. He glanced at Marcus and Susan, who nodded resolutely. "We've faced worse. We can handle this."

The countdown hit zero, and the sky seemed to shatter like glass. The portal, which had been a mere sliver of light, burst open in a blinding explosion of energy. Everyone braced for the expected onslaught of monsters pouring from the rift, but what they saw instead left them all in stunned silence.

Three figures emerged from the portal, levitating gracefully in the air. They looked almost human, but there was an unmistakable otherworldly aura about them. Their eyes glowed with an eerie light, and their presence exuded a sense of power and menace.

"What the hell?" Marcus muttered, tightening his grip on his daggers. "Are those... people?"

The leader, a tall figure with a commanding presence, stepped forward. His voice boomed across the city, amplified by some unseen force. "Greetings, people of this world. My name is Angus, one of the supreme commanders of the United Monsters Alliance."

Harry's mind raced. He had fought countless monsters, but never had he encountered anything like this. How could there be monsters who looked and spoke like humans? "What kind of twisted game is this?" he thought, his fists clenching in anger.

Angus continued, his voice dripping with contempt and authority. "We have observed your world for some time now, and we have deemed it ripe for our dominion. You have fought bravely, but your resistance is futile. We offer you a choice: surrender and live as our subjects, or face complete annihilation."

The crowd below murmured in shock and disbelief. Harry exchanged a glance with Marcus and Susan, their faces mirroring his confusion and anger. "This isn't just a battle," Susan whispered, her voice shaking. "It's an invasion."

Angus raised a hand to silence the crowd. "You have 48 hours to decide. If you choose to resist, know that no mercy will be shown. Your world will burn, and your people will perish. But if you surrender, we will spare your lives. You will become our servants, and peace will reign."

With that, the three figures vanished as suddenly as they had appeared, leaving the world in a state of chaos and uncertainty.

"What do we do now?" Marcus asked, turning to Harry. "We can't just surrender."

Harry took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside him. "We fight," he said firmly. "We can't let them take our world without a fight."

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The news of Angus's ultimatum spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the UK within hours. An emergency meeting of the leaders of the safe posts was called.

The meeting was held online, with screens connecting all leaders, military commanders, and top strategists from various cities. The tension was palpable as they processed the gravity of the situation.

"We're facing an unprecedented threat," Dave began, his voice steady but grim. "These creatures are more than just monsters. They have strategy, intelligence, and power. We need to prepare for the worst."

Susan spoke up, her face pale but determined. "We need to fortify our defenses and gather all the information we can about these commanders. If we can take them out, we might stand a chance."

Marcus nodded. "And we need to boost morale. People are scared, but we can't let fear control us. We need to show them that we're not giving up."

Harry listened to the plans being formed, feeling a mix of fear and resolve. "This isn't just about survival," he thought. "It's about fighting for our freedom, for our future."

"We have 48 hours," Dave said, his gaze sweeping across the screens. "Let's make every second count."

The meeting continued with various leaders chiming in with their strategies and concerns.

"We need more than just brute force," said Eliza, the leader of a safe post in Manchester. "We need to outthink them. We should set traps and use the terrain to our advantage."

"And we need better communication, we should be in contact with each other using the call feature on the window," added James, a military commander from Birmingham. "Our forces need to be able to coordinate quickly and efficiently. We can't afford any delays."

"Agreed," said Rachel, a top player known for her strategic mind. "We should establish a command center to streamline our efforts and ensure everyone is on the same page."

Marcus nodded. "We should also train more volunteers. Everyone who can hold a weapon should be ready to defend their homes. We can't rely solely on our top fighters."

Harry listened, his mind racing with ideas. "We should also scout their movements," he suggested. "Send out reconnaissance teams to gather intel on their positions and strategies. If we know where they're coming from, we can plan our defenses better."

Dave nodded, his expression serious. "Good idea, Harry. We'll need volunteers for that. Who's in?"

Several hands went up, and Harry felt a surge of pride and determination. They weren't backing down. They were ready to fight.

The meeting ended, and the leaders dispersed to prepare their cities for the impending battle. Harry, Susan, and Marcus stayed behind, discussing their next moves.

"We need to gather our best fighters and prepare for anything," Harry said. "And we need to be ready to strike at the heart of their operation if we get the chance."

Susan nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "We'll fight with everything we have. For our world, and each other."

As they stepped out into the city, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the buildings. It was a moment of calm before the storm, and Harry felt a surge of hope. They had faced impossible odds before, and they had prevailed. They could do it again.

"We're not alone," he thought, looking at his friends. "As long as we stand together, we have a chance."

The countdown had begun, and the city of London was ready. The fate of their world hung in the balance, but they were prepared to fight for it.

As the final day approached, the city buzzed with activity. Soldiers and players fortified the defenses, families gathered supplies, and leaders continued to coordinate their efforts. The air was thick with anticipation and determination.

"We have to stay strong," Harry said to his team during one of their briefings. "No matter what comes through that portal, we have to hold our ground. We're fighting for everything we hold dear."

"We will, Harry," Susan said, her voice steady. "We'll give them hell."

Marcus grinned, his confidence unwavering. "Let's show them what it means to mess with humanity."

As the hours ticked away, Harry took a moment to himself, standing on the rooftop of a tall building overlooking the city. He watched as the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink.

"We're ready," he whispered to himself. "Whatever happens, we're ready."

The final countdown began, and Harry joined his team on the frontlines. They stood shoulder to shoulder, their resolve unbreakable.

As the portal opened once more, Harry felt a surge of adrenaline. This was it. The fight for their world had begun.

"Let's go!" he shouted, leading the charge as they faced the unknown with courage and determination.

The battle for London—and the fate of the world—had begun.