One Hour Earlier

The Elite Trinity Marines moved through the shattered remains of the dome with practiced precision. Their movements were silent, their expressions hidden beneath the sleek, black visors of their helmets. One of the marines crouched by a small pool of blood, a scanner in hand. The device blinked to life, analyzing the remnants of Ki in the air, confirming the worst.

Elite Marine: Sir, we've detected the admiral's blood—and traces of his Ki. It's faint, but unmistakable.

From the shadows of the woods emerged a figure of authority. His dark, regal uniform was adorned with hues of purple and red, marking him as someone of high rank. The man's presence exuded power, and his eyes gleamed with cold calculation as he surveyed the battlefield.

???: So, his power has been shattered. Whether he's dead, taken captive, or left buried under the rubble, it's of little consequence now.

He paused, his gaze lingering on the scattered debris. There was something deeper at play here. The Lakay Marines had proven capable of something extraordinary—taking down a Trinity admiral wasn't a feat easily achieved.

???: It seems these Lakay marines have someone with the strength to face beings like us. Intriguing.

The man's voice was low, thoughtful, as though considering new possibilities. He turned to his marines; his decision made.

???: Let's return to base. I only hope 'Mr. Man' dealt with that corporal by now. His body would be a suitable host for our newest project—a fitting dummy for the cause.

One of the elite marines nodded.

Elite marines: Yes, sir. I agree. It would be... efficient.

Meanwhile, High Above the Dome, Corporal Wyatt had pushed his way to the top of the tower, his uniform tattered and bloodstained from the brutal battle. But his focus was unwavering. After hours of scouring through the wreckage, he had finally found what he was looking for—the data logs. The files contained everything the Lakay forces needed to cripple Trinity's future operations.

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With shaking hands, Wyatt tapped furiously at the keyboard, bypassing the layers of security protocols with the skill of a seasoned hacker. He held his breath as the final screen blinked open.

Corporal Wyatt: YES! It worked!

he exclaimed, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He leaned closer to the screen, scanning the logs.

Corporal Wyatt: Now let's see what secrets you're hiding...

But his initial excitement faded almost immediately. The screen was filled with strange symbols, indecipherable lines of code that made no sense.

Corporal Wyatt: What the hell...? Symbols? It's all just symbols?!

A sudden, chilling realization washed over him. This wasn't just encrypted data—this was a trap.

Before he could react, the cold click of a gun's hammer being pulled back echoed behind him.

???: always has been.

The voice was low, smooth, and dangerous. Wyatt turned around slowly, dread creeping up his spine. Standing in the shadows, barely visible, was a figure cloaked in darkness, a silenced handgun leveled at Wyatt's head. The moment seemed to stretch for an eternity.

POW!

The gunshot echoed sharply through the silent air, and Wyatt's world went dark. He staggered, a wave of pain coursing through his body as his vision began to blur. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, the cold metal of the floor pressing against his cheek.

As his consciousness faded, the mysterious figure stepped closer, looming over him. The man's voice was calm, almost casual, as if this were merely another task in a long list of duties.

???: This is just the beginning, Corporal. The greater plans are already in motion, and you're just a small piece of the puzzle.

Wyatt's body was paralyzed, the pain overwhelming his senses. He could barely make out the man's face, obscured by the shadows, but his words were clear—hauntingly so.

???: No hard feelings, but you'll make a fine addition to the frontlines. Bigger things are coming, and soon enough, the entire world will bear witness. May General Luscious have mercy on you.

The figure stood silently for a moment, watching as the corporal's breathing grew shallow, his life force slipping away. The man in the shadows walked towards his direction.

Far below, the Elite Trinity Marines marched back into the woods, following their leader into the darkness. The battle had ended, but the war was far from over. Somewhere in the distance, the Trinity forces were already regrouping, preparing for the next phase. A phase that would push both Lakay and the rest of the world to the brink.

???: Let them celebrate their small victory. It won't matter in the end. Soon, they'll understand the true meaning of despair.

The shadows swallowed the man and his soldiers, vanishing as swiftly as they had appeared. The world would soon tremble before Trinity once more.

END