SWAT forces, led by the indomitable Wanderer, prepared for their final confrontation with Series 9. As they moved deeper into Series 9 territory, the skeletal remains of skyscrapers loomed overhead,

Thousands of armored vehicles, His trade with the True Horde mutants and investment in creating a blacksmith in the mermaid settlement had enabled him to produce his own armored cars. The massive force was divided into three columns, each led by a seasoned commander. Wanderer himself commanded the central column, while Zane led the SWAT forces in the south, and one eyed swat commander led on north. and not just that, a True Horde, their newfound allies, advanced from the north.

Aresia, as the leader of SWAT, had hesitated to send extra reinforcements, fearing a potential betrayal from either the True Horde. It was a logical decision, but it only fueled resentment toward Zane. Wandererunderstood Aresia's hesitation. He knew that the True Horde, while allies in this conflict, were ultimately driven by their own self-interest. They had clashed with Series 9 countless times before, and their perspective on the conflict might differ from his own.

As the forces advanced, Wanderer noticed the massive dust cloud they had created. He knew that this had compromised their element of surprise, and he would need to adapt his strategy accordingly. Turning to his map, he spotted a valley creek that could lead them into Series 9's sewer system.

However, Scout reported rumors of a dangerous creature lurking in the creek. “A giant, ugly tentacle that had devoured several humans. It might be a Series 9 creation to send away the homeless to their territory without tribute.”

Wanderer's skepticism was piqued. "Did you see it with your own eyes?" he asked the scout. When the scout shook his head, Wanderer sighed. "Then let's split our forces. I'll investigate the creek. It could be beneficial and save many lives if we can attack from an unexpected angle."

With that, Wanderer led a small group of his most trusted soldiers into the depths of the valley, their vehicles navigating the treacherous terrain. As they approached the creek, the air grew thick with a strange, musty smell. its was dark. and the water is glowing green. Ahead, they could hear the faint sound of gurgling water and the distant roar of machinery.

As they drew closer to the creek, they could see the source of the noise clearly. A towering, mutated bull appeared before them, its body twisted and distorted by red mutations. The bull let out a deafening roar, its massive body shuddering as it stamped its feet. The beast's eyes glowed with a strange, otherworldly light, its nostrils flared as it fixed its gaze on Wanderer and the others, clearly ready to charge.

"Well... they’re not a tentacle as we expected. Fire at them!"

The warrior quickly obeyed his command, opening fire on the monstrous beast. The bullets and energy bolts hit the bull's thick hide, but it only seemed to anger the creature further. It let out another roar and charged forward with surprising speed,

their vehicle then turn around trying to take distance on the bull in hurry.

“Sanada, do something with your spear!” Wanderer urged,. Sanada unsheathed his spear, holding it at the ready. As the bull continued to charge toward them, Sanada stepped forward, muscles tensed and eyes fixed on the creature's charging form.

Just as the bull was about to make contact, Sanada lunged forward with incredible speed, driving his spear into the bull's side. The spear sank deep into the creature's flesh, causing it to let out a pained bellow and slow in its charge. then soon. the bull momentum is stoped

"Wow. Amazing," Wanderer clapped his hands after opening his hatch. Sanada nodded at the compliment,. "Thanks," he said, yanking his spear free and readying it for another attack.

“I think he’s going down. Your spear is sharp enough to penetrate his iron skin. Finish him!” Wanderer encouraged. Sanada nodded and lunged forward once more, charging full force toward the injured bull. With a deft and precise movement, he drove the spear straight into the bull's heart, causing it to let out a final bellow before falling lifeless to the ground.

The other warrior watched in awe, letting out a collective sigh of relief. Wanderer approached Sanada and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Nice job, Sanada. That was impressive."

"Just doing what I do best. Glad it could help," Sanada replied, holstering his spear.

They continued deeper into the creek, riding toward a small stream of radiated water. "Careful, guys. Do not dare touch or even drink from the water, or you want a free mutation," Wanderer warned, a smirk on his face.

as they continued on, they heard a strange sound coming from up ahead—a low, guttural rumble that grew louder with every step.

“Steady, guys. We’re almost halfway,” Wanderer said, keeping his voice calm. The warrior kept their weapons at the ready, their eyes scanning the surroundings as they continued forward. The rumbling grew louder, and they could see a shadowy figure up ahead.

Wanderer signaled for the soldiers to stop, and they approached the figure cautiously. As they got closer, they could see that it was a giant mutated insect. Its body was covered in tough, chitinous plates, and its mandibles clicked menacingly as it turned its gaze toward them.

“Damn... fire thrower ATV in front!” Wanderer commanded. The lead ATV in their group had a mounted flamethrower, and the driver immediately revved the engine, preparing to unleash a burst of flames at the insect.

“Hold fire... wait for my command,” Wanderer instructed, his voice steady. The driver nodded and obeyed, holding back the flames for now. The warrior around him waited anxiously, weapons at the ready as the mutant insect loomed in front of them.

Wanderer held up a hand, his voice steady. “Steady... hold... hold...”

The soldiers held their breath, muscles tense, as they waited for his command. The mutant insect seemed to sense their presence, its antennae twitching as it studied them warily. It was just a few feet away now.

With a swift motion, Wanderer drew his shotgun and aimed it at the sky, pulling the trigger. The shotgun blast pierced the air with a loud boom, causing the insect to jerk backward, its body reacting to the sudden sound. It hissed angrily, mandibles clicking furiously, but hesitated to approach any further.

“Every driver, push the horn! Send them away with loud sound!” Wanderer barked.

The ATV drivers quickly followed his command, blasting their horns and filling the air with a deafening, discordant racket. The mutant insect recoiled at the noise, scurrying away into the darkness.

“Good... we can spare our ammo for Series 9. Alright, let’s keep going,” Wanderer said,

The warrior let out a collective sigh, grateful they had driven away the mutant insect without a fight. They nodded in agreement and moved forward, keeping a vigilant watch for any more unexpected threats. As they progressed, the iconic Series 9 skyscrapers began to come into view.

As they ventured deeper into the Creek, they stumbled upon a figure unlike any they had encountered before. A woman stood before them, clad in bizarre armor of iron spikes that clung to her body, leaving parts of her skin exposed in a provocative manner. Her hands, a sickly green hue, were adorned with intricate metalwork, and a makeshift crown of iron spikes sat atop her head. Her eyes is slighty visible under semi green transparant veil. A piece of green cloth peeked out from beneath her iron armor,

"You trespass on my domain. State your purpose, or face the consequences," she commanded,

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Wanderer, unfazed, cocked his shotgun. "Ahh, another mutant. This one seems late for carnival."

The woman stepped closer. "Mutant? Oh, no, I am far from that," she replied, her voice tinged with disdain. "But I can see how you'd make the mistake. I'm not like the other beings you've encountered here in the wastes. I'm something else entirely."

"Yes, I can see that... probably just another mental deranged person,heh" Wanderer shot back,

The woman's eyes narrowed at his insult. "Mental deranged, you say? I've been called worse by better. But make no mistake," her tone turned cold, "I am very much in control of my faculties. More so than any of you." She smirked, noting the unease of Wanderer's men. "Your men seem wary, dear Wanderer. Are they frightened of little old me?"

"Mm... you know me, huh?" Wanderer replied,

The woman chuckled lowly. "Your reputation precedes you, Wanderer. I know of your exploits, your victories, and your defeats. The wasteland talks." She took a step closer, her spiked armor scraping against the gritty earth. "But that alone doesn't answer my question. Why have you trespassed on my territory? What brings you here?"

"It's a shortcut to Series 9. We're going to give them hell," Wanderer declared,

Thea's eyes narrowed at the mention of Series 9. "Ah, Series 9. So you're one of those vagabonds, eh?" She studied him and his ragtag group of warrior. "A brave fool, I see. The inhabitants of Series 9 are nothing to sneeze at. But then again, I suppose you're used to taking risks."

"Good... will you just step away, or I might blow your bald head off,"

A smile played at the corners of her lips. "You underestimate me, Wanderer. I've faced far worse threats than you." She stepped closer, her spiked armor glinting in the dim light. "You and your little band of cowards may have a grenade launcher, but I have the power of the shadows at my command. You're out of your depth here. Turn back now, before it's too late."

Wanderer let out a laugh, . "Hoh hoohoho ahaha."

A flicker of annoyance passed over her face at his reaction. "Do you find this amusing, Wanderer? I assure you that my patience is wearing thin." The shadows around her seemed to dance and writhe, responding to her emotions. "Careful, fool. Push me too far, and I may just show you the true meaning of terror."

Wanderer smirked, "You had a funny pet around your lair. Tell me, what is that? Tentacle mutants? Seems... very lewd."

her expression darkened at the mention of them. "Ah, you've encountered those abominations before have you? They're the remnants of a dark ritual gone terribly wrong. Warped and twisted beings, half man, half monster."

"Good... so tell me, who are you? Another Series 9 goon?" Wanderer pressed.

"I am no goon, Wanderer," she replied, "I am Thea, a tomb angel, a guardian of the dead. I am a remnant of the past, a ghost haunting this wasteland." She stepped even closer. "I was once a warrior in the Sacred Order, the very same order you're about to attack."

"Sacred Order... ahhh, those crusaders. They’re kind of bygone relics. But I actually worked with them a couple of times after waging war with them. I’m at peace with them now," Wanderer said,

"Oh, how amusing. Peace with the Sacred Order, is it?" Thea's voice dripped with cynicism. "I find it hard to believe that you've managed to bury the hatchet after all your previous encounters."

"Yes, but I think they are now forgotten. Like years I never see them in the wasteland. Your decision to leave them seems... right," Wanderer replied, lowering his shotgun slightly.

Thea nodded. "Yes, they have lost their way. Once they were a symbol of hope, a beacon of righteousness in this desolate wasteland. But now they are little more than mercenaries, selling their blades to the highest bidder." A hint of sadness flickered in her eyes. "I left the order for a reason. They had become weak, compromised. They no longer served a higher cause, only their own interests."

"Hmhm... interesting," Wanderer mused, but his warrior still pointed their weapons at her, trembling slightly. "So... you were actually an ex-good guy?"

"Good guy? That's a relative term, isn't it? But yes, I suppose you could say I fought for the side of righteousness and justice once." She stepped closer, ignoring the weapons aimed at her. "But that was a long time ago. Things change, Wanderer. People change. I am not the same person I was then."

"Why? Betrayal? Lack of money? Incompetent leader? Jealousy? Tell me, please."

"Betrayal? Lack of money? Incompetent leader? Jealousy?" Thea scoffed, "You speak as if these are the only reasons for one to turn their back on the order. But it's not that simple,,It was a combination of factors. A perfect storm, if you will. But if you really want to know..."

"Yes. Tell me," Wanderer urged,

Thea let out a sigh, her shoulders drooping slightly. "Fine. I'll tell you." She took a deep breath, her gaze distant. "It started innocently enough. I was a fierce warrior, driven by my faith in the order. But as time passed, I began to question our methods. The order, once noble in its purpose, had become corrupted. They prioritized power and control above all else. And when I dared to challenge their decisions, to speak out against their cruelty, they turned on me." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "And thus, I was left to rot."

Wanderer raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Mhm... and what are you now? A queen of tentacles? Heh."

Thea's expression darkened at his comment. "Queen of tentacles? No, I assure you that's not quite accurate. I have no love for those... abominations." She gestured to the shadows swirling around her. "I control the shadows now, not those tentacled creatures. They're nothing but mindless beasts, corrupted by the dark energies that linger in this wasteland."

"Interesting... do you, like, have some mind control?" Wanderer asked, intrigued.

"Mind control?" Thea's eyes narrowed at the question. "Are you asking if I can control minds? A crude and barbaric practice, don't you think?"

Wanderer pressed on, "So... how do you control these mutants?"

"Control is not the right word," Thea replied, her voice growing cold. "They follow me out of a sense of loyalty and respect, not because I exert some kind of control over them. I lead them, guide them, and in turn, they protect me."

Wanderer's jaw dropped. "Do you think those... worms have some sense of gratitude?"

"Sense of gratitude? That's a bit complicated." Thea shook her head. "Those... worms, as you call them, are not like us. They're creatures of darkness, twisted and corrupted by the very shadows I command. They're not human, with human emotions or thoughts. They follow me because I give them purpose, because I control the shadows. It's a give-and-take, a relationship based on mutual benefit."

"You might be the most weird person I've ever encountered in the wasteland. Heck, even the Series 9 dudes seem too normal compared with you," Wanderer remarked,

Thea laughed dryly at his assessment. "Is that so? I'll take that as a compliment, I suppose. In this wasteland, abnormality is the norm.”

"Yes, so... why risk it against me? You know I can burn you all if you don't let me pass," Wanderer challenged,

"Why risk it, you ask?" Thea's expression became more serious. "Because I can't let you just waltz through my territory, that's why. You and your company pose a threat to me and mine. You may not see us as a serious threat, but we're not going to just roll over and let you through." She took a step closer, her shadows writhing around her like angry spirits. "And besides, I have nothing to lose anymore. I might as well take my chances."

Wanderer considered her words, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Hmm... come on, don't do that. After hearing your story, it makes me feel like a bad guy for wanting to destroy your iron head. How about I give you money in return for passage?"

Thea paused, her eyes narrowing as she considered his offer. "Money, you say? And how much would you be offering, exactly?"

"200 credits," Wanderer replied, his tone casual.

"200 credits, hm?" Thea mused, sizing him up. "That's a fair price, I suppose. But how do I know you'll keep your word? I need a guarantee that you and your soldiers won't attack us once I let you through."

Wanderer smirked on her cheap price. but he tease her more. "A bullet costs 4 credits. Killing yours... tentacles might cost a dozen or a thousand bullets, which is more than 200 credits. It's simple math, actually."

Thea nodded, "Hmm, I see your point. It would cost you more bullets to get past than you're paying for passage. Clever, I'll give you that. But still, I need something more than just mathematical logic to ensure my safety."

"Alright... first, you might be... umm, half human? I have a reputation for having a soft spot for fellow humans," Wanderer suggested.

"Half human?... And what makes you think I'm half human? Don't be fooled by appearances, Wanderer. This wasteland has twisted the definition of 'human' more than you can imagine."

"So... do you think you are no longer human?" Wanderer ask

Thea hesitated for a moment before answering. "Human... that word has lost all meaning to me. I've seen too much, done too much. I've been corrupted, changed by this wasteland. I'm not sure I can call myself human anymore. But neither am I some mindless monster. I'm... in-between, I suppose."

"Yes... we on the surface call your kind half human. Still have some sort of human skin and voice, but... kinda... hmhmh... darker," Wanderer observed.

Thea furrowed her brow. "Human skin, yes. Human voice, yes. But also... darker. That's an apt term. We half-humans are not quite human, not quite monster. We inhabit this strange space in-between, trapped between two worlds."

Wanderer crossed his arms, a smirk returning to his face. "Alright, you talk too much... so, do you trust me yet?"

"Trust you?" Thea let out a bitter laugh. " But you've made a convincing argument, and you've given me a fair offer. I have no reason to doubt you, Wanderer. At least, not yet."

"So? Peace?" Wanderer asked,

"Peace," Thea repeated, the word sounding almost foreign to her. She studied him a moment longer before nodding her head. "Alright, Wanderer. Peace it is. You and your soldiers shall pass through my land unharmed, as long as you keep your end of the deal."

Wanderer nod. "Good girl..."

Thea bristled at his choice of words, her expression darkening. "Don't you dare call me 'good girl.' I'm not some dog, to be commanded and praised."

Wanderer chuckled, "Hehe... sorry, old habit." He took a moment to count his money before tossing a small bag filled with 200 credits onto the ground in front of her.

Thea's eyes widened as the bag landed at her feet, the credits jingling softly. She bent down to pick it up, a hint of satisfaction creeping into her voice. "200 credits," she murmured. "I suppose this is what they call a gentleman's agreement, hm?"

"Yes. I'm gentle. And a man," Wanderer replied,

Thea couldn't help but chuckle at his comment. "Gentle and a man? I would've believed you to be a soldier or a mercenary, not some soft-spoken gentleman."

"Yes, even I am impressed with myself. So can you order your shadows to back off?" he asked, his tone light but with an underlying seriousness.

"Order them off, hm?" Thea glanced at the shadows writhing around her. "They're a bit more complicated than that. But don't worry, they won't harm you as long as you keep your word." With a graceful gesture, she commanded the shadows to recede, drawing them back into the ground.

Wanderer raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hmhm... you have a one million credit ability, don’t you think?"

Thea tilted her head, considering his question. "Hm, one million credit ability, you say? That's quite a compliment. But I'm not sure I understand your point. Are you suggesting that I should charge you one million credits for safe passage?"

"No, you iron head. I mean... even SWAT and Series 9 might dare to use a nuke for the ability you possess—controlling those creatures," he clarified.

Thea let out a dry chuckle. "Ah, now I understand. You're impressed by my ability to control those... monstrosities. Well, I'm flattered." She paused, contemplating his words. "I suppose, in a way, you're right. My ability to control them is quite powerful. Maybe I should charge more for safe passage."

"Don't think too smart... deal is deal," Wanderer replied,

"Fair enough," Thea conceded. "Deal is deal. You and your soldiers can pass through my land, unharmed. Just remember to keep your word, Wanderer. I won't hesitate to use my shadows if you break our agreement."

they then passing the creeks. while thea look at the convoy at higher ground. the light from their vehicle catch a glimpse of creature near thea. its was a mix of worm with a many legs. some was a smaller critter. the sight is even make battle harden veteran shiver. wanderer then glance at thea for last time before he lost the sight. thea then turn back showing on her back there is a spider like decoration made with metal,

“wierd girl...” wanderer muttered. then he look at the sky. a Swat jets flying. then followed by explosion. war is started.